Patent US3603597A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3603597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape recorder
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1969-04-25
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A tape recorder is disclosed for automatically playing a succession of tape cassettes of the type having separately reproducible record tracks. A carrier supports one cassette at the play station for reproduction of a first set of record tracks after which a control is actuated to lift the carrier away from the play station, invert the cassette and return the cassette to the play station for reproduction of the second and last set of record tracks. A storage bin holding a plurality of cassettes in stacked relation is positioned laterally adjacent the play station and the vertical path traversed by the carrier in its operating cycle. On its next operating cycle, the carrier momentarily dwells at positions respectively adjacent the top and bottom of the bin while an injector mechanism transfers the one cassette from the carrier into the bin and an ejector lever transfers a successive cassette from the bin into the carrier to permit play of a successive cassette. The storage bin is preferably removable from the recorder and is constructed so as to serve as a convenient, independent storage vehicle for a series of cassettes. Additional features are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Haake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:17
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like having a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes, having first and second magnetic tracks, said second magnetic track being recorded in a direction opposite from said first magnetic track and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of the said record tracks, the improvement comprising: bin storage means adapted for storing a plurality of the cassettes; loading means for removing one of the cassettes from said bin storage means and for disposing the cassette at the play station for playing one of the magnetic tracks; inverting means located between said bin storage means and the play station and operable to invert the cassette about said transverse axis when in said location to position the cassette for return to the play station for playing the second magnetic track through said aperture; and unloading means for removing the cassette from the play station and for placing the cassette in said bin storage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like having a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes, having first and second magnetic tracks, said second magnetic track being recorded in a direction opposite from said first magnetic track and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of the said record tracks, the improvement comprising: bin storage means adapted for storing a plurality of the cassettes; loading means for removing one of the cassettes from said bin storage means and for disposing the cassette at the play station for playing one of the magnetic tracks; inverting means located between said bin storage means and the play station and operable to invert the cassette about said transverse axis when in said location to position the cassette for return to the play station for playing the second magnetic track through said aperture; and unloading means for removing the cassette from the play station and for placing the cassette in said bin storage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like including a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said record tracks and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of said tracks; the improvement comprising: storage means adapted for storing a plurality of said cassettes; carrier means for supporting one of said cassettes and moving said cassette into said play station so as to permit reproduction of one of said separately playable record tracks; loading means for individually removing a cassette from said storage means and for placing said cassette in said carrier means; unloading means for removing said cassette from said carrier means and for placing said cassette into said storage means; and pivot means for effecting a predetermined angular rotation of said carrier means whereby said cassette is rotated about said transverse axis to position said one cassette in an inverted orientation to permit reproduction of another of said plurality of separately playable record tracks through said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like including a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said record tracks and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of said tracks; the improvement comprising: storage means adapted for storing a plurality of said cassettes; carrier means for supporting one of said cassettes and moving said cassette into said play station so as to permit reproduction of one of said separately playable record tracks; loading means for individually removing a cassette from said storage means and for placing said cassette in said carrier means; unloading means for removing said cassette from said carrier means and for placing said cassette into said storage means; and pivot means for effecting a predetermined angular rotation of said carrier means whereby said cassette is rotated about said transverse axis to position said one cassette in an inverted orientation to permit reproduction of another of said plurality of separately playable record tracks through said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 2 further comprising first sensing means effectively responsive to the conclusion of tape play of said first record track for initiating operation of said pivot means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said unloading means is effective to unload said one cassette only after said pivot means has effected play of said plurality of record tracks thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said storage means comprises a bin and wherein said tape recorder-reproducer further comprises a support means for supporting said bin in operating position and for permitting removal of said bin from said tape recorder-reproducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 4 and further including first control means coupled to said loading means, said unloading means, and said carrier means for operating said loading and unloading means in a predetermined time sequence.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement of claim 6 in which said first control means includes a motor and a cam gear driven by said motor, said cam gear having cam surfaces adapted for successively actuating said unloading and loading means to effect a return of one cassette to said storage means and placement of a successive cassette at said play station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 7 in which said loading means includes an ejector mechanism adapted to extend into said storage means for displacing one said said cassettes out of said storage means for transfer to said play station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 8 in which said unloading means includes an injector mechanism for effecting transfer of said cassette from said carrier into said storage means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 9 and further including indicator means adapted to be incremented by said cam gear means for visually denoting which of said cartridges is in said play position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said storage means comprises a bin, said bin including a spaced first and second end portions nd wherein said ejector and injector mechanisms are located adjacent a respective one of said first and second end portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improvement of claim 11 in which said ejector and injector mechanisms each comprise a pivotally mounted lever having an integral actuator arm and in which said cam gear means includes a pair of lugs mounted on said cam gear means for rotation therewith and each adapted to engage a respective one of said actuator arms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 11 in which said bin storage means is removably received within said tape recorder-reproducer and further in which said tape recorder-reproducer is constructed and arranged to receive a single one of said cassettes in the absence of said bin storage means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement of claim 13 wherein said carrier means is adapted for travel along a path adjacent said bin storage means between positions respectively adjacent said first and second ends of said bin storage means, said first control means being adapted to operate said carrier means in a predetermined time sequence with said loading and unloading means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
The improvement of claim 14 in which said carrier means is adapted to momentarily dwell at said positions adjacent said first and second ends of said bin storage means for respectively permitting said injector mechanism of said unloading means to displace said cassette from said carrier means into said bin storage means and for permitting said ejector mechanism of said loading means to transfer a cassette from said bin storage means to said carrier means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 5 in which said bin storage means includes a first end for receiving cassettes and a second end constructed and arranged for individually dispensing cassettes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement of claim 16 in which said bin storage means consists essentially of a single rectangular box conforming in cross section to the lateral dimensions of said cassettes for serving as a permanent storage vehicle for said cassettes and having predetermined apertures formed therein for permitting access of said handling means within the confines of said box.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement of claim 4 and including second sensing means responsive to completion of play of a preselected number of said cassettes for turning off said tape recorder-reproducer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 18 and including selector means, coupled to said second sensing means, including a manually actuable selector knob for selecting the number of cassettes to be played before turnoff of said tape recorder-reproducer by said sensing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
The improvement of claim 17 in which said loading means includes a pivotally supported ejector lever having an upstanding arm at its free end and in which said rectangular box of said bin storage means includes an arcuate slot in its bottom surface and a slotted sidewall permitting access oF said upstanding arm into said box for laterally removing a cassette therefrom.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 20 in which said rectangular box of said bin storage means includes index means for locating said box in said operating position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like comprising a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said record tracks and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of said recoding tracks, the improvement comprising: carrier means for supporting one of said cassettes at said play station to permit reproduction of one of said separately playable record tracks; displacement means coupled to said carrier means for displacing said carrier means a predetermined distance away from said play station and for returning said carrier means thereto; pivot means, effectively responsive to displacement of said carrier means a predetermined minimum distance away from said play station, for effecting a predetermined angular rotation of said one cassette about said transverse axis to position said one cassette from return to said play station in an inverted orientation to permit reproduction of another of said plurality of separately playable record tracks through said aperture; and sensing means effectively responsive to the conclusion of tape play in one direction for initiating operation of said displacement means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like comprising a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said record tracks and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of said recoding tracks, the improvement comprising: carrier means for supporting one of said cassettes at said play station to permit reproduction of one of said separately playable record tracks; displacement means coupled to said carrier means for displacing said carrier means a predetermined distance away from said play station and for returning said carrier means thereto; pivot means, effectively responsive to displacement of said carrier means a predetermined minimum distance away from said play station, for effecting a predetermined angular rotation of said one cassette about said transverse axis to position said one cassette from return to said play station in an inverted orientation to permit reproduction of another of said plurality of separately playable record tracks through said aperture; and sensing means effectively responsive to the conclusion of tape play in one direction for initiating operation of said displacement means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 22 in which said carrier means comprises a generally U-shaped member adapted to slidably receive and releasably retain one of said cassettes in sandwiched relationship between the opposed surfaces of said U-shaped member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
The improvement of claim 23 in which said opposed surfaces of said carrier means are each provided with inwardly facing flanges at their open ends and in which said U-shaped member includes a leaf spring mounted adjacent the bight of said U for resiliently biasing a cassette into engagement with said inwardly facing flanges to frictionally retain said cassette within said U-shaped member of said carrier means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 23 in which said carrier means is pivotally supported by said displacement means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 25 and further including interlock means for precluding angular displacement of said carrier means unless said carrier means is disposed at least said predetermined minimum distance away from said play station.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 26 and further including locating means for centering said one cassette relative to said play station upon return of carrier means to said play station.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improvement of claim 27 and further including motor means and cam gear means driven by said motor means and in which said displacement means includes a cam follower surface and further in which said cam gear means engages said cam follower surface for operating said displacement means in response to actuation of said motor means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 28 in which said sensing means is effective to actuate said motor means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 29 in which said displacement means comprises an elongated lever arm pivotally mounted at one end and having said carrier means mounted at an opposite end.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
88 words
The improvement of claim 30 in which said carrier means is pivotally mounted on a common shaft with a drive wheel, said drive wheel having a stop abutment positioned on one of the opposed faces of said wheel and in which said pivot means includes a stop post and a puck driven by said motor means and adapted to frictionally engage and rotate said drive wheel through 180* with said stop abutment and said stop post thereafter engaging one another to preclude further rotation of said carrier means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
77 words
The improvement of claim 31 in which the circumferential surface of said drive wheel is knurled to assure a secure frictional engagement with said puck, said drive wheel having a pair of smooth circumferential surface portions angularly spaced one from the other by 180* and positioned on said circumference so as to engage said puck upon engagement of said stop post and said stop abutment thereby to avoid excessive wear to said drive wheel and said puck.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
59 words
