GB2232804A - Apparatus for cleaning the recording/playing head, capstan and pinch roller of a cassette type audio recorder/player - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus 20 for cleaning the recording/playing head 16, capstan 17 and pinch roller 18 of a cassette-type audio recording/playing machine comprises a cassette-type housing 21; a first cleaning means 45 rotatably and slidably mounted in the housing 21 to clean the peripheral surface of the recording/playing head 16 and two second cleaning means 79 & 80 pivotably mounted in the housing 21 for simultaneously contacting and cleaning the capstan 17 and pinch roller 18. One or other drive spindle 13, 14 acts through a one-way drive ratchet system to drive eccentric gearing 43 etc to reciprocate a carriage 38 and rotate a shaft 47 supporting head-cleaning pads 59, 60. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE RECORDING/PLAYING HEAD, CAPSTAN AND PINCH ROLLER OF A CASSETTE TYPE AUDIO RECORDER/PLAYER This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning the recording/playing head, capstan(s) and pinch roller(s) of a cassete type audio recorder/player.

In cassete type recording/playing machine typically there are a recording/playing head, one or two capstan(s) and pinch roller(s). For proper operation of the recording/ playing machine, it is disabled that the surface portions of these components be cleaned periodically.

In prior art shows various cassette-like device for cleaning the recording/playing head, the capstan and pinch roller of a cassette type recording/playing machine. Some of cleaning device has a cleaning element to engage the peripheral surface of the recording/playing head and can only reciprocally clean along its peripheral surface, but not rotatably clean. Thus, the peripheral surface of;the head can not be effectively cleaned.

Some of cleaning devices has two flexible cleaning elements be respectively mounted inside each window of the cassette type housing. When both capstan and pinch roller are inserted into the window, said cleaning element intend to contact both components simultanelously. In face that this object can not achieve. Because if one of components contact one of portion of the cleaning element, the other portions is always depressed away from another component so that it can not contact such component. Even if both components can contact the cleaning element simultaneously, each pressure applied on those components pressed by the cleaning element is always more different than another. Thus, one of component always can not be effectively cleaned.

For solving this problem, in prior are teach that there are two separated cleaning element respectively mounted on two separated elastic member. But one of cleaning element would impede the hole in order that the capstan can not easily insert into the hole of the cassette type housing.

In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can effectively and reliably clean those operating components of a cassette type recording/playing machine.

According to the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus particularly adapted for use with a cassete type audio recordingtplaying machine. The audio recording/playing machine has two spindles at least a capstan and pinch roller and a magentic head which has a peripheral surface that is subject to contamination and at least a capstan and pinch roller, each of has a cylindrical surface those are subject to contamination too. The cleaning appartus of the present invention is adapted to clean the heripheral surface and cylindral surfaces, comprises a housing adapted to mounted in an operating position relative to the machine.

The housing have a front portion, a rear portion, a first and second side portion, a top wall and å bottom wall. The housing further has a straight guilding means parallel to a front peripheral edge of the front side portion, a first and second windows to receive the pinch roller, and two hole to receive two sipindles respectively.

A sliding member reciprocate slidably mounted in a first straight guiding means. The sliding member has a-second straight guiding means vertical to the first straight guiding means. A first cleaning means rotatably mounted on the sliding member and to rotate about and axis which is vertical to the front side: edge of the.housing.

A first gear connected to the first cleaning means. A second gear rotatably mounted in the sliding member. The second gear is in mesh with the first gear in a vertical relationship.

A rotating member has a driver and eccentric, both are eccentrically formed about an axis where the rotating member rotate about. Wherein the eccentric is operatively engaged with the second straight guiding means, and the driver is operatively engaged with the follower of the second gear.

Two driving means rotatably mounted around two holes of the housing respectively and operatively connected to the rotating member in order to rotate the rotating member.

There are two cleaning means pivotably mounted inside those windows respectively. each of cleaning means has a filp-flop member and two elements. Wherein those cleaning elements respectively mounted at those ends. Thus, each cleaning element should contact and apply a suitable force against the capstan and pinch roller. Therefore, those components could be effectively cleaned.

The cleaning elements continuously rotate about its axis and reciprocately move along the peripheral surface of the head in order to rotationally and reciprocately clean the peripheral surface of the head. Thus, the contaminated peripheral surface of the head to be effectively cleaned.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

Multiple embodiments of the present invention will now be described by-way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a semi-schematic plan view looking down on the main operating components for an audio recorderiplayer for which the present invention is particularly adapted;; Figure 2 is a plan view of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention Figure 3 is cross sectional view taken along line I-I of or Figure 2, Figure 4 is cross sectional view taken along line Il-Il of Figure 2, showing the detailed of the driving meanses, Figure 5 is a plan view of the cleaning apparatus, showing another embodiment of two driving meanses of the present invention, Figure 6 is a plan view of the cleaning apparatus, showing another embodimet of the driver and follower of the present invention, Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the first cleaning means of the present invention, Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line III- III of Figure 7, Figure 9 is a plan view of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, showing the cleaning apparatus during operation, Figure 10 is a detailed plan elevational view, showing a cleaning elements storage unit in a ccordance with the present invention.

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of Figure 10, Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken alone line IV-.

IV of Figure 10, and Figure 13 is a enlarged view taken from area A of Figure 12, The embodiments of the present invention is particularly adapted to cleaning the audio recording/playing head, capstan and pinch roller of an audio recording/playing unit which is adapted to accept cassette-type playing tapes.

With reference to Fig. 1, the terms ~front" and "rear" will denote proximity to those portions of the audio recording/ playing unit 10 shown at, respectively, the uper and lower parts of Fig. 1 In like manner, the terms "left" and "right" will denote proximity to the portions of the unit 10 shown at the left and right parts of the drawing of Fig. 1.

The unit 10 has a main housing 11 which provides a recess 12 to receive an audio tape cassette (not shown). There a first left spindle 13 and a second right spindle 14 located within the recess 12. Each of the spindle 13 and 14 have a purality of sprocket teeths 15 to engage a related spool of an audio tape cassette.

Located forwardly of the recess 12 is an operating area where there is a recording/playing head 16, a capstan 17 and a pinch roller 18. Some audio recording/playing unit which has auto reverse function and there are two capstans and pinch rollers mounted by two sides of the head 16, respectively.

To depress a play key of the unit 10, the pinch roller or either of the pinch rollers will remove from a first nonoperative position to a second operative position, and apply a suitable force against the capstan and the tape.

As indicated eariler, all of the components have been described thus far with reference. To Fig. 1 already exist in the prior art. The present invention is particularly to perform an effective cleaning operation on certain operating components of the unit 10, and this will be described with reference to Figs. 2 through 13.

The apparatus of the present invention is provided in a form of cassette-type cleaner, indicated at 20, and shown in Fig. 2, It can be seen that the apparatus comprise a housing 21, having the same overall configuration as the housing of the prior art tape cassette. Thus, the housing 21 can readily be inserted into the recess 12 of the unit 10.

The housing 21 is made of two covers, each of having the same overall configuration to the other. For clearly showing all of components of the apparatus, one of cover is brokenly removed from the main cassette housing.

The housing 21 have a front portion 24, a rear portion 25, a left and right side portions 26 & 27, top and bottom walls 28 & 29, and two holes 30 & 31. The front portion 24 further have a front peripheral edge 32, at least a first window 33 and two second windows 34 & 35 formed therein, wherein the first window 33 to receive the head 16, each of windows to receive the pinch roller 18. (please refer to Fig. 9) A first straight guiding means 36 is formed in the housihousing 21 and parallel to the front peripheral edge 32.

The first straight guiding means 36 is made of eight guiding cylinder 37, four of eight guiding cylinders are formed under the top wall 28 and the others are formed on the bottom wall 29.

A sliding member 38 have two straight edges 39 & 40 reciprocate slidably mounted within the four pair of guiding cylinders 37; a second straight guiding weans 36 is fared as a straight groove 42 and vertical to the first guiding means 36 and a circular pit 48 which has a central point 44 and positioned on the central line 23 of the straight groove 42.

A first cleaning means 45 is rotatabl mounted on the sliding member 38 and to rotate-about an axis 22 which is vertical to the front peripheral edge 32 of the housing 21.

A first cleaning means 45 comprises a support member 46, floating member 57, elastic member 58 and two cleaning elements. Wherein the support member 46 is connected to the uper end of the shaft 47.

The support member 46 has a circular pit which has an internal wall 48, said internal wall 48 of the circular pit have two first axial direction grooves 51 & 52, each of is connected to the side edge 50 of the support member 46; two second axial dircetion grooves 53 & 54, each of axial direction grooves is not connected to the same side edge 50; and two circual direction openings 55 & 56, wherein one of circual'direction opening 55 to connect one of first axial direction groove 51 with one of second axial direction groove 53, and another circual direction opening 56 to connect another first axial direction groove 52 with another second axial direction groove 54.

The floating member 57 has two engaging portions 62 & BR< 62 symmetrically formed on the outside wall of the floating member 57 and respectively inter to second axial direction grooves 53 & 54 through two first axial direction grooves 51 & 52 and first circual direction openings 55 & 56. An Bleastic member:58 mounted between the support member 46 and the floating member 57 and press the floating member 57 in order to cause two engaging portions 61 & 62 to contact and stop by those second axial direction grooves 53 & 54. Two cleaning elements 59 & 60 parallely and removable mounted on the floating member 57.

A first gear 63 connected to the lower end of the shaft 47. A second gear rotatably mounted in the circular pit 43 of the sliding member 38 and rotate about the central axis 44. The second gear is in mesh with the second gear in a vertical relationship.

The second gear 64 has a follower 65 being formed as an internal gear which is concentricly formed in the second gear 64. A rotating member 66 rotatably mounted in the housing 21 and has an axis which is positioned at one of point of the center line 68 separately equidistant to the left and right side portions 26 & 27 of the housing 21, and to rotate about the axis 67. said rotating member 66 further has a driver 68 and an eccentric 69, both are eccentrically formed about the axis 67 respectively. The eccentric 69 operatively engage to the straight groove 42 of the sliding member 38. The driver 68 is formed as a gear and in mesh with the internal gear 65 of the second gear 64. The rotating member 66 still further has a third gear 70 and separately in mesh with two fourth gears 78 & 78 respective of two driving meanses 71 & BR< 72 to be described hereinafter.

There are two driving means 71 & 72 rotatably mounted around two holes 30 & 31 of the housing 21 respectively. Each of driving means 71 & 72 comprise a first and second driving member 73 & 74. The first driving member 73 has a hollow first engaging portion 75 and a second engaging portion 76'.

Wherein, the first engaging portion 75 to be engaged with the sprocket teeth 15 of the spindle 13 or 14 of the unit 10. The second driving member 74 has a third engaging portion 77 operatively engage with the second engaging portion 76. The second driving member 72 further has a fourth gear 78 which is in mesh with the third gear 70 of the rotating member 66.

There are two second cleaning meanses 79 & 80 pivotably mounted inside two second windows 34 & 35 of the housing 21 respectively. Each of driving meanses 79 & 80 comprises a flip-f}qp member 81 and two cleaning elements 86 & 87. Each flip-flop member 81 is rotatably mounted inside window by means of that the hole 82 is pivotaly engaged to the shaft 83, and has two elastic clamps 84 & 85 respectively formed at its two ends. Said cleaning elements removably inserted in those clamps 84 & 85, respectively.

Please referto Fig. 6. The follower 65 of the seconnd gear 64 may be formed as an eccentrical circular hole 65' (or an eccentric), and the driver 68 of the rotating member 66 may be formed as an eccentric 68' (or an eccentrical circular hole). The second gear 64 to be eccentrically mounted on the rotating member 66 by means of that the eccentric 68' or the eccentrical circular hole rotatably engage with the circular hole 65' or the eccentric.

The eccentric distance between the central axis 88 of the eccentric 69 of the rotating member 66 and the axis 67 of the rotating member 66 is twice as another eccentric distance between the central axis 89 of the driver 68 of the rotating member 66 and the axis 67 of the rotating member 66. Thus, the internal gear 65 could be in perfectly mesh with the gear internal gear 65 could be in perfectly mesh with the gear 68.

When the cleaning apparatus 20 of the present invention have been positioned in the recess 12 of the unit 10. With regard to how the cleaning apparatus 20 to clean all the components of the unit 10 will be described hereinafter.

Because of the flip-flop member 81 can freely pivote in the housing 21, so the cleaning element 87 should easily away from the capstan 17, if the capstan 17 touch the element 87, in order that the cleaning apparatus 20 could be easily inserted in the recess 12 of-the unit 10 , and those engaging portion 75 & 76 operatively engaged with the spindle 13 & 14 respectively.

When the user depress the playing key of the audio recording/playing machine, the pinch roller 18 will move from a first nonoperative position to a second operative position, and apply a suitable foree against the element 86 and then another element 87 should contact the capstan 17 accordingly.

Therefore, both the capstan 17 and the pinch roller 18 to be effectively cleaned.

In the mean time, the head 16 of the unit 10 also move from the first nonoperative position to the second operative position. Thus, the heripheral surface of the head 16 to be contacted those cleaning elements 59 & 60. In the mean time, one of spindle 13 or 14 to rotate one of driving means 71 & 72 and further rotate the rotating member 66. Said rotating member 66 also rotate another driving means 71 & 72 and spindle 13 or 14,both the eccentric 69 and the driver 68 are eccentrically rotate about the axis 67 of the rotating member66, Wherein, the eccentric 69 to reciprocately drive the sliding member 38, Wherein, the eccentric 69 to reciprocately drive the sliding member 38, and the driver 68 rotate the second gear 64, first gear 63, support member 46, floating member 56 and two elements in turn.

The cleaning elements 59 & 60 continuously rotate about the axis 47 and reciprocately move along the peripheral surface of the head 16 in order to rotationally and reciprocately clean the peripheral surface of the head 16. Thus, the contaminated peripheral surface of the head 16 to be effectively cleaned.

Please refer to Fig. 5, the first driving member 73 and the second driving member 74 may be connectedly formed as one peice.

Please refer to Figs. 10, 11,12. & 13, the right side portion 27 of the housing 21 has a cleaning elements storage unit 90 which includes two storage compartments 91 & 92 formed in the housing 21, for storing some fresh cleaning elements for replacing the contamined cleaning elements, an opening 93 formed in said housing 21 and a cover 94.

There are four mortises 95, 96, 97 & 98 neighbourly formed at four corners of the opening 93.respectively. The cover 94 has four tenons 99, 100, 101 & 102 respectively formed at its four corners. The cover 94 to be fully covered in the opening 93 by means of that those tenons 99, 100, 101 & 102 joint with such mortises 95, 96, 97 & 98 respectively.

As shown in Figs. 12 & 13, two mortises 97 & 98 each has an oblique guiding surface 103 for guiding those tenons 101 & 102 to fall in and joint with those mortises 97 & 98 respectively.

Claims (10)

1. A cleaning apparatus for a cassette-type audio recording/ playing machine, wherein said machine has: a structure defining a recess to receive a tape cassette, said recess having a front portion to receive a front portion of said cassette, a rear portion to receive a rear portion of said cassette, a first side portion to receive a first side portion of said cassette, and a second side portion to receive a second side portion of said cassette; a magnetic head having peripheral surface; at least a rotatable capstan having a cylindrical per ipheral surface; at least a rotatable pinch roller having a cylindrical peripheral surface, movable between a first nonoperating position and a second operating position; a first and second spindles, each of having a plurality of sprocket teeths; said apparatus comprising; a housing having a front portion, a rear portion,. a first and second side portions, a top and bottom walls, and a first and second holes; said housing being adapted to be positioned in the recess of the machine, wherein the front portion having a front peripheral edge and at least a first window and two second windows to receive the head and each of two second windows to receive the pinch roller and capstan a first straight guiding means formed in the housing and parallel to the front peripheral edge of the housing; a sliding member reciprocate slidably mounted in the first straight guiding means and having a second guiding means vertical to the first straight guiding menas; a first cleaning means has a first axis vertical to the front peripheral edge of the housing, and rotatably mounted on the sliding member and being rotating about the first axis; a first gear connected to the first cleaning means and being rotatng about the first axis; a second gear rotatably mounted in the sliding member and in mesh with the first gear in a vertical relationship, said second gear having a follower; a rotating member has a second axis and rotate about the second axis which is positiond - at one of point of a central line separately equidistant to the left and right side portions of the housing, an eccentric eccentrically formed about the second axis and opeatively engaged to the seocnd straight guiding means for reciprocately sliding the sliding member along the first straight guiding means, and a driver eccentricallyy formed about the second axis and operatively engaged to the follower of the second gear, for rotating said second gear; a first driving means rotatably mounted around the first hole of the housing and opeatively connected to the rotating member for rotating said rotating member, said first driving means including a hollow engaging means to engage those sprocket teeths of the first spindle of the machine;; a second driving means rotatably mounted around the second hole of the housing and opeative member for rotating said rotating member, said second driving means including a hollow engaging means to engage those sprocket teeths of the second spindle of the machine; and at least a. second cleaning means pivotably mounted#inside at one of second windows of the housing for simultaneously contacting the capstan and pinch roller of the machine.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second cleaning means comprising a flip-flop member rotatably mounted inside at one of second windows of the housing, said flip-flop member having two ends, and two second cleaning elements respectively and removably mounted in those ends of the flip-flop member for respectively contacting and cleaning the capstan and pinch roller of the machine.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the driver being formed as a third gear and eccentrically positioned about the second axis of the rotating member.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the follower being formed as an internal gear and in mesh with the third gear.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cleaning means comprising a support member connected to the first gear, a floating member floatably mounted in the support member, at least a cleaning element removably mounted in the floating member, and an elastic member mounted between the support member and the floating member.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second driving means comprising a first and second driving members, wherein the first driving member has a hollow first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, the first engaging portion for engaging the sprocket teeths of the spindlle of the machine, said second driving member having a third engaging portion and operatively engaged to the second engaging portion of the fi#rst driving member for sychronously rotating the first driving member.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second gear eccentrically engaged with the rotating member each other.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein either first or second side portion of the housing further has a cleaning elements storage unit, said cleaning element storage unit including at least one storage compartment formed in the housing, for storing some fresh cleaning elements, an opening formed in said housing and a cover for covering in the ipeining.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the opening further has four tenons respectively formed at its four corners and there are four mortises neighbourly formed by four corners of the opening respectively for jointing with those tenons respectively.

10. An apparatus for cleaning the recording/playing head, capstan and pinch roller of a cassette type audio recorder/ player substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.