Video cassette changer-programmer

Claim 1

An improved cassette changer for use in combination with an automatic, programmable video cassette player-changer having plurality of video cassette players which use video cassettes containing visual material for a television audience and a television monitor electrically coupled to each of the plurality of video cassette players including: a. a plurality of vertically stacked cassette trays, each of said cassette trays adapted to contain one of the video cassettes; b. a housing adapted to contain the plurality of video cassette players, the plurality of vertically stacked cassette trays and the television monitor; c. a support member adapted to maintain plurality of vertically stacked cassette trays in a fixed position; d. a first motor adapted to be driven bidirectionally in response; e. a screw adapted to extend the approximate height of the housing and mechanically coupled to the first motor; f. first coupling device for coupling the support member to the screw, the coupling device being mechanically coupled in such that the support member is raised or lowered by the rotation of the screw; said improved cassette changer comprising: a. a return and retrieve plate that has four corners adapted to enclose the edges of a video cassette and an opening adapted to allow the video cassette to pass through it, said return and retrieve plate also having an edge adapted to contact the first edge of the video cassette; b. four nylon bearings, each of which is attached in one of said corners of said return and retrieve plate; c. a pair of parallel support and guide rods disposed perpendicular to the plurality of vertically stacked cassette trays in the horizontal plane, said support and guide rods mechanically coupled to said return and retrieve plate by said nylon bearing so that it may move laterally in the horizontal plane; d. a pair of L-shaped members, each of which is coupled to one of said corners of said return and retrieve plate adjacent to the rear edge of the video cassette; e. a first mechanical means for pulling and pushing said return and retrieve plate in a lateral direction; and f. pressing means for pushing down upon the top of the video cassette player.