Cartridge eject mechanism for tape players and the like

Claim 2

For use with a tape players and the like having a tunnel into which a tape cartridge is inserted, apparatus for exerting an ejecting force on the cartridge comprising: a link means connected to a cocking mechanism by a spring means, said link means being pivotally movable in one direction in response to insertion of a tape cartridge into the tunnel, the said pivotal movement in one direction being accompanied by an actuation of said cocking mechanism and a loading of said spring means, and trigger means for releasing said cocking mechanism in response to lateral movement of a tape cartridge in the tunnel, thereby allowing said spring means to unload with an accompanying pivotal movement of said link means in the opposite direction, which movement in the opposite direction causes said link means to exert an ejecting force on the tape cartridge.

Claim 3

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said link means is mounted at a location intermediate the ends thereof for pivotal movement about an axis which is positioned laterally of the cartridge receiving tunnel.

Claim 4

The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cocking mechanism includes a cam member rotatable about a second axis which is laterally spaced from and parallel to said first-mentioned axis, and wherein said spring means is connected at one end to said cam member and at the other end to one end of said link means.

Claim 5

The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the other end of said link means is provided with contact means protruding into the path of a tape cartridge being inserted into said tunnel.

Claim 6

The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said contact means comprises a roller.

Claim 7

The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further characterized by retaining means at the said one end of said link means, said retaining means being adapted to cooperate with a notch in the side of a tape cartridge to exert a force on the cartridge which urges the cartridge into the play position in the tunnel.

Claim 8

The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cam member is further characterized by first and second shoulders, said first shoulder being adapted to engage a fixed stop to prevent rotation of said cam member in one direction, and said second shoulder being adapted to engage anOther stop on said trigger means to prevent rotation of said cam member in the opposite direction.

Claim 9

The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the pivotal motion of said link means in said one direction about said first-mentioned axis is accompanied by movement of the said one end of said link means along an arcuate path from a first position through a second intermediate position to a third position, the said movement between said first and second positions being in response to engagement of a cartridge with said contact means as the cartridge is pushed into the tunnel, the said movement between said first and second positions being accompanied by a loading of said spring means, which in turn has the effect of urging said cam means to rotate in said one direction until said first and second shoulders engage said stops, the said movement between said second and third positions being accompanied by a partial unloading of said spring means as said retaining means is brought into cooperative engagement with the notch in the cartridge, by said cam means being urged to rotate in the opposite direction, and by said contact means being pivoted to a location out of engagement with the tape cartridge.

Claim 10

The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein operation of said trigger means in response to lateral movement of the cartridge will cause movement of the said other stop away from said second shoulder, thereby permitting said cam means to rotate in said opposite direction, which rotation is accompanied by a complete unloading of said spring means as the said one end of said link means returns along said arcuate path from said third position through said second position to said first position, thereby moving said retaining means out of engagement with the notch in the cartridge and allowing the contact means to engage the cartridge and exert an ejecting force thereon.

Claim 11

In a tape player of the type having a tunnel with a transducer head and rotating capstain at the inner end thereof, the said tunnel being adapted to receive a tape cartridge containing an endless magnetic tape in axial insertion therein with the tape in contact with both the transducer head and capstain when the cartridge is in the ''''play position,'''' the improvement comprising: link means mounted for pivotal movement about an axis which is located laterally of the tunnel, spring means connecting one end of said line means to a cocking mechanism, the said one end of said link means being further provided with a retaining means adapted to cooperate with a notch in the side of the tape cartridge, contact means at the other end of said link means, said contact means protruding into the tunnel, whereupon when a cartridge is inserted into the tunnel, the contact means will be engaged by the front end of the cartridge, thus causing the link means to pivot in one direction about said axis, the said pivotal motion being accompanied by movement of the said one end of the link means along an arcuate path from a first poisiton through a second position to a third position, the aforesaid movement between said first and second positions being accompanied by an actuation of the cocking mechanism and a loading of the spring means, and the continued movement between said second and third positions being accompanied by a partial unloading of said spring means, which in turn cooperatively engages said retaining means with the notch to push the cartridge into the play position while said contact means moves away from the cartridge, and trigger means for releasing said cocking mechanism in response to lateral movement of a tape cartridge in the tunnel, which release permits the spring means to unload further as the said one end of said link means returns along said arcuate path from said third position through said second position to said first position, thereby disengaging said retaining means from the cartridge notch while bringing the contact means into engagement with the cartridge to exert a force thereon which moves the cartridge out of the play position.

Claim 12

In a tape player of the type having a tunnel with a transducer head and rotating capstain at the inner end thereof, the said tunnel being adapted to receive a tape cartridge containing an endless magnetic tape in axial insertion therein with the tape in contact with both the transducer head and capstain when the cartridge is in the ''''play position,'''' the improvement comprising: link means mounted for pivotal movement about an axis which is located laterally of the tunnel, spring means connecting one end of said line means to a cocking mechanism, the said one end of said link means being further provided with a retaining means adapted to cooperate with a notch in the side of the tape cartridge, contact means at the other end of said link means, said contact means protruding into the tunnel, whereupon when a cartridge is inserted into the tunnel, the contact means will be engaged by the front end of the cartridge, thus causing the link means to pivot in one direction about said axis, the said pivotal motion being accompanied by movement of the said one end of the link means along an arcuate path from a first poisiton through a second position to a third position, the aforesaid movement between said first and second positions being accompanied by an actuation of the cocking mechanism and a loading of the spring means, and the continued movement between said second and third positions being accompanied by a partial unloading of said spring means, which in turn cooperatively engages said retaining means with the notch to push the cartridge into the play position while said contact means moves away from the cartridge, and trigger means for releasing said cocking mechanism in response to lateral movement of a tape cartridge in the tunnel, which release permits the spring means to unload further as the said one end of said link means returns along said arcuate path from said third position through said second position to said first position, thereby disengaging said retaining means from the cartridge notch while bringing the contact means into engagement with the cartridge to exert a force thereon which moves the cartridge out of the play position.