Patent US3696217A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3696217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device using a recording jack for preventing erasure of recorded information from magnetic tape in a tape recorder
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-12
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for preventing information recorded on the magnetic tape of a tape recorder from being inadvertently erased. The device comprises a first slidable lever having an erasing head, a second slidable lever having a recording and reproducing head for selective movement together with said first lever for recording, or, independently of the first lever, a slidable stop lever for releasing and returning the first and second levers to their initial inoperative positions and locking mechanism for locking the first lever and being controlled and released by a recording jack or recording and reproducing connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuyasu Motoyama
- 👤 Ryoichi Sawaki
- 👤 Takeaki Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:46
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/10; G11B15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
370 words
In a tape recorder having a chassis, apparatus for preventing the accidental erasure of information previously recorded on tape in said recorder, which comprises: a first, spring-biassed lever, slidably movable, on said chassis inwardly towards said tape, spring bias normally urging said lever outwardly away from said tape; a record/reproduce head mounted to said first lever and engaging said tape when said first lever is moved inwardly towards said tape; a second, spring-biassed lever, slidably movable, on said chassis, inwardly towards said tape about a pivot point permitting limited rotational movement, spring bias normally urging said second lever outwardly away from said tape; an erase head mounted to said second lever and engaging said tape when said second lever is moved inwardly towards said tape; a first projection on said recorder engaging a recess on said second lever to inhibit movement thereof towards said tape when said movement is directed along a path substantially normal to said tape, said projection having a dimension such thaT when said movement is combined with limited rotation of said lever, about said pivot point, the projection fails to intercept said recess, thereby permitting said erase head to contact said tape; a second projection on said second lever, for mating engagement with a corresponding recess in said first lever, said second lever, when moved, and simultaneously rotated about said pivot point, to bring said erase head into engagement with said tape, moving said first lever, and hence said record/reproduce head into contact with said head; a spring-biassed third lever, engaging a detent on said first lever, for locking said first lever when moved inwardly towards said tape; means for rotating said third lever out of engagement with said detent to release said first lever so that it may move said record/reproduce head out of engagement with said tape under spring-bias action; and inhibiting means, responsive to the insertion of a microphone jack into an aperture of said recorder, for inhibiting rotation of said second lever, and hence the recording of said erase head inwardly towards said tape, full and complete insertion of said jack moving said inhibiting means to permit rotation of said second lever and hence the recording of new information on said tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
370 words
In a tape recorder having a chassis, apparatus for preventing the accidental erasure of information previously recorded on tape in said recorder, which comprises: a first, spring-biassed lever, slidably movable, on said chassis inwardly towards said tape, spring bias normally urging said lever outwardly away from said tape; a record/reproduce head mounted to said first lever and engaging said tape when said first lever is moved inwardly towards said tape; a second, spring-biassed lever, slidably movable, on said chassis, inwardly towards said tape about a pivot point permitting limited rotational movement, spring bias normally urging said second lever outwardly away from said tape; an erase head mounted to said second lever and engaging said tape when said second lever is moved inwardly towards said tape; a first projection on said recorder engaging a recess on said second lever to inhibit movement thereof towards said tape when said movement is directed along a path substantially normal to said tape, said projection having a dimension such thaT when said movement is combined with limited rotation of said lever, about said pivot point, the projection fails to intercept said recess, thereby permitting said erase head to contact said tape; a second projection on said second lever, for mating engagement with a corresponding recess in said first lever, said second lever, when moved, and simultaneously rotated about said pivot point, to bring said erase head into engagement with said tape, moving said first lever, and hence said record/reproduce head into contact with said head; a spring-biassed third lever, engaging a detent on said first lever, for locking said first lever when moved inwardly towards said tape; means for rotating said third lever out of engagement with said detent to release said first lever so that it may move said record/reproduce head out of engagement with said tape under spring-bias action; and inhibiting means, responsive to the insertion of a microphone jack into an aperture of said recorder, for inhibiting rotation of said second lever, and hence the recording of said erase head inwardly towards said tape, full and complete insertion of said jack moving said inhibiting means to permit rotation of said second lever and hence the recording of new information on said tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
316 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second lever has rearwardly extending extension and said inhibiting means comprises: a first elongated plate having an elongated central slot therein, a first upwardly extending portion at one end thereof, and a second upwardly extending portion along one side thereof, proximate said first upwardly extending portion; a second elongated plate having a second, elongated, central slot therein, co-extensive with the elongated slot in said first plate, a curved nose at one end of said second plate for engagement with the first extending portion of said first plate, and a third upwardly extending portion at the other end thereof for engagement with the rearwardly extending extension on said second lever, to inhibit rotation of said second lever; a first pin extending from said chassis through the elongated slots in said first and second plates; a second pin, having a portion of reduced diameter, extending through said elongated slots in said first and second plates, said first and second pins restraining said first plate for only lateral displacement, the reduced diameter of the second pin permitting limited rotation of said second plate, in addition to lateral displacement; first spring means for biassing said first plate towards said aperture in said recorder; and second spring means for biassing said second plate so that said third upwardly extending portion engages said rearwardly extending extension on said second lever, full and complete insertion of said microphone jack causing the first upwardly extending portion of the first plate to bear against the curved surface of said nose, thereby displacing, and rotating, said second plate, between said second pin and the second upwardly extending portion of the first plate, to move the third upwardly extending portion of the second plate out of engagement with the rearwardly extending extension of said second lever, permitting rotation of same, and engagement of the erase head with the tape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
The apparatus according to claim 1. wherein said second lever has a rearwardly extending extension and said inhibiting means comprises: a third lever, pivotally mounted to said chassis, and having an extension at one end thereof for engaging the rearward extension of said second lever to inhibit rotation of the latter; spring means for biassing said third lever into engagement with said second lever; electromagnet means for attracting the other end of said third lever and rotating the same about the pivot thereof, against said spring bias, and disengage said third and said second levers; electrical switch means, actuated by the full and complete insertion of said miCrophone jack, for energizing said electromagnet means, thereby permitting rotation of said second lever and engagement of said erase head with said tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second lever has a rearwardly extending extension and said inhibiting means comprises: a fourth, L-shaped lever, pivotally mounted to said chassis rearwardly of said second lever, said fourth lever having a forward extension at one end thereof engaging a side surface of said rearwardly extending extension to inhibit rotation of said second lever; third spring means for biassing said fourth lever into engagement with said second lever; and a pin for limiting rotation of said fourth lever in the direction of the bias of said third spring means, insertion of said microphone jack rotating said fourth lever, about the pivot thereof, out of engagement with said second lever and permitting rotation thereof and engagement of said erase head with said tape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second lever has a forwardly extending extension and said inhibiting means comprises: a fifth L-shaped lever, pivotally mounted to said chassis forwardly of said second lever, said fifth lever having a rearward extension at one end thereof engaging a side surface of said forwardly extending extension, to inhibit rotation of said second lever; fourth spring means for biassing said fifth lever into engagement with said second lever; and pin means for limiting rotation of said fifth lever in the direction of the bias of said fourth spring means, insertion of said microphone jack rotating said fifth lever, about the pivot thereof, out of engagement with said second lever and permitting rotation thereof and engagement of said erase head with said tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
171 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second lever has a downwardly extending pin, and said inhibiting means comprises: a rearwardly extending member having an elongated central slot therein, an arcuate surface on one end thereof constituting a cam, and a bifurcated portion including two tines, receiving said downwardly extending pin, at the other end thereof, said tines being of unequal length; a pair of upwardly extending pins on said chassis, engaging said elongated slot in said rearwardly extending member, and limiting same to motion normal to the plane of said tape; and fifth spring means for biassing said member rearwardly to capture said downwardly extending pin in said bifurcation and inhibit rotation of said second lever, complete insertion of said microphone jack engaging said cam and forcing said member forward, permitting said downwardly extending pin to travel over the surface of the shorter one of said tines, and escape from said bifurcation thus permitting said second lever to rotate and bring said erase head into engagement with said tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
209 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second lever has a downwardly extending pin mounted proximate the front end thereof, and said inhibiting means comprises: a rectangular plate having a pair of elongated longitudinal slots therein, a first transverse slot for engagement with said downwardly extending pin, and second transverse slot on the opposite side of said plate from said first transverse slot; a pair of pins extending from said chassis and engaging said longitudinal slots to limit the travel of said plate to a direction which is normal to the direction of travel of said second lever; sixth spring means for biassing said plate towards the aperture through which said microphone jack is inserted, the edge of said plate contacting said downwardly extending pin and inhibiting rotation of said second lever; and an actuating member having one end pivoted to said chassis, the other end thereof being inserted in said second transverse slot, complete insertion of said microphone jack rotating said actuating member about the pivot thereof and, in turn, moving said plate against The bias of said sixth spring means, whereby said downwardly extending pin enters said first transverse slot thereby permitting rotation of said second lever and engagement of said erase head with said tape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said plate has a triangular aperture therein, said actuating member has an elongated central slot therein, a recess at the upper end thereof, and an upwardly extending pin at the other end thereof engaging said triangular aperture, and the apparatus further comprises: a sixth L-shaped lever pivoted to said chassis, one end thereof engaging the recess in said actuating member, complete insertion of said microphone jack engaging the other end of said sixth L-shaped lever, rotating same to displace said plate against said spring bias, thereby permitting said second lever to rotate.
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) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |