US4437222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing tape guides for recording and/or reproducing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-08-18
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Granted: 1984-03-20
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Expires: 2001-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a tape guide pin or sleeve adapted to directly engage the back of recording tape or the like, comprises applying a surface layer of a nonmagnetic hard material on a base body of nonmagnetic material and then forming microscopic tips on the circumferential surface of the hard-surfacing layer such that the pattern of the microscopic tips extend substantially linearly in the transverse direction to the axial dimension of the pin or sleeve. These tips are then fine-finished and thereby rounded. The tape guide has improved wear-resistance and frictional characteristics by comparison with even tape guides free from the surface roughening formed by the microscopic tips.
Inventors
- 👤 Yozaburo Umehara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:32
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/60; G11B15/605; G11B15/61; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4998; Y10T29/49982; Y10T29/49986
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of manufacturing a tape guide for tape cassette of a recording or reproducing apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a base body of nonmagnetic material having a cylindrical surface; (b) applying a surface layer of nonmagnetic hard material to said base body along said cylindrical surface; (c) forming microscopic tips on said layer with the pattern of said tips extending substantially linearly in a direction transverse to the axial direction of said body so that said layer will have a surface roughness of 0.2 to 0.6μ Rmax; and (d) fine-finishing the microscopic tips to round the same while substantially maintaining said surface roughness.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of manufacturing a tape guide for tape cassette of a recording or reproducing apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a base body of nonmagnetic material having a cylindrical surface; (b) applying a surface layer of nonmagnetic hard material to said base body along said cylindrical surface; (c) forming microscopic tips on said layer with the pattern of said tips extending substantially linearly in a direction transverse to the axial direction of said body so that said layer will have a surface roughness of 0.2 to 0.6μ Rmax; and (d) fine-finishing the microscopic tips to round the same while substantially maintaining said surface roughness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the microscopic tips are formed on said layer by subjecting the body provided with said layer to centerless grinding having a grinding wheel with graded grit decreasing in particle size axially in a direction of feed of said body past said wheel, the grit size along the wheel ranging from about 240 mesh to 1000 mesh.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein said layer consists of hard chromium, said wheel is provided with abrasive particles of boron carbide, and said base body is composed of an aluminum, copper or stainless steel alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein said layer is formed on said base body by electroplating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method defined in claim 4 wherein the Vickers hardness layer is 400 to 1000 Hv.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein said fine-finishing is carried out by barrel grinding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein the fine-finishing is carried out by buffing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein said fine-finishing is carried out by burnishing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein the fine-finishing is carried out by chemical polishing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method defined in claim 6, claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said surface layer has a thickness of 1 to 10 microns.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a tape guide for a tape cassette of a recording or reproducing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a nonmagnetic base body of stainless steel, copper or aluminum with a cylindrical surface by rolling said body from a generally rectangular sheet having truncated corners so that opposite edges of said sheet abut on another; (b) applying to said cylindrical surface a nonmagnetic layer having a thickness of 1 to 10 microns of a hard-surface material having a Vickers hardness of 400 to 1000 Hv; (c) subjecting said layer to centerless grinding to form microscopic tips in said layer and impart a surface roughness of 0.2 to 0.6μ Rmax to said layer; and (d) rounding said tips while substantially maintaining said surface roughness.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a tape guide for a tape cassette of a recording or reproducing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a nonmagnetic base body of stainless steel, copper or aluminum with a cylindrical surface by rolling said body from a generally rectangular sheet having truncated corners so that opposite edges of said sheet abut on another; (b) applying to said cylindrical surface a nonmagnetic layer having a thickness of 1 to 10 microns of a hard-surface material having a Vickers hardness of 400 to 1000 Hv; (c) subjecting said layer to centerless grinding to form microscopic tips in said layer and impart a surface roughness of 0.2 to 0.6μ Rmax to said layer; and (d) rounding said tips while substantially maintaining said surface roughness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein said microscopic tips are rounded by barrel grinding.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein said microscopic tips are rounded by burnishing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein said microscopic tips are rounded by buffing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein said microscopic tips are rounded by chemical polishing.
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) | 1987-03-20 | 1987-09-19 | 1988-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-20 | 1991-09-19 | 1992-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-20 | 1995-09-19 | 1996-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |