Inventors:
Robert M. Fisher - Santa Monica CA
Assignee:
Programmable Systems, Inc. - Hawthorne CA
International Classification:
G11B 1568, G11B 2304
Abstract:
The invention is an automatic, programmable video cassette player-changer in combination with a plurality of video cassette players which use video cassettes containing visual material for a television audience and a television monitor electrically coupled to each of the video cassette players. The video cassette player-changer includes a plurality of vertically stacked cassette trays which are adapted to contain the video cassettes and a support member adapted to maintain the vertically stacked cassette trays in a fixed position. The video cassette player-changer also includes a motor adapted so that it may be driven in two directions, a screw mechanically coupled to the motor so that it rotates in response to the motor, a coupling device which couples the rotating screw to the support member so the rotating screw raises and lowers the support member. The video cassette player-changer further includes a housing adapted to contain the plurality of video cassette players, the plurality of vertically stacked cassette trays and their support member, the motor, screw and coupling device, and the television monitor. There is also a cassette changing device for unloading or loading the video cassette players which is mechanically coupled to the cassette trays.