Tape machine with index members to control tape transport

Claim 2

In a magnetic tape apparatus including a tape deck, and means for displacing a magnetic tape relative to said tape deck, the improvement which comprises a. first (21) and second (22) index members; b. means mounting said index members with said tape deck for independent sliding movement along adjacent first and second paths, respectively, whereby each of said index members is adapted for manual setting to a selected indicating position along its path of travel; c. drive means (12) for displacing said first index member along said first path as a function of displacement of the tape on said tape deck, whereby the instantaneous position of said first index member along said first path is a function of the displacement of the tape on the machine; and d. switch means (36, 37) responsive to movement of said index members to predetermined relative positions on said first and second paths, respectively, for deactivating said magnetic tape displacing means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said switch means comprises co-operating contacts mounted on said first and second index members, respectively, said contacts being arranged for engagement when said index members are positioned adjacent each other on said first and second paths, respectively.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said tape displacing means includes means (104) operable to rewind said magnetic tape relative to said tape deck, said switch means being operable to de-activate said rewind means when said index members have predetermined positions relative to said tape deck.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including an elongate scale member (4), means (25, 26) associated with said scale member for guiding said index members along said first and second paths, respectively, a markable record (7), and means (10, 11) supporting said record on said scale member adjacent said first and second index members, whereby the record may be marked to denote the positions of said index members on said paths, respectiveLy.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said drive means comprises a screw member (12) rotatably connected with said tape deck in generally parallel relation to said scale member, means (17) for driving said screw member by said tape displacing means, a drive block (27) slidably mounted on said drive block being mechanically connected with said first index member, and a drive spring (31) mounted on said drive block and resiliently engaging the thread on said screw member, whereby said drive spring is driven along the thread on said screw member on rotation thereof to displace said drive block and said first index member along said first path, and said drive spring rides over the thread on said screw member on manual displacement of said first index member and said drive block to selected indicating positions.

Claim 7

A magazine-type magnetic tape apparatus, comprising a. a tape deck (1); b. a tape magazine loading tray (2) connected with said tape deck, said loading tray containing a rear opening for receiving a tape magazine having a pinch wheel mounted therein, said loading tray having also a front opening affording access to said tape magazine and to said pinch wheel; c. means for displacing said tape relative to said tape deck, said tape displacing means including a tape drive capstan (94) and a record/playback head (93) connected with said tape deck adjacent the front opening of said loading tray for cooperation with said pinch roll and with said tape, respectively, whereby the tape is driven by the capstan relative to said record/playback head; d. first (21) and second (22) index members; e. means mounting said index members with said tape deck for independent sliding movement along adjacent first and second paths, respectively, whereby each of said index members is adapted for manual setting to a selected indicating position along its path of travel; f. drive means (12) for displacing said first index member along said first path as a function of displacement of the tape on said tape deck, whereby the instantaneous position of said first index member along said first path is a function of the displacement of the tape on the machine; and g. switch means (36,37) responsive to movement of said index members to predetermined relative positions on said first and second paths, respectively, for deactivating said magnetic tape displacing means.

Claim 8

A magazine-type magnetic tape apparatus, comprising a. a tape deck (1); b. a tape magazine loading tray (2) connected with said tape deck, said loading tray containing a rear opening for receiving a tape magazine having a pinch wheel mounted therein, said loading tray having also a front opening affording access to said tape magazine and to said pinch wheel; c. means for displacing said tape relative to said tape deck, said tape displacing means including a tape drive capstan (94) and a record/playback head (93) connected with said tape deck adjacent the front opening of said loading tray for cooperation with said pinch roll and with said tape, respectively, whereby the tape is driven by the capstan relative to said record/playback head; d. first (21) and second (22) index members; e. means mounting said index members with said tape deck for independent sliding movement along adjacent first and second paths, respectively, whereby each of said index members is adapted for manual setting to a selected indicating position along its path of travel; f. drive means (12) for displacing said first index member along said first path as a function of displacement of the tape on said tape deck, whereby the instantaneous position of said first index member along said first path is a function of the displacement of the tape on the machine; and g. switch means (36,37) responsive to movement of said index members to predetermined relative positions on said first and second paths, respectively, for deactivating said magnetic tape displacing means.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 6, and further including means pivotally connecting said loading tray with said tape deck for movement between an operative position relative to said record/playback head and an inoperative loading and unloading position.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said pivotal connecting means comprises sliding pivot means (45,46) arranged adjacent the forward end of said loading tray, thereby to permit pivotal raising of the rear of the tray relative to the front of the tray toward the loading and unloading position, said tray being movable toward said operative position by lowering the rear of said tray and sliding the tray forwardly toward said drive capstan and said record/playback head.