Abstract: A multi-cassett loading and unloading system having a housing which has defined locations for different size cassettes such as the Standard (large size) and Mini (small size) cassettes of the DVC (digital video) format, which are distinguished by different center-to-center spacing of the tape reels. The housing is movable horizontally and vertically during the loading and unloading operations. An element of a connection between the housing and a mobile member engages and thereby detects which size cassette is in the housing. A linkage between the mobile member and the driving members adjusts a spacing of the driving members responsive to horizontal translation of the mobile member by the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing articles of regular shape, such as boxes, from adjacent compartments in which articles are stored in stacks, each of the compartments having a bottom aperture. A dispensing device is mounted below for movement in-between the compartments and includes a mobile carriage supported on guiding members to translate forward-and-back below one compartment when positioned therebelow. A reversible electric motor is connected to the carriage by a timing pulley and belt drive including a timing pulley attached to a control shaft on the carriage. A pair of fingers are mounted to the rotary control shaft.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for incorporation in an automated system for storing and/or delivering cassettes containing media recording tapes or discs, or other products such as perfumes, cosmetics, and drugs. The apparatus provides storage locations for cassettes in compartments arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns. In use with media recording tapes or discs, the apparatus includes operating locations at which recording/playback units, for example, VCRs, are mounted in the system in a vertical column adjacent a column of storage compartments. A loading/delivery location is also provided. A loading/unloading apparatus includes a carrier having a movable gripping mechanism mounted for horizontal and vertical movement adjacent the storage unit for gripping and transferring a selected cassette to and from the carrier. The carrier is movable to carry a selected cassette horizontally and vertically between cassette storage compartments and operating, loading, and delivery locations.

Abstract: A flow limiter device for liquid delivery systems including a pipe having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, two adjacent chambers within the pipe through which liquid flows between the inlet and outlet, one chamber being smaller than the other chamber, a valve member movably mounted in the pipe for movement between a flow-limiting position and a full-flow position, and an internal control element which, when actuated from outside the device, causes the valve member to shift from the flow-limiting to the full-flow position.

Abstract: A housing with one or more compartments for storage of discs, and a disc transfer mechanism mounted in each compartment including a mobile disc support mounted for rolling movement between inside and outside the compartment to transfer a disc in a transfer plane extending through the compartment, between a position wherein the disc is located entirely within the compartment and a position wherein a portion of the disc or the entire disc is located outside the compartment in front of a front wall, the mobile disc support including a disc support member which has elements locating or holding the disc relative to the disc support member during disc transfer and a segment presenting a curved outer edge which is maintained in rolling contact with an inner edge of a lateral member carried on a side wall of the compartment as the mobile disc support rolls without sliding to transfer a disc between its positions. The disc transfer mechanism can be combined with a disc player or recorder apparatus.

Abstract: A read device for cassettes with electronic memory allows a cassette to be inserted in the read device without requiring the cassette to be loaded in an operative position in a recording/playback unit. Fragile contacts of the read device are protected from damage by an orientation and locking pin cooperating with a centering hole in the cassette shell so the contacts engage the memory terminals of a cassette only when the cassette is properly positioned. The contacts are engaged only when the cassette is locked in position. The terminals and contacts are relatively movable solely in their common planes. If the cassette is presented to the read device upside down or wrong side first, or lacks a centering hole in the required location, entry is blocked, the contacts are not exposed and engagement of the terminals by the cassette is prevented.

Abstract: A centering mechanism for centering cassettes in a defined location in a housing of a cassette loading/unloading system for recording/playback apparatus, each of the cassettes having a shell with a bottom face and an information carrier within the shell, and each of the cassettes having a similar cavity with a standard profile on the bottom face of the cassette which provides access to the information carrier.

Abstract: A playback/recording apparatus, which operates with a recording tape medium, having a playback/recording head and tape driving capstan/pinch rollers mounted in cooperative relation, a loading/unloading mechanism which loads and unloads the tape medium between a loading/unloading position and an operative position associated with the playback/recording head and tape driving capstan/pinch rollers, a single power source, a mobile element which is driven by the power source along a linear path in forward and return stroke movements, the power source being controlled to shift the mobile element to different locations along its linear path responsive to a function change instruction to the power source, a selectively operated ratchet for connecting the mobile element to operate the loading/unloading mechanism in the course of a loading and unloading phase of the forward and return stroke movements to load and unload a tape medium, and a connection from the mobile element to set the reversal mechanism which is opera

Abstract: A control process and apparatus which automatically ensures adjustment of the volume of sound delivered by a sound reproduction source, such as a car radio, as a function of the ambient sound signals so that the user has the sensation of listening to an audio program which is maintained at the same sound level regardless of variations in disturbing noise level. The apparatus uses a microphone which picks up the ambient sound signals and employs computer circuitry operating under program control for determining the average level of the ambient sound signals; circuits are used which supply signals to the computer representing the level of the sound delivered by the sound reproduction source; under program control the computer determines the difference in level between the ambient sound signal and the delivered sound signal to obtain a result (S.sub.OM) representing the value of the user's listening comfort. This value (S.sub.

Abstract: An electrical fitting to be connected to an end of a cable, including an automatic disconnect mechanism which separates the electrical fitting from a mating electrical fitting responsive to a pull on the cable, the electrical fitting comprising at least one thrust member mounted for axial movement in ejection and retraction strokes between retracted and projecting positions and a trigger system which causes a pull on the cable of greater than a predetermined force to release the thrust members from the retracted position, the thrust members being moved axially in the ejection stroke to the projecting position by a resilient member after release to engage a fixed element associated with a mating fitting and cause the casing and the electrical contact elements therein to be moved by reaction and separated from contact elements of the mating fitting.

Abstract: A blocking device for insuring that the insertion movement of a cartridge is impeded immediately if the cartridge is not properly oriented when inserted by the user in loading apparatus for flat, rectangular cartridges with a casing having longer longitudinal edges than transverse edges parallel top and bottom faces, and transverse-edge grooves that are asymmetrical relative to the parallel faces. The apparatus has an entrance through which a cartridge when properly oriented is inserted front-edge first in a direction perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A plug assembly which can be inserted in the socket of a standard receptacle, the adaptor providing a socket into which a terminal plug on the end of a cord may be inserted, and the disconnect mechanism of the adaptor having an actuator which is rotatable by a user with small effort to eject the terminal plug from the adaptor leaving the adaptor inserted in the receptacle. A second embodiment of adaptor according to the invention is applied to a socket assembly which can be mated on the plug of a terminal fitting of the end of a cord or cable, the adaptor providing a plug which may be inserted into a the socket of a standard receptacle, and the disconnect mechanism of the adaptor having an actuator which is rotatable by a user with small effort to eject the adaptor-plug from the receptacle-socket leaving the adaptor connected to the terminal plug on the end of the cord.

Abstract: A disc support and transfer mechanism for a disc changer including a magazine for supporting a plurality of discs in generally parallel vertical storage planes, and a disc transfer mechanism for transferring a selected disc from the magazine along a vertical transfer plane aligned with its vertical storage plane, the disc transfer mechanism including a longitudinally movable transfer bar extending over the magazine, the magazine and the frame being mounted for relative movement to position the transfer bar in an initial position above the selected disc resting in the magazine. First and second arms extend vertically down from the bar, the first arm being fixed to the transfer bar and the second arm being pivotably mounted to the transfer bar. The arms are located so that neither arm initially engages the disc.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for permitting perception of the nature of a selected function of an audio/video reproduction apparatus by varying an adjustment of the function selected. The selected function (such as speaker balance, bass, treble, or fade) is identified to the user by automatically varying the adjustment of the selected function between two predetermined settings. This allows the user to adjust the audio/video apparatus without distracting his attention from the road in a moving vehicle.

Abstract: Process for memorizing the references of recordings carried on a medium. The process is active in play mode in a device provided with means for recognizing a medium and automatically carries out the following steps for each recording carried on said medium: monitoring the continuity of reproduction, automatically memorizing the reference of said recording if it is played in its entirety or if a predetermined proportion of it is played.

Abstract: A removing mechanism for a plug assembly which is inserted in an retracted from a socket upon axial movement of the plug assembly, the mechanism having relatively movable concentric members arranged around either a plug assembly or a socket, one of the members being an actuating member, a retainer which holds the actuating member to the plug assembly or the socket and allows relative rotational movement, and one of the members transmitting axial movement to cause axial movement of the plug assembly to retract the plug from the socket; and a motion converting connection between the members including an angled cam on the actuating member and cooperating surface on the other member which converts a manual force applied to rotate the actuating member relative to the other member into an axial force pressing against the socket and an equal and opposite axial force applied to the plug assembly which moves the plug assembly axially in a direction away from the socket and retracts the plug assembly.

Abstract: A drying cassette for circulating drying air over internal components of a player/recorder unit is contained within a cassette housing similar to a conventional tape cassette, and is self powered or may be powered from a spindle within the player/recorder unit. A fan within the cassette housing generates forced air, and an outlet opening in the cassette housing directs the forced air toward the internal components, in particular the rotating drum and magnetic head assembly of conventional VCR units. A combined cleaning and drying cassette is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single-handle faucet has a valve, a connecting rod and a handle on the connecting rod which can be pivoted between an OFF position and a full ON position. The handle is movably mounted on the connecting rod. When the handle is moved to a first position, the handle is prevented from pivoting past an intermediate position between the OFF position and the full ON position. When the handle is moved to a second position, the handle can be moved to the full ON position.

Abstract: A sound reproducing system including a portable appliance reproducing sound from a recording and a transmission path transmitting reproduced sound to headphones worn by a user, and an apparatus for indicating to the user the occurrence of an abnormal event, causing a surge of ambient sound.

Abstract: A record disc player apparatus having a front loading drawer supported for in-and-out substantially horizontal movement between an external loading/unloading position and an internal operating position and a support carried by the drawer and engageable with a record disc on the drawer for raising and tilting the record disc into an inclined position with the record disc facing upwardly and toward a front portion of the drawer when the drawer is in the loading/unloading position and for lowering the record disc into a substantially horizontal position before the drawer is moved into the internal operating position to facilitate the user gripping the record disc at its periphery without touching its surface.