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US4664337A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus accommodating cassettes of different sizes

Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1984-08-06
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2004-08-06
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Abstract

Abstract A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus has a pair of movable reel tables, the center distance between which is automatically so adjustable as to coincide with the center distance between the reels of any tape cassette optionally selected from various types of tape cassettes.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kazuhide Shiratori

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-10 01:46
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/26; G11B15/32; G11B25/00; G11B25/06; G11B25/066

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 126 words
A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of mounting optionally any of various types of tape cassette, each of said types including a pair of reels and the pair of reels of each type having a center-to-center distance that differs from the center-to-center distance between the reels of other types; and the apparatus comprising: a pair of reel tables capable of engaging with and driving said pair of reels, respectively; detecting means to discriminate among said tape cassettes of said various types; and adjusting means responsive to said detecting means for moving said pair of reel tables to adjust the center-to-center distance therebetween, whereby the center-to-center distance between said pair of reel tables is adjusted in accordance with a selected one of said tape cassettes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 126 words
A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of mounting optionally any of various types of tape cassette, each of said types including a pair of reels and the pair of reels of each type having a center-to-center distance that differs from the center-to-center distance between the reels of other types; and the apparatus comprising: a pair of reel tables capable of engaging with and driving said pair of reels, respectively; detecting means to discriminate among said tape cassettes of said various types; and adjusting means responsive to said detecting means for moving said pair of reel tables to adjust the center-to-center distance therebetween, whereby the center-to-center distance between said pair of reel tables is adjusted in accordance with a selected one of said tape cassettes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of reel motors respectively directly driving said pair of reel tables.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said reel tables is slidably mounted on a pair of respective guide rails and moved linearly together with said pair of reel motors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 40 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pair of guide rails are inclined by equal and opposite angles with respect to a median plane therebetween and said pair of reel tables are simultaneously moved along said pair of guide rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 73 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said motors comprises a motor shaft and each of said pair of guide rails comprises a pair of guide shafts parallel to each other, and a pair of sliding supports slidably movable along said pair of guide rails, each of said reel motors being mounted on one of said sliding supports, and each of said reel tables being secured to one of said motor shafts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said detecting means comprises a plurality of sensors producing an output, and said adjusting means is controlled on the basis of said output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 43 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a pair of space adjustment means for adjustably moving said pair of sliding supports and a motor for simultaneously driving said pair of space adjustment means, said motor being controlled on the basis of said output.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3666207A Cited
US3964099A Cited
US4216509A Cited
US4490757A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-05-11 1990-11-10 1991-05-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-05-11 1994-11-10 1995-05-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-05-11 1998-11-10 1999-05-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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