Variable rate incrementing recorder

Claim 2

Apparatus for recording, at selectively spaced positions on a tape, data characters, which arrive at irregular spaced time intervals, and for playing back said data characters at any selected rate up to the maximum speed of the tape, comprising: a. a capstan shaft against which said tape is pressed; b. a continuously rotating flywheel; c. electrically controlled first clutch means responsive to the arrival of each data character for engaging said first clutch and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft for a selected time interval and traversing said tape a selected increment of length; d. a write head past which said tape is moved by said capstan, a data character being recorded in each selected incremental length of tape; e. means for rewinding said tape; f. electrically controlled second clutch means responsive to signal from a device using the reproduced data from said tapes for engaging said second clutch means and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft through an element common to both of said first and second clutch means and advancing said tape past a read head; and g. means responsive to the reading of the data character on the tape to disengage said second clutch and stop said tape.

Claim 3

Apparatus for recording, at selectively spaced positions on a tape, data characters, which arrive at irregular spaced time intervals, and for playing back said data characters at any selected rate up to the maximum speed of the tape, comprising: a. a capstan shaft against which said tape is pressed; b. a continuously rotating flywheel; c. electrically controlled first clutch means responsive to the arrival of each data character for engaging said first clutch and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft for a selected time interval and traversing said tape a selected increment of length; d. a write head past which said tape is moved bY said capstan, a data character being recorded in each selected incremental length of tape; e. means for rewinding said tape; f. electrically controlled second clutch means responsive to signal from a device using the reproduced data from said tapes for engaging said second clutch means and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft and advancing said tape past a read head; g. means responsive to the reading of the data character on the tape to disengage said second clutch and stop said tape; h. helical spring means for driving said capstan from said flywheel; i. ratchet means for engaging and disengaging said spring means to and from said flywheel; and j. electromagnetically operated plunger means to control said ratchet means.

Claim 4

Apparatus for recording, at selectively spaced positions on a tape, data characters, which arrive at irregular spaced time intervals, and for playing back said data characters at any selected rate up to the maximum speed of the tape, comprising: a. a capstan shaft against which said tape is pressed; b. a continuously rotating flywheel; c. electrically controlled first clutch means responsive to the arrival of each data character for engaging said first clutch and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft for a selected time interval and traversing said tape a selected increment of length; d. a write head past which said tape is moved bY said capstan, a data character being recorded in each selected incremental length of tape; e. means for rewinding said tape; f. electrically controlled second clutch means responsive to signal from a device using the reproduced data from said tapes for engaging said second clutch means and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft and advancing said tape past a read head; g. means responsive to the reading of the data character on the tape to disengage said second clutch and stop said tape; h. helical spring means for driving said capstan from said flywheel; i. ratchet means for engaging and disengaging said spring means to and from said flywheel; and j. electromagnetically operated plunger means to control said ratchet means.

Claim 5

The apparatus as in claim 2 in which said ratchet means provides means to engage said spring means to said flywheel for successive intervals of time of a preselected duration.

Claim 6

Apparatus for recirding, at selectively spaced positions on a tape, data characters, which arrive at irregular spaced time intervals, and for playing back said data characters at any selected rate up to the maximum speed of the tape, comprising: a. a capstan shaft against which said tape is pressed; b. a continuously rotating flywheel; c. electrically controlled first clutch means responsive to the arrival of each data character for engaging said first clutch and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft for a selected time interval and traversing said tape a selected increment of length; d. a write head past which said tape is moved by said capstan, a data character being recorded in each selected incremental length of tape; e. means for rewinding said tape; f. electrically controlled second clutch means responsive to signal from a device using the reproduced data from said tapes for engaging said second clutch means and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft and advancing said tape past a read head; g. means responsive to the reading of the data character on the tape to disengage said second clutch and stop said tape; h. helical spring means for driving said capstan from said flywheel; i. friction rim means for engaging and disengaging said spring means to and from said flywheel; j. frictional plunger means in operative relation to restrain and to release said friction rim; and k. electromagnetically operated means to control said frictional plunger.

Claim 7

Apparatus for recirding, at selectively spaced positions on a tape, data characters, which arrive at irregular spaced time intervals, and for playing back said data characters at any selected rate up to the maximum speed of the tape, comprising: a. a capstan shaft against which said tape is pressed; b. a continuously rotating flywheel; c. electrically controlled first clutch means responsive to the arrival of each data character for engaging said first clutch and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft for a selected time interval and traversing said tape a selected increment of length; d. a write head past which said tape is moved by said capstan, a data character being recorded in each selected incremental length of tape; e. means for rewinding said tape; f. electrically controlled second clutch means responsive to signal from a device using the reproduced data from said tapes for engaging said second clutch means and operatively connecting said flywheel and said capstan shaft and advancing said tape past a read head; g. means responsive to the reading of the data character on the tape to disengage said second clutch and stop said tape; h. helical spring means for driving said capstan from said flywheel; i. friction rim means for engaging and disengaging said spring means to and from said flywheel; j. frictional plunger means in operative relation to restrain and to release said friction rim; and k. electromagnetically operated means to control said frictional plunger.

Claim 8

The apparatus as in claim 4 in which said helical spring means is permanently in torque transmitting connection to said capstan at one end, and is connected to said friction rim at its second end, said spring placed in torque transmitting connection to said flywheel when said friction rim is released, and is removed from torque transmitting connection when said friction rim is clamped by said frictional plunger.