Abstract: A device has a pivoted lever for detecting a near end state of a roll of paper, and the lever is held at a first position by the weight of a roll of paper, but is resiliently biased toward a second position by a spring. When the roll of paper does not have a core, and when the weight thereof falls to a predetermined value, the lever is moved from the first position to the second position due to a resilient force of the spring. When the roll of paper has a core, and when a diameter thereof is reduced to a predetermined value, the lever receives the roll of paper in a recess formed therein, and is moved from the first position to the second position due to a resilient force of the spring. When the lever is moved to the second position, this is detected by a suitable detecting element. Thus, the detector can detect the near end state of the roll of paper without regard to whether the roll of paper has a core or not.

Abstract: A device has a pivoted lever for detecting a near end state of a roll of paper, and the lever is held at a first position by the weight of a roll of paper, but is resiliently biased toward a second position by a spring. When the roll of paper does not have a core, and when the weight thereof falls to a predetermined value, the lever is moved from the first position to the second position due to a resilient force of the spring. When the roll of paper has a core, and when a diameter thereof is reduced to a predetermined value, the lever receives the roll of paper in a recess formed therein, and is moved from the first position to the second position due to a resilient force of the spring. When the lever is moved to the second position, this is detected by a suitable detecting element. Thus, the detector can detect the near end state of the roll of paper without regard to whether the roll of paper has a core or not.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the core of a reel of convoluted paper in a winding machine has two trunnions which extend into the end portions of the core from opposite ends of the reel and are surrounded by ring-shaped stops which are normally closely adjacent to the respective end faces of the reel therebetween. The trunnions and the respective stops are movable axially toward and away from the core and each trunnion is surrounded by a ring-shaped sensor which is biased against the respective end face of the reel so that the distance between the sensor and the corresponding stop denotes the width of the gap between the respective end face of the reel and the corresponding stop.

Abstract: A metronome cartridge comprises a cartridge body adapted to be removably mounted in a cassette player having a pickup head, and tape free mechanical means carried by the cartridge body generates metronomic time signals to the pickup head for amplification by the amplifier system of the cassette player. Visual time or tempo signals, pause control, multiple beat capability, and beat adjustment are provided for.

Abstract: A release device is provided which disables a tape end detection in a tape recorder which is provided with an apparatus for indicating a tape end, such as an end alarm unit or auto "shut-off" unit (which returns a sliding plate carrying a head assembly, thereby producing an audible indication). The release device comprises means including an externally operable member to disable a tape end detection. Said means may be automatically reset in response to a movement of a record/playback actuating member or in response to the loading or removal of a tape cassette. In addition, the release device includes a release inhibit means which prevents the release means from operating when the record/playback member is not in its operative position or when a tape cassette is not loaded.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an indication of when the web material remaining on the supply spool has been depleted to a predetermined amount, such as the end portion. An end portion of the web material is coupled to the supply spool hub and a predetermined amount of the web material is wound onto the spool in a first direction. The web material is then folded back onto itself and the remaining amount of web material to be placed on the supply spool is wound onto the spool in a second and opposite direction. As the web material is removed from the supply spool, the supply spool hub and/or the shaft for the supply spool will reverse direction of rotation upon reaching the portion of the web material, which has been folded back onto itself. Also, the angle and point of departure of the web material from the supply spool hub will change.

Abstract: A device for detecting rotational speed of a tape reel in a tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus by displacing a magnet from a first position where said magnet does not actuate a magnetically sensitive element to a second position where said magnet actuates the element when the rotational speed of a first rotating means adapted to rotate in synchronization with a supply reel exceeds the constant speed of a second rotating means driven by a tape moving means to rotate at a constant speed and coupled to said first rotating means and operating indicating means responsive to said element so as to inform an operator, for example, that only a little tape remains on the supply reel.

Abstract: Cue indicia applied to one or both side edges of a magnetic tape may be directly viewed through the conventional cartridge viewing window as the tape is being reeled in either direction.The application of edge marked cue indicia may be performed automatically in conjunction with the recording of commercially pre-recorded tapes, automatically in conjunction with cartridge tape loading or manually in the case of home recorded tapes.