Patent Application
20060042981
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a device for holding a tape and, more particularly, to a single piece plastic molded device for protecting and holding a microcassette, where the device includes holes for mounting the device to a file folder or binder.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Certain professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, etc., sometimes use a tape recorder, such as the model BM-575 available from Sony, for recording various documents, letters, thoughts, information, data, etc. onto a microcassette. The recorded information on the microcassette can then be transcribed into text or can be listened to so the information thereon can be reviewed. Because microcassettes are very small, about 1½ inches by 1 inch, they sometimes get lost or separated from the file that they are associated with. Thus, the information, data, etc., recorded thereon is also lost possibly affecting the productivity of the professional. Further, the microcassette is somewhat fragile, and thus, can be easily damaged, which could also cause the information thereon to be lost. Also, it is inconvenient to try and keep the microcassette with the file. Sometimes the professional will use a rubber band to bind the microcassette to the file until it is transcribed. In some cases, the microcassette may become a permanent part of the record in the file.
It would be desirable to provide a tape holder that protected the microcassette and reliably secured it to the file that it is associated with.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a tape holding device is disclosed that holds and protects a microcassette. The tape holding device includes a pair of opposing rails, a stop tab and a retention button for securing the microcassette to the device. The device further includes a pair of upper holes through which a clip can be inserted to secure the tape holding device to a file folder. The tape holding device also includes side holes that allow the device to be inserted onto two rings of a three-ring binder. The tape holding device further includes a groove that allows the device to be flexed up when it is clipped to the file folder, and provides a recess for accepting a binder clip. The tape holding device also includes at least one retention flight positioned adjacent to one of the rails so that a rubber band can be placed between the retention flight and the rail to secure the device to a file folder. The tape holding device further includes a message area that accepts a dry erase marker or a sticky note so that the microcassette can be identified.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following discussion of the embodiments of the invention directed to a tape holding device for holding and protecting a microcassette is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses.
The tape holding device 10 includes a tape holding area 18 including opposing L-shaped side rails 20 and 22, a stop tab 24 and a flexible release/retention button 26. The button 26 extends above the base plate 16 when it is in it's relaxed position. To insert the microcassette 12 into the tape holding area 18, the button 26 is pressed down and the microcassette 12 is slid over the button 26 between the rails 20 and 22 and positioned against the stop tab 24, as shown in phantom in
The tape holding device 10 also includes associated upper holes 48 and 50 formed at a top portion 52 of the device 10 that are spaced apart from each other the distance that accommodates papers cut by a conventional two-hole punch. A clip 54, such as an Acco clip, mounted to and holding papers 58 in the file folder 14 can be inserted through the holes 48 and 50 and bent down in a conventional manner to attach the device 10 to the file folder 14, as shown in
A recess or channel 60 extends across the base plate 16 proximate the top portion 52 below the holes 48 and 50 and defines a hinge so that the base plate 16 can be raised off of the papers 58 mounted in the file folder 14 so that the papers 58 below the tape holding device 10 can be viewed without removing the device 10 from the file folder 14. Operation of the hinge is shown in
The channel 60 also provides a groove so that the tape holding device 10 can be reliably mounted to a file folder 74, or other support structure, by a binder clip 70, as shown in
The channel 60 also provides a groove to accommodate a clip 76 of a clipboard 78 to secure the tape holding device 10 to the clipboard 78, as shown in
The tape holding device 10 also includes two retention flights 62 and 64 positioned adjacent to the rail 22, as shown. The area between the rail 22 and the retention flights 62 and 64 provides a location that allows a rubber band 80 to reliably hold the tape holding device 10 to a file folder or stack of papers 82, as shown in
The tape holding device 10 also includes a message area 66 provided at a lower portion of the base plate 16. The message area 66 provides a flat surface that a sticky note can be attached to so that a description of the contents of the microcassette 12 can be written thereon. Also, the plastic material of the device 10 allows a dry erase marker to be written directly on the message area 66 for the same purpose.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
