Limited-use tape cassette

Abstract

A limited-use tape cassette includes a follower arm pivotally secured to the housing at one end while abutting the spooled tape of a cassette reel at a distal end. A use-limiting mechanism is provided by the follower arm or another inter-related arm to control rewinding and/or playback of the tape based on follower arm position and/or positional history. In one embodiment, a second rotatable arm is located in controlled interference with the follower arm so as to cause it to 'lock up' after a predetermined number of unfettered play back/rewind cycles have taken place. In other embodiments, the arrangement utilizes existing brake teeth of a tape cassette reel to prevent rewinding after a predetermined amount of the video has been viewed. In other arrangements, an over-center follower arm position is utilized together with a stop abutment to bind the tape against complete rewinding only after the video has been substantially completely once viewed. In other embodiments, a pair of arms are pivotally secured to the housing at one end while one or both abut the spooled tape of the take-up reel at a distal end. One of the follower arms interferes with the other during a first period of play. Thereafter, the second arm is released to follow the spooled take-up tape and/or the second arm includes a use-limiting mechanism which is released to control rewinding of the tape based on the position of one of the arms. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.