US3904149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette loading apparatus for use in cassette tape recorder
Assignee: Alpine Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-23
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A cassette loading apparatus for use in a cassette tape device having a housing with an opening adapted to receive a cassette tape cartridge and having a cassette holding frame within the housing adapted to receive the tape cartridge. The holding frame is movable between a first position aligned with the opening when the cartridge is inserted into the device and a second position wherein the tape cartridge is held in the play position against the tape drive mechanism. A retention lever engageable with the holding frame when the frame is in the first position and disengageable from the holding frame when a cassette cartridge is inserted into the opening in the housing. A spring is engageable with the holding frame to bias the frame to a second or playing position when the retention lever is disengaged from the case. A control lever is engageable with a projection mounted to the holding frame to hold the frame in the second position when the control lever is in an outward position. The control lever is movable to an inward position to engage and to pivot a lever mounted in the housing. The pivotal movement of the lever causes the lever to engage the projection to thereby move the holding frame to the first position aligned with the opening in the housing to permit removal of the cassette cartridge from the holding frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Shoji Suzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:25
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/67544; G11B15/67555
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A cassette loading mechanism for use in a cassette tape recorder/reproducer device including a housing having an opening adapted To receive a cassette tape cartridge and having a tape drive mechanism engageable with the tape cartridge to drive the same, including in combination: a holding frame within the housing adapted to receive the cassette cartridge, said holding frame being movable between a first position aligned with the opening when the cassette cartridge is inserted into the recorder/reproducer device and a second position wherein the cassette cartridge is held in a play position against the tape drive mechanism, retention means engageable with said holding frame to hold the same at said first position, said retention means being disengageable from said holding frame upon the insertion of the cassette cartridge into said holding frame, biasing means engageable with said holding frame to move said holding frame from said first position to said second position upon disengagement of said retention means from said holding frame, projection means mounted to said holding frame, lever means pivotally mounted in the housing and engageable with said projection means, and control means movable between an outward position wherein said control means engages said projection means to position and hold said holding frame in said second position and an inward position wherein said control means engages said lever means to pivot the same, said pivotal movement causing said lever means to engage said projection means and move said holding frame to said first position wherein the cassette cartridge is held in position for removal through the opening in the housing and said retention means is engageable with said holding frame to hold the same at said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
280 words
A cassette loading mechanism for use in a cassette tape recorder/reproducer device including a housing having an opening adapted To receive a cassette tape cartridge and having a tape drive mechanism engageable with the tape cartridge to drive the same, including in combination: a holding frame within the housing adapted to receive the cassette cartridge, said holding frame being movable between a first position aligned with the opening when the cassette cartridge is inserted into the recorder/reproducer device and a second position wherein the cassette cartridge is held in a play position against the tape drive mechanism, retention means engageable with said holding frame to hold the same at said first position, said retention means being disengageable from said holding frame upon the insertion of the cassette cartridge into said holding frame, biasing means engageable with said holding frame to move said holding frame from said first position to said second position upon disengagement of said retention means from said holding frame, projection means mounted to said holding frame, lever means pivotally mounted in the housing and engageable with said projection means, and control means movable between an outward position wherein said control means engages said projection means to position and hold said holding frame in said second position and an inward position wherein said control means engages said lever means to pivot the same, said pivotal movement causing said lever means to engage said projection means and move said holding frame to said first position wherein the cassette cartridge is held in position for removal through the opening in the housing and said retention means is engageable with said holding frame to hold the same at said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cassette loading mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said projection means further includes a roller rotatably mounted thereon, said roller being engaged by said control means to hold said holding frame in said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cassette loading mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control means includes a slide member having a vertical lever portion mounted thereon, said vertical lever portion being engageable with said projection means to position and to hold said holding frame in said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The cassette loading mechanism in accordance with claim 3 wherein said vertical lever portion further includes a recess on the end thereof adapted to receive said projection means, said projection means being positioned in said recess when said holding frame is in said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The cassette loading mechanism in accordance with claim 3 wherein said vertical lever portion further includes an angled surface portion engageable with said projection means to provide a camming action between said surface and said projection to move said holding frame to said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
The cassette loading mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lever means includes an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted in said housing, said lever further including one end portion engageable with said projection means and an end opposite said one end portion having a flanged portion extending perpendicularly thereto, said flange portion being engageable with said control means when said control means is in said inward position, said engagement of said control means with said flange portion causing said L-shaped lever to pivot whereby said one end portion engages said projection means to move said holding frame to said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cassette loading mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said biasing means is a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cassette loading mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control means further includes spring means engageable with said control means to bias said control means from said inward position to said outward position when said holding frame is in said first 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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |