U.S. Philips Corporation

U.S. Phillips Corporation

Pieter G Markus

Cornelis Ouwerkerk

Wilhelmus J Rath

Paul J Van Weele

Cornelis M Van Beijersbergen

A device such as a cassette recorder of a computer has a wall portion formed with a loading aperture for introduction of standard-type objects, such as a magnetic-tape cassette or a cassette for an optical or magnetic disc. To prevent damage or incorrect operation, the device includes a blocking mechanism which blocks the introduction of objects having a smaller width and/or height. A spring urges a partially inserted object in a direction parallel to the dimension or dimensions to be sensed.

Device for blocking insertion of undersized objects

A system for recording and/or reading signals on/from information carriers (4) accommodated in cassettes (2) composed of cassettes (2-3A) of a first type and cassettes (2-3B) of a second type, which two types of cassettes have substantially identical dimensions and shapes apart from local identifying distinctive features (22-3A, 26-3A; 22-3B, 26-3B) of a first type and of a second type respectively. Drive apparatus constructed to cooperate with a cassette of the system when inserted in a correct orientation. Drive apparatus of the first type, is constructed for cooperation with cassettes (2-3A) of the first type but not for cooperation with cassettes (2-3B) of the second type, and drive apparatus of a second type, is constructed for cooperation with cassettes (2 3B) of the second type but not for cooperation with cassettes (2 3A) of the first type. The drive apparatus further comprise a physical blocking mechanism (30; 52) of a first type and a second type respectively, which are constructed to cooperate with the distinctive features of the different cassette types wherein the drive apparatus of the first type accept cassettes of a first type but do not accept cassettes of the second type and the drive apparatus of the second type accept cassettes of the second type but do not accept cassettes of the first type, at least when that the cassettes are inserted in a correct orientation and in other cases block the cassettes.

Growing community of inventors

Hoogvliet, Netherlands

Pieter G Markus