Abstract: A drive mechanism for a magnetic tape recorder which uses a single reversible electric motor that drives the magnetic tape in the recorder in the forward direction through a pinch roller-capstan drive assembly, and which automatically disengages the pinch roller from the capstan so that the tape may be rewound at high speed when the motor is reversed.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the magnetic tape units of a telephone answering machine of the type which utilizes a continuous loop cassette magnetic tape unit on which an announcement message is recorded for transmission to a calling party during an initial time interval (T.sub.1), and which also includes a C-60 type cassette magnetic tape unit in which the tape is drawn from a supply reel to a take-up reel in order to record the message from the calling party during a subsequent message recording interval (T.sub.2). In the mechanism of the invention, a single reversible electric motor and a centrifugal gear drive are used to drive the announcement tape unit when the motor turns in one direction and to drive the message tape unit when the motor turns in the opposite direction. A simple manual control allows the message tape unit to be driven at increased speed in the forward direction during a fastforward operation and at the increased speed in the reverse direction during a rewind operation.

Abstract: A control mechanism having particular, but not exclusive application to a cassette-type of telephone answering machine by which the movement of the record/playback head and pinch roller associated with each cassette of the machine, and the engagement of the drive for the take-up and rewind spindles of each cassette, are achieved by the rotational energy of the drive motor of the machine, rather than by high power electromagnetic solenoids; and in which only small, low power electromagnets are required for latching and unlatching the motor driven control mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical slide selector switch assembly for operating a series of pushbutton switches which includes an elongated support having a series of spaced parallel transverse members between which the switches are mounted, an elongated actuator slidably mounted on the support for reciprocal movement along the support, and a spring-loaded plunger mounted on the actuator to be moved across the transverse members from one switch to another to operate the switches as the actuator is moved to positions between successive pairs of the transverse members. When operating a switch the actuator is supported only by the switch and there is no contact between the actuator and the transverse members. However, when the actuator is moved off a switch it is supported by the transverse members until it engages the next switch.