US3840142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature tape cartridges
Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Ltd
•
Filing: 1973-02-23
•
Granted: 1974-10-08
•
Expires: 1993-02-23
Abstract
Abstract Miniature tape cartridges for use with existing 8-track stereo tape players with a respective housing of the same dimensions in height and width as the conventional cartridge, but which is approximately half of the conventional length. The housing comprises a joining mechanism provided on the rear wall thereof to form a tongue-and-groove joint with another cartridge of the same configuration, whereby the two cartridges are firmly coupled in rear-to-rear relation to each other to provide an extended length substantially equal to the conventional length, thus facilitating insertion and retraction thereof through the slot opening of the tape player.
Inventors
- 👤 H Tsukada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:14
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A joining mechanism for coupling two miniature tape cartridges together for use with a tape player having a chamber with a slot opening therein for accommodating said cartridges, said joining mechanism comprising a cartridge housing and a tongue-and-groove joint for slidably meshing each other to provide a rectangular piece in rear-to-rear relation by moving each other along the rear walls of said cartridges in opposite directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A joining mechanism for coupling two miniature tape cartridges together for use with a tape player having a chamber with a slot opening therein for accommodating said cartridges, said joining mechanism comprising a cartridge housing and a tongue-and-groove joint for slidably meshing each other to provide a rectangular piece in rear-to-rear relation by moving each other along the rear walls of said cartridges in opposite directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A joining mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a protrusion disposed at one end of the rear wall of said housing and having an enlarged portion at the outer end thereof, said housing having a groove disposed at the other end of said rear wall, part of said groove having a cross-section reversely analogous to the cross-section of said protrusion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A joining mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said protrusion has an L-like cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A joining mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housing has a guide slot having a width wider than that of said groove, said guide slot extending along said rear wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A joining mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing has a slope portion intermediate between said groove and said guide slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A joining mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said slope portion has a depression at the lower end thereof to serve as a bumper against the movement of said housing when said cartridges are detached from each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A joining mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said enlarged portion of said protrusion has a retracted portion and said groove has a protracted portion to be locked with said retracted portion when said two cartridges are slidably meshing each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A miniature tape cartridge for use with a tape player having a chamber with a slotted opening therein for accommodating said cartridge comprising in combination a cartridge housing, a tongue-and-groove joint at the rear wall of said housing and handle means engageable at one end thereof with said tongue-and-groove joint to provide an extra length to facilitate grasping of said cartridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A miniature tape cartridge for use with a tape player having a chamber with a slotted opening therein for accommodating said cartridge comprising in combination a cartridge housing, a tongue-and-groove joint at the rear wall of said housing and handle means engageable at one end thereof with said tongue-and-groove joint to provide an extra length to facilitate grasping of said cartridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A miniature tape cartridge as claimed in claim 8, wherein said handle means is an elongate member having lengthwise tongues at opposite edges thereof for defining a recess along said member and transverse tongues at opposite ends thereof for meshing at one end thereof with the groove portion of said tongue-and-groove joint, said recess being engageable with the front wall of said housing.
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) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |