Patent US4044391A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4044391A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette tape recorders
Assignee: Fulton Electronic Industry Ltd
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Filing: 1975-03-03
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1995-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A cassette tape recorder particularly featured by the improved apparatus for insertion, holding and removal of a tape cassette. The apparatus comprises a movable chassis rotatably supported on a stationary chassis and an elongate metal strip extending along one side of the movable chassis and slidably supported by the stationary chassis. A tension spring is fastened to the movable chassis at one end, while its other end is secured to the slidable metal strip. A rotatable L-shaped lever has one end engaged with the slidable metal strip. The other end of the L-shaped lever is engaged with a latching member adapted to maintain the one end of the L-shaped lever in restrictive engagement with the slidable metal strip to prevent the strip from movement under the action of the tension spring, so that the tension spring acts to pull the movable chassis toward the metal strip to rotate the movable chassis into its lowered position during insertion of a tape cassette. An unlatching member is associated with the latching member to allow the L-shaped lever to release its restrictive engagement with the metal strip to permit movement of the latter under the action of the tension spring. The movable chassis includes a projection which is perpendicular to the slidable metal strip, and the metal strip includes a cooperating projection adjacent to the projection on the movable chassis. The projection on the strip pushes the projection on the movable chassis forward to rotate the latter into its raised position for removal of the tape cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:09
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/6751; G11B15/67513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
364 words
In combination with a cassette tape recorder of the type in which a first stationary chassis and a second stationary chassis spaced above said first stationary chassis defined therebetween a space adapted to receive a tape cassette therein, and in which a tape driving mechanism is mounted on a movable chassis rotatably supported on said first stationary chassis, the improvement which comprises: an elongate slide member slidably attached to one side wall of said first stationary chassis; a first tension spring fastened to said movable chassis at its one end and to said slide member at its other end; means rotatably supported on said second stationary chassis and operatively connected with said slide member for rotation in one direction to move said slide member in one direction for urging said movable chassis into one position under the action of said first tension spring during insertion of said tape cassette into said space; means engaged with said slide member moving means for latching it to maintain said movable chassis in said one position; means for acting on said latching means for unlatching said slide member moving means to permit movement of said slide member in the other direction under the action of said first tension spring; and means engaged by said slide member for rotating said movable chassis into another position under the action of said first tension spring during removal of said tape cassette from said space; and wherein said slide member moving means comprises an L-shaped lever rotatably supported at its corner by a pin on said second stationary chassis, and a starting member slidably supported by said second stationary chassis and engageable by said tape cassette during said insertion and removal thereof, said L-shaped lever operatively connected to said slide member by a first arm engaged with said slide member at its free end, and a second arm extending generally at right angles to said first arm and engaged with said latching means at its free end, said starting member comprising means for rotating said L-shaped lever in said one direction of said slide member moving means upon sliding in one direction when pushed by said tape cassette during said insertion thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
364 words
In combination with a cassette tape recorder of the type in which a first stationary chassis and a second stationary chassis spaced above said first stationary chassis defined therebetween a space adapted to receive a tape cassette therein, and in which a tape driving mechanism is mounted on a movable chassis rotatably supported on said first stationary chassis, the improvement which comprises: an elongate slide member slidably attached to one side wall of said first stationary chassis; a first tension spring fastened to said movable chassis at its one end and to said slide member at its other end; means rotatably supported on said second stationary chassis and operatively connected with said slide member for rotation in one direction to move said slide member in one direction for urging said movable chassis into one position under the action of said first tension spring during insertion of said tape cassette into said space; means engaged with said slide member moving means for latching it to maintain said movable chassis in said one position; means for acting on said latching means for unlatching said slide member moving means to permit movement of said slide member in the other direction under the action of said first tension spring; and means engaged by said slide member for rotating said movable chassis into another position under the action of said first tension spring during removal of said tape cassette from said space; and wherein said slide member moving means comprises an L-shaped lever rotatably supported at its corner by a pin on said second stationary chassis, and a starting member slidably supported by said second stationary chassis and engageable by said tape cassette during said insertion and removal thereof, said L-shaped lever operatively connected to said slide member by a first arm engaged with said slide member at its free end, and a second arm extending generally at right angles to said first arm and engaged with said latching means at its free end, said starting member comprising means for rotating said L-shaped lever in said one direction of said slide member moving means upon sliding in one direction when pushed by said tape cassette during said insertion thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the center of gravity of said movable chassis including said tape driving mechanism is positioned substantially on the axis of rotation of said movable chassis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said movable chassis into said other position comprises a projection formed on said movable chassis and positioned on the opposite side of said one end of said first tension spring from said axis of rotation of said movable chassis; and a projection formed on said slide member adjacent to said projection on said movable chassis, said projection on said slide member being engageable with said projection on siad movable chassis, upon movement of said slide member in a direction opposite to said one direction under the action of said first tension spring, to rotate said movable chassis into said other position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said latching means comprises an elongate plate lever rotatably supported by a pin on said first stationary chassis and having an elongate aperture in which said free end of said second arm of said L-shaped lever is movably engaged; and a second tension spring fastened to one end of said plate lever at one end and to said first stationary chassis at the other end, said elongate aperture being located adjacent to the other end of said plate lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said second arm of said L-shaped lever includes a pin formed at said free end thereof and movably engaged in said elongate aperture of said plate lever; and wherein said elongate aperture of said plate lever includes a shoulder adapted to hold said pin thereagainst under the action of said second tension spring to maintain said movable chassis in said one position thereof upon said insertion of said tape cassette.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said unlatching means comprises an elongate push lever slidably supported by said second stationary chassis and extending along said one side wall of said first stationary chassis, said push lever having a curved inner end positioned adjacent to said other end of said plate lever and an outer end which extends outwardly from said first and second stationary chassises and is manually operable, said inner end of said push lever being engageable with said other end of said plate lever to rotate said plate lever against the action of said second tension spring to permit movement of said second arm of said L-shaped lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as defined in claim 1; and rotation preventing means for and carried by said movable chassis engaging said starting member for preventing chassis rotation towards said one position except when said starting member is substantially in said inner tape playing position.
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) | 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 |