Abstract: A door operating mechanism for a magnetic tape cassette, such mechanism including a door latch mechanism provided in the cassette capable of rotating a door assembly of the cassette from the fully closed to the fully opened position and designed to prevent the engagement of the door assembly with the tape run contained within the cassette.

Abstract: A blocking member in the form of a short member attached to the front face of a cassette housing in front of the guide of the tension sensor of the video tape recorder blocks the movement of that guide to prevent the cleaning tape from being under too much tension which would otherwise slow or prevent movement of the tape through the various guides and heads in the video recorder and also could stop rotation of the video record/playback head drum.

Abstract: A video cassette recorder comprises a light source (12) for illuminating the upper surface of a cassette tape (2) loaded in a deck (5), a first mirror member (13) for reflecting the image of the cassette tape illuminated by the light source (12), a second mirror member (14) for reflecting to the front side of the video cassette recorder the image reflected by the first mirror member (13), and a movable lid (15) adapted to allow the image of the cassette tape reflected by the second mirror member (14) to be seen therethrough from outside.

Abstract: A tape loading/unloading arrangement for use in a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus, such as an 8 mm video cassette recorder, includes a pair of tape guides which pull a portion of a tape out of a tape cassette so as to extend it around a tilted guide cylinder. An improvement is made to the tape guide which comprises a support plate, an upright post perpendicularly mounted on the support plate, a slanted post mounted on the support plate adjacent the upright post for movement closely adjacent a surface of the guide cylinder, and an auxiliary post movably mounted on the support plate and adapted to be located, during the movement of the support plate between home- and operating-positions, in front of a common tangent face to the upright post and the slanted post, which common tangent face is located on the side of said upright and slanted posts facing the operating-position, but is located, when the support plate terminates at the operating-position, behind the common tangent face.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus provided with a reversible motor, a rotary member rotated by the motor, an operating mode changer connected to the rotary member to change the operating mode of the apparatus, a tape loader movable in reciprocation between an inoperative position where a magnetic tape can be drawn out from a cassette and an operative position where the tape is drawn out and then wound onto a guide drum, a drive driven intermittently by the rotary member to cause the tape loader to reciprocate between the inoperative and operative positions, and a lock for holding the drive when the tape loader is brought to the operative position. The motor is connected to a housing including therein a speed-reduction device so that the motor output is taken from the peripheral side surface of the motor to drive the rotary member. Thus, the apparatus is highly reliable, small-sized, low in power consumption, and light in weight.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a guide drum having a plurality of video heads for recording and/or reproducing an information signal onto and/or from a magnetic tape which is spirally wrapped around the guide drum, and first through fourth guide members. The first guide member is arranged on a side of the guide drum where the tape begins to make contact with a peripheral surface of the guide drum in a traveling direction of the tape, and guides the tape which is perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane and which has a center line parallel to this reference plane toward the guide drum. The second guide member is arranged on a side of the guide drum where the tape terminates the contact with the guide drum, and guides the tape which separates from the guide drum. The first and second guide members are located at positions such that the tape is wrapped around the guide drum over an angular range which exceeds 180.degree..

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 magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus has a tape loading mechanism for pulling out a magnetic tape incorporated in a cassette which is loaded in position. A driving motor for the tape loading mechanism is also employed for changing over operation modes of the apparatus, thereby realizing a mechanism which is greatly reduced in size. In particular, power from the driving motor is transmitted to tape loading device through a worm and a worm gear. The worm is adapted to be axially slidable. An operation mode changeover device is moved by sliding the worm. When the tape loading device have pulled out the tape to a predetermined position by the rotation of the driving motor, the tape loading operation is stopped.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus arranged to use a belt-shaped, record-bearing medium housed in a container which is provided with an opening, which apparatus comprises a pull-out member for pulling out the record-bearing medium from the container, a capstan for moving the pulled-out, record-bearing medium at the exterior of the container, and a pinch roller for pressing the record-bearing medium against the capstan.

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.

Abstract: An automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a guide drum having one or a plurality of recording and/or reproducing heads for recording and/or reproducing a signal on and/or from a tape, first and second loading members which relatively enter within a tape cassette which is loaded into the apparatus, a first loading mechanism for moving the first loading member over a short distance so as to draw the tape out of the loaded tape cassette and wrap the tape around a peripheral surface of the guide drum, a second loading mechanism comprising a rotatable loading ring mechanism which is disposed to encircle the guide drum, for moving the second loading member along the peripheral surface of the guide drum in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the first loading member so as to draw the tape out of the loaded tape cassette and wrap the tape around the peripheral surface of the guide drum, and a control mechanism for controlling an operating timing of the first loading m

Abstract: A machine for extracting tape from a cassette and for threading the tape to a monoplanar disposition for longitudinal shuttling and transducing by fixed transducing heads, and then further threading the tape, if desired, to a helical disposition around a rotating head and scanning drum assembly without interrupting the longitudinal shuttling or transducing action.

Abstract: A rotary encoder comprises a case containing a rotary brush setting plate and an idler gear which is associated with an inside gear formed on the brush setting plate and a reduction gear contained in the case and connected to a driving shaft penetrating the case. Brushes on the rotary brush setting plate rotatingly slide on the plural pulse producing conductive patterns formed on inside surface of the case, thereby to effect switching in plural modes as the shaft revolves.

Abstract: A miniaturized tape cartridge drive for data processors in accordance with the invention has as peripherally-enclosing main frame providing an access opening for insertion to a tape cartridge and structurally mounting flat, pancake-type drive motors for tape transport and head-positioning translation laterally with respect to the tape, for accessing any of a plurality of adjacent recording tracks on the tape, such motors being disposed in tandem with respect to the cartridge-admitting opening and having their output shafts pointing in opposite directions. The head-positioning motor drives a directly-coupled rotary cam, and a positioning arm extends between the cam and the transducer head to move the head in response to movement of the cam. The positioning arm is pivotally journaled in opposite sides of the main frame upon a transverse pivot axis disposed medially of the arm, such that the arm operates as a fulcrumed lever.

