US3823945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled transport of a flexible medium
Assignee: Peripheral Systems Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-29
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1991-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A tape transport unit with a main deck plate that accommodates a magnetic tape cassette against two vertically disposed support pins. A tape head for the cassette is mounted on a spring loaded head plate that is slidably received by the main deck plate on two horizontally disposed support pins. The tape of the cassette is driven by being sandwiched between a drive capstan and a roller wheel of a pinch roller assembly that is pivotally mounted on the head plate and brought into engagement with the tape by a solenoid operated cantilever spring. The capstan is directly driven by a brushless motor for which the speed of operation is controlled electrically. The various constituents of the unit, including forward motion and rewind motors and solenoids for controlling the pinch roller assembly and the position of the main deck plate, are operated from motion control circuitry and accompanying circuitry that is used to sense the beginning and the end positions of the cassette tape.
Inventors
- 👤 L Milligan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/1883; G11B15/02; G11B15/05; G11B15/06; G11B15/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for transporting magnetic tape within a cassette comprising, a deck plate with cassette support pins having shoulders that are precisely positioned with respect to a reference surface of said deck plate, a head plate bearing a tape head and slidably supported on first and second cylindrical support pins which are supported by said deck plate and have their major longitudinal axes lying in a plane that is parallel to the deck plate, with the first of said pins supporting said head plate along one continuous region of support and the second of said pins supporting said head plate along two distinctive and continuouS regions of support, the head plate support pins having their longitudinal centerlines precisely spaced with respect to said reference surface of said deck plate, means for controlling the position of siad head plate with respect to said magnetic tape, and means for moving said magnetic tape relative to said head plate, thereby to permit the tape head to be accurately positioned with respect to said magnetic tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for transporting magnetic tape within a cassette comprising, a deck plate with cassette support pins having shoulders that are precisely positioned with respect to a reference surface of said deck plate, a head plate bearing a tape head and slidably supported on first and second cylindrical support pins which are supported by said deck plate and have their major longitudinal axes lying in a plane that is parallel to the deck plate, with the first of said pins supporting said head plate along one continuous region of support and the second of said pins supporting said head plate along two distinctive and continuouS regions of support, the head plate support pins having their longitudinal centerlines precisely spaced with respect to said reference surface of said deck plate, means for controlling the position of siad head plate with respect to said magnetic tape, and means for moving said magnetic tape relative to said head plate, thereby to permit the tape head to be accurately positioned with respect to said magnetic tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Tape transport apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said deck plate is fabricated as a casting to limit warpage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
Tape transport apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cassette support pins include an aperture in each of two pins for the emission of light against the magnetic tape of said cassette, thereby to permit the detection and sensing of the beginning of said tape by one pin and the ending of said tape by the other pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for transporting a flexible medium comprising a first plate for accommodating the flexible medium, a second plate slidably receivable by the first plate for acting upon said flexible medium, the second plate being supported by pins which extend thereinto in the direction of slide thereof and which are fixed to said first plate, means for controlling the position of said second plate with respect to said flexible medium, a drive capstan for said flexible medium rotationally mounted on said first plate, a lever pivotally mounted on said second plate, said lever having a pinch roller rotationally mounted thereon for holding said flexible medium against said capstan, a cantilever spring having one end connected to said lever, and an actuator connected to the other end of said cantilever spring, whereby the cantilever spring controls the pressure applied to said flexible medium against said capstan by said pinch roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for transporting a flexible medium comprising a first plate for accommodating the flexible medium, a second plate slidably receivable by the first plate for acting upon said flexible medium, the second plate being supported by pins which extend thereinto in the direction of slide thereof and which are fixed to said first plate, means for controlling the position of said second plate with respect to said flexible medium, a drive capstan for said flexible medium rotationally mounted on said first plate, a lever pivotally mounted on said second plate, said lever having a pinch roller rotationally mounted thereon for holding said flexible medium against said capstan, a cantilever spring having one end connected to said lever, and an actuator connected to the other end of said cantilever spring, whereby the cantilever spring controls the pressure applied to said flexible medium against said capstan by said pinch roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said actuator is a solenoid having an armature and one end of said cantilever spring is directed to said armature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said cantilever spring is disposed at a generally right angle to the direction of motion of said second plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said drive capstan is directly driven by a brushless D.C. motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including means for advancing said medium in a forward direction, means for advancing said medium in a reverse direction, and means for momentarily actuating the forward advance means during the reverse motion of said medium when the reverse means is deactivated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including means for maintaining said second plate in a retracted position until said medium is to be transported.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including means for detecting the beginning of said flexible medium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |