Combination end of tape sensor and tape guide device

Claim 1

In a cartridge tape player including a tape deck portion forming a cartridge receiving cavity wherein a tape cartridge is received for playback including a multi-track tape mounted therein for movement through the cartridge, said tape having a predetermined current conducting area indicating the end of said tape tracks, a magnetic tape head mounted in communication with said cartridge receiving cavity for engagement with the tape provided in a cartridge received in the cavity, tape head indexing means for positioning said tape head with respect to the various tracks on said tape and circuit means for operating said tape head indexing means, a combination end of tape sensor and tape guide mounted on said tape player in communication with said cartridge receiving cavity adjacent said tape head for contacting engagement with the tape provided in a cartridge received in said cavity, including in combination: a first electrode mounted in said tape player and having a major surface portion in a first plane, said major surface portion including a pair of parallel arms extending outward toward said tape cartridge, said arms spaced from each other predeterminedly and connected by a supporting portion to permit said tape to pass therebetween for engaging the tape in said cartridge between said arms to guide said tape past said tape head in alignment therewith, said supporting portion between said arms comprising the area of electrical contact between said first electrode and said current conducting tape area, a second electrode mechanically mounted to said first electrode and having an end portion and a major surface portion located within a plane all points of which are in a spaced relation to the first plane, said end portion being generally aligned with said supporting portion of said first electrode so that both said end portion and said supporting portion will be in contacting relation with the surface of said tape when said cartridge is fully inserted into said player and said tape is being driven therethrough, and insulating means provided between said first and second electrodes for electrically insulating the respective electrodes from one another as well as maintaining the electrodes in said spaced relation, said first and second electrodes being connected to said circuit means for actuation thereof upon simultaneously contacting said predetermined current conducting tape area for repositioning said tape head with respect to said tape.