Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge is compatible with a disk drive, which comprises a cartridge casing defining a thin space, a pair of tape reels onto which a magnetic tape is wound and means for defining a path for the magnetic tape along which a portion of the tape is exposed at a location at which data can be transferred between the tape and the disk drive head. The tape reels are associated with a drive mechanism for selectively driving one of the tape reels for driving the tape between the tape reels. The drive mechanism includes a center core driven to rotate by means of a turntable. The drive mechanism further includes a power train including reel drive gears designed to drive associated tape reels and an input gear drivingly connected to the center core so as to be driven by the turntable. The input gear is associated with means for selectively meshing the input gear to one of the reel drive gears depending upon the direction of rotation of the center core.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a reel in a tape cartridge for a magnetic instrument with a reel lock having a non-rotary forced member disposed at a center of the reel in the tape cartridge comprising a protruding reel drive to engage the reel to drive rotatively drive the reel and a non-rotary unlocking element disposed at a central axis of the reel drive to force the forced member so as to displace the reel lock whereby the reel is unlocked.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape transport where the tape is guided by means of conventional guides, the tape may wander at the surface of the magnetic transducer between limits set by the mechanical parameters of the guides, e.g. the distance between upper and lower flanges of the guides. The present invention teaches tilting the face of the transducer contacting the tape by an angle of 0.5.degree. such that a component of force is generated which slides the tape along the transducer surface. The edge of the tape is then constrained to ride against a wear resistant shoulder mounted on the transducer surface, resulting in the tape being "locked" into position in relation to the magnetic transducer tracks.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism for loading a magnetic tape cassette, which has a front pivotal closure member openable for covering or exposing a front opening of the magnetic tape cassette, in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a cassette holder which is movable between an eject position, at which the cassette can be inserted into or removed from the cassette holder, a lowered position vertically offset from the eject position, and a loaded position horizontally offset from said lowered position and at which cassette loading is completed. The upper portion of the cassette holder is covered with a cassette holder lid which has a recessed portion so that the front pivotal closure member may be moved to open in synchronism with movement of the cassette holder from the eject position to the lowered position. The cassette holder lid and the cassette holder are moved in unison.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive for insertion of a magnetic tape cartridge of the type having an access door pivotally mounted on a long side of the cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge is inserted through a slot in a front panel of a drawer with the long side of the cartridge parallel to the insertion direction. When the cartridge is inserted, the drawer is in an extended position and is held there by a drawer stopping mechanism. The cartridge is inserted through the slot onto the drawer as far as is permitted by a cartridge stopping mechanism. A rotatably mounted front door on the front panel of the drawer is then rotated closed and the access door of the cartridge is opened by a cam mounted on the front door in response to the rotation thereof.

Abstract: A dictation machine having the physical configuration of a telephone handset. A mouth piece and an ear piece are arranged at opposite ends of a elongated housing having a handgrip between the ends. A tape deck is arranged in the handgrip, preferably in a flat face facing in the same direction as the mouth piece and ear piece. A start/stop key is arranged on a side of the handgrip, and other control keys are arranged in transition areas between the deck and the mouth piece or ear piece, so that the keys can be operated by the fingers of a hand which is holding the handset.

Abstract: A dustproof door mechanism includes a dustproof door pivotably supported by a shaft and normally biased by a spring to its closed position, a door opening cam integrally formed with a loading gear rotatable in opposite directions to drive a cassette loading mechanism, and a door opening link engaging the dustproof door and pivoted by the door opening cam in a direction for opening the door.

Abstract: A dust door mechanism in a tape player includes a dust door wider than a cassette insertion aperture, and a cassette holder which includes a major part narrower than the dust door and a front end defining a door accepting portion wider than the dust door.

Abstract: A function, such as ejection of a cassette from a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus, is performed by depressing two pushbuttons simultaneously, where each of said pushbuttons moves an associated button rod when depressed singly to perform an individual apparatus function, such as fast winding. A third rod such as an ejection rod is moved when the two buttons are depressed simultaneously, via a control member arranged on the third rod by a support. The control member is engaged by a respective guide surface to be displaced laterally when one of the buttons is depressed, and remains in a central position when both buttons are simultaneously depressed, to move the third rod in the direction of buttom movement. When only one button is depressed, during return movement of the button to the initial position a spring biases the control member to its central position, so that the entire mechanism occupies minimal space and is easily redesigned into a three button actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A microcassette tape comprising a tape housing including top and bottom case halves, a reel, a tape mounted on said reel, a rotating shaft for the tape reel, a pinch roller provided at the front of the tape housing, and a capstan between which the tape passes during endless revolutions of the tape. A guide is provided for preventing the tape from being misdirected and caught around the pinch roller and a wall is provided as a part of the tape housing for preventing the tape from slackening as it passes between the pinch roller and the capstan on a tangential path to the guide member which prevents the tape from being caught by the pinch roller. A further guide element is provided which prevents the tape from falling off the tape reel. A hole is provided in one of the halves of the tape housing which permits insertion of a shaft member for taking up any tape slack which develops in the passage of the tape from the tape reel to the pinch roller.

Abstract: An apparatus having functions of loading and unloading a cassette and a function of selecting an operation mode comprises an epicyclic gear as a speed reducer from which two outputs are obtained. A first cam for loading and unloading a cassette is rotated by one of the outputs and a second cam for selecting an operation mode is rotated by the other output. The apparatus also includes a lock mechanism for selectively stopping of the first cam or the rotation the second cam.

Abstract: A transport for a rectangular tape cartridge enclosing a supply reel having a web of magnetic tape wound thereabout terminating in a free end attached to a leader block. The illustrated embodiment of the transport is designed to fit within the computer industry standard 51/4-inch form factor and utilizes the 1/2-inch tape cartridge defined in Proposed American National Standard X3B5/85-075. An elongate rectangular housing has internal mechanisms for supporting the tape cartridge therein and referencing the cartridge off its side surfaces. The cartridge is manually inserted into the housing through a slot in a face panel extending across a transverse end of the housing. Electro-mechanical assemblies lock the cartridge in place and complete the loading sequence by engaging a drive chuck with the hub of the supply reel, extracting the leader block from the cartridge, and pulling the leader block to the take-up hub to thread the tape along a tape path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape cassette for short-time recording having an interchangeability with a long-playing standard tape cassette. The short-time cassette has the external size and functions substantially the same as that of the standard tape cassette. The casing of the short-time tape cassette is provided with a large aperture the area of which is made larger than that of an aperture formed in the bottom of the standard tape cassette, owing to the reduction in the diameters of the reel flanges. With this arrangement, it is possible to accommodate the mechanism including the tape path within the outside dimensions of the tape cassette, thus allowing miniaturization of the mechanism of the apparatus which handles the tape. At the same time, a perfect interchangeability between the short-time tape cassette and the standard tape cassette is obtained, so that users can operate both types of the tape cassette on an identical player such as a VTR.

Abstract: A cartridge drive adapted for endwise loading of tape cartridges has a retractable friction roll to open the tape access door as the cartridge is loaded into the drive. A pivoted cartridge carriage swings the loaded cartridge across the loading path of travel to an operative position in engagement with the drive motor and magnetic head of the drive. In preferred forms, the drive is dimensioned to fit within the "foot print" of a standard 51/4" floppy disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a tape cartridge, particularly an IBM 3480 tape cartridge, has a loading rack for receiving the tape cartridge along one of its side edges, so that what is normally considered to be the rear edge of the tape cartridge is laterally received within the loading/unloading mechanism, and equipment for properly interacting with the tape cartridge in this modified orientation for engagement of the leader block of the tape cartridge so that the tape cartridge is then ready for loading into the transport apparatus and for detection of the condition of the tape cartridge within the apparatus.

Abstract: A cassette holding device for a tape recorder wherein the shock resistance thereof can be assured sufficiently with a simple construction during transportation and during normal use of the tape recorder and protection of a cassette holder, capstan shafts and a tape cassette and reduction in cost and facility in use of the entire tape recorder can be attained. The device comprises an ejecting member which holds, when it is at advanced position, an arresting member to an advanced position in which a cassette holder can receive therein a tape cassette inserted into the tape recorder. When the arresting member is at a retracted position, the ejecting member is prevented from moving from a retracted position to the advanced position, but when the arresting member is moved form the retracted to the advanced position, the ejecting member is allowed to move from the retracted to the advanced position to eject a tape cassette from the tape recorder.

Abstract: A tape player according to the present invention has a pivotal lever which is pivotally moved horizontally, when a tape cassette is loaded, from its ejection position to its loading position, the pivotal lever having a member engaged with a reel hole when a cassette is loaded connected to one end thereof, a pivotal member pivotally mounted horizontally pivotably having an operatively connecting member formed to be precluded from pivotal movement outside an instrument frame by used of an ejecting member in a non-lay state and adapted to control a spacing between opposite ends a torsion coil spring opposite ends of which are engaged by the pivotal lever and the pivotal member, respectively, further comprising an actuating member allowing pivotal movement of the pivotal lever when the latter is pivotally moved from the ejection position to the loading position and causing the pivotal lever to be pivotally moved from the loading position to the ejection position along with the operation of the ejecting member, a

Abstract: A cassette loading apparatus for a tape player includes a pair of cassette holders for guiding two lateral edge portions of a cassette which are mounted on and vertically movable in a chassis. An ejector member is provided in such a manner as to be able to advance and retract along the direction in which the cassette half is inserted, the ejector member being biased in the direction in which the cassette is pushed out. The apparatus further includes a pair of driving links connected to each other. Each of the driving links has a connecting portion which is connected to the corresponding cassette holder, and biased in the direction in which the cassette holder is lowered relative to the chassis. One of the cassette holders and the corresponding driving link are connected together in such a manner that, when the cassette holder is lowered relative to the chassis, an allowance is provided at the joint between the cassette holder and the driving link.

Abstract: In an apparatus for automatically supplying and selectively reproducing a plurality of cassettes, the error rate for each cassette and for each reproduction is automatically generated and stored in a separate area of a memory and, when the error rate exceeds a threshold rate, the deteriorating cassettes are automatically dubbed onto blank cassettes to ensure that deterioration of each tape or other record medium never exceeds a predetermined amount. In addition, the operator may independently cause any cassette to be dubbed when he deems the image produced therefrom to be too highly degraded regardless of the error rate of the signal recorded therein.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism of a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus including: a cassette holder for accommodating a tape cassette; a bracket having a guide slit along which the cassette holder is guided from a first position to a second position, the bracket accommodating the cassette holder; a cassette holder driving mechanism for driving the cassette holder along the guide slit formed in the bracket, the cassette holder driving mechanism including cassette holder driving arm disposed between the cassette holder and the bracket and connected to the cassette holder; a power source; and a power transmitting means for driving the cassette holder driving arm while being supplied with power from the power source.

Abstract: A starting mechanism for an ejection mechanism of a cassette tape deck, particularly, a compact cassette deck which may be used for automotive applications and which is automatically operated in response to stopping of rotation of a reel unit of the cassette deck. A power lever is mounted to be reciprocal in a predetermined direction by a reel unit drive motor of the deck when the reel unit stops rotating. A selection lever, having an operator-actuable end, is juxtaposed with the power lever and movable reciprocally in the same predetermined direction to engage the power lever to move therewith when a head base of the deck is in an advanced position. Thereby, the selection lever is reciprocal between positions of engagement and disengagement with and from the power lever with one end thereof as the center.

Abstract: A cassette holder structure in the information recording and/or reproducing apparatus which comprises a cassette holder supported by a support structure for movement between a cassette receiving position, at which the cassette holder is ready to receive the cassette, and a loaded position at which information can be recorded on or reproduced from the information carrier medium contained in the cassette, a generally elongated elastic releaseable catch member carried by the cassette holder and resiliently engageable with a detent member defined in the cassette, and means operable to disengage the releaseable catch member from the detent member in the cassette when and so long as the cassette holder is in the cassette receiving position and also to cause the releaseable catch member to be engaged with the detent member in the cassette when the cassette holder with the cassette inserted thereinto is moved from the cassette receiving position towards the loaded position.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive in which a tape cartridge is endwise loaded and thereafter minutely moved into a precision alignment position with respect to a read/write head. The drive has a support frame with a front panel and an elongate tray dimensioned to have the cartridge inserted endwise thereon. The tray is supported by the frame for longitudinal sliding movement from a retracted position in which the tray is contained within the frame to an extended position in which a portion of the tray extends through a slot in the front panel. A mechanism is provided for opening the access door of the cartridge while the cartridge is supported on the tray and the tray is being moved from its extended position to it retracted position.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading device comprising a lever pivotally fixed to the peripheral surface of an arm gear having an upright protrusion thereon and forward and backward inclined portions therebelow, a contacting member protruded below a worm wheel to contact the upright protrusion of the lever, and a generally arcuate slot formed on a bracket whereby when a guide pin of a cassette carrier passes through a corner portion of a guide groove, the upright protrusion of the lever is engaged with the contacting member so that the driving force of the worm wheel is directly transmitted to the arm gear.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism for a video cassette tape recorder includes a carrier for loading a tape cassette in the recorder which moves relative to a carrier guiding sidewall member by virtue of vertical and horizontal guide slots which are provided in the side wall member. An operating member is provided adjacent an inside surface of the carrier guiding sidewall member for being engaged by the carrier while it is moving horizontally on an ejecting position to an operating position. A lid opening member is attached to the operating member to engage the lid of a tape cassette placed in the carrier for opening the lid of the cassette before the cassette moves downwardly with loaded position. As a result, the length of vertical movement of the cassette during loading is reduced, which can reduce the size of the video cassette tape recorder and manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A chucking and driving mechanism for a disk-drive-compatible magnetic tape cartridge, including a first chucking mechanism for establishing chucking engagement between a center core disk of the magnetic tape cartridge and a turntable of a disk drive while the disk drive drives the magnetic tape in forward direction, and a second chucking mechanism for establishing chucking engagement between the center core disk and the turntable while the disk drive drives the magnetic tape in reverse direction.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a rotatable drum having a centrally disposed tape storage device and a surrounding circumferential wall with one or more openings therein through which tape passes from the storage device to and helically around the outer surface of the wall and then back inside the drum. A cooperating recorder/reader head is mounted outside the drum in alignment with the tape to record/read a slant track thereon as the drum rotates. The tape storage device may be indexable to to incrementally advance the tape along the wall surface, or the head may be indexable so as to incrementally move across the tape, each time the drum completes one revolution, to thereby record/read a succession of slant tracks as the drum rotates through successive revolutions. Such a cassette offers the combined advantages of a fast-access disk and a mass-storage tape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic recording and reproducing device which comprises a reversible motor, a first gear fixed to the shaft of the motor, a second gear and a pulley rotatably supported by the shaft of the motor, a first one-way clutch for transmitting the torque of the first gear to the second gear only when the motor is operating forwardly, a second clutch mechanism for transmitting the power of the first gear to the pulley only when the motor is operating backwardly, a cassette transfer mechanism engageable with the first gear, a magnetic tape running mode switching mechanism engageable with the second gear, and a magnetic tape running mechanism engageable with the pulley, whereby a plurality of mechanisms are driven by a single motor.

Abstract: A cartridge receiver with a tray pivotally coupled to a cover pivots from a cartridge receiving position to an operating position in a limited amount of vertical space. A cartridge is guided into and properly aligned within the tray in the receiving position and the cover is then closed and the cartridge receiver latched into an operating position. A plunger attached to the cover exerts a downward force on the cartridge when the cover is closed. Pins attached to the frame align and support the cartridge when the cartridge receiver is in an operating position. A threading pin is coupled to the cover and the tray for engaging a cartridge leader block and a bridge is attached to the tray to align the leader block with the threading pin. The leader block is guided back into the cartridge when the tape is rewound. A cartridge present sensor, a file protect sensor, and a latch sensor are also employed as part of the cartridge receiver.

Abstract: An eject mechanism for ejecting automatically the tape cassette in a tape player, in which one of two switching gears disposed on both the sides of a gear plate and engaging with a forward/backward rotating gear is selectively engaged with an intermittent gear by said forward/backward rotating gear and said intermittent gear drives the driven mechanism for the eject operation, said intermittent gear being so constructed that it is locked only in the forward rotational direction.

Abstract: A fast forward and reverse drive mechanism is disclosed, which comprises a fast drive link having a fast drive pin disposed at one end and supported rotatably by a pivot shaft at its center portion; a mode plate moving in the left and right directions; a fast forward drive lever and a reverse drive lever superposed on each other and locking the fast drive pin either at the forward side or the reverse side by pushing either one of the levers; two fast drive arms disposed rotatably at both sides of the fast drive link, each having a fast drive shaft at an extremity; guide holes formed at the left and right sides in the mode plate; the fast drive shaft being engaged through these guide holes with the mode plate so that the fast drive shaft moves left and right depending on left and right displacement of the mode plate; and guide holes, each of which consists of a press portion and a slide portion at its left and right sides, formed in the fast forward drive lever and the reverse drive lever, respectively, the gu

Abstract: An endless tape recording and playback apparatus is provided with a splicing tape detection system which is capable of reliably detecting the presence of splicing tape secured to the endless recording tape. The system includes a capstan which is rotatable at a predetermined angular velocity, and a pinch roller which is capable of pivoting between capstan-engaged and capstan-disengaged positions. An optical detection system including a light emitter and a light detector implemented within a single body, and a support base mounted upon the pinch roller for directing the optical axis of the detection system toward the endless tape surface at an acute angle with respect to the tape surface, can detect the presence of the splicing tape. Due to the angular disposition of the detection system, the presence of the splicing tape can even be detected in conjunction with worn endless recording tape. The light emitter and light detector are mounted upon the pinch roller.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus has a head base assembly comprised of a first arm mounted, at one end, on the chassis for swinging about a first axis perpendicular to a plane on which a cassette is located on the chassis, a second arm connected in end-to-end relation to the other end of the first arm by a joint structure permitting relative angular displacements about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a fixed guide post extending parallel to the plane of the chassis and passing slidably through a slot in the second arm for stabilizing the position of a magnetic head on the second arm in respect to a cassette on the chassis. The joint structure includes a screw defining the second axis and being turnable to relatively displace the connected ends of the arms along that second axis for rocking the second arm about the fixed guide post and thereby varying the aximuth angle of the head.

Abstract: A cassette tape loading and ejecting mechanism in a tape player for playing back tapes using a driving force of a main motor. The mechanism includes a sun gear provided in part of a mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the main motor. A stationary ring gear is arranged coaxially with the sun gear. A carrier is mounted on a shaft coaxially with the sun gear and is engaged by friction with the sun gear. A planet gear supported by the carrier engages the sun gear and the ring gear. A slot-in type tape cassette holder is driven by the forward and reverse rotation of the carrier for loading and ejecting tape cassettes. The planet gear engages the ring gear when the main gear when the main motor rotates forwardly and the carrier is caused to turn forwardly whereby the planet gear is positioned opposite to an untoothed portion of the ring gear after a tape cassette is loaded and the carrier then stops to allow the playback of the tape continuously.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a magnetic disc housed in a cassette, in which the cassette is received and placed by a cassette holder at a predetermined loading position for the signal recording and/or reproduction where a magnetic head is provided. The head is moved relative to the disc by a head moving mechanism driven by a motor, while the holder is moved by a loading mechanism which is selectively connectible with the motor through a clutch mechanism. Thus, the head moving motor is also utilized as a cassette loading motor.

Abstract: An automatic control mechanism for a tape cassette player comprises a control motor selectively rotatable in first and second directions, a cassette holder movable between a cassette load/eject position and a cassette operating position, and a head plate movable to any of a plurality of positions respectively enabling operation of the cassette player in a plurality of modes. First, second and third cams are mounted for reversible rotation by the motor. A first operating arm controlled by the first cam effects reversible movement of a tape cassette within the cassette holder between an ejected position and a loaded position. A second operating arm controlled by the second cam effects reversible movement of the cassette holder between the cassette load/eject position and the cassette operating position. A third operating arm controlled by the third cam effects reversible movement of the head plate to a selected one of the mode-enabling positions.

Abstract: A front loading device of a video cassette tape recorder, and particularly to a front loading device of a video cassette tape recorder wherein a cassette tape is loaded on and ejected from reel table in the recorder by the power a loading motor.

Abstract: A loading/ejection lever has a slot engaged by a pin on a servo member, for pivoting the lever during loading or ejection of a cassette. The servo member also has a guide surface for causing a cassette lift to be lowered during the latter stages of insertion, and raised during the first stages of cassette ejection. The guide surface for the cassette lift is divided into separate lowering and raising portions, arranged so that a longer stroke of the servo member is utilized during the loading process, before the cassette lift is lowered, than in the reverse movement in which the lift is raised only after the servo member has passed the lowering point. As a result of this construction, it is possible to provide a greater distance between the lever pivot and the location where the coupling pin on the servo member engages the lever, and to provide a spring element on the lever which biases the coupling pin during only a portion of the range of engagement between the servo member and the loading/ejection lever.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a small portable cassette tape player/recorder which does not require separate operating buttons to play and record. Operation of the player is effected by pushing the cassette toward the recording/reproducing head. Playing/recording is stopped by pushing the cassette again. This push-push mechanism obviates the need for operating buttons, and decreases the size of the player.

Abstract: A video tape recorder, according to the present invention, comprises a mechanical chassis supporting a mechanism for recording and reproducing video signals on a magnetic video tape housed in a cassette. The mechanical chassis moves essentially on a horizontal plane at a load position and an ejecting position. At the load position, the mechanical chassis projects frontward from an outer cover housing of the video tape recorder for loading and/or ejecting a magnetic video tape cassette. Preferably, the recorder has at least two load positions and can perform recording and/or reproduction at either load position. At a first load position, the mechanical chassis is housed within the internal space of the recorder housing. At second load position, the mechanical chassis projects at least partway from the recorder housing. A push-button operated controller for operating the recorder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transport for a rectangular tape cartridge enclosing a supply reel having a web of magnetic tape wound thereabout terminating in a free end attached to a leader block. The illustrated embodiment of the transport is designed to fit within the computer industry standard 51/4-inch form factor and utilizes the 1/2-inch tape cartridge defined in Proposed American National Standard X3B5/85-075. An elongate rectangular housing has internal mechanisms for supporting the tape cartridge therein and referencing the cartridge off its side surfaces. The cartridge is manually inserted into the housing through a slot in a face panel extending across a transverse end of the housing. Electro-mechanical assemblies lock the cartridge in place and complete the loading sequence by engaging a drive chuck with the hub of the supply reel, extracting the leader block from the cartridge, and pulling the leader block to the take-up hub to thread the tape along a tape path.

Abstract: A portable recorder has a pinch roller moved to engage a capstan, a recording head brought into a recording position and a motor to power the recorder switched on through the sliding movement of a slide assembly in engagement with the case of the recorder near a hinge between bottom and top portions of the case. The capstan is rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the case by a pulley arrangement driven by the motor with an axis substantially within a plane parallel to the case. The recording head is mounted to the slide assembly which includes a roller attached to the back thereof for rotating engagement with the case when it is opened and closed. Rotating movement of the roller causes the slide assembly to move back and forth within the case as the top of the case is opened and closed causing the recording head to move near or away from the tape. A spring mounted to the case and the slide assembly biases the slide assembly to a remote position when the case is opened.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for digital data transfer with a tape cassette is designed to require no movement of a magnetic transducer head to establish data transfer contact between the head and a tape cassette. The tape cassette is inserted in the apparatus in the direction of a notional line intersecting at right angles the axes of rotation of the pair of hubs of the tape cassette. Upon full insertion in the apparatus the tape cassette has its apertured front side held opposite the transducer head. A cassette shift mechanism subsequently transports the loaded tape cassette in a direction normal to the notional line, into data transfer contact with the transducer head. A tape transport shift mechanism also operates to move a pair of motor driven spindles into driving engagement with the respective hubs of the tape cassette. The insertion of the tape cassette automatically triggers the operation of both cassette shift mechanism and tape transport shift mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction drive apparatus of a tape recorder which has a capstan and a friction wheel which is brought into slidable contact with a flywheel on which the capstan is mounted, the friction wheel serving to transmit a rotational force to the flywheel, the apparatus being constructed such that there are provided a support mechanism for pivotally supporting the friction wheel about a pivotal point which is eccentric with respect to a rotating shaft of the friction wheel, and biasing means for pivotally biasing the friction wheel about the pivotal point in a contact surface direction of the flywheel, the biasing means being arrranged to apply a predetermined initial contact pressure between the friction wheel and the flywheel, and a rotational direction of the friction wheel being determined such that a reaction force at the contact surface upon rotation of the friction wheel acts in a direction to cause pivotal movement of the friction wheel in the same direction as a direction toward whi

Abstract: A cartridge including a cylindrical hub attached to a housing, which hub has a central opening and a slot extending axially across the width of the hub and communicating with the central opening, and an endless length of magnetic tape having a major portion wrapped about the hub to form a coil and a minor portion extending from the innermost wrap of the coil, through the slot and around the side surface of the coil to the outermost wrap of the coil. Means on the housing define a tape path for the minor tape portion including a spring biased guide pin that is moved by changing tension in the minor portion, and is connected to a cam which upon movement of the guide pin will move a portion of the hub to adjust the length of and thereby the tension in the minor tape portion.

Abstract: A loading and ejection mechanism in a tape player includes a link mechanism which transmits a motor power to a tape pack transport mechanism to drive same for loading or ejection of a tape cassette. The link mechanism includes at least one resilient connection member which normally maintains a power transmitting relationship of the link mechanism and a connection releasable arrangement which releases the power transmitting relationship of the link mechanism against the energy of the resilient connection member when an excessive load is applied to and locks the mechanism.

Abstract: A lid locking mechanism for a lid of an automatic tape cassette loading and unloading apparatus, comprises a locking member which moves downwardly in relation to a tape cassette loading operation so as to oppose a rear surface of the lid and lock the lid in a closed position. The lid locking mechanism prevents an erroneous operation of loading a tape cassette into a recording and/or reproducing apparatus when another tape cassette is already loaded into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A cartridge drive adapted for endwise loading of tape cartridges has a retractable friction roll to open the tape access door as the cartridge is loaded into the drive. A pivoted cartridge carriage swings the loaded cartridge across the loading path of travel to an operative position in engagement with the drive motor and magnetic head of the drive. In preferred forms, the drive is dimensioned to fit within the "foot print" of a standard 51/4" floppy disk drive.

Abstract: A video cassette recorder comprises a light source (12) for illuminating the upper surface of a cassette tape (2) loaded in a deck (5), a first mirror member (13) for reflecting the image of the cassette tape illuminated by the light source (12), a second mirror member (14) for reflecting to the front side of the video cassette recorder the image reflected by the first mirror member (13), and a movable lid (15) adapted to allow the image of the cassette tape reflected by the second mirror member (14) to be seen therethrough from outside.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is proposed wherein a hook arm is pivoted by a free end of one of two pivot arms when the pivot arms are urged by an inserted cassette and are pivoted by a predetermined angular interval, and the hook arm is disengaged from one of the link arms causing the cassette holders to descend when the hook arm is pivoted by a predetermined angular interval, thereby setting the cassette in the recording/play mode. The descent timing of the cassette is predetermined, and the cassette can be stably set in the correct recording/reproduction position.