Abstract: A tape transport is disclosed having a capstan drive, a reel drive for a take-up spindle for the take-up reel, a slipping clutch in said reel drive, and a selectively engageable direct drive connection between the clutch plates of the clutch to provide a non-slipping connection in the reel drive for use in fast drive modes, the direct drive including gear teeth on both clutch plates forming gears, and a short circuit gear engageable with the gears on both clutch plates. Also included are supports and operating mechanism by which the capstan drive and direct drive are engaged and disengaged in sequence; said capstan drive being disengaged before said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive is engaged, and said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive being disengaged before said capstan drive is engaged, to prevent direct reel drive of the tape without disengagement of the capstan drive, and avoid tape breakage or mechanism jamming.

Abstract: A method for controlling the transfer of a flexible web member from a supply reel to a take-up reel, according to which the rotational speeds of the supply reel and the take-up reel are measured and whereby the ratio between these measurements is established independently of the speed and direction of the movement of the web member. The method comprises the steps of storing reference information representing the characteristics of different types of reel and web, releasing the reference information corresponding to the reels and webs used, generating intermediate signals which represent the said ratio combining these intermediate signals with the released reference information and generating output signals in dependence upon the momentary position of the web in relation to one or other ends thereof, and using these output signals for the purpose of visually displaying the position of the web and/or of controlling certain operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: An intermittent drive mechanism for film is disclosed. A driven wheel having sprocket teeth for engagement in perforations in film is coupled by face teeth with the driving wheel and supported for turning about a common axis provided by a supporting shaft. The driving wheel is oscillated by an arm also supported on the common shaft. The teeth on both the driving and driven wheels have a saw-tooth shape and mesh to turn the ratchet wheel when the driving wheel is turned in one direction by the arm, and cooperate to move the driving wheel axially to an idle position when the driving wheel is turned in the other direction by the arm. Also disclosed is a bi-directional drive in which a driving wheel having face teeth on both lateral faces is provided and which is movable axially to bring one or the other sets of face teeth into operative engagement with axially spaced driven wheels having similar face teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for loading and releasing cassettes of magnetic tape for use in recording and playback equipment; a housing or carriage into which a cassette is introduced by a sliding movement in a plane parallel to its main face, is movably mounted on side frame means by lateral projections on the housing extending through L-shaped slots in the side frame means, so that the housing moves together with the cassette along an L-shaped path. Movable slotted guide members receiving the projections on the housing are supported on each side frame means and a gear set is provided on each side frame means, with one gear of each gear set fixed to a respective slotted guide member, together with a coupling between the gear sets to coordinate the movement of the movable slotted guide members on one side frame means with the movement of the movable slotted guide frame member on the other side frame means.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and guiding magnetic tape around the drum of a rotary head assembly in a recording and/or reproducing mechanism, particularly for video tape. At least two guide fingers are provided for guiding the magnetic tape from a cartridge to a drum of the rotary head assembly. The guide fingers are mounted for movement between a retracted position where the guide fingers engage the magnetic tape in a cartridge, and an advanced position where the guide fingers dispose the tape along a predetermined helical path on the drum surface. At least one guide surface projects from the drum and cooperates with the guide fingers to guide the tape onto the predetermined helical path on the drum surface when the guide fingers are removed from the retracted position to the advanced position, and for maintaining the tape on the helical path during relative movement of the tape and the rotary head assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and guiding magnetic tape around the drum of a rotary head assembly in a recording and/or reproducing mechanism, particularly for video tapes. At least two guide fingers guide the magnetic tape from a cartridge around at least a portion of the surface of the drum of the rotary head assembly. These guide fingers are mounted for movement between a retracted position where the fingers engage the magnetic tape in a cartridge, and an advanced position where the guide fingers dispose the tape along a predetermined helical path on the drum surface. A self-locking mechanism is provided for holding the guide fingers in the advanced position against the normal retracting forces exerted on the fingers by the tape moving thereover, while permitting limited retracting movement of the fingers in response to excessive retracting forces exerted on the fingers during abnormal tape movement.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording apparatus of the type in which the pressure roller and the recording and reproducing head are mounted on a support movable between a retracted position and an operative position which provides a stable intermediate position into which the movable support automatically moves upon insertion of a cassette into the machine. Once the movable support is in the stable intermediate position, it may be selectively moved into and from the operative position and into the retracted position. A stop responsive to the insertion of a cassette restrains the movable support in the retracted position prior to the insertion of a cassette. When a cassette is inserted into the machine, the stop is released and a spring moves the movable support toward the operative position. A latching lever arrests and maintains the movable support in a stable intermediate position.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading cartridges into and from a recording and/or playback apparatus for magnetic tapes stored in cartridges of the type provided on their front face with a door for the withdrawal of the magnetic tape, the device including a housing member into which the cartridge is slidably inserted, the housing having a cam to open the door of the cartridge automatically as the cartridge is inserted; rollers carried by a shaft biasing the cartridge against the lower wall of the housing; resilient spring blades biasing said roller means downwardly in a way which permits the insertion of a cartridge with its door open; and a pair of support slits provided in the side walls of the housing and into which the ends of the shaft can slide to allow vertical movement of the rollers under the effect of the spring blades, the vertical movement of the shaft causing the door of the cartridge to close automatically when the latter is disengaged from the housing.

Abstract: A stop device for a magnetic tape recording and/or playback apparatus having an end of tape detector responsive to reference marks positioned near the ends of the magnetic tape and adapted to stop the tape drive in response to the detection of a mark. High tape speeds result in the reference mark being carried past the detector before the tape is completely stopped. To prevent retriggering of the automatic stop device such as when reversing the tape direction following an automatic stop, means are provided responsive to certain conditions within the tape drive for disabling the end of tape detector. More specifically, the speed of the take-up or supply reel is sensed to derive an indication of the amount of tape on such reel, that information being used to enable or disable the end of tape detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the undesired erasure of a magnetic tape in a tape recorder which receives a tape cartridge and has the capability of recording in either direction of tape travel in the cartridge without the necessity of removing and reversing the cartridge. The apparatus includes means for detecting the presence of removable recording permission tabs on the tape cartridge and, depending on the instantaneously commanded direction of tape transfer, generating signals which will prevent recording if the tab corresponding to the track presented to the recording head during the existing direction of tape travel has been removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a tape cassette into engagement with the drive means of a recording and/or playback device. The transporting apparatus includes a movable housing which slidably receives a tape cassette and which is locked against attempts to engage the cassette with the tape drive mechanism unless the tape is properly oriented when inserted. The movable housing is capable of movement in two respectively transverse directions so as to first vertically align the cassette with the drive mechanism and thereafter to move the cassette into engagement with the drive mechanism.