Patent GB-1146382-A (GB)
Title: Pinch roller actuating mechanism
IPC: G11B25/06
Filed: 1967-05-23
Abstract: 1,146,382. Releasably mounting tape cartridges on machines. MUNTZ STEREO PAK Inc. 23 May, 1967 [31 May, 1966], No. 23906/67. Heading G5R. A tape recording or playback machine having a top deck and a capstan extending above it includes a mechanism, for automatically bring- ing a length of tape in a cartridge into driving engagement with the capstan, comprising: means movable between a lower position below the deck and a raised position above the deck to bring a length of tape in the cartridge into driving engagement with the capstan; a spring connected to the movable means for moving it from the lower to the raised position; catch means for holding the movable means in the lower position; and trigger means responsive to movement of the cartridge adjacent the capstan for releasing the catch means whereby the movable means automatically moves to the raised position under the influence of the spring. Loading.-When a tape-carrying cartridge is placed on the deck 16, Fig. 2, of a recorder or playback machine 10, and moved to the left while being maintained in contact with the nearer side of a guide bar 24, Fig. 2, the following sequence occurs:-(a) as the left-hand end of the cartridge housing makes contact with the tip 88 of a trigger arm 84, the arm is pushed to the left in opposition to a tension spring 86, and rotates a connecting arm 85 about a fixed pivot 78; secured to the connecting arm 85 is a latch 70 with a hooked end 72, which, by the action described, is raised from a pin 74 connected to a slide arm 38; (b) the slide arm 38, slidably secured to the far wall of the machine 10 by fixed pins 46, 48 and slots 42, 44, is thereupon pulled to the right by a tension-spring 56; (c) during this movement a pin 54 on slide arm 38 moves in a slot 52 in a lever 40 secured to a rocker shaft 36 to rotate the shaft and thereby rotate a rod 34, also secured to the rocker shaft, from the horizontal to the vertical position; the rod 34 carries at its upper end a pinch roller 26, and the latter movement has taken place through an opening 28 in deck 16 and through an opening 30 in the bottom of the cartridge 14, Fig. 3. The position of Fig. 3 has now been reached, wherein the pinch roller 26 is pressing tape 12 against a capstan 20, provided on the machine and driven by means 22, to drive the tape. Apertures are provided in the left-hand end of the cartridge 14 to enable the tape to make contact with the capstan 20, and with a record/playback head (not shown), respectively. Unloading.-When it is desired to remove the cartridge 14 from the machine, the knob 62 is pressed in. As the slide arm 38 moves to the left-hand position, the pinch roller 26 is retracted to its lower position, allowing the cartridge to be easily removed since the coil spring 86 causes the connecting arm 85 to drive the tip 88 of trigger arm 84 to the right, displacing the cartridge in the same direction. This displacement continues until the connecting arm 85 engages the right-hand end of a slot 92. The latch 70 finally engages the pin 74 on the slide arm 38, thereby re-locking it.