Magnetic transducing apparatus for using both endless loop cartridges and reel-to-reel cassettes

Claim 1

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on magnetic tape disposed in containers of at least two different sizes comprising in combination: a support including a housing having an outer wall with first and second openings therein for respectively receiving and permitting tape containing cartridges of different configurations to be inserted into said housing for the playback of signals recorded on the tapes of said cartridges, wherein one of said cartridges contains supply and take-up reel means for the tape thereof with said take-up reel means adapted to be driven to take up the tape during the reproduction of recordings therefrom, first guide means aligned with a first of said openings in said housing for receiving and guiding said first tape cartridge in a predetermined path into said housing, first transducing means and first drive means aligned with said first means for engaging the tape of said first cartridge and means for driving said tape through said cartridge, second guide means aligned with a second of said openings in said wall of said housing for receiving and guiding a cartridge of a second configuration containing an endless tape into said housing, a second transducing means and a second drive means aligned with said second guide means for engaging and driving the tape through said second cartridge when said second cartridge is inserted into said opening in said housing, and an electric motor supported within said housing and operatively connected to power operate both said first and second drive means whereby a single source of power may be utilized to drive the tapes of either of said first or second cartridges inserted into said housing.

Claim 2

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on magnetic tape disposed in containers of at least two different sizes comprising in combination: a support including a housing having an outer wall with first and second openings therein for respectively receiving and permitting tape containing cartridges of different configurations to be inserted into said housing for the playback of signals recorded on the tapes of said cartridges, wherein one of said cartridges contains supply and take-up reel means for the tape thereof with said take-up reel means adapted to be driven to take up the tape during the reproduction of recordings therefrom, first guide means aligned with a first of said openings in said housing for receiving and guiding said first tape cartridge in a predetermined path into said housing, first transducing means and first drive means aligned with said first means for engaging the tape of said first cartridge and means for driving said tape through said cartridge, second guide means aligned with a second of said openings in said wall of said housing for receiving and guiding a cartridge of a second configuration containing an endless tape into said housing, a second transducing means and a second drive means aligned with said second guide means for engaging and driving the tape through said second cartridge when said second cartridge is inserted into said opening in said housing, and an electric motor supported within said housing and operatively connected to power operate both said first and second drive means whereby a single source of power may be utilized to drive the tapes of either of said first or second cartridges inserted into said housing.

Claim 8

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on magnetic tape disposed in magazines of at least two different sizes comprising in combination: a first support including a housing having opening means for receiving and permitting tape containing magazines of different sizes to be inserted into said housing for the playback of signals recorded on the tapes thereof, fixed first and second guide means including a common guide surface for guiding said different size magazines along a fixed path defined by said common guide surface to operative locations within said housing, each of said different size magazines having respective openings in the walls thereof and means for guiding each of the tapes of said magazines in predetermined paths past said openings to permit access to the tapes of each magazine from the exterior of the magazine, magnetic transducing means and motor operated drive means for the tapes of said magazines including at least one drive wheel means rotatably supported within said housing and located to become operatively engaged with the tapes of both of said magazines when each of said magazines are operatively located within said housing, a first of said magazines having an endless loop formation of tape would therein in a coil and means for guiding said tape in a fixed path from the inside of said coil back on to the outside thereof, idler wheel means supported behind the tape of said first magazine in alignment with the opening in the wall thereof and aligned with said drive wheel means to engage the tape therebetween when said first magazine is operatively located within said housing whereby said tape may be pinched between the two wheel means and driven when said drive wheel means is driven, a second of said magazines supply and take-up reels rotatably supported within the magazine with the tape thereof wound between said reels, and a second support, respective first and second drive means supported by said second support for driving said supply and take-up reels for said tape of said second magazine. coupling means for connecting said first and second drive means to said supply and take-up reels, motor means operable to drive said second support and cause said coupling means to engage the supply and take-up reels of said second magazine when operatively located on said first support, means for operating said motor means for retracting said second support to disengage said coupling means from said supply and take-up reels, and means for controlling said motor means including switch means actuated when said second magazine is moved to its operative location in said housing and operative to control said motor means to drive said second support to cause said coupling means to engage said drive and take-up reels of said second magazine, and fixed first and second guide means for engaging and selectively driving said reels of said second magazine to take up the tape driven past said opening by said drive wheel means when said second magazine is at its operative location within said housing.

Claim 9

An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded on magnetic tape disposed in magazines of at least two different sizes comprising in combination: a first support including a housing having opening means for receiving and permitting tape containing magazines of different sizes to be inserted into said housing for the playback of signals recorded on the tapes thereof, fixed first and second guide means including a common guide surface for guiding said different size magazines along a fixed path defined by said common guide surface to operative locations within said housing, each of said different size magazines having respective openings in the walls thereof and means for guiding each of the tapes of said magazines in predetermined paths past said openings to permit access to the tapes of each magazine from the exterior of the magazine, magnetic transducing means and motor operated drive means for the tapes of said magazines including at least one drive wheel means rotatably supported within said housing and located to become operatively engaged with the tapes of both of said magazines when each of said magazines are operatively located within said housing, a first of said magazines having an endless loop formation of tape would therein in a coil and means for guiding said tape in a fixed path from the inside of said coil back on to the outside thereof, idler wheel means supported behind the tape of said first magazine in alignment with the opening in the wall thereof and aligned with said drive wheel means to engage the tape therebetween when said first magazine is operatively located within said housing whereby said tape may be pinched between the two wheel means and driven when said drive wheel means is driven, a second of said magazines supply and take-up reels rotatably supported within the magazine with the tape thereof wound between said reels, and a second support, respective first and second drive means supported by said second support for driving said supply and take-up reels for said tape of said second magazine. coupling means for connecting said first and second drive means to said supply and take-up reels, motor means operable to drive said second support and cause said coupling means to engage the supply and take-up reels of said second magazine when operatively located on said first support, means for operating said motor means for retracting said second support to disengage said coupling means from said supply and take-up reels, and means for controlling said motor means including switch means actuated when said second magazine is moved to its operative location in said housing and operative to control said motor means to drive said second support to cause said coupling means to engage said drive and take-up reels of said second magazine, and fixed first and second guide means for engaging and selectively driving said reels of said second magazine to take up the tape driven past said opening by said drive wheel means when said second magazine is at its operative location within said housing.

Claim 10

An apparatus for transducing signals relative to magnetic tapes disposed in magazines of different configurations comprising in combination: a first support including a housing, first and second magnetic tape magazines each of a different configuration and each having substantially parallel major front and rear walls joined together by respective edge walls, each of said magazines having a front edge wall portion with respective openings therein and respective means for guiding the tapes thereof facewise past said openings to expose portions of said tapes and permit transducing with respect to the exposed portions, and wherein said first magazine contains an endless loop formation of magnetic tape and said second magazine comprises a cassette containing supply and take-up reels rotatably supported therein, an opening in a wall of said housing of said first support and respective plural fixed guide means extending from said opening for receiving and guiding each of said magazines to operative locations within said housing, power operated wheel means supported by said first support and engageable with the tapes of said first and second magazines through said openings in said magazines when said magazines are respectively operatively located on said first support, a second support movably supported by said first support, first drive means for the reels of a cassette, supported by said second support, second drive means for engaging and driving the tape of a cassette when said cassette is at its operative location, third drive means including an electrically operated motor means supported by said first support for power driving said second support between a retracted position wherein said first drive means is out of the way of magazines inserted into said opening in said wall of said housing to a position wherein said first drive means may operatively engage the reels of a cassette which is operatively located within said housing, limit switch sensing means operable for sensing when a cassette is at its operative location for controlling operation of said second drive means to move said second support and to cause said first drive means to engage said reels of a cassette which is operatively located in said housing whereby the operation of said first and said second drive means thereafter will cause the tape of a cassette to be driven onto one of said reels past the opening in the wall of said cassette.

Claim 11

An apparatus for transducing signals relative to magnetic tapes disposed in magazines of different configurations comprising in combination: a first support including a housing, first and second magnetic tape magazines each of a different configuration and each having substantially parallel major front and rear walls joined together by respective edge walls, each of said magazines having a front edge wall portion with respective openings therein and respective means for guiding the tapes thereof facewise past said openings to expose portions of said tapes and permit transducing with respect to the exposed portions, and wherein said first magazine contains an endless loop formation of magnetic tape and said second magazine comprises a cassette containing supply and take-up reels rotatably supported therein, an opening in a wall of said housing of said first support and respective plural fixed guide means extending from said opening for receiving and guiding each of said magazines to operative locations within said housing, power operated wheel means supported by said first support and engageable with the tapes of said first and second magazines through said openings in said magazines when said magazines are respectively operatively located on said first support, a second support movably supported by said first support, first drive means for the reels of a cassette, supported by said second support, second drive means for engaging and driving the tape of a cassette when said cassette is at its operative location, third drive means including an electrically operated motor means supported by said first support for power driving said second support between a retracted position wherein said first drive means is out of the way of magazines inserted into said opening in said wall of said housing to a position wherein said first drive means may operatively engage the reels of a cassette which is operatively located within said housing, limit switch sensing means operable for sensing when a cassette is at its operative location for controlling operation of said second drive means to move said second support and to cause said first drive means to engage said reels of a cassette which is operatively located in said housing whereby the operation of said first and said second drive means thereafter will cause the tape of a cassette to be driven onto one of said reels past the opening in the wall of said cassette.