Tape head indexing and shifting apparatus

Claim 2

In a magnetic tape player adapted to use a multi-track tape therein, and including a rotatable cam having a plurality of different cam surfaces each one of which is associated with a different track on the tape for positioning the magnetic tape head to the different tracks on the tape, and a capstan shaft for driving the tape in the player past the magnetic tape head, the improvement characterized by: a first rotatable coupling member positioned in a spaced relation to the capstan shaft and coaxially aligned with the rotatable cam, a second coupling member rotatably mounted on and driven by the capstan shaft, actuating means actuable upon the completion of a playing of one track on the tape to engage said first rotatable coupling member with said second coupling member for rotating the first rotatable coupling member with the capstan shaft, a third rotatable coupling member connected to the rotatable cam and engageable with said first coupling member, said third coupling member being selectively engageable with said second coupling member such that after a relatively brief rotation of said first coupling member by said second coupling member said first member engages said third member to cause said second coupling member to engage and rotate said third coupling member and the cam to position the tape head to the next track on the tape, and means for disengaging said third rotatable coupling member from said second coupling member upon the completion of positioning the tape head to the next track on the tape.

Claim 3

The magnetic tape player according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a magnetic arm having a pawl at one end, a solenoid, and pivot means for positioning said arm and said pawl, said magnetic arm being movable about said pivot means towards said solenoid when said solenoid is energized and said pawl being engageable with said first rotatable coupling member for rotating the same with the capstan shaft.

Claim 4

The magnetic tape player according to claim 2 wherein said actuating means further includes a first spring member connected to said arm for maintaining engagement of said pawl with said first rotatable coupling member.

Claim 5

The magnetic tape player according to claim 1 wherein said first and third coupling members each having multiple gear teeth segments on their peripheral edge thereof and tabs projecting substantially axially therefrom, said tabs being engageable with each other during rotation of said first coupling member.

Claim 6

The magnetic tape player according to claim 4 wherein means for disengaging includes a spring mounted between said tabs of said first and third coupling members, such that when said first coupling member is rotated, said spring is compressed by said tabs during engagement of each other, said spring returning said tabs of said first and third coupling members to an unactuated condition upon the completion of positioning the tape head to the next track on the tape.

Claim 7

In a multi-track magnetic tape player apparatus for utilizing the capstan flywheel drive for shifting the transducer head from one tape track to another including in combination: a capstan flywheel drive; a first gear rotatably mounted on said flywheel drive; cam means for shifting the position of the transducer from one tape track to another; a second gear rotatably connected to said cam means for linking said first gear to said cam means, said second gear having multiple gear teeth segments along its periphery and a tab projecting substantially axially therefrom; a third gear coaxially aligned with respect to said second gear and having a tab projecting axially therefrom, said tabs of said second and third gears being positioned for effectively abutting one another with one of said gears being rotated; a spring connected between said tabs of said second and third gears for mounting said second gear, said third gear tab effectively abutting against said second gear tab with said spring being compressed, and said third gear rotating said second gear with said second gear thereby engaging said first gear; said first gear being disengaged from a segment of gear teeth of said third gear with a gear teeth segment of said second gear being engaged by said first gear, said tabs separating with said spring decompressing, and thereafter gear teeth segments of both said second gear and third gear being disengaged from said first gear in said inactive condition; and an actuator for engaging a segment of gear teeth of said gear with said first gear.

Claim 8

In a multi-track magnetic tape player apparatus for utilizing the capstan flywheel drive for shifting the transducer head from one tape track to another including in combination: a capstan flywheel drive; a first gear rotatably mounted on said flywheel drive; cam means for shifting the position of the transducer from one tape track to another; a second gear rotatably connected to said cam means for linking said first gear to said cam means, said second gear having multiple gear teeth segments along its periphery and a tab projecting substantially axially therefrom; a third gear coaxially aligned with respect to said second gear and having a tab projecting axially therefrom, said tabs of said second and third gears being positioned for effectively abutting one another with one of said gears being rotated; a spring connected between said tabs of said second and third gears for mounting said second gear, said third gear tab effectively abutting against said second gear tab with said spring being compressed, and said third gear rotating said second gear with said second gear thereby engaging said first gear; said first gear being disengaged from a segment of gear teeth of said third gear with a gear teeth segment of said second gear being engaged by said first gear, said tabs separating with said spring decompressing, and thereafter gear teeth segments of both said second gear and third gear being disengaged from said first gear in said inactive condition; and an actuator for engaging a segment of gear teeth of said gear with said first gear.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said actuator comprises: an arm having a pawl at one end for engaging said third gear for advancing the same, said arm having a cam and having magnetic properties; a pivot pin engaging said cam for longitudinal and rotational movement of said arm; a solenoid activated for moving said arm and thereby advancing said third gear until said third gear engages said first gear; a spring connected to said arm for maintaining engagement of said pawl with said third gear and returning said pawl to an inactive position with said solenoid being deactivated; and a stop maintaining slideable return of said arm and preventing said pawl from being shifted away from said third gear.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said actuator includes a second spring for positive return of said pawl to its inactive condition.