FR2567346A1 - CHANGER APPARATUS FOR RECORDING MEDIA - Google Patents

Abstract

THE CHANGING DEVICE 20 INCLUDES AN INPUT TANK 28 CONTAINING A STACK OF CASSETTES BEFORE RECORDING A MESSAGE, A RECORDING AND REPRODUCTION BOARD FOR RECORDING REMOTE DICTED MESSAGES AND AN OUTPUT TANK 42 FOR RECORDING STORES . THE DEVICE INCLUDES CASSETTE TRANSPORT ELEMENTS FROM THE INPUT BATTERY TO THE RECORDING BOARD AND FROM THE latter TO THE OUTPUT BATTERY AS WELL AS MEANS FOR POSITIONING THE CASSETTES IN THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. A PRIORITY TANK 48 IS PROVIDED FOR CASSETTES CARRYING MESSAGES TO BE TRANSCRIBE IN PRIORITY. IDENTIFICATION AND CONTENT INFORMATION OF EACH CASSETTE IS STORED IN MEMORIES 302 AND PRINTED ON PAPER 318, 320. THE INVENTION AIMS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF A CENTRAL DICTATION FACILITY BY PROVIDING PRECIOUS MEANS OF COORDINATION THE DIFFERENT OPERATIONS.

Description

FRENCH REPUBLIC Publication No. 2,567,346 (to be used only for

  THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE Reproduction Orders> INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY s ^ OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY) N 'National Registration: 85 10491 PARIS

  Int ': H O4M 11/10; G 11 B 15/60, 23/04.

@ APPLICATION FOR PATENT OF INVENTION A1

  Date of deposit: 9 July 1985. Q () Applicant (s): DICTAPHONE CORPORATION US.

  (Priority: US, July 9, 1984, CN 629,302, 629,212,

  629,157, 629,300, 629,301 and 629,156.

  Y) Inventor (s): Willy M. Sander, Paul G. Dulaff, Philip Sidebottom, Wayne C. Hoffman, Richard G. Rutkowski and

  Date of the public availability of Anthony Ciaraldi.

  application: BOPI "Patents to No. 2 of January 10, 1986.

  ) References to other national documents appearing

(r) Holder (s):

  _ Representative (s): Novapat. Chereau cabinet.

  (9 Recording device for recording media.

  The changer apparatus 20 comprises an input tank 28 containing a stack of cassettes before recording a message, a recording and reproduction deck for recording remote dictated messages, and an outlet tank 42 for storing the recorded cassettes. . The device comprises cassette transport elements from the input stack to and from the recording deck, to the output stack as well as positioning means.

  = cassettes in different places. A priority reservoir -

  48 is intended for cassettes carrying messages to

  transcribe as a priority. Identification information and rela-

  I tives to the contents of each cassette are stored in

  memories 302 and are printed on paper 318, 320.

  The invention aims at improving the operation of an installation

  central dictation by providing co-ordinating

  between the different operations.

  OVent of the fascicles' NATIONAL PRINTING, 27 rue de la Cventi-75732 PARIS CEDEX 15 Sale of the booklets tPRNATIONALPRIMERIE, 27. rue de la Convention - 75732 PARIS CEDEX 15 The present invention relates to a recording and reproduction apparatus and more particularly a changer apparatus which cooperates with a recording and reproducing stage to bring new recording media (for recording messages or for transcription or reproduction of information) to this deck and to remove this deck supports used (ie media on which messages were recorded or whose messages were reproduced). In the field of dictation, central installations comprising for example a central recorder selectively coupled to one of several dictation stations by a link such as a reserved communication link (for example a wire connection) or by a link telephone, have become commonplace. In a type of central dictation installation, messages such as letters, reports, memories or the like are recorded on discontinuous recording media such as magnetic tape cassettes. Depending on the settings previously set by the users of the installation, a cassette carrying one or more recorded messages is automatically replaced by a new cassette so that other messages can be recorded. The messages that have been recorded on the cassette used are then transcribed using, for example, a conventional table transcription machine. A similar central facility was used for transcription of messages from cassettes, in which a cassette is replaced when the transcription of messages recorded on that tape

cassette is finished.

  By placing the recorder in a central position, it is accessible to several people who dictate and who are equipped with corresponding dictation stations or so-called dictation modules by telephone, from which messages can be transmitted and which operate to control the usual dictation functions such as recording, playback, rewinding, fast forwarding and the like. When a dictator has finished using the central recorder, the recorder is made accessible to another person who wants to dictate. Typically, the recording medium or cassette on which the user has dictated his messages may be replaced or ejected when a determined length of tape has been used or when a fixed number of messages have been recorded. or when a fixed number of different people have recorded messages on that medium or when a certain amount of time has passed since the first message was recorded. Examples of central dictation installations using cassette changers are described, for example, in U.S. Patents 4,071,857, 4,092,679, 4,092,685.

and 4,099,209.

  In central dictation cassette changer installations, of the type described in the above-mentioned patents, a cassette is transported via a carrier device from a reserve or input stack to a platen. recording. The stage is mounted on a movable support which places this stage in a working position with respect to the cassette which has been transported to the stage. Then, after using a specified length of tape or after recording a selected number of messages or after using the tape by a selected number of dictators or after a lapse of time determined non-operation, the plate is moved and the conveyor device continues to transport the cassette used to an output stack. Concurrently with the ejection of the cassette from the recording deck, a new cassette is transported by the transport device from the input stack to this deck. As also described in the above-mentioned patents, if a cassette has been designated as a priority cassette, ie if the message or the messages recorded on this cassette are to be transcribed promptly and as a priority, the cassette used, is taken to a special unloading device with priority. From there, the priority cassette can be provided immediately to a person performing the transcription. The transcription of such priority cassettes need not be deferred until all the other cassettes used which precede this priority cassette, have

have been transcribed.

  The cassette changer apparatus of the aforementioned type has been provided with a motor for driving the cassette transport mechanism, another motor for bringing the recording deck into its working position relative to the cassette and yet another motor to lift the cassette used on the output stack. The operation of all three motors is coordinated by a logic electronic circuit which. in one embodiment, has been realized as discrete components and in another embodiment, in the form of

  a specially programmed microprocessor.

  Other cassette changer devices are known.

  For example, a shuttle cart has been proposed to transport or reverse a cassette from a horizontal input stack to a recording deck, and then, after recording one or more messages, from this board to a horizontal output stack. Another example of such a device, similar to a slide projector, removes a cassette from an input magazine, lowers this cassette on a recording deck, returns the cassette used from the deck to the magazine, then advance the store, to access the next cassette in it. Another example is provided with a vertical cassette input stack from which the lowest cassette is lowered onto a recording deck and, after recording one or more messages, this cassette is raised from the

platinum and removed.

  A problem that many of the above-mentioned cassette changers present is the coordination of the removal of a used cassette from the recording deck and the replacement of that cassette by a new cassette from a reserve. input. Typically, separate drive motors are used to transport a new cassette to the recording deck, to load that cassette onto the deck and to eject a used cassette from the deck to an exit port. It is clear that such coordination can be effected via an electronic control circuit or microprocessors, as mentioned above, or by a relatively complex mechanical timing arrangement. The use of multiple drive motors, electronic control circuits, and timing mechanical arrangements is relatively expensive and, in addition, can cause difficulties when servicing or repairing

become necessary.

  The present invention is based on the use of a relatively simple drive arrangement which inherently provides appropriate coordination of the various functions related to changing cassettes, namely transporting a new cassette to the turntable recording, placing this cassette in an operating relationship with the platen and ejecting a used cassette from the platen to an appropriate output aperture. In addition, the operating principles of the present invention make it easy to adapt it to its use as a cassette changer using standard size cassettes, mini cassettes, micro-cassettes or extremely small new cassettes as described. for example in U.S. Patent No. 4,443,827. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved changer apparatus usable for recording media such as recording media.

  contained in cartridges or cassettes.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved changer apparatus of the aforementioned type, which is of relatively simple construction while operating accurately, and which is relatively simple and little

  expensive maintenance and / or repair.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a changer apparatus of the above-mentioned type in which a single motor is used to transport a cassette from an input stack to a recording deck and then to eject a used cassette. platinum

  from recording to an output stack.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a changer apparatus of the above-mentioned type which makes it possible to transport a cassette designated as a priority to an appropriate priority location from which it can

  be retrieved and transcribed as a priority.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a changer apparatus of the above-mentioned type having a recording deck which provides quick and easy access for relatively simple repairs or maintenance, without the need for disassembly - or

  disassembly of important parts of the device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a cassette guiding apparatus which accurately guides a cassette to the correct working position and produces correct alignment on a recording and reproduction platter, within the scope of the invention. 'a

  changer apparatus of the type mentioned above.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus usable with the changer apparatus of the aforementioned type, by means of which an inscription is printed concerning the identification of a cassette, the messages which have been recorded and other information

  relating to the recording of such messages.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a changer apparatus which can be used with different types of recording media such as standard sized cassettes, minicassettes, micro-cassettes, cassettes of even smaller sizes and other types of recording media of

  preferably contained in cartridges.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a changer apparatus of the above-mentioned type in which a cam is driven by a single drive motor and operates to coordinate the individual steps that constitute a media change operation.

  recording such as changing a cassette.

  Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the

  detailed description that follows and the features

  news will be indicated more particularly in the

appended claims.

  In accordance with the present invention, the changer apparatus is provided with an inlet reservoir for storing a plurality of recording media, such as magnetic tape cassettes, and an output tank for storing cassettes on which messages have been received. recorded by means of a recording deck A movable removal member has the function of removing a cassette from the inlet tank and supplying this cassette to a receiving device which in turn places this cassette on the recording deck . The receiving device is further operable to transport a cassette from the recording deck to the outlet tank before receiving the removed cassette. A rotary cam is drive-coupled to the withdrawal member and also has a cam surface coupled to the receiving device so that the receiving device is driven to carry a cassette from the recording deck to the reservoir of exit and

  to replace it with the next cassette.

  According to a feature of the present invention, the retractor comprises a pusher arm coupled to the cam by a pin connection, so as to reciprocate between opposite extreme positions as the cam completes a complete rotation. According to one embodiment, the push arm is provided with a groove in which the connecting pin moves, the push arm being pushed towards the connecting pin and having. an angle such that, when the connecting pin moves in the groove, the push arm is driven in one direction

  essentially normal to its direction of movement

  back and forth, thus making a withdrawal movement in a

  given plan and a movement back into another plane.

  According to another particular feature of the present invention, the receiver device comprises an elevator equipped with a tray for supporting a cassette and a cam follower which cooperates with the cam surface to elevate this plate of the recording deck to to the outlet tank which, advantageously, has the form of a vertical stack placed above the recording deck, then to return the tray of the outlet tank to an intermediate position to receive the withdrawn cassette and then lower this cassette on the recording deck. According to one embodiment, the elevator comprises at least one holding arm for holding a cassette on the tray, the holding arm being able to swing out of the zone where it could interfere with the cassette when the tray is raised, thus allowing the setting up this cassette at the bottom

of the outlet tank.

  According to yet another feature of the present invention, a priority unloading apparatus is provided for selectively removing a determined cassette from the outlet tank, in the case where this cassette has been designated as a priority cassette. More particularly, if the last cassette that has been ejected from the recording deck to the outlet tank has been designated as a priority cassette, the priority unloader is operated to transport that cassette from the outlet tank to a priority tank. According to one embodiment, the priority unloading device comprises a movable finger for coming into contact with the lowest cassette in the outlet tank, this finger being coupled, by

  via a lead screw follower, to a lead screw.

  The lead screw is driven in a certain direction to advance the finger to eject a cassette from the outlet reservoir, and in the opposite direction after the ejected cassette has been transported to the priority reservoir, so as to return the finger to a

rest position.

  According to another characteristic of the present invention, the recording deck is supported at a location below the transport path followed by the

  cassette when removed from the inlet tank.

  Advantageously, the recording deck is pivotally supported at one end thereof and is releasably supported at the other end so as to allow the recording deck to pivot into a non-operating position and thus allow access to the plate by an operator. According to one embodiment, the recording deck is supported in a frame having two spaced flexible ears which are armed to tend to approach one another, the recording deck being mounted on a support plate who

  is supported by these spaced ears.

  Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a cassette guiding device leading to the recording deck, to place the cassette in the correct alignment and alignment position on the deck. The cassette guide device may have a unitary structure and have two laterally spaced angular guide ramps that engage one or both of the side edges of the cassette which is lowered, thereby aligning the cassette with the elements. common operating modes such as drive shafts, capstan and transducer that are normally on the board. The cassette guide device also includes a front stop for engaging the front edge of the cassette and at least one rear guide member for engaging the rear edge of the cassette. The rear guide member is preferably resilient, so as to push the cassette against the end stop. In addition, protruding guide pins form part of the cassette guiding device for engaging in guiding apertures

in the cassette.

  According to yet another characteristic of the present invention, the changer apparatus is part of a dictation installation comprising a plurality of dictation stations and a printer which prints a recording of the information relating to the messages recorded on the different cassettes by means of the recording deck. 'recording. According to one embodiment, each cassette is provided with indications marked on this cassette, these indications being readable by an appropriate reader such as an optical reader, when the cassette is transported from the inlet reservoir to the receiving device . The recording provided by the printer includes an identification of the cassette on which messages were dictated, the number of messages that were dictated, the total length of the messages dictated, and the time of day on which the cassette was ejected. of the recording deck. According to another aspect of this feature, if the dictation station used by a person to record messages is provided with an appropriate means for identifying the dictating person, the printed record also includes the identity of the dictating person. Advantageously, the recording can indicate whether the message that has been recorded on the cassette is a priority message and the type of message that has been recorded. In addition, an indication -concerning the type of message, eg letter, memory, report

etc ..., can be printed.

  The following detailed description, given as a

  for example, and which is not intended to limit the present invention solely to it, will be best understood in connection with the drawings which are also intended not to limit the present invention solely to these illustrations, in which: FIG. 1 is a front view, in perspective, of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view from above, along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, FIG. a sectional view of the removal member used in the context of the present invention, along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a bottom view of the push arm used as the along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a view from the rear of the apparatus along the line 6-6 of Figure 2, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rear of the apparatus shown in Figure 6, the figure 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2, showing the initial positions or rest positions of the pusher arm and the elevator used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 showing the elevator. in its uppermost position and the push arm in the position in which the lowest cassette is being removed from the inlet tank of the changer apparatus, Fig. 10 is a view similar to that of Fig. 8 showing the elevator in its intermediate position enabling it to receive the cassette which has been removed by the push arm of the inlet reservoir, FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are side views along the lines 11A-11A, 11B-11B and lieclic of the corresponding figures 8, 9 and 10, showing the respective positions of the elevator, the cassette support pawls and a locking member, all described in more detail below, FIG. a right view of the changer apparatus, along the line 1212 of Fig. 2, Fig. 13 is a side sectional view of the priority ejection mechanism used in the present invention, Fig. 14 is a front view. , in section, along the line 14-14 of Figure 13, illustrating the manner in which a priority cassette is ejected from the outlet reservoir, Figure 15 is a sectional view showing the transport of the priority cassette by the priority ejection mechanism to the priority reservoir, Figure 16 is a sectional view showing the manner in which the priority cassette is transported entirely to the priority reservoir, FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the final position of the priority cassette in the priority reservoir, FIG. 18 is a schematic view, in perspective, showing the manner in which the recording deck is releasably supported in the changer apparatus, Fig. 19 is a plan view, from above, of the recording and reproducing deck and the FIG. 20 is a sectional view, along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19, of FIG. Figure 21 is a front view of the cassette guide device, and Figure 22 is a partially schematic representation, partially in the form of a block diagram, of a printing apparatus for use with the changer apparatus in a central dictation installation. In the interest of simplification, the recording medium with which the changer apparatus of the present invention is described herein is assumed to be a magnetic tape cassette. It is clear, however, that other isolated recording media may be used such as magnetic disks, magnetic tape cartridges, and other discontinuous recording media. The term "cassette" used herein is intended to refer to conventional magnetic tape cassettes, but also to such other discontinuous recording media. On the other hand, it is clear that the cassettes that can be used with the changer apparatus of the present invention may be standard sized cassettes, mini cassettes, micro-cassettes, or even even smaller cassettes described in U.S. Patent No. 4,443,827. The term "cassette" is meant to refer to each or all of these magnetic tape cassettes and to each and all media

discontinuous recording.

  Referring to the figures, in which the same reference numerals have been used everywhere, the cassette changer apparatus of the present invention is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 20 and is intended to be used either with a radio station. single dictation, from which a person can record one or more messages on a cassette, as will be described, or as part of a central dictation installation in which the cassette changer 20 is electrically connected to a station dictation chosen from among several stations, such as for example by means of a wire connection or telephone, so that one of several can individually record messages on a tape. The cassette changer 20 has a base 22, opposite side supports 24 and 26 (shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7) and a U-shaped rear panel 30 which extends between and beyond lateral supports 24, 26. A branch 32 of the U-shaped rear panel 30 cooperates with a side wall 40 and a portion of the rear panel to form an inlet reservoir 28 which is arranged to receive a stack of cassettes designated herein. as TCI input cassettes. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 8 through 10, an outlet tank 42 is formed by a pair of side walls 44 and 46 which are supported by and extend forward of the rear panel. 30. The outlet tank 42 is arranged to store a stack of cassettes used, i.e. cassettes that have been ejected from the recording deck described below, and on

  which one or more messages have been saved.

  Cassettes that have been stored in the tank of

  output 42 are referred to in this description as

  TCO output cassettes. Finally, and optionally, a priority reservoir 48 is formed by the remaining branch 34 of the U-shaped back panel 30 (FIG. 1), which forms a side wall 52, in combination with another sidewall 50, which is The priority reservoir 48 is therefore formed of two side walls 50 and 52, in combination with a portion of the rear panel 30. Preferably, but not necessarily, the space between the inlet reservoir 28 and the outlet tank 42 is protected by a front panel 54 which extends between the side walls 40 and 44, and similarly the space between the outlet tank 42 and the priority tank 48 is protected by a panel frontal 56 which extends between the side walls

46 and 50.

  The TCI input cassettes are maintained in a good position in the inlet reservoir 28 and a flange portion 36 protrudes from the U-shaped rear panel branch 32, 30, and a similar portion of the front panel. 54, prevent accidental misalignment or output cassettes, these protruding portions for partially blocking the front wall of each cassette in the inlet tank. Similarly, protruding portions of the front panels 54 and 56 serve to prevent inadvertent misalignment or exit of the cassettes into the outlet tank, and similar protruding portions are formed by the flange 38 of the branch 34 and a protrusion of the front panel 56, preventing accidental misalignment or cassette output of the priority tank 48. As can be seen, the front panel 56 terminates in a lower edge 57 (FIG. 1) and this front panel can be made in one. piece with the front panel 54 and the rear panel 30. The particular machining, manufacturing and construction of these elements are not critical. Suffice it to say that an inlet tank, an outlet tank and a priority tank are formed. The way in which cassettes are transported between these tanks will be

described later.

  A cassette support tray 58 is disposed within, and more precisely below, the inlet reservoir 28, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The input cassette stack TCI is supported by the tray of FIG. cassette support 58. A slot 59, best seen in FIG. 2, is formed in the cassette support tray to allow passage through this slot of a projecting finger 62 of a push arm 60. this will be described in more detail below, the push arm 60 is driven by a back and forth motion such that the projecting finger 62 of this arm comes into contact with a side wall of the lowest cassette at the tank 28, to remove or push this cassette out of the inlet tank and on a receiving tray that operates to place this cassette on the recording deck. As will be described, the pusher arm 60 is driven about a pivot axis 274 (FIG. 2) in the direction from left to right to remove the lowest cassette of the inlet reservoir 28, and then this arm The pusher is driven to pivot in the right-to-left direction about the pivot axis 274 to return to the position in which it is placed to remove the next cassette from the inlet reservoir. That is, as best shown in Figure 2, the push arm 60

  is trained to perform a movement of va-and-

  comes from the position shown in dotted lines to that shown in solid lines, then back to l1. position shown in dotted lines. As will be described, when the push arm 60 returns from its rightmost position to its leftmost position, it is moved to a lower horizontal plane, so as to return to its leftmost position without colliding with the stack cassettes stored in the tank

entrance 28.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the push arm 60 is in its extreme left position, it extends beyond the branch 32. As shown in FIG. 1, this branch is provided with an opening 64 to prevent the end of the push arm 60 and, more particularly, the finger 62 thereof, to exit from and then enter the

inlet tank 28.

  As best shown in Fig. 1, the side wall 40 of the inlet reservoir is provided with an exit slot 66 through which the lowest cassette (referred to as "TCi1 cassette") is removed from the reservoir. entered and conveyed to an elevator which is disposed below the outlet tank 42. As mentioned above, the function of the elevator is to receive the cassette which has been removed from the inlet tank 28 to lower the cassette on the recording deck for recording messages on that tape, then ejecting the cassette from the recording deck and placing it on the bottom of the stack of TCO0 output cassettes which are stored in the output tank 42. This vertical movement back and forth of the elevator is performed by the elevator device indicated in its

  together in Figure 2 by reference numeral 70.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and also FIGS. 6 and 7, the elevator 70 comprises a frame 72 to which is coupled an arm 74 in the shape of an L, this arm being provided with a sleeve 76 to allow the arm and the chassis This guide shaft is placed between a projecting portion which extends rearwardly from the rear panel 30, and the base 22. The frame 72 is also provided with a guide lug 80 which, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, protrudes from a lateral edge of the frame 72, this lug moving in a guide notch 82 formed in the support portion

lateral 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 and best seen in FIG. 8, a roller 84 is mounted on the L-shaped arm 74, this roller acting as a cam follower. It is sufficient to note that the roller 84 moves along an irregular surface 242 of the cam 240 to transmit the vertical movement to the elevator 70. As will be explained, as the roller 84 moves along the surface 242 to the top thereof, the elevator 70 is driven upward to place a cassette which it carries, at the bottom of the stack of TCO output cassettes. As the roller 84 moves from the top of the surface of the cam 242 to an intermediate position, the elevator is driven downward to a receiving position in alignment with the cassette support tray 58 so as to receive a The cassette is pushed onto the elevator by the push arm 60. Then, when the roller moves along the cam surface 242 from the intermediate portion to the bottom, the elevator 70 brings the cassette which it carries into a working position

  compared to the recording deck.

  From FIGS. 2 and 8 to 11, it can be seen that the elevator 70 is provided with a cassette receiving tray 90 which is mounted on the chassis 72 by means of a tongue 88. Thus, when the chassis 72 is driven towards the up and down, the tongue 88 and the plate 86 are also driven with this frame. It is clear that the plateau 86

  is arranged to receive and support a cassette.

  The elevator 70 further comprises two holding arms 90 and 92 which, as shown in FIG. 2, are L-shaped and terminate in respective claw-shaped feet 94 and 96. The purpose of these arms is maintenance and more particularly the claws 94 and 96 is to maintain a cassette on the plate 86 when the elevator 70 lowers the cassette on the recording deck and ensure that the cassette is placed correctly on or in good position relative to the deck during recording or playback. Advantageously, the claws 94 and 96 are mounted so as to pivot or tilt apart when the elevator 70 rises to place the cassette on the plate 86 at the bottom of the TCO output cassette stack. Consequently, the holding arms 90 and 92 respectively extend from pivoting rods 98 and these rods being connected to the frame 72 so as to

  able to rotate, as shown in Figure 2.

  Advantageously, spring elements 102 and 104 act on the rods 98 and 100 to push the holding arms 90 and 92 to the position shown in Figure 2. As best illustrated in Figure 8, the claws 94 and 96 are provided with respective inclined surfaces 95 and 97, these surfaces being disposed substantially on the upper part of the claws. The inclined surfaces 95 and 97 are arranged to respectively contact cam surfaces 106 and 108 of a vertical wall in the outlet tank, the inclined surfaces of the claws being brought into contact with the cam surfaces of the vertical wall. when the elevator 70 is driven upwards. It is noted that the forces acting on the claws 94 and 96 when the inclined surfaces thereof come into contact with the cam surfaces 106 and 108, serve to rotate the rods 98 and 100 so as to move the arms to maintain positions in which they do not interfere. This in turn allows the cassette supported on the tray 86 to be lifted to the bottom of the stack of output cassettes 42. As best shown in FIG. 8, the vertical wall mentioned above, on which the surfaces are arranged cam 106 and 108, is provided with guide notches 110 and 112 for receiving the claws 94 and 96 when the holding arms pivot to the above-mentioned position in which they do not interfere with the arrangement of the claws 94 and 96 The elevator 70 also has a locking member 134 partially shown in FIG. TC0 cassette output and has the function to prevent the accidental movement of a cassette, such as the lowest cassette in the outlet tank 42, which could interfere with the elevator plate 86 or cassette that is already p laced on this plateau. As will be described, the recording deck is disposed below and in alignment with the outlet tank 42 and the blocking member 134 prevents a cassette from falling into a lower position in which it would interfere with the

recording deck.

  As best seen in FIG. 11 and as is also visible in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the locking member 134 comprises a finger-shaped stop member 136, the stop member and the locking member preferably forming a constructive unit. The stop member 136 is mounted on the frame 72 of the elevator 70 so as to be pivotable. More particularly, the frame 72 is provided with two protruding lugs 138 and 140, and the stop member 136 is provided with pivot pins 142 and 144 that pivot respectively in the lugs 138 and 140. locking member 134 is mounted relative to the lugs 138 and 140 so as to be pivotable and, thereby, the locking member is rotatably mounted relative to the elevator frame 72. stopping the counterclockwise rotation of the locking member 134, a

  rotational force being provided by a spring 141.

  The back panel 30 is provided with a contact member 146 attached to this panel and best seen in FIGS. 8 to 11. Note that when the elevator 70 is driven upwards, the contact member 146 is arranged to intercept the locking member 134. As a result of this interception, a force is exerted down on the locking member 134 by the contact member 146. Therefore, the locking member rotates in the downward direction, shown in Fig. 11B, as the elevator frame 72 ascends. In this way, the locking member tilts out of its locking position, so as to allow the cassette placed on the tray

  86 to be lifted to the bottom of the outlet tank 42.

  The output cassette stack TCO0 is supported in the outlet tank 42 by means of two rear pawls 122 and a front pawl 124. The "back" designation used herein refers to elements in alignment with or acting on the rear wall of a cassette, this rear wall being contiguous to the rear panel 30. The designation "front" refers to elements that are in contact or cooperate with the front wall of the cassette. Thus the rear pawls 120 and 122 are arranged to support the lowest cassette in the outlet tank 42 in the vicinity of the rear wall thereof, and the front pawl 124 is arranged to support the cassette near its front wall. . In the embodiment described here, the rear pawls 120 and 122 are arranged to support the rear corners of the bottom wall of a cassette, and the pawl 124 is arranged to support the bottom wall of a cassette along from the front edge of it. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, the rear pawls and 122 constitute the respective free ends of a U-shaped frame 114, this frame being mounted so as to be pivotable on a support 115 which is fixed on the rear surface of the frame. back panel (Figures 2 and 7). As shown in Figures 2 and 11, the armature 114 is provided with pivoting means 116 and 118 by which the armature is mounted on the support 115 so as to pivot. Preferably, one or both of the pivot means 116 and 118 are provided with a winding spring arranged to hold the armature and the rear pawls 120 and 122 in the support position.

  illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 11A.

  The front pawl 124 is pivotably mounted to the ears 126 and 128 which are outwardly oriented from the respective front panels 56 and 58, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The front ratchet is provided with tabs 130 and 132 which are pivotably housed respectively in the lugs 126 and 128, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, one or both of these pivoting means is or are provided with ( s) an armature spring so as to push the front pawl 124 into the position shown in FIG. 1,

2 and 11A. -

  As will be described in more detail below, when the elevator 70 mounts a cassette from the recording deck to the outlet tank 42, the front and rear edges of the top wall of this cassette come into contact with the inclined surfaces, shown, of the front pawl 124 and the rear pawls 120 and 122, so as to rotate these catches in a direction opposite to that of the armature springs exerted on them, as shown in phantom dotted in Figure 11B. In this way, the pawls tilt out of the area where they would interfere with the cassette which is lifted up the bottom of the outlet tank 42. Once this cassette has been raised enough to release the pawls 120, 122 and 124, the forces arming the springs exerted thereon tends to return these pawls to the position which is best seen in Figs. 11A and 11C, wherein these pawls are positioned to support the lowest cassette in the output stack. TCO. Therefore, the cassette output stack TC0 is supported in the

  outlet tank 42 by the pawls 120, 122 and 124.

  As mentioned above, the recording deck designated here as a recording and reproducing stage is disposed below the outlet tank 42 and arranged to record and / or reproduce messages on a cassette which is "loaded" on that deck. . The recording and reproducing stage, generally designated by the reference numeral 150, may comprise the usual drive and axes, the capstan, the clamping roller, the recording and reproducing head and the head of the Erasure normally provided on standard recording devices. It is clear that when the recording and reproduction deck is used to record messages, for example on mini-cassettes, the capstan and the clamping roller may be missing. Generally speaking, the recording and reproduction stage is provided with the usual means for transporting the magnetic medium (for example the magnetic tape) and for recording or reproducing

information on this medium.

  The recording and reproducing stage 150 is supported by a platen support plate 152 (FIGS. 1, 12 and 18), this support plate being in turn supported by a platinum support frame 154. Preferably, the platen support frame is formed by a flexible material such as ABS, the rear part of the frame being provided with two protuberances 156 and 158 (FIGS. 2, 6 and 7) for supporting suspension elements 160 and 162 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 18) which are upwardly directed from the rear of the platen support plate 152. Note that the rear part of the recording and reproducing platen 150 is pivotally mounted on the platinum support frame 154 due to the cooperation between the

  suspension elements 160 and 162 and the protuberances

  The front portion of the platen support frame 154 is provided with two upwardly facing flexible lugs 164 and 166 (FIGS. 1 and 18) which respectively have notches 168 and 170 for receiving and supporting the front portion of the housing. platinum support plate 15.2. As will be explained, to allow access to the recording and reproduction plate 150 for simple repairs or for maintenance or to remedy a band lock, the ears 164 and 166 can be moved manually in the direction respective, directed, outwardly as shown in Figure 18, so as to release the front portion of the platen support plate 152 and to

2567346-

  enable tilting of the recording deck and -

  reproduction 150 relative to the frame 154 downwards.

  The suspension elements 160 and 162 can then be separated from the protuberances 156 and 158 to allow the removal of the plate 150 from the chassis and the repair.

or the maintenance of this platinum.

  The above generally describes the structure of the cassette changer apparatus, whereby the cassette in the lowest position in the inlet tank 28 is transported from this tank to the tray 86 of the elevator 70 to be lowered on the record and playback deck 150 for recording messages, and then, after the recording process is complete, the elevator 70 lifts this cassette to the bottom of the outlet tank 42, and returns the deck 86 to a position where he receives a new cassette. As mentioned above, a particular feature of the present invention is to remove from the outlet reservoir 42 a cassette which has been designated as a priority cassette. Such a priority unloading apparatus comprises a priority ejection finger 198 (FIGS. 2 and 14 to 17), a lead screw 206 and an articulated flap 178 (FIGS. 2, 8 to 10 and 14 to 17) arranged in the vicinity of the reservoir. Priority 148. The priority ejector finger 198 is provided with a tab 200 and is integral with a follower 202 cooperating with the lead screw. Advantageously, the tab 200 and the follower 202 form a constructive unit. A winding spring 204, disposed inside the bore of the follower 202, serves to reinforce the contact between this follower and the lead screw 206. As will be described later, because of this stress, the finger priority ejection 198 tends to rotate at the same time as the lead screw 206. In other words, if the lead screw rotates clockwise, the ejection finger 198 also rotates in this direction of the needles of a watch, so as to cause the tab 200 to rotate. Conversely, if the lead screw 206 rotates counterclockwise, the ejector pin 198-also rotates in the opposite direction of the needles. of a watch and drives the

paw 200.

  The opposite ends of the lead screw 206 are housed in bearings 108 and 210 (FIG. 2) which, in turn, are supported by mother-screw support pieces 212 and 214, respectively fixed to the front panel 54 and the branch 34. The drive shaft of a priority drive motor 216 is coupled with a pulley 218 which is connected by a drive belt 220 to a lead screw pulley 222. As shown in FIGS. and 12, the main-screw pulley 222 is coupled at one end, for example at the right-hand end of the lead screw 206 to drive the latter in rotation in the direction determined by the direction of rotation of the motor. training 216. Two

  stop members 224 and 226 are arranged in the vicinity of the

  opposite ends of the lead screw 206 and serve to prevent overtravel of the ejector finger 198 in the case where the supply of the priority drive motor 216

  is not accidentally cut off, as will be described.

  Motor switches 228 and 230 are also disposed adjacent the opposite ends of the lead screw 206 and are arranged to contact the ejector finger 198 when the latter has been driven respectively to its end position. left or starting position, and to its extreme position

right or end position.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a protection 232 covers the visor 206, this protection being provided with an elongated slot 234. The slot 234 has at its left end a vertical notch 236 and at its right end a larger notch 238 As can be seen in FIG. 13, the ejector finger 198 is provided with a heel 201 which protrudes outwardly from the elongate slot 234. When the ejector finger is in its position of starting or resting (Figure 2), the heel 201 is aligned with the vertical notch 236. Therefore, when the lead screw 206 rotates clockwise, the ejector finger 198 also rotates, because of the action of the spring 204 and the heel 201 passes through the vertical notch 236 to allow the ejection finger to rotate to the position shown in dotted line in Figure 13. In this configuration, the tab 200 is arranged to come into contact with the left side wall of the cassette being in the lowest position in the outlet tank 42; When the lead screw 206 continues to rotate, the lower edge of the front panel 54 (FIG. 13) prevents further rotation of the ejector finger 198 and thus allows the lead screw follower 202 to "follow" the rotation of it. It follows that the cassette which has come into contact with the tab 200 is removed from the reservoir, outlet 42 and is driven to

in the priority tank 148.

  As will be described in more detail below, this priority cassette remains inside the priority reservoir when the override drive motor 216 is inverted to drive the lead screw 206 in the opposite direction. The inversion of the priority drive motor is triggered when the ejector finger 198 reaches its final position and comes into contact with a limit switch 230 to cause the supply of the priority drive motor to be inverted. . When the ejector finger 198 is in its final position, this finger is in the vicinity of the enlarged notch 238 and rotates with the lead screw 206 because, again, the action of the spring 204, to place the heel 201 against the upper edge of the elongate slot 234. A rotation of the ejection finger 198 beyond this position is thus prevented and the lead screw follower 202 "now follows" the rotation, in the opposite direction of the needles d a watch, the lead screw 206 to return the ejection finger to its starting position or rest position. It is clear that the protection 232 thus has the function of limiting the rotation of the ejector finger 198 during the rotation of the mother screw 206 I so as to allow the correct positioning of the ejector finger

  when it is driven along the lead screw.

  As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 7, the push arm 60 has an angle at the location 61 and one of these ends is coupled to the pivot axis 274 so as to enable it to pivot . The finger 62 is arranged

  at the free end of the pusher arm 60 protruding.

  The pivot axis 274 is coupled to a column of

  pivoting 276 attached to the base 22 of the changer apparatus.

  A support piece 278 is mounted at the upper end of the pivot column 276 and supports a spring 280 for biasing the push arm 60. In addition, a spring lock washer 282 secures the support piece 278 on the upper part of the column 276 and also serves to exert a force directed towards the

down on the push arm 60.

  As seen from below (Figure 4), a groove 284

  is formed on the lower surface of the pusher arm 60.

  This groove has a relatively deep section 286 and is arranged to drive a connecting pin 270 through which the throttle arm is mechanically coupled

to the rotary cam 240.

  As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7, the cam 240 has an irregular cam surface 242 on which the roller moves. follower cam 84 of the elevator 70, as will be described. The cam 240 is rotated about the axis of rotation attached to the base 22, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. A cam drive motor 252 is attached to the base 22 via a motor support 254, this motor having a drive shaft couples with a pulley 256, as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7. The pulley 256 is, in turn, coupled with a screw drive pulley The drive pulley 258 is driven by a drive belt 258. The drive pulley of the lead screw is coupled to a worm 262 so that when the drive motor of

  Cam 252 is energized, the worm 262 is driven.

  The toothing of the worm 262 is engaged with the toothing 264 disposed around the periphery of the lower portion of the cam 240. Thus, the feeding of the cam drive motor 252 causes the cam 240 to rotate. the needs of the present invention it will be assumed that the cam 240 rotates in the opposite direction of the needles

  of a watch in the representation of Figure 2.

  The cam 240 has an upper surface 266 (FIGS. 2 and 5) on which a support member 268 is arranged. This support member serves to support a pin assembly 272 which terminates with the connecting pin 270. As mentioned above and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting pin is entrained by and rotates in the groove 284 at the bottom surface

push arm 60.

  A cam drive motor switch 290 is disposed adjacent the bottom portion of the cam 240, which switch has a pair of contacts that are closed or open when they come into contact with a protrusion on the cylindrical wall of the cam. drug. Closing or opening of the contacts of the switch 290 interrupts the power supply of the cam drive motor 252 to

  terminate the rotation of the cam 240.

  Suppose pin 270 moves in groove 284 in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. When pin 270 is in the position shown by the solid lines of FIG. 4 (which corresponds to the position shown in FIG. 2), the push arm 60 is driven from right to left towards the position represented by the dashed lines of FIG. 2. For convenience, this position, ie the position represented by the dashed lines, is designated as committed position. The position of the pusher arm 60, represented by the solid lines of FIG. 2, is designated as the original position. From the original position to the engaged position, the pin moves into the deep portion 286 of the groove 284, and the spring force exerted downward on the push arm is then used to place the finger 62 below. 58. This is shown more particularly in FIG. 8. Further rotation of the cam 240 places the pin 268 in a relatively shallow portion 285 of the groove 284. This in turn tends to mount or raising the pusher arm 60 so as to place the finger 62 in a position in which it contacts the left side wall of the lowest cassette in the inlet reservoir 28, as shown in FIG. The subsequent rotation of the cam 240 drives the pin 270 into the groove 284 to the location 287 thereof, this location serving to rotate the push arm 60 to its end position shown in FIG. When the cam continues 240 to rotate, the pin 270 moves from the position 287 through the deeper portion of the groove 286 so as to lower the push arm, that is, to return it to the original position shown in FIG. 8, then to return the push arm to the engaged position represented by the dashed lines of FIG. 2. It can thus be seen that when the cam 240 performs a complete rotation, the push arm 60 is driven from its position d the origin (FIG. 8) to its engaged position in which the push arm rises to bring the finger 62 into contact with the lowest cassette in the inlet reservoir 28 and to drive the cassette towards the plate 86 of the elevator 70 (Figure 10). Therefore, the push arm 60 does not only reciprocate in the left-to-right direction (FIGS. 2 and 8 to 10) but also performs a vertical movement allowing the finger 62 to be removed until in the engaged position (Figure 9) as it passes under the TCI input cassette stack. Note that the pusher arm drives the lowest cassette TCI as it moves in a horizontal plane, then returns to a lower horizontal plane to come into contact with the next cassette in the inlet tank. In addition to the reciprocating movement of the pusher arm 60 caused by the rotation of the cam 240, the cam also functions to drive the elevator 70 in the vertical direction. As mentioned above, the roller 84 which protrudes from the L-shaped arm 74 of the elevator moves on the cam surface 242. As can be seen from FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the cam surface 242 is provided with an apex 244, a bottom 246 and an intermediate portion 248. When the roller 84 moves from the bottom 246 to the top 244, the elevator 70 rises to raise the plate 86 so as to bring the cassette which is then placed on this plate, from the recording and reproduction plate 150 to the bottom of the stack of TCO output cassettes. When the cam 240 continues to rotate, the roller 84 moves from the top 244 to the intermediate portion 248, lowering the plate 86 to the position in which it receives a new cassette which is brought from the reservoir input 28 by the push arm 60. It should be noted that the intermediate portion 248 has a circumferential extent sufficient to maintain the tray in the position in which it receives a new cassette, as long as it is necessary for the arm -pump 60 removes this cassette from the inlet tank. Then, the roller 84 moves from the intermediate portion 248 to the bottom 246 so as to lower the plate 86 and bring the cassette on this plate, on the recording and reproduction plate 150. A guide member of cassettes 176 which may have the general configuration of a conical guide is shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 8 to 10 and is disposed above the recording and reproducing plate for guiding a cassette lowered by the tray 86

  in a position aligned correctly with the plate.

  The manner in which the movement of the pusher arm 60 and the movement of the elevator 70- are coordinated will now be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10 and 11A to 11C. Assume that the cam 240 has rotated so that the roller 84 has moved to the bottom 246 while the pin 270 is in the position shown in Figure 4. It is recalled that this position of the cam of the arm The push-button and the elevator is designated as the original position and is shown in FIG. 8. Here, the finger 62 has been lowered below the cassette support plate 58 thus allowing the push arm to return to its position. engaged without interfering with the stacked cassettes within the inlet reservoir 28. In addition, since the roller 84 is placed on the bottom-246 of the cam surface 242, the elevator 70 is in its position. lowest position, then the plate 86 has lowered the cassette placed on this plate on the recording and reproduction plate 150o To facilitate understanding of the coordinated operation between the push arm 60 and the elevator 70, it is assumed here that the cassette now loaded on the tray 86 is designated TCo1 and the lowest cassette to be the next cassette to be removed from the inlet tank

28 is designated TCi1.

  Figure 8 shows that the holding arms 90 and 92 are in a position in which they hold the cassette TCo1 on the tray 86, and in fact, these holding arms have operated to ensure that this cassette has been loaded and maintained properly on the record and playback deck for a

  recording or reproduction operation.

  It is assumed that the cam drive motor 252 is not energized when the pusher arm 60 and the elevator 70 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 8. Now suppose that the cassette change operation must be performed. Therefore, the cam drive motor 252 is energized to start the rotation of the cam 240. As the cam rotates, the pin 270 moves in the groove 284 in the direction indicated by the arrows 284. Thus, when As the cam rotates, the pin 270 drives the pusher arm 60 so that it pivots clockwise around the pivot axis 274. The pin now moves into the relatively deeper portion 286 of the cam. groove 284 and thus holds the finger.62 under the cassette support tray 58 when the push arm is driven to its

  engaged position shown in Figure 9.

  As the cam 240 rotates, the roller 84 moves from the bottom 246 to the top 244 of the cam surface 242, as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, when the pusher arm 60 is driven to its engaged position, elevator 70 is driven upwards. As a result, the elevator platen 86 mounts the cassette TC01 located thereon to the bottom of the TCO output cassette stack. Recall that when the elevator 70 is mounted, the pivoting rods 98 and 100 of the holding arms and 92 rotate outward due to contact between the cam surfaces 106 and 108 and the inclined surfaces 95 and 97 of the claws. 94 and 96. As shown in FIG. 9, the holding arms 90 and 92, pivoting in this way, slide inside the guide slots 110 and 112. Thus, the holding arms swing out of the zone o they could interfere with the tape TCo1, thus allowing the placement of this cassette at the bottom of the stack of cassettes in the tank

output 42.

  As shown in Fig. 11B, as the platen 86 rises, the upper wall of the cassette TCo01 comes into contact with the inclined surfaces of the rear pawls 120 and 122, and the inclined surface of the front pawl 124. Continued upward movement of the elevator plate 86, tends to rotate these pawls, as shown by the dashed lines of Figure 11B. Thus, the support surfaces of these pawls are pivotally spaced, so as to allow the drive cassette TCo01 above and without contact with these front and rear pawls. It is clear that when the tray 86 is driven to the position shown in Fig. 11B, the stack of TCO output cassettes is lifted as a result of the force exerted on it by the cassette TC01

driven up.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the finger 62 comes into contact with the lowest cassette, TCI1, in the inlet reservoir 28, to remove this cassette from the TCI input cassette stack. Figure 9 shows the partial removal of this cassette TCi1. As the cam 240 continues to rotate, the pusher arm 60 is driven further to the right (Fig. 9) and the roller 84 now moves from the top 244 of the cam surface 242 to an intermediate portion 248 thereof. Therefore, the elevator 70 is now driven down. When the tray 86 is lowered, the tape TCo01 on this tray as well as the cassette stack TCO0 above it, is also lowered. However, since the rear ratchets 122 and the front pawl 124 have returned to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 11B, they retain and support the bottom wall of the cassette TCo1 when this cassette moves down and comes into contact with the surfaces of the cassette. support of these pawls. It is apparent from Figure 2 that the size of the plate 86 is such that it does not interfere and does not come into contact with any of the rear or front ratchets. On the contrary, these pawls simply come into contact with and hold the cassette TCo1 when the TCO cassette output stack

is lowered on her.

  The subsequent rotation of the cam 240 continues to drive the push arm 60 to its extreme cassette removal position, shown in FIG. 10. At the same time, the roller 84 moves from the top 244 to the intermediate portion 248 of the surface. 242, thereby lowering the tray 86 to the plane in which the cassette support tray 58 is placed. Therefore, the finger 62 is able to push the withdrawn cassette TCi1 onto the tray 86, as shown in FIGS. and 11C. As the cam 240 continues to rotate, the rollers 84 move from the intermediate portion 248 to the bottom 246 of the cam surface 242, thereby lowering the cassette TC1l on the recording and reproducing platen 150 for recording messages. on this tape. At the same time, the pusher arm 60 is lowered and returns to the original position shown in Fig. 8. This completes a complete revolution of the cam 240, after which the cam drive switch 290 is operated for

  turn off the power of the cam drive motor 252.

  Therefore, the elevator 70 remains in its lowest position and the pusher arm 60 remains in its original position, until the cam drive motor

is subsequently activated.

  FIG. 10 also shows a cassette TCo01 previously ejected at the bottom of the outlet tank 42, this cassette being supported by the rear pawls 120 and 122 and by the front pawl 124. As can be seen from FIGS. 6 to 10, an optical reader 288 , such as a bar code reader, is disposed near the transport path followed by the cassette TCi1 when it is removed from the inlet reservoir 28 and loaded onto the tray 86. As best seen In Fig. 7, the optical reader 288 is mounted on the rear panel 30 and has the function of grasping or "reading" a bar identification code which can be applied to the rear wall of each cassette. Thus, the identity of each cassette that is removed from the input tank 28 and loaded on the recording and reproduction plate 150, is read by the optical reader 288. These identification data

  are used for a purpose described below.

  Although not specifically mentioned above, it is clear that when the lowest cassette TCI1 is removed from the tank 28, the pile of cassettes placed above falls to fill the space.

released by this cassette TCi1.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, the locking member 134 pivots to a position in which it does not interfere, a position shown more particularly in FIG. 1B when the elevator 70 is raised. As mentioned above, a contact member 146 which is integral with a vertical wall, comes into contact with the locking member 134 to rotate the locking member about pivot pins 142 and 144 when chassis 72 goes up. In this way, the locking member 134 is pivotally spaced so as not to interfere with the introduction of cassettes used TCo01 at the bottom of the stack of

  cassettes in the outlet tank 42.

  As mentioned above, the priority unloading apparatus, comprising mainly a lead screw 206 and a priority ejector finger 198, is driven by a priority drive motor 216. This priority drive motor is shown as independent of the Cam motor 252 and a suitable electronic device (not shown) may be provided for selectively supplying the priority drive motor. If a cassette on which messages are recorded is designated as a priority cassette, the aforementioned electronic device is used to feed the priority drive motor 216, after the priority cassette has been ejected from the recording and reproduction platen 150 to the outlet tank 42. For example, when the cam 240 has completed a complete rotation and the switch of the cam drive motor 290 has been closed or opened, a corresponding indication can be provided to the aforementioned electronic device, after which the engine

  priority drive 216 is powered.

  Originally, the priority ejector finger 198 occupies the rest position shown in solid lines in FIG. 13. In particular, the heel 201 of the tab 200 is placed inside the vertical notch 236, illustrated. at the left end of the elongated slot 234 in the

protection 232 (Figure 1).

  When energized, the override driver 216 drives the lead screw in a clockwise rotation. Therefore, the lead screw follower 20.2 of the ejector finger 198 also rotates clockwise, due to the spring force that pushes the spring 204 within the bore of the follower the lead screw against this screw. Therefore, the ejector pin 198 rotates clockwise and its heel 201 is spaced, by rotation, from the vertical notch 236. The ejection finger thus occupies the position shown in dashed line in the In this position, the tab comes into contact with the left side wall of the cassette TCo1, which is the lowest cassette in the outlet tank 42. This contact of the tab 200 with the cassette TCo1 is illustrated more especially to

figure 14.

  When the lead screw 206 continues to rotate, the subsequent rotation of the ejector finger 198 is prevented by contact between the lower edge of the front panel 54 and the ejector finger 198, as shown in FIG. continue to rotate, the lead screw follower 202, and therefore the ejector finger 198, are driven by the rotation of the lead screw in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 14. As a result, the cassette lower TCo1 is discharged from the outlet tank 42 and conveyed to the priority tank 48. When the ejection finger 198 is driven, the contacts

  the limit switch 228 can open.

  When the cassette TCo01 is unloaded by the ejector finger 198, the front edge of this cassette comes into contact with the pivoting valve 178. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 15, the valve 178 is mounted by means of a coupling pivots 180 on a support 182 which, as shown in FIG. 2, forms an integral part with the side wall 46. The free end of the valve 178 is normally placed inside the opening 186 of the unloading tray 184. However, when the cassette TCo1 passes through the inlet opening 68 of the side wall 46, it comes into contact with the valve 178 to rotate it counterclockwise about the pivot coupling. 180, as shown in FIG. 15. In the case where other cassettes are supported on the tray of the priority tank 188 at the bottom of the priority tank 48, this pivoting of the valve 178 serves to lift the left side of such cassettes, to allow the bor d before the tape TCo01 to go from below. Following the rotation of the lead screw 206 moves the cassette TCo1 entirely onto the tray of the priority tank 188 and below the pile of cassettes that can be stored in the priority tank. As shown in Fig. 16, the ejector finger 198 serves to completely unload the cassette TCo1 from the discharge tray 184 and through an overtravel slot 192 provided in the side wall 52. A spring-loaded return finger 194 is disposed in the overtravel slot 192, said finger being coupled with a spring 196 which, as shown in FIG. 12, is mounted on the outer surface of the side wall 52. The spring force exerted on the return finger 194 spring 196, is overcome by the driving force exerted on the

  cassette TCo1 by the ejection finger 198.

  The main screw 206 continues to rotate so as to drive the ejector finger 198 until it closes the contacts of the limit switch 230. As shown in FIG. The limit switch is closed by the contact between them and, for example, the lead screw follower 202. It is clear that the contacts of the limit switch 230 are closed when the ejector pin 198 has driven the cassette TCo1 sufficiently to pass beyond the free end of the valve 178, thereby allowing the valve to return

  in its normal position shown in Figure 17.

  The electronic control device of the priority unloading (not shown) is controlled by closing the contacts of the limit switch 230 to reverse the supply of the priority drive motor 216. As a result of this inversion, the main screw 206 is driven in a counterclockwise direction and the lead screw follower 202 which is urged by the spring against the lead screw, rotates therewith to rotate the eject pin 198 , so that the heel 201 thereof passes through the enlarged notch 238. The further rotation of the ejector finger is prevented when the heel 201 comes into contact with the upper edge of the elongate slot 234

* in the protection 232.

  When the main screw 206 continues at this time to turn counterclockwise, the follower 202 is moved so as to return to its rest position, that is to say towards the end switch of 228. The cassette TCo01 is driven by the return finger 194 so as to move in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 17. It can be seen that a difference in elevation 190 is provided between the unloading tray 184 and the tray priority tank-138, so as to prevent further movement to the left of the cassette TCo1. This difference in level serves to position the cassette

  TCo01 in the priority tank 48.

  The ejector finger 198 can then be driven until it closes the contacts of the limit switch 228, whereupon the priority electronic control device cuts off power to the drive motor. priority 216. The priority unloading device is then in a condition to unload the next priority cassette, which can be ejected to the outlet tank 42 of the

described above.

  As best shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 18, the recording and reproducing stage 150 is supported by a platinum support plate 152 which, in turn, is supported by a platinum support frame 154, which the latter being preferably made of a flexible material such as ABS plastic or the like. The rear end of the frame 154 is provided with two protuberances 156 and 158 for supporting suspension members 160 and 162 which are mounted on the rear portion of the platen support plate 152. Thus, the rear portion of the platen recording and reproduction is supported so that it can be switched

on the frame 154.

  The front portion of the frame 154 terminates in a pair of straight lugs 164 and 166 which are provided with respective notches 164 and 170. These notches receive the front portion of the platen support plate 152 to support the front portion of the housing. Recording and reproducing stage 150. As shown in FIG. 18, the ears 164 and 166 can be moved apart manually to release the support plate 152 thus making it possible to lower the recording and reproduction stage, as this is illustrated. In general, this way of lowering the recording and reproduction deck, allows access to a cassette that can be locked inside or allows the user to perform maintenance or repairs relatively simple platinum. In the case where a greater revision of the plate is necessary, the suspension elements 160 and 162 may be spaced from the protuberances 156 and 158, to allow the plate to be completely removed and removed.

chassis 154.

  Although not shown here, it is clear that a suitable flexible connection device for the electronic device, such as a ribbon connector or the like, can be coupled to the back of the recording deck and reproduction 150, to provide the board with the power supply and the necessary control and communication signals. This relatively flexible electrical connection allows you to remove the

  platinum without damaging the electrical connection to it.

  From the description given above in connection with

  the elevator 70, it appears that a cassette is lowered on the recording and reproduction plate 150 by the plate 86 of the elevator 70. For proper operation of the cassette, in other words to facilitate the recording and / or the reproduction of messages, it is important that the cassette is correctly placed on the turntable. This means that the cassette must have a correct positioning with respect to the usual drive axes, that is to say the unwinding and winding axes, and with respect to the capstans that platinum typically comprises, and also relative to the different guide elements, such as guide pins, which may also be present. When using different small cassettes such as micro-cassettes or the cassettes described in US Patent No. 4,443,827, the tolerances for placing the cassette in a correct position on the platen are recording and reproduction 150 are very small. Advantageously, a cassette guide is provided on the recording and reproduction plate 150 to facilitate the correct loading and positioning of a tape.

cassette on the deck.

  FIG. 19 shows a plan view, from above, of a recording and reproduction plate 150 which includes the usual unwinding and winding drive axes 350 and 352, which are normally provided on a platen cassettes. A tray guide device 172 is also shown in FIG. 19, this device being formed of two laterally spaced angular guide ramps 354 and 356, a front stop 358 and two rear guide members 364 and 368. As shown in FIG. see FIG. 20, which is a sectional view along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19, and also FIG. 21, which is a front view of a cassette guide device 172. is preferably in the form of a frame made in one piece and formed of an ABS plastic material, or other material that can be easily molded. As can be seen in Figure 21, a guide ramp 354 is provided at the top of a branch 355, the latter extending upwardly from the base 380 of the cassette guide device. Similarly, a ramp 356 is disposed on a branch 359 which also extends upwardly from the base 380 of the cassette guide device. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the branch 359 is provided with a notch 357 for receiving the claw 94 of the holding arm 90 when the elevator 70 lowers a cassette of the platen 86 on the

  recording and reproduction deck 150.

  Two guiding pins 360 and 362 are oriented upwardly from the base 380 and are arranged to fit into corresponding holes or openings normally provided, for example, on standard cassettes or micro-cassettes. Matching the guide pins 360 and 362 and the corresponding apertures in such cassettes provides correct alignment of the cassette on the recording and reproducing platen. These guide pins are juxtaposed with the pins 350 and 352 and the capstans normally provided on typical plates.

  recording and reproduction. By producing the cassette guide device 172 as a molded unit, that is

  That is, by molding the guide rails 354 and 356, the guide pins 360 and 362 and the base 380, appropriate tolerances and positioning of these members with respect to each other are. insured. Then, by placing the guide pins 360 and 362 at the locations normally provided for such guide pins on typical cassette decks, the cassette guide assembly 72 is properly positioned or fixed relative to the shafts and capstans, respecting of the

appropriate tolerances.

  As shown in Fig. 19, two rear guide members 364 and 368 are fixed to the base 380 by means of, for example, screws. In one embodiment, the rear guide members 364 and 368 are formed of a flexible material, such as spring metal. These rear guide members are of substantially similar structure and, as shown in Fig. 20, the guide member 364 is shown as an inclined ramp which constitutes the end of an upwardly protruding L-shaped member. A bridge portion 370 may extend between the rear guide members 364 and 368, as shown in FIG. 19, thereby simplifying the stamping and shaping of the rear guide members. Of course, if desired, only one rear guide member may be used. Similarly, the guide elements can be made of another flexible material and can

  are not necessarily limited to the single spring metal.

  During operation, when the platen of the elevator 86 lowers a cassette toward the recording platen 150, either one or both side edges of the cassette come into contact with the guide ramps 354 and 356. respective of the cassette guide device 172. These guide ramps serve to adjust the position of the cassette on the plate 86, as is necessary to align the hubs of the usual unwinding and winding coils with the axes of the cassette.

  unwinding and winding the platen.

  When the tray continues to lower the cassette on the platen, the holding arm 90 moves within the notch 357 of the riser 356.e The guide openings normally provided in the bottom wall of the cassette receive the guiding pins 360 and 362 and thus position the cassette correctly with respect to the drive shafts, the capstan and the heads normally

provided on the turntable.

  As the cassette is lowered further, the back guide members 364 and 368 contact the lower rear edge of the cassette so as to continue to provide guidance thereon. It is clear that the holding arms 90 and 92 push the cassette in such a direction that it overcomes the spring force exerted on its rear edge by the guide members 364 and 368. The spring force exerted by these guide elements tends to push the cassette forward so that the front edge thereof comes into contact with the front stop 358. Thus the cassette is loaded in the correct position on the recording and reproduction plate and moreover, the cassette is pushed forward by the spring force exerted on it by the rear guide elements 364 and 368 so as to position the cassette correctly to receive the usual head and the clamping roller in the normal recording operation

and reproduction.

  As mentioned above, the cassette changer 20 can be used either in a so-called "single device" configuration or it can be plugged into a central dictation facility. When used in a central dictation facility, it may be desirable to record. data in the form of a printed record representing the various messages that have been recorded on the cassettes used by the changer device. Typically, a plurality of dictation stations are selectively connected, i.e., one at a time, to the cassette changer 20 to allow a person dictating and being placed at one of these dictation stations to have the dictation station. to record messages on a tape. As discussed above and as more particularly described in U.S. Patent No. 4,092,679, after a number of different messages were recorded on a cassette or after a number of different people have dictated messages on the tape or after a specified tape length has been used or after a specified period of non-use, after a message has been recorded, the tape will be ejected from the tape deck. Recording and reproduction 150 to the outlet tank 42. As also described above, the cassette which has been ejected into the outlet tank 42 can be conveyed to a priority tank 48, in case such a cassette has been designated as a priority cassette. Figure 22 provides a schematic representation of a dictation station 292 that can be connected to a cassette changer device 20. This dictation station typically includes a handheld device 294 having a microphone and appropriate dictation controls. The dictation station also includes a console 296 provided with function selection keys 298, such as touch-sensitive keys, pushbuttons, or the like, and also has station selection keys 300. In the case where a plurality of recording devices are provided in the central dictation facility, the station selection keys 300 may be operated by the dictate station 292 to select a particular recorder to which it is electrically connected. For example, if a recorder is in use, another recorder can be selected for an appropriate job using the selection keys.

station 300.

  For example, a dictation station 292 may be similar to the "DICTEL" workstation manufactured by Dictaphone Corporation and described for example in United States Patent Application No. 495,796 filed May 18, 1983. The dictation station may comprise an end of message switch disposed either on the hand-held device 294 or as a function-selecting key 298, and operable to record on the cassette a signal representing the end of a message such as than the end of a letter. The dictation station 292 may also include a priority selection key which, when pressed, designates the cassette on which messages have been recorded as the priority cassette. Of course, other suitable means can be used to designate a cassette as a priority cassette, such as a supervisor switch which can be operated only by a supervisor of the central dictation installation so that

2567346.

  to differentiate among the different designations of priority cassettes. Other appropriate function control keys may be provided, such as keys of the type described in the aforementioned patent application, as well as other keys known to men.

  in the art of dictation.

  Fig. 22 also shows, in block diagram form, the electronic device used for controlling a printer 318 for the purpose of producing a paper record 320 of data associated with a dictated cassette. Preferably, the electronic device comprises electronic circuits 302 normally contained in the cassette changer and which may take the form of a microcomputer controlled by a microprocessor or the like, the electronic part of the printer 322 may also have the shape of a micro-processor. In one embodiment, the electronic portion 302 of the cassette changer includes a cassette identification memory 304, a tape counter 308, an identification memory of the dictating person, and a priority memory 314. It is clear that these memories may be appropriate memory or storage devices such as RAMs,

registers or the like.

  The cassette identification memory 304 is arranged to temporarily store signals in digital form, representing the identification of a cassette that has been transported from the inlet tank 28 to the recording and reproducing stage 150 It is recalled that an optical reader 288 is arranged to read the bar identification code, applied to the rear wall of a transported cassette. The optical reader is connected to an electronic circuit to generate a signal

  digital representing the identity of the transported cassette.

  This identity is stored temporarily in the cassette identification memory 304, and then transmitted to the electronic circuit of the printer 322 to edit a printer.

  recording 320, as will be described.

  The tape length counter 308 may be a tape length electronic counter of a type known to those skilled in the art and need not be further described to allow a satisfactory understanding of the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 22. The tape length counter is arranged to provide a count representing the total tape length that was used during the dictation of a recorded message. An example of such a band length counter is described

  in U.S. Patent No. 4,092,680.

  The identification memory of the person dictating is arranged to temporarily store a digital signal representing the identity of the person who records messages on the cassette placed on the recording and reproduction plate 150 of the cassette changer device 20. Such identification may be provided to the memory 312 as a result of manual operation of the function selection keys 298 by the dictating person. According to an alternative embodiment, whenever the dictation station 292 addresses the cassette changer device, an identification of the particular dictation station may be transmitted automatically to the memory.

  identification of the person who dictates 312.

  The priority memory 314 is arranged to store a signal representing the fact that a cassette, which was last ejected from the recording and reproducing stage 150 to the output magazine 42, is a priority cassette. It is recalled that according to the

  description above, when a priority cassette was

  was ejected to the outlet tank 42, it is then transferred from the outlet tank to the tank

priority 48.

  The electronic portion 322 of the printer which may include a microprocessor, as mentioned above, is arranged to periodically interrogate the electronic portion 322 of the cassette changer to see if new data has been introduced into the cassette identification memory. or identification of the person dictating or the priority memory, or if a used cassette has been replaced by a new cassette. By way of example, the electronic circuit of the cassette changer 302 can be interrogated once every 5 seconds. It is clear that the microprocessor included in the electronic part 322 of the printer can be appropriately programmed to interrogate the electronic part of the cassette changer

as above mentioned.

  The electronic part of the printer also includes a clock which can be a usual clock giving the time of day and which produces a digital signal representing the actual time of the day. This clock can for example provide a digital representation of the hours

  and minutes and, if desired, the date.

  Alternatively, the microprocessor included in the electronic part of the printer can be programmed to

  provide or enhance clock functions.

  The electronic part of the printer 322, and more particularly the microprocessor which is part of it, is arranged to arrange the data transmitted to it by the electronic part of the cassette changer 302, according to a determined format. This formatting of the data enables the printing mechanism 324 of the printer 318 to print on paper 320 indications representing the information relating to the messages recorded on a cassette, as will be described. In addition, the electronic part of the printer includes a character generator which is common in printing devices, printing alpha-numeric characters and the like, a head drive for driving the print head forming part of the printing mechanism. printer 324 and a paper drive to advance the paper on which the recording is printed by the printer mechanism. As an example, the print head may be an ink dot printer, a matrix printer, or the like. The paper that advances into the printer 324 may be in the form of a paper web with a width of, for example, 50.8 to 76.2 mm, and

preferably 57.15 mm.

  The printer 318 also comprises an electronic totalization part 326 which can be made in the form of a microprocessor and can even be included in the program of the microprocessor used for the electronic part of the printer 322. The electronic totalizing device is arranged to receive from the electronic part of the printer an indication relating to the end of a dictated message, such as an indication produced by the operation of the end of message switch at the dictation station or at the Following the hookup of the manual apparatus 294. The electronic totalizer is also adapted to receive the result of the tape length count produced by the tape counter 308 representing the length of each message. The totalizer 326 is used to accumulate or add the end of message signals to provide an indication of the number of messages that have been recorded on a given tape. The totalizing electronic device also serves to accumulate or add the total length of tape that has been used in the cassette (for example by adding the individual tape lengths provided for each message by the tape counter 308) and, in addition, serves to accumulate the total length of tape on which priority messages have been recorded. Cumulative number of messages, tape length and priority tape length are printed

  on the 320 paper tape as a summary of the party

  cassette and these totals are printed when the cassette is ejected from the recording deck and

of reproduction.

  The mode of operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 22 will now be briefly described. Suppose a new cassette is loaded onto the recording and reproduction deck 150. When this cassette is transported past the optical drive 288, its identity code is read and stored in the cassette identification memory. 304. At the next interrogation of the electronic device 302 of the cassette changer, the new cassette identification is transferred to the electronic device of the printer 322, then the mechanism of the printer 324 is actuated to print on the paper web 320 date, the time at which this cassette was loaded (for example, the time of

  effective day) and the identity of this cassette.

  When the cassette changer 20 is entered by a dictation station 292, the identification of the dictating person, such as a digital identification, is transmitted from the dictation station, for example by pressing the keys 298, to the identification memory of the person dictating 312. While this person is dictating his message, the tape counter keeps track of the length of this message. If this message consists of conferring a priority status (for example by the priority selection key), a corresponding indication is stored in the priority memory 314. When the message is terminated, for example when the end of message key has been pressed at the dictation station 192, or when the device 294 has returned to a hang-up state, the identification of the person who dictated, the length of the message that was recorded (eg tape count), and the indication of priority are transferred to the electronic device of the printer 322, in response to the next interrogation of the electronic device of the cassette changer, then this information is printed on the paper tape 320 with the time of day. If desired, the keys 298 may be operated by the dictating person to digitally indicate the type of message they have recorded (eg letter, report, memorandum, etc.) and this indication may be stored in the 312 and printed on the paper web 320 with the aforesaid data. Likewise, the keys 298 may be actuated to indicate other relevant information regarding the message dictates, such as the subject of a report, the person to whom this message is addressed, etc. For example, in health-related applications in which the cassette changer is used in a hospital, this information may be the identification of the patient. This additional information may also be stored temporarily in the memory 312 and printed on the paper web 320 in response to a query in accordance with a

end of message.

  When the dictate station dictator 292 dictates his next message, the previous message length and priority data are stored in the tape counter 308 and the priority memory 314 as indicated herein. -above. Since the dictating person has not hung up, a new person identification code that dictates does not need to be transmitted to the corresponding identification memory 312. However, the information regarding the type of message and other relevant information mentioned above can be provided by the operation keys 298 and this additional information can be stored in the memory 312. When this next message is terminated by pressing the end of message key or by on-hook, the length of this message, an indication of priority and the end time of this message are printed as

  complementary stored in the memory 312.

  The previous sequence is repeated for each entry of the cassette changer and / or for each new message that is recorded. Thus, a record is printed that identifies each person who dictated a message on the tape, the length of each message, the fact that the message was given priority, the type of message that was recorded and the subject (for example, patient identification) of this message. When the selected band quantity has been used (which can be determined by a suitable counter in the cassette changer) or a specified number of messages has been recorded or the cassette changer has entered a specified number of times (also determined counter) or that the cassette changer has been out of operation for a specified period of time following the recording of a message (which can be determined by an appropriate timer), the cassette is ejected in the manner described above. above. This ejection is detected in response to the next interrogation of the electronic device of the cassette changer 302, whereupon the totalizer 326 actuates the printing mechanism 324 to print a print.

  summary of the operation of the ejected cassette, for

  For example, the total number of messages that were recorded on this tape, the total tape length that was used, the tape length at which priority messages were recorded, and the time of day that this tape was ejected. The printing mechanism 324 is also controlled to print the information according to fixed items such as the person dictating items, length, time, type, total number of messages, total length and total priority length. Other sections may be printed if desired and also sections that invite the introduction of further information such as the transcriber to whom the tape was assigned, the time the transcription ended and other relevant information that can be printed. Similarly, an identification of the particular cassette changer that was used to record

  the messages can also be printed.

  It is clear that the previous description of the devices

  electronic 302 and 308 was simply made by way of example. Other information can be stored,

  generated or detected by these electronic devices.

  Likewise, the particular locations where the electronic devices and their functional components are located are not limited to the cassette changer and the printer as described above. On the other hand, the printer 318 may be used to print some or all of the information or even information different from that which has been described. The foregoing discussion is intended to simply describe an example of the type of information that is recorded and printed and is not intended to limit this aspect of the present invention.

  only to what has been mentioned.

  If the present invention has been shown and described more particularly in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be quite clear to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made thereto. For example, a respective inlet reservoir, outlet reservoir and priority reservoir have been illustrated as vertical reservoirs for storing vertical cassette stacks. Alternatively, such tanks may take the form of horizontal tanks and modifications may be made to account for the horizontal movement of a cassette in the apparatus that has been described above. In addition, the use of an organ

  blocking 134 can be omitted, even if it seems desirable.

  Indeed, this locking member advantageously prevents the accidental movement of a cassette from the outlet tank, so as to interfere with the recording and reproduction plate 150. Moreover, it is also clear that modifications and changes in construction details can be made, if

this is desired.

  Advantageously, a single cam 240 is used to coordinate the operations of the push arm 60 and the elevator 70, without requiring an electronic control of

  separate motor to perform such coordination.

  The appended claims must be interpreted as

  encompassing the preferred embodiment described above as well as variants and modifications that will be within the reach of those skilled in the art. The terms of the

  claims should not be considered as

  limiting the present invention only to these terms but are intended to cover equivalents of the disclosed configuration.

Claims (16)

  1. Type changer apparatus having an inlet tank for storing a plurality of recording media, an output tank for storing recording media on which messages have been recorded by means of a recording deck, an organ movable thrust means for withdrawing a recording medium from the inlet reservoir, and a receiving device for receiving the recording medium removed from said inlet reservoir and placing it on the recording deck to record a message on said medium, said receiver device further operable to move the recording medium from the recording deck to the outlet tank, characterized by a rotatable drive member (240, 252, 262, 268, 270, 272) coupled to the urging member (60) for driving the same to move a recording medium from said inlet reservoir to said recce device the rotary drive member having a portion (242, 244, 246, 248) which cooperates with a driven member (84) of the receiving device (70, 72, 72, 86, 90, 92) for driving the device receiver to move a recording medium from said recording deck to said output tank and then to receive the next recording medium through said thrust member and to   place this recording medium on said platen registration.   2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the thrust member is a push arm (60) arranged to pivot about a fixed pivot axis (274) and having a groove (284), this arm- push being coupl! by a pin connection device (270) to said rotary drive member, the pin connector device moving in said groove for driving said push arm substantially in a plane corresponding to the withdrawal movement between an initial position in which said push arm comes into contact with a recording medium in said inlet reservoir, and a withdrawal position in which said push arm has brought the recording medium with which it was in contact with said receiving device and then to return to the initial position during a complete rotation of said rotary drive member, the pusher arm having an angle and being urged towards said connecting device. so that, during the return of the pusher arm to said initial position, the pusher arm is placed out of the plane of the withdrawal movement so as not to interfere with said inlet reservoir or the recording medium stored in this one.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiver is reciprocated between said recording deck and said exit tank when said rotary driving member completes a full rotation. receiving device being constructed as an elevator (70) having a platen (86) for supporting a recording medium, and in that the driven member (84) is coupled to said elevator and arranged to cooperate with said platen rotary drive for raising said platen from said platen to said outlet reservoir for moving said recording medium from said platen to said outlet reservoir, for lowering said platen to a receiving position for receiving the recording medium which has been removed from said inlet reservoir by said thrust member, and for lowering said platen of the said receiving position up said recording deck.   Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotary drive member is in the form of a drum (240) and has an irregular surface (242) with a top (244), a bottom portion (246) and an intermediate portion (248), the driven member (84) being a follower member that moves along said irregular surface to raise said platen as said follower member ascends to said apex to lower said platen toward said platen. recording when said follower member descends to said bottom portion, and for placing said platen in said receiving position when said follower member moves toward said intermediate portion. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the elevator comprises at least one holding arm (90, 92) for holding a recording medium on said plate, the holding arm pivoting about an axis (98). parallel to the direction of movement of said platen and having an inclined surface (95, 97) on a portion of the arm which engages a contact member (106, 108) fixedly disposed on the path of movement of said arm when said elevator raises said tray from said recording deck to said outlet tank, the pivoting holding arm of this made around said axis (98, 100).   A type changer apparatus having a recording deck to which stored recording media are individually transported, one at a time, from an input stack to record messages on those carriers, and from which each recording medium is removed, and an output tank for receiving and storing in an output stack each recording medium removed from said recording deck, characterized by a motor driven ejection member {198, 206, 216 ) movable to carry the last storage medium stored in the output stack up to   a place spaced from this output stack.   An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the motor driven ejection member is formed by a lead screw 206, a lead screw follower (202) for coupling a finger (198) to said screw. a bi-directional driver (216) for driving said visor in first and second opposite directions, and a limit switch device (228, 230) for detecting the position of said finger, said bi-directional drive being controlled to drive said lead screw in said first direction to cause said finger to slide a recording medium with which it comes into contact, out of said output stack and said end switch device stroke (230) detecting when said finger has moved said recording medium to said spaced location to invert the supply of said bi-directional driving device to drive said lead screw in said second direction of to bring said   finger to return to said output stack.   A type changer apparatus having a recording deck to which recording media are individually transported, one at a time, and an output stack laterally spaced from said recording deck for receiving and storing as a recording medium. stack the recording media which have been moved from said recording deck and transported laterally to this stack, characterized by a lifting member (178, 198) disposed near the exit stack (48) in contact with the recording medium which is transported laterally to this output stack to lift the recording media then stored in said output stack, after which said laterally transported recording medium is placed   as the lowest support in said output stack.   9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the lifting member comprises a pivoting valve (178) and the output stack (48) has an inlet (68) through which a laterally transported recording medium passes, said pivotal valve being placed in the vicinity of said inlet and pivotable from a first position (FIG. 8) which blocks said inlet, to a second position (FIG. 15) in which the recording media then stored in said output stack are raised, the laterally transported recording medium being introduced far enough into said output stack to allow said valve to return to its first position (Fig. 17), the laterally transported recording medium being urged by a spring (194) into the output stack up to a specific place to form the most recording medium down in said output stack.   10. Type changer apparatus having an inlet reservoir for storing new recording cartridges, an output reservoir for storing used recording cartridges and a recording deck for recording and reproducing messages on said cartridges which are transported one at a time from said inlet tank along a transport path to said record deck, the used record cartridge being transported from said record deck to said tank of record outlet, characterized by a platen support (152, 154) for supporting said platen in an operating position below said transport path by having a pivotable bracket (156, 158, 160, 162) for supporting one end of said recording deck and a releasable support (164, 166, 168, 170) for supporting the opposite end of said recording deck and being releasable to allow said recording deck to pivot to a non-operating position and   thus allow the operator to access it.   11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the pivoting support comprises a frame (154), two protuberances (156, 158) on this frame, and two suspension elements (160, 162) on said plate, each of the elements. suspension device being supported by a corresponding protuberance of said protuberances, and in that the releasable support comprises two spaced flexible lugs (164, 166) on said chassis, urged toward each other, and a support plate (152) on which the recording board is mounted, this support plate being supported by said spaced ears and being released from these ears when they are   spread in opposite directions.   An apparatus for guiding a recording cartridge which is lowered onto a recording and reproducing stage having operating members, characterized by two laterally spaced angular guide ramps (354, 358) for contacting the one or the other or both of the side edges spaced from said cartridge when the latter is lowered on said platen, a front stop (358) to come into contact with a front edge of said cartridge, and at least one guiding element rearward (364, 368) to come into contact with a rear edge of said cartridge, this cartridge thus being guided to a position of alignment with the operating members of said platen. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said spaced angular guide ramps and said end stop form a unitary structure, and that two projecting guide pins (360, 362) forming a unitary structure with said guide ramps, and said end stop are arranged in such a way as to correspond to guide openings provided in said cartridge.   14. Apparatus for use with a dictation apparatus of the type comprising a changer device having an input stack for storing a plurality of individual recording media having media identification indicia, a recording deck for recording messages dictated on a corresponding recording medium, an output stack for storing recording media on which dictated messages are recorded, and a priority magazine for receiving a recording medium which has been designated as a priority medium, said device changer further comprising a transport device for transporting an individual recording medium from said input stack to said recording deck and for conveying a recording medium from the recording deck to the output stack, and a priority transport device for carrying the recording medium on which a dictated message was last recorded until the priority store if the last mentioned medium has been designated as a priority medium, characterized by an optical reader (288) for reading the identification indications on the data carrier. recording which is transported from the input stack to said recording deck, an identification memory (304) receiving the identification indications read by said optical reader for storing the identity of the recording medium being transported to said recording deck from said input stack, a message counter (326) for counting the number of dictated messages which are recorded on the recording medium transported to said record deck, a message length register (308, 326) to record the total length of dictated messages that are recorded on the most recently recorded recording medium r, a clock (322) for providing the time of day information, and a printer (318, 324) controlled by the transport of said last-mentioned recording medium from said recording deck to said stack to provide a printed record of the identity of the last-mentioned recording medium, the number and total length of the dictated messages that are recorded on that recording medium, and the time of day on which the recording medium last mentioned record has been transported since the aforesaid   recording to said output stack.   Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized by a priority indicator (314) for indicating that a particular message is a priority message, the printer being controlled by the priority indicator to provide on said printed record a relative indication to the   priority designation of said message.   Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized by an identity memory. the person dictating (312) to receive identifying information representing the identity of the person dictating a message on the recording medium, and an end-of-message indicator (294, 322) to indicate the end of the recording of a message, the printer being operated when a message has ended to print the identity of the person who dictated the message and the length of this message. 1/13 FIG./4 ' 524 4 4 2 <8 OJ Ilj IC JiI 122t, ',, 6o 96/9? 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't, ._ = = 99z r ij l r-9- r - '"..- -j-m OJI ________O J   A // 09oh Where -i9u / 't0 a // I.4 / q, * / 944, i - - i1_ 10.2 mg mz P / oz IO, 2 úL / X 9túz9Sz I "l19'%" l "" 111 , O, IX, 9 * 9Z 1 '   oez o? ## EQU1 ## '11' '' 1ll '11 H * oz XII / 13 FIG. 19 0 I50 '17 15 FI G 20 F / G. 21   A6 1 6 / .-. LlI / .. ,, i ll ..,. IJJ17 l l 28 42 48 s II -   Priority 7Cr -7CO 3 '- 9 - Imdent. per. s - per Comnnde 3 Z) print 288H Memory 2 g2c a ssetteClockMews 294300/9 idC3Toaiatu 231 324 Donnees, for-. Lengths - Lengths tromptorEnterprisePriority F / G.22 298 -Vebaê-te etpapier 3,224 FIG. 22 Ln 0% w1