Abstract: A magnetically recording and reproducing apparatus selectively applicable to a tape cartridge and a tape cassette and having a first magnetic tape head for playing the tape contained in the cartridge and a second magnetic tape head for recording and reproducing the cassette tape. This apparatus comprises an entryway formed and adapted for receiving the cassette or the cartridge, a holder normally disposed in the entryway for receiving and conveying the cassette, a first means responsive to the cartridge being placed in its partially inserted position of the entryway for moving the holder downward out of the entryway thereby permitting the cartridge to be pushed deeper into the entryway so as to bring the cartridge tape into cooperative engagement with the cartridge tape head, and a second means responsive to the cassette being placed in its fully received position of the holder for moving the holder downward so as to bring the cassette tape into cooperative engagement with the cassette tape head.

Abstract: A track changing mechanism for a cartridge-type tape player produces accurate vertical movement of the magnetic head under control of a stepped cam member by providing a holding member attached to the tape player chassis and extending vertically from it. A slidable plate is slidably engaged with the holding member and has a cam follower attached to it for adjusting the vertical position of the slidable plate in accordance with the rotational position of the cam member. The slidable plate also has a pair of projections extending from it, and the head of the player is mounted on a head mounting plate which is attached to the slidable plate. The head mounting plate includes a pair of notches in it for engagement with the projections to permit azimuth adjustments of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A tape recorder/player includes several slideable mode selector control levers for selecting the reproducing, recording, stop and other modes of operation of the player. To prevent operation of these levers when the cassette or tape is not in the player, a slideable cam plate is provided, which in a first position engages projections on the levers to prevent them from being moved into their operative positions. In a second position, a number of slots in the cam plate are aligned with the projections on the control levers to permit their movement to select the desired function. A solenoid is energized whenever a cassette or tape is inserted into the recorder/player and controls movement of the cam plate to its second position to align the aperatures with the projections of the levers to permit their operation. When the cassette or tape is removed from the player, the solenoid is de-energized returning the cam plate to the first position where it prevents operation of the control levers.

Abstract: A device for preventing a tape cartridge from springing out from the cartridge entryway of a tape player upon cartridge ejection operation. This device includes a sliding member having one end provided with a roller projection into the cartridge entryway. The sliding member is adapted to slide on an inclined face so that the amount of the roller projecting into the cartridge entryway will increase as the roller and sliding member moves toward the insertion opening of the cartridge entryway, whereby the roller exerts a retaining pressure on the cartridge which increases as the cartridge moves toward the insertion opening of the entryway during cartridge ejection.

Abstract: A combined two (stereo) and four (quadraphonic) channel tape recorder is disclosed which can use both two and four channel eight track magnetic tape cartridges. The tape recorder includes a head positioning rotary body having four fixed rotary positions and a selection means for selecting two of these four fixed rotary positions when four channel (quadraphonic) operation is desired. The selection means comprises a rotary switch rotated in association with the rotation of the head positioning rotary body and an additional switch connected in series with the rotary switch and actuated by each rotation of the rotary body. Thus a single tape recorder capable of playing stereophonic and quadraphonic magnetic tape cartridges has been provided.

Abstract: A retention device for a cassette tape recorder comprises a cassette holder, a platform, a movable plate, a slide plate and a retention lever. The cassette holder is adapted to receive a tape cassette and is movable vertically so that the tape cassette may be engaged and disengaged with the tape drive means. The platform supports magnetic transducer heads and a pinch roller and is slidable so as to cause the heads and pinch roller to come into engagement with the magnetic tape in the cassette. The movable plate is moved with the platform, when it is moved to engage the heads with the tape in the cassette.The slide plate is slidably mounted on the movable plate, and a tension spring interconnects them; so that the slide plate is moved with the movable plate. The range of the movement of the slide plate is limited to be less than that of the movable plate.

Abstract: A fly-wheel for a tape recorder has a cup-shaped plate member fixed to the capstan shaft, and a ring-shaped member fixed to the cup-shaped plate member to reduce the weight and cost of the fly-wheel.

Abstract: A magnetic tape player for playing multi-track tapes includes a head positioning cam movable in accordance with the track changing operation of the player. An indicator lever arm has a cam follower abutting the cam and is pivoted to different positions by rotation of the cam. The lever arm is connected by a flexible cord to a track indicator body urged in one direction by means of a spring, so that the track indicating body is moved to different positions indicative of the selected track as the lever arm is moved by the head positioning cam.

Abstract: A cartridge tape player adapted to receive a cartridge having a capstan shaft for driving the tape in the cartridge and a tape player chassis including a pair of bilateral symmetrical retainers mounted to the tape player chassis. Each of the retainers includes parallel extensions which form spherical sockets having an inner spherical concave surface. A pair of ball bearings having outer convex surfaces are positioned around the capstan shaft to expose the capstan shaft to the tape in the cartridge and each of the ball bearings are positioned in the spherical sockets of the retainers thereby engaging the outer convex surface of the bearings with the inner spherical concave surface to provide a self-aligning bearing structure for mounting the capstan shaft within the tape player chassis.

Abstract: A slot-in type cassette tape recorder/player unit of the type in which a tape cassette is laterally inserted into the recorder/player unit through an opening provided on the front panel thereof includes a movable cassette holder shifted between first and second vertical positions so that the tape cassette can be brought into and released from operable engagement with the tape transport mechanism and magnetic heads of the device. An indicator plate is carried by the cassette holder and is moved into position to cover the opening for the cassette insertion when the tape cassette is brought into the operable position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a record/reproduce control lever of a magnetic tape recorder/reproducer slidably mounted alongside the outside of the cartridge receiving chamber of the recorder/reproducer includes a movable lever pivotally mounted on the recorder/reproducer chassis and spring-biased to extend through an opening in the chassis side wall for engagement by a cartridge inserted into the cartridge receiving chamber. First and second holes are placed in the control lever and are aligned opposite an extension on the movable lever when the control lever is moved to its first and second positions, respectively. When a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receiving chamber to deflect and rotate the movable lever away from the opening, the extension engages the hole in the control lever which is aligned with it. This causes the control lever to be locked into position and prevented from movement so long as the cartridge is in the chamber.