US5126898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic cassette changer for tape player
Assignee: Pioneer Corp
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Filing: 1990-08-16
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Granted: 1992-06-30
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Expires: 2010-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An automatic cassette changer for a tape player. Tape cassettes are inserted into the holding members through the entrances of the holding members. The tape cassettes inserted in a horizontal position are held by holding members which are supported by a supporting member. The holding members are disposed in vertically stacked relation with a clearance therebetween. An extracting mechanism extracts one of the holding members from the supporting member rearwardly into the tape player. An elevating mechanism carries the extracting mechanism to a holding member which contains a desired tape cassette therein. The elevating mechanism loads the desired tape cassette extracted by the extracting mechanism from the holding member into a tape driving mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Mutsumi Komuro
- 👤 Shogo Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:11
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/682; G11B15/6835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An automatic cassette changer for a tape player comprising: holding means for holding a tape cassette which is inserted thereinto in a horizontal position, said tape cassette being inserted into said holding means through an entrance of said holding means; supporting means for supporting a plurality of said holding means disposed in vertically stacked relation with a clearance therebetween; extracting means for extracting a selected one of said holding means from said supporting means rearwardly into the tape player; and elevating means for moving said extracting means to the selected one of said holding means which contains a desired said tape cassette therein and for loading the desired said tape cassette extracted by said extracting means from said holding means into a tape driving mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automatic cassette changer for a tape player comprising: holding means for holding a tape cassette which is inserted thereinto in a horizontal position, said tape cassette being inserted into said holding means through an entrance of said holding means; supporting means for supporting a plurality of said holding means disposed in vertically stacked relation with a clearance therebetween; extracting means for extracting a selected one of said holding means from said supporting means rearwardly into the tape player; and elevating means for moving said extracting means to the selected one of said holding means which contains a desired said tape cassette therein and for loading the desired said tape cassette extracted by said extracting means from said holding means into a tape driving mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The automatic cassette changer according to claim 1, wherein each said holding means comprises a base, a pair of side frames, an upper plate and a retaining plate to generally form a rectangular box which is open at a front and rear thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The automatic cassette changer according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a compartment in which a plurality of horizontally extending guide grooves are disposed in vertically spaced relation, each of said guide grooves supporting a corresponding one of said holding means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The automatic cassette changer according to claim 1, wherein said extracting means includes a main base having sliding hollow cylinders fixed thereon, said sliding hollow cylinders being slidingly mounted onto guide bars for vertical movement up and down.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The automatic cassette changer according to claim 1, wherein said extracting means comprises a main base and a slide plate slidably mounted to said main base for movement back and forth relative to said main base and in a direction parallel to an insertion direction of said tape cassette through said entrance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The automatic cassette changer according to claim 5, wherein said extracting means further comprises: a rack, said slide plate slidably engaging said rack; a motor, mounted on said main base, for driving said rack; a reduction gear train connected to said motor and having an output gear; a gear which is in meshing engagement with said rack; and a torsion spring which is mounted between said output gear of said reduction gear train and said gear which is in meshing engagement with said rack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The automatic cassette changer according to claim 6, wherein said extracting means further comprises: a pair of holder plates slidably mounted to said slide plate and disposed for movement toward and away from each other and in a direction perpendicular to the movement of said slide plate, each of said holder plates having a holder portion for engaging a corresponding recess formed in the selected one of said holding means which contains the desired tape cassette.
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) | 1995-06-30 | 1995-12-30 | 1996-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-30 | 1999-12-30 | 2000-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-12-30 | 2004-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |