Splice finder

Claim 2

Apparatus for detecting a splice in a length of recording tape where two ends of tape are spanned by a splicing tape, comprising a capstan for driving the tape, a pressure wheel adapted to contact the tape on one side thereof and hold said tape against the capstan, said pressure wheel being carried on a movable shaft, means for moving said shaft toward a retract position away from said capstan, means for holding said shaft in an operating position in which the pressure wheel engages the tape, and sensing means responsive to movement of said shaft when a splice on said tape passes between said capstan and said pressure roller for deactivating said holding means whereby said moving means moves said shaft towards a retract position.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft is pivotally mounted, said means for moving is a spring which is tensioned upon movement of said pressure wheel to engage the tape, and said holding means is a solenoid acting in opposition to said spring when energized, and means responsive to said pressure roller moving to engage the tape for energizing said solenoid.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 further including a member arranged for pivotal motion, said pressure wheel shaft extending from said member.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 further including an arm member extending from said pivotal member, a sensing device positioned to be contacted by said arm member as said pressure wheel is moved into contact with said tape, said holding means acting on said pivotal member, said sensing means being effective to emit a signal indicative of movement of said arm member and means responsive to the signal for deactivating said holding means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means is a solenoid, means for energizing said solenoid as the pressure wheel engages the tape, said means responsive to movement of said shaft comprising a transducer adapted to emit a signal upon movement of said shaft, and means responsive to the transducer signal for de-energizing the solenoid.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pivotally mounted shaft extends from a pivot providing means, an arm extending from said pivot providing means, said transducer sensing movement of said arm.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said transducer is a coil receiving a core therein and said arm contacts said core when said pressure roller engages said tape.

Claim 9

Apparatus for detecting a splice in a length of recording tape in a cartridge where two ends of tape are spanned by a splicing tape, comprising a capstan for driving the tape, and means for driving the capstan, a pressure wheel adapted to contact the tape on one side thereof and hold said tape against the capstan, said pressure wheel being carried on a movable shaft, means for moving said shaft toward a retract position away from said capstan, means for holding said shaft in an operating position in which the pressure wheel engages the tape, means responsive to positioning of the cartridge on said apparatus for engaging tape with said capstan for moving said shaft toward a tape engaging position and means for energizing said holding means as said pressure roller engages the tape, and means responsive to movement of said shaft when a splice on said tape passes between said capstan and said pressure roller for deactivating said holding means whereby said means for moving moves said shaft towards a retract position.

Claim 10

Apparatus for detecting a splice in a length of recording tape in a cartridge where two ends of tape are spanned by a splicing tape, comprising a capstan for driving the tape, and means for driving the capstan, a pressure wheel adapted to contact the tape on one side thereof and hold said tape against the capstan, said pressure wheel being carried on a movable shaft, means for moving said shaft toward a retract position away from said capstan, means for holding said shaft in an operating position in which the pressure wheel engages the tape, means responsive to positioning of the cartridge on said apparatus for engaging tape with said capstan for moving said shaft toward a tape engaging position and means for energizing said holding means as said pressure roller engages the tape, and means responsive to movement of said shaft when a splice on said tape passes between said capstan and said pressure roller for deactivating said holding means whereby said means for moving moves said shaft towards a retract position.

Claim 11

Apparatus for detecting a predetermined change in thickness in a length of strip material, coMprising first and second rollers defining a path therebetween for the strip material, a movable member carrying said first roller, first means for moving said member toward said second roller to engage the strip between said rollers and hold said first roller into a strip engaging position, second means for moving said member toward a retract position away from said second roller, and sensing means responsive to movement of said shaft in response to a predetermined change in dimension of the strip passing between said rollers for deactivating said first means for moving whereby said second means for moving retracts said first roller.

Claim 12

Apparatus for detecting a predetermined change in thickness in a length of strip material, coMprising first and second rollers defining a path therebetween for the strip material, a movable member carrying said first roller, first means for moving said member toward said second roller to engage the strip between said rollers and hold said first roller into a strip engaging position, second means for moving said member toward a retract position away from said second roller, and sensing means responsive to movement of said shaft in response to a predetermined change in dimension of the strip passing between said rollers for deactivating said first means for moving whereby said second means for moving retracts said first roller.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 further including means for driving said first roller.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 9 further including means for driving said second roller.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein one of said rollers is a capstan and the other is a pressure roller.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the strip material is a recording tape and the points of change in thickness sought to be located are splices.