Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape transport apparatus and a tape introduction method for forming a magnetic tape into an endless loop by splicing a leader tape to the magnetic tape and running such endless-loop magnetic tape therein. When an endless loop is shaped by splicing the magnetic tape and the leader tape to each other, the starting (front) end of the magnetic tape is drawn out to a splicing position while the front (fore) end of the leader tape is also brought thereto and, after the respective ends are spliced together, the endless loop is moved until the spliced portion between the magnetic tape and the leader tape is shifted to the splicing position for the leader tape. The starting front end of the magnetic tape led by such leader tape is then spliced to the terminal rear end of the magnetic tape, so that an endless loop is formed automatically without the necessity of the performance of operation by hand upon the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A magnetic tape container for use in combination with a magnetic tape duplicating apparatus in which a long, endless, master magnetic tape is circulated to produce many duplicates of the master magnetic tape. The magnetic tape container has most of the long, endless, master magnetic tape in a zigzag fashion for circulating the master magnetic tape through the magnetic tape duplicating apparatus. The magnetic tape container is comprised of a tape case, a feed mechanism having a capstan disposed near the entrance of the tape case, a pinch roller mounted for free rotation on a swing lever being brought into contact with the capstan or retracted from the capstan, provided with at least one annular air guide groove in the circumference thereof. A first tape guide is disposed near the capstan, and a second tape guide is disposed near the pinch roller opposite to the first tape guide to form a gap between the first tape guide and the second tape guide.

Abstract: A synchronizer for synchronizing a slave tape recorder to a master tape recorder. When the speed of the master recorder exceeds 2.5 times the nominal play speed, the synchronizer causes the slave recorder to lag behind the master recorder by an amount related to the speed of the slave recorder. At lower speeds, the synchronizer causes the slave recorder to lock onto the position and speed of the master recorder. The synchronizer employs time-code readers to read time-code on address tracks on the master and slave recorders. The time-code readers produce not only time-code but also clock pulses which are employed to determine the speed of master and slave with high resolution. Both the time-code readers and a resolver employed in the synchronizer are constructed from gate assemblies rather than processors to reduce execution times for the processor in the synchronizer.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the speed of an audio tape capstan to a speed such that an audio tone prerecorded on the tape corresponds to a reference frequency, the apparatus thereafter phase locking the frequency of the audio tone to the reference frequency. The apparatus stores a signal corresponding to the last tape speed utilized even after the tape has stopped, allowing for faster phase lock after the tape has started again. Logic circuitry determines the presence of a valid tape audio tone, and means are included for adjusting the system gain to substantially reduce any wow or flutter which normally would result from damaged or spliced tape. A phase adjust knob is provided to allow for offset of the phase locked condition if necessary. The apparatus includes a pair of frequency-to-voltage converters which provide an essentially ripple-free DC voltage output while permitting a response time of only a few cycles of a relatively low (typically 60 Hertz) input frequency.