US5218342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the production of novel secure magnetic tapes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-04-06
•
Granted: 1993-06-08
•
Expires: 2012-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for retrofitting a magnetic computer tape cassette (10) with a theft detection device (12) that emits an audible signal when the cassette is moved adjacent to an apparatus that detects the presence of the detection device, is described. To mount the detection device into the cassette, a groove (70) is cut into the cassette to access a cassette chamber (80) formed between an outer housing (36) that encloses an inner housing (38) that encases the magnetic computer tape (40). The detection device is then inserted into the cassette chamber through the groove and held wedged in place by a V-shaped spring (76). The groove in the cassette is finally sealed with a strip of pressure sensitive tape (88). This method of retrofitting the cassette with the theft detection device ensures that the detection device cannot be removed from the magnetic computer tape cassette without visibly damaging the cassette. This retrofitting method also has no appreciable affect in the input/output error ratio of the data stored on the magnetic tape (40) in the cassettes.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. McCrackin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:30
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/28; G11B23/286; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/041; G11B23/042; G11B23/08; G11B23/107; G11B23/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
In an article containing an enclosed element to be protected from removal from an area secured by a detection apparatus, the improvement which comprises: (a) a detection means mounted in a housing for the article with the housing surrounding the enclosed element; and (b) a spring means mounted in the housing and against the detection means so that the detection means is wedged against the housing by the spring means so that the detection means cannot be removed from the housing without destroying the integrity of the housing, wherein the detection apparatus makes a signal when the detection means in the article is passed near the detection apparatus thereby detecting the article's removal from the area secured.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an article containing an enclosed element to be protected from removal from an area secured by a detection apparatus, the improvement which comprises: (a) a detection means mounted in a housing for the article with the housing surrounding the enclosed element; and (b) a spring means mounted in the housing and against the detection means so that the detection means is wedged against the housing by the spring means so that the detection means cannot be removed from the housing without destroying the integrity of the housing, wherein the detection apparatus makes a signal when the detection means in the article is passed near the detection apparatus thereby detecting the article's removal from the area secured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the spring means is a V-shaped spring means having two legs extending from the V.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The article of claim 1 wherein a slot is provided in the housing leading to an enclosed space inside the housing and wherein the spring means is mounted in the enclosed space with the legs extending towards the slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 3 wherein the slot has been cut into the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 3 wherein the slot is covered with a sealing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 5 wherein the sealing means is an adhesive coated plastic tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the detection means is a flat, elongate member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the detection means includes overlapping metal leaves that vibrate together to produce an audible noise as the signal when the detection means is exposed to an electromagnetic field created by the detection apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the spring is made of plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the element is a computer tape and the article is a cassette housing for the computer tape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of claim 1 wherein when the detection device is mounted in the housing, the detection device is spaced from the enclosed element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a tape cassette containing a detection means and including a circular reel supporting a tape mounted on a spindle in a housing supporting the reel wherein the housing is provided with a circular inner wall with an inside surface and an outside surface around the reel and enclosing the reel in the housing except for an entry opening for removing the tape from and rewinding the tape onto the reel and wherein the housing has an outer wall mounted around the outside surface of the inner wall and having a generally rectangular shape surrounding the inner wall and comprising four outside sides joining to form four outer corners with at least one chamber between the inner wall and the outer wall of the housing and adjacent one of the corners, the improvement which comprises: (a) the detection means mounted in the one chamber across the one corner between two of the outside sides; and (b) a spring means mounted either between the outside surface of the inner wall and the detection device or between the outer wall of the housing and the detection device so that the detection device cannot be removed from the one chamber without destroying the integrity of the outer wall of the housing, wherein the detection device creates a signal when the cassette is passed near a separate detection apparatus thereby detecting the detection device in the cassette.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a tape cassette containing a detection means and including a circular reel supporting a tape mounted on a spindle in a housing supporting the reel wherein the housing is provided with a circular inner wall with an inside surface and an outside surface around the reel and enclosing the reel in the housing except for an entry opening for removing the tape from and rewinding the tape onto the reel and wherein the housing has an outer wall mounted around the outside surface of the inner wall and having a generally rectangular shape surrounding the inner wall and comprising four outside sides joining to form four outer corners with at least one chamber between the inner wall and the outer wall of the housing and adjacent one of the corners, the improvement which comprises: (a) the detection means mounted in the one chamber across the one corner between two of the outside sides; and (b) a spring means mounted either between the outside surface of the inner wall and the detection device or between the outer wall of the housing and the detection device so that the detection device cannot be removed from the one chamber without destroying the integrity of the outer wall of the housing, wherein the detection device creates a signal when the cassette is passed near a separate detection apparatus thereby detecting the detection device in the cassette.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cassette of claim 12 wherein the spring means is a V-shaped spring means having two legs extending from the V.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cassette of claim 13 wherein a slot is provided in one of the outside sides of the outer wall of the housing adjacent where the detection device is mounted in the one chamber and wherein the spring means is mounted in the one chamber with the legs extending towards the slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cassette of claim 14 wherein the slot has been cut into the outer wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cassette of claim 14 wherein the slot is covered with a sealing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cassette of claim 16 wherein the sealing means is an adhesive coated tape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The cassette of claim 12 wherein the detection means is a flat, elongate detection device having a flat portion of the detection device facing towards the inner wall of the housing and with the spring means mounted between the outside surface of the inner wall of the housing and the flat portion of the detection device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cassette tape of claim 12 wherein the detection device includes overlapping metal leaves that vibrate together to produce an audible noise as the signal when the detection device is exposed to an electromagnetic field created by the detection apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cassette of claim 12 wherein the spring means is made of plastic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cassette tape of claim 12 wherein the housing is shaped for use in a computer.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for mounting a detection means in an article having a housing surrounding an enclosed element to be protected from being removed from an area secured by a detection apparatus, which comprises: (a) providing a slot in an outer wall of the housing of the article without damaging the element and to access a chamber provided between the outer wall and an inner wall of the housing that encloses the element to be protected; (b) inserting a detection means through the slot and into the chamber in the housing; and (c) inserting a spring means through the slot and into the chamber in the housing so that the detection means is wedged in the chamber, wherein the detection means is not removeable from the chamber without destroying the integrity of the housing, and wherein the detection apparatus creates a signal when the detection means in the article is passed near the detection apparatus.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for mounting a detection means in an article having a housing surrounding an enclosed element to be protected from being removed from an area secured by a detection apparatus, which comprises: (a) providing a slot in an outer wall of the housing of the article without damaging the element and to access a chamber provided between the outer wall and an inner wall of the housing that encloses the element to be protected; (b) inserting a detection means through the slot and into the chamber in the housing; and (c) inserting a spring means through the slot and into the chamber in the housing so that the detection means is wedged in the chamber, wherein the detection means is not removeable from the chamber without destroying the integrity of the housing, and wherein the detection apparatus creates a signal when the detection means in the article is passed near the detection apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the slot in the outer wall of the housing of the article is provided by a saw means having a blade cutting the slot in the housing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 wherein dust generated by the saw blade cutting the slot in the housing is removed by a vacuum device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the detection means is wedged against an inside portion of the housing by the spring means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22 wherein an adhesive coated tape is applied over the slot in the housing after the spring means and detection means are inserted into the chamber in the housing.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
270 words
A method for mounting a detection means in a tape cassette containing a circular reel supporting a tape mounted on a spindle in a housing supporting the reel wherein the housing is provided with a circular inner wall with an inside surface and an outside surface around the reel and enclosing the reel in the housing except for an entry opening for removing the tape from and rewinding the tape onto the reel and wherein the housing has an outer wall mounted around the outside surface of the inner wall and having a generally rectangular shape surrounding the inner wall and comprising four outside sides joined to form four outer corners with at least one chamber between the inner wall and the outer wall of the housing and adjacent one of the corners, the improvement which comprises: (a) providing a saw means with a circular blade to cut into the outer wall of the cassette to provide a slot in the housing; (b) passing the cassette through the circular blade to cut the slot in the housing and into the chamber; (c) inserting the detection means through the slot and into the chamber for mounting the detection means across the one corner between two of the outside sides; and (d) inserting a spring means into the chamber through the slot so that the detection means is wedged in the chamber and cannot be removed from the chamber without destroying the integrity of the outer wall of the cassette, wherein the detection means creates a signal when the cassette is passed near a separate detection apparatus thereby detecting the detection means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
270 words
A method for mounting a detection means in a tape cassette containing a circular reel supporting a tape mounted on a spindle in a housing supporting the reel wherein the housing is provided with a circular inner wall with an inside surface and an outside surface around the reel and enclosing the reel in the housing except for an entry opening for removing the tape from and rewinding the tape onto the reel and wherein the housing has an outer wall mounted around the outside surface of the inner wall and having a generally rectangular shape surrounding the inner wall and comprising four outside sides joined to form four outer corners with at least one chamber between the inner wall and the outer wall of the housing and adjacent one of the corners, the improvement which comprises: (a) providing a saw means with a circular blade to cut into the outer wall of the cassette to provide a slot in the housing; (b) passing the cassette through the circular blade to cut the slot in the housing and into the chamber; (c) inserting the detection means through the slot and into the chamber for mounting the detection means across the one corner between two of the outside sides; and (d) inserting a spring means into the chamber through the slot so that the detection means is wedged in the chamber and cannot be removed from the chamber without destroying the integrity of the outer wall of the cassette, wherein the detection means creates a signal when the cassette is passed near a separate detection apparatus thereby detecting the detection means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the detection means is an elongate detection device mounted in the one chamber across the one corner between two of the outside sides and wherein the spring means is mounted either between the outside surface of the inner wall and the detection device or between the outer wall of the housing and the detection device for preventing the detection device from being removed from the one chamber without destroying the integrity of the outer wall of the housing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the spring means is V-shaped with elongate legs extending from the V and wherein the detection means is a flat, elongate detection device that is positioned in the chamber of the housing across the one corner between two of the outside sides and facing the outside surface of the inner wall of the housing with the legs of the spring means extending towards the slot in the housing for wedging the detection device in the chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27 wherein particles generated by the saw blade cutting the housing are removed by a vacuum device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 27 wherein an adhesive coated tape is applied over the slot in the housing after the spring means and detection means are inserted into the housing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 27 wherein multiple of the cassettes are confined in a holder so that the slot can be cut in each cassette by a single pass of the blade.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the holder is mounted on a rail which confines the holder to move in a linear path through the blade to produce the slots in the cassettes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 33 wherein a second holder with spaced apart partitioned walls is used to mount the slotted cassettes in a spaced apart parallel position with the slots exposed and wherein a length of adhesive tape is laid over the slots in the cassettes mounted in the second holder and then the tape is cut to a length sufficient for covering the slot in each cassette for sealing each slot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4063229A
Cited
US3933240A
Cited
US4254868A
Cited
US4458857A
Cited
US4692746A
Cited
US4999609A
Cited
US5039982A
Cited
US4967184A
Cited
US5081446A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |