Abstract: A tape loading mechanism for withdrawing a magnetic tape from a tape cassette includes a pair of rails, each formed in a plane, for guiding the movement of a pair of tape guide assemblies, respectively. At least one of the rails is inclined with respect to a cylinder base. The tape guide assembly on the inclined rail is positioned at a lower level than the tape in the cassette when the tape is to be loaded, is brought to the same level as the tape during loading and engages the tape at this level to further withdraw the tape from the cassette.

Abstract: A recording-reproduction system wherein a reel chassis provided with a pair of reel supports is slidably mounted on a main chassis having a head cylinder. A power shaft drivingly rotatable by a loading motor is supported on the main chassis rotatably and axially movably and coupled to a mode lever which is restrained from pivotal movement depending on the slidingly moved position of the reel chassis. The rotation of the power shaft reciprocatingly moves the reel chassis. The axial movement of the power shaft pivotally moves the mode lever, whereby a pinch roller is pressed against a capstan.

Abstract: A signal recording-reproducing apparatus for use with a cassette includes a reel chassis slidably provided on a main chassis and stoppable at least at three positions, i.e., a standby mode position where the reel chassis is to be loaded with the cassette, a play mode position closer to the cylinder device of the apparatus than the standby mode position, and an empty mode position closer to the cylinder device than the play mode position. In the empty mode, the reel chassis is not loaded with a cassette, and the apparatus has a minimum depthwise length compared to the other modes.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for magnetic tape reel mounts in a video tape recorder in which a tape is pulled out and stowed by stopping a take-up reel mount while rotating a supply reel mount at the time of loading and unloading. The mechanism is provided with an idler wheel capable of engaging with idler engagements of each of the reel mounts and a pair of brakes capable of simultaneously engaging with brake engagements of both reel mounts. The idler engagement of the supply reel and the brake engagement of the supply reel are connected means of a one way clutch. At the time of unloading, the pair of brakes are engaged with the brake engagements of both reel mounts while the idler wheel is engaged with the idler engagement of the supply reel mount to rotate only the supply reel mount.

Abstract: A reel base driving mechanism for use in a vertical setting type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, including an idler in selective and pivotal engagement with a supply reel base and a takeup reel base, an idler lever for supporting the idler, a friction member provided between the idler lever and the idler and a drive member for driving the idler. The idler lever is provided with a weight adjusting member.

Abstract: A tape loading mechanism for helically winding a tape around a guide cylinder by drawing the tape out of a tape cassette, including a tape take-off pin functioning also as a pin for detecting tension of the tape, a tape loading device for winding the tape around the guide cylinder over a predetermined winding angle, a cam driven in response to displacement of the tape loading device and formed with a cam groove, a shaft and a back tension lever pivotal about the shaft and provided with the tape take-off pin. The back tension lever is operatively associated with the cam groove so as to be controlled in its pivotal movement.