Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A cleaning device for a video tape recorder of the type adapted to move a video tape between two reels along a predetermined path in moving contact with a plurality of operating heads and tape guides, at least some of said heads including a plurality of circumferential grooves, said device comprising: a cassette housing adapted to be inserted into the recorder in the manner of a video tape cassette, a pair of tape reels rotatably supported within the housing, and a cleaning tape carried on said reels and adapted to be advanced along the recorder tape path from one reel to the other in moving contact with the operating heads and tape guides when the cassette housing is inserted into the recorder and the recorder operated, said cleaning tape having a non-abrasive surface contacting the recorder operating heads and tape guides, said non-abrasive surface including an array of bristles adapted to extend into the head grooves and effect a scrubbing action to remove deposits from both the periphery of the heads and from their grooves as the tape is advanced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A cleaning device for a video tape recorder of the type adapted to move a video tape between two reels along a predetermined path in moving contact with a plurality of operating heads and tape guides, at least some of said heads including a plurality of circumferential grooves, said device comprising: a cassette housing adapted to be inserted into the recorder in the manner of a video tape cassette, a pair of tape reels rotatably supported within the housing, and a cleaning tape carried on said reels and adapted to be advanced along the recorder tape path from one reel to the other in moving contact with the operating heads and tape guides when the cassette housing is inserted into the recorder and the recorder operated, said cleaning tape having a non-abrasive surface contacting the recorder operating heads and tape guides, said non-abrasive surface including an array of bristles adapted to extend into the head grooves and effect a scrubbing action to remove deposits from both the periphery of the heads and from their grooves as the tape is advanced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The video tape recorder cleaning device of claim 1, said cleaning tape having a thickness of no more than about 0.4 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video tape recorder cleaning device of claim 1 or 2, said cleaning tape being formed from a synthetic suede material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
The video tape recorder cleaning device of claim 1 or 2, adapted to be used with a video tape recorder of the type having a light source and light sensor means positioned to sense the presence of a transparent section indicating the end of a tape and to terminate operation of the recorder when the transparent section is sensed, wherein open portions are provided in the cleaning tape near its opposite ends, said open portions being positioned to permit the transmission of light from the light source to a sensor at the end of a cleaning cycle to terminate the operation of the recorder, said transmission otherwise being blocked by the cleaning tape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The video tape recorder cleaning device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a tension relief arm mounted within the housing, said arm being manually extractable from the housing to a cantilevered position at least partially blocking the movement of a tension sensing mechanism in the recorder, and thereby reducing tape drag as the tape is advanced through the recorder, said drum also being capable of remaining in a retracted non-blocking position during operation of the cleaning device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
The video tape recorder cleaning device of claim 1, adapted for a video tape recorder of the type which includes a light source and light sensor means positioned on opposite sides of the tape path so that light from the light source is received by a sensor only at the end of a reel when a transparent portion of the tape is located between said source and sensor, the sensors functioning to terminate movement of the tape upon sensing light from the source, said cleaning tape including open portions adjacent its opposite ends and positioned to enable the transmission of light from the light source to a sensor at the end of a cleaning cycle to terminate operation of the recorder, said light transmission otherwise being blocked by the cleaning tape.