Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus of the rotary head type which is simple in construction and allows, when record data to be re-record are prepared, only the prepared record data to be re-record in a postrecording mode readily. The information recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a digital mixer which replaces data reproduced from a selected portion of a recording medium with record data to be re-recorded, and the resulted data are supplied by way of a recording circuit to a pair of recording magnetic heads so that they are recorded to the selected portion of the recording medium. The recording magnetic heads are mounted on a rotary head at mounting heights lower than a pair of recording and reproducing magnetic heads disposed on the rotary head.

Abstract: A rotary head assembly for use in a tape recording/reproducing apparatus. The rotary head assembly comprises a head base, a drum holder affixed to the head base, a recording/reproducing head, a head carrying drum, a sector gear pivotably mounted to said drum holder, a slide member mounted on the head base for sliding movement, and means for interlocking said slide member with said sector gear. The head carrying drum is rotatably received in a cylindrical bore formed in the drum holder and carries the recording/reproducing head at one end and a coaxial gear at the other end. The sector gear is arranged to mesh with the coaxial gear. The slide member is slidingly moved to pivot the sector gear through the inter-locking means a sufficient angle to rotate the gear on the head carrying drum an angle of substantially 180 degrees in response to the reversal of the recording/reproducing operation between the forward and the reverse directions.

Abstract: A front-loaded cassette tape deck which moves the cassette a greater relative distance than the distance travelled by the table. A table is normally in the fully projected position because the force provided by a pair of springs is greater than the frictional forces and the damping forces provided by damping pulleys. A cassette is placed in a slider and is held therein by a leaf spring. As the table is moved towards the closed position, the slider is moved by cords and pulleys at a faster rate than the table. Thus, the slider is moved relative to the table. The greater travel of the slider causes it to be moved within a holder by the sliding engagement of a plurality of guide members. During this time, the holder is at an upper position. When the table reaches the closed position, the slider is fully disposed within the holder. The holder with the slider then automatically rotates to a lower position, which puts the cassette into operational engagement with a cassette driving section.