Abstract: Device for the programmed control of the operative sequences for a cassette-type tape recorder having a tape transport mechanism moved by a motor and a support for the magnetic heads and for the pressure roller, which device comprises: a shaft which can be rotatably moved in a predetermined direction by a wheelwork connected to said motor; a spring which tends to cause the rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction; first, second, third and fourth control means disposed on said shaft; means of introduction and expulsion of the cassette sensible to said first control means; means for lowering and for raising the cassette sensible to said second control means; approach and removal means to and from the cassette of the support for the magnetic heads and the pressure roller, sensible to said third control means; and engagement and disengagement means for the wheelwork, sensible to said fourth control means.

Abstract: A disengageable transmission device is provided in which a driving pinion is used to selectively drive a driven wheel via a wheel train mounted on pivotal lever. The fulcrum of the pivotal lever is positioned so as to minimize the rotational torque effects on the wheel train lever of the contact between the driving pinion and the wheel train and of the contact between the driven wheel and the wheel train. An energy escapement control device is also provided and the torque effects of this device on the wheel train lever are also limited by the positioning of the fulcrum of the lever.

Abstract: The present invention provides a play-back and/or recording apparatus which has an improved positioning device for determining a working position of play-back heads and pressing devices (pressure rollers). The positioning device comprises a rigid support which rigidly carries at least one play-back head and one pressing device. The rigid support, along with elements rigidly attached to it, is moved into a working position in the apparatus by forming three points of contact with block elements fixed with respect to the frame of the apparatus. These three points of contact form an imaginary triangular configuration and insure the accurate positioning of the play-back head and pressing device while resulting in a simplified positioning device.

Abstract: A device for storing power and providing for the controllable slow rate release of the stored power is provided. The device comprises a wheelwork fulcrumed to and carried by a pivotal lever, wherein the wheelwork is alternately operated by a motor driven pinion and by an energy storage member.

Abstract: A tape drive system for tape play-back and/or recording devices is disclosed herein. The drive system comprises a first belt driven flywheel whose sole purpose is to control the rotary motion of a tape capstan. A second flywheel, which is also driven by the same belt that drives the first flywheel, is selectively coupled to a toothed pinion which is in constant meshing engagement with a toothed wheel rigidly connected to the collecting reel shaft of the play-back and/or recording device. For fast forward operation an idler pulley, which is directly driven by the same belt that drives the first and second flywheels, has a toothed surface coupled to the pinion while the pinion is decoupled from being driven by the second flywheel. For fast rewind operation, the toothed surface of the idler wheel is directly coupled to a mating toothed surface of a wheel rigidly connected to the supply reel shaft of the play-back and/or recording device while the second flywheel is again decoupled from the toothed pinion.

Abstract: A single control key rotatable with respect to the frame of a tape player is disclosed. The control key comprises a shaft and a rectangular in cross section cam attached to the shaft. Projecting tabs are provided on the cam and spaced 90.degree. apart with respect to the rotation of the shaft. The cam acts against a fulcrumed lever to control the operative position of a pinch roller and a magnetic head. The projections act in conjunction with another lever and its projection to control tape speed.

Abstract: A device for gripping and translating a cassette inserted into a tape player is disclosed. The device comprises expandable plier like jaws which grip an inserted cassette. The jaws are mounted at one end of a movable link that is slideable, by way of a pin, in a frame slot having horizontal and vertical portions. Another end of the link has a rocker pivoted thereto and the rocker also has a pin slideable in another slot. An end of the rocker has teeth which engage a spring biased rack. A servomechanism moves the rocker pin in its slot and thereby translates an inserted cassette into desired positions in the tape player.

Abstract: A sub-assembly package which includes a bushing, a fly-wheel, and a capstan for use in a playback and/or recording apparatus. The fly-wheel is locked to one end of the capstan which is supported by the bushing, and the package is removably fixed to a supporting frame by a single nut.

Abstract: In a cassette recorder having a frame, a tape transport mechanism operable in fast forward and fast rewind modes in response to a control device therefor, and a cassette handling mechanism mounted in said frame, and a motor driving said tape transport mechanism: a slide member reciprocable on a bridge of said frame between an internal, retracted position and an external, extracted position, said slide having a slot therein and having a front end and a rear end; a spring biasing said slide toward its external position; an arm pivoted in said frame and carrying a recording head, an erase head and a pressure roller of a capstan, said arm also carrying a pivot engaging said slot in said slide to shift said heads and said pressure roller into inoperative positions when the slide is pushed inward into its retracted position and to shift said heads and pressure roller into operative positions when said slide is moved to its extracted position; a handle linked to the front end of said slide and engaging said arm and

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for receiving and enabling translatory motion of a tape cassette including first and second guides carried by the tape recording and/or playback device pivotable about mutually perpendicular axes parallel to the plane of the cassette and engageable with the cassette along its opposite sides. One of the guides is biased toward the cassette and the other guide whereby the cassette may be translated in planes parallel one to the other against the bias of such one guide with the other guide following the movement of the cassette.