US4226424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Player latching and unlatching mechanism for video disc holder
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1979-04-27
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Granted: 1980-10-07
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Expires: 1999-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for latching a disc holder to a frame while unlatching the holder from its carrier. A pair of pivotally mounted pry bars are extendable between the opposite edges of a video disc holder and its caddy to unlatch the holder from the caddy. A pair of pivotally mounted wedges are projectible into recesses provided on the disc holder to hookingly engage the holder while the caddy is removed therefrom. A pair of springs urge the wedges into the holder whereas a second pair of springs urge the pry bars relative to the wedges to allow the pry bars to be pivoted away from the holder. Reinsertion of the caddy to recapture the holder results in the pry bars being forced against the wedges thereby unlatching the holder from the wedges and allowing the holder to relatch to the caddy.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey W. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:40
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/022; G11B17/028; G11B17/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
A device for removing and reinserting a playing disc holder enclosed in and releasably latched to a caddy comprising: a frame into which said caddy with holder may be inserted; a first pryor pivotally mounted to said frame to move parallel to a given plane from an initial inserting position to a removal position and having first unlatching means operable to unlatch said holder from said caddy when said caddy and holder are initially inserted into said frame positioning said unlatching means between said caddy and holder in said initial inserting position, said pryor having a control surface; a first hook movably mounted to said frame to move in a direction parallel to said plane, said hook including an outer end configured to hookingly engage said holder when said caddy is unlatched and removed apart from said holder; first spring means secured to said frame and said hook being operable to urge said outer end of said hook into latching engagement with said holder when said holder is inserted into said frame but yieldable to allow movement of said outer end of said hook to disengage said holder when said caddy is reinserted into said frame to recapture said holder contacting and forcing said pryor to move to said removal position and moving said control surface against said hook moving said hook from said holder; and second spring means connecting said pryor and hook together being operable to urge said unlatching means away from said holder once said first hook is latched to said holder and said caddy is removed therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
261 words
A device for removing and reinserting a playing disc holder enclosed in and releasably latched to a caddy comprising: a frame into which said caddy with holder may be inserted; a first pryor pivotally mounted to said frame to move parallel to a given plane from an initial inserting position to a removal position and having first unlatching means operable to unlatch said holder from said caddy when said caddy and holder are initially inserted into said frame positioning said unlatching means between said caddy and holder in said initial inserting position, said pryor having a control surface; a first hook movably mounted to said frame to move in a direction parallel to said plane, said hook including an outer end configured to hookingly engage said holder when said caddy is unlatched and removed apart from said holder; first spring means secured to said frame and said hook being operable to urge said outer end of said hook into latching engagement with said holder when said holder is inserted into said frame but yieldable to allow movement of said outer end of said hook to disengage said holder when said caddy is reinserted into said frame to recapture said holder contacting and forcing said pryor to move to said removal position and moving said control surface against said hook moving said hook from said holder; and second spring means connecting said pryor and hook together being operable to urge said unlatching means away from said holder once said first hook is latched to said holder and said caddy is removed therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said frame includes guiding means defining a plane to receive said caddy and holder perpendicularly arranged to said given plane of movement of said pryor and hook.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
169 words
The device of claim 2 and further comprising: a second pryor pivotally mounted to said frame to move parallel to said first pryor, said unlatching means includes a first pry bar and said second pryor includes a second pry bar with said first pry bar and second pry bar being spaced apart to extend on opposite edges of said holder between said holder and said caddy when inserted into said frame; a first cross shaft extending between and connecting together said first pryor and second pryor to ensure said first pryor and second pryor move in unison; a second hook movably mounted to said frame and including an outer end to hookingly engage said holder, said first hook and said second hook being pivotally mounted to said frame; a second cross shaft extending between and connecting together said first hook and said second hook to ensure said first hook and said second hook move in unison; and third spring means urging said second pryor and said second hook together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
A latch mechanism for operation with a disc holder enclosed in a caddy comprising: a frame having an opening to receive said holder in caddy; a first pryor pivotally mounted to said frame to move in a first plane and including a bar extending forwardly toward said opening to engage and separate said caddy and holder, said pryor having a pryor seating surface; a first latch pivotally mounted to said frame to move in a direction parallel to said first plane, said latch having a main body with a latch seating surface which said pryor seating surface contacts, said latch having a projection outwardly therefrom to hookingly engage said holder when separated from said caddy; a first spring mounted on said frame and connected to said latch to urge said projection into said holder; and a second spring connecting said pryor and latch together to urge said pryor toward said latch and said bar away from said holder when said pryor seating surface is not in contact with said latch seating surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
