Patents Examined by Matthew J. Bussan
  • Patent number: 4639800
    Abstract: First and second operating members can reciprocate in parallel to each other. When the first operating member moves one reel shaft rotates at high speed in the tape-winding direction. When the second operating member moves the other reel shaft rotates at high speed in the tape-winding direction. A tape-direction-changing piece can reciprocate in parallel to the first and second operating members, and can also rotate. When the first or second operating member moves, the tape-direction-changing piece rocks to allow the movement of the first or second operating member. When both the first and second operating members move at the same time, the tape-direction-changing piece moves together with the two operating members to press an operating force-transmitting member, prevented from rocking, thereby actuating a tape-feed-direction-changing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Tanashin Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsaku Tanaka, Toshio Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 4639811
    Abstract: A magnetic head for a recording medium which can be magnetized perpendicularly contains a ring head-like magnetic conduction body for carrying magnetic flux, the conduction body having two magnet legs, the poles of which are arranged one behind the other as seen in the direction of motion of the head and at a predetermined distance from each other. At least one coil winding is associated with the magnet legs, the turns of which extend through a space formed between the magnet legs. With this magnetic head, a switchable write and read function having high efficiency is obtainable. In addition to the mentioned coil winding serving only for executing a read function, an additional coil winding for executing a write function is provided which partly encloses one magnet leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinrich Diepers, Herbert Schewe
  • Patent number: 4636894
    Abstract: A slider for flying along a recording surface and carrying a recording head (19,20) for recording data, comprising an air bearing region (12,14) to create a positive pressure region tending to support the slider, and a negative pressure region (21) tending to hold the slider close to the recording surface, with buffer pads (27,28) and grooves (25,26) between the positive and negative pressure regions to create a neutral pressure zone separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Censtor Corp.
    Inventor: Frank S. C. Mo
  • Patent number: 4636899
    Abstract: Method and magnetic head assembly for recording and reproducing control signals in which the control signals are recorded in a control track between information tracks of a magnetic recording medium and are reproduced therefrom, said control signals being recorded with the magnetizing direction perpendicular to that of the information signals recorded in the information tracks in the same plane. Components of the control signals parallel to the magnetization direction of the information signals are detected by the magnetic head assembly in order to reproduce the control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Nakamichi Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 4631607
    Abstract: A cassette holder which conveys a cassette between a cassette inserting position and a cassette loading position is opened at its top so as to form a channel-like section, and this top is covered with a cassette pressing plate which is urged downward by a spring. When the cassette holder including the cassette is moved to the cassette loading position, the cassette pressing plate follows this cassette holder and then pushes down the whole top face of the cassette so as to be able to prevent the cassette from an erroneous insertion and position the cassette quite stably and accurately on positioning pins in the cassette loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Katsumata
  • Patent number: 4631612
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing system comprising (i) a magnetic head including a first magnetic pole whose saturation flux density is at least 7 kG and whose edge face is 0.15-0.5 .mu.m thick, and a second magnetic pole which lies on the same side as the first magnetic pole with respect to a recording medium and whose edge face is at least 10 times thicker than that of the first magnetic pole, and (ii) the perpendicular magnetic recording medium including a perpendicular magnetization layer which has a coercive force of 250-600 Oe. in a direction perpendicular to a plane thereof and which is 0.1-0.5 .mu.m thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventors: Kazuo Shiiki, Yoshihiro Shiroishi, Isamu Yuito, Kiminari Shinagawa, Yasutaro Uesaka, Hideo Fujiwara, Hitoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4626940
    Abstract: A tape recorder has a base plate, a capstan rotatably supported by the base plate and a flywheel attached to the capstan. The capstan is rotated by a drive device having a motor and a driving gear mounted on the flywheel coaxial with the capstan. A pair of magnetic heads are movably arranged on the base plate. A moving gear is rotatably supported on the base. A cam member and a push member are mounted on the moving gear. The push member engages with one of the magnetic head to move the head as the moving gear is rotated. A pair of transmission gears are arranged on both sides of the moving gear to be able to engage with the driving gear and moving gear. The transmission gears transmit the driving force of the drive device to the moving gear to rotate the moving gear by engaging with the driving gear and moving gear. The engagement of the transmission gears with the driving gear and moving gear and the rotating angle of the moving gear are controlled by a controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4626948
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge comprising upper and lower half casings and a lid placed in the front of said upper and lower half casings so as to be opened and closed, in which pivot pins of the lid are fitted into supporting openings formed in the upper half casing or the lower half casing and the dimension at the entrance of each of the supporting openings is smaller than the diameter of each of the pivot pins so that the pivot pins are forced to be snap-fitted into the supporting openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kimio Tanaka, Haruo Shiba, Yoshiya Sakata
  • Patent number: 4626939
    Abstract: An ejection mechanism for a tape player includes a guide arm vertically movably supporting a pack guide, a pack stopper connected to the guide arm for frontward and rearward movement, an ejection link connected to the guide arm, and an inversion spring provided connecting the pack stopper to the ejection link to draw and eject a cassette. The ejection mechanism further includes an ejection member disposed along a lateral wall of the frame and mounted for frontward and rearward movement and biased forward by first revival spring, and an operation member similarly disposed alongside the ejection member and similarly mounted for frontward and rearward movement with respect to the frame and biased forward by second revival spring, and an operation rod coupling the ejection link to the motion operation member. An automatically releasing latch couples the ejection member to the operation member during the inward stroke of the ejection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Takai, Toshihiro Ikahata, Wataru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4626938
    Abstract: A tape loading device in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus which has a guide drum with heads for recording and/or reproducing signals onto a tape. A first belt is arranged along a first belt path which has a section extending between the guide drum and a cassette accommodating the tape. A second belt is arranged along a second belt path which has a section extending between the guide drum and the cassette. A driving mechanism drives the first and second belts so that each travels toward the guide drum during a tape loading mode and travels toward the cassette during a tape unloading mode. A pair of tape guide mechanisms are movable in response to the travel of the first and second belts for intercepting the tape within the cassette and for moving to predetermined positions in the vicinity of the guide drum during the tape loading mode to guide the tape at the predetermined positions. The tape travels along a predetermined tape path with respect to the guide drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Umeda, Kazutaka Ashida
  • Patent number: 4625253
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette for use in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus has a sliding plate provided on a lower surface to selectively cover and expose insertion apertures that open into the interior of the cassette. A front lid is provided which may be pivoted to either expose or cover a front opening in the cassette through which tape may be withdrawn for a recording/reproducing operation. When the front lid is in its closed position and the sliding plate covers the insertion apertures, the front lid is locked in its closed position. The magnetic tape cassette is thereby closed to prevent dust, oil and other contaminants from damaging the magnetic tape within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kawakami, Norikazu Horikawa, Yoshinori Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4623946
    Abstract: In a cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a tape drive with a rotatable idler which is bodily shiftable for changing the operating mode, a mode changing mechanism has first and second mode selecting slide members mounted on a chassis for independent movements along parallel paths between operative and inoperative positions, a pivot arm carrying the idler and being swingable in opposite directions, for example, for establishing fast-forward and rewind modes, respectively, a coupling member straddling the slide members and being engageable with the pivot arm and with actuating members which are provided on the slide members, respectively, and which engage the coupling member at respective locations thereon spaced apart in a direction transverse to the paths of movement of the slide members, and a spring acting on the coupling member along a line of force which is intermediate the locations where the actuating members engage the coupling member and in a direction for causing the coupling m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Ida
  • Patent number: 4623944
    Abstract: A magnetic tape guide drum for a magnetic video recording and playback apparatus has a rotary magnetic head and is adapted for guiding a magnetic tape traveling spirally about the drum. The drum includes a rotary drum portion, a stationary drum portion and a shaft secured to the rotary drum portion and supported rotatably by the stationary drum portion for rotating the rotary drum portion. A grounding device is provided in the stationary drum portion and held in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsumaro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4618901
    Abstract: A magnetic head for digital signal recording/reproducing (FIG. 11) having a C-ring shaped core (11.1) with a gap (G) for introducing leakage flux of a recording medium, a conductor (11.2, Y) for generating bias flux in hard magnetization axis of the core (11.1), apparatus (10.3, 11.3) for illuminating the core (11.1) with polarized optical beam, apparatus (11.4) for analyzing beam reflected by the core to convert polarization rotation to optical strength, and photo-detector (12.5) for providing electrical output signal relating to optical strength. The core is small enough to have a single magnetic domain, and is magnetized in the whole area because of the presence of the bias flux in spite of weak leakage signal flux, thus, the core has the capability to amplify signal flux, thus, the present head has high sensitivity and is capable of detecting flux in small area to be used for high density recording higher than 8000 bits/mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Public Corporation
    Inventors: Iwao Hatakeyama, Yasushi Maeda, Osamu Ishii, Shizuka Yoshii
  • Patent number: 4618904
    Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette, the cassette housing is divided between the two roll cores by an elongated isolator extending from the working edge of the cassette to the opposite edge thereof to prevent tape loops formed in the housing adjacent one roll core due to a slack tape condition from propagating to the other core where they could become snagged by tape winding onto that other core thereby causing a tape jam or break. One end of the isolator is pivotally mounted to the housing so that the isolator can swing freely between the two roll cores as the amount of tape wound on the two cores varies and, during operation of the cassette, the isolator does not exert any appreciable drag on the rotating tape rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Memtec Corporation
    Inventor: George H. Manning
  • Patent number: 4613919
    Abstract: A magnetic erasing head for erasing a magnetic recording media such as magnetic tape. The device has a head surface defined to make sliding contact with the tape surface. The head surface includes a permanent magnet material and a high permeability material. The permanent magnet material defines the portion of the head surface extending from the inlet side toward the exit side thereof for the sliding tape and is magnetized to include portions which have alternate polarities and which have a field strength which gradually decrease from the inlet side to the exit side of the head surface. The high permeability material defines a portion of the head surface with a predetermined length from the exit side toward the inlet side and with a width of about one-half of the recording track of the tape. The high permeability material is positioned substantially in alignment with the center of the recording track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Miyatake, Mitsuaki Uenishi, Nobuo Kashimura, Keizo Ishiwatari
  • Patent number: 4609961
    Abstract: A Faraday-effect magneto-optic transducer provides for optimizing the transmission of light through the transducer. A transparent supporting assembly for a planar element of magneto-optic material includes first and second reflectors on opposing sides of the element. The reflectors direct polarized light through the element substantially normal to its interface with the supporting assembly, for preventing light loss due to internal reflections as light is transmitted through the supporting assembly and magneto-optic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Datatape Incorporated
    Inventor: John H. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4607307
    Abstract: In a tape cassette having two flanged tape reels or spools arranged for rotation about parallel axes, when the cassette is removed from a tape recorder a brake device prevents rotation of the spools in a direction which will unwind the tape, and also tensions the tape. To facilitate assembly of the cassette, ratchet teeth are provided on both flanges of each spool, with the teeth on one flange oriented in a direction opposite to the teeth on the other flange. The spools are identical and can be interchanged, and each spool can be placed in the housing with either of its flanges uppermost. The brake device is symmetrical about an axis of symmetry, and has one pawl arranged to engage teeth on one spool upper flange, and the other pawl arranged to engage the other spool lower flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Joannes H. F. C. Sieben
  • Patent number: 4605977
    Abstract: A magnetic head slider for supporting a flying head on a magnetic disk has a plurality of rails extended longitudinally between the slider and the disk which provide the air bearing surface and define a channel parallel to the motion of the data track. A flexible beam is affixed to the leading edge of the channel providing a cantilever structure. A magnetic head is mounted on the free end of the cantilever. A pair of oppositely polarized piezoelectric crystals are mounted on the cantilever assembly. When energized by an electrical driving source, the cantilever beam is flexed upwards or downwards thereby changing the distance of the magnetic head from the disk. A capacitive proximity sensor is coupled to the magnetic head for sensing the height of the head above the data track. The output of the sensor is fed to the driving source and energizes the piezoelectric crystals in the polarity desired for the corresponding deflection of the cantilever structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: Hugh B. Matthews
  • Patent number: 4604666
    Abstract: A data transfer apparatus employs a pair of magnetic transducer heads for contact with the opposite faces of a magnetic disk for data transfer. The magnetic disk is rotatably housed in a relatively rigid envelope to make up an interchangeable disk cartridge, with the envelope having a shutter openable to expose parts of the opposite faces of the magnetic disk for data transfer contact with the transducer heads. The apparatus has a cartridge cradle movable between a first position where the disk cartridge is loaded on and unloaded from the same, and a second position where the loaded disk cartridge engages wtih a disk drive mechanism to be driven thereby. The cartridge cradle is dually locked against accidental travel from the first to the second position, in order to prevent the collision of the pair of transducer heads with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Teac Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kitahara, Yasushi Noda