U.S. patent application number 09/727696 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for limited initial special use tape cassette with unlimited conventional use thereafter.
Invention is credited to Potter, Craig, Solomon, Merrill.
Application Number | 20010015873 09/727696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24923639 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Solomon, Merrill ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
Limited initial special use tape cassette with unlimited
conventional use thereafter
Abstract
A limited use tape cassette comprising a housing enclosing a
tape spooled to pass from a rotatable supply reel to a rotatable
take-up reel during tape play, and from the take-up reel to the
supply reel during tape rewind. A follower arm is pivotally mounted
on the housing and is biased to engage spooled tape on the one of
the reels, preferably the supply reel. An erase arm is pivotally
mounted on the housing and is movably and releasably connected to
the follower arm. The erase arm has a tape erase head thereon and
is biased toward the take-up reel. Upon predetermined movement of
the follower arm which results from predetermined tape movement
between the reels, the erase arm is released from the follower arm
to move the erase head into engagement with the tape on the take-up
reel to erase it as it is being rewound onto the supply reel. After
the erased tape is rewound onto the supply reel, the erase arm
moves the erase head to an inoperative position to enable the
erased tape to be reused.
Inventors: |
Solomon, Merrill; (Potomac,
MD) ; Potter, Craig; (Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
8th Floor
1100 North Glebe Rd.
Arlington
VA
22201-4714
US
|
Family ID: |
24923639 |
Appl. No.: |
09/727696 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09727696 |
Dec 4, 2000 |
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09212566 |
Dec 16, 1998 |
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6155510 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
360/132 ;
G9B/23.052; G9B/23.069; G9B/23.077; G9B/23.087 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 23/287 20130101;
G11B 23/043 20130101; G11B 23/044 20130101; G11B 23/107 20130101;
G11B 23/0875 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/132 |
International
Class: |
G11B 023/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A limited use tape cassette comprising: a housing enclosing a
tape spooled to pass from a rotatable supply reel to a rotatable
take-up reel during tape play, and from said take-up reel to said
supply reel during tape rewind; a follower arm pivotally mounted on
said housing and being biased to engage spooled tape on one of said
reels; and an erase arm pivotally mounted on said housing and being
movably and releasably connected to said follower arm, said erase
arm being biased toward said take-up reel and having a tape erase
head thereon; whereby upon predetermined movement of said follower
arm resulting from predetermined tape movement between said reels,
said erase arm is released from said follower arm to move said
erase head into engagement with the tape on said take-up reel to
erase it as it is being rewound onto said supply reel.
2. The tape cassette of claim 1 wherein said follower arm is biased
to engage spooled tape on said supply reel.
3. The tape cassette of claim 1 wherein said follower arm is
pivotally mounted on said housing near its proximal end and is
positioned to engage said tape near its distal end.
4. The tape cassette of claim 3 wherein said erase arm is pivotally
mounted on said housing near its proximal end and said erase head
is located at the distal end thereof.
5. The tape cassette of claim 1 wherein said erase arm is
constructed to move said erase head to an inoperative position
after said erased tape is fully rewound onto said supply reel,
thereby enabling said erased tape to be reused.
6. The tape cassette of claim 1 wherein said follower arm has a
track therein, said erase arm has a pin connected thereto, and said
pin is positioned in said track for slidable movement therein.
7. The tape cassette of claim 6 wherein said track has an exit
opening through which said pin is movable to release said erase arm
from said follower arm after said predetermined movement
thereof.
8. The tape cassette of claim 7 wherein said pin has an enlarged
end on the side of said track opposite to that of said erase arm to
prevent inadvertent removal of said pin from said track.
9. The tape cassette of claim 7 wherein said track has spaced
generally circumferential portions and generally radial portions
extending between said circumferential portions.
10. The tape cassette of claim 3 wherein said follower arm has a
track therein near said proximal end thereof, said erase arm has a
pin connected thereto near the mid-portion thereof, and said pin is
positioned in said track for slidable movement therein.
11. The tape cassette of claim 10 wherein said erase arm is
pivotally connected to said housing at the proximal end thereof,
and said mid-portion thereof is offset from said proximal end.
12. The tape cassette of claim 11 wherein said follower arm is
biased to abut spooled tape on said supply reel.
13. The tape cassette of claim 1 wherein said follower arm is
biased to engage spooled tape and said erase arm is biased toward
said take-up reel by a spring.
14. A limited use tape cassette comprising: a housing enclosing a
tape spooled to pass from a rotatable supply reel to a rotatable
take-up reel during tape play, and from said take-up reel to said
supply reel during tape rewind; a follower arm pivotally mounted on
said housing near its proximal end and being biased to engage at
its distal end spooled tape on said supply reel; and an erase arm
pivotally mounted on said housing near its proximal end and being
movably and releasably connected to said follower arm, said erase
arm being biased toward said take-up reel and having a tape erase
head on the distal end thereof; whereby upon predetermined movement
of said follower arm resulting from predetermined tape movement
between said reels, said erase arm is released from said follower
arm to move said erase head into engagement with the tape on said
take-up reel to erase it as it is being rewound onto said supply
reel.
15. The tape cassette of claim 14 wherein said erase arm is
constructed to move said erase head to an inoperative position
after said erased tape is fully rewound onto said supply reel,
thereby enabling said erased tape to be reused.
16. The tape cassette of claim 14 wherein said follower arm has a
track therein near said proximal end thereof, said erase arm has a
pin connected thereto near the mid-portion thereof, and said pin is
positioned in said track for slidable movement therein.
17. The tape cassette of claim 16 wherein said track has an exit
opening through which said pin is movable to release said erase arm
from said follower arm after said predetermined movement
thereof.
18. The tape cassette of claim 17 wherein said pin has an enlarged
end on the side of said track opposite to that of said erase arm to
prevent inadvertent removal of said pin from said track.
19. The tape cassette of claim 17 wherein said track has spaced
generally circumferential portions and generally radial portions
extending between said circumferential portions.
20. The tape cassette of claim 14 wherein a spring biases said
follower arm to engage said tape and biases said erase arm toward
said take-up reel.
21. The tape cassette of claim 14 wherein said erase arm has
indicia thereon near the distal end thereof, and said housing has
an opening through which said indicia are visible when said erase
arm is in predetermined positions to indicate the limited use
availability of said tape.
22. The tape cassette of claim 15 wherein said housing has a second
opening through which said erase head is visible when in said
inoperative position.
23. A method for limiting the use of a tape cassette having a
supply reel and a take-up reel, said method comprising the steps
of: (a) following a radial dimension of spooled tape on one of said
supply reels during tape play with a pivoted follower arm; (b)
using movement of said follower arm to release a pivoted erase arm
releasably connected thereto and having an erase head, after an
initial period of tape play; and (c) using movement of said erase
arm to engage tape on the take-up reel with said erase head to
erase said tape as it is being rewound onto the supply reel.
24. The method of claim 23 comprising the additional step of: (d)
moving said erase arm and erase head to an inoperative position
after the tape is erased to enable the tape to be used to record
other subject matter.
25. The method of claim 23 wherein said follower arm follows a
radial dimension of tape on said supply reel.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein a spring is used to bias the
follower arm into engagement with the tape on the supply real and
to bias said erase arm toward the tape-up reel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 09/212,566, filed on Dec. 16, 1998 (U.S. Pat.
No. 6,155,510 to issue on Dec. 5, 2000), the subject matter of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a limited-use tape
cassette, such as a video tape cassette that permits only a
predetermined number of viewings of a video movie. The preferred
exemplary embodiment enables at least one complete play of the tape
and at least one full rewind so as to insure at least a
predetermined limited number (e.g., two) of substantially
unfettered complete uses of the cassette. Thereafter, the cassette
tape is erased and may be used in a conventional manner to record
other subject matter.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Video rental stores typically rent video cassettes for a
fixed fee that enables the renter to view the video an unlimited
number of times over a prescribed time period. Renters typically
are required to pay additional daily rental fees if the video is
kept beyond the prescribed initial time period. To accommodate this
arrangement, video rental stores must keep detailed renter,
accounting and inventory records--as well as check returned
cassettes and return them to the rental inventory. The renter, on
the other hand must view the rented video soon after acquiring it
and then make a prompt return trip to the rental store (to minimize
rental fees).
[0006] It would be desirable to simply sell non-returnable or
reusable video cassettes on a pay-per-view or limited-use basis. If
this could be done, it would no longer be necessary for the video
store to check and re-stock inventory returns or to administer
complicated renter accounts and/or return/restocking costs. In
addition, the transaction can now be a sale rather than a rental
thus facilitating its occurrence in any store, not just a specialty
rental store. The ability to move the transaction from a specialty
store to a store the potential customer already visits for other
purchases is a significant benefit. Purchasers of limited-use
videos would also benefit in that the hassles associated with
substantially immediate viewing and/or returning of the rented
video cassette could be eliminated. In addition, because of the
economics of this limited use approach, the current difficulty of
maintaining sufficient rental stock of hit movies to fully satisfy
consumer demand is avoided (currently approximately 20% to 30% of
rental consumers cannot find a desired hit movie on a first single
trip to the video rental store).
[0007] Although there have been many prior attempts to provide such
pay-per-view or limited-use tape cassettes, they all have drawbacks
that have so far prevented wide-spread usage of such limited-use
cassettes. For example, some utilize complicated mechanisms that
may be too expensive to manufacture and/or that may be prone to
failure or exhibit another annoying adverse impact on a normal
unfettered use (e.g., including normal rewind operations to see
some portion of the video again which might have been missed during
an unexpected phone call or the like) during the authorized number
of viewings.
[0008] Some prior attempts to provide a limited-use cassette are
represented by the following:
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,584--Chevalier et al (1984)
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,048--Perkins (1989)
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,637--Granzotto (1993)
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,688--Wiedemer (1995)
[0013] Chevalier and Perkins add a complicated ratchet-wheel
counter arrangement driven by an inter-spool double follower (e.g.,
a V-shaped inter-reel follower) and which, after a predetermined
number of full (or partial) play cycles, locks the cassette from
all further use. In Perkins, this locking occurs if the cartridge
is thereafter removed from the tape deck and/or it moves an erase
magnet into position to erase the tape as it is being thereafter
played or rewound.
[0014] Granzotto discloses a tape cassette that allows complete
play only once. A follower arm follows the wound tape radius on the
take-up reel. When a predetermined amount of tape is wound onto the
take-up reel, a separate internal lock mechanism is set such that
when the tape is thereafter rewound, a free locking arm is
displaced into the path of a tooth carried by an inner locking
member on the take-up reel (e.g., when a predetermined amount of
tape has been rewound onto the supply reel). Thereafter, forward
feeding of the tape is inhibited because the locking member locks
the take-up reel by virtue of a pawl.
[0015] Wiedemer uses a programmed microprocessor control in
conjunction with a machine-readable label on the cassette and a
controllable internal cassette lock to limit the number of play
cycles to some predetermined amount.
[0016] Although these prior art examples demonstrate a long-felt
need in the art for a limited-use tape cassette, they all involve
relatively complex mechanisms which may be prone to failure (or
relatively easy to defeat by the consumer) and at least some of
which may interfere with an unfettered use of the cartridge during
the authorized period of use.
[0017] Other prior attempts have employed various types of one-way
mechanical clutches or other mechanisms so as to prevent rewinding
of the cassette. This, however, seriously interferes with a normal
licensed usage of a video cassette service as some stopping,
rewinding and re-viewing is within the expected realm of usage by a
substantial number of customers. Some examples of these
anti-reverse approaches are noted below:
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,506--Edwards et al (1971)
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,881--Tucker (1974)
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,497--Kieseling et al (1982)
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,104--Saito (1984)
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,535--Dickson et al (1985)
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,335--Dickson et al (1986)
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,434--Brauer (1987)
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,107--Dixon et al (1989)
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,143--Armstrong et al (1989)
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,905--Granzotto et al (1990)
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,621--Tsuji (1992)
[0029] Of course, there are also prior art cartridge locking
systems which automatically prevent rotation whenever the cartridge
is removed from the video player after a play cycle is begun. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,604,671--Oishi (1986) is one example of such a
mechanism.
[0030] A variation on the anti-reverse approach is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,528--Shanahan (1995) where the anti-reverse
mechanism is only invoked if the rotational speed exceeds normal
play speed during the first portion of the video--thus preventing
the renter from fast-forwarding through preliminary advertisement
materials.
[0031] A number of prior approaches merely incorporate use counters
of various types:
[0032] U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,605--Gruber, Jr. (1981)
[0033] U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,778--Vogelgesang (1986)
[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,841--French (1991)
[0035] U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,879--Weiley (1992)
[0036] Various other types of cartridge tape-erasing magnets have
been employed (some being deployed so as to insure only one play
cycle). For example:
[0037] U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,774--Wiklund (1971)
[0038] U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,115--Westfall et al (1987)
[0039] U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,116--Westfall et al (1987)
[0040] U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,218--Westfall et al (1988)
[0041] U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,718--Miller et al (1989)
[0042] U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,492--Che (1990)
[0043] Finally, some prior attempts have even gone so far as to
physically destroy the tape just after it is first played--on its
way to the take-up reel. On example of this approach is:
[0044] U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,217--Vinson (1989)
[0045] Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved solution
to this long-standing problem. The cassette tape of the present
invention fills this need and its construction permits the use of
the tape as a blank tape in a conventional manner after the initial
limited special use of the tape. Accordingly, the tape does not
have to be disposed of after the initial permitted special use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0046] This invention provides a greatly simplified and improved
limited-use tape cassette. The exemplary embodiments provide
substantially unfettered use of the cartridge for at least a
predetermined number of uses (e.g., one)--including the ability to
rewind and review substantially the entire tape at least once.
Thereafter, the tape is automatically erased and may be used in a
conventional manner to record other subject matter.
[0047] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, a follower arm is
pivotally mounted on the cassette housing and is spring-biased into
engagement with the tape on the supply reel so as to be pivotally
movable to different positions depending on the amount of tape on
the supply reel. The follower arm is provided with a track of
predetermined size and configuration. A pin is mounted for slidable
movement in the track and is connected at one end to an erase arm
that is pivotally mounted on the cassette housing and is
spring-biased in a direction toward the take-up reel. The erase arm
has an erase head on the outer end thereof that is positioned to
engage the tape on the take-up reel after predetermined incremental
movement of the pin through and out of the track.
[0048] When the tape is played for the first time so that it
travels from the supply reel to the take-up reel, the follower arm
is moved and the pin moves incrementally in the track so that the
erase arm and erase head are moved to a position nearer the take-up
reel. During the first rewind of the tape onto the supply reel, the
follower arm is again moved pivotally to enable the pin to move
further incrementally in the track to a position wherein the erase
arm and erase head are moved even nearer to the take-up reel. Each
play, and rewind cycle, moves the pin incrementally down the track,
ever closer to the take-up reel. This continues until the desired
number of plays have been reached and then the pin moves out of the
track and the erase arm moves pivotally to a position wherein the
erase head engages the tape on the take-up reel. When the tape is
rewound onto the supply reel, it is erased by the erase head, and
the erase head is thereafter moved to an inoperative position after
the tape is completely rewound onto the supply reel. Thereafter,
the cassette tape may be used in a conventional manner to record
other subject matter as desired.
[0049] It is noted that the size, total length and configuration of
the track in the follower arm will control the pin movement and
determine the exact timing of the incrementing, and the number of
plays of the tape, before it is automatically erased by the erase
head. Within the scope of the present invention, the track may be
of any suitable construction to permit the desired number of plays
of the tape before it is erased.
[0050] It should also be noted that utilizing this track concept
not only gives the content owner the ability to limit the viewings
of a purchaser, it also gives the purchaser a very user friendly
way to view the contents so that there is never a point in the
movie at which the viewer cannot rewind or fast forward and watch
some favorite scene over and over again. In essence, the viewer
could watch at any time a portion of the movie, e.g., either the
first two thirds of a movie, or the last two thirds of a movie
forever.
[0051] A possible commercial embodiment may also include numerical
indicia or the like on the erase arm or erase head so that the
number of remaining special play cycles for the cassette tape may
be conveniently viewed through one or more transparent apertures in
the cassette housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] These and other objects and advantages of this invention
will become apparent from the following more detailed description
of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment
of the video tape cassette of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
tape cassette shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the locking mechanism
for the take-up reel;
[0055] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the locking mechanism shown
in FIG. 2 in a locked position;
[0056] FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A showing the locking
mechanism in a released position;
[0057] FIGS. 3-8 are top plan views, with parts broken away, of the
take-up and supply reels of the tape cassette incorporating
structure according to the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention in successive stages of cassette usage;
[0058] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the follower arm,
erase arm and erase head of the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0059] FIGS. 10-12 are bottom plan views of the follower arm, erase
arm, erase head and portions of the cassette housing in successive
stages of operation in accordance with a second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates a video tape cassette constructed in
accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention and comprising a housing 2 rotatably supporting a supply
reel 4 and take-up reel 6. A suitable tape 8, such as a magnetic
video tape, is conventionally supplied from supply reel 4 through a
series of rollers and guides past a reading station and onward to
take-up reel 6. As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional brake assembly
for the supply reel 4 includes a first spring-loaded ratchet pawl
10 which is positioned to engage the teeth 12 on the periphery of
the supply reel 4 when the cassette tape is out of a video cassette
recorder (VCR). When the cassette is loaded into a VCR, a release
device 14 pivots the pawl 10 to the release position shown in FIG.
3.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, a brake assembly for the
take-up reel 6 comprises a second pawl 16 that is pivotally mounted
on the housing 2 and is biased in a clockwise direction by a leaf
spring 18 into engagement with the teeth 20 on the take-up reel 6
when the cassette is out of the VCR. A guard door 22 is pivotally
mounted on the cassette and is biased to the closed position shown
in FIGS. 2 and 2A by a spring 24 mounted on pivot pin 26. The pivot
pin 26 includes a transverse extension 28 that is positioned
adjacent to an upwardly extending section 30 of the second pawl
16.
[0062] When the cassette tape is inserted into a VCR, the guard
door 22 thereof is pivoted upwardly against the force of the spring
24 to the position shown in FIG. 2B wherein the transverse
extension 28 of the pivot pin 26 engages the upper section 30 of
the second pawl 16 to rotate it in a counter-clockwise direction
out of engagement with the teeth 20 of the take-up reel 6.
[0063] FIGS. 3-9 illustrate in more detail the first exemplary
embodiment of structure for effecting the limited use of the tape
cassette according to the present invention. A follower arm 32 is
pivotally mounted on the cassette housing 2 at 34 and is biased for
rotation in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring 36 into
engagement with the tape 8 on the supply reel 4 in the manner shown
in FIG. 3. Preferably, the end portion of the follower arm 32 in
engagement with the tape 8 is curved so as not to damage the tape
or impede the travel thereof. The follower arm 32 may be of any
suitable configuration other than that shown in FIGS. 3-9 which
will perform the functions defined herein. Also, within the scope
of the present invention, the follower arm 32 could be biased into
engagement with the tape 8 on the take-up reel 6 rather than the
supply reel 4.
[0064] From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the
follower arm 32 will be rotated by the spring 36 in a
counterclockwise direction toward the center of the supply reel 4
as the tape 8 moves from the supply reel 4 to the take-up reel 6.
Thereafter, as the tape 8 is rewound from the take-up reel 6 back
onto the supply reel 4, the tape 8 being rewound on the supply reel
4 will engage the follower arm 32 and pivot it in a clockwise
direction against the force of the spring 36. Accordingly, the
movement of the tape 8 between the supply reel 4 and take-up reel 6
will cause the follower arm 32 to be pivotally moved to the
positions shown in FIGS. 3-8 depending on the tape location.
[0065] Near the pivot point 34, the follower arm 32 is provided
with a track 38 of a predetermined size and configuration for a
purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. The track 38 may
comprise radially or laterally spaced portions that are generally
circumferential to the pivot point 34 and transverse or generally
radially extending portions that connect the circumferential
portions. As shown in FIG. 9, the track 38 may have an entrance
opening 40 near the pivot point 34 and an exit opening 42 removed
from the pivot point 34.
[0066] The upper portion of a pin 44 is positioned in the track 38
for slidable movement therein. The lower end of the pin 44 is
connected to the mid-portion of an erase arm 46 and the upper end
of the pin 44 has an enlarged head 48 for the purpose of retaining
it in the track 38 during movement of the cassette. The erase arm
46 is pivotally mounted on the housing 2 at its inner end at 48 and
is biased for rotation in a counter-clockwise direction by the
spring 36. A magnetic erase head 50 is mounted on the outer end of
the erase arm 46. An extension 52 extends laterally from the erase
arm 46 near its outer end for a purpose to be described
hereinafter.
