Patent US3820101A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3820101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remaining tape sensing apparatus
Assignee: Lanier Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-15
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-06-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for use with a web feed apparatus such as a tape recorder, in which a supply of the web material wound on a spool is withdrawn from the spool for use, to provide an indication when only a predetermined amount of web remains on the spool. The present apparatus is responsive to the amount of tape remaining on the spool, and so an indication corresponding to the amount of remaining tape is made irrespective of the amount of tape initially on the spool. In one disclosed embodiment of the invention, a source of suitable radiation, such as illumination, and a radiation sensitive device are positioned on opposite sides of the tape spool at a predetermined distance from the axis of the spool, so that the radiation path remains interrupted by the tape on the spool until only a predetermined amount of tape remains on the spool. No mechanical or electrical interconnection with the tape transport mechanism is required. In another disclosed embodiment, the tape supply spool is connected to provide a signal having a parameter which is proportional to the speed at which the tape supply spool is rotated. A signal is provided in response to a parameter value corresponding to the supply spool rotational speed caused by a predetermined amount of remaining tape.
Inventors
- 👤 F Bolick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:05
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/11; G11B27/13; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/46; G11B27/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
In a tape transfer apparatus of the type having a receptacle to receive a tape cassette, said tape cassette having a first tape winding spool and a second tape winding spool supported for rotation between a pair of spaced apart parallel cover members, the axes of tape spool rotation being spaced apart one from the other and being substantially perpendicular to said cover members, a length of tape wound on and extending between said winding spools, mutually aligned transparent regions disposed in each of said cover members in relation to said axes to expose to view at least a predetermined maximum diameter of tape wound on one of said tape winding spools, said receptacle defined by an aperture through which said tape cassette may be moved in a direction substantially parallel to said cover members to insert or remove the cassette, means within said aperture to support said tape cassette within said receptacle, means positioned within said aperture and at one side of said receptacle to direct a beam of radiant energy toward one of said transparent regions so that said radiant energy is allowed to pass through said cassette and be present at a certain location on the other side of said receptacle only when not more than said predetermined diameter of tape is wound on said one spool, means operative to provide a control output signal in response to said radiated energy and positioned within said aperture and at said other side of said receptacle to receive said beam of energy passing through both of said transparent regions and present at said certain location on said other side in the absence of at least said predetermined diameter of tape wound on said one spool, and utilization means operative in response to said control output signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
In a tape transfer apparatus of the type having a receptacle to receive a tape cassette, said tape cassette having a first tape winding spool and a second tape winding spool supported for rotation between a pair of spaced apart parallel cover members, the axes of tape spool rotation being spaced apart one from the other and being substantially perpendicular to said cover members, a length of tape wound on and extending between said winding spools, mutually aligned transparent regions disposed in each of said cover members in relation to said axes to expose to view at least a predetermined maximum diameter of tape wound on one of said tape winding spools, said receptacle defined by an aperture through which said tape cassette may be moved in a direction substantially parallel to said cover members to insert or remove the cassette, means within said aperture to support said tape cassette within said receptacle, means positioned within said aperture and at one side of said receptacle to direct a beam of radiant energy toward one of said transparent regions so that said radiant energy is allowed to pass through said cassette and be present at a certain location on the other side of said receptacle only when not more than said predetermined diameter of tape is wound on said one spool, means operative to provide a control output signal in response to said radiated energy and positioned within said aperture and at said other side of said receptacle to receive said beam of energy passing through both of said transparent regions and present at said certain location on said other side in the absence of at least said predetermined diameter of tape wound on said one spool, and utilization means operative in response to said control output signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein at least said one tape winding spool has no flanges or other structure interposed between said transparent regions at said predetermined maximum diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a tape transfer apparatus of the type having a receptacle to receive a tape cassette having a first tape winding spool and a second tape winding spool supported for rotation between a pair of spaced apart parallel cover members, the axes of tape spool rotation being spaced apart one from the other and being substantially perpendicular to said cover members, a length of tape wound on and extending between said winding spools, mutually aligned transparent regions disposed in each of said cover members in relation to said axes to expose to view at least a predetermined maximum diameter of tape wound on one of said tape winding spools, the improvement comprising a tape receiving receptacle defined by an aperture through which said tape cassette may be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the cover members to insert or remove the cassette, means within said aperture to support the tape cassette within said receptacle, means positioned within said aperture and at one side of said receptacle to direct a beam of radiant energy toward one of said transparent regions so that said radiant energy is allowed to pass through said cassette and be present at a certain location on the other side of said receptacle only when not more than said predetermined diameter of tape is wound on said one spool, means operative to provide a control output signal in response to said radiated energy and positioned within said aperture and at said other side of said receptacle to receive said beam of energy passing through both of said transparent regions and present at said certain location on said other side in the absence of at least said predetermined diameter of tape wound on said one spool, and utilization means operative in response to said control output signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a tape transfer apparatus of the type having a receptacle to receive a tape cassette having a first tape winding spool and a second tape winding spool supported for rotation between a pair of spaced apart parallel cover members, the axes of tape spool rotation being spaced apart one from the other and being substantially perpendicular to said cover members, a length of tape wound on and extending between said winding spools, mutually aligned transparent regions disposed in each of said cover members in relation to said axes to expose to view at least a predetermined maximum diameter of tape wound on one of said tape winding spools, the improvement comprising a tape receiving receptacle defined by an aperture through which said tape cassette may be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the cover members to insert or remove the cassette, means within said aperture to support the tape cassette within said receptacle, means positioned within said aperture and at one side of said receptacle to direct a beam of radiant energy toward one of said transparent regions so that said radiant energy is allowed to pass through said cassette and be present at a certain location on the other side of said receptacle only when not more than said predetermined diameter of tape is wound on said one spool, means operative to provide a control output signal in response to said radiated energy and positioned within said aperture and at said other side of said receptacle to receive said beam of energy passing through both of said transparent regions and present at said certain location on said other side in the absence of at least said predetermined diameter of tape wound on said one spool, and utilization means operative in response to said control output signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |