Patent CA-1037603-A (CA)
Inventor: BARA EDWIN S
IPC: G11B15/70
Filed: 1974-07-02
Granted: 1978-08-29
Abstract: CARTRIDGE TAPE PLAYER SYSTEM HAVING REVERSE      AND FAST-FORWARD MODES OF OPERATION                      ABSTRACT      A cartridge tape player system includes a  tape cartridge having the usual continuous loop tape mounted for movement through the cartridge on a rotatable hub.  The hub is coupled to a central shaft extending through the outer wall of the cartridge.  A circular platen is mounted for independent rotation in the cartridge beneath the hub about the central shaft.  The hub and wound tape rests on the platen.  The cartridge player of the system includes the usual cartridge receiving cavity, magnetic tape head and capstan drive shaft for engaging a pressure roller in a cartridge received in the cavity and driving the tape through the cartridge in a first direction; the tape being removed from the hub at the inner convolution and returned thereto at the outer convolution.  A one-way clutch arrangement joins the hub and platen for rotation when the tape is moved in the last-mentioned direction.  An auxiliary drive shaft mounted at the entrance of the cavity is coupled to the capstan shaft and is driven rotatably thereby.  Reverse and fast-forward pushbutton controls are provided on the player.  The reverse button, when depressed, raises the drive shaft for engagement with the central hub shaft of the cartridge to drive the hub in a reverse direc-tion, opposite from that when driven by the capstan shaft.  In this case, the tape is removed from the hub at the outer con-volution and returned at the inner convolution.  To accomplish the latter, guide fingers are provided in the cartridge which separate the inner convolution of the tape from the hub to permit the incoming tape to be "tucked" therebetween.  The one-way clutch is disengaged to permit independent rotation of the hub and platen to ensure proper winding of the tape about the hub during the reverse mode of operation.  A pivotal member actuated by the depression of the pushbutton moves the cartridge away from the capstan shaft and tape head to permit the raised drive shaft to engage the central hub shaft.  An expansion ring in the cartridge surrounding the wound tape contracts upon movement of the cartridge away from the capstan shaft to limit the diameter of the wound tape and to ensure proper reverse winding of the tape about the hub.  Depression of the fast-forward button also raises the drive shaft into driving engagement with the central hub shaft and pivots the pivotal member to move the cartridge out of engagement with the tape head and capstan drive shaft.  A member coupled to the fast-forward pushbutton likewise operates a switch to reverse the direction of the drive motor driving the capstan and auxiliary drive shafts, thereby to drive the latter in the proper rotational direction.  Also, a member is moved toward the cartridge to engage a pin extending from the cartridge.  The last-mentioned pin is depressed thereby inwardly of the cartridge to hold the expansion ring in an expanded state away from the wound tape while in the fast-forward mode of operation.  The one-way clutch is also engaged to join the platen and hub for rotation.