US3877075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic tape apparatus with improved cassette insertion and removal
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-08
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-06-08
Abstract
Abstract In an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on a magnetic tape in a cassette by means of a head extended through an opening of the cassette housing to engage the tape therein when a head carriage is moved from an inactive position to an active position in respect of the cassette located in an operative position on the apparatus, and in which an ejecting device is operative to remove the cassette from such operative position; there is provided a locking device which is conditioned by operation of the ejecting device to prevent the movement of the head carriage from its inactive position to its active position. In a preferred embodiment, the ejecting device is operable only when the head carriage is in its inactive position, and the locking device is automatically released when a cassette is disposed in the operative position thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunitake Watanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:31
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/67581; G11B15/67584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on a magnetic tape in a cassette having an opening to expose the tape therein, said apparatus comprising: a chassis having movable receptacle means thereon for receiving a cassette and moving said cassette into and out of an operative position; a carriage carrying at least one magnetic head and being slidable on said chassis for movement between an active position, in which said head extends into said opening of a cassette in said operative position, and an inactive position, in which said head is withdrawn from the path of movement of said cassette to permit movement of a cassette to and from said operative position; actuating means connected to said carriage to move said carriage from said inactive position to said active position and from said active position to said inactive position, selectively; ejecting means separate from said actuating means and operative, when actuated, to move a cassette out of said operative position, said ejecting means being movable into and out of an actuated position; and locking means coupled to said ejecting means to be moved thereby into the path of said carriage only when said carriage is in said inactive position for holding said carriage against movement from said inactive position to said active position when said ejecting means is in said actuated position, said locking means engaging said carriage and restraining said ejecting means from moving into said actuated position when said carriage is in said active position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on a magnetic tape in a cassette having an opening to expose the tape therein, said apparatus comprising: a chassis having movable receptacle means thereon for receiving a cassette and moving said cassette into and out of an operative position; a carriage carrying at least one magnetic head and being slidable on said chassis for movement between an active position, in which said head extends into said opening of a cassette in said operative position, and an inactive position, in which said head is withdrawn from the path of movement of said cassette to permit movement of a cassette to and from said operative position; actuating means connected to said carriage to move said carriage from said inactive position to said active position and from said active position to said inactive position, selectively; ejecting means separate from said actuating means and operative, when actuated, to move a cassette out of said operative position, said ejecting means being movable into and out of an actuated position; and locking means coupled to said ejecting means to be moved thereby into the path of said carriage only when said carriage is in said inactive position for holding said carriage against movement from said inactive position to said active position when said ejecting means is in said actuated position, said locking means engaging said carriage and restraining said ejecting means from moving into said actuated position when said carriage is in said active position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising feeler means responsive to the presence of said carriage in said active position and coupled to said ejecting means for preventing operation of said ejecting means when said carriage is in said active position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 in which said means for receiving a cassette comprises a holder movable between a cassette-receiving position and a second position in which a cassette in said holder is in said operative position, said apparatus further comprising trigger means coupled to said ejecting means to hold said ejecting means in its actuated condition when said holder is in said cassette-receiving position and to release said ejecting means for releasing said locking means when said holder is disposed in said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 further comprising latching means for latching said holder in said second position and which is released in response to actuation of the ejecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising trigger means responsive to a cassette in said operative position and coupled to said locking means for releasing said locking means when a cassette is disposed in said operative position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means for holding a cassette in said operative position and which is released in response to said operation of the ejecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a cassette holder movable relative to said chassis from a cassette-receiving position to an operating position for disposing a cassette therein in said operative position of the cassette; and latch means for retaining said holder at said operating position, said ejecting means including means for urging said holder to return to said cassette-receiving position and selectively actuable means for releasing said latch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which said selectively actuable means includes a slide member having said latch means connected therewith and being movable on said chassis in one direction for releasing said latch means and in the opposite direction for engaging said latch means, and spring means urging said slide member in said opposite direction; and in which said locking means includes a movable locking arm coupled with said slide member and extending into the path of movement of said head carriage from said inactive position to said active position in response to movement of said slide member in said one direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which said locking arm and slide member are coupled together by a slidable pin-and-slot connection which moves said locking arm to one side of the path of movement of said head carriage in response to the movement of said slide member in said opposite direction so that, when said head carriage is thereafter moved to its active position, said locking arm is engageable against the adjacent side of said head carriage to prevent the movement of said slide member in said one direction and the consequent releasing of said latch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising retaining means engageable with said slide member upon movement of the latter in said one direction to permit the return thereof in said opposite direction when a cassette is again disposed in said operative position thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 in which said retaining means extends into the path of movement of said holder to be displaced by said holder during movement of the latter to said operating position for disengagement of said retaining means from said slide member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 in which said retaining means extends into the path of movement of a cassette to be displaced by a cassette during movement of the latter to said operative position of the cassette for disengagement of said retaining means from said slide member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
207 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the cassette has a port with a removable tab initially extending in said port for indicating, by its presence, that recording of signals on the tape is permitted, said apparatus further comprising: selectively actuable means for initiating recording and reproducing modes of operation of the apparatus; a detecting member movable on said chassis between first and second positions and being yieldably urged to said first position, said detecting member having a finger extending therefrom so as to be engageable, in said first position, in said port of the cassette when the latter is located in said operative position and said detecting member being moved to said second position by the engagement of said tab with said finger in the event that said tab is present in said port; means for preventing the selection of said recording mode of operation in response to the disposition of said detecting member in said first position thereof; and means connecting said detecting member to said ejecting means for displacing said detecting member to said second position when said ejecting means is actuated, thereby to avoid interference by said finger with movement of a cassette to and from said operative position of the latter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
An apparatus as in claim 13 in which said ejecting means includes a slide member movable on said chassis in one direction for said operation of the ejecting means, spring means urging said slide member in the opposite direction, and retaining means engageable with said slide member upon movement of the latter in said one direction for preventing the return thereof in said opposite direction until a cassette is again disposed in said operative position thereof; and in which said means for displacing said detecting member to said second position thereof includes cooperatively engageable elements on said slide member and detecting member, respectively, for displacing said detecting member to said second position thereof in response to movement of said slide member in said one direction and for permitting the return of said detecting member to said first position upon return of said slide member in said opposite direction.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |