Abstract: A storage device for record discs having a housing defining a compartment for holding a record disc in a fixed position and having an entrance through which the disc is inserted edgewise in its own plane to the fixed position; a first V-grooved member fixed in the compartment generally adjacent and behind the transverse center line is adapted to engage the lateral edge of the disc when in the fixed position; a second V-grooved member fixed in the compartment generally adjacent and disposed on the opposite side of the longitudinal center line from the first member in a back portion of the compartment is adapted to engage the back edge of the disc when in the fixed position; a securing lever pivotally mounted in the compartment generally adjacent and forward of the transverse center line and urged in one direction by a spring has a third V-grooved member adapted to engage another lateral edge and hold the record disc resiliently against the first and second members in the fixed position; and a fourth V-grooved

Abstract: Apparatus for recording and/or playback of recordings on discs including a selective disc changer suited particularly for discs of the "compact disc" type. The playback unit has a housing mounted for helicoidal movement between a disc operating plane and an entrance plane for receiving a disc inserted edgewise and rolling into the housing along the entrance plane. A removable magazine provides a plurality of disc storage compartments arranged side by side and successively movable into alignment with the entrance plane, the magazine being received on a tray mounted on the chassis of the apparatus. The magazine is locked against being removed from the tray responsive to transfer of a disc from a storage compartment of the magazine to ensure that the magazine is locked against removal from the time that one of the discs stored in a compartment of the magazine has left its storage position until it is returned to the magazine compartment.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic tape cassette inverting apparatus for a tape recorder/playback device. The automatic tape cassette inverting apparatus is capable of receiving a video tape cassette in a horizontal position in a magazine, holding it in the magazine, inverting the cassette by rotating the magazine and transferring the cassette between the holding position in the magazine and the operating position in the tape recorder/playback device. The magazine includes a stop mechanism for stopping and holding the video tape cassette in the holding position while the magazine is being rotated as well as a backup stop mechanism to be assured that during rotation, the tape cassette cannot accidentally be dislodged from the holding position in the magazine. There is also an arrest mechanism provided on the magazine to arrest any inertial movement of the tape as it is transferred between the tape recorder/playback device and the magazine.

Abstract: Cassette changer apparatus for a machine for recording and playing back information on magnetic tape contained in a cassette when located in an operative position. The cassette changer apparatus has a cassette storage magazine and cassette loading apparatus for transporting cassettes between the magazine and the operative position in the machine.A turntable supports the magazine for rotation about an axis extending through the inverting axis for a cassette in the magazine, so that operating the turntable to rotate the magazine one-half revolution inverts a cassette therein and positions both sets of recording racks on tape in the cassette upon transport to the operative position for use with a mechanism providing playback and/or recording upon a single direction of tape movement. The magazine in preferred embodiment has a plurality of compartments and is translatable to bring any compartment and cassette therein to loading position.

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: A bi-directional magnetic tape recording and playback apparatus having means for assuring the correct operation of the take-up reel. A solenoid-controlled intermediate gear in the drive train to the reel spindles is moved between two operative positions in order to transfer the magnetic tape from the tape supply reel to the take-up reel whatever the direction of motion of the tape. The apparatus includes a mechanical element associated with the intermediate gear for producing an electrical indication of the intermediate gear being in an operative position. This electrical indication is processed by an electronic circuit for producing an output signal when the positioning of the intermediate gear is incorrect.

Abstract: A bidirectional tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes with a control for starting the drive in a preferred direction when a cassette is inserted in the apparatus. For reversing the direction of tape movement, the polarity of the supply voltage to the motor is reversed and the tape drive and the drive train to the reel spindles are reversed in such a way as always to drive the take-up spindle. Such operations are achieved by energizing a reversing solenoid by an electrical pulse, which may be produced manually or automatically by a reel rotation detection circuit.

Abstract: A bidirectional tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes providing fast forward and fast rewind functions. Fast forward and rewind are achieved by actuating controls which increase the motor speed and also release the tape from a capstan drive and the playback and recording head so that it may move freely at the fast speed. For fast rewind, the polarity of the supply voltage to the motor is reversed and those components of the bidirectional drive and the drive train to the reel spindles are reversed in such a way as to drive the supply spindle. Such operations are achieved by energizing a single solenoid by means of an electrical pulse produced by a switch actuated by the fast rewind control. The switch is so positioned that it will be actuated once during the advance stroke as the fast rewind control is pressed and once in the return stroke of the control.

Abstract: A tape transport is disclosed having a capstan drive, a reel drive for a take-up spindle for the take-up reel, a slipping clutch in said reel drive, and a selectively engageable direct drive connection between the clutch plates of the clutch to provide a non-slipping connection in the reel drive for use in fast drive modes, the direct drive including gear teeth on both clutch plates forming gears, and a short circuit gear engageable with the gears on both clutch plates. Also included are supports and operating mechanism by which the capstan drive and direct drive are engaged and disengaged in sequence; said capstan drive being disengaged before said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive is engaged, and said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive being disengaged before said capstan drive is engaged, to prevent direct reel drive of the tape without disengagement of the capstan drive, and avoid tape breakage or mechanism jamming.