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US4479618A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Tape cassette adapter

Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1982-12-08
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Granted: 1984-10-30
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Expires: 2002-12-08
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Abstract

Abstract A tape cassette adapter which is useful for a tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder and draws a tape out of a compact cassette by the movement of a tape drawing mechanism from an inoperative position to an operative position. The tape cassette adapter comprises an engaging member which engages to rotate synchronously with a take-up reel drive shaft of the standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus, a take-up reel drive mechanism for rotating the take-up reel of the compact cassette, and a joint mechanism of rotational power transmission between the rotational member and the take-up reel drive mechanism. Consequently the tape cassette adapter is able to be mounted on apparatuses smoothly, even if the position of the take-up reel drive shaft deviates from a standard position.

Inventors

  • 👤 Takehiro Okada
  • 👤 Masataka Izaki
  • 👤 Jirou Kajino
  • 👤 Toshibumi Kamiyama

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 19:44
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B25/00; G11B25/06; G11B25/066; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B23/08707; G11B23/08778

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim 199 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means having a first rotating member for driving said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; an engagement means having a second rotating member which has a rotating axis parallel to that of said first rotating member for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotation transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and being positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said second rotating member to said first rotating member, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first engaging portion which slidably engages with said first rotating member in a first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said first rotating member for transferring rotational power from said rotation transfer means to said reel drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 199 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means having a first rotating member for driving said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; an engagement means having a second rotating member which has a rotating axis parallel to that of said first rotating member for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotation transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and being positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said second rotating member to said first rotating member, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first engaging portion which slidably engages with said first rotating member in a first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said first rotating member for transferring rotational power from said rotation transfer means to said reel drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 198 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means having a first rotating member for driving said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; an engagement means having a second rotating member which has a rotation axis parallel to that of said first rotating member for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotation transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and being positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said second rotating member to said first rotating member, wherein said rotation transfer means has a second engaging portion which slidably engages with said second rotating member in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said second rotating member for transferring rotational power from said engagement means to said rotation transfer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 198 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means having a first rotating member for driving said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; an engagement means having a second rotating member which has a rotation axis parallel to that of said first rotating member for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotation transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and being positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said second rotating member to said first rotating member, wherein said rotation transfer means has a second engaging portion which slidably engages with said second rotating member in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said second rotating member for transferring rotational power from said engagement means to said rotation transfer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 216 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means having a first rotating member for driving said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; an engagement means having a second rotating member which has a rotating axis parallel to that of said first rotating member for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotaion transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and being positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said second rotating member to said first rotating member, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first projection which engages with a first recess formed on said first rotating member and slides in a first direction, and a second projection which engages with a second recess formed on said second rotating member and slides in a second direction, said first direction and said second direction being at right angles to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 216 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means having a first rotating member for driving said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; an engagement means having a second rotating member which has a rotating axis parallel to that of said first rotating member for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotaion transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and being positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said second rotating member to said first rotating member, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first projection which engages with a first recess formed on said first rotating member and slides in a first direction, and a second projection which engages with a second recess formed on said second rotating member and slides in a second direction, said first direction and said second direction being at right angles to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 210 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means provided on a plate for positioning a compact tape cassette, having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel, and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than standard size tape cassettes; a reel gear provided on the take-up reel; a sub-plate parallel to said plate; a first shaft provided on the sub-plate; a middle gear which rotates on the first shaft and engages with the reel gear; a second shaft provided on the sub-plate; a reel drive gear which rotates on the second shaft and engages with said middle gear; an engagement means, having a rotating member which has an axis of rotation parallel to that of said reel drive gear, for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotation transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said engagement means to said reel drive gear; wherein said plate has a bore means for locating said first shaft provided on said sub-plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 210 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means provided on a plate for positioning a compact tape cassette, having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel, and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than standard size tape cassettes; a reel gear provided on the take-up reel; a sub-plate parallel to said plate; a first shaft provided on the sub-plate; a middle gear which rotates on the first shaft and engages with the reel gear; a second shaft provided on the sub-plate; a reel drive gear which rotates on the second shaft and engages with said middle gear; an engagement means, having a rotating member which has an axis of rotation parallel to that of said reel drive gear, for engaging with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus for synchronous rotation; and a rotation transfer means, having a rotational axis parallel to that of said first rotating member and positioned between said first rotating member and said second rotating member, for transferring rotational power from said engagement means to said reel drive gear; wherein said plate has a bore means for locating said first shaft provided on said sub-plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 65 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 4, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first through-hole for receiving through said second shaft, said engagement means has a second through-hole for receiving through said second shaft, said second shaft being inserted into said first through-hole and said second through-hole has a stopper for stopping axial movement of said engagement means and said rotation transfer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 247 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means, having a rotating axis and engaged with said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette, for rotating said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; a first rotating means, having a rotating axis parallel to that of said reel drive means and engaged with said reel drive means, for rotating said reel drive means; a second rotating means, having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and engageable with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus, for being rotated by said reel turntable of said standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus; and a rotation transfer means having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and being positioned between said first rotating means and said second rotating means, said rotation transfer means being slidably engaged with said first rotating means in a first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said first rotating means and with said second rotating means in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said second rotating means, thereby transferring rotational power from said second rotating means to said first rotating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 247 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means, having a rotating axis and engaged with said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette, for rotating said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; a first rotating means, having a rotating axis parallel to that of said reel drive means and engaged with said reel drive means, for rotating said reel drive means; a second rotating means, having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and engageable with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus, for being rotated by said reel turntable of said standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus; and a rotation transfer means having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and being positioned between said first rotating means and said second rotating means, said rotation transfer means being slidably engaged with said first rotating means in a first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said first rotating means and with said second rotating means in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said second rotating means, thereby transferring rotational power from said second rotating means to said first rotating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 55 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 6, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first projection which engages slidably which a first recess formed on said first rotating means in said first direction and a second projection which engages slidably with a second recess formed on said second rotating means in said second direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 23 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 9, wherein said first direction and said second direction are at right angles to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 45 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 6, wherein said first rotating member has a gear portion, and said reel drive means has a gear portion, said gear portion of said first rotating member being engaged with said gear portion of said reel drive means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 57 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 6, further comprising a case for encasing said compact tape cassette, a first shaft secured to a bottom plate of said case for rotatably mounting thereon said reel drive means, and a second shaft secured to a top plate of said case for rotatably mounting thereon said first rotating means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 299 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means, having a rotating axis and engaged with said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette, for rotating said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; a first rotating means having a rotating axis parallel to that of said reel drive means and engaged with said reel drive means for rotating said reel drive means; a second rotating means, having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and engageable with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus, for being rotated by said reel turntable of said standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus; a rotation transfer means having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and being positioned between said first rotating means and said second rotating means, said rotation transfer means being slidably engaged with said first rotating means in a first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said first rotating means and with said second rotating means in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said second rotating means, thereby transferring rotational power from said second rotating means to said first rotating means; a case for encasing said compact cassette tape; a sub-plate parallel to a bottom plate of said case; a first shaft secured at an end to said sub-plate for mounting thereon said reel drive means; and a second shaft secured at an end to said sub-plate for mounting thereon said first rotating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 299 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means, having a rotating axis and engaged with said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette, for rotating said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; a first rotating means having a rotating axis parallel to that of said reel drive means and engaged with said reel drive means for rotating said reel drive means; a second rotating means, having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and engageable with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus, for being rotated by said reel turntable of said standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus; a rotation transfer means having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and being positioned between said first rotating means and said second rotating means, said rotation transfer means being slidably engaged with said first rotating means in a first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said first rotating means and with said second rotating means in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of said second rotating means, thereby transferring rotational power from said second rotating means to said first rotating means; a case for encasing said compact cassette tape; a sub-plate parallel to a bottom plate of said case; a first shaft secured at an end to said sub-plate for mounting thereon said reel drive means; and a second shaft secured at an end to said sub-plate for mounting thereon said first rotating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 23 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 11, wherein said first direction and said second direction are at right angles to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 45 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 11, wherein said first rotating member has a gear portion, and said reel drive means has a gear portion, said gear portion of said first rotating member being engaged with said gear portion of said reel drive means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 74 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 11, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first center through-hole for inserting therethrough said second shaft, and said second rotating means has a second center through-hole for inserting therethrough said second shaft, said second shaft being inserted through said first and second through-holes and having at the other end a stopper means for preventing axial movement of said rotation transfer means and said second rotating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 29 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 14, wherein the other end of said first shaft is fitted into a hole provided on said bottom plate of said case.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 243 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape, cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means, having a rotating axis and engaged with said take-up-reel of said compact tape cassette, for rotating said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; a first rotating means, having a rotating axis parallel to that of said reel drive means and engaged with said reel drive means, for rotating said reel drive means; a second rotating means, having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and engageable with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus, for being rotated by said reel turntable of said standard size magnetic cassette apparatus; and a rotation transfer means having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and being positioned between said first rotating means and said second rotating means, said rotation transfer means having a first projection which engages slidably with a first recess formed on said first rotating means in said first direction and a second projection which engages slidably with a second recess formed on said second rotating means in said second direction, said first and second direction being at right angles to each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 243 words
A tape cassette adapter for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a cassette positioning means for positioning a compact tape, cassette having a shorter length tape wound on a supply reel and a take-up reel and being smaller in size and lighter in weight than a standard size tape cassette; a reel drive means, having a rotating axis and engaged with said take-up-reel of said compact tape cassette, for rotating said take-up reel of said compact tape cassette; a first rotating means, having a rotating axis parallel to that of said reel drive means and engaged with said reel drive means, for rotating said reel drive means; a second rotating means, having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and engageable with a reel turntable of a standard size magnetic tape cassette apparatus, for being rotated by said reel turntable of said standard size magnetic cassette apparatus; and a rotation transfer means having a rotating axis generally parallel to that of said first rotating means and being positioned between said first rotating means and said second rotating means, said rotation transfer means having a first projection which engages slidably with a first recess formed on said first rotating means in said first direction and a second projection which engages slidably with a second recess formed on said second rotating means in said second direction, said first and second direction being at right angles to each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 65 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claime 16, further comprising: a case means for encasing said compact cassette tape; a sub-plate parallel to a bottom plate of said case means; a first shaft secured at an end to said sub-plate for mounting thereon said reel drive means; and a second shaft secured at an end to said sub-plate for mounting thereon said first rotating means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 45 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 17, wherein said first rotating member has a gear portion, and said reel drive means has a gear portion, said gear portion of said first rotating member being engaged with said gear portion of said reel drive means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 74 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 18, wherein said rotation transfer means has a first center through-hole for inserting therethrough said second shaft, and said second rotating means has a second center through-hole for inserting therethrough said second shaft, said second shaft being inserted through said first and second through-holes and having at the other end a stopper means for preventing axial movement of said rotation transfer means and said second rotating means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 30 words
A tape cassette adapter according to claim 19, wherein the other end of said first shaft is fitted into a hole provided on said bottom plate of said case means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3404545A Cited
FR2031116A5 Cited
US3964099A Cited
US3868119A Cited
DE2658586A1 Cited
US4183477A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-10-30 1988-04-30 1988-10-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-10-30 1992-04-30 1992-10-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-10-30 1996-04-30 1996-10-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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