Abstract: A massage device has first and second massage members. The first massage member performs a circulating motion including (i) a massage zone where the member approaches the second massage member in a locus which swells in an outward direction as seen from a massage arm; and (ii) a release zone where the member separates from the second massage member in a locus which is shorter than the massage zone. The second massage member performs a reciprocal rocking motion in synchronization with the first massage member.

Abstract: A cassette changer is mountable on a magnetic recording-reproduction apparatus having a cassette inlet-outlet opening. The cassette changer includes a cassette shifter which shifts a new cassette from a stand-by position above the cassette inlet-outlet opening to an insertion position facing the cassette inlet-outlet opening, and a cassette mover which inserts and withdraws a cassette into and from the magnetic recording-reproduction apparatus through the cassette inlet-outlet opening. The cassette mover is provided with a pair of rollers on both sides of the cassette, a roller shifter which shifts the rollers between an operative position to come into contact with the sides of the cassette to insert and withdraw the cassette and an inoperative position displaced from the sides of the cassette to allow the cassette to be shifted by the cassette shifter; and a roller driver which drives the rollers in forward and backward directions to insert and withdraw the cassette.

Abstract: A cassette changer is mountable on a magnetic recording-reproduction apparatus having a cassette inlet-outlet opening. The cassette changer includes a new cassette housing portion for housing a new cassette to be inserted into the cassette inlet-outlet opening for recording or reproduction, a processed cassette housing portion provided below the new cassette housing portion for housing a processed cassette discharged from the cassette inlet-outlet opening after recording or reproduction, and a separator provided in a boundary portion of the new cassette housing portion and the processed cassette housing portion.

Abstract: A cassette changer for automatically inserting and discharging (changing) tape cassettes for a magnetic recording-reproduction apparatus of the front loading type, such as a video tape recorder. The cassette changer has a cassette discharge path for discharging a cassette along a slope when the cassette is ejected from the cassette inlet-outlet opening of the apparatus after recording or reproduction, a cassette insertion path intersecting the discharge path in front of the opening for guiding a new cassette along a horizontal plane into the opening for recording or reproduction, and a separator disposed at the intersection for alternately opening the paths for the discharge and insertion of the cassette.

Abstract: A cassette transporting device adapted to receive on a cassette support a cassette inserted through an inlet in the front side of the main body of a video tape recorder or like magnetic record reproducing apparatus, to move the cassette support along a cassette frame horizontally rearward and then vertically downward to an operative position and to return the support to the loading position for the ejection of the cassette by reversely moving the support. The device comprises guide means for guiding the support along the path of the movement, and drive means having a motor for driving the support. The guide means has a stationary guide groove formed in each of opposite side walls of the frame and including a horizontal groove portion and a vertical groove portion, a movable guide member fitted in the horizontal groove portion and slidable only along the horizontal groove portion, and a guided projection formed on each of the support side walls and guidable by the guide groove and the guide member.

Abstract: A gear, chiefly for use in timepieces, acoustic devices and like precision apparatus, is made of an elastic material and comprises teeth alternately arranged in two rows, that is, a front and rear row and axially positioned away from one another. Each of the teeth has a leg extending from the main body of the gear and a meshing portion integral with the outer end of the leg and engageable with another gear with which it is adapted to mesh. The legs of each two adjacent teeth in each of the front and rear rows are spaced apart from each other circumferentially of the gear by a specified distance to render the teeth elastically deformable for cushioning and thereby eliminate noise when the gear meshes with another gear. Even when the gear has a small module, the legs of the teeth in each of the front and rear rows can be spaced apart by a large distance, so that the gear can be formed easily, for example, by injection molding.

Abstract: A gear generally made of plastics for use in such precision devices as timepieces and the like and having improved gear teeth with reduced contacting noises is provided. Each tooth includes means for yielding an elastic deformation of the tooth so that, upon applications of fluctuated load thereto, the fluctuation of load will be cancelled by the elastic deformation of the tooth, whereby a remarkably quiet contacting movement with opposing gear can be achieved.