A latch mechanism for operation with a disc holder enclosed in a caddy comprising: a frame having an opening to receive said holder in caddy; a first pryor pivotally mounted to said frame to move in a first plane and including a bar extending forwardly toward said opening to engage and separate said caddy and holder, said pryor having a pryor seating surface; a first latch pivotally mounted to said frame to move in a direction parallel to said first plane, said latch having a main body with a latch seating surface which said pryor seating surface contacts, said latch having a projection outwardly therefrom to hookingly engage said holder when separated from said caddy; a first spring mounted on said frame and connected to said latch to urge said projection into said holder; and a second spring connecting said pryor and latch together to urge said pryor toward said latch and said bar away from said holder when said pryor seating surface is not in contact with said latch seating surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The latch mechanism of claim 4 wherein said projection on said latch is wedge-shaped with an inclined surface and a holding surface, said inclined surface extends rearwardly from said main body of said latch to said holding surface; and said first spring is yieldable to allow said latch to pivot and away from said pryor when rearwardly directed force is applied to said pryor by said caddy being inserted into said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The latch mechanism of claim 4 wherein said pryor has a camming surface contacting said latch seating surface and forcing said latch away from said holder when said bar is pivoted toward said latch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
A latch mechanism for operation with a holder in a caddy comprising: a frame; a first latch having a first end and a second end with said first end pivotally mounted to said frame, said latch having a wedge-shaped hook extending upwardly therefrom in a direction from said first end toward said second end to engage said holder; first spring means mounted on said frame and connected to said second end to urge said hook upwardly in a given plane; a first pryor pivotally mounted to said frame to move parallel to said given plane and having a finger extending in a direction from said second end toward said first end, said pryor contacting said latch and moving said latch from said holder when said caddy is reinstalled on said holder while moving said pryor; and a second spring connected to and between said latch and pryor to urge said latch and pryor together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
A latch mechanism for operation with a holder in a caddy comprising: a frame; a first latch having a first end and a second end with said first end pivotally mounted to said frame, said latch having a wedge-shaped hook extending upwardly therefrom in a direction from said first end toward said second end to engage said holder; first spring means mounted on said frame and connected to said second end to urge said hook upwardly in a given plane; a first pryor pivotally mounted to said frame to move parallel to said given plane and having a finger extending in a direction from said second end toward said first end, said pryor contacting said latch and moving said latch from said holder when said caddy is reinstalled on said holder while moving said pryor; and a second spring connected to and between said latch and pryor to urge said latch and pryor together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
The latch mechanism of claim 7 and further comprising a second latch pivotally mounted to said frame parallel to but spaced from said first latch with an identical pivot axis and also including a second wedge-shaped hook extending upwardly therefrom; a second pryor pivotally mounted to said frame; a third spring connected to and between said second latch and said second pryor to urge them together; and unison means connecting said first pryor to said second pryor and connecting said first latch to said second latch to ensure movement of said first pryor and second pryor in unison and movement of said first latch and second latch in unison.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The latch mechanism of claim 7 wherein said second spring is operable to urge said finger toward said latch when said latch and pryor move apart.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The latch mechanism of claim 7 wherein said second spring is operable to urge said finger away from said latch when said latch and pryor move apart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
A latch mechanism for operation with a holder enclosed in a caddy comprising: a frame having an opening to receive said holder in caddy; a first pryor movably mounted to said frame to move in a first plane and including a bar extending forwardly toward said opening to engage and separate said caddy and holder, said pryor having latch-actuating means; a first latch movably mounted to said frame to move in a direction parallel to said first plane, said latch having a main body which said latch-actuating means actuates, said latch having a projection outwardly therefrom to hookingly engage said holder when separated from said caddy; means associated with said latch to urge said projection into said holder and further associated with said latch-actuating means of said pryor and said latch to urge said latch away from said holder when said caddy is reinstalled on said holder forcing said latch-actuating means of said pryor to move said latch from said holder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
A latch mechanism for operation with a holder enclosed in a caddy comprising: a frame having an opening to receive said holder in caddy; a first pryor movably mounted to said frame to move in a first plane and including a bar extending forwardly toward said opening to engage and separate said caddy and holder, said pryor having latch-actuating means; a first latch movably mounted to said frame to move in a direction parallel to said first plane, said latch having a main body which said latch-actuating means actuates, said latch having a projection outwardly therefrom to hookingly engage said holder when separated from said caddy; means associated with said latch to urge said projection into said holder and further associated with said latch-actuating means of said pryor and said latch to urge said latch away from said holder when said caddy is reinstalled on said holder forcing said latch-actuating means of said pryor to move said latch from said holder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The mechanism of claim 11 wherein said first plane extends vertically.
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) | 1983-10-07 | 1984-04-07 | 1984-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-07 | 1988-04-07 | 1988-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-07 | 1992-04-07 | 1992-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |