US4044233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
End predictor for cassette tape
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1976-05-27
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1996-05-27
Abstract
Abstract An end predictor is provided for use with a tape cassette of the type which contains a measured length of tape corresponding to a given number of turns on one of the tape hubs mounted therein when the tape is entirely wound on one of the hubs, exclusive of its leader portion extending to the other hub. A tape cassette of this type is indicated by an indication aperture formed in the cassette. When such cassettte is mounted in a tape recorder, the end predictor operates to count the number of revolutions of either take-up shaft or rewind shaft on which the respective tape hubs are mounted, thereby providing an alarm when a predetermined count is reached. Thus a prediction is provided of a terminal end of the cassette tape at a given time interval before the terminal end is actually reached. The detection of the indication aperture is effective to reset a counter arrangement which is associated with a record/playback operation of the recorder.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaaki Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:25
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/05; G11B15/06; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A tape end predictor for a tape cassette of a tape recorder, the cassette being of a type which contains a measured length of tape corresponding to a given number of turns thereof on one of the tape hubs which are mounted in a cassette when the tape is entirely received on said one tape hub, the tape cassette of the type being provided with an indication aperture indicative of the type of cassette, the predictor comprising a counter for counting the number of revolutions of a shaft on which said one tape hub is mounted to thereby indicate the length of tape reeled off the one tape hub, alarm means responsive to a given count in the counter to close an electrical circuit, thereby providing an alarm, a detection lever disposed for detecting the presence of the indication aperture in the cassette mounted on the tape recorder, and a reset lever operatively associated with an operating lever which is carried by the detection lever and adapted to reset the counter, a movement of a record/playback actuating member of the tape recorder to its operative position being effective, when a tape cassette having the indication aperture is mounted on the tape recorder, to reset the counter through the operating lever and the reset lever, said alarm means providing an alarm when a given count is reached in the counter, thereby predicting the tape end at a given time interval before the tape end is actually reached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A tape end predictor for a tape cassette of a tape recorder, the cassette being of a type which contains a measured length of tape corresponding to a given number of turns thereof on one of the tape hubs which are mounted in a cassette when the tape is entirely received on said one tape hub, the tape cassette of the type being provided with an indication aperture indicative of the type of cassette, the predictor comprising a counter for counting the number of revolutions of a shaft on which said one tape hub is mounted to thereby indicate the length of tape reeled off the one tape hub, alarm means responsive to a given count in the counter to close an electrical circuit, thereby providing an alarm, a detection lever disposed for detecting the presence of the indication aperture in the cassette mounted on the tape recorder, and a reset lever operatively associated with an operating lever which is carried by the detection lever and adapted to reset the counter, a movement of a record/playback actuating member of the tape recorder to its operative position being effective, when a tape cassette having the indication aperture is mounted on the tape recorder, to reset the counter through the operating lever and the reset lever, said alarm means providing an alarm when a given count is reached in the counter, thereby predicting the tape end at a given time interval before the tape end is actually reached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tape end predictor according to claim 1 in which the operating lever is enabled to engage the record/playback actuating member and the reset lever to reset the counter only when the tape cassette having the indication aperture is mounted on the tape recorder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tape end predictor according to claim 1 in which the reset lever is operative in the operative position of the record/playback actuating member and remains inoperative in the inoperative position of the latter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
182 words
A tape end predictor for a tape cassette of a tape recorder, the cassette being of a type which contains a measured length of tape correesponding to a given number of turns thereof on one of the tape hubs which are mounted in a cassette when the tape is entirely received on said one tape hub: a tape cassette of the type described being provided with an indication aperture so as to be distinguishable from tape cassettes of other types; the predictor comprising a counter for counting the number of revolutions of a shaft on which said one tape hub is mounted to thereby indicate the length of tape reeled off said one tape hub; alarm means responsive to a particular count in the counter to close an electrical circuit, thereby providing an alarm to predict the tape end at a given time interval before the tape end is actually reached; a detection lever which is operative, when a tape cassette devoid of said indication aperture is mounted on the tape recorder, to disable the electrical circuit associated with the alarm means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
182 words
A tape end predictor for a tape cassette of a tape recorder, the cassette being of a type which contains a measured length of tape correesponding to a given number of turns thereof on one of the tape hubs which are mounted in a cassette when the tape is entirely received on said one tape hub: a tape cassette of the type described being provided with an indication aperture so as to be distinguishable from tape cassettes of other types; the predictor comprising a counter for counting the number of revolutions of a shaft on which said one tape hub is mounted to thereby indicate the length of tape reeled off said one tape hub; alarm means responsive to a particular count in the counter to close an electrical circuit, thereby providing an alarm to predict the tape end at a given time interval before the tape end is actually reached; a detection lever which is operative, when a tape cassette devoid of said indication aperture is mounted on the tape recorder, to disable the electrical circuit associated with the alarm means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |