Tape cartridge and player apparatus

Claim 2

In a tape cartridge for an endless sound reproducing tape comprising a base defining a first side edge, a second side edge opposite the first side edge, a rear edge, and a front edge opposite the rear edge, a tape disc assembly mounted on the base for rotation, said tape disc assembly defining a tape storage area for receiving a coil of sound reproducing tape, a top for covering the tape storage area, tape guide means positioned adjacent the front edge of the cartridge for guiding a loop of such tape from the tape disc assembly across the front of the cartridge, at least one head opening defined in the front of the cartridge adapted to receive a head of a sound reproducing apparatus, and a pressure pad located in the cartridge adjacent the head opening so that the tape is biased against the head, improved apparatus for guiding and releasably locking the cartridge in relationship to the head comprising: first means located adjacent the first side edge of the cartridge between the top and the base for defining a first planar locking surface substantially perpendicular to the base that extends from a first origin point adjacent the top toward the base of the cartridge to a first termination point; second means for defining a first sliding surface that extends from the first termination point toward the front edge of the cartridge; third means located adjacent the second side edge of the cartridge between the top and the base for defining a second planar locking surface that extends from a second origin point adjacent the top toward the base of the cartridge parallel to the first locking surface to a second termination point, whereby the head opening may be accurately aligned with the head; fourth means for defining a second sliding surface that extends from the second termination point toward the front edge of the cartridge parallel to the first sliding surface; a first planar ramp surface adjacent the first side edge of the cartridge defining a plane making an acute angle with the base, said first planar ramp surface extending from the first origin point toward the rear of the tape cartridge; and a second planar ramp surface adjacent the second side edge of the cartridge and lying in said plane, said second planar ramp surface extending from the second origin point toward the rear of the tape cartridge.

Claim 3

In a tape system including a tape cartridge for an endless sound reproducing tape comprising a base defining a first side edge, a second side edge, and a front edge, a tape disc assembly mounted on the base for rotation, said tape disc assembly defining a tape storage area for receiving a coil of sound reproducing tape, a top for covering the tape storage area, tape guide means positioned adjacent the front edge of the cartridge for guiding a loop of such tape from the tape disc assembly across the front of the cartridge, at least one head opening defined in the front of the cartridge, a pressure pad located in the cartridge adjacent the head opening so that the tape is biased against the head, and a cartridge player comprising a head adapted to fit through the head opening, improved apparatus located on the cartridge and the player for guiding and releasably locking the cartridge in relationship to the head comprising: first means located on the cartridge adjacent the first side edge of the cartridge between the top and the base for defining a first locking surface that extends from the top toward the base of the cartridge to a first termination point; SECOND means on the cartridge for defining a first sliding surface that extends from the first termination point toward the front edge of the cartridge; third means located on the cartridge adjacent the second side edge of the cartridge between the top and the base for defining a second locking surface that extends from the top toward the base of the cartridge parallel to the first locking surface to a second termination point, whereby the head opening may be accurately aligned with the head; fourth means on the cartridge for defining a second sliding surface that extends from the second termination point toward the front edge of the cartridge parallel to the first sliding surface; fifth means on the player for defining a first ramp surface for carrying the first sliding surface; sixth means on the player for defining a second ramp surface for carrying the second sliding surface, so that the head opening is moved over the head; seventh means on the player for defining a third locking surface extending from the first ramp surface for comating with the first locking surface; eighth means on the player for defining a fourth locking surface extending from the second ramp surface for comating with the second locking surface, said third and fourth locking surfaces being parallel; ninth means on the player for defining a supporting surface substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth locking surfaces for supporting the base of the tape cartridge; tenth means on the player for positioning the center of the head a predetermined distance from the third and fourth locking surfaces; and biasing means on the player for biasing the tape cartridge toward the first and second ramp surfaces and toward the open end, whereby the head opening is moved toward the head as the locking surfaces are moved adjacent each other so that the cartridge is held in position by the locking surfaces.

Claim 4

In a tape system including a tape cartridge for an endless sound reproducing tape comprising a base defining a first side edge, a second side edge, and a front edge, a tape disc assembly mounted on the base for rotation, said tape disc assembly defining a tape storage area for receiving a coil of sound reproducing tape, a top for covering the tape storage area, tape guide means positioned adjacent the front edge of the cartridge for guiding a loop of such tape from the tape disc assembly across the front of the cartridge, at least one head opening defined in the front of the cartridge, a pressure pad located in the cartridge adjacent the head opening so that the tape is biased against the head, and a cartridge player comprising a head adapted to fit through the head opening, improved apparatus located on the cartridge and the player for guiding and releasably locking the cartridge in relationship to the head comprising: first means located on the cartridge adjacent the first side edge of the cartridge between the top and the base for defining a first locking surface that extends from the top toward the base of the cartridge to a first termination point; SECOND means on the cartridge for defining a first sliding surface that extends from the first termination point toward the front edge of the cartridge; third means located on the cartridge adjacent the second side edge of the cartridge between the top and the base for defining a second locking surface that extends from the top toward the base of the cartridge parallel to the first locking surface to a second termination point, whereby the head opening may be accurately aligned with the head; fourth means on the cartridge for defining a second sliding surface that extends from the second termination point toward the front edge of the cartridge parallel to the first sliding surface; fifth means on the player for defining a first ramp surface for carrying the first sliding surface; sixth means on the player for defining a second ramp surface for carrying the second sliding surface, so that the head opening is moved over the head; seventh means on the player for defining a third locking surface extending from the first ramp surface for comating with the first locking surface; eighth means on the player for defining a fourth locking surface extending from the second ramp surface for comating with the second locking surface, said third and fourth locking surfaces being parallel; ninth means on the player for defining a supporting surface substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth locking surfaces for supporting the base of the tape cartridge; tenth means on the player for positioning the center of the head a predetermined distance from the third and fourth locking surfaces; and biasing means on the player for biasing the tape cartridge toward the first and second ramp surfaces and toward the open end, whereby the head opening is moved toward the head as the locking surfaces are moved adjacent each other so that the cartridge is held in position by the locking surfaces.

Claim 5

Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, and further comprising: eleventh means on the player for defining a third ramp surface opposite the first ramp surface, said third ramp surface having a first restraining edge located adjacent the open end; and twelfth means on the player for defining a fourth ramp surface opposite the second ramp surface, said fourth ramp surface having a second restraining edge located adjacent the open end and colinear with the first restraining edge.

Claim 6

Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, and further comprising eleventh means for defining a third ramp surface opposite a plane joining the first and second ramp surfaces, said third ramp surface having a first restraining edge located adjacent the open end.