Selector interlock for microfiche cartridge
AssigneeBell & Howell Company
InventorsThomas R. Wells, Theodore E. Dahlen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A library file of microfiche film comprises a plurality of spaced parallel film stored inside a cartridge. In a microfiche reader, a reciprocally moving extractor moves into and out of the cartridge to extract and return microfiche. An elevator control means selectively raises or lowers the cartridge relatively to the extractor, thereby selecting a particular microfiche. An interlock mechanism actuated by the extractor and selectively connected to the elevator control means prevents the elevator from moving after a microfiche is extracted and before it is returned to the cartridge.
Claims7
A system for selecting one of a plurality of microfiche stored in a library file contained inside a cartridge;
- said plurality of microfiche being suspended in a spaced parallel relationship with said cartridge;
- a housing;
- elevator means disposed in said housing to receive and support said cartridge with said microfiche disposed therein;
- said elevator means being selectively movable between a normal position and any of a plurality of off-normal positions for moving said file to a selected loading station at any of said off-normal positions;
- reciprocally movable microfiche extractor means having hooks positioned in said housing adjacent said cartridge, said extractor means being movable between two extremities, one of said extremities being a position wherein with movement out of and into said position said extractor means hooks and removes a microfiche from said cartridge and returns said microfiche into said cartridge respectively;
- control plate means operatively connected to said elevator means for moving said elevator between said normal position and any of said off-normal positions adjacent said extractor means;
- said control plate means movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of said elevator means;
- selective elevator locking means operatively connected between said control plate and said extractor means for normally engaging said control plate and thereby locking said elevator while a microfiche is removed from said cartridge;
- said extracting means engaging said locking means at the extracting extremity for unlocking said elevator;
- said locking means relocking said elevator responsive to movement of said extracting means away from the extremity of said extracting means motion and thereafter continuously maintaining said elevator in said normally locked condition throughout an entire period beginning when a microfiche begins to move off its normal position in said cartridge, continuing for the entire time while said microfiche is out of said cartridge, and ending when said microfiche returns to is normal position in said cartridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.