Abstract: There is provided a tape recorder which includes first and second recording/playing mechanisms for driving a tape at a constant speed for recording or playing, an auto-stop assembly for discontinuing operation of the first or second recording/playing mechanism when an end of the tape approaches, a control assembly for placing the first or second recording/playing assemblies selectively into a first stop mode or a second stop mode, the first stop mode being the mode from which the first or second recording/playing mechanisms may be switched into a constant driving mode independently of each other and the second stop mode being the mode from which the constant driving mode may be switched from the first recording/playing mechanism to the second or vice verse, and a link assembly connected between the auto-stop assembly and the control assembly for rendering the control assembly operable to shift the constant driving mode from the first recording/playing mechanism to the second or vice verse upon the completion

Abstract: A feather-touch mode changer having low power requirements and being capable of selectively providing a plurality of modes of operation of a tape recording/reproducing apparatus, has two changing mechanisms which are each of the type that includes a rotatable changing gear with a toothless gap, a selectively actuable trigger for causing initial angular displacement of the changing gear from an inactive position in which the toothless gap faces a drive gear to an actuating position in which the changing gear engages the drive gear, and an actuating lever that moves in a response to the rotation of the changing gear by the drive gear. The two changing mechanisms are selectively actuable, and a single drive gear is positioned for engagement with both changing gears. Each of the two changing mechanisms has associated with it a selectively energizable electromagnetic device and a locking lever that moves into a locking position in response to movement of the respective actuating lever.

Abstract: A damper device comprises a slider capable of reciprocating along a rail, a rack gear disposed parallelly to the rail, and a damper swingably retained on the slider and provided with a toothed wheel adapted to be meshed with the aforementioned rack gear. This damper device, when the slider moves in one direction and push the damper from behind, enables the toothed wheel to be brought into engagement with the rack gear and, when the slider moves in the opposite direction, releases the toothed wheel from engagement with the rack gear.

Abstract: The amount of tape wound on the hub of a reel can be determined by the tape drive by using a force/acceleration relationship. An electrical power which provides a certain torque to the motor is applied to the reel drive. The torque imparts a fixed rotational displacement over a fixed period of time. The rotational displacement is measured by a tachometer. The angular acceleration of different inertias results in different rotational displacement over the set period of time which can be used to indicate the amount of tape on the reel since the inertia of the other items, the motor, the clutch and the hub, remains the same.

Abstract: A tape pack guide mechanism, wherein a guide arm is so disposed that its extremity can pivot in the vertical direction around a pivot axle mounted at the back part of a tape player; wherein the extremity of the guide arm is connected to a pack guide which moves up and down; wherein this guide arm supports at least one stick shaped thrust piece, an extremity of which extends into the pack guide, whereby this thrust piece is so designed that, when the pack guide goes downwardly, it pushes on an upper side of a pack in the pack guide and, when the pack guide goes upwardly, it thrusts the pack guide against stoppers disposed adjacent a housing opening for introducing the tape pack.

Abstract: In a cassette tape recorder, a base is of a rectangular shape having a transverse length substantially equal to the longitudinal length of a cassette to be inserted. A pair of side walls are attached to opposite longitudinal side edges of the base to face each other, a capstan is located at the transverse center of the base, and a flywheel has a diameter substantially equal to the transverse length of the base. A head lever and a pinch roller lever are elongate and are arranged on the base along the transverse direction thereof and near the capstan. A cassette holder is located between the side walls, on the capstan side of the head lever, so that a substantial part of the holder overlies the flywheel. A solenoid device is mounted on the base on the opposite side of the head lever to the capstan, so that a plunger of the solenoid device may move along the longitudinal direction of the base.

Abstract: A tape player is provided which has a tape player set and an operation board mounted on the front face of the tape player set. The tape player is particularly characterized in that a tape pack insertion aperture which is formed in a part of said operation board is closed or opened by a cover which is rotatable about a rod fixed on the front face of said operation board.

Abstract: A cassette tape recorder with mechanical soft touch operating mechanism which includes a base body with a push button holder or mechanism at one side thereof with a group of operating button levers which include a pause button lever, a play button lever and a fast/forward button lever, a rewind button lever, a record button lever and a stop button lever and includes four notched cam gears mounted in pairs with one of the cam gears coupled to the pause button lever another cam gear coupled to the fast/forward button lever and the first pair of cam gears mounted adjacent each other on the same shaft and adapted to separately engage a gear which is coaxial with a fly wheel that is rotated by a motor.

Abstract: A mode selecting mechanism for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus is provided with a rotary member having a crank pin extending therefrom and being mounted on a chassis for turning by a control motor between first and second positions, a head base carrying a magnetic head or heads and being slidably mounted on the chassis for movement between inoperative and operative positions, a first spring acting on the head base for urging the latter toward its operative position and causing engagement of a follower on the head base with the crank pin so that turning of the rotary member is adapted to cause movement of the head base between its inoperative and operative positions, capstans rotatably mounted on the chassis and each having a pinch roller associated therewith and supported by a pivotally mounted lever for movement between inoperative and operative positions relative to the respective capstan, and a connecting linkage engaging the crank pin and each pinch roller supporting lever and inclu

Abstract: An automatic tape ejecting device for a tape rewinding apparatus responsive to an increase of the tension difference between the tight side strand and the slack side strand of the transmission belt which drives the pulley to perform the tape rewinding. The change of tension difference is sensed by at least one small pulley which is arranged in the running path of the transmission belt to increase the tension thereof. The motor is driven in such direction that the tight side strand will be tightened while the slack side strand will slip in the small pulley upon the winding spindle being precluded from rotation, consequently, the increased tension on the tight side strand will initiate the cassette compartment lid ejection action and turn off the switch.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus has a rectangular chassis on which a cassette holder is pivotally mounted for angular movement relative to the chassis about an axis extending along one long side of the chassis between an inclined cassette receiving position and an operative position in which a cassette in the holder is loaded flat against the chassis, a pivot on the cassette holder defines a pivot axis which is adjacent, and at right angles to the axis of movement of the holder, and a head base is mounted on the pivot for movement relative to the cassette holder between a rest position, in which a magnetic head mounted on the base extends a relatively small distance into a cassette inserted in the holder, and an active position, in which the head is further projected into a cassette in the operatively positioned holder.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an improved cassette tape recorder which is arranged to have a small loss during the change-over in the running or travelling directions of a magnetic tape between a first direction, i.e. a forward direction, and a second direction, i.e. a reverse direction, and wherein only a small functioning stroke is required for actuating the magnetic heads.

Abstract: A cassette ejection mechanism comprises an ejecting plate attached movably to a guide plate, a coupling plate rockably attached to the guide plate, the coupling plate having a pin and rocking in response to the slide motion of a sliding member, a toggle spring stretched between the guide plate and the coupling plate to apply an urging force to the coupling plate in rocking motion, and a swinging strip swingably attached to the ejecting plate, the swinging strip having a holding cam to engage the pin of the coupling plate to cause the coupling plate to rock against the urging force of the toggle spring as the ejecting plate moves from a second position to a first position and to be disengaged from the pin after the toggle spring passes its neutral point.

Abstract: An ejecting device which is used in a magnetic tape driving apparatus includes a first base plate extending parallel to the axes of reel shafts and at a right angle to a horizontal plane, a second base plate attached to the first base plate so as to be rotatable parallel to the first base plate between first and second positions, so that a lower portion of the second base plate below its axis of rotation relative to the first base plate is farther away from the projected ends of the reel shafts when the second base plate is located in the second position than when in the first position, a third base plate is rotatably attached to that portion of the second base plate below the axis of rotation of the second base plate relative to the first base plate, for rotation parallel to the second base plate.

Abstract: A magnetic endless tape is made with a half of a normal tape width to avoid the tape housed in the housing from being pressed with unreasonable force; and a reel is provided with flanges as its upper and lower sides and a tape rolling-up wall of the reel is inclined to a V shape with respect to the upper-side flange, thereby making the reverse of the tape possible so that a portion of the tape may be rewound when the cassette is inverted without trapping the rewound portion between the normally upper flange and the layers of tape wound on the reel.

Abstract: A tape cassette for a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus has at least one reel contained in a housing formed with an opening through which a tape wound on a reel can be withdrawn from the cassette housing for recording of signals thereon or reproducing the signals therefrom, and a lid is provided to move between a closed position covering the housing opening and an opened position exposing the housing opening. The lid is pivoted on the housing by means of a pair of pins which are formed on ear portions directed rearwardly from opposite ends of the lid and a pair of arcuated grooves receiving the pair of pins, respectively, and which are formed on side walls of the housing.

Abstract: In the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus disclosed, a loading arrangement displaces magnetic tape between a position where the tape's running path from a tape supply member to a take up member relative to a recording and reproducing arrangement makes it possible to record and reproduce and a position where such recording and reproduction is disabled. A transfer friction arrangement between a tape drive and the supply member or the take up member changes its frictional operation depending upon the tape running path controlled by the loading arrangement. According to a specific embodiment disclosed, the drive is shiftable between a direct direct mode when the tape is disabled from recording or playback and a slip torque transmission mode when the recording-playback is enabled.

Abstract: A cartridge tape drive assembly is described for receiving a cartridge containing magnetic tape, locating said cartridge in a fixed operational position, and moving said magnetic tape within said cartridge. The drive assembly comprises locating means for receiving and positively locating a data tape cartridge in an operating position; drive means for contacting said data tape cartridge to transport magnetic tape within said data tape cartridge; input-output means for reading information from or placing information on said magnetic tape; and control means for detecting the presence of a data tape cartridge in said drive assembly and for controlling the input and output modes of operation of said input-output means; said locating means comprising a pair of non-movable reference surfaces at right angles to each other for cooperating with the cartridge and means for urging said data cartridge into contact with said reference surfaces.

Abstract: The housing of a tape cassette is provided with mechanical or electrical structure for recording the number of times the cassette housing is withdrawn from a video cassette recorder. A display window on the cassette displays indicia representative of the number of removals of the cassette from such recorder whereby a rental fee may be charged based on said indicia.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing device arranged to use a cassette containing a recording medium such as a tape, includes a tape loading mechanism operative to displace the tape contained in the cassette to a position at which the tape is in operative relation to a recording head. A cassette displacing arrangement into which the cassette is first loaded is movable to a position where the cassette is in operative relation to the tape loading mechanism. A member on the displacing arrangement serves to hold the cassette at a certain position relative to the displacing arrangement so that the cassette will be moved into operative relation with the tape loading mechanism by the displacing arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnetic recording tape cartridge capable of preventing the loosening of a magnetic recording tape comprising a tape adjusting member made of a resilient plate for stretching an intermediate portion of the magnetic recording tape; a pair of wall members formed in the cartridge with a gap defined therebetween to removing or detachably receive the tape adjusting member; and a raised member projected from a main plate portion of the tape adjusting member which is adapted to be engaged with a part of one of the wall members, thereby preventing undesired displacement of the tape adjusting member.

Abstract: An endless cassette tape for a video tape recorder has a length which is the sum of the length of the outer rim of a section including a supply reel and a take-up reel and at least the length of the slack part for a tape loading to an outer component in a tape loading mode. The endless tape is wrapped on a reel hub on one of which a special tape hook pin is mounted. The tape hook pin hooks the slack part of the endless tape and absorbs it completely in cooperation with a reel mechanism in the tape unloading mode and release the slack part of the tape in the tape loading mode.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus having a loading assembly which comprises a rotatable member driven by a motor mounted on the tape deck, a rack member interlocking with a tape pack inserted within said tape deck so as to be slidable with respect to said tape deck so that said rack member is allowed to slide due to rotational force of said rotatable member.

Abstract: A spool mounting apparatus, particularly suitable for automatic, unbuffered tape transport systems, permits a reduction in the handling of spools during loading sequences.A spool inserted through an opening into a cavity within a housing, is guided into a preliminary position by a detent pin. The opening possesses a spring biassed closure member, which is mechanically linked to a free running disc member within the cavity situated opposite a shaped cylindrical hub over which the spool may locate.Motion of the spring biassed closure member towards a closed position effects displacement of the free running disc member towards the hub, thereby clamping the spool disposed therebetween. Subsequent rotation applied to the hub is therefore transferred to the clamped spool and the free running member.

Abstract: In a cassette loading/unloading apparatus for a slot-in type cassette tape recorder using a toggle spring, a slider holds a cassette inserted therein and slides together therewith in a cassette holder. The cassette loading/unloading apparatus is provided with a spring member separate from the toggle spring. This spring member is charged with a biasing force as the slider slides at cassette insertion so that the charged biasing force may act as a resisting force on the slider. The spring member applies the resisting force to the slider before the slider passes the neutral point of the toggle spring, and is prevented from doing so after the slider passes the neutral point.

Abstract: A chassis for video tape recorder molded integrally with a fiber-reinforced plastic composition is light in weight and can meet the requirements for attainment of high precision. It is possible to obtain a chassis with even higher precision and higher rigidity while preventing deformation with time as well as creep deformation, by properly selecting the components of the composition, the number and the position of the gates, and/or the reinforcing measures. In case of using glass fiber as the reinforcing fiber component of the composition, it is desirable to use the type in which 5% by weight or more of the whole glass fiber component is occupied by those glass fibers which have a length of over 1.0 mm and a diameter of 15 .mu.m or less.

Abstract: A cassette tape recorder is provided with a kangaroo pocket type cassette holder. The cassette holder comprises a fitting member which is slidably mounted on a base board and is made to move in parallel with the base board, for example, by two guide pins, and a cassette holder body swingably attached to the fitting member. The fitting member is pushed together with the cassette holder body from a rising to a falling position against the urging force of the kick spring, and is suddenly brought to rest by a stopper while being shifted from a falling to a rising position by the accumulated urging force of the kick spring, thereby causing the cassette holder body to swing on the fitting member.

Abstract: In a tape cartridge, an equalizer for tension in the tape, comprising a unitary oscillatable member having means bearing on the tape at the takeoff area of a reel on a loose hub, and a second means bearing on the tape at the return or feedback area, the tape itself causing oscillation of the equalizer to avoid unequal tension in the tape.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette telephone answering device having a remote controlled playout capability, a tape drive transfer system is disclosed which utilizes motive power from the tape cassette drive motor to transfer the system into an automatic rewind mode.The tape drive transfer system includes a transfer lever connected to a spindle drive assembly which alternately drives the takeup spindle or the source spindle of the incoming message tape cassette. The transfer lever is moved into driven engagement with the cassette drive motor by a low power solenoid that is actuated when a remote playout control signal is received. That motor drives the transfer lever and thereby conditions the spindle drive assembly from the forward to the rewind operating position. The transfer lever then is disengaged and latched. When the rewind is complete, the solenoid is deactuated.

Abstract: A cassette loading assembly for VTR use is disclosed, wherein a cassette is inserted in the depth of a cassette chamber through an inlet port in the front of a VTR body carrying operation buttons, etc. and moved into operating position in a desired direction, for example, downwardly together with a cassette carrier for recording and reproducing TV pictures. The cassette loading assembly includes means for actuating a cassette carrier on which a cassette is mounted, means for supplying driving force for moving the cassette carrier, means for controlling the movement of the cassette carrier, and means for operating an operating item in association with the movement of the cassette carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is a retracting mechanism for use in combination with a tape recorder. The tape recorder includes a base plate, a capstan drive for driving a magnetic tape in a tape cassette and an electronic circuit. A magnetic head is disposed adjacent to the magnetic tape and is electrically coupled to a electronic circuit. A slidable mount for mounting the magnetic head is slidably coupled to the base plate so that the magnetic head may move bidirectionally in a direction orthogonal to the direction which the magnetic tape travels across the face of the magnetic head in order to engage the magnetic tape. The retracting mechanism includes a lever arm which is pivotally coupled to the base plate and disposed adjacent, but not continguous to, the capstan drive. A pinch roller the axis of which is rotatably coupled to the lever arm. A first spring resiliently biases the lever arm so that the pinch roller pinches the magnetic tape against the capstan drive.

Abstract: A cassette tape player-recorder of slot-in type which includes first detecting means for detecting the insertion of cassette into the slot, second detecting means for detecting correct placement of the inserted cassette at the operable position, a reset signal generator for producing a reset signal when a time longer than a predetermined period lapses from the insertion of the cassette into the slot until the correct positioning of the cassette at the operable position, and a cassette eject controller for ejecting the cassette in response to the reset signal. The cassette tape player-recorder can avoid malfunction thereof and damage of the cassette.

Abstract: A recording head protective overlay arrangement with an alarm capability is provided. The protective overlay is continuously replenishable between the recording surface of the recording head and the recording medium and is movable in a direction opposite to that of the recording medium so as to provide a cleaning function as well as a wear-preventive function. A dispenser cartridge housing the protective overlay is provided which is specially designed to closely conform to the recording head. A pivotable cartridge holder is included for enabling the cartridge to be inserted in a position remote from the recording head and pivotable into an operative position with the recording head. The tape medium itself and various components operatively associated therewith are pivotably mounted, to provide movement of the medium into intimate operative contact with the overlay and the recording head.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for an endless tape includes a stationary reel around which an endless tape is wound and which has a guide path formed over the inner and outer peripheral faces. The tape is led from the innermost side thereof through the guide path to a recording reproducing head and driving mechanism which are provided within the inner peripheral face of the reel and then wound up on the outermost periphery of the tape wound around the reel.

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 movable guide pin that provides a desired low, predetermined tension in the outermost wrap of the coil. A portion of the hub can be moved radially to adjust the length of the minor tape portion and thereby position the guide pin in a predetermined portion of its range of movement, and a lock assembly is provided for restricting movement of tape in the coil during shipping, which lock assembly is automatically released when the cartridge is inserted into a machine.

Abstract: A magazine including a fixed hub having a central opening and an endless loop of tape. The tape is wrapped about the hub to form a coil and extends from the innermost wrap in the coil through a slot in the hub, across the central opening and then around one side surface of the coil to the outermost wrap of the coil. A tape drive mechanism, tape guides and a transducer of a recording and/or playback machine can be positioned in the central opening to pull tape through the slot from the inner wrap of the coil and accurately guide the tape along a path past the transducer.

Abstract: To place superposed tape reels (14, 15) located in a cassette (10, 11) in a tape receiver (2) of a tape transducer system, which includes means to pull out tape from the cassette for threading in the system (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,922), a lever and cam system (32, 33, 34; 16, 31, 40, 41) is provided in which a cam follower (31) is located on the housing (11) of the cassette to engage a cam track (40) in a transfer lever (32) secured to the receiver. The transfer lever (32) has a second cam track (41) which is spaced farther from the pivot point (35) of the lever, the second cam track engaging a pin (16) coupled to a slidable carrier plate (12) in the cassette, and supporting the reels (14, 15) therein. Upon insertion of the cassette in the receiver, the cam follower (31) engages the cam track (40) of the transfer lever which, by lever action multiplication, upon engagement with the pin 16, will pull the carrier plate (12) out of the cassette, thus removing the reels from the cassette housing (10, 11).

Abstract: For cassettes with memory for storing data relating to the cassette or the tape therein, memory error signal devices having two states representing that the cassette memory has an error or has no error, respectively, the memory error signal devices being operable between said states by a spindle member of a peripheral device. Two embodiments of memory error signal devices are disclosed, one embodiment having a capacitor, and circuit connections from said capacitor to terminals, the charged or discharged state of said capacitor constituting said two states of said device. The other embodiment has a signal plate mounted for movement between two positions, the two positions of said signal plate constituting the two states of the device, and the signal plate has terminals.

Abstract: A tape cassette device comprises a cassette case in which a stationary reel with a tape guide path is housed, and an endless tape wound on the outer circumference of said stationary reel, the innermost part drawn out along said tape guide path to the inside of said stationary reel to be wound on the outer circumference of said stationary reel. Said cassette case has a bottom plate with a plurality of first roller insertin openings formed along the outer circumference of said stationary reel in a spaced relationship. A blind with a plurality of second roller inserting openings is provided on the bottom plate to be pivotable between a first position where it closes said first roller inserting openings and a second position where said second roller inserting openings are aligned with said first roller inserting openings.

Abstract: A player for magnetic tape recordings is provided, which comprises a cartridge holder adapted to receive therein a cartridge, guide grooves for guiding the holder, an ejecting member adapted to depress the holder and an ejecting mechanism for releasing the cartridge. The ejecting member is in the form of a lever. The ejecting mechanism serves to separate the lever from the holder with the advancement of the holder to retain the lever at an upper position separately from the cartridge holder, and to release the lever simultaneously with the starting of ejecting operation. Thus, the cartridge holder is pushed downward and ejected for removal. The player also includes two grooves intersecting each other at an angle of 90.degree. to 180.degree. on a line extending from the lever. These grooves serve to guide therealong both end of the ejecting lever to cause an arcuate movement of the lever.

Abstract: A player for magnetic tape recordings is provided which comprises a cartridge holder adapted to receive therein a cartridge, a guide mechanism adapted to advance the holder in a horizontal state or slantwise state and move vertically the whole or a part of the holder at the final stage of the cartridge receiving operation. The player also includes a head adapted to be inserted into an opening of the cartridge at a position where the advancement of the cartridge is stopped. The head is mounted on the leading edge of the holder such that they are movable in integral fashion. The head can be preset at a position which permits selection of musical performances simultaneously with insertion of the cartridge into the holder. The head is thereafter set at the playback position.

Abstract: A tape player is provided comprising at least two grooves provided in the side plate of a chassis, and a guide member provided on the side of a cartridge holder for insertion thereof into the grooves. Each of the grooves includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion contiguous to the leading edge thereof. According to such an arrangement, the cartridge inserted in the holder is permitted to advance in a horizontal state in the chassis and move in a vertical direction at the front end of the horizontal portion. The point of turning of the cartridge holder is placed in the interior of a cartridge so that the holder is moved to a horizontal state without increasing the amount of movement thereof.

Abstract: A cartridge including a cylindrical hub fixed on a housing, which hub has a central opening and a slot extending axially across the full 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 at the access openings which afford engagement of the tape by the heads and drive mechanism of a playback machine, and a spring biased moveable guide pin guides the minor tape portion between the access openings and the outermost wrap of the coil, and provides a low tension in the outermost wrap of the coil which in turn produces a relatively high generally unifrom tension in the tape crossing the tape heads to hold it in engagement therewith without the use of pressure pads.

Abstract: A tape cassette device comprises a cassette case in which a stationary reel with a tape guide path is housed, and an endless tape wound on the outer circumference of said stationary reel, the innermost part drawn out along said guide path to the inside of said stationary reel to be wound on the outer circumference of said stationary reel. Said case has a bottom plate having a scanning head and a tape drive mechanism inserting opening located at the inside of said stationary reel. A pair of sliders are disposed inside said cassette case, which are displaceable between a lower position where it is located at the side of said bottom plate for closing said opening and an upper position where it is located away from said bottom plate for opening said opening.

Abstract: Cassette loading apparatus for video machines, the apparatus having a movable housing which carries the cassette into engagement with the tape driving, play back and recording components of the video machine, and a cassette transport mechanism which transports the cassette from its insertion or rest position into the housing, the cassette transport mechanism being self-powered by a drive motor which moves the transport mechanism and thereby the cassette inward from its insertion position to an intermediate position within the housing. The housing is then moved as a unit to carry the cassette into its operative position. A protective door provided on the front edge of the cassette to protect the tape is displaced from the cassette automatically as an incident to movement of the housing to carry the cassette into its operative position, and is returned to the protecting position when the housing returns the cassette from the operative position.

Abstract: With a cassette tape recorder embodying this invention, a cassette-holding board provided with at least one reel shaft and at least one capstan shaft is fitted to a fixed case in a state capable of sliding into and out of said fixed case. A magnetic head, pinch roller and motor are movably mounted on the cassette-holding board in the fixed case. A cassette-pressing plate spring is fitted to the inner wall of both lateral boards of the fixed case. Where the cassette-holding board is made to slide out of the fixed case, a tape cassette is inserted into the cassette-loading section of the cassette-holding board and then the cassette-holding board is made to slide into the fixed case, then the tape cassette is pressed by the cassette-pressing plate spring, bringing the magnetic head and pinch roller into contact with a magnetic tape received in the tape cassette.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for use in a tape player for locking a slide member provided slidably on a tape player frame. The slide member is attached by a pivotally movable actuating member. The actuation member is provided with a pin adapted to engage with and disengage from a locking hook portion formed on the slide member and provided in association with an operating member for carrying out a locking operation. The operating member has an engaging projection engageable with said pin to actuate the same. The frame has a first guide portion for engaging with the pin and guiding the same into a locking position and a second guide portion for letting the engaging projection pass during the resetting of the operating member. The engaging projection has, on one face, two side edges for changing over operational directions for the pin and, on another face, a diagonal edge for forcing the pin into the second guide portion to let the projection pass thereover.

Abstract: A recording system for recording signals on a magnetic tape uses a recording apparatus and cassettes, each cassette containing a specific length of magnetic tape, and has a timer for setting time-preprogrammed automatic recordings.A detection unit determines the maximum time available for recording on a cassette placed in the apparatus and a comparator compares an output signal of the detection unit with a reference quantity which is a measure of the total time required for the preprogrammed automatic recording(s). When this required time exceeds the maximum time available for recording with this cassette, an alarm signal is produced. The cassette has marks which are sensed by the detection unit and which indicate the length of the magnetic tape in the cassette.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus adapted to effect lowering and raising of a tape pack receiving frame to set it into and eject it from a recording/reproducing position. A rack portion is formed on a slide member interlocked with the tape pack receiving frame. A support link provided with a gear, which is adapted to be driven by a motor, is disposed in relation with the rack portion. An electromagnetic mechanism energized by a signal for ejection such as a tape-end signal is provided for the support link. The gear and the rack portion are adapted to engage with each other upon energization of the electromagnetic mechanism for carrying out an ejecting operation.

Abstract: A new type of cassette player is provided. The general structure includes a chassis, a receptacle for a cassette, a guide for the receptacle, and reel shafts. The cassette receptacle is movably mounted on the chassis at an oblique position with respect to the main surface of the chassis. The guide translates the receptacle in the oblique position and then turns the receptacle about its trailing edge to place it in a position parallel to the chassis main surface. The reel shafts connected to drive means is adapted to be initially retracted with respect to the path of the receptacle, but be moved into the corresponding reel hubs of the cassette when the receptacle is turned into the parallel position. The space required for cassette loading can be reduced in this new structure.