US4662579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coined reel leaf spring for a video tape cassette
Assignee: Shape Inc
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Filing: 1985-08-16
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Granted: 1987-05-05
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Expires: 2005-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved coined reel leaf spring for a video tape cassette is provided having a central portion and arms emanating therefrom. The arms include at least one rib formed therein adding strength to the arms and allowing a one-half reduction in the conventional thickness of the coined reel leaf spring required to effect bending and biasing. The reduced thickness, of course, reduces material costs for the coined reel leaf spring and overall production costs for the tape cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Gelardi
- 👤 Terry D. Lindberg
- 👤 Connie M. Snyder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:06
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B23/08707; G11B23/08728
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A coined, metal reel leaf spring of a single, uniform thickness to bias against tape reel hubs of a tape cassette, comprising: (a) a central portion; and (b) a plurality of arms emanating from the central portion, each arm including a projecting portion for strengthening the arm and for minimizing the thickness of the metal required to create bias, and each arm and projecting portion being bent relative to the central portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A coined, metal reel leaf spring of a single, uniform thickness to bias against tape reel hubs of a tape cassette, comprising: (a) a central portion; and (b) a plurality of arms emanating from the central portion, each arm including a projecting portion for strengthening the arm and for minimizing the thickness of the metal required to create bias, and each arm and projecting portion being bent relative to the central portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion comprises one rib formed in each arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of arms comprises two opposing sets of converging arms extending from the central portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 3, wherein the central portion is flat and each of the plurality of arms is oriented at an angle relative to the central portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 4, wherein the shape thereof is substantially a diamond.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 5, wherein the central portion comprises a second projecting portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 6, wherein the second projecting portion comprises a rib formed in the central portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion comprises one rib formed in the plurality of arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of arms comprises two opposing arms emanating from the central portion in a colinear manner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 9, wherein the central portion is flat and the two arms form a continuous curve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 1, wherein the single thickness of the metal is 0.006 to 0.008 of an inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coined reel leaf spring according to claim 11, wherein the central portion also comprises the one rib formed in the colinear arms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
A video tape cassette, comprising: (a) a base and a cover, the base being assembled with the cover to define a tape reel receiving area therebetween; (b) a pair of tape reels mounted in the tape reel receiving area of the base, each of the tape reels including a hub having video tape wound thereon; and (c) a coined, metal reel leaf spring of a single, uniform thickness to bias against the tape reel hubs, having (i) a central portion, and (ii) a plurality of arms emanating from the central portion, each arm including a projecting portion for strengthening the arm and for minimizing the thickness of the metal required to create bias, and each arm and projecting portion being bent relative to the central portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
A video tape cassette, comprising: (a) a base and a cover, the base being assembled with the cover to define a tape reel receiving area therebetween; (b) a pair of tape reels mounted in the tape reel receiving area of the base, each of the tape reels including a hub having video tape wound thereon; and (c) a coined, metal reel leaf spring of a single, uniform thickness to bias against the tape reel hubs, having (i) a central portion, and (ii) a plurality of arms emanating from the central portion, each arm including a projecting portion for strengthening the arm and for minimizing the thickness of the metal required to create bias, and each arm and projecting portion being bent relative to the central portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 13, wherein the projecting portion comprises one rib formed in each arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of arms comprises two opposing sets of converging arms extending from the central portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 15, wherein the central portion is flat and each of the plurality of arms is oriented at an angle relative to the central portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 16, wherein the shape thereof is substantially a diamond.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 17, wherein the central portion comprises a second projecting portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 18, wherein the second projecting portion comprises a rib formed in the central portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 13, wherein the projecting portion comprises one rib formed in the plurality of arms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of arms comprises two opposing arms extending from the central portion in a colinear manner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 21, wherein the central portion is flat and each of the two arms form a continuous curve.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 22, wherein the central portion also comprises the one rib formed in the colinear arms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The video tape cassette according to claim 13, wherein the single thickness of the metal is 0.006 to 0.008 of an inch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |