US3820160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indexing mechanism
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1991-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A pawl and ratchet device actuated by a solenoid for rotating the cam of a cartridge-type tape player to position the magnetic tape head adjacent different tracks on the tape includes a unitary plastic pawl element having an opening therein for receiving the ratchet wheel and further having first and second pawls integrally formed as part of the pawl element and attached to the sides of the opening thereof by a restricted portion forming a spring biasing the pawls into engagement with the ratchet. Surfaces are provided on opposite sides of the opening in the pawl element for engaging the ratchet wheel in the extreme positions of motion of the element in both directions to prevent further rotation of the ratchet at the limits of movement of the element.
Inventors
- 👤 W Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:26
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H31/00; F16H31/003; F16H31/005; G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
429 words
In a cartridge-type tape player adapted to receive and play tape cartridges having a multi-track tape therein, and including a cam having a plurality of different cam surfaces, each one of which is associated with a different track on the tape with a cam follower in engagement with the cam for positioning a magnetic tape head, a device for rotating the cam to position a different cam surface in contact with the cam follower with the playing of one of the different tracks on the tape thereby automatically positioning the magnetic tape head to play a different track of the multi-track tape, the device including in combination: a solenoid having an armature; a one-piece pawl element made of resilient material having a frame portion and first and second pawl members integrally formed therewith in spaced relation to one another, each pawl member having an actuating portion; said pawl member being formed from a body of plastic material having an opening therein for receiving a ratchet wheel, with said pawl members being integrally formed with and attached to the sides of the opening by restricted portions forming resilient spring connections between the body and the pawl members with first and second locking surfaces being formed on the sides of said opening; means for movably coupling the pawl element to the armture; a toothed ratchet wheel rotatively positioned between the pawl members and coupled to the cam; said pawl members being resiliently biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel, with the solenoid being energized upon a completion of one of the different tracks on the tape to move the pawl members in a first linear direction with a first one of the pawl members in driving engagement with the ratchet wheel and a second pawl member in sliding relation thereto to rotate the cam through a portion of the desired rotation; and said first locking surface on the frame portion of the pawl element for engaging the ratchet wheel upon movement of the pawl elemeNt a predetermined distance in said first linear direction for preventing further rotation of the ratchet wheel; the solenoid being de-energized to move the pawl members in a second linear direction opposite to said first linear direction with the second pawl member in driving engagement with the ratchet wheel and the first pawl member in sliding relation thereto to complete the desired rotation of the cam with said second locking surface on the frame portion of the pawl element engaging said ratchet wheel with said pawl members being moved to a limit in said second linear direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
429 words
In a cartridge-type tape player adapted to receive and play tape cartridges having a multi-track tape therein, and including a cam having a plurality of different cam surfaces, each one of which is associated with a different track on the tape with a cam follower in engagement with the cam for positioning a magnetic tape head, a device for rotating the cam to position a different cam surface in contact with the cam follower with the playing of one of the different tracks on the tape thereby automatically positioning the magnetic tape head to play a different track of the multi-track tape, the device including in combination: a solenoid having an armature; a one-piece pawl element made of resilient material having a frame portion and first and second pawl members integrally formed therewith in spaced relation to one another, each pawl member having an actuating portion; said pawl member being formed from a body of plastic material having an opening therein for receiving a ratchet wheel, with said pawl members being integrally formed with and attached to the sides of the opening by restricted portions forming resilient spring connections between the body and the pawl members with first and second locking surfaces being formed on the sides of said opening; means for movably coupling the pawl element to the armture; a toothed ratchet wheel rotatively positioned between the pawl members and coupled to the cam; said pawl members being resiliently biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel, with the solenoid being energized upon a completion of one of the different tracks on the tape to move the pawl members in a first linear direction with a first one of the pawl members in driving engagement with the ratchet wheel and a second pawl member in sliding relation thereto to rotate the cam through a portion of the desired rotation; and said first locking surface on the frame portion of the pawl element for engaging the ratchet wheel upon movement of the pawl elemeNt a predetermined distance in said first linear direction for preventing further rotation of the ratchet wheel; the solenoid being de-energized to move the pawl members in a second linear direction opposite to said first linear direction with the second pawl member in driving engagement with the ratchet wheel and the first pawl member in sliding relation thereto to complete the desired rotation of the cam with said second locking surface on the frame portion of the pawl element engaging said ratchet wheel with said pawl members being moved to a limit in said second linear direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the pawl element is made of resilient plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the tape player is adapted to receive and play tape cartridges having four sets of tracks therein with said cam having four different cam surfaces corresponding to said four sets of tracks, the cam surfaces being located 90* apart on the cam, whereupon energization of the solenoid causes the first one of the pawl members to rotate the cam through substantially 45* and whereupon deenergization of the solenoid causes the second one of the pawl members to rotate the cam substantially an additional 45* in the same direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein each of the teeth of the toothed ratchet wheel has a concave surface forming a pocket for engagement by the actuating portions of the pawl members and wherein the actuating portions of the pawl members extend into the pocket formed by the concave surfaces on the teeth.
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 |