Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
MUI.TI-PURPOSE CARTRIDGE RECORDING
TAPE ADAPTER AND REPAIR TOOL
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention design is directed generally to
apparatus for use with magnetic recording tape and
recording equipment, serving in the dual capacity as a
tool, which may be used for repairing damaged tape
cartridges and the like which also serves as an adapter
for converting the usual cartridge tape recorder/player
units to open reel operation incorporated into one stereo
equipment component structure.
Previous workers in the art have suggested
mono-purpose units which only serve as basic adapter
structures for enabling open reel magnetic tapes to be
recorded and played on conventional tape recorder/player
units. Such units lack a dual design construction, and
none serve, or could be made to serve in the capacity of a
multi-purpose tool. For example, U.S. Patent No.
4,031,555 issued June 21, 1977 to T. R. Hughes et al.
illustrates a mechanism where the tape take-up reel is
driven directly from the host tape recorder/player drive
mechanism. While such an arrangement could result in
satisfactory operation as an adapter unit, due to the
absence of a slippage clutch structure, it has been founA
that under various operating conditions, excessive load
forces may be applied to the player drive, and/or the unit
mechanism itself, causing damage to the units themselves
or to the magnetic recording tape while in operational
use.
Another such device with similar disadvantages is
illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,169,227 issued September
25, 1979 to H. Tomoser. With this device, structural
means is provided so as to improve upon the Hughes
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invention described hereinabove by providing means by
which the entire adapter unit itself including the tare '-
reels must be inverted in order to permit operation of the
tape in a reverse direction. Also, no slippage clutch
system is provided, and the motor employed by the Tomoser
adapter unit does not revolve in a reverse direction of
the usual forward mode. Furthermore, no structural means
are provided for achieving a fast forward capability. In
fact, neither of the above adapter units can or could be
modified to provide means for achieving fast forward or
reverse modes of operation without a great deal of
complicated mechanical structure.
The present invention is designed explicitly for the
dual purpose of providing apparatus means by which
cartridge tape recorder/player units, and broken or
damaged tape in càrtridge tape modules, may be better
u~lized to their fullest extent. No flipping of the unit
mechanism or the tape reels is required, and means is
provided such that the user may select any of the channels
during the playback.
Likewise, in addition to the need or a simple,
reliable open reel to cartridge tape adapter, the need
also exists for means to repair magnetic tape cartridges
in which the tape has become broken or otherwise damaged.
While devices for splicing magnetic tape and the like are
known in the art, no repair tool of this sort exists for
the repairing of broken or damaged tape cartridge modules.
Consequently, cartridge tape users have been forced to
discard damaged cartridges in which the tape has been
broken, wrapped too tightly about the cartridge reel, or
otherwise damaged.
The present invention provides apparatus for handling
magnetic recording tape and the like which not only
provides means for adapting open reel tape operation to a
cartridge tape player, but also means for reparing
magnetic tape and magnetic -tape cartridges.
More specifically, the invention provides apparatus for
handling and repairing magnetic recording tape and the like com-
prising first and second spaced turntables for suppor-ting, respec-
tively, supply and take-up reels of magnetic recording tape, a
reversible drive motor rotating each of said turntables in a
desired direction, an adapter Eor adapting open reel tapes to a
cartridge tape recorder/player and configured to be inserted in the
usual magnetic tape recorder/player in lieu of a cartridge for
enabling the tape supplied from the supply reel to be played by the
recorder/player, and a reel support for rotatably supporti.ng a reel
of magnetic tape to permit the tape to be wound on a take-up reel
position on either of the turntables to facilitate repair of
damaged tapes.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present
inventive design includes a rectangular prism-shaped housing
having a generally planar upper mounting surface to which first
and second horizontally spaced reversible DC drive motors are
mounted. Friction clutch means are positioned adjacent each of
the mo-tors, each of the clutch means including a generally cylin-
drical vertically oriented clutch member having smooth outer
surface positioned beneath and rotatably secured to the mounting
surface, an annular shell member having smooth inner and outer
surfaces, pressure pad means comprising a layer of felt or a felt-
like material positioned between and frictionally engaging the
outer surface of the clutch member and the inner surface of the
shell member, and a continuous straplike belt having a full twist
drivingly joinlng the motor shaft with the shell member. A disc-
f.
like -turntable is nonrotatably secured to the clutch member over-
lying the mounting surface, and is adapted to suppor-t a magnetic
tape take-up or supply reel.
Alternately, a flat disc type clutch arrangement may be
utilized. This arrangement includes a generally cylindrical
vertically oriented clutch member having a smooth upper end
slidingly mounting a felt-like pressure member. The turntable is
rotatably secured -to the cylindrical member, and is frictionally
driven by the cylindrical member by means of the fel-t-like pad.
Alternatively, the upper end of the cylindrical member may be
enlarged to provide greater frictional surface area between the
felt-like pad and the lower surface of the turntable.
A removable cartridge means positioned between and in
the plane of the turntables extends outwardly from the housing.
The cartridge means comprises a generally rec-tangular prism-shaped
housing having a configuration
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adapted to be inserted in the usual magnetic car-tridsLe
tape player in lieu of a cartridge. The cartridge housing
includes two openings in its rear edge so that tape
traveling from left to right, when the unit is serving as
an open reel-to-cartridge tape adapter, enters the left
opening from the reel positioned on the left turntable,
travels across the frontmost magnetic tape player engaging
edge through the use of guide means located inside the
cartridge, and leaves the cartridge through the remaining
right-hand opening to permit the tape to be wrapped onto
the remaining reel positioned on the right turntable. As
will be described in more detail hereinafter, this
construction permits the present invention to be used
simultaneously as a tape adapter unit and a cartridge
repair tool. The cartridge means further includes an
upwardly extending shaft positioned forwardly of the rear
opening and configured to rotatably secure a tape reel
such that a magnetic tape may pass from the reel through
either of the openings in the rear edge of the cartridge
when the unit is serving only as a cartridge tape repair
tool. A lid is also removably secured to the cartridge
housing for accessing the interior of the cartridge for
positioning the magnetic tape therein.
The apparatus of the present invention design further
includes means for controlling the drive motors which
comprises forward driving means for moving the tape in a
forward record/play direction at a constant speed, means
for driving the tape in a reverse direction at a constant
speed where the drive motor connected to the reverse
take-up reel is driven with a greater current than the
drive motor associated with the reverse supply reel, and
means for driving the tape in a fast forward direction at
a constant speed where the drive motor associated with the
orward take-up reel is driven with a greater current than
the drive motor associated with the forward supply reel.
As will ye explained in more detail hereinafter, this
arrangement permits constant tension to be applied to the
tape, and reduces the torque requirements o the motors.
The apparatus of the present invention design may be
used as an adapter by positioning a supply and take-up
reel on the turntables, feeding the tape through the guide
means on the cartridge, threading the tape through the
take-up reel, turning the unit "on" and selecting the
proper function setting, and inserting the cartridge into
10 a standard cartridge tape recorder/player unit. The
apparatus of the present design also serves as a repair
fixture tool where magnetic tape may be wound and/or
rewound from a reel of tape positioned on the cartridge
means onto a tape reel positioned on either of the
15 turntables, and thus repairing of damaged tape cartridge
modules may likewise be performed simultaneously in
conjunct,ion with the recording or playing of tape. As
will be described hereinafter, this arrangement permits
tape contained within cartridges which have been broken or
20 otherwise damaged to be repaired and/or placed onto open
reels, thus permitting the needed editing of the damaged
tape by utilizing the open reel-to-cartridge tape adaption
process to jointly assest in the salvaging of the tape and
the information recorded thereon.
Further features of the invention will become
apparent from the detailed description which follows.
- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the
present invention with the dust cover removed from the
cartridge.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along section
line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the cartridge cover and dust cover
in place
Fig. 3 is a cut-away cross sectional view taken along
section line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with the cartridge cover and
dust cover in place.
Fig. is a bottom view of the apparatus of the
present invention with the bottom cover removed. I-
` Fig. 4A is an enlarged exploded front perspective
view ox the drive mechanism of the present inventiondesign.
Fig. 4B is an exploded front perspective view of an
alternate clutch arrangement of the present invention
design.
Fig. 4C is an enlarged exploded front perspective
view of another alternate clutch arrangement of the
present invention design.
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the motor drive
means of the present invention design.
Fig. 5A is a partial schematic diagram of an
alternative arrangement for the circuit illustrated in
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6 - Fig. 7 are schematic diagrams of alternate
electronic embodiments of the motor drive means of the
present invention design.
Fig. is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus of the
present invention design in use as an open
reel-to-cartridge tape adapter.
Fig. 9 - Fig. 11 are diagrammatic views illustrating
the modes of use of the present invention design as a
magnetic tape repair fixture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The apparatus of the present design illustrated
generally at 1 in Fig. 1, has a rectangular prism-shaped
housing 2 including longitudinally extending front and
rear walls 3 and I, respectively, and transversely
extending end walls 5. The upper portion of this
rectangular prism-shaped housing 2 forms a generally
planar upper mounting surface 6. If desired, a flat bottom
plate 7 may be provided. The exterior of housing 2 may be
Jo
provided with a pleasing wood-grained or other decorative
surface inish. I.
A generally U-shaped mounting brackst 8 having an
elongated horizontal web portion extending in spaced
parallel relationship with the undersurface of upper
mounting plate 6 is mounted thereto by means of vertically
depending spacer elements 9. Web portion 9 mounts first
and second horizontally spaced reversible DC drive motors
11 and 12, respectively.. Each motor includes an upwardly
extending shaft 13 bearing a sheave 14. Electronically
controlled currents are supplied in the present invention
design to motors 11 and 12 by means of electrical
conductors (wires I5-1~ as will be described in more
detail hereinafter. Furthermore, it will be understood
that motors 11 and 12 may be fastened to their respective
web portions by various mounting means.
Each of motors 11 and 12 has associated therewith
friction clutch means, designated generally at 19 which is
rotatably secured to web portion 9 of shaped mounting
- bracket 8 by means of vertically extending shaft 20
positioned outwardly from the associated drive motor. As
best shown ln Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, friction clutch means 19
includes an annular shell member 21 having smooth inner
and outer surfaces 22 and 23, respectively. A generally
square end plate 24 nonrotatably abuts the lower edge of
shell member 21, and may be secured thereto by gluing or
the like. A bearing surface may be provided by one or
more annular spacers and/or washers 25 positioned on shaft
20 between plate 2~ and the upper surface of web portion
9.
A generally cylindrical vertically oriented clutch
member 26 having a smooth outer surface 27 is positioned
between the lower surface of upper mounting plate 6 and
the upper surface of web portion 9, and is rotatably
secured to vertically extending shaft 20 by means of a
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cooperating central bore 2~ extending through clutch
member 26. The upper end of clutch member 26 is provided
with an annular connecting member 29 which extends through
a suitably dimensioned opening 30 in mounting plate 6.
S The upper surface o connecting member 29 is nonrotatably
secured to the underside of disc-like turntables 31 and
31', which are rotatably secured to shaft 20 as at 32 so
that the upper end of shaft 20 forms a hub portion 33.
The upper surface of turntables 31 and 31' may also be
provided with a foam-like mat 34 to provide a resil-ient
support for a conventional magnetic tape reel positioned
on the turntables and centered on hub 33.
Pressure pad means shown generally at 35 comprising a
layer 36 of welt or felt-like material is wrapped about
the outer surface 27 of clutch member 26 so as to be
positioned in a slightly compressed condition between
clutch member 26 and annular shell member 21. Inasmuch as
the surface of the felt layer 36 is slightly roughened, a
frictional force will be produced to transfer rotational
movement from annular shell member 21 to clutch member 26.
It will be understood that the friction clutch means 19
described provides transfer of torque, from annular shell
member 21 to cause rotation of turntables 31 and 31' while
permitting slippage between these members to prevent
destructive overloads to drive motors 11 and 12 while in
normal operational use, or in the event the tape
associated with the reels positioned on the turntables
binds. In any event, pressure pad means 35 is not fixedly
attached to either the inner surface 22 of annular shell
member 21 or the smooth outer surface 27 of clutch member
26. It will be observed that this method of construction
provides a smoother and improved operation, and
facilitates assembly of the clutch means using inexpensive
plastic or metallic parts, while avoiding critically close
manufacturing tolerances.
. `` ~lg'7616
While for puxposes ox an exemplary showing, the
present invention has been described and illustrated ln
connection with a cylinder type clutch, it will be
understood that other types of clutch mechanisms such as
flat or disc types may be used as well. For example, as
illustrated in Fig.4B, the clutch means may be provided
with a generally cylindrical vertically oriented clutch
member 123 having a smooth upper end or face 124 which
non-rotatably mounts a vertically extending cylindrical
shaft or axle 125. Clutch member 123 is rotated by means
of a drive belt 37 in the manner described in connection
with the embodiment of Fig. 4A.
A disc-like pad or layer 136 of felt or other
felt-like material having a centxal opening 137 is
rotatably secured over shaft 125 such that the lower
surface of pad 136 frictionally engages the upper end or
face of clutch member 124. Turntable 134 similar to
turntable 34 described hereinbefore in connection with the
embodiment of Fig. 4A is rotatably mounted to shaft 125,
such that the lower surface of the turntable, designated
138 frictionally engages the upper surface of felt or
felt-like pad 136. Consequently, when clutch member 123
is rotated, a rotational force is also transmitted to
turntable 134 to cause rotation thereof through pad 136.
In an alternate arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4C,
where elements similar to those described in connection
with the embodiment of Fig. 4B have been similarly
designated, the upper end or face of clutch member 123 may
be enlarged as at 124a. Likewise, felt or felt-like pad
136a may be enlarged and the frictionally engaging lower
surface 138a of turntable 134 may also be enlarged. This
arrangement provides greater surface area for insuring
positive drive of the turntable from clutch member 123.
It will be understood in both embodiments described
that felt pad 136 is not connected to either the turntable
i_
~9~
nor the clutch member.
It will be understood that motors 11 and 12 may also
comprise alternating cuxrent-motors. In this case, the
clutch means may be eliminated, if desired.
S A continuous strap-like resilient drive belt 37 is
provided with a full twist and is secured around sheave 14
and the outer surface 23 of annular shell member 21 in
order to impart rotational motion to turntables 31 and 31'
by the appropriate drive motor. It will be observed that
10 the direction of rotation of the turntables will be the
same as the direction of rotation of the associated motor
shaft 13. In addition, bar-like belt guides 38 may ye
provided between the underside of mounting plate 6 and
drive belts 37, respectively, as required.
Cartriage means, shown generally at 39, extends
outwardly fxom the ùpper edge of rear wall 4 of
rectangular prism-shaped housing 2. In general, cartridge
means 39 will be positioned between and approximately in
the plane of turntables 31 and 31'. For purposes of an
20 exemplary showing, cartridge means 39 comprises a
generally rectangular prism-shaped housing 40 having a
configuration adapted to be inserted in the usual magnetic
cartridge tape player in lieu of a cartridge. Housing 40
includes a vertically extending rear wall 41 including a
25 vertically extending opening 42 dimensioned to permit
magnetic tape to be threaded from a reel of tape
positioned on the left-hand turntables 31, as viewed in
Fig. 1. Rear wall 41 also includes another vertically
extending opening 43, spaced to the right of opening 42,
30 for guiding magnetic tape to a tape reel positioned on the
other turntables 31'.
Guide means, illustrated generally at 44, are
positioned adjacent the front edge of cartridge housing
44. Guide mean 44 include a vertically extending guide
35 post 45 positioned at one front corner of cartridge
9~ G
housing 40 generally in line with entrance opening 42, and
a rotatably mounted resilient pinch roller 46 mounted on
vertically extending support shaft 47 positioned at the
opposite front corner of cartridge housing 40. A
resilient pressure pad member 48 extends partially between
guide post 45 and roller 46 to provide a back-up for the
magnetic tape when cartridge means 39 is inserted in a
conventional cartridge tape recorder/player as illustrated
in Fig. 8. It will be observed that pressure pad member
10 ~8 positions the magnetic tape against the record/play
tape head 49 of the cartridge tape player when cartridge
means 39 is inserted into the cooperating cartridge slot
50 in the recorder/player housing shown generally at 51.
Furthermore, roller 46 urges the magnetic tape against the r
15 drive capstan 52 of the tape recorder/playex unit.
However, as described hereinabove, the magnetic tape is
moved during fast forward and reverse operation solely by
means of electric drive motors 11 and 12, rather than by
means of the tape recorder/player drive capstan 52, as is
20 normally accomplished with the record/play or fast forward
functions associated with the cartridge tape
recorder/p}ayer unit itself.
As best shown in Fig. 2, cartridge housing 40 may be
furnished with a removable overlying lid or cover 53 for
25 accessing the interior of the cartridge means 39 to
position the magnetic tape therein.
Cartridge housing 40 also mounts a centrally located
upwardly extending generally cylindrical shaft 54 which
rotatably mounts a removable tape reel 55. As will he
30 described in more detail hereinafter, tape reel S5 may be
of the type commonly found in a conventional tape
cartridge, or may be of the type uaed in open reel
applications. In any event, tape reel 55 is positioned
within cartridge housing 40 so that magnetic tape may be
35 fed to or from the reel through either of opening 42 or
43.
Fig. S illustrates a schematic diagram showing means
for electronically controllàng the operation of first and
second drive motors 11 and 12, respectively. Primary
power is supplied through main disconnecting switch Sl,
which may be of the illuminated variety, to the primary
winding of transformer Tl. The secondary winding of the
transformer is connected through a full wave bridge
rectifier consisting of diodes Dl-D4 to filter capacitor
Cl to produce a stable DC voltage on line 56 to provide a
source of DC current.
hree ganged multiple pole switches S2A, S2B, and S2C
control the operation of drive motors 11 and 12 in the REV
(reverse), R/P (record/play), FF (fast forward) and OFF
modes. The stationary pole of switch S2A is connected to
conductor 15 of first motor 11, while the stationary pole
of switch S2B is connected to conductor 17 of second
motor 12. Return conductors 16 and 18 of motors 11 and
12, respectively, are connected to the stationary pole of
switch S2C.
Switch S2A, which controls the operation of motor 11,
includes the FF pole connected to DC supply line 56, the
R/P pole connected through current limiting resistors Rl
and R6 to the DC supply line, and the REV pole connected
through variable resistor R2 and fixed current limiting
resistor R3 to ground. Capacitor C2 provides filtering
and functions as a simple capacitive discharge system to
boost the initial current flow when motor 11 is turned on
to power the supply reel during reverse operation.
Similarly, the REV pole of switch S2B is connected to
round, while the FF pole is connected through variable
resistor R~ and fixed current limiting resistor R5 to DC
supply line 56. Capacitor C3 also provides filtering and
functions as a simple capacitive discharge system to boost
the initial current flow when motor 12 is turned on to
~i97~i:16
13
power the supply reel during fast forward operation.
Finally, the REV pole of switch S2C is connected to
the DC supply line, while the poles designated R/P ana FF
are connected to ground.
It will be observed from Fig. 5 that with the
switches in the OFF position, no current flow is permitted
to either of the motors. With the switches in the R/P
position, a current determined by resistors Rl and R6 is
supplied to motor 11 to cause this motor to operate in the
forward direction, while no current is supplied to motor
lo. In this mode of operation with cartridge housing 44
engaged in the tape cartridge recorder/player unit, for
example, the magnetic tape will be caused to pass in a
forward direction at a relatively constant speed from a
supply reel positioned on turntable 31 to a take-up reel
powered by motor if positioned on turntable 31'. In this
mode of operation, the magnetic tape may be played or
recorded by the conventional cartridge tape record/player
unit. It will be observed that inasmuch as the tape is
driven in a single direction in the record/play mode of
operation, the user may easily select any of the channels
associated wit'n the tape by means of an appropriate
selection switch located on the tape player (not shown)
thus increasing the user's listening potential during play
back.
In the REV mode of operation, the drive motors are
driven in clockwise directions as viewed from above at
constant speeds to cause the magnetic tape to pass from
one reel to the other reel in a direction opposite to the
forward mode of operation. With switches S2A-S2C in this
position, a reverse current is supplied to first drive
motor ll determined by the value of current limiting
resistor R3 and the setting ox variable resistor R2.
Similarly, a reverse current of treater magnitude is
supplied to second drive motor 12. Consequently, both
'7~i~6
14
motors will be driven in the reverse direction; however,
more current and consequently~more torque will be supplied
to drive motor 12 associated with the magnetic tape -
take-up real. This mode o operation decreases the torque
drag associated with motor 12 coupled to the supply tape
reel in order to "push" the tape through the cartridge
guarding against tape stretching or breaking, while
applying a relatively constant force to the tape to insure
a loose uniform winding
- Similarly, in the FF mode of operation, the drive
motors are driven at relatively constant speeds in a
counterclockwise direction to causs the magnetic tape to
pass from the supply reel to the take-up reel at a rate
greater than the rate in the R/P forward mode. Full DC
current is suplied to drive motor 11 from supply line 56,
while attenuated forward current is supplied through
resistors ~4 and R5 to drive motor 12. Depending on the
setting of variable resistor R4, the current and
consequently the torque supplied to second drive motor 12
will be less than that supplied to drive motor 11.
Consequently, the back torque associated with motor 11
will be reduced to guard against tape stretching or
breaking, while at the same time permitting a relqtively
constant force to be applied to the magnetic tape as it is
"pushed" through the cartridge.
A modification may also be made to the circuit
illustrated in Fig. 5 by removing resistors Rl and R6,
disconnecting the R/P pole of switch S2C from ground, and
returning this pole of the switch to the lowermost node of
the full wave bridge rectifier as illustrated by dashed
line lOO. This permits a lower voltage to be supplied to
the motors, and is particularly advantageous in connection
with the clutch designs of Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C. As a
further modification, a diode D5 may be connected between
the uppermost node of the full wave rectifier and the pole
designated R/P of switch S2A. Furthermore, a capacitor C4
may be connected between the poles R/P of switch sections
S2A and S2C. Again, this c~nfi~uration permits a lower
voltage to be provided to the motors
As illustrated in Fig. 5A, a reversing switch
comprising switch sections S3A and S3B may also be
provided in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 5 to
cause the turntables to revolve in a direction opposite to
the usual forward direction. In this arrangement, the
circuit will operate in the manner described hereinbefore
when ganged switches S3A and S3B are in the upper
position. However, when the switches art in the lower
position, the voltages apply to the R/P poles of switch
sections S2A and S2C will be reversed, thereby reversing
the direction of rotation of the turntables.
An alternate embodiment for the control means of the
present invention is illustrated in the schematic diagram
of Fig. 6. Voltage from the secondary winding of
transformer Tl is applied to a voltage doubler circuit
formed by diodes D5 and D6, and capacitors C4 and C5. It
will be understood that the voltage appearing on the
cathode of diode D5 forming high DC voltage line 57, will
be approximately twice the voltage appearing on low DC
voltage line 58 at the junction of capacitors C4 and C5.
In the REV mode of operation, attenuated reverse
current is supplied to motor 11 through a current path
established through resistors R6-R8. It will be observed
that the voltage applied to this current path will be
approximately one half the voltage appearing on DC supply
line 57. At the same time, a reverse current established
by resistor R6 and the full DC voltage appearing on line
57 is applied to second drive motor 12. Consequently, as
in the preceding embodiment, more current and torque will
be supplied to drive motor 12 than to drive motor 11.
In the R/P mode of operation, the current supplied to
16
motor 11 is established by the difference in the voltages
appearing on lines 57 and 58, and the value of resistor
R~. No current is supplied to motor 12. Consequent I, the
apparatus operates to drivë the magnetic tape in a forward -
direction for playing or recording by the associatedcartridge tape player/xecorder.
Ih the FF moda of operation, a current is supplied to
drive motor 11 corresponding to the value of resistor R6
and the voltage on supply line 57. A corresponding
current is supplied to drive motor 12 depending on the
voltage on supply line 58 and the value ox resistors R9
and R10. Again, in this mode of operation, drive motor 11
will be supplied with a greater current and consequently
more torque than drive motor 12.
Fig. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the control
means of the present invention where similar components
have been given similar designations. It will be observed
that this embodiment also includes a voltage doubler and
also makes use of a center tap transformer secondary
winding. In the REV mode of operation, the reverse
current supplied to first motor 11 is established by the
value of resistor Rll and the difference between the
voltage appearing on center tap transformer secondary line
59 and supply line 57. Similarly, the reverse current
supplied to motor 12 is established by the voltage on
supply line 57. Inasmuch as the voltage supplied to motor
12 is greater than the voltage applied to motor 11, motor
12 will produce more torque than motor 11.
In the R/P mode of operation, the current supplied to
motor 11 is established by the value of resistor ~11 and
the voltage difference between supply lines 57 and 58. No
current is supplied to motor 12.
In the FF mode of operation, the forward current
supplied to motor 11 is determined by the value of
resistor Rll and the voltage on supply line 57, while a
7~
17
lesser current supplied to motor 12 is determined by the
lowsr voltage appearing on supply line 59. Consequently,
less torque will be suppliea to motor 12 than to motor 11
in a manner similar to that described hereinabove.
The use of the apparatus of the present invention
design-as a tape handling and repair tool is illustrated
diagrammatically in Fig. 9-Fig. 11. For example, in Fig.
9 apparatus 1 is used to wind magnetic tape from a
conventional cartridge reel 60 positioned on shaft 54 of
cartridge means 39 onto a take-up reel 61 positioned on
turntable 31' driven by motor 11. It will be observed
that with switch S2 in the R/P mode, the right-hand
turntable 31' viewed in Fig. 9 will be driven in a
counterclockwise direction to wind the magnetic tape onto
reel 61 with the magnetic surface facing inwardly.
Consequently, the apparatus serves to reverse the
direction of wrap of the tape while using the unit as an
open reel to cartridge adapter or in those situations
where a conventional open reel with an inwardly facing
magnetic tape surface is desired. It will be further
understood that cartridge means 39 may be removed and
replaced by any conventional tape cartridge, including
those containing damaged or broken tape that are
designated for the repair process, or the tape reel inside
the cartridge itself may be removed from the cartridge,
placed into a cartridge (not shown, and wound on reel 61
as is illustrated with cartridge 39. This process
facilitates repair of the cartridge tape and may be used
in connection with a conventional splicing mechanism, not
shown.
Fig. 10 illustrates the use of apparatus 1 where
magnetic tape is wound from a conventional eight track or
other type of cartridge reel 60 positioned on the
left-hand turntable 31 onto a take-up reel 61 positioned
on the right-hand turntable 31', with switch S2 in the R/P
1~1l9'7~
18
mode. It will be observed that in this mode of operation,
tha magnetic tape is wound on take-up reel 61 with the
magnetic surface acing outwardly.
Finally, in Fig. 11, a take-up reel 61 having the
tape wrapped in such a manner that the magnetic surface
faces outwardly is positioned on shaft 54 of cartridge
means 3~. With switch S2 in the REV mode, the left-hand
turntable 31 bearing a large take-up reel 62 will rotate
in the direction shown to wrap the magnetic tape on the
reel with the magnetic surface facing inwardly.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the magnetic
tape may be handled independently of the tape
recorder/player unit to facilitate splicing and editing of
the tape. Furthermore, the tape may be wound from one
reel to another at a fast speed in order to insure proper
winding tightness to reduce wow and flutter, and other
forms of distortion. The tape may also be wound from one
reel to another with the magnetic surface of the tape
facing in a desired direction.
Furthermore, it might be noted that tape from a
damaged cartridge reel may be wound onto an open reel as
seen in Fig. 9. The tape will end up being wrapped with
the magnetic surface facing outwardly, and will be ready
to be spliced together and mounted back inside what was
once a damaged cartridge. Likewise, using the procedure
of a change in Fig. 11, the smaller reel may be placed
inside the cartridge, and cartridge reel may be positioned
on the turntable 31.
It will be understood that various changes and/or
modifications in the details, materials, steps and
arrangement of parts which have been herein described and
illustrated in order to explain the nature of the
invention may be made by those skilled in the art within
the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in
the appended claims. For example, although for purposes
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of an exemplary showing, the apparatus has been described
and illustrated in connection with magnetic tape, it will
be understood that the device is similarly usable with
movie film and the like. Furthermore, it will also be
understood that cartridge means 39 may be replaced by any
other conventional type of cartridge or cassette unit to
permit other types of cartridge to open reel operation.
In addition, while the invention has been shown in
connection with electronic drive means, it will be
understood that mechanical drive means may be utilized as
well.
The concept of the multi-purpose tool of the present
- invention is founded on the need for special apparatus
capble of serving in the capacity of handling a wide
variety and multitude of problems confronting toe average
user of magnetic tape recording/playing equipment. The
unit is capable of serving independently or in conjunction
with the basic stereo system by means of which the usual
cartridge recorder/player unit may perforrn in the usual
manner of recording on, or playing tape that has been
subjected to the adaption process, or by which damaged
partridge module means once repaired through the use of
the present invention's features, may be played as usual.
Similarly, both processes may be jointly performed in
conjunction with the usual cartridge recorder/player
stereo type system allowing for programming to be recorded
on the tape, or editing, splicing or ordinary listening to
the tape channels for personal enjoyment as the damaged
cartridge is simultaneously being repaired.
The unit of the present invention design minimizes
excessive bulk of component equipment usually associated
with mono-purpose stereo electronic equipment, and serves
as the first means of its kind capable of salvaging
defective cartridge tape modules.
Overlooked by previous art, the conceptual design of
the present invention as described hereinabove is
indispensable and enables users of the invention to employ
the process of repairing damaged cartridge tape moduPas,
thus making it no longer necessary for panic at the
possibly distruction of defective or damaged tape
cartridge modules. In fact, the invented unit as
presently configured is capable ox salvaging much of those
tapes usually presumed totally destroyed by utiliæing
various means of wrapping and unwrapping of tape according
to the designed process of alignment of the magnetic
surface and backing process of orientation, while also
being made to serve in the dual capacity of an improved
open reel-to-cartridge adapter component.
The versatile design of the structure of the present
invention permits users to repair damage tape cartridge
modules, record and/or play open reel tapes in conjunction
with the usual cartridge recorder/player tape system, or
perform both of the above at the same time in conjunction
with the other. A direct correlation and relationship
exists between the two processes since proper editing of
the tape requires that the user hear that which is being
repaired. Consequently, the present unit encompasses
apparatus serving in the dual capacity of a tool as well
as an electronic stereo tape recorder/player adapter
component.
