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 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 storage container for a recording medium and related methods of manufacturing and assembling same are described. The storage container includes: a base; a recording medium holder having a compact disc clamp and being pivotally attached at a first end thereof to a first end of the base and the other end being a free end for movement relative to the base; a cover pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the first end of the base; and an actuator for moving the holder relative to the base. When the cover is lifted relative to the base, the actuator causes the holder to move from the first position to the second position and to automatically present the recording medium away from the base for facilitated removal and replacement. In one embodiment, the clamp can include two portions, one of which is a semicircular portion formed on the holder and the other of which is a raised semicircular portion formed on a tongue pivotally attached to the holder.

Abstract: A single-reel tape cartridge containing a reel of tape with a free end attached to a leader block including a mechanism for securing the leader block in a leader block receiving well when the tape is stored in the tape cartridge. A rib is formed on one of the side walls of the tape cartridge to prevent the leader block from being driven into the tape cartridge by an external force.

Abstract: A one-piece retail container removably secures a substantially rigid item, such as a compact disc jewel box, in a securing well. The retail container includes a vertically elongated frame forming sides, top and bottom of the retail container and a front plate, integrally formed with the frame, having front and rear surfaces. The vertically elongated frame forms side and bottom walls of a securing well into which a first aperture of the front plate opens. The front plate forms securing well ledges for restraining the substantially rigid item from passing through the front plate from the securing well. Securing well tabs are integrally formed with the frame at the side and bottom walls of the securing well for restraining the substantially rigid item from moving in a rearward direction, while a center rib is integrally formed on the rear surface, of the front plate at the top of the securing well.

Abstract: A tape cassette is described having top and bottom cassette halves, tape reels and low friction washers between the tape reels and the cassette halves. Each tape reel is made of a plastic hub connected to two plastic flanges, each flange having intentionally curved circumferential edges. Each flange also has a raised, annular centering ring abutting and rotating only on the washers for rotatably supporting the tape reels relative to the tape cassette. These centering rings minimize friction, prevent skewing of the tape reels relative to each other and, along with the curved edges of the flanges, permit the tape to be wound without damage.

Abstract: An internal, self-locking hub assembly for a compact, audio, tape cassette is described, including a locking member with at least one movable portion and a spring. The cassette includes at least one receptacle formed in the raised annular rings thereof. The spring normally forces the movable portion radially inward in a direction parallel to the plane of the hub, wherein the movable portion engages the at least one receptacle in the raised annular ring, and locks the hub against rotation. On the other hand, when the tape cassette is placed into a tape player/recorder, the spindle thereof enters the center of the hub, abuts and moves the at least one movable portion radially outward against the force of the spring, thereby unlocking the at least one movable portion from the at least one receptacle and permitting normal rotation of the hub.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus using an ionized fluid, such as air, to dislodge charged debris from a workpiece includes a ground corona comb disposed adjacent the workpiece. The ground corona comb has a jagged edge which conforms to the surface of the workpiece. The ground corona comb is attached to a vacuum device which suctions the dislodged debris from the vicinity of the workpiece. Utilization of the ground corona comb reduces the time required for the cleaning process by quickly discharging all electrical charges on the debris enabling the debris to be swiftly suctioned off by the vacuum device.

Abstract: An assembly tray is injection molded with an open bottom to provide access to articles supported by the tray during manufacturing. Gear teeth are included on the bottom of the tray in the shape of a timing belt for indexing the tray during manufacturing. Stacking ledges are provided in the rim on top of the tray so that one tray can be stacked on top of another without sticking. A torsion box is provided on the sides of the tray to provide torsional stability. The assembly tray can be selected from a stack of other trays, used in automated manufacturing and stacked in another stack. The assembly tray is particularly suited for assemblying components of tape cassettes.

Abstract: A leader tape staking rod and related method of assembly are provided. The staking rod includes an injection molded, elongated member having two opposing, substantially flat sides, two opposing, substantially curved sides, a first end and a second end, and a square-shaped opening formed through the elongated member from the first end to the second end. The method uses a tool having a corresponding square-shaped tip for engaging and transporting the staking rod to the vicinity of the leader block which receives the leader tape in a substantially cylindrical opening. The staking rod is then inserted into the opening formed in the leader block in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the opening with its two opposing, substantially flat sides adjacent the mouth of the opening.

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.