Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE : CASSETTE TYPE CLEANING DEVICE FOR THE CLEANING
OF PLAYING/RECORDING HEAD, ERASING HEAD, AND
CAPSTAN/PINCH ROLLER
BACKGROU_D OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates generally to
cassette type cleaners adapted for the cleaning of player
and/or recording units, and more particularly to a cleaner
capable of cleaning the playing/recording head, the erasing
head as well as the capstan and pinch roller with one
feature in common that individual cleaning element is
composed of a cleaning head retainer having a replacable
cotton-tip stick inserted therein, the said cleaning
element can be placed and locked to various types of
socket to meet the purpose called for.
The present invention aims at three purposes,
namely, the cleaning of (a) the playing/recording head/
(b) the capstan and pinch roller and (c) the erasing
head, therefore, the prior arts are hereby reviewed in
the three corresponding respects.
In the very beginning, so called "cassette
cleaning tape" is employed for the cleaning of all magnetic
heads. Wherein a tape of frictional nature is used in
lieu of the ordinary magnetic tape in the cassette, to
let it run through in contact with the surfaces to be
cleaned, the job was done frictionally with poor effect.
Later on, pads of felt material are provided for the
cleaning purpose, however, the poor ability of solvent
absorption denies its usage.
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Now tha-t the cassette type cleaner of the
current style comes to the scene. So far as the material
is concerned, the present invention prefers cotton for
its excellet absorbfacient.
Firstly, to clea the playing/reco~^ding head
of a playig/recordig unit, the prior art discloses devices
which employ a cssette-like housig having wiper arm
pivotally mounted therein for reciprocating motion.
At one end of the wiper arm, there is a cleaning pad
which wipes back and forth against the head of the unit.
It is desirable that the cleaning pad be held securrely
to the wiper arm, and yet it is desirable that the cleaning
pad be replaced periodically after it has performed a
number of cleaning operations. Some of the prior arts
may have already disclosed devices of the abovesaid
features, however, the cleaning pad can hardly be held
securely enough to the wiper arm, and the close contact
of the pad against the surface of components to be cleaned
~0 can hardly be ensured.
Secondly, in the prior arts, for the cleaning
of the capstan and pinch roller of the recording/playing
unit, usually there are a pair of cleaning pads to engage
~5 the capstan and pinch roller respectively. These pads
may be mounted in a suitable mounting structure. However,
similar drawbacks of loose contact and lack of replacea-
bility also exist.
Thirdly, the cleaning device may have been
provided for those "Auto reverse" playing/recording units
with separate erasing head, the cleaning device shall
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have to face two capstan and two pinch rollers. Pads
of the device further possess the shortcoming of imperfact
contact, insecure holding and failing to be replaced
as desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the main object of the present
invention is to provide a multipurpose cleaning head
assembly which can be applied for the cleaning of the
playing/recording head, the capstan and pinch roller
as well as the erasing head and comprises a match-like
stick with cotton pad surely adhered thereon, the said
stick is removably yet tightly inserted in a tubular
retainer having tapered inside wall to assure the tightness
of insertion of the stick. One side of the outer wall
of the tubular retianer is provided with a lock means
such as punched to form a resilient tongue with a lock
member protruded thereon. At the opposite side of the
~0 outside wall, one each upper and lower cut are formed
thereon. Purposes of which are to be detailed later.
No matter to what purpose the cleaning assembly may serve,
the tubular tip retainer is a basic construction which
may be universally used in the cleaning of playing/
recording head, capstan and pinch roller, and erasing
head.
Another object of the present invention is
to provide a first type of tip retianer sockets which
are built-in side by side in pair and stepwisely disposed
at a position right under the location of capstan and
pinch roller for the purpose of cleaning the same. Which
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sockets are formed into two longitudinally sliced semi-
cylinders, con~ugated in a pair of blocks within the cleaning
cassette halves. Each socket bottom is provide with a com-
pression spring to bias against the lower end of the inserted5 retainer so as to cause the cotton tip to press tightly a-
gainst the surface to be cleaned.
A sti~ another object of the present invention
is to provide into one semi-cylinder pair a lateral slot
to with hold a spri.ng biased wing shaped lock (or a spring
biased connected lock rod) which is served to selectively
catch said upper or lower cut on the tip retainer's wall
to assure a prepared position and to release the lock when
the pinch roller to be cleaned is pressed on the cleaning
tip, so that during cleaning period, both capstan and pinch
roller can be tightly engaged toward the tips which are now
being capable of moving freely up and down. In the meantime,
to provide into another semi-cylinder pair, one each longitu-
dinal slot to facilitate the push-in from outside of the
socket wall, a pencil tip through the slot to release the
protruded lock formed on the resillient togune of the retainer
wall from caught-up by the upper edge of said longitudinal
slot, so that the tip retainer may pop up from the socket
under the compression force of the bias spring there-under
for replacement.
A further object of the present invention is to
provide a second type of tip-retainer socket block having
cylinderical inside space with lonitudinal slot as aboveside
for the retalning of a tip retainer assembly with the pro-
truded lock on retainer tongue caught by upper edge of said
slot and being releasable with the pushing of a pencil tip
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through the slot, this s~ructure is almost the same as that
of the first type socket, excep-t that the lower stem of the
block is extended to form a wiper arm which is pivotally
mounted to rocker reciprocatly to clean the playing/recording
head. The lower end of the wiper arm is served as a follower
diriven by a pair of complementary eccentric wheels each
formed integrally with one of a pair of follower gears meshed
with a main pair of driving gears en-powered from the driving
spindles of the player/recorder.
A still further object of the present invention
is to provide a third type of tip-retainer socket which ac-
tually is a brief form of the second type and aimed for the
cleaning of an erasing head. The portion below the pivot
of the wiper arm of the second type is eliminated, since
the arm here is not driven directly through gear trains.
However, a connecting means such as a connecting rod is
provided between the second type arm and the third type arm,
with the aid of a pair of lug ears disposed at the side of
~0 each arm. thereby a parallelogram of linkage is formed to
cause the short arm of the third type socket to be able to
move in unison with the rockering of wiper arm of the second
type to effect the cleaning of the erasing head.
~5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS :
Fig. 1 is a top elevational view of a cassette
type cleaner adapted to utilize the cleaning tip assembly
of the present invention for the cleaning of the playing/
recording head of a cassette tape recorder of the "auto
reverse" type, as well as the cleaning of the capstan and
pinch roller thereof. The driving mechanism is simultane-
ously shown;
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Fig. 2A is a partial top elevational view of the
cleaning device shown in fig. 1, depicting the cleaning tips
are in close engagement to the surfaces of the capstan, pinch
roller and the playing/recording head, driving means not
shown;
Fig. 2B is a front view of the same;
Fig. 3A is a partial top elevational view of a
cassette cleaner adapted for the cleaning of both playing/
recordin~ head as well as the erasing head. The tape recorder
here is of the "general type" having separate playing/
recording head and erasing head. Cleaning tips are in close
contact with surfaces to be cleaned and with the connecting
links for drive shown;
Fig. 3B is a front view of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A is an exploded view showing the main parts
of the cleaning tip assembly including the match stick-like
tip and the retainer in front view;
Fig. 4B is a side view of an cleaning tip assembly,
~hown Cllts and lock tongue;
2~ Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing part of the
cassette cleaner wherein the relative position of a pair
o~ conjugated sem-cylinder or cylinder-halves served as
retaining sockets for the cleaning tip assembly;
Fig. 5A is another embodiment perspective view
o~ the connected lock rod of the cassette cleaner.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the pivotally
mounted wiping arm of the playing/recording head cleaner
~uided by a pair of complementary eccentric drivers;
Fig. 6A is a modification of the wiping arm in
perspective;
fig. 6B shows a plane view of a ratchet wheel
means there related;
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Fig. 7 is a plane view showing a modification
of the driving gear to ensure a better transmission;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the gears in Fig.
7 to show the clearence provided to absorb possible vibration
of the driving spindle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Now referring to Fig. 1, a cassette type cleaner
10 adapted to use the cleaning tip assembly 20 of the present
invention is shown wi-th dual purpose of cleaning the capstan
32 pinch roller 31 and the playing/recording head 33. However,
the cleaning device serves still another purpose ~or the ~ i~
cleaning device serves still another purpos ~ for the cleaning
of an erasing head 34 as shown separately in Figs. 3A and
3B.
The playing/recording head, the erasing head,
the capstan and the pinch roller are all parts of a con-
ventional "general type" player and/or recording unit,only a portion of which is shown at 30 for ease of illus-
tration. A glance from the Figs 2A-2B, it can easilv be
seen that individual cleaning tip assembly appears under
a corresponding position where accessible openings are
provided, namely: cleaning tip assembly 22P-22C in positions
101-102 for pinch roller 31 and capstan 32, tip assembly
22H in position 103 for playing/recording head 33; also
refer to Figs. 3A-3B, tip assembly 22E in position 104 for
erasing head 34.
The cassette cleaner comprises a cassette like
housing 10 having the general configuration as a conventional
cassette housing of a tape cassette. For the purpose of
illustration the top cover of the housing 10 is not shown
in fig. 1. this housing 10 has a forward end 35, a rear
end 38 and left and right sides 36 and 37 respectively.
No matter for what purpose does the cleaner serve,
the same construction of the cleaning tip assembly 20 such
as shown in Fig. 4B constitutes the main part of the present
invention. Also refer to Fig. 4A for an exploded view of
the tip assembly 20, which comprises a tubular retainer
?11 and a tip stick 22 composed of a cotton tip 221 rolled
tightly on a match like stick 222 suitable adhesives may
be applied to ensure the secureness. The tubular retainer
21 having its inner wall 211 tapered down-ward to assure
a tight grip when the cotton tipped stick is inserted.
At the bottom of retainer 21, a small hole 212 is provided
to facilitate a poking rod to be inserted thereunder to
push out the tip stick 22 for replacement. Refer to Fig.
~B for another view of the tubular retainear 21, at one
~0 side wall, a lock means is provided, such as the U shape
tongue punched out therefrom and protruded lock 214 is formed
on the tongue 213. At the opposite side wall, one each
upper and lower cut 215, 216 are formed thereon, of which
the use shall be detailed later.
The basic part of the present invention, the
cleaning tip assembly 20 is universally applicable for what-
ever purpose aforementioned, except that it changes the
seat or socket form time to time depending upon its mission
performed. Of course the cross section of the tubular
retainer may very to become triangular, square, diamond
etc. other than circular shape here, the socket for the
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1 3~ n750
receiving said retainer shall have a match inner space in
turn.
A first type of seat or socket 40 is to be detailed
here by referring to Fig. 1, 2 or 5. In Fig. 5, the cassette
housing 10 is opened to show its bottom 11 and cover 12
respectively. The seat or socket 40 is divided into two
halves 401 and 402, each comprises a pair of stepwisely
disposed socket members 403, 404 and 403', 404', when the
cassette housing 10 with the bottom 11 and cover 12 closed.
The semi-cylinders 403-403', 404-404' become gathered to
form cylindrical sockets to retain one each cleaning tip
assembly 20. It shall be reminded here that into whatever
type of seat or socket the tip assembly may be inserted,
a compression spring 23 should always be inserted thereunder
so that the tip assembly can be biased resiliently against
the surface to be cleaned.
In the 401 half of the socket 40, there is a round
aperture 407 opened at the boundary of the wall joining the
~emi-cylinder 403, 404, laterally extended into the curvature
of the semi-cylindrical wall, a pair of spreaded-wing like
grooves 408 are formed to receive and retain a spreaded-
wing shaped lock member 410 which has a center 1 recess to
2~ contain a compression spring 409 to give resiliency to the
membe 410 so as to be able to have its straight edged wings
411, 412 engaged selectively into the upper or lower cuts
215, 216, or let the tip assembly 20s to slip over along
the rounded inclined edges 413, 414 formed on the wing members
411 and 412.
As shown in Fig. 1 and 5A, it is another embodiment
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to substitute the spreaded-wing shaped lock member 410.
The connec~ed lock rod 410', with two convexities 411'; 412'
on one side, is long and flat. the said connected lock rod
is mounted in the grooves 408' of semi-cylinder 403, 404.
The fixed seat 415' is provided outside seml-cylinder 403,
404, which can just receive two convexities 411', 412' of
the connected lock rod 410'. As a fulcrum, two convexities
will make the said connected lcok rod, like the spreaded-
wing shaped lock, engage with two cleaning tip assembly 20s
by means of a compression spring 409.
In the 402 half of the socket 40, each upper part
of longitudinal slot 421, 422 is cut all the way through
the wall of cover 12, so that when the cassette halves 11
and 12 are closed, cylindrical sockets formed by semi-
cylindrical halves 403-403', 404-404' are to take one each
tip assembly 20. Respective proturded lock 214 on togue
213 of eaeh tip assembly 20 is to catch the upper edge 423,
424 of the slot 421, 422. The said lock 214 may be released
by inserting pencil tip through said slot from outside the
cover wall 12 to push the resilient tongue 213 inwardl.y.
Before the cassette housing halves 11-12 is closed, a fi.rst
tip assembly 20C(22C) is inserted into the cylinder 404.
The assembly 20C is pushed all the way down until its upper
25 eut 215 is caught by the wing 412 of the lock 410. Another
tip assembly 20P(22P) is then inserted into the cylinder
403 till its lower cut 216 is caught by the wlng 411 of the
lock 410. When the cleaning cassette is placed in the cassette
recess, the tip 22C is right under the capstan 32, while
the press over of the pinch roller 31, forced the tip 22P
further down so that the retainer 20P with its lower cut
slip out of cateh from the lock wing 411 and foree the lock
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~31~7~0
410 to retreat into the aperture 407 and the upper cut 215
of the retainer 22C is also released. By then both tips
~2P and 22C are free from being caught and in a free to move
up andd down, a neutral situation. With the help of sprin~s
23 retained in the bottoms of cylinder 405, 406, the tips
22P and 22C are thereby biased against the pinch roller 31
and capstan 32 tightly to ensure a thorough cleaning.
Now refering to Figs. 1 and 6 for a detailed
ln description of a second type retaining socket 56 for tip
22H serving for the cleaning of the playing~recording head
33. The second type socket 56 is also in a block shape and
having cylindrical inner space for the receiving and retaining
of a tip 22H. Along-side block 56, a longitudinal slot 561
is provided for inserting a pencil tip to release the tongue
loc~ on the retainer wall. The block 56 extends to the other
~nd to form a rocker arm 50 which is pivotally mount at the
center portion of the housing 10 by a pin 57. The lower
~nd 58 of the arm 50 is cut to half of its thickness to be
~uided by a pair of complementary eccentric 54E-54EI which
ar~ ~ormed integrally with apair of driven gears 54-54' meshed
b~hind the lower end 58. Gears 54-54' are in turn driven
by a main pair of driving gears 53-53' enpowered from the
~riving spindle pairs 51-51' of the player/recorder. The
~5 oscillation of the arm 50 caused by the revolving of the
complementary pair of eccentrics 54E-54E'. Swings recip-
rocatingly the cleaning tip 22H under the playing/recording
head 33. the desposition of the eccentric pairs are com-
plement to each other, so that they can yuide the arm 50
3~ in a push-pull manner.
A modification of a second type retaining socket
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56 is shown in fig. 6B as 56', instead if a block, this is
made in a cylindrical form. Cylinder 56' with a stem shaft
562 extends all the way down and being rotatably retained
in a bearing seat 501. fixed on the shaft 562 and being
rotatable therewith is a ratchet wheel 59 which is retained
in a recess 50~ formed in the arm member 50. The lower end
of the arm 50 extends to form a follower 58 with half thickness
to be driven by a pair of complementary eccentrics 54 E to
54 E' the same as in Fig. 6.
Refering to Fig. 6B, a ratchet catcher/activator
59a in the form of a leaf spring is disposed on the floor
of cassette housing member 11, so that when the follower
58 swings about pivot 57 and with the ratchet wheel inter-
15mittently in touch with leaf spring 59a, the shaft 562 with
socket 56' would rotate a corresponding angle from time to
time, and a detent claw 59b would prevent the ratchet wheel
to vevolve in converse direction. therefore, the cleaning
tip changes direction of contact with the surface to be cleaned
and ensures a perfect use of the cleaning tip.
This modificatioon may exclusively be used in the"Auto reverse" type of recorder/player.
~5A third type of tip-retainer socket 66 as shown
in figs. 3A, 3B is actually a brief form of the second type
one 56. A pivot pin 67 is provided for rockerably mounting
of the socket 66, and aimed for the cleaning of an erasing
head 34. The portion below the pivot 57 of the wiper arm
of the second type is eliminated, since the arm here is not
driven directly through gear trains, however, a connecting
means such as a connecting rod 560 is provided between the
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second type socket arm 56 and the third type socket arm 66,
with the aid of a pair of lugears 562-662 disposed at side
of each arm in a face to face manner. thereby a parallelogram
of linkage is formed with arm 56, lug 562-connecting rod
560-lug 662, arm 66, and pivots 57-67. The short arm 66
is caused to oscillate in unison with the rockering of wiper
arm 50 to effect the cleaning of the erasing head 34. The
connecting rod 560 may comprise at each end a clip means
to join the respective lug ear as shown.
In case the erasing head 34 is not separately
provided such as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B are in case the
player/recorder is of double cpstan/pinch roller construction,
in other words, the recorder unit is of the "Auto reverse"
type, another pair of cleaning tips 22C'-22P' may be provided
in position 101'-102' (Fig. 2B).
Fig. 7 showing a modification of the driving gear
53 which is breaking into : a gear ring 53a for engaging
~n with the driven gear 54 to which the eccentric guide 54E
is integrally formed; an additional cross-gear 531 having
crossly arranged teeth 534 to engage with the inner cross
r~cess 533 of the gear 53a, the cross gear 531 is in turn
driven by the driving spindles of the player/recorder. This
modification in the driving means would give a betterment
in the transmission, where possible vibration through improper
or loosely meshed gearing may be eliminated to give a much
smooth performance.
3n The thickness t of the cross gear 531 is made about
one third of the thickness T of the gear 53a having the inner
cross recess 533. The radius of the inner cross recess of the
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gear 53a is designated as R, while the outside radius of
the cross gear 531 is r, where R r and R-r=C, C is defined
as a clearance between gears 531 and 53a. Such an arrangement
enhances the vibration absorbing capacity of gear 531 due
to the buffering function of the clearance C, then the gear
53a can rotate properly and to mesh steadily on ~he follower
gears to be driven. This relationship can be clearly seen
through the illustration of Fig. 8.
3~
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