Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic tape cassette storage and handling apparatus which is compact, reliable and uncomplex. The apparatus includes a ferris wheel structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced compartments for storing individual magnetic tape cassettes. A cassette handling device is located in a central opening of the ferris wheel structure. The apparatus is preferably mounted adjacent to a magnetic tape recorder/player, so that the cassette handling device loads and unloads a cassette from a compartment of the ferris wheel structure into and out of the magnetic tape recorder/player.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor assembly for use in a system including magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce apparatus. The cassette transport/accessor assembly transports cassettes between locations in the system in a gentle and reliable manner. The magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor assembly includes upper and lower carriages having spring-biased, V-grooved wheels, which travel on spaced, parallel, upper and lower V-shaped horizontal rails located at the top and bottom of the cassette storage and record/reproduce apparatus. An accessor platform travels on two vertical rails rigidly mounted on the upper and lower carriages. The accessor platform supports two accessor assemblies which travel laterally on lead screws to effect insertion and extraction of magnetic tape cassettes. The transport/accessor assembly is lightweight since no actuating motors or motor supports are mounted on it.

Abstract: In magnetic tape recording apparatus a magnetic tape reel is clamped to a spindle apparatus so that vibration between the spindle apparatus and reel is minimized and so that the reel is operable free of contact with a reel container. A magnetic tape reel having a central opening extending from a face of the reel and, within the opening, a plurality of reel projections with inner radial surfaces spaced from the reel face, is clamped to a tubular spindle member by means of a reel clamping member rotatably mounted at the end of the spindle member. The reel clamping member is actuated by a control member which is slidably mounted within the spindle member.