`
`Europalsches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Office
`Office européen des brevets
`
`69 Publication number:
`-.
`
`,
`
`0 284 687
`A2
`
`®
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`® Application number: 87309888.3
`
`int. CL": G113 23/107 , G11 B 23/04
`
`@ Date of filing: 09.11.37
`
`
`
` @ Priority: 31.03.87 us 32382
`69 Applicant: SHAPE mo.
`Biddeford industrial Park P.0. Box 366
`
`@ Date of publication of application:
`05.10.88 Bulletin 88/40
`
`Blddeford Maine 04005(US)
`
`Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE CH DE Es FFI GB GR IT LI LU NL SE
`
`@ inventor: Laverriere, Guy P.
`49 Wentworth Street
`
`Biddeford Maine 04005(U8)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Representative: Skone James, Robert Edmund
`et al
`
`GILL JENNINGS 8: EVERY 53-64 Chancery
`Lane
`
`London WC2A 1HN(GB)
`
`® Tape cartridge.
`
`@ A tape cartridge (56) has a spool hub (66) in-
`cluding an annular wall (68) with a set of centering
`ribs or projections (70’) circumferentiaiiy spaced ar-
`ound the inside circumference thereof. These projec-
`tions direct. center and maintain a brake button (61)
`concentrical relative to the hub (66) to prevent the
`brake button (61) from becoming misaligned in the
`cartridge during assembly or use.
`in addition, the
`brake button includes a cross-shaped recess (73) for
`receiving
`a
`correspondingly
`shaped
`projection
`formed on the lower part of the cartridge to prevent
`the brake button from rotating and to facilitate as-
`sembly and prevent binding of the centered button.
`
`EP0284687AZ
`
`
` I‘lll_-iIi’i7/-_ ‘ m
`“Ill“.
`
`
`
`
`e4
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`Xerox Copy Centre
`
`SONY Exhibit 1007
`SONY Exhibit 1007
`SONY v. FUJI
`SONY V. FUJI
`
`
`
`1
`
`0 284 687
`
`2
`
`TAPE CARTRIDGE
`
`This invention relates to tape or ribbon car-
`tridges and is particularly concerned with an im-
`proved hub structure of such a cartridge which
`facilitates proper alignment of a brake button rela-
`tive to the hub.
`
`art as
`the
`in
`known
`cartridges,
`Ribbon
`include a single, circular
`"Segoma" cartridges,
`spool which is
`rotatable within a substantially
`square cartridge. The cartridge has an opening in a
`corner thereof to allow the ribbon wound on the
`
`spool to be withdrawn from the cartridge. There is
`also an opening in the top part of the cartridge,
`which allows the spool to be coupled to an external
`drive means to turn the spool and dispense the
`ribbon.
`-
`
`The spool includes a hub with an annular wall
`which,
`in the assembled cartridge, surrounds a
`circular brake button mounted on the bottom car-
`
`tridge part and biased by a coil spring. The brake
`button is intended to "brake" or prevent rotation of
`the spool, except when desired. That is, the coil
`spring normally'biases the brake button against the
`hub to interlock corresponding,
`respective teeth
`and "brake" the spool. Only when the brake button
`is pushed back into the cartridge against the force
`of the spring via, e.g., the external drive means can
`the hub be rotated and the ribbon be dispensed.
`The diameter at the annular wall of the hub is
`
`significantly greater than the diameter of the brake
`button to allow easy mounting of the hub relative to
`the brake button during assembly. This difference
`in diameters results in a loose fit between the
`brake button and the hub, and this may cause the
`brake button to become misaligned,
`i.e.,
`lie off
`centre of the hub during assembly and/or use. As a
`result, the brake button cannot function properly to
`prevent undesirable dispensing of the ribbon and
`the external drive means cannot properly align with
`the brake button.
`
`it is an object of the present in-
`Accordingly,
`vention to provide a cartridge constructed in such a
`way as to help ensure positive, concentric align-
`ment of the brake button relative to the hub.
`
`The invention also provides a cartridge having
`a hub structure which may be made relatively easy
`to manufacture, does not otherwise interfere with
`assembly or operation of the cartridge, and which
`provides facilitated movement of the brake button
`relative to the cartridge.
`To this end, according to this invention, a tape
`cartridge which comprisesz-(a) first and second car-
`tridge parts, (b) a circular brake button which has a
`substantially planar part
`, biased for movement
`between the first and second cartridge parts; and,
`(c) a spool
`including a flange and an integrally
`
`the hub including a circular annular
`formed hub,
`wall projecting from one surface thereof, is charac-
`terised in that projecting means is formed on the
`inner circumference of
`the annular wall, and a
`
`surface of the projecting means abuts the circular
`periphery of
`the brake button and maintains a
`substantially concentric relationship between the
`circular brake button and the circular annular wall
`of the hub.
`
`These projecting means direct, centre and con-
`tain the brake button relative to the hub when
`
`assembled, thus preventing the brake button from
`becoming misaligned in the cartridge during as-
`sembly and use, and ensuring proper engagement
`of the brake button with the external drive means.
`
`the brake button preferably also in-
`In addition,
`cludes a cross-shaped recess for receiving a cor-
`respondingly shaped projection formed on the low-
`er part of the cartridge. This configuration facilitates
`automated mounting of the brake button and pre-
`vents binding of the brake button once directed.
`centred and contained by projecting means.
`'
`An example of type or ribbon cartridge in ac-
`cordance with the invention will now be described
`
`with reference to the accompanying drawings in
`which:-
`
`FlG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a
`conventional "Segoma"-type cartridge;
`FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the
`brake button and spool of
`the conventional car-
`tridge shown in FIG. 1, illustrating particularly, the
`off-centre orientation of the brake button relative to
`
`the hub of the spool;
`FIG. 3 is a side, cross-sectional view of the
`brake button and spool of a cartridge in accor-
`dance with illustrating particularly the brake button
`centred withing the hub of the spool;
`FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of
`the brake button, spring and cartridge base of the
`cartridge in accordance with the present invention,
`and. FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the spool of
`the cartridge in accordance with the present inven-
`tion,
`illustrating particularly the plurality of radial
`projections formed on the hub.
`FIG.
`1
`illustrates a conventional "Segoma"
`type cartridge 10. such a cartridge is also shown
`and described in US-A-4,383,660.
`
`The cartridge 10 includes a first half 11 and a
`second half 13 which are ultimately mated during
`assembly. Each half 11,13 has corresponding
`opening 12 in a corner thereof to allow the ribbon
`or tape 14 wound on a spool 16 to be withdrawn
`from the cartridge 10 via a leader 18 as known in
`the art. There is also an opening 20 in the first half
`11 which allows an external drive means (not
`
`10
`
`75
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`50
`
`
`
`3
`
`0 284 687
`
`4
`
`shown) access to a brake button 24 and the hub 17
`of
`the spool 16 to rotate the spool 16 during
`operation to supply the tape 14.
`More particularly, the spool 16 includes both
`the hub 17 and an integrally formed planar flange
`19. As shown in more detail
`in FlG. 2, the hub 17
`includes a top portion 22 having three equally,
`radially spaced protuberances 40 (two shown)
`formed thereon which, during assembly, are de-
`formed to secure a metal disk (not shown). The top
`portion 22 also includes a plurality of radially dis-
`posed teeth 12 which couple with the external drive
`means, and a centrally formed opening 43 for
`receiving a first projection or button 50 formed on
`the brake button 24. The hub 17 also includes a
`
`bottom portion 36 from which extends a circular
`annular wall 38.
`‘
`The brake button 24 includes a circular disk
`
`the first, upper projection 50 and a second.
`44,
`lower projection 52. When the hub 17 is mounted
`on the biased brake button 24 during assembly, a
`first step 41 of
`the circular disc 44 should be
`received by a first step 46 formed in the hub- 17
`and the first, upper projection 50 should center
`within the opening 43'formed in the hub 17. The
`second,
`lower projection 52 includes a rectangular
`recess 53 which is mounted on a rectangular pro-
`jection 26 formed on the second half 13 of the
`cartridge 10.
`The brake button 24 is biasly mounted via a
`coil spring 28. A first end 30 of the spring abuts the
`second half 13 of the cartridge 10 and a second
`end 32 of the spring 28 abuts the bottom portion
`36 of the brake button 24 to normally bias both the
`brake button 24 and the spool 16 resting thereon in
`the direction of the first half 11 of the cartridge 10.
`The inside diameter d of the annular wall 38 of
`
`the hub 17 is substantially larger than the outside
`diameter d’ of the disk 44 portion of the brake
`button 24. This intentional difference in diameters
`creates a loose fit between the brake button 24 and
`
`the annular wall 38 to facilitate assembly. However,
`as can be seen in FIG. 2,
`it is possible, due to this
`relatively loose fit,
`that the brake button 24 can
`become oriented off-center of the hub 17 during
`assembly or mishandling during use. Compare the
`center line x of the hub 17 with the center line y of
`the brake button 24 in FlG. 2. Of course, the biased
`nature of the brake button 24 aggravates this mis-
`alignment since the brake button 24 is necessarily
`urged in the misaligned position via the spring 26
`As a result, the brake button 24 is effectively dis-
`engaged, which disadvantageously allows dispens-
`ing of
`the ribbon when the cartridge 10 is not
`coupled to the external drive means.
`In addition,
`the misaligned brake button 24 interferes with
`proper coupling of the external drive means with
`the brake button 24.
`
`it has also been observed in the industry that
`the rectangular recess 53 formed in the projection
`52 has a tendency to bind relative to the projection
`26 during assembly and operation of
`the brake
`button 24. Further,
`these brake buttons 24 are
`
`mounted on the projections 26 by machines. it has
`also been observed that a rectangular recess 53
`and corresponding rectangular projection 26 do not
`provide the most time and cost efficient automation
`during assembly.
`these
`overcomes
`invention
`The
`present
`drawbacks as will now be described in relation to
`
`the preferred embodiments of the present invention
`shown in FIGS. 3-5.
`
`invention provides a means for
`The present
`‘
`ensuring positive, concentric alignment between
`the brake button and hub of a Segoma cartridge.
`More partricularly, the cartridge 56 of the present
`invention includes a spool 62 having both a flange
`64 and an integrally formed hub 66. The hub 66
`includes an annular wall 68 extending from the
`bottom portion 69 thereof.
`A brake button 60 includes a substantially flat
`disk 61, an upper projection 63 and a lower projec-
`tion 65. Again, a spring 67 biases the brake button
`60 in the direction of the first half 58 of the car-
`
`tridge 56.
`A projecting means 70 is formed to extend
`from the inner circumference of the annular wall 68
`
`of the hub 66. The projecting means 70 preferably
`includes an abutting surface 72 which is angled
`relative to a plane tangential to the annular wall 68
`of the hub 66. That is, the projecting means 70 is
`wider near the area that
`the annular wall 68 is
`
`connected to the flange 64 than at the free end 74
`of the annular wall 68.
`‘
`As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, preferably, the
`projecting means 70 is six projections or centering
`ribs 70’
`integrally molded to be equally, radially.
`spaced about the inner circumference of the an-
`nular wall 68. Alternatively, the projecting means 70
`can constitute a single, continuous annular ring 70"
`as indicated by the phantom lines in HQ. 3.
`Each projection 70’
`is about
`.3 inches high,
`about
`.19 inches wide at its widest portion and
`about .05 inches wide at its narrowest portion. Each
`projection 70’ also includes two outer curves 76
`about .05 radius and an inner curve 77 also about
`
`.05 radius. These curves 76, 77 cause the abutting
`surface 72 of the projection 70’ to include angled,
`contoured steps which gradually and positively re-
`ceive and position the circular brake button 60
`concentrically relative to the hub 66 as discussed
`below.
`
`Due to the projecting means 70, when the hub
`66 is assembled relative to the brake button 60, the
`
`projecting means 70 necessarily receivesthe cir-
`cumferential border of the disc 61 of the brake
`
`10'
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`5O
`
`55
`
`P,,,,,,
`
`
`
`5
`
`O 284 687
`
`6
`
`button 60, contains the brake button and maintains
`the brake button in the desired position,
`i.e., on
`center with the hub 66, as illustrated by the co-
`incident center lines "2" of the brake button 60 and
`
`the hub 66. In this position, the first step 78 formed
`on the bottom portion 69 of the hub 66 advanta-
`geously receives the first step 80 formed on the
`brake button 61.
`
`The lower projection 65 of the brake button 60
`preferably includes a cross-shaped recess 73
`formed therein, which receives in sliding relation a
`cross-shaped projection 75 formed on the second
`half 79 of the cartridge 56. Of course, a cross-
`shape is the equivalent of four, substantially colum-
`nar projections extending from the second half 79
`of the cartridge 56. The combination, of the cross-
`shaped recess 73 and projection 75 leads to less
`binding therebetween during assembly and opera-
`tion of the brake button 60.
`in addition, this con-
`
`figuration also facilitates assembly by making the
`machine's task of mounting the brake button 60 on
`the second half 79 of the cartridge 56 easier.
`As can be seen, incorporation of the projecting
`means 70 requires only minimal modifications to
`the structure of the hub 66. In addition, the projec.
`
`ting means 70 does not otherwise interfere with
`assembly or operation of the cartridge 56. And yet,
`the projecting means 70 allows positive seating of
`the brake button 60 relative to the hub 66 once
`assembled. Further,
`the means for mounting the
`brake button 60 relative to the second half 79 of
`
`the cartridge 56 further facilitates assembly and
`prevents binding of the centred brake button 60.
`
`Claims
`
`1. A tape cartridge (10,56) comprising?
`(a) first and second cartridge parts (11,12);
`(b) a- circular brake button (24,60), which has
`a substantially planar part (44,61), biased for move-
`ment between the first and second cartridge parts;-
`and ,
`.
`
`(c) a spool (16,62) including a flange (19,64)
`and an integrally formed hub (17,66) the hub in-
`cluding a circular. annular wall
`(38,68) projecting
`from one surface thereof; characterised in that pro-
`jecting means (10) is formed on the inner circum-
`ference of the annular wall (68), and a surface (72)
`of the projecting means abuts the circular periph-
`ery of the brake button and maintains a substan-
`tially concentric relationship between the circular
`brake button and the circular annular wall of the
`hub.
`
`2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the
`projecting means comprises a plurality of projec-
`tions (70) spaced circumferentially arOund the inner
`circumference of the annular wall (68).
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`50
`
`55
`
`3 A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the
`projecting means is a single. continuous annular
`ring (70”).
`,
`4. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1
`to 3, wherein the projecting means is radially wider
`near the end of the annular wall connected to the
`hub than at the free end of the annular wall.
`
`in which
`5. A cartridge according to claim 2,
`there are six projections (70”) equally spaced ar-
`ound the inner circumference of the annular wall.
`
`the
`6. A cartridge according to any one of
`predeeding claims, wherein the brake button (60)
`includes a projection (65) on one surface thereof
`including a cross-shaped recess (73) formed there-
`in, and one of the cartridge parts (79) includes a
`corresponding cross-shaped projection (75) formed
`thereon the cross-shaped projection being slidingly
`received in the cross-shaped recess.
`in
`7. A tape cartridge according to claim 1,
`which the projecting means (70) comprises; a plu-
`rality of projections (70’) in equally spaced circum-
`ferential relationship. each projection being radially
`wider at an end of the annular wall connected to
`the hub than at a free end of the annular wall and
`in which a surface of each of the projections abuts
`the circular periphery of the brake button to main-
`tain the substantially concentric relationship be-
`tween the brake button and the annular wall of the
`hub.
`
`8. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the
`brake button (60) includes a projection (65) on one
`surface thereof having a cross-shaped recess (73)
`formed therein, and one of the cartridge parts (79)
`includes a corresponding cross-shaped projection
`(75) formed thereon the cross-shaped projection
`being slidingly received by the cross-shaped re-
`cess.
`
`fl
`
`7.
`
`l1
`
`
`
`0 284 687
`
`
`
`
`
`0284 687
`
`
`iiiiithVI/NflmN‘gfi
`.{-5p=_
`
`
`.v.1§\\\\V~..
`ill[IIIFGIIL_N
`
`
`E.___,.EM,
`
`
`
`
`
`i
`
`
`
`
`
`0284687
`
`
`
`