US3836154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic cassette recorder reproducer
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
•
Filing: 1973-03-13
•
Granted: 1974-09-17
•
Expires: 1993-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A tape recorder-reproducer having an improved mechanism for loading any one of a plurality of cassettes from a magazine into a holder means for rotating the holder means to invert the cassette to position each of two magnetic tracks on a tape in an effective position for recording or reproduction, for unloading the cassette from the holder means into the magazine and for advancing the magazine to permit repeating the cycle. In addition, the improved mechanism enables the cycle to be stopped and allows any cassette to be repeated continuously, automatically.
Inventors
- 👤 M Ishikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6805; G11B15/6815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A tape recorder-reproducer having a record-play station including a head, for reproducing from a tape in a cassette, the tape having a first magnetic track and a second magnetic track, the second magnetic track being recorded in a direction opposite from the first magnetic track, the improvement comprising: means for storing at least one cassette; carrier means for removing one of said cassettes from said storing means; holder means for receiving said cassette from said carrier means and for transporting said cassette to and from said play station; a first rotatable disc means having a first, second, third and fourth cam means along its periphery; first lever means operable by said first cam means for transferring said cassette from said carrier means to said holder means; second lever means operable by said first cam means for placing said cassette located in said holder means onto said play station and operable by said second cam means for causing said tape to rotate and engage said head wherein said first track on said cassette is reproduced; means for stopping the rotation of said first disc while said first track is being reproduced and means for starting the rotation of said first disc when the reproduction of said first track has been completed; third lever means operable by said second cam means for stopping the rotation of the tape in said cassette and for causing said second lever means to remove said cassette from said play station; and fourth lever means operable by said third cam means for rotating said holder means 180* whereby said fourth cam means causes said second lever means to place said cassette in said play station thereby causing said tape to rotate and allowing said second track to be reproduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
A tape recorder-reproducer having a record-play station including a head, for reproducing from a tape in a cassette, the tape having a first magnetic track and a second magnetic track, the second magnetic track being recorded in a direction opposite from the first magnetic track, the improvement comprising: means for storing at least one cassette; carrier means for removing one of said cassettes from said storing means; holder means for receiving said cassette from said carrier means and for transporting said cassette to and from said play station; a first rotatable disc means having a first, second, third and fourth cam means along its periphery; first lever means operable by said first cam means for transferring said cassette from said carrier means to said holder means; second lever means operable by said first cam means for placing said cassette located in said holder means onto said play station and operable by said second cam means for causing said tape to rotate and engage said head wherein said first track on said cassette is reproduced; means for stopping the rotation of said first disc while said first track is being reproduced and means for starting the rotation of said first disc when the reproduction of said first track has been completed; third lever means operable by said second cam means for stopping the rotation of the tape in said cassette and for causing said second lever means to remove said cassette from said play station; and fourth lever means operable by said third cam means for rotating said holder means 180* whereby said fourth cam means causes said second lever means to place said cassette in said play station thereby causing said tape to rotate and allowing said second track to be reproduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement of claim 1 further comprising fifth lever means operably connected to said first disc means for enabling said carrier means to remove said cassette from said storage means and to cause said carrier means to replace said cassette in said storage means when said second track has been reproduced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 2 further comprising an indexing means operably connected to said first rotatable disc means for indexing said storing means after said cassette has been returned to said storing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 3 further comprising clutch means associated with said disc means whereby said clutch means selectively prevents said fifth lever means from returning said tape to said magazine and enables said first and second tracks to be reproduced repeatedly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said first rotatable disc means further comprises gear means along a portion of its interior periphery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 5 further comprising a transportation gear means wherein said transportation gear means cooperates with said gear means of said first disc means to impart movement to said Carrier means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said clutch means is operable to disengage said transportation gear means from said disc gear means when repeated reproduction of said tape is required.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said carrier means comprise a resilient spring means for securely holding said cassette.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
254 words
A tape recorder-reproducer having a record-play station including a head, for reproducing from a tape in a cassette, the tape having a first magnetic track and a second magnetic track, the second magnetic track being recorded in a direction opposite from the first magnetic track, the improvement comprising: means for storing at least one cassette; carrier means for removing one of said cassettes from said storing means; holder means for receiving said cassette from said carrier means and for transporting said cassette to and from said play station; means for transferring said cassette from said carrier means to said holder means; means for placing said cassette located in said holder means onto said play station and for causing said tape to rotate and engage said head wherein said first track on said cassette is reproduced; means for sensing the end of play of said first track, stopping the rotation of said cassette and removing said cassette from said play station; means for rotating said holder means 180* and placing said cassette in said play station wherein said second track on said cassette is reproduced; means for sensing the end of play of said second track and removing said cassette from said play station and returning said cassette to said carrier; return means for enabling said carrier to return said cassette to said storing means; and clutch means selectively operable for preventing said return means from returning said cassette to said storage means and for causing said first and second tracks to be reproduced repeatedly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
254 words
A tape recorder-reproducer having a record-play station including a head, for reproducing from a tape in a cassette, the tape having a first magnetic track and a second magnetic track, the second magnetic track being recorded in a direction opposite from the first magnetic track, the improvement comprising: means for storing at least one cassette; carrier means for removing one of said cassettes from said storing means; holder means for receiving said cassette from said carrier means and for transporting said cassette to and from said play station; means for transferring said cassette from said carrier means to said holder means; means for placing said cassette located in said holder means onto said play station and for causing said tape to rotate and engage said head wherein said first track on said cassette is reproduced; means for sensing the end of play of said first track, stopping the rotation of said cassette and removing said cassette from said play station; means for rotating said holder means 180* and placing said cassette in said play station wherein said second track on said cassette is reproduced; means for sensing the end of play of said second track and removing said cassette from said play station and returning said cassette to said carrier; return means for enabling said carrier to return said cassette to said storing means; and clutch means selectively operable for preventing said return means from returning said cassette to said storage means and for causing said first and second tracks to be reproduced repeatedly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |