US3964098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape deck with drive motor remote from drive roller
Assignee: NAI Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-15
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1994-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A tape deck for cartridge-encased record tapes in which the cartridge is precisely secured in a predetermined position in the tape deck in relation to its transducer and to the tape drive. The tape drive is interposed in the path of insertion of the cartridge to engage the tape-actuating mechanism in the cartridge when the cartridge is positioned in the deck. A drive motor is remotely disposed with respect to the cartridge and is coupled to the cartridge drive through a belt mechanism which allows displacement of the drive wheel through the agency of a flexural hinge support.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Kramer
- 👤 David Fialkow
- 👤 W. Sterling Gorrill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:18
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/26; G11B15/675; G11B15/6751; G11B15/67521
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A tape deck mechanism for accommodating and actuating record tapes in cartridges having at least one external positioning reference plane, an input capstan and means to expose sequential sections of the tape to a transducer, comprising a cartridge housing, positioning reference means to engage the reference plane of the inserted cartridge, means to releasably secure the cartridge on the reference means, a drive roller to engage the capstan in the cartridge, a yieldable support for the drive roller to maintain driving relationship with the capstan of an inserted cartridge, a drive motor remote from the drive roller, and an endless belt coupling the motor to the roller, the limbs of the belt which drive the roller being oriented at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the support for the roller when the roller and capstan are in driving engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A tape deck mechanism for accommodating and actuating record tapes in cartridges having at least one external positioning reference plane, an input capstan and means to expose sequential sections of the tape to a transducer, comprising a cartridge housing, positioning reference means to engage the reference plane of the inserted cartridge, means to releasably secure the cartridge on the reference means, a drive roller to engage the capstan in the cartridge, a yieldable support for the drive roller to maintain driving relationship with the capstan of an inserted cartridge, a drive motor remote from the drive roller, and an endless belt coupling the motor to the roller, the limbs of the belt which drive the roller being oriented at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the support for the roller when the roller and capstan are in driving engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A tape deck as set forth in claim 1, said support for the drive roller being movable in a direction aligned with the direction of insertion of the cartridge, said drive motor being remote from the drive roller in directions both perpendicular to direction of motion of the support and in the direction of movement of the support, and guide means for the endless belt forming angles in the belt limbs between the drive motor and drive roller to establish the pair of limbs which engage the roller in the said substantially right angular orientation with respect to the direction of movement of the support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tape deck as set forth in claim 2, the axes of the limbs of the endless belt between the drive roller and the drive motor being contained in a common plane when the roller and capstan are in driving engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 2, said guide means for the belt comprising a pair of spaced-apart guides defining parallel belt limbs between the guide means and the drive motor and between the guide means and the drive roller, and a common support for the guide means adjustably movable toward and away from the drive roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said yieldable support for the drive roller being pivotally mounted and having a pivot axis spaced from the plane of the drive roller to afford translational movement of the drive roller to and away from the point at which the limbs of the endless belt are substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 5, the pivot for the drive roller support comprising a flexure plate rigidly attached to both the support and the frame of the tape deck, and resilient means urging the support and drive roller in opposition to the direction of insertion of the cartridge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tape deck as set forth in claim 6, said flexure plate being disposed with its flexure axis disposed parallel to the plane of the drive roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
A tape deck mechanism for accommodating and actuating record tapes in cartridges having at least one external positioning reference plane, an input capstan and means to expose a section of the tape to a transducer, the invention comprising cartridge insertion guides affording motion of the inserted cartridge in directions both perpendicular and parallel to the reference plane, three triangularly arrayed positioning reference points to engage the reference plane of the inserted cartridge, and resilient means to urge the reference plane of the cartridge against the reference points.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A tape deck mechanism for accommodating and actuating record tapes in cartridges having at least one external positioning reference plane, an input capstan and means to expose a section of the tape to a transducer, the invention comprising cartridge insertion guides affording motion of the inserted cartridge in directions both perpendicular and parallel to the reference plane, three triangularly arrayed positioning reference points to engage the reference plane of the inserted cartridge, and resilient means to urge the reference plane of the cartridge against the reference points.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 8, each of said positioning reference points comprising a rotary member, said means to secure the cartridge on the reference points including a rotary bearing means disposed on the opposite side of the cartridge from the three reference numbers, a movable support for the rotary bearing means, and resilient means urging the rotary bearing means against the cartridge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 1, comprising a coiled spring plate mounted on the frame of the tape deck and interposed in the path of insertion of the cartridge to engage the forward edge thereof and adapted to partially uncoil as the cartridge is inserted, thereby to impose resilient ejection forces continuously and uniformly on the cartridge, and releasable latch means to hold the cartridge in its inserted position against the force of the partially uncoiled spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tape deck as set forth in claim 10, including means to adjustably position the coiled spring plate on the frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 10, said latch means including at least one movable finger to engage the cartridge in its path of ejection, an actuating member coupled to said latch means, first release means including an electromagnet to displace the actuating member, and second manually controlled means to displace the actuating member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 12, said actuating member comprising a slide bar, said latch means comprising a pivot arm carrying the restraining finger, lever means coupling the bar to the pivot arm, an electromagnet coupled to the slide bar, and a manually actuatable push rod adapted to engage the slide bar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 13, said push rod including a support affording both axial and rotary movement and being normally free of the slide bar during axial movement, and an actuating surface on the push rod adapted to engage the slide bar after rotation about its axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tape deck mechanism as set forth in claim 14, including electrical switch means actuated by the push rod and connected to energize the electromagnetic means after axial movement of the push rod.
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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |