Abstract: A cassette deck which can be easily miniaturized while being capable of being manufactured at a reduced cost. The cassette deck includes a head stand reciprocably mounted to be able to move in a direction perpendicular to the tape running direction. A magnetic head is mounted on the head stand and is rotatable between two positions about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the head stand. A tape-running-direction switching unit selects the tape running direction according to the angular position of the head. A head stand driving mechanism is provided including a first gear rotated to reciprocate the head stand. A head rotating mechanism includes a second gear which when rotated rotates the magnetic head. Torque is applied to the first and second gears from a single drive source.

Abstract: An interval detection and drive mechanism for a cassette tape recorder is disclosed which comprises an electrical circuit for detecting the interval between recorded tunes in the tape; tape drive control means shiftable between a fast forward or rewind state and a playback state; a lock plate associated with the detecting circuit and with the playback, fast forward and rewind levers; and means for moving the playback lever to the playback position. Upon detection of the interval between tunes during the fast forward or rewind operation, the detecting circuit delivers a detection signal such that the control means is shifted from the fast forward or rewind state to the playback state and the playback lever is moved to the playback position. The tape recorder is changed into the playback operation which is visually represented by the retracted playback lever.

Abstract: An automatic repeat mechanism for a cassette tape recorder is disclosed which comprises a fast feed unit for selectively transmitting rotational force to a take-up or supply reel base in response to actuation of a fast forward or rewind lever; means for biasing the fast feed unit into cooperation with the supply reel base to provide rewind operation; means for positively displacing the fast feed unit to a neutral position against the biasing force during the playback operation; and means for detecting the end of tape supply. During the playback operation, the positive displacing means keeps the fast feed unit in the neutral position. After the detecting means detects the end of tape supply, the detecting means functions to cancel the positive displacing means, thereby allowing the biasing means to move the fast feed unit into the rewind position.

Abstract: An improved cassette tape recorder is disclosed in which a cam disc is used to move a head carriage between intermediate and recording/playback positions. When a playback, record or stop lever is pushed, a solenoid is energized to displace a lock arm to disengage the lock arm from a toothed cam plate integral with the cam disc, thus allowing the cam disc to rotate a half turn. A set plate for controlling pinch roller and take-up units is also operatively connected to the cam disc. The pinch roller is brought into contact with a capstan and a rotating shaft of the take-up unit is brought into engagement with a take-up base at the same time when the head carriage is shifted from the intermediate to the recording/playback position in response to the half turn of the cam disc. A lever arm connects the playback lever and the set plate so that the playback lever is moved into the playback position when the set plate is in contact with the smallest lobe of the cam disc, that is, during the recording operation.