US4744530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge door-latching mechanism
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1986-09-12
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Granted: 1988-05-17
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Expires: 2006-09-12
Abstract
Abstract Door-latching mechanism for a molded plastic cartridge includes a plastic arm projecting from a wall of the cartridge and acting as a cantilevered spring. At the free end of the arm are a door-locking pawl which locks the door when the spring is at rest and unlocks the door when the spring is flexed. When the cartridge is a VHS or Betamax videocassette, upon inserting it into a recorder, a finger of the recorder depresses the arm and with it the door-locking pawl, thus unlocking the pawl and allowing the door to be opened. The arm may either be integral with the cartridge or molded as a separate plastic piece to be attached to the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude E. Cybulski
- 👤 Gregory H. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:29
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/041; G11B23/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
Door-latching mechanisms for a cartridge that comprises a molded plastic casing on which is pivotably mounted a door affording access to the interior of the cartridge, said casing having a wall formed with an opening, a plastic arm attached to and projecting from the wall to provide a cantilevered plastic spring, the free end of the arm being formed with a door-locking pawl which extends through the opening to engage and lock the door when the spring is at rest, and unlock the door when the spring is flexed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
Door-latching mechanisms for a cartridge that comprises a molded plastic casing on which is pivotably mounted a door affording access to the interior of the cartridge, said casing having a wall formed with an opening, a plastic arm attached to and projecting from the wall to provide a cantilevered plastic spring, the free end of the arm being formed with a door-locking pawl which extends through the opening to engage and lock the door when the spring is at rest, and unlock the door when the spring is flexed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Door-latching mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said arm is integral with the casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Door-latching mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the arm is part of a separate piece of plastic attached to the casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Door-latching mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein the casing is formed with a groove, and said separate piece of plastic is formed with a tongue which fits into said groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Door-latching mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said door-locking pawl is formed with a chamfer to cause it to be depressed when struck by a closing door.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Door-latching mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein integral with the arm at its free end are two outward-projecting knobs, one in position to serve as said door-locking pawl and the other an unlocking knob in position to be depressed to unlock the pawl.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-17 | 1991-11-16 | 1992-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-17 | 1995-11-16 | 1996-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-17 | 1999-11-16 | 2000-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |