US3913869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism
Assignee: American Optical Corp
•
Filing: 1973-09-10
•
Granted: 1975-10-21
•
Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism. A slow-speed synchronous AC motor is spring-coupled to a pulley, which in turn drives a flywheel via a belt. A capstan pulley is driven via a second belt by the flywheel, and an intermediate pulley, driven via a third belt by the flywheel, is mounted for free rotation on the capstan pulley. This intermediate pulley drives a take-up pulley via a fourth belt. The surface speed of the capstan is less than one inch per second and at the operating speed the ratio of the inertia of the flywheel to the inertia of the capstan element is greater than 25:1.
Inventors
- 👤 William D Richards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/318; A61B5/333; A61B5/336; G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/26; G11B15/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism comprising a synchronous AC motor, a flywheel, first belt means for driving said flywheel from said motor, a capstan pulley having a capstan extending in the axial direction therefrom, second belt means for driving said capstan pulley from said flywheel, a take-up pulley having a take-up spindle extending in the axial direction therefrom, and means including at least one additional belt means for driving said take-up pulley from said flywheel, said first and second belt means being operative to control the surface speed of said capstan to be less than one inch per second and the inertia of the flywheel to be at least 25 times as great as the inertia of said capstan pulley and capstan at the operating speed of the drive mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism comprising a synchronous AC motor, a flywheel, first belt means for driving said flywheel from said motor, a capstan pulley having a capstan extending in the axial direction therefrom, second belt means for driving said capstan pulley from said flywheel, a take-up pulley having a take-up spindle extending in the axial direction therefrom, and means including at least one additional belt means for driving said take-up pulley from said flywheel, said first and second belt means being operative to control the surface speed of said capstan to be less than one inch per second and the inertia of the flywheel to be at least 25 times as great as the inertia of said capstan pulley and capstan at the operating speed of the drive mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism in accordance with claim 1 whereIn said means for driving said take-up pulley includes an intermediate pulley coupled by a first additional belt means to said flywheel and coupled by a second additional belt means to said take-up pulley.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein said intermediate pulley is mounted for free rotation axially in line with and around said capstan on top of said capstan pulley.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism in accordance with claim 3 wherein said motor includes a shaft and said first belt means includes a pulley mounted on said motor shaft, a spring for coupling said motor shaft to the pulley mounted thereon, and a belt for driving said flywheel by said motor pulley, said spring serving to allow the motor shaft to start turning slightly before said motor pulley is driven by said motor shaft and said spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism in accordance with claim 4 wherein the speed of said motor is less than 400 rpm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein the speed of said motor is less than 400 rpm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said motor includes a shaft and said first belt means includes a pulley mounted on said motor shaft, a spring for coupling said motor shaft to the pulley mounted thereon, and a belt for driving said flywheel by said motor pulley, said spring serving to allow the motor shaft to start turning slightly before said motor pulley is driven by said motor shaft and said spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A slow-speed tape recorder drive mechanism in accordance with claim 7 wherein the speed of said motor is less than 400 rpm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3767137A
Cited
US3610533A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |