Abstract: To assure production of compatible magnetic tracks on magnetic tape, the head wheels of oblique-track tape decks must be height-adjustable. In conventional devices, adjustment of the head wheel height alters the pre-tensioning of the head wheel bearings or the length of the tape loop around the playback device must be chosen unnecessarily large. In the playback device of the present invention, the head wheel motor and head wheel form a unit which is axially shiftable. The pre-tensioning of the bearings is accomplished using a spring device which is supported against an element which rotates with the head wheel axle.

Abstract: To provide for controlled tape tension during pull-out of tape (11) from a cassette into a preliminary pulled-out position, placement of the tape in a transducing path (11a) and subsequent operation of the tape in the transducing path, two tape loading elements (21,22) are movably located on a support (65a) to engage behind the tape (11) in the cassette (12) and move the tape out of the cassette and towards the transducing path. The tape loading elements, for example in form of hooked levers (FIG. 3), are driven by a motor, to move the tape loading elements from a rest position into a position where the tape is out of the cassette and, later, placed in said transducing path.

Abstract: To insure maintenance of a fixed position of tape which is being withdrawn from a cassette and looped in a predetermined tape path, a pressing engagement head (23) with a friction surface (24) presses the tape (4) against the scanning device (1) during withdrawal from, or return to, a cassette of the tape. Movement of the head (23) in clamping direction is controlled by a lever (9) which engages a cam (13, 15, 16, 17, 18), rotated by a drive shaft (14) upon withdrawal of the tape from the cassette and placement of the tape into a tape path, the initial position leaving the tape free around the scanning device, withdrawing movement clamping the tape against the scanning device by pivoting of the lever and hence engaging the clamping head (23) against the tape (4) and the tape against the scanning device (1). Preferably, the engagement is resilient, for example by interposition of a leaf spring (21).

Abstract: A mechanism for receiving and handling magnetic tape for the purpose of information recording and retrieval, especially from magnetic tape stored in two-reel cassettes. The mechanism includes movable tape handling and tape guide elements which engage the tape in a threading process without the application of tangential stresses and place it in a predetermined path. The tape is handled by the drive capstan of the apparatus which, in the threading operation and the tape removal operation, is temporarily engaged by mechanical linkages that are powered by the rotation of an external carrying handle.

Abstract: In order to provide protection to magnetic tape during storage and use, a tape holding cassette according to the invention has a closable housing within which there is disposed a movable entity consisting of a separating wall that can glide in suitable grooves within the housing. Mounted on opposite surfaces of the separating wall are tape reel holding and rotating hubs and further mounted on the separating wall are tape guiding mechanisms that guide the tape from one reel across the edge of the separating wall to the second tape reel, thereby defining a path in which the tape travels obliquely with respect to the plane of the housing. The tape reel hubs have gears that can engage corresponding gears of the tape recorder and they include internal locking mechanisms that automatically prevent relative rotation of the tape reels with respect to one another and with respect to the cassette during transport.