The improvement of claim 29 and further including hold circuit means comprising an actuator cam mounted for rotation with said cam gear means and an electrical switch having a contact arm operated by said actuator cam for maintaining said motor means operative for one revolution of said actuator cam thereby to operate said displacement means through one complete cycle.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improvement of claim 27 and further including bin storage means for storing a plurality of said cassettes in stacked relation and further including loading means for individually transferring said cassettes from said bin storage means to said carrier means and unloading means for transferring a cassette from said carrier means to said bin storage.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement of claim 34 in which said bin storage means is positioned laterally adjacent said play station and in which said displacement means is adapted to lift said carrier means away from said play station to a position adjacent the top of said bin storage means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 34 in which said cam gear means is adapted for operating said loading and unloading means in a predetermined time relation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement of claim 36 in which said carrier means is adapted to momentarily dwell during the course of its movement cycle at positions laterally adjacent the top and bottom of said bin storage means for permitting said unloading and loading means to transfer cassettes respectively to and from said storage bin means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 36 in which said cam gear means rotates one complete revolution to effect a complete operating cycle of said displacement means and in which said cam gear means is effective to operate said loading and unloading mechanisms only on alternate revolutions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improvement of claim 38 in which said loading and unloading means each include an actuating member and further in which said cam gear means includes a pair of actuating lugs mounted for rotation therewith with said actuating lugs being adapted to engage respective ones of said actuating members of said loading and unloading means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
110 words
The improvement of claim 39 in which each of said actuating members is normally biased toward engagement with an associated actuating lug and further including a pair of detent means for normally maintaining associated ones of said actuating members in respective first positions spaced from said lugs, said detent means each being adapted to be engaged by an associated one of said lugs for releasing said actuating members so as to permit engagement of said actuating members by said lugs on the next revolution of said cam gear means and for returning said actuating members to said respective first positions on yet a succeeding revolution of said cam gear means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like comprising a fixedly positioned play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said reversed tracks and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of said record tracks, the improvement comprising: handling means adapted for displacing a one of said cassettes from said play station to a predetermined position spaced therefrom, inverting said cassette about said transverse axis and returning said cassette to said play station to permit reproduction of a successive one of said separately playable record tracks through said aperture; first sensing means responsive to the conclusion of tape travel in one direction on said one cassette for actuating said handling means; unloading means for removing said cassette from said play station; and second sensing means responsive to reproduction of all of said separately playable record tracks for actuating said unloading means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like comprising a fixedly positioned play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said reversed tracks and further having an aperture perpendicular to its transverse axis to permit reproduction of said record tracks, the improvement comprising: handling means adapted for displacing a one of said cassettes from said play station to a predetermined position spaced therefrom, inverting said cassette about said transverse axis and returning said cassette to said play station to permit reproduction of a successive one of said separately playable record tracks through said aperture; first sensing means responsive to the conclusion of tape travel in one direction on said one cassette for actuating said handling means; unloading means for removing said cassette from said play station; and second sensing means responsive to reproduction of all of said separately playable record tracks for actuating said unloading means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improvement of claim 41 in which said handling means includes a motor actuated by said sensing means, cam gear means driven by said motor and a hold circuit coupled to said cam gear means for maintaining said motor operative for a predetermined angular displacement of said cam gear means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 42 in which said handling means includes a generally U-shaped carrier means adapted for slidably receiving and releasably retaining one of said cassettes in sandwiched relation between the opposed surfaces of said U-shaped member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 43 and further including loading means for transferring a cassette into said carrier means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 44 in which said loading and unloading means are operated by said cam gear means in a predetermined time relation to operation of said handling means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like including a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said record tracks, the improvement comprising: storage means adapted for storing a plurality of said cassettes; carrier means for supporting one of said cassettes in a predetermined plane at the record play station; loading means for individually removing a cassette from said storage means and for placing said cassette in said means; and unloading means for removing said cassette into said storage carrier means and for placing cassette into said storage means; and displacement means coupled to said carrier means for displacing said carrier means to a second plane substantially parallel to said first plane for inserting and removing said cassettes; and pivot means coupled to said carrier means for effecting a predetermined angular rotation of said carrier means about an axis in said second parallel plane to position the cassette in an inverted position to permit reproduction of another of said plurality of separately playable record tracks.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a tape recorder-reproducer or the like including a play station suited for individually receiving and playing tape cassettes of the type having a plurality of separately playable record tracks, at least one of said record tracks being recorded in a direction opposite from a second of said record tracks, the improvement comprising: storage means adapted for storing a plurality of said cassettes; carrier means for supporting one of said cassettes in a predetermined plane at the record play station; loading means for individually removing a cassette from said storage means and for placing said cassette in said means; and unloading means for removing said cassette into said storage carrier means and for placing cassette into said storage means; and displacement means coupled to said carrier means for displacing said carrier means to a second plane substantially parallel to said first plane for inserting and removing said cassettes; and pivot means coupled to said carrier means for effecting a predetermined angular rotation of said carrier means about an axis in said second parallel plane to position the cassette in an inverted position to permit reproduction of another of said plurality of separately playable record tracks.
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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) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |