Abstract: A videotape cassette has a visor-type door, at each end of which is an ear or corner part at which a pin hinges the door to a housing. As in the prior art, the door is biased to either a fully opened or fully closed position. In the novel cassette, the biasing results from a free-standing finger formed in a wall of the housing, which finger acts as a spring against a squarish platform on the inner face of an ear of the door.

Abstract: A tape spool adapted for mounting on and rotation relative to a cylindrical pin extending perpendicularly from a first wall toward a parallel second wall defining an enclosure and adapted to engage both of the walls and resist movement toward either, including a first flange adjacent the first wall, a second flange adjacent the second wall, a hub interconnecting the flanges and providing a cylindrical winding surface, a bore through the first flange and into the hub which closely but freely surrounds the pin, a tubular collar interposed between the first wall and the first flange to support the first flange out of contact with the first wall, which collar has an inner diameter allowing free passage of the pin and a thin wall to reduce the area of contact between the collar and the first wall.

Abstract: A copy machine capable of producing indeterminate length copies of an exceptionally long original and including a terminal set of drive rollers which pull copy paper through the machine and a brake which is connected to a supply of continuous copy paper and which may be selectively engaged to produce a drag on the copy paper and place the paper in tension between the supply and the terminal rollers.

Abstract: Videocassette tape spool, the wear button of which is a protuberance of a small plastic piece which may serve to lock the parts of the spool together. By using a small piece for the wear button, substantial savings in raw material can be realized since highly wear-resistant plastics tend to be quite expensive. The novel tape spool also can be assembled less expensively compared to tape spools now used in videocassettes.

Abstract: A cassette includes a slack limiter which engages tape extending from reels within the cassette and prevents the tape from unwinding from the reels and developing slack or looseness. In one embodiment, the slack limiter is formed from a thin, flexible, resilient strip of material which includes a mounting portion formed by folding the strip to produce a compression member extending at an acute angle to the slack limiter. In a second embodiment, the slack limiter includes two oppositely extending strips and a mounting portion formed by two folds and an interconnecting compression member. In either embodiment, the mounting portion of the slack limiter is retained in the housing by a receptacle which compressively engages and bows the compression member.

Abstract: A prior tape spool comprises two hub parts which are wedged together to pinch a tape leader between the walls of a narrow passage that opens through the tape-winding surface. The novel tape spool differs from the prior tape spool in that the passage pinches the leader only in a region remote from the opening through the tape-winding surface, so that if the leader is accidentally crimped or off center, it would tend to straighten out before emerging from the opening.

Abstract: A tape roller has a plastic sleeve which is journalled between bearings formed in opposing walls of a plastic cassette housing. The wall is cored out around at least one of those bearings so that the bearing is supported only by bridges which bow outwardly to receive an oversize sleeve. Preferably there are two such bridges at the bearing, the thicknesses of which are about 20% that of the wall.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a pressure roll includes a doctor blade and a brush which is orbitally rotated by eccentric cams to propel accumulated material away from the junction of the blade and the roll and into a collection hopper.

Abstract: A first embodiment of an assembly fixture for locating an electrical connector and a cable with respect to each other for assembly includes adjustable connector locating guides mounted on a base plate and adjustable cable guides mounted on a spring-loaded tiltable cable platform spaced above the base plate. As the cable is forced downwardly into the connector, the cable platform tilts to accommodate the relative motion of the cable with respect to the fixture. After the cable is assembled to the connector, the cable platform returns to its normal horizontal position, partially removing the connector from the connector locating guides. A second embodiment of an assembly fixture includes a connector support which has spaced lands which support the entire area of the connector to prevent breakage of the connector during assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing and protecting the spliced junction of butt-spliced cables including a protective sleeve and two toroidal sealing rings and the method of assembling the sleeve and rings to the spliced cable which results in the sleeve being centered over the splice and the sealing rings spaced substantially midway between the splice and the ends of the protective sleeve.

Abstract: An electrically operated copy machine capable of producing continuous copies of extended length originals is provided with a control switch which allows copying to be stopped at any position along the original and then allows either the copy to be cut and copying discontinued or the repositioning of the original and the continuation of copying at a different portion of the original.

Abstract: A support for maintaining a receptor a predetermined distance from a development roller covered with toner and including a series of channels extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support to permit the passage of accumulated toner through the silhouette of the support. The channels are preferably elliptical in plan perspective and semicircular in transverse cross-section to permit the free passage of toner and are angled to direct toner toward the ends of the development roller.

Abstract: A labeling mechanism is provided which utilizes a servo motor driven capstan to rapidly accelerate and decelerate label stock through the mechanism. Rapid acceleration is permitted because a secondary motor is provided to a label stock supply reel to reduce system inertia. Rapid deceleration is possible because a one-way bearing and clutch assembly is provided which prevents reverse motion of the label stock. A label shear is also provided which permits the use of continuous label stock rather than die cut, spaced labels.

Abstract: A magnetic disk jacket which encloses and protects a magnetic disk is rendered duplication resistant by hot-stamp transfer printing an area of the jacket which cannot be supported in a flat or planar condition against the application of pressure after the jacket has been at least partially assembled, hot-stamp transfer printing an area of the jacket which extends across a portion of the jacket which is to be folded at assembly, or embossing an area of the jacket which will be superposed over a panel of the partially assembled disk jacket. The printed or embossed area may also identify information which should be present on the disk.

Abstract: A simplified and low cost device for restraining an object or objects therein having a resiliently deformable housing including an interior passageway having wall portions adapted to receive and support the object, and wall portions which will be spaced from the object; which housing is deformed by the application of external compressive force at discrete locations causing the spaced wall portions to move toward the object, and resulting in the supporting wall portions moving away from the object, thereby affording the release of the object from the device.

Abstract: A circular, shape-retaining cover is fastened to the hub of a rigid recording disc to provide a cartridge. The cover rotates with the disc and undergoes snap-action between a normal conical shape enclosing the periphery of the disc and an inverted conical shape providing free access to the recording surface from the entire periphery of the disc.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a novel bowed shim for a cassette which includes impacting one surface of a sheet of polymeric material with particles until layer-like portions adjacent its surfaces are differentially expanded and the material is bowed, and then cutting the shim from the material.

Abstract: A critical temperature indicator is provided utilizing the volume reduction characteristics of organic compounds as they undergo a change from the liquid state to the solid state. A capillary tube sealed at one end contains a first organic compound adjacent the closed end and a second colored organic compound which has a solidification temperature lower than that of the first compound and which is separated from the first compound by a liquid which is immiscible with either the first or the second compounds. The separating liquid also has a solidification temperature lower than that of the first compound. A colorless or white porous plug is located within the separating liquid and frictionally engages the tube to prevent movement of the plug with respect to the tube.

Abstract: A critical temperature indicator is provided utilizing the volume reduction characteristics of organic compounds as they undergo a change from the liquid state to the solid state. The bulb and a portion of the capillary tube of a thermometer-like structure contains a colorless organic compound. Another organic compound saturated with a dye, which compound has a solidification temperature lower than that of the colorless compound and which is miscible with the colorless compound, is located in the capillary tube and separated from the colorless compound by a solid, movable plug or a liquid which is immiscible with either the colorless or the dyed compound. The volume of the colorless compound upon solidification is less than the volume of the bulb so that the separating plug or liquid and at least a portion of the dyed compound are drawn into the bulb upon solidification. The dyed compound then mixes with the colorless compound to provide a visual indication that the colorless compound has solidified.

Abstract: An overhead projector is provided which is able to project a uniformly focused image of a transparency onto a vertical surface at an oblique angle above the horizontal plane without introducing keystone distortion by offsetting a projection lens and its associated mirror from the center of a transparency stage of the projector in the direction of projection and directing light through the transparency and to the projection lens at an angle which is equal to the oblique angle above the horizontal plane at which the image is projected. Light is directed to the projection lens by offsetting the upper lens of a two-element circular Fresnel condensing lens system in the direction of displacement of the projection lens.