Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8139315 | Storage slot for data storage cartridges of differing dimensions A storage slot for removably holding and aligning data storage cartridges of differing dimensions. Two bowed leaf springs are positioned within the storage slot, at two side walls and opposite from, respectively, two opposite side walls. The bowed leaf springs exten... | 03/20/2012 |
| 8116028 | Cartridge loading devices A cartridge loading device 10 for magnetic tape cartridges comprises a first member 12, a second member 14 and a guide arrangement 30, 32, 36, 38 for guiding movement of said second member relative to said first member from a first positi... | 02/14/2012 |
| 7929244 | Magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus A magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that selectively loads a first tape cassette accommodating a first magnetic tape or a second tape cassette accommodating a second magnetic tape having a width greater than the width of the first tape. The ... | 04/19/2011 |
| 7652842 | Audio cassette adapter with cable storage in the body of the cassette An audio cassette adapter with cable and connector storage in the body of the cassette. Internal cable storage is facilitated by an internal retractable mechanism that reduces the amount of storage external to the audio cassette adapter housing. In one embodiment, t... | 01/26/2010 |
| 7619851 | Cartridge holder with a cartridge height position locking mechanism accommodating tape cartridges of differing tape widths A cartridge holder is disclosed that includes a cartridge supporting member that supports an inserted cartridge corresponding to a first cartridge or a thicker second cartridge; a cartridge upper face holding member that is normally positioned at a first height posi... | 11/17/2009 |
| 7440226 | Cartridge loading devices A cartridge loading device for magnetic tape cartridges comprises a first member 12, a second member 14, a guide arrangement 30, 32, 36, 38 for guiding movement of the second member relative to the first member from a first position to a second ... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7420768 | Cartridge loading apparatus A cartridge loading apparatus 300 comprises a cartridge loading device 10 for magnetic tape cartridges and a mounting 302 for the device. The cartridge loading device comprises a first member 12, a second member 14 and a guide arra... | 09/02/2008 |
| 7405901 | Tape drive sensor system A data drive for detecting loading/unloading positions and media type is provided. The drive includes: a drive base; a receiver for receiving a storage media device, the receiver being movably coupled to the drive base and translatable from an unloaded position to a... | 07/29/2008 |
| 7375920 | Magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to receive a tape cassette accommodating a tape recording medium that is selectively loaded thereto. The apparatus includes a rotating drum unit having a rotating head, and a loading mechanism ... | 05/20/2008 |
| 7360982 | Structure for holding recording tape cartridge and method of manufacturing said structure Various types of recording cartridges, each of which has a case which rotatably accommodates a reel on which a recording tape is wound, are provided with grasped portions with concave portions at side walls of the case and which a grasping device of a same, external... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7349176 | Tape guide system for a magnetic tape transfer apparatus A tape guide system for supporting magnetic tape about a rotary scan drum of a data transfer apparatus is disclosed. The tape guide system comprises a tape guide connected to an arm. The tape guide has a deployed position in which a supporting surface of the tape gu... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7349177 | Cartridge loading devices A cartridge loading device 10 for magnetic tape cartridges includes a first member 12, a second member 14 movable relative to the first member from a first position to a second position and a guide arrangement for guiding movement of the second ... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7317593 | Tape cartridge with pivotable access door A tape cartridge for use with a tape drive having an actuation member includes a cartridge body that is insertable into the tape drive. The cartridge body includes first and second faces that extend at an angle to each other. The first face has a first opening and t... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7212366 | Review control method of video cassette recorder The present invention relates to a review control method of a video cassette recorder capable of controlling a review operation without noises on a screen in switching from a play mode into a review mode. ... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7136720 | Disk cartridge data storage methods and apparatus Methods and apparatus for storing data which employ a hard disk memory media which is operably supported within a cartridge shell to form a disk cartridge. The disk cartridge can be employed in the manner of a tape cartridge wherein the disk cartridge can be stored ... | 11/14/2006 |
| 7126770 | Data processing system having data reproduction independent of data processing High rate writing of data recorded on a CD into a hard disk drive (HDD) is performed while reproducing data read out of the CD at the standard bit rate prescribed for the CD. PCM data corresponding to a playback time of 10 seconds, for example, is read out of a CD a... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7119982 | Data cartridge library operable with a multipiece magazine, drive bay, user interface, an entry/exit port, and universal electronics bay Disclosed is a data cartridge library operable with at least one data cartridge magazine, drive bay and universal electronics bay. The data cartridge library generally comprises a frame that defines an interior space wherein a multi piece-data cartridge magazine cap... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7113368 | Recording and reproducing apparatus for preventing erroneous erasure A recording and reproducing apparatus is provided in which recording and reproducing are performed with respect to an existing format cassette having an existing erroneous erasure prevention switch for preventing erroneous erasure of data recorded with the existing ... | 09/26/2006 |
| 7099102 | Multiple format magnetic storage media drive Methods and systems are provided for receiving and streaming storage tape by a tape head from storage tape cartridges of varying formats in a single tape drive. In one example, an exemplary tape drive system includes a receiver, a reel driver system configured to se... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7097125 | Tape drive with automatic adaptation for different size tape cassettes A tape drive arrangement is configured to automatically adapt to drive different size tape cassettes and includes a sensor that senses the size of a tape cassette inserted into the tape drive. A controller is automatically responsive to the signals provided by the s... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7088539 | Apparatus for detecting media A media detection system includes a light source mounted within a cartridge receiving chamber defined by a cartridge engaging assembly. A cartridge referencing member has an arm portion mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly and a head portion located within the... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7055773 | Recording tape cartridge A recording tape cartridge which can lead to smaller drive devices. The recording tape cartridge includes a case, an opening, a covering member and guide grooves. The case is substantially rectangular and rotatably accommodates a single reel on which recording tape ... | 06/06/2006 |
| 7050262 | Magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is provided with a lock releasing arm for depressing a lock releasing switch on a front cover of a cassette. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus uses a cassette positioning means for positioning a cassette until th... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7043740 | Optical disc drive which can firmly fix its tray module within its housing An optical disc drive includes a housing, a positioning shaft fixed on the housing, and a tray module. The tray module includes a tray installed inside the housing with the ability to slide, a solenoid fixed on the tray for providing magnetic force, a latch installe... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7032234 | Cartridge and drive unit for preventing erroneous insertions of the cartridge A cartridge and a drive unit that drives a cartridge and has an insertion opening into which the cartridge is inserted are provided. The drive unit includes a shutter which opens and closes the insertion opening, and a mechanism for locking a close state of the shut... | 04/18/2006 |
| 7019940 | Universal cartridge magazine system and method A universal cartridge magazine system and method are disclosed for storing cartridge systems. The cartridge magazine system comprising a pivoted member, a flag positioner and a sleeve designed to accept the cartridge system, the sleeve having a first side. The pivot... | 03/28/2006 |
| 7014136 | Magnetic tape cassette The present invention aims to prevent damages of a magnetic tape in a magnetic tape cassette adapted to be operated in a recording and reproducing apparatus which can similarly operate a plurality of magnetic tape cassettes. More specifically, in the inventio... | 03/21/2006 |
| 7006319 | Media-detection system and method for identifying types of data cartridges A media-detection system and method for identifying a type of data cartridge. According to one embodiment, the media-detection system comprises at least one indicator arm displaceable by at least one surface feature of the data cartridge as the data cartridge is loa... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6961206 | Cassette holder allowing large and small cassettes to be selectively loaded A holder for the selected loading of a large or small cassette. A pair of positioning-restriction elements is provided inside the cassette holder at a distance enough for the small cassette to be loaded therebetween. A cassette detector detects the large cassette wh... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6907184 | Recording medium editing apparatus based on content supply source An editing apparatus wherein the editing of content is controlled according to its supply source. Identification information for identifying a content supply source is recorded in a recording medium in correspondence with the content supplied from the content supply... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6597535 | Process and device for recognizing tape cassettes of different playing times A method for the determination of the cassette type of a cassette, which contains a recording medium in the form of tape for recording and/or replaying information using an apparatus having a measurement device for measuring the tape thickness and the tap... | 07/22/2003 |
| 6563667 | Cassette deck mechanism for mounting/discharging different size cassettes using a pivoted arm A cassette deck that can use either a large cassette or a small cassette and can move the small cassette with certainty to a position at which the small cassette can be taken out manually. The cassette deck includes a housing, and a mounting and dischargi... | 05/13/2003 |
| 6445533 | Transfer linkage for a cartridge adapter of a tape drive A cartridge adapter (16) that allows for a smaller form factor cartridge (14) to be used with a tape drive (12) is provided herein. The cartridge (14) includes a cartridge reel (18) and a reel lock (22). The reel lock (22) is movable between a locked posi... | 09/03/2002 |
| 6441984 | Cassette auto-changer with cassette accommodating portion providing cassette recording format information A cassette auto-changer includes a cassette accommodating portion, a plurality of recording and/or reproducing units, a cassette transport mechanism and a controller. The cassette accommodating portion stores assigned recording format information for the ... | 08/27/2002 |
| 6349013 | Sensor for identifying a magnetic recording medium utilizing rotatable flags which cooperate to enter a cut-out portion in the medium The sensor for detecting a medium having a cut-out portion on a movable tray, according to the present invention, comprises: a rotatable first flag which is rotationally urged, the first flag, when contacting with the moved tray, being rotated in the anti... | 02/19/2002 |
| 6344944 | Mini-cartridge adapter for adapting a mini-cartridge to an industry standard tape cartridge format A tape mini-cartridge is functionally compatible with a larger industry standard tape cartridge. A mini-cartridge adapter adapts the mini-cartridge to be compatible with a standard tape drive by presenting the standard structural and functional appearance... | 02/05/2002 |
| 6283395 | Cassette adapter and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus A casette adapter in which an S-casette (first casette) of the professional digital video format is housed and having a shape identical with an different-sized M-casette (second casette) operate without fail under a simple constitution, without accompanyi... | 09/04/2001 |
| 6227476 | Take-up control device for loaded tape casette in information recording/reproducing apparatus A take-up reel sensor measures a rotation cycle of a take-up reel of a loaded tape cassette in a take-up operation. A changing rate calculating section calculates a changing rate of the rotation cycle measured by the take-up reel sensor. A type discrimina... | 05/08/2001 |
| 6224007 | Tape cassette A first tape cassette adapted to be interchangeably used with a second tape cassette of a different thick case thickness is provided. A first tape cassette includes a first case having a first total thickness. The first case having a bottom face which is ... | 05/01/2001 |
| 6175468 | Reproducing apparatus with auxiliary shutter configuration A reproducing apparatus includes a main shutter for closing a cartridge-holder opening, which is rotated in the cartridge-inserting direction when inserting one of the large and small cartridges so as to open the cartridge-holder opening. An auxiliary shu... | 01/16/2001 |
