Abstract: A selective frequency scale display mechanism for a pushbutton AM and FM radio receiver is disclosed. Presetable cam projections are located on each of a plurality of tuning pushbuttons and predesignate each pushbutton for tuning the radio to either the AM or FM frequency waveband. Manual actuation of a tuning pushbutton causes a band selecting cam projection to selectively engage and pivot a pivotal plate which results in actuating an overcenter spring assembly that in turn pivots a multisurface display body having different longitudinally extending scales on each of a plurality of its surfaces. In this manner, manual actuation of a tuning pushbutton results in selecting the band to which the radio will be tuned to, selecting the individual frequency within this band that the radio will be tuned to, and providing a visual display of the longitudinally extending scale which corresponds to the selected band.

Abstract: Alternator bearing retaining assembly with a bearing locked in an alternator housing by means of a bent, resilient plate. One end of the plate is held by a groove in the housing and the other end is fastened to the housing so that the bearing is rigidly held during severe vibration. Assembly and replacement are also simplified.

Abstract: A noise blanker circuit usable in a radio receiver is disclosed. Noise pulses in demodulated received signals are detected by a noise detector amplifier. These detected noise pulses are then processed by a control means which develops control signals that selectively control a blanking gate which is followed by a holding capacitor. The gate and holding capacitor combine to blank out noise in the demodulated signals in response to the production of the control signals. The control means includes an amplifier with an AC negative feedback loop that includes a varactor diode. A rectifier diode is used to develop a DC voltage proportional to the occurrence rate of noise pulses and this DC voltage biases the varactor diode such that noise blanking only occurs when the noise present on the received signal is below a predetermined rate of occurrence.

Abstract: An electronically adjustable spark timing signal is provided for an internal combustion engine to be used in conjunction with a breakerless constant percent dwell output electronic ignition system. A monostable multivibrator circuit uses two constant current sources, one of which is adjustable, to produce an electrical signal the pulse width of which, under static conditions, is representative of the predetermined amount of desired advance or retardation required for efficient engine operation at all speeds, the pulse width of the output signal also varies as a function of engine speed and provides automatic dynamic advance with increasing speeds. This electronic timing adjustment signal is then combined, in a delay circuit, with the digital output of a constant percent dwell circuit to provide an adjusted spark timing signal which controls the operation of the ignition coil.

Abstract: A tape drive system for tape play-back and/or recording devices is disclosed herein. The drive system comprises a first belt driven flywheel whose sole purpose is to control the rotary motion of a tape capstan. A second flywheel, which is also driven by the same belt that drives the first flywheel, is selectively coupled to a toothed pinion which is in constant meshing engagement with a toothed wheel rigidly connected to the collecting reel shaft of the play-back and/or recording device. For fast forward operation an idler pulley, which is directly driven by the same belt that drives the first and second flywheels, has a toothed surface coupled to the pinion while the pinion is decoupled from being driven by the second flywheel. For fast rewind operation, the toothed surface of the idler wheel is directly coupled to a mating toothed surface of a wheel rigidly connected to the supply reel shaft of the play-back and/or recording device while the second flywheel is again decoupled from the toothed pinion.

Abstract: A device for gripping and translating a cassette inserted into a tape player is disclosed. The device comprises expandable plier like jaws which grip an inserted cassette. The jaws are mounted at one end of a movable link that is slideable, by way of a pin, in a frame slot having horizontal and vertical portions. Another end of the link has a rocker pivoted thereto and the rocker also has a pin slideable in another slot. An end of the rocker has teeth which engage a spring biased rack. A servomechanism moves the rocker pin in its slot and thereby translates an inserted cassette into desired positions in the tape player.

Abstract: A clamping and ejecting assembly for a support structure for an autoradio or the like is disclosed. A box shaped container is adapted to receive and firmly support a removable apparatus such as an autoradio or tape player having a complimentary clamping means provided on it. A spring element is mounted to the bottom of the box shaped container and is reciprocally movable with respect to the container between a first retracted position and a second extracted position. Clamping means are provided on the spring element and project into a central receiving cavity of the box shaped container through an opening in the bottom of the container to matingly engage the complimentary clamping means on the inserted apparatus and thereby maintain the apparatus firmly inserted in the support container when the spring element is held in its first retracted position.

Abstract: A variable resistance pressure transducer having high resolution, a wide resistance range and usable in conjunction with a limited linear actuation movement is provided. The transducer basically comprises a helical resistance element and a circular ring shaped contact arm which are mounted around a central axis and are slideably movable with respect to each other in directions parallel to the central axis. The ring contact essentially forms the wiper arm of a potentiometer assembly and the ring is dimensioned and positioned so that varying portions of its inner circumferential surface will contact the resistive element during relative linear axial movement between the ring and resistive element. This results in moving the effective point of contact between the ring and resistive element continously along the surface of the helical resistive element in response to the relative axial movement.

Abstract: A spark timing circuit for use with the ignition system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Two sensors produce periodic digital logic signals which have frequencies related to the speed of the engine rotation and which differ by a predetermined amount of phase. These signals are coupled as inputs to a first exclusive OR gate which produces an output signal having logic states which correspond to the coincidence and non-coincidence of the logic states of the two input signals, the duration of one of the logic states of the output signal therefore being directly related to the phase difference between the first and second sensor signals. An adjustable pulse generator circuit then receives this output signal and produces a new corresponding synchronized digitial output signal having the duration of one of its logic states equal to an adjustable proportion of the phase difference logic state duration of the first exclusive OR gate output signal.

Abstract: A track changing mechanism for a cartridge-type tape player produces accurate vertical movement of the magnetic head under control of a stepped cam member by providing a holding member attached to the tape player chassis and extending vertically from it. A slidable plate is slidably engaged with the holding member and has a cam follower attached to it for adjusting the vertical position of the slidable plate in accordance with the rotational position of the cam member. The slidable plate also has a pair of projections extending from it, and the head of the player is mounted on a head mounting plate which is attached to the slidable plate. The head mounting plate includes a pair of notches in it for engagement with the projections to permit azimuth adjustments of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A tape recorder/player includes several slideable mode selector control levers for selecting the reproducing, recording, stop and other modes of operation of the player. To prevent operation of these levers when the cassette or tape is not in the player, a slideable cam plate is provided, which in a first position engages projections on the levers to prevent them from being moved into their operative positions. In a second position, a number of slots in the cam plate are aligned with the projections on the control levers to permit their movement to select the desired function. A solenoid is energized whenever a cassette or tape is inserted into the recorder/player and controls movement of the cam plate to its second position to align the aperatures with the projections of the levers to permit their operation. When the cassette or tape is removed from the player, the solenoid is de-energized returning the cam plate to the first position where it prevents operation of the control levers.

Abstract: A monostable multivibrator circuit is disclosed which uses a feedback diode to couple the output signal of the monostable back to one terminal of the timing capacitor and thereby maintain the voltage at this capacitor terminal at a constant level for a duration equal to the pulse duration of the monostable output. A transistorized internal combustion engine ignition system is illustrated which incorporates the diode feedback monostable circuit. A trigger input signal actuates a first transistor switch which creates an abrupt negative transition that is coupled across a timing capacitor and results in turning off a second transistor for a predetermined amount of time. A third transistor monitors and inverts the output of the second transistor and produces an output signal at its collector. This inverted output signal forms the output of the monostable multivibrator and this signal is fed back to one terminal of the timing capacitor by a feedback diode.

Abstract: A device for preventing a tape cartridge from springing out from the cartridge entryway of a tape player upon cartridge ejection operation. This device includes a sliding member having one end provided with a roller projection into the cartridge entryway. The sliding member is adapted to slide on an inclined face so that the amount of the roller projecting into the cartridge entryway will increase as the roller and sliding member moves toward the insertion opening of the cartridge entryway, whereby the roller exerts a retaining pressure on the cartridge which increases as the cartridge moves toward the insertion opening of the entryway during cartridge ejection.

Abstract: A sub-assembly package which includes a bushing, a fly-wheel, and a capstan for use in a playback and/or recording apparatus. The fly-wheel is locked to one end of the capstan which is supported by the bushing, and the package is removably fixed to a supporting frame by a single nut.

Abstract: A fast forward drive for a cartridge tape player comprises upper and lower crescents which increase the effective capstan diameter in the fast forward mode. At normal playing speed the crescents index with respect to a received tape cartridge such that the capstan's surface forcibly engages the cartridge's pressure roller.When the fast forward mode is desired a clutch couples the upper crescent to the capstan for rotation therewith. Rotational drive of the upper crescent is coupled to the lower crescent, at a predetermined phasing relationship, through a pin and trough arrangement, whereby fast forward is effected. On return to the normal play speed the upper crescent is fixedly indexed, resulting in a decreased lower crescent rotational drive and thus an increased chance of improper lower crescent alignment. To promote lower crescent indexing a second spring clutch is mounted on the capstan between the lower crescent and the housing which actively drives the lower crescent to its indexed position.

Abstract: A simplified and easily constructed device for loading and unloading a tape cartridge is disclosed. The device consists of a rotary member rotatably mounted on a chassis. The rotary member has a holder portion positioned for selectively engaging and disengaging a V-shaped notch in a tape cartridge in association with the rotational motion of the rotary member. The rotary member also has a responder portion positioned for being engaged by a cartridge upon insertion and rotating the holder portion into the V-shaped notch. A floating pin and a spring for biasing the pin into contact with a recess in the rotary member are used to restrain the rotational movement of the rotary member and assure a positive loading and unloading of the cartridge.

Abstract: A reversible continuous loop cartridge includes a conventional front accessible pressure roller drive. A first pulley is affixed to, and rotatable with the roller. A second pulley is coupled through a one way clutch to the cartridge hub. An O ring interlocks the two pulleys, whose diameters are in a predetermined ratio. When driven in the forward direction the roller, and pulley rotate but the clutch decouples the hub whereby the tape is driven in the well known manner. When reversely driven the clutch engages such that the roller, pulleys, and hub rotate. The hub drive assures proper reverse operation of the continuous loop tape.A fast forward cartridge tape player includes the conventional cartridge receiving cavity and cylindrical capstan. The capstan is rotatably driven about its vertically positioned longitudinal axis by a motor actuated flywheel, and it is located to forcibly engage the cartridge pressure roller on cartridge insertion into the cavity.

Abstract: A magnetic head lifting device for a tape recorder is disclosed in which the turning force of a capstan shaft is used as a drive source for the head lifting device. The device includes a rotary body having indented portions in a peripheral edge, a ring attached to a capstan shaft and engageable with the nonindented portions of the peripheral edge of the rotary body, a rotary body urging member, a rotary body stopping member, an electromagnet, an antiexcessive rotation member positioned by the electromagnet to positively prevent excessive rotation of the rotary body, and a stepped surface cam associated with said rotary body for lifting the magnetic head in response to the rotation of the rotary body. The head lifting device provides a positive engagement and disengagement between the capstan shaft and the rotary body and prevents any malfunction due to an excessive rotation of the rotary body by the capstan shaft. The device is miniaturized since only a small capacity electromagnet is required.

Abstract: Speaker mounting apparatus for front mounting a speaker to a panel of an automobile or recreational vehicle, including a base containing an opening for the speaker cone support and a peripheral flange containing recesses into which are snapped the tabs of a retainer ring which holds a speaker cover which decoratively covers the speaker and the mounting hardware. The base can be independently mounted to the panel and the speaker mounted to mounting posts. Alernatively, single screws can be used to simultaneously attach both the speaker and the housing to the panel.

Abstract: A control device assembled on a circuit board is suitably encapsulated within a protective housing on a multiple unit basis especially suited for automation. A plurality of housings are arranged in an upright, side-by-side relation so that the associated circuit board may be inserted from a vertical direction and correctly positioned within the housing by a pair of guide rails and the action of gravity. The housings may then be suitably encapsulated utilizing a continuous and uninterrupted flow of encapsulating material.The housing itself is fabricated of a non-metallic, thermosetting material unaffected during subsequent operation in elevated ambient temperatures. The housing further includes a laterally extending lip or ledge which overlies a top portion of the next adjacent housing during assembly and encapsulation. Mounting holes are provided of a configuration to permit a wide variety of mounting locations.