Device for blocking insertion of undersized objects
First Claim
1. A device having an internal space, and a wall portion having a loading aperture formed therein communicating with said space, fora) accepting insertion of an object having a correct size inserted through said aperture, said object having respective larger and smaller given cross-section dimensions in respective major and minor directions, orthogonal each other and a direction of insertion, one of said dimensions being a given width and the other of said dimensions being a given height, said loading aperture having an opening width and height respectively exceeding said given width and height by a respective clearance, andb) preventing complete insertion of an object having an incorrect size, said incorrect size being an incorrect cross-section dimension less than the corresponding given cross-section dimension in at least one of said major and minor directions, into said internal space,wherein said device comprises:
- means for blocking complete insertion into said internal space of a partially-inserted object being inserted through said aperture toward said space,means, for urging said partially-inserted object in respective directions parallel to said major and minor directions, consisting of means for urging in respective first and second directions toward one corner of said aperture;
said device being free from means for urging said Partially-inserted object in directions opposite said first and second directions,means for detecting the respective cross-section dimension of said partially-inserted object in each of said major and minor directions, andmeans for disabling said means for blocking, to permit complete insertion of said partially-inserted object into said internal space responsive to detecting at least that the cross-section dimension of the partially-inserted object in each of said major and minor directions equals the corresponding given cross-section dimension.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device such as a cassette recorder of a computer has a wall portion formed with a loading aperture for introduction of standard-type objects, such as a magnetic-tape cassette or a cassette for an optical or magnetic disc. To prevent damage or incorrect operation, the device includes a blocking mechanism which blocks the introduction of objects having a smaller width and/or height. A spring urges a partially inserted object in a direction parallel to the dimension or dimensions to be sensed.
32 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device having an internal space, and a wall portion having a loading aperture formed therein communicating with said space, for
a) accepting insertion of an object having a correct size inserted through said aperture, said object having respective larger and smaller given cross-section dimensions in respective major and minor directions, orthogonal each other and a direction of insertion, one of said dimensions being a given width and the other of said dimensions being a given height, said loading aperture having an opening width and height respectively exceeding said given width and height by a respective clearance, and b) preventing complete insertion of an object having an incorrect size, said incorrect size being an incorrect cross-section dimension less than the corresponding given cross-section dimension in at least one of said major and minor directions, into said internal space, wherein said device comprises: -
means for blocking complete insertion into said internal space of a partially-inserted object being inserted through said aperture toward said space, means, for urging said partially-inserted object in respective directions parallel to said major and minor directions, consisting of means for urging in respective first and second directions toward one corner of said aperture;
said device being free from means for urging said Partially-inserted object in directions opposite said first and second directions,means for detecting the respective cross-section dimension of said partially-inserted object in each of said major and minor directions, and means for disabling said means for blocking, to permit complete insertion of said partially-inserted object into said internal space responsive to detecting at least that the cross-section dimension of the partially-inserted object in each of said major and minor directions equals the corresponding given cross-section dimension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for scanning a record carrier contained within a cassette having a correct size, said correct size being a generally rectangular cross section in height and width directions with a given height and a given width,
said apparatus having an internal space for receiving said record carrier, a wall portion having a generally rectangular loading aperture formed therein communicating with said space, said aperture having a corner and an opening height and width respectively exceeding said given height and width by respective clearances, and a scanning device within said space for scanning a record carrier contained within said cassette having said correct size when fully inserted through said aperture, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for a) accepting insertion of said cassette having said correct size when inserted through said aperture, and b) preventing complete insertion of an incorrect size cassette, having an incorrect cross-section dimension less than at least one of said given height and given width respectively, into said internal space, and wherein the means for accepting and preventing comprises: -
means for blocking complete insertion into said internal space of a partially-inserted cassette being inserted through said aperture toward said space, means for urging the partially-inserted cassette in both the width and height directions toward said corner of the aperture;
said apparatus being free from means for urging said partially-inserted cassette in directions away from said corner,means for detecting arranged adjacent the corner diagonally opposite said corner of said aperture, for detecting the cross-section dimension of said partially-inserted cassette in each of said directions, and means for disabling said means for blocking, to permit complete insertion of said partially-inserted cassette into said internal space responsive to detecting that the height and width of said partially-inserted cassette equal said given height and given width respectively, whereby interaction between said incorrect size cassette and said scanning device within said internal space is prevented. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A device comprising a wall portion formed with a polygonal loading aperture for the introduction of an object having a correct size including a correct width and correct height, wherein the device comprises:
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blocking means for blocking the introduction of objects having a width less than said correct width, detection means for detecting the presence of a partially introduced object being introduced through said loading aperture, upon detection of said object having a correct size said detection means cooperating with said blocking means to discontinue blocking; and
wherein said detection means operates within a tolerance field situated inside the envelope of a space having a width and height equal to said correct width and height, said tolerance field being situated adjacent a boundary of said envelope, andmeans for urging said partially introduced object towards one side of the loading aperture, characterized in that said blocking means blocks the introduction of objects having a height less than said correct height, said means for urging urges said partially introduced object simultaneously towards one side of the loading aperture and towards an adjoining further side so that said partially introduced object is urged towards a corner between the adjoining sides, said tolerance field is situated diametrically opposite to said corner, and said detection means operates exclusively in said tolerance field. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification