Control network

Claim 2

In combination with a tape deck having first and second tape reels adapted to receive a tape that is transferred from one of said reels to the other during operation of said tape deck and which also includes a tape drive mechanism, a control network for automatically rendering said tape drive mechanism inoperative after all of the tape on said first reel has been transferred to said second reel, said control network comprising D.C. potential source means a first capacitor connected to be charged from said D.C. potential source means, a circuit for discharging said first capacitor, said circuit including a current responsive control device and a controlled discharge device having anode, cathode and control electrodes, a second capacitor connected to be charged from said D.C. potential source means and connected in circuit with said control electrode to control the operation of said controlled discharge device responsive to the charge on said second capacitor, means for discharging said second capacitor during normal operation of said tape deck at a repetition rate such that insufficient charge builds up on said second capacitor during normal operation of said tape deck to trigger said controlled discharge device, said means for discharging said second capacitor including a transistor connected in a circuit for discharging said second capacitor and switch means for rendering said transistor alternately conductive and nonconductive to render said circuit for discharging said second capacitor alternately conductive and non-conductive, means for alternately opening and closing said switch means comprising a movable part of said tape deck that moves during normal operation of said tape deck but ceases movement when all of the tape has been transferred from said first reel to said second reel, whereby when said movable part ceases movement sufficient charge is permitted to accumulate on said second capacitor to trigger said controlled discharge device permitting current to flow from said first capacitor through said current responsive control device, and means responsive to said current flowing through said current responsive control device for rendering said tape drive mechanism inoperative.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said current responsive control device is the coil of a relay.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for alternately opening and closing said switch means includes a rotating magnet.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said controlled discharge device is a silicon controlled rectifier.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said tape deck includes a pause tab, and further including second switch means connected in a path for discharging said second capacitor when said second switch means is closed, said second switch means being operated by said pause tab.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said tape drive mechanism includes a drive motor and a circuit for energizing said drive motor, said current responsive control device being the coil of a relay having contacts, said contacts being in said circuit for energizing said drive motor and controlling the supply of electrical energy to said drive motor.

Claim 8

In combination with a tape deck having first and second tape reels adapted to receive a tape that is transferred from one of said reels to the other during operation of said tape deck and which also includes a tape drive mechanism, a control network for automatically rendering said tape drive mechanism inoperative after all of the tape on said first reel has been transferred to said second reel, said control network comprising D.C. potential source means a first capacitor connected to be charged from said D.C. potential source means, a circuit for discharging said first capacitor, said circuit including a current responsive control device and a controlled discharge device having anode, cathode and control electrodes, a second capacitor connected to be charged from said D.C. potential source means and connected in circuit with said control electrode to control the operation of said controlled discharge device responsive to the charge on said second capacitor, means for discharging said second capacitor during normal operation of said tape deck at a repetition rate such that insufficient charge builds up on said second capacitor during normal operation of said tape deck to trigger said controlled discharge device said means for discharging said second capacitor including a third capacitor and switch means, a circuit for discharging said third capacitor, said third capacitor being connected in a circuit for discharging said second capacitor when said switch means is in one position and being connected to said circuit for discharging said third capacitor when said switch means is in another position, means for moving said switch means between said one and another positions comprising a movable part of said tape deck that moves during normal operation of said tape deck but ceases movement when all of the tape has been transferred from said first reel to said second reel, whereby when said movable part ceases movement sufficient charge is permitted to accumulate on said second capacitor to trigger said controlled discharge device permitting current to flow from said first capacitor through said current responsive control device, and means responsive to said current flowing through said current responsive control device for rendering said tape drive mechanism inoperative.

Claim 9

In combination with a tape deck having first and second tape reels adapted to receive a tape that is transferred from one of said reels to the other during operation of said tape deck and which also includes a tape drive mechanism, a control network for automatically rendering said tape drive mechanism inoperative after all of the tape on said first reel has been transferred to said second reel, said control network comprising D.C. potential source means a first capacitor connected to be charged from said D.C. potential source means, a circuit for discharging said first capacitor, said circuit including a current responsive control device and a controlled discharge device having anode, cathode and control electrodes, a second capacitor connected to be charged from said D.C. potential source means and connected in circuit with said control electrode to control the operation of said controlled discharge device responsive to the charge on said second capacitor, means for discharging said second capacitor during normal operation of said tape deck at a repetition rate such that insufficient charge builds up on said second capacitor during normal operation of said tape deck to trigger said controlled discharge device said means for discharging said second capacitor including a third capacitor and switch means, a circuit for discharging said third capacitor, said third capacitor being connected in a circuit for discharging said second capacitor when said switch means is in one position and being connected to said circuit for discharging said third capacitor when said switch means is in another position, means for moving said switch means between said one and another positions comprising a movable part of said tape deck that moves during normal operation of said tape deck but ceases movement when all of the tape has been transferred from said first reel to said second reel, whereby when said movable part ceases movement sufficient charge is permitted to accumulate on said second capacitor to trigger said controlled discharge device permitting current to flow from said first capacitor through said current responsive control device, and means responsive to said current flowing through said current responsive control device for rendering said tape drive mechanism inoperative.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 7 wherein said tape deck includes a pause tab, and further including second switch means connected in a path for discharging said second capacitor when said second switch means is closed, said second switch means being operated by said pause tab.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 7 wherein said controlled discharge device is a silicon controlled rectifier.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 7 wherein said tape drive mechanism includes a drive motor and a circuit for energizing said drive motor, said current responsive control device being the coil of a relay having contacts, said contacts being in said circuit for energizing said drive motor and controlling the supply of electrical energy to said drive motor.