WO1992014238A2 - A closure assembly blocking a cassette tape receiving chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The provision of a closure assembly selectively blocking access to a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape playing machine preventing unauthorized tampering or insertion of foreign materials therein. The closure assembly includes a rectangular housing (20, 32, 138) configured to fit within the tape chamber with a face plate (20) engaging tape playing machine frontal surfaces closing the chamber. Latch plates (122), biased outwardly by springs (61, 63), have members (136) latching the assembly within the chamber. A lock shaft (53) supports a bolt (57) that can be rotated by a key blocking retracting movement of latch plates (122). An ejection cap (138) causes retraction of latch members (136) and automatic ejection of the closure assembly preventing damage to the tape playing machine when a prior installed cassette tape is ejected by the machine. Inward movement of the cap (138) engages first cam surfaces (144 and 146) on the cap with second cam surfaces (134) on the latch plates automatically retracting the plates (122) and releasing the closure assembly for movement with the ejected cassette tape.

Description

A CLOSURE ASSEMBLY BLOCKING A CASSETTE TAPE RECEIVING

CHAMBER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cassette tape players including video cassette tape players and recorders, hereinafter referred to as tape players. More specifically, the invention relates to a tape receiving chamber closure device selectively locked in place preventing the possibility of injury to small children by insertion of their fingers into the cassette receiving chamber or any other tampering with the cassette receiving chamber such as by placing foreign objects within the cavity. In preferred form, the closure device also incorporates structure providing for automatic ejection of the closure device when engaged by a cassette tape during its ejecting movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatus for preventing abuse to internal operations, unauthorized use of a cassette tape player or bodily injury by locking a closure device in its associated tape receiving chamber. Latching means are provided for retaining the tamper proofing closure device within the tape player cassette receiving chamber in either a locked mode to prevent removal without a special key, or an unlocked mode to allow removal and access to the tape cassette receiving chamber. When the cassette chamber closure device is in a locked position, with latch members in an extended position, the latch members are prevented from being moved to a retracted unlocked position retaining the closure device in place, thereby denying access to the cassette tape player receiving chamber. An additional feature of the tape player cassette chamber closure device is provision of an ejection apparatus which is operable in either a closure device locked or unlocked mode. When the closure device is positioned within the tape player cassette receiving chamber, with a previously installed tape in the chamber, the closure device is automatically ejected along with the cassette tape. The latching structure of the closure device is automatically released when the cassette tape is ejected. Outward movement of the cassette tape applies an outward force against the closure device resulting in retraction of the latch structure. Consequently, the cassette and the closure device are both ejected without damaging the tape player structure. BACKGROUND ART

The prior art U.S.Patent No. 4,908,728 provides a VCR protector preventing foreign objects from being inserted into a VCR tape entrance port. Further U.S. Patent Nos. 4,640,106; 4,616,490; and 4,527,405 each disclose devices locked within cassette tape recording or player machines such that removal of the devices while locked results in serious damage to the Machine thereby preventing unauthorized use or sale of the machine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is the provision of a closure device preventing unauthorized access to internal portions of a tape player by entry through a cassette tape receiving chamber in the tape player.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a closure device selectively manually insertable and removable into and out of a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape player as required to prevent tampering with the tape player while not interfering with normal use of the same.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a closure device preventing unauthorized access through a cassette tape chamber to internal portions of a tape playing machine that is easily installed and removed by an authorized operator.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a closure device for a tape player tape receiving chamber incorporating an economically manufactured and conveniently used locking mechanism preventing unauthorized access to the tape receiving chamber.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a cassette tape player chamber closure device incorporating a locking mechanism manually operable only by use of a special key or tool.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a cassette tape player chamber closure device configured to permit operation of the tape player while the closure is in position within the tape player receiving chamber.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a cassette tape player chamber closure device configured to permit operation of the tape player while the closure device is locked within the tape player receiving chamber.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a cassette tape player chamber closure device incorporating means automatically unlatching the closure device when a tape cassette is ejected outwardly from an operative position behind the closure device.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities in combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The foregoing objects of the invention have been achieved by providing a tamper proof closure device releasably received within a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape playing machine. The structure is simply constructed while yet providing significant features of selective key locking and automatic ejection of the closure assembly with a tape previously placed within the player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette tape player containing a tape receiving chamber illustrating the manner in which a tamper proofing closure may be inserted within the chamber preventing unauthorized access to the tape receiving chamber. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette tape player with the tamper proofing closure fully inserted within the tape receiving chamber.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the tamper proofing closure more clearly illustrating exterior features of the assembly including finger recesses for manually releasing the closure and a key aperture for unlocking the closure from the player assembly.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view, with portions partly in cross-section, illustrating individual components and structural features of the tamper proofing closure assembly.

Fig. 4A is a fragmentary perspective view of a lock member supporting boss with positioning slots on its upper surface. Fig. 4B is a plan view taken along line 4B - 4B of the lock member shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the assembled components shown in Figure 4. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional plan view taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 3 illustrating structural details of the tamper proofing tape receiving chamber closure assembly, in particular a latching override mechanism in its normal disengaged position.

Fig. 7 is the fragmentary view shown in Fig. 6, with the latching override mechanism moved to an engaged position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional plan view taken substantially along lines 8-8 of Fig. 3 illustrating structural details of the tape receiving chamber closure assembly locking mechanism. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With reference to Figure 1, a conventional tape player 10 including a cover plate 11 and containing a tape receiving chamber 12 is shown with a tamper proofing closure assembly 14, which is the subject of this invention, removed from the chamber 12. The tamper proofing closure assembly 14 is shown in an installed position in Figure 2. Exterior details of the closure assembly 14 are better illustrated in Figure 3, wherein finger recesses 16 and 18 are provided in face plate 20. Two latch release members 22, best illustrated in Figure 4, are utilized. They are disposed 180 degrees to one another, include arcuate vertical finger 'buttons 98 and are positioned within face plate apertures 74 and 76 for movement on face plate 20. Referring now to Figure 3, the finger buttons 98 define one end of finger recesses 16 and 18. A block 26 is molded upon face plate 20 or otherwise secured thereto. A key aperture 28 is provided in block 26 and extends through cover plate 20 for a purpose later described. In an assembled form, the closure assembly substantially comprises a rectangular housing 30. Referring now to Figure 4, an integrally formed base member 32 is in the form of a rectangular open ended box structure 34 including end walls 36 and side walls 38. The side walls 38 each are formed having a latch supporting shoulder 39 on their interior vertical surfaces for slidably supporting later described latch plates horizontally movable between locked and unlocked positions. An intermediate base plate 40 is molded integrally with or is otherwise secured to the end and side walls within the box structure. Slots 42 and 44 are provided in the end walls 36, as shown. An upper end bearing surface 46 is provided on a cylindrical boss 48. The cylindrical boss 48 is molded to the center of intermediate plate 40 and contains a hole 50 therethrough, best illustrated in Figure 4A. A lock member 51 comprises a shaft 53, a supporting collar 55 and a locking bolt member 57. As shown Figure 4B, positioning detent lugs 65 and 67 are molded on the lower face 69 of collar 55. Lugs 65 are in alignment with locking member 57. End surface 46 of cylindrical boss 48 comprises positioning detent slots 71 and 73, best illustrated in Figure 4A, also positioned in alignment with locking member 57 for receipt of lugs 65 and 67 as the locking member is rotated between locked and unlocked positions. With reference again to Figure 4, end surface 59 of shaft 53 is formed with special grooves or a slots 59a so that a special key fitting the grooves or slots is required to engage them for actuating the lock in a manner to be later described. Intermediate plate 40 contains a first latch retracting post receiving slot 52 having associated adjacent guide surfaces 56a and 56b. A second latch retracting post receiving slot 54 has associated adjacent guide surfaces 58a and 58b. Guide surfaces 56a and 56b are reinforced by integral perpendicular extending walls 75 molded on both the upper and lower sides of intermediate plate 40. Likewise perpendicular extending walls 77 are provided to reinforce guide surfaces 58a and 58b. The guide surfaces are adapted to engage ejection post members reciprocating within the slots in a manner later described. Spring guide surfaces 60 and 62, receiving springs 61 and 63, are formed in the plate 40 adjacent cylindrical boss 48. The plate 40 also supports at least two integral screw receiving bosses 64 and 66 and two fastening lugs 68 and 70 extending from the its opposite side for purposes of assembly of the closure 14.

Face plate 20 contains the aforementioned apertures 74 and 76, each having a square end 78 and 80. Both of the apertures also are adjacent finger recesses 16 and 18 at their respective opposite ends. The finger recesses are formed by reducing the thickness of face plate 20 at sections 82 and 84 which have curved end portions 86 and 88. As previously mentioned with reference to Figure 3, face plate 20 further includes integral raised block portion 26 containing the lock shaft 53 and matching key receiving aperture 28.

Latch release members 22 each include vertical finger buttons 98 and integral flat panels 102 extending from one side and terminating in respective curved end surfaces 106. Two integral flat upper and lower panels 110 and 112 extend from the other side of ^■ finger buttons 98. These upper and lower flat panels 110 and 112 form slots 118 for a purpose to be later described. The lower panels 112 have a latch actuating pin 120 formed integral therewith or secured to an underneath side in a conventional manner to extend downwardly therefrom. Two latch plates 122, of identical structure, each containing an actuating pin receiving slot 124, a fastening screw opening 126 and a latch retracting post opening 128 are provided. A downwardly extending cam member 130 is also provided on the latch plate underneath side 132 providing a cam surface 134 best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The latch plates 122 also include spring stop tabs 129 and latch members 136. Latch members 136 are formed with sloped actuating surfaces 141 and a series of steps 143, as shown in Figures 4,5,6 and 7.

Referring now to Figures 4, 6 and 7, an ejection cap assembly 138 includes end walls 133, side walls

135 and top wall 137. The cap contains spaced latch retraction post 140 and 142, each having cam a surface 144 and 146. The posts are secured or molded to inner surface 148 of cap back wall 137 in alignment with post receiving slots 52 and 54 in intermediate plate

40. The cap back wall 137 contains holes 147 and 149 for receiving lugs 68 and 70 extending from intermediate base plate 40 and also has spring supporting bosses 150 and 152 molded at strategic locations for receiving one end of biasing springs 154 and 156 when two such springs are used. The bosses 150 and 152 contain fastening screw holes 153 and 155. A single boss 158 is provided when one spring is employed. When the assembly utilizes a single spring, only one of the springs 154 or 156 is fitted upon the boss 158 for biasing the ejection cap 138 outwardly of base member 32. In the preferred embodiment of my invention, these bosses and springs are eliminated and the lateral forces of latch biasing springs 61 and 63 are sufficient to return the ejection cap assembly to the outward latch engaged position. The ejection post members 140 and 142 each comprise integral assembly lugs 160 and 162 which engage with the fastening lugs 68 and 70 on intermediate plate 40.

With continued reference to Figures 4 and 5, assembly of the relatively simple and economically manufactured tamper proofing closure components is readily accomplished by initially placing springs 61 and 63 into spring guide surfaces 60 and 62 on intermediate plate 40. Lock member shaft 53 is inserted within aperture 50 of cylindrical boss 48 so that collar 55 rests upon bearing surface 46 for rotation thereon. Latch release members 22 are placed within apertures 74 and 76 of face plate 20 so that slots 118 can receive square aperture ends 78 and 80 as upper and lower panels 110 and 112 slide over portions of face plate 20. Latch Plates 122 are then assembled upon the inner sides of latch release members 22 by placing actuating pins 120 within plate slots 124. Fastening screw bosses 64 and 66 are received within plate openings 126. The face plate subassembly is then inserted upon the top of base member 32 with spring stop tabs 129 engaging outer ends of springs 61 and 63 biasing latch plates 122 outwardly to latching positions as each are slidably mounted upon shoulders 39 on inner surfaces of side walls 38. Ejection cap assembly 138, excluding use of either of the springs 154 or 156 in the preferred embodiment or including one or both of them in modified embodiments, is locked to the assembly by engaging retraction post lugs 160 and 162 with resilient fastening lugs 68 and 70 on base member 32. Fastening screws, not shown, can be fitted through apertures 153 and 155 in spring bosses 150 and 152 to engage threaded bosses 100 on face plate 20, shown in Figure 5, for finally securing the assembled parts together. In operation, the tamper proofing closure assembly 14 is inserted into tape receiving chamber 12 of a tape player 10 by engaging sloping surfaces 141 of latches 136 with edges of the tape receiving chamber 12. Inward movement of the closure assembly 14 moves the latches 136 laterally inwardly within the closure against the forces of springs 61 and 63 as tabs 129 on latch plates 122 compress the springs against cylindrical boss 48. Sufficient movement of the closure 14 into the chamber 12 permits the springs 61 and 63 to move latch plates and their associated latches 136 outwardly behind a tape player cover plate 11. One of the stepped surfaces 143 engages an inward side of cover plate 11 retaining the closure 14 within the tape player. The closure 14 is manually removed from tape receiving chamber 12 by grasping the vertical finger buttons 98 of latch release members 22 between the thumb and forefinger and squeezing them together. Latch release members 22 move relative to face plate 20 because portions of the plate are received within slots 118 defined by the upper flat panels 110 and lower flat panels 112. Latch actuating pins 120 engage slots 124 in the plates 122 moving them against forces of springs 61 and 63 when the finger buttons are squeezed together. Thi≤ movement retracts latch members 136 and their associated stepped surfaces 143 out of engagement with the cover plate 11 within slots 42 and 44 of closure base member 32 permitting withdrawal of the closure assembly 14 from the tape receiving chamber 12.

Finger buttons 98 cannot be actuated unless lock member 51 is in an unlocked position with bolt member 57 extending laterally of the closure assembly 14 parallel to end walls 36 of base member 32. In this position bolt 57 does not interfere with movement of latch release members 22 so that the closure may be manually removed at will.

The closure assembly 14 can readily be locked in place preventing unauthorized entry into tape receiving chamber 12. As previously described, the closure assembly 14 is inserted within the chamber 12 by forcing latches 136 inwardly as sloped surfaces 141 engage edges of cover plate 11 defining the chamber opening. When the closure 14 is completely installed, one of the steps 143 on each of the latches 136 engages an inner surface of cover plate 11 holding the closure in place. Locking member 51 is in its normally lateral unlocked position at this time with detent lugs 65 in engagement with slots 73 on end surface 46 of cylindrical boss 48. Detent slots 71 and 73 cooperate with lugs 65 and 67 forming a detent to indicate the position of bolt 57. A special key or tool, not shown, having a shape conforming with special grooves or slots 59a in end surface 59 is required to rotate lock member 51 between locked and unlocked positions. The key is inserted within aperture 28 of face plate 20 into the grooves 59a and lock member shaft 53 is rotated 90 degrees moving lugs 65 on collar 55 into engagement with slots 71 placing lock bolt 57 in a position extending longitudinally of base member 32 blocking unlatching movement of latch release members 22. Ends of lock bolt member 57 engage respective end surfaces 113 of lower panels 112 blocking inward movement of the release members when attempt is made to squeeze finger buttons 98 together. An additional significant feature of the closure assembly 14 of my invention is its ability to be automatically ejected by a cassette tape installed in a tape player prior to the installation of the closure assembly. When a cassette tape is ejected by the tape player machine, outward movement of the cassette engages back wall 137 of ejection cap assembly 138 moving the assembly within intermediate base member 32 against the force of biasing springs 61 and 63. Cam surfaces 144 and 146 engage cam surfaces 134 of latch plates 122 retracting the plates 122 and latching members 136 out of contact with surfaces of tape player machine cover plate 11. When sufficient movement has disengaged step surfaces 143 from contact with the surfaces of cover plate 11, the closure assembly 14 moves out of the tape receiving chamber 12 with the ejected cassette tape. This automatic ejection of closure assembly 14 with the ejection of a prior installed cassette tape prevents damage to a tape player machine that ordinarily would occur through inadvertent actuation of the machine ejection system with the closure assembly in place.

Claims

1. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape player machine capable of being selectively placed within the chamber preventing insertion of unauthorized objects or materials therein; said closure assembly comprising: a housing, a face plate attached to said housing and dimensioned to completely close said tape player tape receiving chamber, latch means selectively releasably retaining said closure assembly within the tape receiving chamber, means biasing said latch means to extended latched positions, said face plate having spaced apertures therein, finger buttons operably connected with said latch means, said finger buttons being positioned within said apertures and slidably movable between latch means latched and unlatched positions, and locking means rotatable between a locked position preventing movement of said latch means by said finger buttons and an unlocked position permitting retraction of said latch means against forces of said biasing means and removal of said closure assembly from the tape receiving chamber closing position.

2. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape player machine as described in Claim 1 wherein said face plate further comprises finger recesses of reduced plate thickness facilitating finger engagement with said finger buttons.

3. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape player machine as described in Claim 1 where in said finger buttons further comprise spaced upper and lower panel members forming a slot receiving a portion of said face plate permitting said buttons to slide upon said face plate.

4. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape player machine as described in Claim 1 where said latch means comprises oppositely disposed latch plates slidably mounted within said housing, means biasing said latch plates outwardly of said housing, and latch members on the outward extending ends of said latch plates engaging portions of said tape player machine normally retaining said closure assembly within said tape receiving chamber as said biasing means projects said latch members outwardly blocking removal of said closure assembly from within said tape receiving chamber.

5. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 4 wherein actuating means connect said finger buttons with said latch plates when said latch plates are retracted within said housing as said finger buttons are squeezed together, said actuating means being disconnected as said latch plates return to a normally biased extended position when said finger buttons are released.

6. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber in a tape player machine as described in Claim 4 wherein each of said latch members comprise step surfaces engaging portions of said tape player machine retaining said closure assembly within said tape receiving chamber.

7. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 6 wherein said latch members each further comprise a sloping surface automatically moving said latch means within said housing against forces of said biasing means as said sloping surfaces engage portions of said tape player machine as said closure assembly is inserted within said tape receiving chamber, said latch plates moving outwardly within said tape receiving chamber each engaging a step surface with a portion of said tape player machine when said closure assembly is completely installed retaining the assembly therein.

8. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a shaft rotatably mounted between inner ends of said respective members of said latch means, and a bolt member extending diametrically through said shaft and for a predetermined distance outward preventing unlatching movement of said latch means as said inner ends engage said bolt when the latter is rotated to a locked position.

9. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 8 further comprising a supporting collar on said lock shaft, a rectangular base member forming a major portion of said housing, an intermediate base plate within said base member, a cylindrical boss secured to said intermediate base plate and extending toward said face plate, first detent means formed on the top surface of said cylindrical boss, and second detent means cooperating with said first detent means retaining said lock shaft in either a locked or unlocked position.

10. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 1 wherein said closure assembly further comprises means automatically ejecting said closure assembly from within said tape receiving chamber in a tape player machine when a prior inserted cassette tape is ejected by the tape player machine.

11. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a rectangular base member closed on a front side by said face plate, an intermediate base plate within said rectangular base member, an ejection cap closing a back side of said rectangular base member, means retaining said cap within said base member, means biasing said cap outwardly of said base member to a non-ejecting position, and ejecting means actuated by said cap automatically ejecting said closure assembly when a cassette tape inserted ahead of said closure assembly within said tape receiving chamber is ejected by the tape player and outward movement of the cassette tape compresses said cap within said closure assembly automatically releasing said latch means.

12. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 11 wherein said ejection means comprises a first cam surface on said latch means, a second cam surface on said ejection cap whereby inward movement of said cap against said biasing means engages said cam surfaces retracting said latch means to unlatched positions ejecting said closure assembly with said cassette tape thereby preventing damage to said tape player machine.

13. A closure assembly for a cassette tape receiving chamber as described in Claim 11 wherein said means biasing said cap outwardly of said base member is also said means biasing said latch means to extended latched positions.