Patent US4219613A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4035899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic tape cassette-assembling system
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1976-03-09
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1996-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically assembling a tape cassette including upper and lower cassette housing halves, a pair of reel hubs received in said housing halves and a magnetic tape wound about both reel hubs, which comprises a magnetic tape-loading mechanism for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs and loading the reel hubs and magnetic tape into the lower housing half placed on an assembly line, wherein the magnetic tape-loading mechanism comprises a reel hub-fitting device for fitting each of the paired reel hubs on a tape takeup jig; a tape takeup device for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs; and a tape transfer device for holding the reel hubs fitted on the tape takeup jigs and a magnetic tape in the same arrangement as actually takes place in the tape cassette and thereafter loading both reel hubs and magnetic tape into the lower housing half.
Inventors
- 👤 Hironobu Matsuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:06
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/113; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53313; Y10T29/53322; Y10T29/53465; Y10T29/53478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for automatically assembling a magnetic tape cassette including first and second cassette housing halves, a pair of reel hubs received in the cassette housing halves and a magnetic tape wound about both reel hubs, which comprises at least one magnetic tape loading device for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs and loading the reel hubs and magnetic tape into the first cassette housing half, wherein the magnetic tape-loading device includes at least one magnetic tape takeup jig; a reel hub-fitting device for setting the reel hubs onto the jig; a magnetic tape takeup device for winding a prescribed amount of magnetic tape about the reel hubs placed on the jig; and a magnetic tape-transferring device adapted to hold the reel hubs mounted on the magnetic tape takeup jig and magnetic tape in substantially the same position as that in which both reel hubs and magnetic tape are to be finally received in the magnetic tape cassette and thereafter to transfer both reel hubs and magnetic tape into the first cassette housing half from the jig.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for automatically assembling a magnetic tape cassette including first and second cassette housing halves, a pair of reel hubs received in the cassette housing halves and a magnetic tape wound about both reel hubs, which comprises at least one magnetic tape loading device for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs and loading the reel hubs and magnetic tape into the first cassette housing half, wherein the magnetic tape-loading device includes at least one magnetic tape takeup jig; a reel hub-fitting device for setting the reel hubs onto the jig; a magnetic tape takeup device for winding a prescribed amount of magnetic tape about the reel hubs placed on the jig; and a magnetic tape-transferring device adapted to hold the reel hubs mounted on the magnetic tape takeup jig and magnetic tape in substantially the same position as that in which both reel hubs and magnetic tape are to be finally received in the magnetic tape cassette and thereafter to transfer both reel hubs and magnetic tape into the first cassette housing half from the jig.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic tape-transferring device comprises reel hub-holding means for receiving reel hubs together with a magnetic tape from the magnetic tape takeup jig; and magnetic tape-supporting means engageable with a magnetic tape to hold it in substantially the same position as that which is assumed by the magnetic tape when it detours through the magnetic tape cassette.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic tape-transferring device further comprises tension-applying means for applying tension to a magnetic tape held by the reel bubs and magnetic tape-supporting means, thereby preventing the magnetic tape from being loosely stretched.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic tape-transferring device further comprises reel hub-releasing means for forcefully releasing the reel hubs and setting them onto the first cassette housing half.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 1, wherein the reel hubs are held by a pair of bars and a pair of reel hub-supporting members fitted to the lower ends of the bars for engagement with the reel hubs; and the reel hub-releasing means comprises a pair of sleeves mounted on the bars in a state movable axially of said bars, thereby forcing the reel hubs downward from the reel hub-supporting member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic tape-transferring device further comprises tension-supplying means for driving at least one of the paired bars to rotate the reel hub held by said bar in a direction in which the magnetic tape is tightly stretched.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic tape take-up jig comprises a body; a pair of reel hub-supporting shafts fitted to the body in a state vertically movable but incapable of being rotated and each provided with a reel hub-supporting section at the upper end; urging means for upward urging the supporting shafts to cause the reel hub-supporting sections to project above the upper surface of the jig body; a key fitted to one of the reel hub-supporting shafts in a vertically movable state, thereby preventing the rotation of a reel hub mounted on said one reel hub-supporting shaft; locking means for locking the key below the upper surface of the jig body when the key is brought down; and releasing means for releasing the lock means to return the key to its initial position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 7, wherein the magnetic tape takeup device comprises reel hub-driving means for rotating a reel hub supported on said one reel hub-supporting shaft to wind a prescribed amount of magnetic tape about the reel hub.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 8, wherein the reel hub driving means comprises a supporting arm; a rod fitted to the arm in a state vertically movable and rotatable; and a reel hub-driving member fitted to the lower end of the rod to force down said one reel hub supporting shaft together with the key when the rod is brought down for engagement with the reel hub.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic tape takeup device comprises a reel for holding a large amount of magnetic tape; a magnetic tape guide device for guiding the magnetic tape from the reel to the proximity of the magnetic tape takeup jig; a magnetic tape-conducting device for holding the forward end of a magnetic tape and causing the magnetic tape to detour about the reel hubs placed on the magnetic tape takeup jig; a first magnetic tape takeup device for fitting the forward end portion of the magnetic tape to one of the reel hubs; a reel hub-driving device for operating said one reel hub to wind a prescribed amount of magnetic tape about said one reel hub; a second magnetic tape takeup device for fitting the rear end portion of the prescribed amount of magnetic tape to the other reel hub; and a first magnetic tape-cutting device for cutting off the excess end portion of the magnetic tape stretched across the magnetic tape-fitting section of said other reel hub and the magnetic tape guide device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 10, wherein the magnetic tape takeup device further comprises a second magnetic tape-cutting device for cutting off the excess end portion stretched across the magnetic tape conducting device and the magnetic tape-fitting section of said one reel hub.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 10, wherein the magnetic tape guide device comprises clamping means for catching the magnetic tape before its excess end portion is cut off and applying tight tension to that portion of the magnetic tape which is stretched between the magnetic tape takeup section of said other reel hub and the clamping means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic tape cassette further comprises a pair of guide rollers for keeping a magnetic tape in prescribed detouring condition; and the magnetic tape takeup jig comprises a pair of reel shafts and a pair of roller shafts for supporting the reel hubs and guide rollers in substantially the same position as that which said reel hubs and guide rollers later assume in the magnetic tape cassette.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 13, wherein the magnetic tape-transferring device comprises reel-supporting means for receiving the reel hubs wound with the magnetic tape from the reel-supporting shafts of the magnetic tape takeup jig; roller-supporting means for receiving the guide rollers from the roller-supporting shafts of the magnetic tape takeup jig; and magnetic tape-supporting means engageable with the magnetic tape to keep it in substantially the same detouring state as that which the magnetic tape presents in the magnetic tape cassette.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 14, wherein the magnetic tape-transferring device further comprises tension-applying means for applying tight tension to the magnetic tape held by the reel-supporting means, roller-supporting means and magnetic tape supporting means to prevent it from being loosely stretched.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 14, wherein the magnetic tape-transferring device further comprises reel hub-removing means for forcefully taking off the reel hubs from the reel hub-supporting means; and roller-removing means for forcefully taking off the guide rollers from the roller-supporting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 13, wherein the magnetic tape loading device further comprises guide roller-fitting means for fitting guide rollers to the roller-supporting shafts of the magnetic tape takeup jig.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 17, wherein the magnetic tape-loading device further comprises a turn table for conducting the magnetic tape takeup jig to the roller-fitting means, reel hub-fitting device, magnetic tape takeup device and magnetic tape transferring device in turn.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 1, which further comprises conveyor means; and at least one transport jig supported on the conveyor means to conduct a magnetic tape cassette being assembled to the prescribed positions on the assembly line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 19, which further comprises a first cassette housing half feeder for mounting the first cassette housing half on the transport jig, thereby enabling the magnetic tape-transferring device to transpose the reel hubs and magnetic tape from the magnetic tape takeup device to the first cassette housing half placed on the transport jig.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 20, wherein the first cassette housing half feeder comprises a cassette housing half-sorting device for selecting a first cassette housing half assuming prescribed shape and posture; and cassette-housing half-loading device for transferring the normal cassette housing half from the cassette housing half-sorting device to the transport jig.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 20, which further comprises a second cassette housing half feeder for fitting the second cassette housing half to the first cassette housing half loaded with reel hubs and magnetic tape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 22, wherein the second cassette housing half feeder comprises cassette housing half-sorting means for selecting a second cassette housing half assuming prescribed shape and posture; and cassette housing half-loading means for transferring the normal second cassette housing half from the sorting means thereof to the first cassette housing half mounted on the transport jig.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
93 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 19, wherein the magnetic tape cassette further comprises a pair of lining sheets; and the assembling system itself comprises a first lining sheet-loading device for fitting one of the lining sheets into the first cassette housing half mounted on the transport jig before reel hubs and magnetic tape are fitted into said first cassette housing half, and a second lining sheet-loading device for fitting the other lining sheet into the first cassette housing half after the reel hubs and magnetic tape are loaded thereinto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 19, wherein the magnetic tape cassette further comprises a pad spring; and the assembling system itself further comprises pad spring-fitting means for loading the pad spring into the first cassette housing half placed on the transport jig.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
69 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 25, wherein the pad spring-fitting means comprises pad spring-sorting means for selecting a pad spring assuming prescribed shape and posture; and pad spring-loading means for keeping the normal pad spring in substantially the same position as that which said normal pad spring takes in the magnetic tape cassette and thereafter fitting the pad spring into the first cassette housing half.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 19, wherein the conveyor means comprises stop mechanism for bringing the transport jig to rest at the prescribed position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
99 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 27, wherein the stop mechanism comprises a first inclined wall provided on the conveyor means; an engagement wall formed at the upper end of the first inclined wall; a second inclined wall formed on the transport jig in a state slidable over the first inclined wall; and pressing means for pressing the transport jig horizontally to cause the first inclined wall to slide upward over the second inclined wall, thereby securely setting the transport jig in place through cooperation of the first inclined wall, engagement wall and second inclined wall.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 27, wherein the stop mechanism further comprises lifting means for lifting the transport jig off the conveyor means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
144 words
The automatic magnetic tape cassette-assembling system according to claim 19, wherein the transport jig comprises a body; a pair of reel hub-supporting shafts rotatably fitted to the body; gear means for connecting both reel hub-supporting shafts together; a movable rack engaged with the gear means; and spring means for urging the rack only in one direction, and the conveyor means comprises pressing means for urging the rack in the opposite direction against the force of the spring means; and actuating means for operating the pressing means to cause the reel hubs on the reel hub-supporting shafts to rotate for the loosening of a stretched magnetic tape, whereby when the actuating means is brought into an inoperative condition, the spring means urges the rack to cause the reel hubs on the reel hub-supporting shafts to rotate for the tight tension of the stretched magnetic tape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3226816A
Cited
US3457627A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |