Abstract: A device for detecting irregular operative situations, particularly for tape decks, serves to detect the rotational state of one of the two discs only. In fact, the rotational state of only one of the two discs carrying the hub for the tape reels implies tape breaking and for this reason the cassette must be ejected or the transport motor must be deenergized. Two motion detectors 11A and 12A, 11B and 12B for the two discs 13A and 13B have as output a logic level 1 if the corresponding disc is stopped while before it rotated or a logic level 0 if the corresponding disc is stopped while before it was stopped; an exclusive OR gate 15 has an inputs the corresponding outputs of two motion detectors, respectively, and the output of exclusive OR gate 15, being 1 when only one of two discs rotates while the other one is stopped, detects an irregular operative situation.

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 clutch device, particularly for the manual tuning control in a car radio, has the function of positively transmitting, through rack and pinion gears, movement from the tuning knob to the tuning runner. The clutch device comprises a rotating shaft (16) axially reciprocable with respect to frame (10) between an extracted position and an inserted position, with a knob (18) integral with said shaft. Shaft 16 carries a spur gear (20) at its other end, which in the inserted position of the shaft (16) with respect to frame (10) engages a gear wheel (22) integral with a pinion (24) which, cooperating with a rack (56) connected to the usual tuning runner (58) forms a rack and pinion device for positively transmitting movement.

Abstract: A device for disabling the engagement control of the tuning knob, particularly for a keyboard car radio, allows to disable the tuning knob as soon as one of the keys is preset to a corresponding desired station. The device comprises a rocking member (30) having two arms (32) and (34), which has its fulcrum on slide frame (24) of key (12) and a pin (38) integral with key cap (26) of key (12), which key cap (26) is movable on slide frame (24) between an inserted position and an extracted position. The arrangement is such that, in the inserted position of cap (26) with respect to frame (24) of the key, pin (38) locks arm (34) of rocking member (30), which through its other arm (32) moves a slider (20) which controls disengagement of the clutch, thus relieving the control from the tuning knob when key (12) is in its operative position.

Abstract: A cassette-type tape recording/playback apparatus comprising two flywheels driven by a motor, which rotate in opposite directions, each of the flywheels having a capstan integral and coaxial with it, each capstan regulating respectively the speed of advancement of the tape in one or in the other direction by effect of the pressure exerted by a respective pressure roller against the tape which is pushed against the capstan by the pressure roller.

Abstract: An actuating device for the advancement of the tape in a cassett-type tape recording and playing apparatus of the type in which reading of the tape by the magnetic recording/playing head takes place during tape feed in one direction or the other. The main elements which form the device are a slider, supports for pressure rollers, a guide, a rocking arm, a latch, and a bistable element which controls selection of transmission of motion to the hub carrying disks.

Abstract: A device for inserting and ejecting a cassette in a tape recorder is disclosed which utilizes a sliding block for loading a torsion spring for ejection of the cassette in response to an electric control signal. The block has a rack-type toothed section for engagement with a toothed section of a drum during the movement of the block. Mechanical elements provide the loading, holding, and ejecting of the cassette in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A friction device for coupling the manual tuning knob of a keyboard (pushbutton) radio to a reciprocal tuning slidebar is disclosed. The friction device comprises a cylindrical rod attached to the tuning slidebar which selectively is drivingly engaged by a peripheral V-shaped groove in a pulley rotated by the manual tuning knob.

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: 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 pushbutton tuner is disclosed in which each pushbutton key can exert an equal force against a slidable tuning element in response to actuation of the key. A link means engages each key during actuation of the key and fixedly positions the key with respect to the tuner frame while a locked adjustable element on the fixed key contacts the slidable tuning element through an elbow lever to position the tuning element.

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 clamping and ejecting assembly for a support structure for an autoradio or the like is disclosed. A box shaped container is adapted to receive and firmly support a removable apparatus such as an autoradio or tape player having a complimentary clamping means provided on it. A spring element is mounted to the bottom of the box shaped container and is reciprocally movable with respect to the container between a first retracted position and a second extracted position. Clamping means are provided on the spring element and project into a central receiving cavity of the box shaped container through an opening in the bottom of the container to matingly engage the complimentary clamping means on the inserted apparatus and thereby maintain the apparatus firmly inserted in the support container when the spring element is held in its first retracted position.

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