US3967769A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape driving assembly
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1974-12-09
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Granted: 1976-07-06
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Expires: 1994-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A tape driving assembly for use in a mini-cassette which includes a capstan holder having a capstan bearing and a capstan cover which prevents tape from becoming entangled on the capstan and further provides a second bearing support for the capstan so it is not deflected by side pressure from a pinch roller and further which provides a pair of reference surfaces so as to accurately and positively position the cassette relative to the capstan, the pinch roller and the magnetic head.
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Matsumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:25
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/26; G11B15/28; G11B15/1883
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A tape driving assembly for a recording tape contained in a cassette and which is transported past a signal reproducing head, comprising: a. a pinch roller; b. a capstan mounted adjacent to said pinch roller and operating therewith to transport said tape; c. a capstan cover partially surrounding said capstan and having a vertical reference surface against which said cassette is receivable so as to provide a position reference; d. means engageable with said cassette to hold it against said vertical reference so as to accurately position said cassette; including a horizontal reference surface formed adjacent said capstan cover to form an accurate vertical reference for said cassette; and wherein said capstan cover has an upper tapered portion for guiding said cassette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A tape driving assembly for a recording tape contained in a cassette and which is transported past a signal reproducing head, comprising: a. a pinch roller; b. a capstan mounted adjacent to said pinch roller and operating therewith to transport said tape; c. a capstan cover partially surrounding said capstan and having a vertical reference surface against which said cassette is receivable so as to provide a position reference; d. means engageable with said cassette to hold it against said vertical reference so as to accurately position said cassette; including a horizontal reference surface formed adjacent said capstan cover to form an accurate vertical reference for said cassette; and wherein said capstan cover has an upper tapered portion for guiding said cassette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 1, including a projection formed on said capstan cover between said tapered portion and said vertical reference surface to provide a lock to hold said cassette.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 2, including an upper bearing attached to the upper tapered end of said capstan cover and the upper end of said capstan rotatably supported by said upper bearing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 3, wherein said horizontal reference surface is integrally formed with said capstan cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tape driving assembly for a recording tape contained in a cassette and which is transported past a signal reproducing head, comprising: a. a pinch roller; b. a capstan mounted adjacent to said pinch roller and operating therewith to transport said tape; c. a capstan bearing for supporting said capstan; and d. said capstan bearing formed with a planar surface engageable with said cassette so as to accurately position said cassette at the correct height relative to said head and first biasing means holding said cassette in contact with said planar surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tape driving assembly for a recording tape contained in a cassette and which is transported past a signal reproducing head, comprising: a. a pinch roller; b. a capstan mounted adjacent to said pinch roller and operating therewith to transport said tape; c. a capstan bearing for supporting said capstan; and d. said capstan bearing formed with a planar surface engageable with said cassette so as to accurately position said cassette at the correct height relative to said head and first biasing means holding said cassette in contact with said planar surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 5, wherein said assembly further includes a capstan cover which prevents said tape from being wound about said capstan accidentally during tape transport.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 6, wherein said capstan cover is formed as a unitary body with said capstan bearing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 7 wherein said capstan cover includes a reference semicircular surface which extends at right angles to said planar surface and said cassette has a semicircular surface engageable with said reference semicircular surface and second biasing means holding said cassette against said reference semicircular surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 8 wherein said second biasing means is a projection formed on said capstan cover adjacent said reference semicircular surface and said first biasing means is a spring means engageable with said cassette.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tape driving assembly according to claim 6, wherein said assembly further includes a radial bearing for said capstan to support it at two points.
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) | 1979-07-06 | 1980-01-05 | 1980-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-06 | 1984-01-05 | 1984-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-06 | 1988-01-05 | 1988-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |