Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Record transport with head stationary during transducing – Tape record
Reexamination Certificate
1995-06-05
2001-04-03
Klimowicz, William (Department: 2652)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Record transport with head stationary during transducing
Tape record
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212028
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cassette holder moving mechanisms for vertically moving a cassette holder holding a cassette case that is held substantially in a horizontal position in a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus in which the cassette holder is movably supported on a slide chassis.
2. Description of the Background Art
Among magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus, a so-called 8-mm video apparatus uses a magnetic tape. In such an 8-mm video apparatus, the slide chassis can hold a cassette case in which a wound magnetic tape is disposed. The slide chassis can be moved by a built-in vertical moving mechanism to an eject position where the cassette holder is ejected out from the video main unit, and to a play position by a slide mechanism. At the play position, the magnetic tape can be pulled out from the cassette case to run for recording or reproduction.
The cassette holder is vertically moved relative to the slide chassis by moving mechanisms provided on two opposing sides so that the surfaces of the cassette case are moved in parallel.
The cassette holder provides vertical and substantially parallel movement due to the moving mechanism provided on the opposing sides. Therefore, if the force on one of the moving mechanisms is biased, the cassette holder does not provide movement in parallel, and the setting of the cassette tends to be unstable. Furthermore, since a lock mechanism for fixing the descending end position of the cassette holder is provided at only one side of the moving mechanisms, the other side of the cassette holder tends to be moved up by a counter-force. Furthermore, when both moving mechanisms are synchronized by a rack and pinion mechanism, movement of the pinion is small relative to vertical movement of the arm in a condition where the arm is nearly horizontal, that is, close to a cassette holder locking condition. As a result, there is a problem in that a backlash between the rack and pinion tends to produce a dead zone to the vertical movement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus comprising a cassette holder for holding a box-type cassette case having a wound magnetic tape, a slide chassis slidably provided in the main unit of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus for holding the cassette holder in a condition where the surfaces of the cassette case are vertically moved in parallel, and moving mechanisms individually provided over the cassette holder and the slide chassis at both sides of the vertical moving direction of the cassette holder. Each moving mechanism has two arms which are rotatable with respect to each other at an intermediate portion, one end of each arm is supported on the cassette holder and the other end is supported on the slide chassis. A rack and a pinion engaging with the rack are provided at one end of each arm, a connecting rod is rotatably supported on the cassette holder, and pinions are disposed individually at both ends of the connecting rod.
Furthermore, the two moving mechanisms are connected by a universal mechanism. A first of the two moving mechanisms has a lock mechanism for locking the moving mechanism at a descending end position of the cassette holder. The second of the two moving mechanisms has an acceleration mechanism for accelerating the vertical movement of the second moving mechanism relative to the first moving mechanism.
There is further provided according to the present invention a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus comprising a cassette holder for holding a box-type cassette case having a wound magnetic tape, a slide chassis slidably provided in the main unit of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus for holding the cassette holder in a condition where the surfaces of the cassette case are vertically moved in parallel, and two moving mechanisms individually provided between the cassette holder and the slide chassis at both sides of the cassette holder, characterized in that each moving mechanism has two arms which are rotatable with respect to each other at an intermediate portion, one end of each arm is supported on the cassette holder and the other end supported on the slide chassis, a rack and a pinion engaging with the rack are provided at one end of each arm, a connecting rod is rotatably supported on the cassette holder, pinions are disposed individually at both ends of the connecting rod, and the thickness of the rack engaging with the pinion at a descending end position of the cassette holder is greater than the thickness of the rack engaging with the pinion at an ascending end position of the cassette holder.
The cassette holder is vertically moved by rotation of the two arms of the moving mechanisms. When the arms rotate, the connecting rod is rotated through the rack and pinion, the arms at both sides of the cassette holder move in synchronization with each other, and both moving mechanisms operate almost at the same speed. The cassette holder is locked at the descending end position by the lock mechanism, and the side having no lock mechanism is prevented by the accelerating mechanism from moving up.
Furthermore, since the tooth width of the rack engaging with the pinion at the descending end position of the cassette holder is increased, backlash between the rack and pinion at the descending end position can be decreased to reduce the appearance of a dead zone at the descending end position of the cassette holder.
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Gutmann, Frederick “18 Ways to Control Backlash in Gearing”, Product Engineering, pp. 71-75, Oct. 1959.
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Klimowicz William
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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