Abstract: A helical scan type magnetic recording apparatus forms tracks which are mutually separated in a width direction of a magnetic tape. The apparatus comprises n pairs of rotary heads for simultaneously and independently forming n oblique tracks which are mutually separated in the width direction of the magnetic tape, where n is equal to two or three, first and second stationary heads for forming audio and control tracks, respectively, and a third stationary head for recording a specific information signal by forming a specific information signal recording track in a recording region other than recording regions in which the audio and control tracks are formed out of three or four recording regions in which the oblique tracks are not formed.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus for a tape recorder comprises a loading device for taking out a magnetic tape of a cassette and wrapping the tape around a head drum of the tape recorder and a loading device driving mechanism for operating the loading device to load the tape. The loading device includes a pair of base plates each having loading poles, and the loading device driving mechanism includes a pair of parallel threaded shafts with the head drum interposed therebetween. A pair of nut members are respectively engaged with the threaded shafts. The threaded shafts are arranged to be concurrently rotated by a reversible motor so that the pair of nut members are respectively moved along the axes of the threaded shafts. Each of the nut members is elastically coupled, through a connecting mechanism including a coil spring, to the base plates so that the base plates are respectively movable in association with the movement of the nut members to thereby cause it to load the tape.

Abstract: A vertical magnetic recording and playback apparatus in which a magnetic tape is transported between a main and an auxiliary magnetic poles of a vertical magnetic head for recording and reproducing information into and out of the tape. The magnetic head is integrally mounted on rotary members. Guide members guide the tape such that the tape is transported in a flat position between the main and auxiliary magnetic poles of the head. In this configuration, the transport of the tape between the main and auxiliary magnetic poles is uncomplicated and the path of tape, simple.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette has an external form and size smaller than those of a standard type tape cassette. The miniature type tape cassette is primarily designed for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus which is originally designed for the standard type tape cassette. The miniature type tape cassette has an erroneous erasure preventing tab which operates together with a detection mechanism of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the different type. While the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus has a detection mechanism which is primarily designed to operate together with an erroneous erasure preventing tab of the standard type tape cassette.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette provided with an opening and closing lid, has an external form and size smaller than those of a standard type tape cassette, and comprises an adapter case having an external form and size substantially identical to those of a standard type tape cassette, an accommodating part for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette, a tape draw-out mechanism provided within the adapter case for drawing out a tape from the miniature type tape cassette so as to form a predetermined tape path within the adapter case, and a lid stopping member for stopping a lower surface of an open lid of the miniature type tape cassette accommodated within the accommodating part, at least at a substantially central part along a longitudinal direction of the lid.

Abstract: A tape cassette comprises a cassette case, a tape accommodated within the cassette case where the tape has a front tape path part along the front surface of the cassette case when the tape cassette is not used, a lid rotatably provided at the front surface of the cassette case free to open and close where the lid covers the tape at the front tape path part when the lid is closed, and a mechanism for maintaining the lid in an open state and a closed state, respectively.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette has an external form and size smaller than those of a standard type tape cassette, which is designed for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus cooperating with the standard type tape cassette. The adapter comprises an adapter case having an external form and size substantially equal to those of the standard type tape cassette, an accommodating part for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette, and a tape draw-out mechanism provided within the adapter case, for drawing a tape out of the miniature type tape cassette so as to form a predetermined tape path within the adapter case.

Abstract: A miniature type tape cassette used with respect to a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs recording and/or reproduction when loaded with a standard type tape cassette and with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a cassette case having a size smaller than that of the standard type tape cassette, and a tape accommodated within the cassette case.

Abstract: A tape cassette is loaded with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a reel driving mechanism including at least one reel driving shaft. The tape cassette comprises a cassette case, reels provided within the cassette case, for winding a tape, and a reel braking mechanism for preventing unnecessary rotation of the reel when the tape cassette is not used, and releasing the braking when the reel driving shaft is inserted into the reel. The reel braking mechanism comprises a first teeth part having crests and valleys, formed on the lower surface of the reel, a second teeth part having crests and valleys, formed on a bottom plate of the cassette case at a position opposing the first teeth part of the reel, and a spring for urging the reel towards the bottom plate of the cassette case so that the first and second teeth parts mesh with each other. The crests of at least one of the first and second teeth parts the formed with a tapered surface on at least one side thereof.

Abstract: A tape cassette is loaded with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a reel driving mechanism including at least one reel driving shaft, where the tape cassette comprises a cassette case, a reel provided within the cassette case, for winding a tape, and a reel displacement limiting mechanism for limiting displacement of the reel.

Abstract: A tape cassette loaded with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a reel driving mechanism including at least one reel driving shaft, comprises a cassette case, a supply side reel and a take-up side reel provided within the cassette case, for winding a tape, and a positioning part for positioning the cassette case. One reel of said supply side and take-up side reels is constructed so that the reel driving shaft of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus is inserted into this one reel from a lower direction thereof to engage therewith when the tape cassette is loaded into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and driven at a center part of this one reel. The other reel of the supply side and take-up side reels is constructed so as to be rotated by a rotation transmitting mechanism at a part other than a center part thereof.