Abstract: A head drum device of the present invention prevents a magnetic tape (2) from clinging to the head drum device (3) due to electrostatic charge by using a carbon-containing synthetic resin as the material of an upper drum (33) in order to reduce the manufacturing cost for the upper drum. Also, setting the outside diameter of the upper drum (33) smaller than that of an intermediate drum (32) eliminates the need for a high-level of manufacturing precision in the manufacture of the upper drum (33). Thus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost for the upper drum (33).

Abstract: A head drum device of the present invention prevents a magnetic tape (2) from clinging to the head drum device (3) due to electrostatic charge by using a carbon-containing synthetic resin as the material of an upper drum (33) in order to reduce the manufacturing cost for the upper drum. Also, setting the outside diameter of the upper drum (33) smaller than that of an intermediate drum (32) eliminates the need for a high-level of manufacturing precision in the manufacture of the upper drum (33). Thus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost for the upper drum (33).

Abstract: A cassette tape cassette loading system is provided with a tape cassette holder which is movable between a first position in which the tape can be withdrawn from the tape cassette and disposed in a tape path including a record replay head and a second position in which the cassette can be removed or inserted into the holder. A detent mechanism is provided for cooperation with a cam formed integrally with the cassette holder to define an intermediate position between the first and second positions of the holder at which intermediate position the cassette cannot accidentally be caused to fall out of the tape cassette loading system and be damaged. When the tape cassette is to be removed from the tape cassette loading system, the holder is manually actuated to the second or fully open position and the tape is removed manually. With this constriction, the need for a heavy cassette holder damping unit is eliminated.

Abstract: A tape tension mechanism for a recording and reproducing apparatus having a supply reel table and a take-up reel table, in which a tension arm is provided at the supply reel side and rotatably mounted thereon, a brake mechanism for the supply reel table is coupled to the tension arm, and the tension arm is biased by a tension spring so that the brake mechanism performs a braking operation, the tape tension mechanism further includes a movable operation member to which a fixed end of the tension spring for biasing the tension arm is connected, wherein the fixed end of the tension spring is moved close to and apart from a pivot of the tension arm.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading system for wrapping a magnetic tape about a magnetic rotary head drum of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus is provided. The loading system includes two tape guiding elements for withdrawing the tape from a tape cassette towards the rotary head drum and their tape guiding track members provided around the drum in order to define tape loading paths. One of the tape loading path slopes downwardly from a loading stand-by state position. The other tape loading path slopes upwardly from the loading stand-by state position. The movement of the two guiding elements traveling in their loading paths allows the tape to be wrapped helically about the drum. The height drum may therefore be reduced and the recording and/or reproducing apparatus can be made smaller.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism for loading a magnetic tape cassette, which has a front pivotal closure member openable for covering or exposing a front opening of the magnetic tape cassette, in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a cassette holder which is movable between an eject position, at which the cassette can be inserted into or removed from the cassette holder, a lowered position vertically offset from the eject position, and a loaded position horizontally offset from said lowered position and at which cassette loading is completed. The upper portion of the cassette holder is covered with a cassette holder lid which has a recessed portion so that the front pivotal closure member may be moved to open in synchronism with movement of the cassette holder from the eject position to the lowered position. The cassette holder lid and the cassette holder are moved in unison.