Abstract: In a tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus for use with a tape cassette containing a supply of tape and having an opening at one side of the cassette housing along which a run of the tape is normally guided, and lids mounted on the housing for movement between closed positions for covering respective parts of the tape run and opened positions where the lids are displaced from the opening to permit the withdrawal of the tape therethrough: magnetic heads or transducers are mounted on a chassis so as to be spaced from the open side of a cassette housing when the latter is operatively positioned in respect to the chassis; tape withdrawing members are engageable with the tape run in the operatively positioned cassette housing and are operative to withdraw the tape through the open side and into engagement with the transducers; and a cassette loading device includes a cassette holder movable between an inoperative position for the insertion and removal of a cassette in the holder and an operative position whe

Abstract: In a tape cassette for use in a tape recording and reproducing apparatus having an actuating element which is engageable by the cassette, when the latter is operatively positioned in the apparatus, for selectively placing the recording circuit of the apparatus in its operative and inoperative modes; the cassette housing is formed with a recess having an opening at a wall portion which is adjacent the actuating element when the cassette is operatively positioned; and a control element is provided with a body portion slidably movable in the recess between positions in which it respectively blocks and unblocks the opening to the recess for controlling the actuating element, and a resilient arm extending from the body portion and terminating in a projection which is selectively engageable in holes formed in the wall portion adjacent the opening to the recess for releasably locking the body portion in either one of its aforementioned positions.

Abstract: A tape cassette having a housing of generally rectangular configuration and containing a supply of tape wound on reels with a run of the tape being guided along a side of the housing at which the latter is open; is provided with cutouts in the top and bottom walls of the housing extending to the open side of the latter and through which tape withdrawing members may be inserted in the housing in back of the tape run for withdrawing the tape from the housing upon movement of the tape withdrawing members out of the cutouts through the open side of the housing, and lid members pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent respective corners of the latter which are at opposite ends of the open side for swinging movements relative to the housing in directions parallel to the top and bottom walls between a closed position in which the lid members extend along respective parts of the open side of the housing for covering at least parts of the tape in the adjacent run and an opened position in which the lid members are di

Abstract: A tape cassette having supply and takeup reels rotatably disposed in a housing and a supply of tape wound on the reels and extending between the latter, is provided with a brake assembly which is engaged when the cassette is not in use, and which is operative in such engaged condition to securely hold the reels against rotation in the directions for unwinding the tape therefrom, while permitting substantially free rotation of each reel independently of the other in the direction for rewinding the tape on the reel.