Abstract: A write enable tab is repeatedly movable from a first position, enabling writing on a signal storage unit, to a second position, disabling writing thereon. The write enable tab preferably includes a central body and a flexible member which exert force against first and second walls of a tape cassette shell. The flexible member is attached at a first end to the central body. A second end of the flexible member projects into first and second depressions in the first wall when the central body is in the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A short leg and coil of a torsion spring fit on a dust door polar member and a long leg having a first end connected to the coil and a second free end extends therefrom. An offset is formed between the first and second ends of the long leg and is received by a cassette cover and the free end engages a perpendicular projection formed on a dust door latch. In a second embodiment, a lower portion of the latch can flex relative to an upper portion, and a leaf spring is integrally formed to extend from the upper portion. The dust door polar member has a cam which cooperates with the leaf spring. In the first embodiment, when the latch is actuated by a pin the dust door is unlatched and rotated to the open position. When the pin is released, the long leg biases the latch back into a latched position and, simultaneously, the rest of the spring closes the door.

Abstract: Integrally molded dust door latches for a video cassette. The latch never needs to be preloaded and includes a planar latch body having a flexing member formed integrally therein to impart inherent spring action to the latch. The latch includes two lateral supports and a first and second projections which enter openings formed in the cassette base. The latch is assembled in the cassette such that the latch can flex or deflect via the flexing member when pressure is applied to one of the projections.

Abstract: Reel leaf spring/cassette cover combinations are described, wherein the leaf spring is removably mounted on the cover. In a cam fit embodiment, the spring is held within opposing pairs of projections. In a press fit embodiment, the spring includes lateral pointed members, which are caught between parallel projecting members formed on the cover. A related method of assembly includes the steps of: forming a cassette cover to include a plurality of opposing projections; inserting a leaf spring against the cover at an angle between the projections; and rotating the leaf spring to be removably engaged by the projections. In an alternate embodiment, the leaf spring includes lateral pointed members and the spring is installed straight down, such that the pointed members catch the plurality of projections.

Abstract: An integral actuator/reel lock/spring for a video cassette is described, including: (a) a lock body having a first end and a second end, an inclined opening at the first end to receive a tape player/recorder pin, lateral wings, angled grooves and a lead in for a self-centering rib in the cassette base; and (b) a spring bar connected centrally at the second end of the lock body, the spring bar including a pawl and a lower dog leg combination formed at each end. The lock body is received in the cassette base in an area defined by: (a) a first, elongated, central portion having parallel side walls, between which is formed a self-centering rib; and (b) a pair of lateral, substantially triangular walled portions, each spaced from the central portion.

Abstract: Window/cassette cover combinations and more economical methods for assembling the window in the cassette are described. A planar window is: rectangular and includes a pair upper lips, each an opposite sides, and a pair of lower riges or ledges, each on other sides; generally square and includes an upper discontinuous lip and a pair of lower ridges or ledges on opposite sides; or circular and includes an upper continuous lip and a lower continuous ridge or ledge. In each of these three embodiments, the upper lips and lower ledges or ridges cooperate to receive the borders of a window opening formed in the cassette cover, and a label can be applied between the windows and optionally covering one or more windows. In each embodiment of the method, the window is flexed to position opposing ledges under the borders and the window is returned to its original planar position so that the upper lip abuts the top of the border.

Abstract: A static tape cassette reel lock is described. In one embodiment a tape reel flange has on the outer circumference thereof a plurality of teeth, and the cassette base includes a plurality of slanted vertical ribs and a centered slanted horizontal rib. The teeth of the flange are able to move past the angled ribs so that the tape reel can rotate in one direction, but does not allow rotation in the other direction. In another embodiment the reel hub includes a chamfered ring of teeth. The cassette base includes a corresponding ratchet ring of ramped teeth. Again, rotation in one direction is allowed, but not in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An integrally molded dust door latch/spring for a video cassette and related method of assembly are described. The latch/spring includes: a planar latch body having a flexing member formed between a first upper end and a second lower end. The first end includes two lateral supports and a projecting, substantially planar perpendicular member. The second end includes first and second projections which enter openings formed in the cassette base. The latch/spring is assembled in the cassette such that the first end is fixed between the cassette base and cover, but the second end can flex or deflect via the flexing member relative to the first end. The method includes the steps of: (1) locating the two projections in the openings formed in the cassette base; (2) locating the supports in receptacles formed in the base; and (3) placing the cassette cover on the base so that the first end of the latch body is fixed relative to the cassette and the first end can flex relative to the first end via the flexing member.

Abstract: A tape reel is described which is a one-piece, integrally, molded member. A planar continuous flange is connected to a central hub. A plurality of petals or ears is molded in an upright condition to be movably connected to the upper end of the hub. The ears are pushed down to be parallel with the plane of the lower flange to receive tape. The ears are held in place by cooperating members formed on both the ears and hub. Finally, a friction button can be formed separately and assembled on the hub, or may be integrally molded of the hub.

Abstract: Reel leaf spring/cassette cover combinations are described, wherein the leaf spring is removably mounted on the cover. In a cam fit embodiment, the spring is held within opposing pairs of projections. In a press fit embodiment, the spring includes lateral pointed members, which are caught between parallel projecting members formed on the cover. A related method of assembly includes the steps of: forming a cassette cover to include a plurality of opposing projections; inserting a leaf spring against the cover diagonally between the projections; and rotating the leaf spring to be removably engaged by the projections. In an alternate embodiment, the leaf spring includes lateral pointed members and the spring is installed straight down, such that the pointed members catch the plurality of projections.

Abstract: A molded center core for a flexible recording disc and a related method of manufacture are provided. The disc includes a recording media sandwiched between an injection molded center core having a metal insert, and an injection molded ring. The core and ring are ultrasonically welded to hold the media in place. The method includes the steps of: injection molding a separate plastic center core with a metal insert therein; injection molding a separate plastic ring; locating the center core/insert combination in the central opening of the recording media to abut a first surface of the media; locating the molded ring on the center core to abut a second, opposite surface of the media; and permanently connecting the core and ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing a plurality of disc-shaped recording media includes a housing and a plurality of thin, substantially C-shaped lever members, each of which has an inner circumferential surface for holding a disc-shaped recording media by an outer circumferential surface of the recording media. Each lever member is pivotally connected to the housing by a pivot post and is pivotally movable into and out of the housing. A lock mechanism prevents the lever members from pivoting out of the housing, while a detent mechanism holds the unlocked lever members in either a closed or open position. The inner circumferential surface of the C-shaped lever members subtends an angle greater than 180.degree. in order to create a spring force in two arms of the lever member, the spring force acting to hold the disc-shaped recording media on the circumferential surface of the lever member.

Abstract: A combination display package and flip file holder has removable bars that hold two compact disc boxes on top of plural dividers in the display package mode. By removing the dividers, the display package converts into a flip file holder. A shrink-wrap outer covering around the entire structure helps keep the removable bars and compact disc boxes in place until after purchase.

Abstract: A tape cassette with a separate, plastic, molded, elongated, tape guide subassembly is described. The tape guide subassembly incorporates two bearing extensions integrally molded at the left and right ends thereof. Each bearing extension is a pair of opposing, parallel, planar members extending from support members, each of which is parallel to the planar top and bottom of the tape guide subassembly. Each planar member includes a roller receiving means integrally formed therein and the rotational axles for the tape rollers are either integrally molded as part of the bearing extension or the tape roller itself. The planar members in each pair have the ability to flex only in the direction perpendicular to their planes, allowing the rollers to be easily snapped into place during assembly. Once the rollers are inserted into the tape guide subassembly, the latter is assembled into the front of the tape cassette, wherein the rollers form part of the central tape support area of the tape cassette.

Abstract: A write/protect tab assembly including a substantially planar jacket base and a write/protect tab slidably mounted in a tab pocket formed in the jacket base, such that the tab is encaptured by the jacket base. The tab is alternatively encaptured by: a latch formed at the tab pocket for receiving the tab; shelf-like projections formed on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding elongated recesses formed on the sides of the tab; a cap attached to the tab with the tab pocket being disposed between the tab and the cap; or guides formed adjacent the tab pocket for receiving in sliding relation the sides of the tab. The present invention also includes a method of encapturing the tabs in the jacket base before the cover is positioned on the jacket base.