Perforated tape readout systems

Claim 2

In a tape system, means for moving a tape through the system for reading the tape, said means comprising a driven rotatable shaft, support means, a coil, first means coupled to said support means and having a magnetizable portion thereof extending through said coil, and said first means magnetizable portion constructed to bend with applied force and spring back and return to its original position in the absence of applied force, said first means supporting an idler roll for movement towards or away from said shaft, magnetizable material latching means coupled to said support means, and means for causing a current flow in said coil to cause said first means magnetizable portion to bend and to latch onto said magnetizable material latching means to complete a magnetic circuit between said first means magnetizable portion and said latching means and to also cause said idler roll to move towards said shaft in order to urge a tape into contact with said shaft, and wherein said first means comprises a first magnetizable member extending in the same direction as the axis of the coil and a pair of second magnetizable members coupled thereto on either side of the coil at an angle to the axis of the coil and forming pole extensions of said first magnetizable member, each of said second magnetizable members being bendable and having the ability to spring back to substantially their initial position, said second members supporting said idler roll and positioned to latch onto said latching means.

Claim 3

In a tape reading system: means for braking the movement of tape through the system; said braking means comprising an electromagnet coupled to magnetizable supports separated from each other and forming poles of the electromagnet; means for guiding a tape over said supports; a magnetizable material keeper member positionable for holding a tape on the supports; means for providing energy to energize the electromagnet to brake tape movement by drawing the keeper towards the supports to hold the tape against the supports; a sensor unit comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of light passing through the tape, the sensor unit fixedly secured to the keeper and positioned with respect to the keeper such that the tape will be guided therebetween, and; flexure means for supporting said keeper and sensor means.

Claim 4

In a tape reading system: means for braking the movement of tape through the system; said braking means comprising an electromagnet coupled to magnetizable supports separated from each other and forming poles of the electromagnet; means for guiding a tape over said supports; a magnetizable material keeper member positionable for holding a tape on the supports; means for providing energy to energize the electromagnet to brake tape movement by drawing the keeper towards the supports to hold the tape against the supports; a sensor unit comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of light passing through the tape, the sensor unit fixedly secured to the keeper and positioned with respect to the keeper such that the tape will be guided therebetween, and; flexure means for supporting said keeper and sensor means.

Claim 5

In a tape reading system according to claim 2 in which tape guide means are coupled to the keeper so as to engage one edge of the tape as it passes through the brake.

Claim 6

In a tape reading system according to claim 2 in which the keeper is provided with a plurality of holes extending therethrough for permitting the passage of light towards tape passing under the keeper.

Claim 7

In a tape reading system according to claim 4 in which the keeper also supports a sensor unit comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of light passing through the tape, the sensor unit positioned with respect to the keeper such that the tape will be guided therebetween.

Claim 8

In a tape reading system according to claim 2 in which the magnetizable supports comprise two members spaced apart from each other and in which the keeper forces the tape against both supports to brake tape motion.

Claim 9

In a tape reading system according to claim 2 in which the means for guiding a tape over said supports comprises the magnetizable supports each having riser means.

Claim 10

A combined braking and reading mechanism for a perforated tape system, said mechanism comprising: an electromagnet having a pair of tape supports separated from each other and which form pole pieces thereof; a keeper means of a magnetizable material positionable to straddle said supports to retain tape passing over said supports between its underside and against said supports, and braking the tape when the electromagnet is energized; said keeper having a plurality of holes for permitting the passage and detection of light from a light source through perforated holes of a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper, and; sensor means fixedly secured to said keeper and aligned with said keeper holes to intercept light passing through said keeper and perforations in a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper.

Claim 11

A combined braking and reading mechanism for a perforated tape system, said mechanism comprising: an electromagnet having a pair of tape supports separated from each other and which form pole pieces thereof; a keeper means of a magnetizable material positionable to straddle said supports to retain tape passing over said supports between its underside and against said supports, and braking the tape when the electromagnet is energized; said keeper having a plurality of holes for permitting the passage and detection of light from a light source through perforated holes of a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper, and; sensor means fixedly secured to said keeper and aligned with said keeper holes to intercept light passing through said keeper and perforations in a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper.

Claim 12

A mechanism according to claim 8 in which sensor means are supported by said keeper to intercept light passing through said keeper and performations in a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper.

Claim 13

A mechanism according to claim 9 in which the sensor means are positioned below said keeper and between said supports and is positioned so that a tape to be read passes between it and the underside of the keeper.

Claim 14

A mechanism according to claim 10 in which the support means includes guide means for one edge of the tape and the keeper supports guide means to guide the opposite tape edge.

Claim 15

In a tape reading and breaking mechanism according to claim 10 in which a flexure member means supports the keeper and sensor means, said flexure member being bendable away from the tape support means in order to thread a tape between the keeper and sensor means.

Claim 16

A combined braking and reading mechanism for a perforated tape system, said mechanism comprising an electromagnet having a pair of tape supports separated from each other and which form pole pieces thereof; a keeper means of a magnetizable material positionable to straddle said supports to retain tape passing over said supports between its underside and against said supports, and braking the tape when the electromagnet is energized; said keeper having a plurality of holes for permitting the passage and detection of light from a light source through perforated holes of a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper, and; sensor means fixedly secured to said keeper and aligned with said keeper holes to intercept light passing through said keeper and perforations in a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper, in which sensor means are supported by said keeper to intercept light passing through said keeper and perforations in a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper in which the sensor means are Positioned below said keeper and between said supports and is positioned so that a tape to be read passes between it and the underside of the keeper, in which a flexure member means supports the keeper and sensor means, said flexure member being bendable away from the tape support means in order to thread a tape between the keeper and sensor means and in which the flexure member is constructed to follow upward and downward tape movement to prevent misalignment of the tape with respect to the sensor means.

Claim 17

A combined braking and reading mechanism for a perforated tape system, said mechanism comprising an electromagnet having a pair of tape supports separated from each other and which form pole pieces thereof; a keeper means of a magnetizable material positionable to straddle said supports to retain tape passing over said supports between its underside and against said supports, and braking the tape when the electromagnet is energized; said keeper having a plurality of holes for permitting the passage and detection of light from a light source through perforated holes of a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper, and; sensor means fixedly secured to said keeper and aligned with said keeper holes to intercept light passing through said keeper and perforations in a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper, in which sensor means are supported by said keeper to intercept light passing through said keeper and perforations in a tape passing between the supports and the underside of the keeper in which the sensor means are Positioned below said keeper and between said supports and is positioned so that a tape to be read passes between it and the underside of the keeper, in which a flexure member means supports the keeper and sensor means, said flexure member being bendable away from the tape support means in order to thread a tape between the keeper and sensor means and in which the flexure member is constructed to follow upward and downward tape movement to prevent misalignment of the tape with respect to the sensor means.

Claim 18

In a tape reading mechanism comprising: a flexure member; support means for supporting one end of the flexure member to provide a pivot therefore; sensor means supported by the flexure member, guide means supported by the flexure member in a fixed position relative to said sensor means, to guide a tape between the guide means and the sensor means, a printed electrical circuit pattern provided on the flexure member for coupling to the sensor means and means for feeding a perforated tape past said sensor means against said guide means.

Claim 19

In a tape reading mechanism comprising: a flexure member; support means for supporting one end of the flexure member to provide a pivot therefore; sensor means supported by the flexure member, guide means supported by the flexure member in a fixed position relative to said sensor means, to guide a tape between the guide means and the sensor means, a printed electrical circuit pattern provided on the flexure member for coupling to the sensor means and means for feeding a perforated tape past said sensor means against said guide means.

Claim 20

In a tape reading and braking mechanism according to claim 8 further comprising: a printed circuit flexure means supporting said keeper and sensor means and providing for accurate electrical connection of lead wires with said sensor means.