US3900172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cassette
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-31
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1994-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A tape cassette for a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus has at least one reel contained in a housing formed with an opening through which a tape wound on the reel can be withdrawn from the cassette housing for the recording of signals thereon or reproducing the signals therefrom, by one or more rotary magnetic heads, and a lid is provided to normally close the housing opening when the cassette is not in use and thereby to protect the tape from damage. The cassette is provided with a brake member which is responsive to the position of the lid thereby to prevent rotation of the reel when the lid closes the opening and to permit free rotation of the reel when the opening is exposed for use in the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoki Kamaya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B23/08707; G11B23/08735; G11B23/08742; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/67563; G11B15/67565; G11B23/08785
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A tape cassette comprising: a. a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing at least one reel for a supply of tape and having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along the sides of the latter so as to leave an opening along at least a side of the housing through which the tape can be exposed; b. a lid pivoted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening; and c. means responsive to the position of said lid for preventing rotation of said reel when said lid is in the closed position and for permitting rotation of said reel when said lid is in the opened position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A tape cassette comprising: a. a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing at least one reel for a supply of tape and having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along the sides of the latter so as to leave an opening along at least a side of the housing through which the tape can be exposed; b. a lid pivoted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening; and c. means responsive to the position of said lid for preventing rotation of said reel when said lid is in the closed position and for permitting rotation of said reel when said lid is in the opened position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
A tape cassette as defined in claim 1; wherein said reel includes a flange, and said means for preventing rotation of said reel includes a lever pivotally mounted in said housing, said lever having a first end portion extending into the influence of the movement of said lid and a second opposite end portion having a protrusion adapted to be Engaged with said flange, and spring means normally biasing said lever in a first direction to engage said protrusion with said flange thereby to prevent rotation of said reel, whereby when said lid is moved to said opened position for exposing said opening it engages said first end portion of said lever to pivot the lever against the bias of said spring means, thereby to free said reel for rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A tape cassette as defined in claim 2; wherein said flange has a plurality of notches formed in the peripheral edge thereof, and said protrusion of said second end portion is engageable in said notches in response to the biasing of said lever in said first direction by said spring means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tape cassette as defined in claim 2; wherein said lid has a pin by which it is pivotally mounted on said housing, and said pin has means thereon engageable with said first end portion of the lever for pivoting the latter against said bias of the spring means when said lid is moved from said closed position to said opened position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tape cassette as defined in claim 4; wherein said housing includes upper and lower sections having mating surfaces along which said sections are joined together, and said mating surfaces of the upper and lower sections are formed to define a bearing for said pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tape cassette comprising: a. a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing two reels having a supply of tape wound thereon, said housing including top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along the sides of the latter so as to leave an opening along at least a side of the housing through which the tape can be exposed; b. a lid mounted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening; and c. means responsive to the position of said lid for preventing rotation of said reels when said lid is in said closed position rotation for permitting rotatin of said reels when said lid is in said opened position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tape cassette comprising: a. a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing two reels having a supply of tape wound thereon, said housing including top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along the sides of the latter so as to leave an opening along at least a side of the housing through which the tape can be exposed; b. a lid mounted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening; and c. means responsive to the position of said lid for preventing rotation of said reels when said lid is in said closed position rotation for permitting rotatin of said reels when said lid is in said opened position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tape cassette as defined in claim 6; wherein said means for preventing rotation of said reels includes two braking means respectively associated with said two reels, and said lid has brake releasing means thereon engaging said two braking means for releasing the latter upon said movement of the lid from said closed position to said opened position.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |