Patent US4512534A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4512534A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette reel lock
Assignee: T/B&H HOME VIDEO
•
Filing: 1982-08-12
•
Granted: 1985-04-23
•
Expires: 2002-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A locking mechanism for the reels of a tape cassette includes a pair of reel locks which are rotatable between reel engaging and disengaging positions and a spring on each of the reel locks for returning the reel locks to their reel engaging positions. The spring includes a resilient arm having one end which is formed in integral, one-piece relationship to a bushing of each of the reel locks, the bushing permitting rotation of the reel locks. The resilient arm of each reel lock extends at an angle to each of the reel locks and the other end of each arm is free and unattached and the arms slidably engage stationary portions of the cassette housing to cause the spring return action.
Inventors
- 👤 Don R. Coy, Jr.
- 👤 Peter M. Giannis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:20
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B23/08707; G11B23/08721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A reel locking mechanism for a tape cassette comprising: at least one cassette housing half; a reel lock having means for engaging a reel in the cassette to prevent rotation of the reel; mounting means including a bushing on said reel lock for stationarily mounting said reel lock on said housing half, but allowing rotation of said reel lock on said housing half between said engaging and disengaging positions; spring means including a resilient arm extending angularly from said bushing, and having one end formed integrally and in one-piece relationship to said bushing, the other end of said arm being free and unattached; and spring engaging means mounted stationarily on said housing half, said resilient arm slidably contacting said spring engaging means along the length of said arm when said reel lock is rotated between said reel engaging and disengaging positions to urge said reel lock toward said reel engaging position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A reel locking mechanism for a tape cassette comprising: at least one cassette housing half; a reel lock having means for engaging a reel in the cassette to prevent rotation of the reel; mounting means including a bushing on said reel lock for stationarily mounting said reel lock on said housing half, but allowing rotation of said reel lock on said housing half between said engaging and disengaging positions; spring means including a resilient arm extending angularly from said bushing, and having one end formed integrally and in one-piece relationship to said bushing, the other end of said arm being free and unattached; and spring engaging means mounted stationarily on said housing half, said resilient arm slidably contacting said spring engaging means along the length of said arm when said reel lock is rotated between said reel engaging and disengaging positions to urge said reel lock toward said reel engaging position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said bushing and said spring means are molded into said integral, one-piece relationship with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said reel lock and said spring means are formed of a themoplastic polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The locking mechanism of claim 3, wherein said polymer is an acetal resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said resilient arm includes an enlarged portion adjacent said other end of said arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The locking mechanism of claim 5, wherein said spring engaging means is positioned in spaced relationship to said reel lock and a predetermined distance therefrom; and said enlarged portion is at least as large as said predetermined distance to restrict rotation of said reel lock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said resilient arm is formed in integral, one-piece relationship to said bushing by molding, and wherein said reel lock and said spring means are formed of a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The locking mechanism of claim 1, including a pair of reel locks for respectively engaging each of the reels in the cassette, each of said reel locks including one of said resilient arms, each of said resilient arms operating independently of each other to urge their respective reel locks toward said reel engaging positions of each reel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
158 words
A reel locking mechanism for a tape cassette comprising: at least one cassette housing half; a reel lock having means for engaging a reel in the cassette to prevent rotation of the reel; mounting means for stationarily mounting said reel lock on said housing half, but allowing rotation of said reel lock on said housing half between reel engaging and disengaging positions; spring means including a resilient arm extending angularly to said reel lock, and having one end formed integrally and in one-piece relationship to said reel lock, the other end of said arm being free and unattached and including an enlarged portion adjacent said other end of said arm; and spring engaging means mounted stationarily on said housing half, said resilient arm slidably contacting said spring engaging means along the length of said arm when said reel lock is rotated between said reel engaging and disengaging positions to urge said reel lock toward said reel engaging position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
A reel locking mechanism for a tape cassette comprising: at least one cassette housing half; a reel lock having means for engaging a reel in the cassette to prevent rotation of the reel; mounting means for stationarily mounting said reel lock on said housing half, but allowing rotation of said reel lock on said housing half between reel engaging and disengaging positions; spring means including a resilient arm extending angularly to said reel lock, and having one end formed integrally and in one-piece relationship to said reel lock, the other end of said arm being free and unattached and including an enlarged portion adjacent said other end of said arm; and spring engaging means mounted stationarily on said housing half, said resilient arm slidably contacting said spring engaging means along the length of said arm when said reel lock is rotated between said reel engaging and disengaging positions to urge said reel lock toward said reel engaging position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein said spring engaging means is positioned in spaced relationship to said reel lock and a predetermined distance therefrom; and said enlarged portion is at least as large as said predetermined distance to restrict rotation of said reel lock.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1384827A
Cited
GB1587148A
Cited
US4195797A
Cited
US4232840A
Cited
US4288048A
Cited
GB2099400A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-10-22 | 1989-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-22 | 1992-10-22 | 1993-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-22 | 1996-10-22 | 1997-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |