Abstract: A tape drive system for a dictating machine, particularly a portable dictating machine of a size suitable to be held in one hand. The dictating machine has a compartment which receives a tape cassette having a pair of reels, and a pair of driving spindles engage with the tape reels for driving the latter. A tape drive capstan and back-up roller are located adjacent the tape cassette compartment. A motor is located at the opposite end of the dictating machine from the tape cassette compartment, and a multi-stage speed reduction belt and pulley drive system is located between the motor and the drive capstan for simultaneously driving the drive capstan and the tape reel driving spindles at a uniform rate of speed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for supporting and positioning a record/playback transducer with respect to a record medium in a record and/or playback device. The transducer is supported on a mounting plate which is guided for bi-directional sliding movement to position the transducer in engagement, disengagement and partial engagement with the record medium in response to motive power provided by a selectively energizable motor. Energizing power is supplied to the motor in response to the actuation of a respective function control switch, and the motor remains energized until the mounting plate moves the transducer into the appropriate position by which the selected function may be carried out. In one embodiment, the motor rotates a cam whose cam surface is in contact with a portion of the mounting plate. The position of the plate and, thus, the transducer, is sensed as a function of the angular position of the cam.

Abstract: A thumb-sized tape casette having a rectangular housing with top, bottom and peripheral walls and supply and take-up reels within the housing. A tape member runs between the reels and extends to a tape run parallel to and behind the front peripheral wall. The front wall has a center opening and side openings positioned on either side of the center opening through which the tape run is accessed. Holes in the top and bottom walls are coaxially aligned and are positioned behind the center opening of the front wall. A pair of notches is disposed in the top and bottom walls of the housing on opposite sides of the side openings of the front wall and spaced remotely from the center opening, these notches extending rearwardly into the housing from the front wall in respective parallel planes that are substantially perpendicular to the tape run. Each notch is operative to receive the tape guide that normally is mounted with the transducer of a tape record/reproducing device.