US3863267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cartridge locking and ejecting mechanism
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-20
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1993-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A tape cartridge locking and ejecting mechanism for use in a cartridge-type tape player for firmly locking the cartridge received in the cartridge receiving chamber in position ready to be reproduced by a sound reproducing head and for automatically or manually ejecting the cartridge, after having been played, without permitting the cartridge to unnecessarily dash out of the player is disclosed. To this end, the locking and ejecting mechanism includes an actuating member having a finger engageable with the front of the inserted cartridge, an operating lever for operating the actuating member in response to movement of a link member which is in turn coupled with a solenoid armature. The operating lever is pulled by a tension spring which acts, when the cartridge is to be ejected, to provide an obstruction to the pivotal movement of the actuating member.
Inventors
- 👤 Fujinaka Yasukatsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/24; G11B25/00; G11B25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus for use in a sound reproducing device using an interchangEable tape cartridge to be accommodated in a cartridge receiving chamber of the sound reproducing device comprising: a pivotally supported first member operatively positioned and having one end formed with a finger extending into said cartridge receiving chamber, said first member being pivotable between first and second positions; means coupled to said first member for biasing said first member to said first position, said first member being capable of pivoting to said second position against said biasing means upon insertion of said cartridge into said cartridge receiving chamber with the front thereof engaging against said finger; a pivotally supported second member having one end pivotally connected to the chassis of the sound reproducing device and a second end engageable with said first member, said second member being pivotable between first and second positions; means operatively positioned for urging said second member to move to said second position, said movement of said second member to said second position thereof by the action of said urging means occuring in response to the movement of said first member to said second position thereof with said second end of said second member in sliding engagement with said first member; a roller rotatably carried by said second member adjacent said first end of said second member and being capable of collapsing into a V-groove formed in said cartridge for holding said cartridge in position within said cartridge receiving chamber when said roller engages in said V-groove; and a pivotally supported third member operatively positioned and having a pair of opposed ends, one end being engageable with said second member and the other end adapted to receive an external pushing force, said third member, when receiving said external pushing force, causing said first and second members to be positioned at said first respective positions thereof by the action of said biasing and urging means while said finger, when said first member pivots towards the first position thereof, ejects the cartridge in readiness for removal thereof from the sound reproducing device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus for use in a sound reproducing device using an interchangEable tape cartridge to be accommodated in a cartridge receiving chamber of the sound reproducing device comprising: a pivotally supported first member operatively positioned and having one end formed with a finger extending into said cartridge receiving chamber, said first member being pivotable between first and second positions; means coupled to said first member for biasing said first member to said first position, said first member being capable of pivoting to said second position against said biasing means upon insertion of said cartridge into said cartridge receiving chamber with the front thereof engaging against said finger; a pivotally supported second member having one end pivotally connected to the chassis of the sound reproducing device and a second end engageable with said first member, said second member being pivotable between first and second positions; means operatively positioned for urging said second member to move to said second position, said movement of said second member to said second position thereof by the action of said urging means occuring in response to the movement of said first member to said second position thereof with said second end of said second member in sliding engagement with said first member; a roller rotatably carried by said second member adjacent said first end of said second member and being capable of collapsing into a V-groove formed in said cartridge for holding said cartridge in position within said cartridge receiving chamber when said roller engages in said V-groove; and a pivotally supported third member operatively positioned and having a pair of opposed ends, one end being engageable with said second member and the other end adapted to receive an external pushing force, said third member, when receiving said external pushing force, causing said first and second members to be positioned at said first respective positions thereof by the action of said biasing and urging means while said finger, when said first member pivots towards the first position thereof, ejects the cartridge in readiness for removal thereof from the sound reproducing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for urging said second member is comprised of a tension spring having one end connected to the chassis of the reproducing apparatus and the other end connected to said second member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring mounted on a pin member used for pivotally securing said first member to the chassis of the reproducing apparatus, said coil spring having one end connected to said chassis and the other end engaged to said first member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherrein said biasing means and said urging means comprises a single tension spring having one end connected to said first member and the other end connected to said second member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a solenoid unit having a solenoid armature pivotally coupled to said second end of said third member for applying the external pushing force exerted by the movement of said solenoid armature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuator having a connecting rod and an operating member accessible to an operator, said connecting rod extending between said operating member and said second end of said third member for applying the external pushing force to said third member when the operator operates said operating member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3684299A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |