Patent US2846164A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4063294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cartridge loading mechanism
Assignee: IGM COMMUNICATIONS INC A CORP OF WA
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Filing: 1975-08-22
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Granted: 1977-12-13
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Expires: 1995-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A carousel provides a plurality of standard tape cartridges on demand at a tape loading station. At the tape loading station a transfer mechanism grasps the cartridge and pulls it forwardly into a freely movable play position. In the play position a standard pinch roller is swung into the play position holding the tape against a capstan. A unique feature of the transfer mechanism is that the cartridge is moved by a roller carriage in such a manner that the cartridge travels a much greater distance than the roller carriage to accellerate the speed of travel for rapid insertion and retraction of cartridges and more importantly to minimize the travel of the transfer mechanism while gaining substantial travel of the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest C. Burkhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:19
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A tape cartridge loading mechanism for moving one of a plurality of tape cartridges to a playback station for engagement by a tape actuating drive and playback head, comprising: a tape cartridge conveyor for carrying a plurality of tape cartridges to a loading station, said conveyor having means for holding a plurality of cartridges each with an end exposed at the loading station, carriage means positionable at said loading station for moving a cartridge out of said cartridge holding means and into said playback station, said carriage means including a set of opposed grasping rollers moveable toward one another into engagement with opposite sides of the exposed end of said cartridge for grasping the cartridge, actuating means for advancing said rollers along a path toward said playback station, and means for moving the rollers into engagement with the cartridge at the loading station and out of the engagement from the cartridge at the playback station for releasing the cartridge to the tape actuating drive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A tape cartridge loading mechanism for moving one of a plurality of tape cartridges to a playback station for engagement by a tape actuating drive and playback head, comprising: a tape cartridge conveyor for carrying a plurality of tape cartridges to a loading station, said conveyor having means for holding a plurality of cartridges each with an end exposed at the loading station, carriage means positionable at said loading station for moving a cartridge out of said cartridge holding means and into said playback station, said carriage means including a set of opposed grasping rollers moveable toward one another into engagement with opposite sides of the exposed end of said cartridge for grasping the cartridge, actuating means for advancing said rollers along a path toward said playback station, and means for moving the rollers into engagement with the cartridge at the loading station and out of the engagement from the cartridge at the playback station for releasing the cartridge to the tape actuating drive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The loading mechanism of claim 1, said carriage means further including means for increasing the distance the cartridge is moved over the distance the roller advancing means is moved for gaining in increased travel of the cartridge with a minimum travel of the roller advancing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The loading mechanism of claim 2, said cartridge travel increasing means including rail means engageable with the grasping rollers as they are moved along said path for adding a rotational movement to the rollers which is transmitted to the cartridge to further advance the cartridge as the rollers move along the path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The loading mechanism of claim 1, said actuating means for advancing the rollers including guide tracks on opposite sides of said path, a slidable assembly rotationally connected with said rollers and movable along said guide tracks, an actuating arm slidably connected to said slidable assembly, and linkage means for pivoting said actuating arm to move said slidable assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The loading mechanism of claim 1, said conveyor including a pair of spaced flexible carrier chains connected to said compartments, a guide bar positioned along the forward ends of said compartments and discontinued at said loading station for holding the cartridges against forward movement in the compartments except at said loading station, and means for urging the cartridges against said guide bar for positioning the cartridges at the loading station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The loading mechanism of claim 5, said carriage means further including means for increasing the travel of the cartridge over the travel of the roller advancing means for increasing the distance traveled by the cartridge, said cartridge travel increasing means including means engageable with the grasping rollers as they are moved along said path for adding a rotational movement to the rollers which is transmitted to the cartridge to further advance the cartridge as the rollers move along the path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A tape cartridge loading mechanism for moving one of a plurality of tape cartridges of the type having opposite smooth sides and an exposed tape end to a playback station for engagement by a tape actuating drive and playback head comprising: tape cartridge storage means for holding a plurality of tape cartridges, transfer and delivery means separate from said storage means and operable for engaging a cartridge in said storage means, delivering the cartridge to said playback station, and completely releasing the cartridge at said playback station, said transfer and delivery means including means reciprocably extendible along said opposite sides of said cartridge adjacent said exposed tape end and movable toward each other for grasping the smooth sides and advancing the cartridge exposed tape end first into a released playback position at said playback station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
A tape cartridge loading mechanism for moving one of a plurality of tape cartridges of the type having opposite smooth sides and an exposed tape end to a playback station for engagement by a tape actuating drive and playback head comprising: tape cartridge storage means for holding a plurality of tape cartridges, transfer and delivery means separate from said storage means and operable for engaging a cartridge in said storage means, delivering the cartridge to said playback station, and completely releasing the cartridge at said playback station, said transfer and delivery means including means reciprocably extendible along said opposite sides of said cartridge adjacent said exposed tape end and movable toward each other for grasping the smooth sides and advancing the cartridge exposed tape end first into a released playback position at said playback station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The mechanism of claim 7, said grasping means including at least one set of opposed rollers, and ramp means engagable with said rollers for moving the rollers toward one another into said grasping position and having elongated rails engagable with the rollers for rotating the rollers as the rollers grasp the cartridge whereby the cartridge is advanced a distance greater than the rollers when moved to the playback station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The mechanism of claim 8, said ramp means including opposed rearward ramps for moving the rollers against the cartridge and opposed forward ramps for moving the rollers away from the cartridge at the playback station, and including spring means for urging the rollers against the ramps.
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) | 1980-12-12 | 1981-06-13 | 1981-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-12 | 1985-06-13 | 1985-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-12 | 1989-06-13 | 1989-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |