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US 4,285,480 AGranted
Cassette loading system and self-threading cassette for use therewith
AssigneeHarris Corporation
InventorRalph Parker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-threading cassette for strip material and system for loading same is effective to tightly wind extended length materials of various types. No special adherent and interengaging surface characteristics are provided on a takeup reel within the cassette or on the strip material itself. Tightening of the lead ends of the strip material is achieved, according to a preferred embodiment, through the use of a takeup reel having at least portions of a high coefficient of friction material which cooperates with a leaf spring that is partially coiled about the takeup reel in a manner so as to cause the lead end of the strip material to coil about the takeup reel and gradually tighten thereon.
Claims25
A self-threading cassette for strip material comprising:
- a cassette housing having an opening through which said strip material is introduceable;
- a takeup reel rotatably mounted within said cassette housing;
- and
- guide means mounted in said cassette housing for directing said strip material introduced through said opening to said takeup reel and causing said strip material to pass in an unsecured manner over and around said takeup reel until the leading end of said strip is gripped between said reel and a remote portion of said strip material, said guide means being formed of a spring curved continuously around said reel so as to be urged against said reel at a nip portion between itself and said reel, the contour of said spring being curved upstream and downstream of said nip portion so as to be able to flex and expand away from said reel as said strip material is wound about said reel.
1 more element
A self-threading cassette for strip material comprising:
- a cassette housing having an opening through which said strip material is introduceable;
- a takeup reel rotatably mounted within said cassette housing;
- and
- guide means mounted in said cassette housing for directing said strip material introduced through said opening to said takeup reel and causing said strip material to pass in an unsecured manner over and around said takeup reel until the leading end of said strip is gripped between said reel and a remote portion of said strip material, said guide means being formed of a plurality of springs curved continuously around said reel so as to be urged against said reel at respective nip portions between said springs and said reel, the contours of said springs being curved upstream and downstream of said respective nip portions so as to be able to flex and expand away from said reel as said strip material is wound about said reel.
1 more element
A self-threading cassette loading system comprising:
- a self-threading cassette having a cassette housing with a takeup reel mounted therein, said cassette housing having an opening through which strip material is introduceable;
- supply means for feeding an indefinite length strip material into said cassette housing through said opening at a first speed;
- drive means mounted externally of said cassette for rotating said takeup reel;
- and
- clutch means interconnecting said drive means and said takeup reel for enabling said reel to be rotated by said drive means at a second speed greater than said first speed when said reel is empty and at said first speed after the threading of said strip material onto said reel, and wherein
- a guide means is mounted in said cassette housing for directing said strip material introduced through said opening to said takeup reel and causing said strip material to pass in an unsecured manner over and around said takeup reel until the loading end of said strip is gripped between said reel and a remote portion of said strip material, said guide means being formed of a spring curved continuously around said reel so as to be urged against said reel at a nip portion between itself and said reel, the contour of said spring being curved upstream and downstream of said nip portion so as to be able to flex and expand away from said reel as said strip material is wound about said reel.
3 more elements
A self-threading cassette loading system comprising:
- a self-threading cassette having a cassette housing with a takeup reel mounted therein, said cassette housing having an opening through which strip material is introduceable;
- supply means for feeding an indefinite length strip material into said cassette housing through said opening at a first speed;
- drive means mounted externally of said cassette for rotating said takeup reel;
- and
- clutch means interconnecting said drive means and said takeup reel for enabling said reel to be rotated by said drive means at a second speed greater than said first speed when said reel is empty and at said first speed after the threading of said strip material onto said reel, and wherein
- a guide means is mounted in said cassette housing for directing said strip material introduced through said opening to said takeup reel and causing said strip material to pass in an unsecured manner over and around said takeup reel until the leading end of said strip is gripped between said reel and a remote portion of said strip material, said guide means being formed of a plurality of springs curved continuously around said reel so as to be urged against said reel at respective nip portions between said springs and said reel, the contours of said springs being curved upstream and downstream of said respective nip portions so as to be able to flex and expand away from said reel as said strip material is wound about said reel.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.