Abstract: A magnetic tape drive for magnetic tape housed within a cartridge is provided which includes a rectangular access through which the cartridge is inserted into the drive and a wiping member operatively positioned at an edge of the access such that the cartridge is contacted during insertion into the drive. The wiping member is so constructed and coupled to electrical ground that electrostatic charge on the cartridge is bled to electrical ground, the wiping member being made of a conductive polymer or plastic material.

Abstract: A hinged door is provided for covering the slot opening in a magnetic recorder housing through which tape cassettes are loaded and unloaded. The door rotates inwardly of the recorder housing when opened. A specially configured fulcrum device is disposed within the recorder housing and connected to the door to normally bias the door closed. For loading a cassette into the recorder housing, the biasing force exerted by the fulcrum device on the door is overcome by the force of the operator pressing the inwardly facing, leading edge of the cassette against the door. Upon unloading of a cassette from the recorder housing, the bottom surfaces of the cassette engage a cam surface connected on the fulcrum device and the cassette is pressed down on the cam surface so as to again overcome the biasing force on the fulcrum, such that the door is swung open in advance of the cassette being ejected from the recorder housing.