US3625455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cassette
Assignee: Ampex Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-19
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1989-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A tape cassette is provided with a precision baseplate for engaging the cassette-holding surfaces of a transport, a pair of precision ball bearing assemblies mounted solidly on the baseplate, and a pair of tape pack hubs mounted on the bearings and adapted to loosely engage the driving spindles of the transport, so that misalignment of the transport spindles can be tolerated while maintaining the tape packs precisely spaced from the walls of the cassette to avoid rubbing flutter and the abrasion production of oxide dust. The tape is guided with substantial lateral tolerance near the transducing and metering elements of the transport, but is precisely edge-guided near the tape packs. The guides are placed to increase the run of tape available for access.
Inventors
- 👤 John H Streets
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:23
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B23/08707; G11B23/08728
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A tape cassette, for application to a transport having transducing and metering means, a cassette-holding assembly and a pair of driving spindles, comprising: a base membEr; and a pair of combination journal and thrust bearing assemblies solidly mounted on said base member and having portions dimensioned to loosely engage said driving spindles; said bearing assemblies including a pair of tape hubs for winding up said tape in packs; and said bearing assemblies having closely interfitting rotor and stator portions so that said hubs and tape packs are continuously and entirely held in a predetermined spaced relation to said base member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A tape cassette, for application to a transport having transducing and metering means, a cassette-holding assembly and a pair of driving spindles, comprising: a base membEr; and a pair of combination journal and thrust bearing assemblies solidly mounted on said base member and having portions dimensioned to loosely engage said driving spindles; said bearing assemblies including a pair of tape hubs for winding up said tape in packs; and said bearing assemblies having closely interfitting rotor and stator portions so that said hubs and tape packs are continuously and entirely held in a predetermined spaced relation to said base member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A cassette as recited in claim 1, wherein there are also provided: first means mounted on said base member for guiding said tape between said packs along a predetermined path in said cassette for engagement with said transducing and metering means of said transport; and second tape-guiding means including a pair of flanged idlers mounted on said base member adjacent said hubs and remote from said first guiding means for edge-guiding said tape to and from said tape packs in said predetermined spaced relation to said base member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cassette as recited in claim 2, wherein: said base member is a plate adapted to engage said holding assembly of said transport; said bearing assemblies each including a precision ball bearing element having an inner race and an outer race, one of said races being affixed to said plate; and said hubs each being formed as a member solidly mounted on the other of said races and including a spindle-engaging portion constituting said portion of said bearing assembly dimensioned for loosely engaging said respective spindle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A cassette as recited in claim 3, wherein: the inner race of each ball bearing element is affixed to said plate; and each of said hubs is affixed to the corresponding outer race of said ball bearing element and has a web portion extending radially and inwardly past said inner race on the side thereof remote from said plate to define said loose spindle-engaging portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A cassette as recited in claim 3, wherein: the outer race of each ball bearing element is affixed to said plate; and each of said hubs has a web portion extending radially and inwardly past said inner race on the side thereof remote from said plate and affixed to said inner race to define said loose spindle-engaging portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A cassette as recited in claim 3 wherein said cassette is generally rectangular in shape, and wherein: said first guiding means include a pair of flangeless idlers mounted in two adjacent corners of said cassette; and said second guiding means include a pair of flanged idlers mounted in the other two adjacent corners of said cassette.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cassette as recited in claim 6, wherein: said cassette also includes a side and cover plate element mounted on said baseplate and defining sides and a cover wall for said cassette in a precisely predetermined spaced relation to said plate and to said tape packs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cassette as recited in claim 7, wherein: said cassette is provided with at least one opening along at least one of the runs of tape between said first and second guide means for access to said tape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3004729A
Cited
US3282523A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |