US3704836A

US3704836A - Automatic cartridge tape threading device

Info

Publication number: US3704836A
Application number: US128881A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hiroshi Yamada
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 1970-04-08
Filing date: 1971-03-29
Publication date: 1972-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-05
Also published as: GB1291668A; CA946811A; JPS4938725B1; DE2116770A1; DE2116770C3; DE2116770B2

Abstract

A reel drive roller and a tap draw-out roller are rotatably mounted coaxially on a pivoted support arm and are driven by belt means. When the arm is swung toward the opening in a cartridge, the reel drive roller engages a flange of the tape reel to rotate the tape reel to expand the outer convulsions of the wound tape radially outwardly and the tape draw-out roller engages the outer convulsions under some pressure to feed the leading end of the tape to a capstan roller associated with a pinch roller. The capstan roller and the pinch roller feed the draw-out tape to a take-up reel having a hub provided with a friction surface.

Description

O United States. Patent 1 3,704,836 Yamada 1 1 Dec. 5, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE TAPE [56] References Cited THREADING DEVICE UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Invent: Japan 3,208,682 9/1965' Pastor et a] ..242/19s x Assignee: b i i is i o y 3,254,856 6/1966 Camras g Japan 3,363,853 1/1968 lrvin ..242/195 [22] Ffled: March 1971 Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz 1 1 pp N04 128,881 Attorney-John J. McGlew and lfred E. Page 301 Foreign Application Priority Data [571 ABSTRACT April 8 1970 Japan ..45/29s70 A fee] drive filer and a tap drawout roller are rotatably mounted coaxially on a pivoted support arm 52 us. 01. ..242/192, 226/188, 242/187, and are driven by meanswhen the is swung 2'42/188 242/195 242/197, 242/210 toward the opening in a cartridge, the reel drive roller 7 352/158 engages a flange of the tape reel to rotate the tape reel [51] Int. Cl......G03b 1/58,G1lb 15/32, B65h 17/08 to expand the outer convulsions of the wound tape [58] Field of Search "242/192, 195,197, 210,186, radially outwardly and the tape draw-out roller engages the outer convulsions under some pressure to feed the leading end of the tape to a capstan roller associated with a pinch roller. The capstan roller and the pinch roller feed the draw-out tape to a take-up reel having a hub provided with a friction surface.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED DEC 5 I972 SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR. H ROSi-H (AM ADA PATENTEU 5l973' 3.704.836

SHEET 2 or 4 INVENTOR. Hmosm YAMAM BY McCQflwI- PATENTEDHEB m 3.704.836

SHEET 3 BF 4 INVENTOR.

H lROSHl YAMADA BY PATENTEDHEE 1912 3.704.836

SHEET 0, 0F 4 INVENTOR. HlROSi-H YAMADA Masha-F AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE TAPE THREADING DEVICE BACKGRoU ND OFTl-IE INVENTION-Y In recent years, there has been a trend toward housing microfilm, magnetic tape, movie film, and other information recording media in tape-form in a cartridge, to facilitate handling, transportation and storage thereofin the respective field in which the tape-form information recording medium is utilized, With this trend, it has become necessary to solve problems involving automatic loading and automatic threading of tapes in various equipment utilizing cartridge tapes, such as, for example, microfilm reels, magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, movie cameras, projectors, and the like. 3 i p Generally, cartridge type tapes wound on a reel and housed in a cartridge are completely enclosed in the cartridge, and thus some means must be provided for automatically drawing out the leading end of the tape from the cartridge for threading the tape through the utilizing apparatus. Various types of automatic cartridge tape draw-out and threading devices have been proposed, and some of them have been put to practical use; However, conventional'devices are all complex in construction and unreliable in performance. Some devices are unable to draw out the leading end of the tape unless the roll of tape, wound on the supply reel, has a diameter greater than a predetermined value. There have not been devised or constructed any devices of this type which are free from the aforemen tioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to devices for automatically threading a film or tape, wound on a reel in a cartridge through a utilizing apparatus, and, more particularly, to a novel and improved draw out draw-out device .free of the disadvantages of prior art devices for this purpose.

In accordance with the invention, an automatic cartridge tape threading device comprises a reel drive roller and a tape draw-out roller mounted on the same shaft, the reel drive roller and the tape draw out roller being effective to rotate, respectively, a supply reel and a roll of tape wound thereon at different peripheral speeds for automatically drawing out the leading end of the tape in the cartridge. The tape thus drawn out from the cartridge is moved by means of a capstan and a pinch roller until it is automatically wound on a take-up reel having a hub provided with a friction surface.

The device in accordance with the invention permits smoothly performing automatic drawing out, threading and winding of a cartridge tape, and further prevents dislodging of the trailing end of the tape from the supply reel or the causing of damage thereto. The device is very simple in construction and is low in cost.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved device for drawing out and threading cartridge tape wound on a supply reel in a cartridge.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is free of the disadvantage of prior art devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which is very simple in construction and low in cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is adapted for feeding of the tape in either direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device in which dislodging of the trailing end of a tape from a supply reel is prevented.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a front elevation or plan view of one embodiment of a microfilm projector having incorporated therein an automatic cartridge tape threading device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a elevation or plan view illustrating the operation of the draw-out means of the threading device;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan or elevation view, partly broken away, illustrating the manner in which the reel is driven by the reel drive roller;

FIG. 6 is'a fragmentary elevation or plan view, partly broken away, illustrating microfilm in the initial stages of being drawn out by the tape draw-out roller;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line VII VII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the microfilm is fed between the capstan roller and the pinch roller;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspectiveview illustrating the switch control means adjacent the film take-up reel;

FIG. 10 is perspective view illustratingthe trailing end portion of the film in relation to the capstan roller and the pinch roller; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram of one embodiment of an electric circuit for effecting control of the reel drive roller and the tape draw-out roller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT,

FIG. 1 illustrates a microfilm projector incorporating the automatic cartridge tape threading device of the invention, and the invention will be explained with reference to its use in a microfilm projector. However, it is to be understood that this is merely by way of example, as the invention is applicable equally not only to microfilm projectors but also to magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, movie cameras, projectors, and any other equipment utilizing an information recording medium in tape form and which is adapted to use a cartridge type tape. Seated another way, the terms microfilm or film as used in the following along the line IV description can be readily replaced by the term tape. I

Referring to FIG. 1, the microfilm projector or reader illustrated therein comprises a microfilm supply drive means (not shown), so that

rollers

5 and 6 are rotated to advance the microfilm until it is introduced into a space between gate plates 7 and 8. A lens tube 9, having a built-in optical system for projection, is disposed'on' one side of gate plates 7 and 8, and a light source, which has notbeen shown, is disposed onthe other side thereof. Frames of microfilm 4 are successively projected on a screen (not shown) by the optical system, for projection through a reflector, if necessary. After leaving the gate 7, 8 the microfilm passes over an idle roller 10 to the winding section 3.

Microfilm 4 can be fed either automatically or manually, as desired,by controlling rotation of capstan roller 5, in a manner such that the direction of this rotation is switched between normal and reverse directions, the rate of .rotation is switched between high and low rates, and the rotation can be interrupted at will. When a frame containing an image of desired information is disposed in gate 7, 8, microfilm 4 is held stationary so as to project the image on the screen.

The foregoing description relates to the general construction and operation of the microfilm reader, and the microfilm supply section 1 and winding section 3 will now be described in detail.

In supply section 1, a film supply reel shaft 11 is mounted in a predetermined position, and'a cartridge 12 comprises two

square plates

12a and 12b of identical shape and size, each formed with an annular recess on its inner surface.

Plates

12a and 12b are assembled with their inner surfaces facing each other, and are secured together by four pins 14 so as to provide therebetween an annular space for housing a reel 13. Reel 13, which is rotatably housed in the annular space, has a central portion formed with a mounting opening adapted to, receive snugly shaft 11. Cartridge 12 is formed,on opposite sides thereof with openings 120 of a diameter larger than the diameter of the mounting opening of the reel, and portions 12c are disposed concentrically with the mounting opening in reel 13. Cartridge 12 is firmly attached to supply section 1 by fitting shaft 11 in the mounting opening of reel 13, and by fixedly securing the cartridge against rotation, by suitable means.

The annular space within cartridge 12 is defined by peripheral walls 12d adapted to serve as a guide when the leading end of microfilm 4, wound on reel 13, is drawn out from cartridge 12 as described hereinafter. The peripheral walls 12d are formed with respective peripheral grooves l2e, so as to prevent damage to the surface of microfilm 4 by frictional dragging, which might otherwise be caused when microfilm 4 is guided by peripheral walls l2e. Reel 13 is mounted on shaft 11 by suitable means in the manner such as that it is detachable from this shaft but rotates as a unit therewith On the other hand, shaft 1 1 is connected to toward capstan roller 5. A cutout 12g is formedin plate 12b in a portion thereof disposed adjacent aperture 12f, and cutout 12g extends slightly inwardly of the periphery of the flange or flanges of reel 13 and toward the central portion thereof. This cutout has a width which is sufficiently large to permit a reel drive roller 15, or a tape draw-out roller 16, to enter thereinto when these rollers are pivoted toward cartridge 12 as described hereinafter.

Reel drive roller 15 and tape draw-out roller 16, whose diameter is larger than that of roller 15, as best seen in FIG. 3, are positioned adjacent cutout 12g.

Rollers

15 and 16 are constructed of a material having a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber or similar material, and mounted on a common shaft 17. Shaft 17 is rotatably supported, as shown in FIG. 3, by a bearing 19, secured to a pivotal arm 18, and a bent support secured to arm 18 by two screws 20. Arm 18 may be a sliding arm rather than a pivotal arm.

A pulley 22 is secured on shaft 17 in a position between bearing 19 and support 21, and is connected through an endless belt 23 to another pulley 24 secured to a drive shaft 25. Drive shaft 25 is journalled by a bearing 27 disposed to the right of a collar 26, as viewed in FIG. 3. A friction disc 28 and a sleeve 29 are loosely mounted on an outer end portion of drive shaft 25, to be disposed adjacent pulley 24. A washer 30 and a compression coil spring 31 are mounted on a minor diameter portion at the outer end of drive shaft 25, and are prevented from being dislodged from shaft 25 by a stop ring 32 threaded onto the outer end of drive shaft 25. Spring 25 biases sleeve 29, through washer 30, to move toward pulley 29, so that flange 29a of sleeve 29 presses against an end face of pulley 24 through friction disc 28, so that pulley 24 and sleeve 29 are maintained in frictional engagement with each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, support 18 has its base fitted over sleeve 29, the base being secured by two screws 33 to the outer end surface of flange 29a as shown in FIG. 1. A pin 34 is secured to arm 18, and has connected thereto one end of a tension coil spring 35 biasing arm 18 to pivot clockwise about shaft 25, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Drive shaft 25 is connected, through an electromagnetic clutch MC (See FIG. 11) to drive means (not shown), and driven in the direction of an arrow 0, shown in FIG. 1, when clutch MC is engaged.

If a main switch Sm, shown in FIG. 11 is closed to energize a motor M and engage electromagnetic clutch MC, drive shaft 25 will begin to rotate in the direction of arrow a and pulley 24 will also begin to rotate with shaft 25. Rotation of pulley 24 is transmitted through friction disc 28 to sleeve 29. As a result, pivotal arm 18 is swung in the direction of arrow a, in FIG. 1, against the bias of spring 35. Thereby,

rollers

15 and 16 are shifted, together with arm 18, and introduced into cutout 12g in cartridge 12, so that reel drive roller 15 is pressed against the periphery of a flange 13a (FIG. 4) of reel 13, and tape draw-out roller 16 is disposed in a position in which part of its periphery is disposed between the two flanges of reel 13, also as seen in FIG. 4.

When reel drive roller 15 is positioned against the periphery of flange 13a of reel 13, the force pivoting support 18 toward cartridge 12 is absorbed by the fricviewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in the same direction as drive shaft 25. Rollers l5 and 16, which are thus shifted toward reel 13 while rotating, continue to rotate even after roller is engaged with flange 13a. When roller 15 engages the periphery of flange 13a, reel 13 is driven by roller 15 and begins to rotate in a direction in which microfilm 4 is moved in a normal, or clockwise, direction, as shown by an arrow b in FIG. 5, about reel shaft 1 l A tape leader 4a of slight rigidity,'is connected to the leading end of microfilm 4 and wound on reel l3'along with microfilm 4, in cartridge 12. If reel 13 is rotated by drive roller 15 in the direction of arrow b of FIG. 5, the roll of microfilm 4on reel 13 is gradually loosened and outer convolutions thereof are caused to move radially outwardly by centrifugal force as reel 13 rotates. Tape leader 4a is gradually shifted radially outwardly toward the periphery of the flanges of reel 13. Finally, the'forward end of tape leader 4a is brought into engagement with draw-out roller 16 and presses against the same with a pressing force of considerable magnitude, as shown in FIG.6.

As roller 16 has a diameter greater than that of roller 15, it has a higher peripheral velocity than does roller 15. Consequently, the forward end of tape leader 4a pressing against roller 16 is subjected to the draw-out action of roller 16 and which is performed at a rate higher than the rate of rotation of reel 13. At the same time, the forward end portion of tape leader 4a is curved along theperiphery of roller 16, as shown in FIG. 6, so that the forward end is detached from the periphery of the roll of microfilm 4 and directed toward aperture 12f as indicated by the arror 0, also in FIG. 6. In this way, microfilm 4 can be automatically drawn out of cartridge 12 by simple means. Tape leader 4a is intended to facilitate the draw-out of the microfilm. It will be understood that, when microfilm 4 or other tape-like medium is fairly firm or stiff, the tape leader can be eliminated.

With the described construction of the automatic cartridge tape draw-out mechanism, tape leader 4a, drawn out through aperture 12f of cartridge 12, is introduced into tape advance means comprising capstan roller 5 and pinch roller 6, through a guide disposed between aperture 12f and capstan roller 5.

Capstan roller 5 is mounted on shaft 5a which is driven by drive means (not shown) to rotate in either the normal direction or the reverse direction or to remain stationary. Shaft 5a is adapted to rotate in the normal direction, or in the direction of an arrow d in FIG. 1, when the equipment is loaded with the microfilm 4. A peripheral groove 5b, having a width slightly less than the width of the microfilm 4 and tape leader 4a, is formed on the periphery of capstan roller 5, as shown in FIG. 7, and flanges 5c are provided on the axially opposite end surfa es of roller 5.

The width of pinch roller 6 is such that its periphery is received in peripheral groove 5b of capstan roller 5. Roller 6 is rotatably supported by a shaft 6a secured to a support 37, as shown in FIG. 1, and support 37 has its base secured to a rotatable support shaft 38. As also shown in FIG. 1, an arm 39 is secured to shaft 38 and has secured thereto one end of a tension spring 40 which biases support 37 and arm 38 to pivot counter clockwise about shaft 38, as viewed in FIG. 1. A switch actuator 39a is mounted at the free end of arm 39 to face the actuator of a normally open switch S1, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 1 1. When there is no microfilm or tape leader between capstan roller 5 and pinch roller 6, roller 6 is received in the peripheral groove 5b of roller 5, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, and arm 39 maintains switch S1 closed through switchactuator 39a.

If tape leader 4a is introduced between the rotating capstan roller 5 and pinch roller 6, as shown in FIG. 2, pinch roller 6 is scooped out of peripheral groove 5b of roller 5 by tape leader 4a, and brought into a position in which it presses against tape leader 4a, as shown in FIG. 8. The distance covered by this movement of pinch roller 6, from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8, corresponds to the depth of peripheral groove 5b. As pinch roller 6 is thus shifted, support 37 and arm 39 pivot clockwise about shaft 38, as viewedin FIG. 1, through an angle corresponding to the distance covered by the movement of pinch roller 6. Clockwise pivoting of arm 39 releases switch actuator 39a from engagement with switch S1, as shown in FIG. 2, so that switch S1 is opened.

Switch S1 serves as a power source switch for electromagnetic clutch MC of FIG. 11, so that, when switch S1 is opened, clutch MC is disengaged to declutch drive shaft 25 from motor M. Thus, drive shaft 25 is made free to rotate and, accordingly, the force with which the pivotal arm 18 and pulley 22 are operated is removed. As a result, the

rollers

15 and 16 stop rotating and, at the same time, pivotal arm 18 is restored by spring 35 to its original position as shown in dash and dot lines 18A in FIG. 2, in which arm 18 and pulley 22 maintain

rollers

15 and 16 away from reel 13. With rollers l5 and 16 disengaged from reel 13, tape leader 4a and microfilm 4 are advanced by capstan'roller S and pinch roller 6 operating alone. The forward end of tape leader 4a passes between gate plates 7 and 8 and is introduced into winding section 3 over idle roller 10.

In microfilm winding section 3, there is disposed a casing 42 formed with an annular recess for housing a take-up reel 41 which is rotatable in casing 42 and has a central or axial opening receiving film take-up reel shaft 43. Reel 41 has a hub 41a having a peripheral surface formed of rubber, synthetic resin, or other material of high friction. A pinch roller 44 is disposed against the peripheral surface of hub 41a between two flanges of reel 41, and is rotatably mounted on a free end of a tape guide arm 45, as best seen in FIG. 9. The base of arm 45 is secured to a rotatable shaft 46 disposed outwardly of the periphery of reel 41. An arm 47 is secured to shaft 46 and has a pin 48 tov which is secured one end of a coil spring 49 biasing

arms

45 and 47 to pivot clockwise about shaft 46, as viewed in FIG. 1. Thus, arm 45 urges pinch roller 44 to press against the periphery of hub 41a of reel 41.

Walls 42a of casing 42, defining the annular recess therein, are formed at the side thereof toward idle roller 10 with a microfilm inlet aperture 42b, and the walls serve as a guide for introducing tape leader 4a into aperture 42b and winding thereof on reel 41. Peripheral grooves 420 are formed in walls 42a so as to reduce frictional dragging of the walls on tape leader 4a or microfilm 4, to protect the surface thereof. The top of casing 42 is covered with a plate 51 secured to the casing by four pins 50.

. Reel 41 is connected by suitable means to take-up reelshaft 43 so that it may rotate as a unit therewith. Shaft 43 is connected to a drive means (not shown), by a suitable one-way clutch (not shown) so that it'may be driven in a direction in which it winds microfilm 4 on reel 41, or in the direction of an arrow e in FIG. 1, only when the microfilm is moved in the normal direction. Thus, reel .41 rotates, together with shaft 43, in the direction of arrow e.

Tape guide arm 45 is shaped like the letter y, and formed, at its free end, with an intercepting portion 45a effective to prevent tape leader 4a from entering into reel 41 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the microfilm is wound on the reel. Arm 44 is also formed with a curved guide portion 45b extending from its base to pinch roller 44 and'ser ving to guide tape leader 4a to move between the periphery of hub 41a of reel 41 and pinch roller 44 after the tape leader is introduced along the peripheries of the flanges of reel 41. Thus, tape leader 4a entering into aperture 42b over idle roller 10 moves between the flanges of reel 41 as this reel rotates in the direction of arrow e, to be held readily by the peripheries of hub 41a and pinch roller 44. Since reel 41 rotates at a rate higher than themovement of tape leader 4a, the tape leader 4a, and microfilm 4, are rapidly wound on the outer peripheral surface of hub 41.

As microfilm 4 is wound progressively on reel 41, the diameter of the roll of microfilm on reel 41 gradually increases, as shown in FIG. 9, and moves pinch roller 44 toward the peripheries of the flanges of reel 41. This movement of roller 44 causes arm 45 to be shifted angularly about the axis of shaft 46. Shaft 46 has secured thereto an indicator 52 which cooperates with a graduated scale 53, shown in FIG. 9, provided on plate 51 to indicate the amount of microfilm 4 wound on reel 41 as shaft 46 is angularly displaced. The tape winding mechanism embodying the invention is constructed as just described.

Referring to FIG. 10, a slot 4b, large enough to permit pinch roller 6 to pass therethrough, is formed in the trailing end portion of microfilm 4. When the trailing end portion is indexed with capstan roller 5, pinch roller 6 is received in slot 4b, so that capstan roller 5 and pinch roller 6 cease to advance microfilm 4. This is effective to prevent microfilm 4 from being subjected to excessive tension and damage in reel 13, or between

rollers

5 and 6, when microfilm 4 is moved in the normal direction.

When pinch roller 6 passes through slot 4b to press against capstan roller 4, support 37 and arm 39 pivot and switch S1 (FIG. 11) is closed. A switch actuator 47a at the free end of arm 47 of winding section 3 maintains a normally open switch S2 in closed position when the roll of microfilm wound on reel 41 is small in diameter. However, with an increase in the diameter of the roll of microfilm on reel 41, actuator 47a is moved away from switch S2 as guide arm 45 pivots, thereby permitting switch S2 to open.

. Switches S1 and S2 are connected in series with each other between main switch Sm and electromagnetic clutch MC, as shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, even if pinch roller 6 is received in slot 4b of microfilm 4, and switch S1 is closed as mentioned, clutch MC is not engaged because switch S2 is open. This prevents

rollers

15 and 16, or support 18, from being rendered operative inadvertently when it is not required to feed the microfilm.

Switches S1 and S2 are both closed in the initial stages of feeding microfilm 4, so that clutch MC is engaged at once when main switch Sm is closed. FIG. 11 illustrates schematically a circuit including switches S1 and S2 and electromagnetic clutch MC which make up the aforementioned control means. It is to be understood, however, that any other suitable circuit may be used as the control means.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the reel drive roller and the tape draw-out roller may be formed integrally, and that the support or operating means for causing these two rollers to act on the supply reel is not limited to the described construction. Support means of any other construction, which functions in the same manner as described, may be used. In the embodiment selected for exemplary illustration of the principles of the invention, the invention has been described as being used .with a cartridge reel having two flanges. However, the invention is equally applicable to a cartridge reel having only one flange.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic tape threading device, for threading tape wound on a supply reel rotatable in a cartridge and having at least one flange, comprising, in combination,

\ a reel drive roller arranged to be rotated in pressing engagement with the periphery of a flange of the reel to rotate the reel to cause outer convolutions of the tape wound thereon to move radially outwardly; a tape draw-out roller concentric with said reel drive roller and having a diameter greater than that of said reel drive roller, said tape draw-out roller being arranged to be rotated with its periphery radially inwardly of the periphery of the reel flange engaged by said reel drive roller to have pressing engagement of the leading end of the tape, when the outer tape convolutions are caused to move radially outwardly by rotation of the reel, to advance the tape from the cartridge; support means rotatably mounting said rollers and operable to move said rollers into their respective engaging positions; driving means for said rollers including a disengagable clutch; control means controlling engagement and disengagement of said clutch to control the tape draw-out operation; tape advance means operable to advance the drawn out tape along a predetermined path; and tape winding means receiving the thus advanced tape and winding the tape on a take-up reel.

2 An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said two rollers are secured to rotate with a single common shaft.

3. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said reel drive roller and said tape drawout roller are formed integrally with each other.

4. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed'in claim 1, in which said tape advance means comprises a capstan roller and a pinch roller biased to press against said capstan roller; a support for said pinch roller; the periphery of said capstan roller being formed with a circumferentially extending peripheral groove sufficiently wide in an axial direction to receive said pinch roller therein; the axial width of said pinch roller being less than the width of said peripheral groove and less than the width of the tape; the trailing end portion of the tape being formed with a slot having a width sufficient to permit said pinch roller to pass therethrough to be received in said peripheral groove when the slot is disposed between said pinch roller and said capstan roller, whereby, at such time, said capstan roller and said pinch roller cease to advance the tape.

5. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim'l, in which said tape advance means comprises a capstan roller and a pinch roller biased to press against said capstan roller; said capstan roller being formed with a peripheral groove having an axial width sufficient to permit said pinch roller to be received in said peripheral groove; a pivotal arm supporting said pinch roller; said control means including said pivotal arm and a switch opened by said pivotal arm upon movement of said pinch roller out of said peripheral groove of said capstan roller by the forward end of the tape introduced between said capstan and pinch roller; said switch, when opened, rendering said reel drive roller and said tape draw-out roller ineffective to draw-out the tape from the cartridge.

6. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in 10 claim 1, in which said tape winding means comprises a take-up reel having a hub with a friction surface on its periphery; a pinch roller adapted to press against said friction surface of said hub; and an arm supporting said pinch roller. v

7. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim '1, in which said support means comprises a pivotal arm; a drive shaft frictionally engagable with said pivotal arm; said clutch being operable to connect said drive shaft to said driving means to pivot said arm to move said rollers into their respective engaging positions.

8. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 7, including a first pulley secured to rotate with said drive shaft; a second pulley secured to rotate with said rollers; an endless belt interconnecting said first and second pulleys; a sleeve rotatable on said drive shaft and having a flange to which said pivotal arm is secured; and a friction surface disposed between said flange and said first drive pulley. v

9. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 6, in which said arm supporting said pinch roller is formed with an intercepting portion for guiding the forward end of the tape advanced by said tape advance means to move toward said hub of said take-up reel by preventing deflection of the forward end of the tape from this normal ath of travel said arm su ortin said pinch roller bePing formed with a curved g i de sur face for guiding the forward end of the tape, introduced onto the take-up reel, to be pinched between the hub of the take-up reel and said pinch roller biased to press against the hub of said take-up reel.

10. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 9, in which said control means includes a' switch; and a second arm movable with said pinch roller supporting arm and effective to operate said switch.

Claims

1. An automatic tape threading device, for threading tape wound on a supply reel rotatable in a cartridge and having at least one flange, comprising, in combination, a reel drive roller arranged to be rotated in pressing engagement with the periphery of a flange of the reel to rotate the reel to cause outer convolutions of the tape wound thereon to move radially outwardly; a tape draw-out roller concentric with said reel drive roller and having a diameter greater than that of said reel drive roller, said tape draw-out roller being arranged to be rotated with its periphery radially inwardly of the periphery of the reel flange engaged by said reel drive roller to have pressing engagement of the leading end of the tape, when the outer tape convolutions are caused to move radially outwardly by rotation of the reel, to advance the tape from the cartridge; support means rotatably mounting said rollers and operable to move said rollers into their respective engaging positions; driving means for said rollers including a disengagable clutch; control means controlling engagement and disengagement of said clutch to control the tape draw-out operation; tape advance means operable to advance the drawn out tape along a predetermined path; and tape winding means receiving the thus advanced tape and winding the tape on a take-up reel.

2. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said two rollers are secured to rotate with a single common shaft.

4. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said tape advance means comprises a capstan roller and a pinch roller biased to press against said capstan roller; a support for said pinch roller; the periphery of said capstan roller being formed with a circumferentially extending peripheral groove sufficiently wide in an axial direction to receive said pinch roller therein; the axial width of said pinch roller being less than the width of said peripheral groove and less than the width of the tape; the trailing end portion of the tape being formed with a slot having a width sufficient to permit said pinch roller to pass therethrough to be received in said peripheral groove when the slot is disposed between said pinch roller and said capstan roller, whereby, at such time, said capstan roller and said pinch roller cease to advance the tape.

5. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said tape advance means comprises a capstan roller and a pinch roller biased to press against said capstan roller; said capstan roller being formed with a peripheral groove having an axial width sufficient to permit said pinch roller to be received in said peripheral groove; a pivotal arm supporting said pinch roller; said control means including said pivotal arm and a switch opened by said pivotal arm upon movement of said pinch roller out of said peripheral groove of said capstan roller by the forward end of the tape introduced between said capstan and pinch roller; said switch, when opened, rendering said reel drive roller and said tape draw-out roller ineffective to draw-out the tape from the cartridge.

6. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said tape winding means comprises a take-up reel having a hub with a friction surface on its periphery; a pinch roller adapted to press against said friction surface of said hub; and an arm supporting said pinch roller.

7. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said support means comprises a pivotal arm; a drive shaft frictionally engagable with said pivotal arm; said clutch being operable to connect said drive shaft to said driving means to pivot said arm to move said rollers into their respective engaging positions.

8. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 7, including a first pulley secured to rotate with said drive shaft; a second pulley secured to rotate with said rollers; an endless belt interconnecting said first and second pulleys; a sleeve rotatable on said drive shaft and having a flange to which said pivotal arm is secured; and a friction surface disposed between said flange and said first drive pulley.

9. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 6, in which said arm supporting said pinch roller is formed with an intercepting portion for guiding the forward end of the tape advanced by said tape advance means to move toward said hub of said take-up reel by preventing deflection of the forward end of the tape from this normal path of travel; said arm supporting said pinch roller being formed with a curved guide surface for guiding the forward end of the tape, introduced onto the take-up reel, to be pinched between the hub of the take-up reel and said pinch roller biased to press against the hub of said take-up reel.

10. An automatic tape threading device, as claimed in claim 9, In which said control means includes a switch; and a second arm movable with said pinch roller supporting arm and effective to operate said switch.