US3879758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cartridge changer with selective cartridge and track programming controls
Assignee: RCA Licensing Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-17
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1991-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A tape cartridge changer includes an array of cartridge receptacles adapted to receive a plurality of tape cartridges to be automatically played, either selectively or sequentially. A portion of the changer playing mechanism is mounted on a movable platform which traverses a path of travel adjacent to the array of cartridge receptacles. Mechanical switch means are connected in a control circuit to control the operation of the changer. The mechanical switch means are operable to provide two modes of operation for the cartridge changer. In the first mode of operation, the cartridge changer automatically plays the plurality of tape cartridges in the array of cartridge receptacles and thereafter totally de-energizes the changer. In the second mode of operation, the cartridge changer automatically repetitively replays the plurality of tape cartridges. A series of controls are located adjacent to each of the cartridge receptacles of the array to permit control of the changer operation at each receptacle position. The contacts associated with the controls cooperate with contacts mounted to an assembly on the movable platform. The contacts on the movable platform sequentially engage the contacts associated with the controls at each of the cartridge receptacle positions to connect each of the controls in the changer control circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Dee Pyles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:09
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/682; G11B15/684
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A tape cartridge changer comprising: an array of cartridge receptacles adapted to receive a plurality of tape cartridges to be played; a changer playing mechanism, a portion of said playing mechanism including tape drive means mounted on a movable platform, said platform movable along a path of travel adjacent to said array of cartridge receptacles; drive means for driving said platform to move along said path of travel; a drive means control circuit for controlling the energization of said tape and platform drive means to provide operation of said cartridge changer between a first mode of operation automatically playing said plurality of tape cartridges and thereafter de-energizing said tape and platform drive means thereby totally de-energizing said changer and a second mode of operation automatically repetitively replaying said plurality of tape cartridges; and switch means connected to said drive means control circuit and operable to control the operation of said cartridge changer between said first and second modes of operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tape cartridge changer comprising: an array of cartridge receptacles adapted to receive a plurality of tape cartridges to be played; a changer playing mechanism, a portion of said playing mechanism including tape drive means mounted on a movable platform, said platform movable along a path of travel adjacent to said array of cartridge receptacles; drive means for driving said platform to move along said path of travel; a drive means control circuit for controlling the energization of said tape and platform drive means to provide operation of said cartridge changer between a first mode of operation automatically playing said plurality of tape cartridges and thereafter de-energizing said tape and platform drive means thereby totally de-energizing said changer and a second mode of operation automatically repetitively replaying said plurality of tape cartridges; and switch means connected to said drive means control circuit and operable to control the operation of said cartridge changer between said first and second modes of operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tape cartridge changer comprising: an array of cartridge receptacles adapted to receive a plurality of tape cartridges to be played; a changer playing mechanism, a portion of said playing mechanism including tape drive means mounted on a movable platform, said platform movable along a path of travel adjacent to said array of cartridge receptacles; drive means for driving said platform to move along said path of travel; a drive means control circuit for controlling the energization of said tape and platform drive means to provide operation of said cartridge changer between a first mode of operation automatically playing said plurality of tape cartridges and thereafter de-energizing said tape and platform drive means thereby totally de-energizing said changer and a second mode of operation automatically repetitively replaying said plurality of tape cartridges; and switch means connected to said drive means control circuit and operable to control the operation of said cartridge changer between said first and second modes of operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tape cartridge changer comprising: an array of cartridge receptacles adapted to receive a plurality of tape cartridges to be played; a changer playing mechanism, a portion of said playing mechanism including tape drive means mounted on a movable platform, said platform movable along a path of travel adjacent to said array of cartridge receptacles; drive means for driving said platform to move along said path of travel; a drive means control circuit for controlling the energization of said tape and platform drive means to provide operation of said cartridge changer between a first mode of operation automatically playing said plurality of tape cartridges and thereafter de-energizing said tape and platform drive means thereby totally de-energizing said changer and a second mode of operation automatically repetitively replaying said plurality of tape cartridges; and switch means connected to said drive means control circuit and operable to control the operation of said cartridge changer between said first and second modes of operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tape cartridge changer as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means is positioned to interfere with said movable platform as it moves along said path of travel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tape cartridge changer as defIned in claim 2 wherein said changer is totally de-energized when said switch means is operative to cause said changer to be in said first mode of operation and said movable platform reaches a predetermined position along said path of travel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tape cartridge changer as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined position is at a point along said path of travel where the portion of said playing mechanism mounted on said movable platform is located to play the first tape cartridge of said plurality of tape cartridges when said cartridge changer is again energized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tape cartridge changer as defined in claim 4 wherein said drive means is operable to drive said platform to move along said path of travel in a first and a second direction, and including means for reversing the direction of movement of said platform when said platform reaches the end of said path of travel while moving in either said first or said second direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tape cartridge changer as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided to permit the selective bypassing of cartridge receptacles of said array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
239 words
A tape cartridge changer comprising: an array of cartridge receptacles, each receptacle adapted to receive a tape cartridge; a changer playing mechanism, a portion of said playing mechanism mounted on a movable platform, said platform movable along a path of travel adjacent to said array of cartridge receptacles; drive means causing said platform to move in a fixed sequence including positions adjacent each one of the cartridge receptacles in said array; a control circuit; a plurality of switch means for controlling the operation of said changer, each of said switch means associated with a predetermined cartridge receptacle of said array of cartridge receptacles and including at least one contact; further means mounted to said movable platform, said further means including at least one contact sequentially engaging each switch means contact as said movable platform moves along said path of travel; and each of said plurality of switch means having first and second conditions which are selectable independent of the condition of said other ones of said switch means, each of said switch means being connected in said control circuit when its contact is in engagement with said further means contact such that said changer operation is automatically controlled with respect to any cartridge receptacle of said array of cartridge receptacles to permit the selective playing and bypassing of the cartridge receptacles in said array independent of the operation in said control circuit of the others of said switch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
239 words
A tape cartridge changer comprising: an array of cartridge receptacles, each receptacle adapted to receive a tape cartridge; a changer playing mechanism, a portion of said playing mechanism mounted on a movable platform, said platform movable along a path of travel adjacent to said array of cartridge receptacles; drive means causing said platform to move in a fixed sequence including positions adjacent each one of the cartridge receptacles in said array; a control circuit; a plurality of switch means for controlling the operation of said changer, each of said switch means associated with a predetermined cartridge receptacle of said array of cartridge receptacles and including at least one contact; further means mounted to said movable platform, said further means including at least one contact sequentially engaging each switch means contact as said movable platform moves along said path of travel; and each of said plurality of switch means having first and second conditions which are selectable independent of the condition of said other ones of said switch means, each of said switch means being connected in said control circuit when its contact is in engagement with said further means contact such that said changer operation is automatically controlled with respect to any cartridge receptacle of said array of cartridge receptacles to permit the selective playing and bypassing of the cartridge receptacles in said array independent of the operation in said control circuit of the others of said switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A cartridge changer as defined in claim 7 wherein said control circuit is a drive means control circuit which controls the energization of said drive means, and said plurality of switch means and said further means are sequentially connected in said drive means control circuit such that said changer is conditionable to bypass any cartridge receptacle of said array of cartridge receptacles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
A cartridge changer as defined in claim 8 wherein said further means includes: an assembly mounted to said movable platform and pivotable between a first and a second position; said contact carried on said assembly and sequentially engaging said switch means contacts when said movable platform moves along said path of travel in a first direction with said assembly in said first position; means for moving said assembly from said first position to a second position when said movable platform reaches the end of said path of travel in said first direction; said contact being disposed out of engagement with said switch means contacts when said movable platform moves along said path of travel in a second direction with said assembly in said second position; and means for moving said assembly from said second position to said first position when said movable platform reaches the end of said path of travel in said second direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The Invention according to claim 8, wherein said switch means associated with each of said cartridge receptacles includes a control means manually positionable in first and second positions, and means coupled to said control means and responsive to the position thereof for inhibiting cooperation between the contacts of said switch means and said further means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
A cartridge changer as defined in claim 8 wherein said tape cartridges are of the type having a plurality of tape tracks and said changer includes a tape track selection circuit, said plurality of switch means and said further means sequentially connected in said tape track selection circuit such that said changer is conditionable to bypass or play given ones of said plurality of tape tracks.
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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |