Patent US3870247A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3870247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette-handling system
Assignee: Alcatel CIT SA
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Filing: 1972-07-28
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1992-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A device for receiving cassettes of a recording or reading apparatus, consisting of a pivotable housing connected to a pivotable cradle, the latter being mounted on a casing enclosing the drive arrangement for the cassette. The cradle being actuated by a cam and linkage arrangement to assume three positions, that is, driving, automatic loading, and automatic ejection, the opening of the housing allowing for the manual loading or unloading of the cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 Camille Carisey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:50
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/67581; G11B15/67584; G11B15/67586; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A cassette-handling system comprising a cassette housing having guide and retaining means for guiding and holding a cassette, said housing having an opening in one end for receiving the cassette by movement of the cassette in its own plane, a casing containing a cassette drive system including a drive element projecting from said casing, a cradle pivoted to the casing and carrying said housing, said housing being pivoted to said cradle, and pivoting means for pivoting said housing and cradle from a loading position with the housing and cradle angularly disposed from the casing to a driving position against the casing so that said drive element of the cassette drive system engages the cassette for driving the medium contained therein, and then to an ejecting position, said cradle having an aperture therein, so that when the housing contains a cassette and is pivoted to lie against the cradle and the cradle is pivoted to lie against the casing, said drive element of the cassette drive system passes through said aperture in the cradle to engage the cassette and drive the medium contained therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A cassette-handling system comprising a cassette housing having guide and retaining means for guiding and holding a cassette, said housing having an opening in one end for receiving the cassette by movement of the cassette in its own plane, a casing containing a cassette drive system including a drive element projecting from said casing, a cradle pivoted to the casing and carrying said housing, said housing being pivoted to said cradle, and pivoting means for pivoting said housing and cradle from a loading position with the housing and cradle angularly disposed from the casing to a driving position against the casing so that said drive element of the cassette drive system engages the cassette for driving the medium contained therein, and then to an ejecting position, said cradle having an aperture therein, so that when the housing contains a cassette and is pivoted to lie against the cradle and the cradle is pivoted to lie against the casing, said drive element of the cassette drive system passes through said aperture in the cradle to engage the cassette and drive the medium contained therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
183 words
A cassette-handling system comprising a cassette housing having guide and retaining means for guiding and holding a cassette, said housing having an opening in one end for receiving the cassette by movement of the cassette in its own plane, a casing containing a cassette drive system including a drive element projecting from said casing, a cradle pivoted to the casing and carrying said housing, said housing being pivoted to said cradle, and pivoting means for pivoting said housing and cradle from a loading position with the housing and cradle angularly disposed from the casing to a driving position against the casing so that said drive element of the cassette drive system engages the cassette for driving the medium contained therein, and then to an ejecting position, said cradle having an aperture therein, so that when the housing contains a cassette and is pivoted to lie against the cradle and the cradle is pivoted to lie against the casing, said drive element of the cassette drive system passes through said aperture in the cradle to engage the cassette and drive the medium contained therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
A cassette-handling system comprising a cassette housing having guide and retaining means for guiding and holding a cassette, said housing having an opening in one end for receiving the cassette by movement of the cassette in its own plane, a casing containing a cassette drive system including a drive element projecting from said casing, a cradle pivoted to the casing and carrying said housing, said housing being pivoted to said cradle, and pivoting means for pivoting said housing and cradle from a loading position with the housing and cradle angularly disposed from the casing to a driving position against the casing so that said drive element of the cassette drive system engages the cassette for driving the medium contained therein, and then to an ejecting position, said cradle having an aperture therein, so that when the housing contains a cassette and is pivoted to lie against the cradle and the cradle is pivoted to lie against the casing, said drive element of the cassette drive system passes through said aperture in the cradle to engage the cassette and drive the medium contained therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 1, in which the pivot axes of the cradle and housing are parallel to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined in claim 2, in which the housing has a top and a pair of parallel transverse side walls, its pivot axis extending perpendicularly between its parallel side walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 3, in which said cradle is of channel section with parallel side walls, each of its parallel side walls carrying one pivot of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined in claim 1, in which the housing and the cradle both have the form channel sections with parallel side walls and are arranged with their open sides face-to-face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as defined in claim 5, in which the side walls of the housing are parallel to those of the cradle, the pivots connecting the cradle to the housing being perpendicular to the side walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as defined in claim 6, in which the cradle is provided with a cross piece carrying a screw catch for locking the housing in its closed position, in which position it lies against the cradle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said pivoting means includes a linkage connected to the cradle, a cam, and a cam follower operatively associated with said linkage and said cam so that rotation of the cam pivots the cradle about its pivot axis to said respective loading, driving and ejecting positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system as defined in claim 8, in which the cam is formed with two bosses defining respective cradle positions angularly displaced from said casing, a first of these positions being said loading position and the seCond of these positions being said ejecting position, and bias means for normally urging the cradle into the closed position against said casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as in claim 9, in which said cradle is formed of a cradle floor and a pair of parallel side walls, and further including a cassette-ejection mechanism comprising a link mounted on said cradle and pivoted about a fixed axis secured to said casing and an ejector finger connected to said link and mounted on said cradle to slide along the cradle floor to engage the cassette.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as defined in claim 10, in which the ejector finger passes through a slot in the cradle floor and is coupled to the end of said link by a bar mounted for sliding movement on the external surface of the cradle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as defined in claim 11, in which said bar coupled to said link embraces the external cradle surface, its opposite end portions carrying respective rollers engaging in longitudinal guide slots formed in the cradle side walls.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as defined in claim 10, in which said ejector finger is carried on a bar sliding internally of the cradle and is coupled to the free end of the link through a longitudinal slot formed in the cradle side wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 1, including a receiver for ejected cassettes positioned adjacent said opening in said housing and provided with a cassette detector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 2, in which the aperture for the admission of the cassette drive element is located between the pivot axes of the cradle and housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as defined in claim 1, comprising feeler means mounted on the casing for indicating faulty closure of the cradle or housing.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |