Abstract: A magnetic clamping device for a disc player inherently moves to and is levitated in a resting position when the player housing and spindle are oriented for disc insertion, and moves to and is sustained in a clamping position when the player and housing are oriented for disc playing. The magnetic clamping device changes its position during a time when the centering hub of a spindle engages with the central aperture of the disc, so that the clamping device is always in its resting position when a disc is inserted or ejected, thereby eliminating scratching of the critical surfaces of the disc by the adjacent surface or edge of the magnetic clamping device. Preferably the magnetic clamping device has an annular permanent magnet with multiple pairs of poles disposed about the circumference of the annulus. A flux shorting washer of magnetically permeable material is secured to the top of the annulus so that the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet is emitted from the bottom of the annulus.

Abstract: A miniature cassette is disclosed comprising a casing having two rotatable spools for storing magnetic tape, guide rollers mounted in the casing for guiding the tape in different paths between the spools, and apertures in the end walls of the casing allowing the tape to exit from and enter into the casing along different paths between the spools wherein one of the paths is substantially perpendicular to the end walls of the casing.

Abstract: A loading and unloading device for compact discs includes a disc support movably mounted by means of a plurality of lateral studs which are received in straight slots provided in elements fastened to the fixed frame. The straight slots are parallel to the axis of the drive members for the compact discs and guide the discs in the requisite axial movement. A ring member driven through a restricted rotational distance is utilized for shifting the compact disc support in the axial direction of the compact disc, the ring member having oblique slots receiving the lateral studs and effective upon rotational movement of the ring member in one direction or the other to move each stud along the guide slots to shift the compact disc support in one direction or the other between the loading and operating positions of the recording disc.

Abstract: A slot type disc recorder and/or player apparatus is disclosed having a disc drive spindle and a member for supporting a disc for in-and-out sliding movement edgewise in its own plane in a transverse path relative to the spindle axis. The member has a V-shaped surface symmetrically located with respect to the spindle to support a disc for sliding movement along the path by engaging the disc only at its edges. Also disclosed is a pivotable mounting for the member for locating the path of movement so that the disc clears an end of said spindle when the disc is inserted or removed.

Abstract: A programmed control unit for a coffee machine is provided by which the number of cups and strength of coffee made by the machine may be selected. The unit controls the flow of hot water from the reservoir to the coffee in the filter depending on the number of cups selected. Also, the control unit operates to start brewing the coffee ahead of time set in by the user so that the coffee is ready at the time set into the dial.

Abstract: For cassettes with memory for storing data relating to the cassette or the tape therein, memory error signal devices having two states representing that the cassette memory has an error or has no error, respectively, the memory error signal devices being operable between said states by a spindle member of a peripheral device. Two embodiments of memory error signal devices are disclosed, one embodiment having a capacitor, and circuit connections from said capacitor to terminals, the charged or discharged state of said capacitor constituting said two states of said device. The other embodiment has a signal plate mounted for movement between two positions, the two positions of said signal plate constituting the two states of the device, and the signal plate has terminals.

Abstract: In a tape transport having a bidirectional drive for movement of tape at playback speed and fast speed in either direction, including a reversing mechanism, signal detection circuit means for receiving audio signals from one or the other sets of head channels and for producing actuating signals in response to a silence interval of predetermined minimum duration in audio signals indicating a silence period between recordings on the corresponding set of recording tracks, a control for the drive including a member having two states representing the respective directions of tape movement, connected for switching the sets of head channels to accommodate the direction of tape movement upon reversal of the drive, and disconnected from switching the sets of head channels upon reversal of the drive for movement of the tape at fast rewind speed, so as to maintain the same set of head channels enabled when the drive is shifted to fast forward or fast rewind in order to playback the same tracks for detection of silence i

Abstract: Cassette loading apparatus for video machines, the apparatus having a movable housing which carries the cassette into engagement with the tape driving, play back and recording components of the video machine, and a cassette transport mechanism which transports the cassette from its insertion or rest position into the housing, the cassette transport mechanism being self-powered by a drive motor which moves the transport mechanism and thereby the cassette inward from its insertion position to an intermediate position within the housing. The housing is then moved as a unit to carry the cassette into its operative position. A protective door provided on the front edge of the cassette to protect the tape is displaced from the cassette automatically as an incident to movement of the housing to carry the cassette into its operative position, and is returned to the protecting position when the housing returns the cassette from the operative position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining automatically the type of tape carrier introduced into a device designed for transferring a tape between two reels. Two positions of the tape are compared and a signal is generated which is representative of this comparison. The comparison signal is compared with an interval or a reference value and as a result of this latter comparison, the indication of the type of tape carrier is either corrected or not corrected.

Abstract: A bi-directional magnetic tape recording and playback apparatus having means for assuring the correct operation of the take-up reel. A solenoid-controlled intermediate gear in the drive train to the reel spindles is moved between two operative positions in order to transfer the magnetic tape from the tape supply reel to the take-up reel whatever the direction of motion of the tape. The apparatus includes a mechanical element associated with the intermediate gear for producing an electrical indication of the intermediate gear being in an operative position. This electrical indication is processed by an electronic circuit for producing an output signal when the positioning of the intermediate gear is incorrect.

Abstract: A powered atomizer that repeatedly actuates a conventional manual pump-type atomizer. The powered atomizer is a motor driven unit contained within a housing which holds the atomizer spray head and pump stationary, and provides a mechanism to reciprocate the atomizer container relative to the stationary spray head and pump to actuate the atomizer. The housing is comprised of two separable sections that permits disassembly of the housing and replacement of spent containers. The atomizer container is reciprocated in the housing by means of an electric motor with a motor shaft. The rotary motion of the motor shaft is transformed into reciprocating vertical translatory motion by a cam and follower mechanism. An on-off switch controls the supply of power to the motor, and the container returns to its lowermost position when the motor is stopped, so that it can be manually operated.

Abstract: A bidirectional tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes with a control for starting the drive in a preferred direction when a cassette is inserted in the apparatus. For reversing the direction of tape movement, the polarity of the supply voltage to the motor is reversed and the tape drive and the drive train to the reel spindles are reversed in such a way as always to drive the take-up spindle. Such operations are achieved by energizing a reversing solenoid by an electrical pulse, which may be produced manually or automatically by a reel rotation detection circuit.

Abstract: A tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes, where the loading and unloading of the cassette is carried out by a single in-and-out movement of the cassette in its own plane, and where tape and reel drive elements, as the cassette is loaded and unloaded, are brought into and out of penetrative engagement with the cassette in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the cassette. The tape transport is of the movable frame type in which a movable frame carrying the tape and reel drive elements is supported on a fixed frame for translation perpendicular to the plane of cassette movement while simultaneously following the in-and-out movements of the cassette.

Abstract: A tape transport is disclosed having a capstan drive, a reel drive for a take-up spindle for the take-up reel, a slipping clutch in said reel drive, and a selectively engageable direct drive connection between the clutch plates of the clutch to provide a non-slipping connection in the reel drive for use in fast drive modes, the direct drive including gear teeth on both clutch plates forming gears, and a short circuit gear engageable with the gears on both clutch plates. Also included are supports and operating mechanism by which the capstan drive and direct drive are engaged and disengaged in sequence; said capstan drive being disengaged before said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive is engaged, and said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive being disengaged before said capstan drive is engaged, to prevent direct reel drive of the tape without disengagement of the capstan drive, and avoid tape breakage or mechanism jamming.

Abstract: A method for controlling the transfer of a flexible web member from a supply reel to a take-up reel, according to which the rotational speeds of the supply reel and the take-up reel are measured and whereby the ratio between these measurements is established independently of the speed and direction of the movement of the web member. The method comprises the steps of storing reference information representing the characteristics of different types of reel and web, releasing the reference information corresponding to the reels and webs used, generating intermediate signals which represent the said ratio combining these intermediate signals with the released reference information and generating output signals in dependence upon the momentary position of the web in relation to one or other ends thereof, and using these output signals for the purpose of visually displaying the position of the web and/or of controlling certain operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: An intermittent drive mechanism for film is disclosed. A driven wheel having sprocket teeth for engagement in perforations in film is coupled by face teeth with the driving wheel and supported for turning about a common axis provided by a supporting shaft. The driving wheel is oscillated by an arm also supported on the common shaft. The teeth on both the driving and driven wheels have a saw-tooth shape and mesh to turn the ratchet wheel when the driving wheel is turned in one direction by the arm, and cooperate to move the driving wheel axially to an idle position when the driving wheel is turned in the other direction by the arm. Also disclosed is a bi-directional drive in which a driving wheel having face teeth on both lateral faces is provided and which is movable axially to bring one or the other sets of face teeth into operative engagement with axially spaced driven wheels having similar face teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and guiding magnetic tape around the drum of a rotary head assembly in a recording and/or reproducing mechanism, particularly for video tape. At least two guide fingers are provided for guiding the magnetic tape from a cartridge to a drum of the rotary head assembly. The guide fingers are mounted for movement between a retracted position where the guide fingers engage the magnetic tape in a cartridge, and an advanced position where the guide fingers dispose the tape along a predetermined helical path on the drum surface. At least one guide surface projects from the drum and cooperates with the guide fingers to guide the tape onto the predetermined helical path on the drum surface when the guide fingers are removed from the retracted position to the advanced position, and for maintaining the tape on the helical path during relative movement of the tape and the rotary head assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and guiding magnetic tape around the drum of a rotary head assembly in a recording and/or reproducing mechanism, particularly for video tapes. At least two guide fingers guide the magnetic tape from a cartridge around at least a portion of the surface of the drum of the rotary head assembly. These guide fingers are mounted for movement between a retracted position where the fingers engage the magnetic tape in a cartridge, and an advanced position where the guide fingers dispose the tape along a predetermined helical path on the drum surface. A self-locking mechanism is provided for holding the guide fingers in the advanced position against the normal retracting forces exerted on the fingers by the tape moving thereover, while permitting limited retracting movement of the fingers in response to excessive retracting forces exerted on the fingers during abnormal tape movement.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording apparatus of the type in which the pressure roller and the recording and reproducing head are mounted on a support movable between a retracted position and an operative position which provides a stable intermediate position into which the movable support automatically moves upon insertion of a cassette into the machine. Once the movable support is in the stable intermediate position, it may be selectively moved into and from the operative position and into the retracted position. A stop responsive to the insertion of a cassette restrains the movable support in the retracted position prior to the insertion of a cassette. When a cassette is inserted into the machine, the stop is released and a spring moves the movable support toward the operative position. A latching lever arrests and maintains the movable support in a stable intermediate position.

Abstract: A method for controlling the transfer of a flexible web member from a supply reel to a take-up reel, according to which the rotational speeds of the supply reel and the take-up reel are measured and whereby the ratio between these measurements is established independently of the speed and direction of the movement of the web member. The method comprises the steps of storing reference information representing the characteristics of different types of reel and web, releasing the reference information corresponding to the reels and webs used, generating intermediate signals which represent the said ratio combining these intermediate signals with the released reference information and generating output signals in dependence upon the momentary position of the web in relation to one or other ends thereof, and using these output signals for the purpose of visually displaying the position of the web and/or of controlling certain operations of the apparatus.