Self-positioning write protect mechanism for a cartridge

A self-positioning write protect mechanism for a cartridge comprising opposed top and bottom plates spaced from each other to form a compartment arranged for writing data on, and reading data from, an enclosed information-receptive medium, said write protect mechanism comprising:

• (a) symmetrically shaped ramp-like projection means integral with an internal surface of at least one of said plates;
• (b) a body member mounted within said compartment for slidable movement along an operative path defined by (1) a first extreme write enabled position in which an associated drive mechanism is permitted to record data on the information-receptive medium, (2) a second extreme write protect position in which such drive mechanism is prevented from recording data on the information-receptive medium, and (3) an intermediate position adjacent the crown of said ramp-like projection means;
• (c) a button, coupled to said body member and accessible to a cartridge user through a write control aperture in at least one of said plates, for slideably moving said body member along its operative path (1) in a first direction from its write enabled position past its intermediate position toward its write protect position, and (2) in a second opposing direction from its write protect position past its intermediate position toward its write enabled position;
• and
• (d) holding means for releasably holding said body member either in its write protect position or in its write enabled position, said holding means comprising finger-like spring means having one end portion integral with said body member and a free end portion engageable with said ramp-like projection means as said body member is moved through its intermediate position, said finger-like spring means and said ramp-like projection means cooperatively producing a toggle-like action as said finger-like spring means moves past the crown of said ramp-like projection means the effect of which toggle-like action is to move said body member forward, either into its write enabled position or into its write protect position, as said spring means moves past the crown of said symmetrically shaped ramp-like projection means.