[0067] The size, total length, configuration and relative spacing
of the track 38, pin 44 and erase arm 46 are such that the pin 44
will move incrementally from a point near the inner end or
beginning of the track 38 to the exit opening 42 thereof under the
force of the spring 36 and in response to the reciprocating pivotal
movement of the follower arm 32 caused by the spring 36 and the
movement of the tape 8 as hereinbefore described. To effect this
operation, the pin 44 preferably is mounted on a mid-portion of the
erase arm 46 that is offset from the inner portion thereof and in
generally radial alignment with the erase head 50. The erase arm 46
may be of any suitable construction to effect this result.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 3 wherein the tape 8 is on the supply reel
4 and is a condition to be played for the first time, the follower
arm 32 is in engagement with the outer portion of the tape 8 under
the influence of the spring 36 which biases it in a
counterclockwise direction, and the pin 44 is disposed in a portion
of the track 38 near the inner end thereof for the purpose of
maintaining the erase arm 46 and erase head 50 in a position spaced
from the take-up reel 6 against the force of the spring 36.
[0069] When the tape 8 is played for the first time so that it
travels from the supply reel 4 to the take-up reel 6, the follower
arm 32 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction by the spring 36
to the position shown in FIG. 4 and the pin 44 is moved
incrementally outwardly in the track 38 so that the erase arm 46
and erase head 50 are moved by the spring 36 to a position nearer
the take-up reel 6.
[0070] During the first rewind of the tape 8 back onto the supply
reel 4, as shown in FIG. 5, the follower arm 32 is again moved
pivotally in a clockwise direction by the tape 8 on the supply reel
4 to enable the pin 44 to move further incrementally outwardly in
the track 38 to a position wherein the erase arm 46 and erase head
50 are moved even nearer to the take-up reel 6 under the force of
spring 36.
[0071] Upon the completion of the playing of the tape 8 for the
second time so that it is fully wound on the take-up reel 6, as
shown in FIG. 6, the movement of the follower arm 32 in a
counter-clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 36
causes the pin 44 to move further incrementally in the track 38
such that the erase arm 46 is moved in a counter-clockwise
direction by the spring 36 to move the erase head 50 even closer to
the tape 8 on the take-up reel 6.
[0072] After a predetermined amount of the tape 8 (e.g., one third
of the tape) is rewound onto the supply reel 4, as shown in FIG. 7,
the additional movement of the follower arm 32 in a
counter-clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 36
causes the pin 44 to leave the track 38 through the exit opening 42
such that the erase arm 46 is moved in a counter-clockwise
direction by the spring 36 to move the erase head 50 into
engagement with the tape 8 on the take-up reel 6. Accordingly, when
the tape 8 is thereafter being rewound from the take-up reel 6 to
the supply reel 4, as shown in FIG. 7, the erase head 50 is
maintained in engagement with the tape on the take-up reel 6 under
the force of the spring 36 and thus serves to erase the tape as it
is being rewound onto the supply reel 4.
[0073] When the tape 8 is fully rewound onto the supply reel 4 from
the take-up reel 6 for the second time, as shown in FIG. 8, the
spring 36 serves to rotate the erase arm 46 in a counter-clockwise
direction such that the erase head 50 is disposed between the
supply reel 4 and take-up reel 6 in an inoperative position.
Thereafter, the erased cassette tape may be used in a conventional
manner to record other subject matter as desired.
[0074] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention wherein the lateral extension 52 on the outer
portion of the erase arm 46 is provided with numerical indicia 60
or the like for the purpose of indicating the number of remaining
special play cycles for the cassette tape. Referring to FIG. 10,
which corresponds to the tape in its initial play position shown in
FIG. 3, the numeral 2 shows through an adjacent opening 62 in the
rear of the cassette housing 2 for the purpose of indicating that
there are two special play cycles remaining on the tape.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 11, the numeral 1 shows through the housing
opening 62 to indicate that there is one special play cycle
remaining on the tape. This corresponds to the tape in its first
rewound condition on the supply reel 4, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0076] Finally, FIG. 12 corresponds to the condition of the
cassette tape shown in FIG. 8 wherein the erase head 50 is moved to
an inoperative position and shows through an adjacent opening 64 in
the rear of the cassette housing 2.
[0077] From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that
the new and improved cassette tape of the present invention is
simple in construction, reliable in operation and enables the
conventional use of a blank tape after a predetermined number of
special uses of the tape.
[0078] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *