Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic telephone answering device having an announcement tape deck for recording an announcement and for reproducing it in response to an incoming call. Circuitry including a syllabic detector and an announcement timer in the device provides different operating times in the deck's two different operating modes. In an announcement record mode, the deck is electrically deactuated a predetermined time period following the end of the announcement being recorded, i.e., after the absence of speech signals for the predetermined time. However, when operating in an announcement reproduce or playout mode, the deck is deactuated a different, shorter period of time following the end of the announcement on the tape. The longer deactivation period is provided after recording an announcement to insure that a sufficient portion of any previously recorded, longer announcement on the tape will be erased past the point where the deck is deactuated during announcement reproduction.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively driving a magnetic tape, or the like, in reverse directions. The apparatus features a pair of shafts driven simultaneously in a common direction by a shared motor, and a pinch roller for each shaft for pinching thereagainst a stretch of tape extending between the roller and shaft. Shifting mechanism mounts the rollers in such a manner that shifting of one roller to pinch tape against its associated shaft is accompanied by simultaneous shifting of the other roller away from its associated shaft, and vice versa. The shift mechanism also permits the rollers both to be simultaneously shifted away from their respective associated shafts, whereby one or both of these shafts may be used for other operations.

Abstract: A tape spool assembly for handling magnetic recording tape, or the like, including a pair of coaxial spools interbiased for counterrotation. The biasing means used for the spools features a pair of spirally wound springs, and a floating rotatable plate disposed between the spools and connected thereto by the springs--this plate being rotatable relative to both spools on the same common axis.