Abstract: A drive unit for driving magnetic tape held within a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge engaged to the drive unit in abutting fashion. The drive unit provides an elastomeric drive belt which surrounds a drive pulley, a tensioning pulley and an engagement pulley, the engagement pulley resiliently urging the drive belt against a cartridge roller located within the cartridge which progresses the magnetic tape within the cartridge. The drive pulley is driven directly by motor which progresses the belt around the three rotating pulleys. The arrangement eliminates the need for a separate friction roller arranged above the drive belt by using the drive belt itself to drive the cartridge roller.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment a cassette provided with the magnetic tape is inserted in a longitudinal direction into an insertion channel. During and/or after the insertion of the cassette, a magnetic head carrier provided with a magnetic head is pivoted from an idle position into an operating position in which the magnetic head contacts the magnetic tape. The pivotal movement is effected by a lever linked to the magnetic head carrier. The lever is actuated by a connecting rod which is linked to a cover for closing the insertion channel. The movement of the lever by the connecting rod ensues via a rotatably mounted swivel arm. When the cover for the insertion channel is opened, the magnetic head is pivoted back into its idle position and the cassette is simultaneously partially ejected from the magnetic tape recorder by the swivel arm.