Abstract: An automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a guide drum having heads for recording and/or reproducing an information signal onto and/or from a tape, a guide mechanism for guiding the tape around a peripheral surface of the guide drum, a ring-shaped body disposed to generally encompass the guide drum in a plan view, for moving the guide mechanism in one direction up to a predetermined position from an original position by undergoing a rotation to a second position from a first position, and for moving the guide mechanism in a direction opposite to the one direction back to the original position from the predetermined position by undergoing a rotation to the first position from the second position, a moving mechanism for moving the tape in a predetermined tape path, a braking mechanism for braking a supply and take-up reel discs over which reels of a tape cassette are fitted, a first control mechanism operated by the ring-shaped body which rotates, for controlling the moving

Abstract: An automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a guide drum, a first loading mechanism for drawing a tape out of a loaded cassette and for guiding the tape by moving from an unloading position to a loading completion position on an entrance side of the guide drum in a tape moving direction, without changing a height position thereof which corresponds to a height position of a tape moving plane in which the tape moves within the cassette, a second loading mechanism for drawing the tape out of the cassette and for guiding the tape by moving from an unloading position to a loading completion position which is on an exit side of the guide drum in the tape moving direction and is in a plane lower than the tape moving plane, so that a height position of the tape on a downstream side of the second loading mechanism is restored to an original height position, and a tape guiding mechanism arranged on a downstream side of the second tape loading mechanism, for making contact with and gu

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus includes a rotatable head drum having heads and inclined with respect to a reference plane, and a pair of movable guide poles movably located in first positions respectively upstream and downstream of the head drum in a direction of travel of a magnetic tape, for guiding the magnetic tape to be wrapped helically around the head drum in a wrapping range along a tape path inclined with respect to the reference plane to allow each of the heads to scan the magnetic tape along a scanning locus to form thereon a track inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape in a recording mode at a normal speed. In a fast-forward or fast-reverse playback mode, one of the tape guide poles is displaced along the reference plane and locked in a second position other than the first positions to change the wrapping range of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A tape loading device for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, comprises a loading mechanism for drawing out a tape from a tape cassette which has supply and take-up reels, and for loading the tape unto a predetermined tape path, brakes for respectively braking reel discs which rotate the reels, tension controllers for respectively controlling tensions in the tape which is drawn out from the reels, a detector for detecting an arrival of the loading mechanism to an intermediate position, and a control circuit. The control circuit makes one brake operative and the other brake inoperative during a first half of an operation stage in which the tape is drawn around the periphery of a guide drum, and makes both brakes inoperative and both tension controllers operative during a latter half of the operation stage.

Abstract: An automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a mechanism for loading a tape in a predetermined path in which the tape makes contact with a guide drum by intercepting and drawing the tape out of the tape cassette, a mechanism for moving the tape in the predetermined path in forward and reverse directions depending on a mode of the apparatus, a tension control mechanism for controlling a tension in the tape and comprising a tension arm and a braking member which acts on a supply reel disc, a cam mechanism for operating a braking system which is provided with respect to supply and take-up reel discs and comprising a cam body which rotates in response to the mode of the apparatus, a cam controlling mechanism responsive to a reverse reproduction mode of the apparatus, for rotating the cam body to a predetermined rotational position which is different from a rotational position of the cam body during a normal recording or reproducing mode of the apparatus, and a mechanism operated

Abstract: A cassette holder which conveys a cassette between a cassette inserting position and a cassette loading position is opened at its top so as to form a channel-like section, and this top is covered with a cassette pressing plate which is urged downward by a spring. When the cassette holder including the cassette is moved to the cassette loading position, the cassette pressing plate follows this cassette holder and then pushes down the whole top face of the cassette so as to be able to prevent the cassette from an erroneous insertion and position the cassette quite stably and accurately on positioning pins in the cassette loading position.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading device comprises a cassette holder for accommodating and holding a tape cassette which is inserted therein, a guiding mechanism for guiding the cassette holder so that the cassette holder undergoes a predetermined movement, a driving mechanism which starts to operate when the tape cassette is inserted into the cassette holder, and a loading mechanism driven by the driving mechanism. The cassette holder is movable together with the inserted tape cassette between a cassette inserting position where the tape cassette is inserted and a predetermined loading position where a member of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus relatively enters within the tape cassette. This member is required to carry out recording and reproduction.

Abstract: A tape loading device in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus which has a guide drum with heads for recording and/or reproducing signals onto a tape. A first belt is arranged along a first belt path which has a section extending between the guide drum and a cassette accommodating the tape. A second belt is arranged along a second belt path which has a section extending between the guide drum and the cassette. A driving mechanism drives the first and second belts so that each travels toward the guide drum during a tape loading mode and travels toward the cassette during a tape unloading mode. A pair of tape guide mechanisms are movable in response to the travel of the first and second belts for intercepting the tape within the cassette and for moving to predetermined positions in the vicinity of the guide drum during the tape loading mode to guide the tape at the predetermined positions. The tape travels along a predetermined tape path with respect to the guide drum.

Abstract: A magnetic tape guide drum for a magnetic video recording and playback apparatus has a rotary magnetic head and is adapted for guiding a magnetic tape traveling spirally about the drum. The drum includes a rotary drum portion, a stationary drum portion and a shaft secured to the rotary drum portion and supported rotatably by the stationary drum portion for rotating the rotary drum portion. A grounding device is provided in the stationary drum portion and held in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the shaft.

Abstract: The cover of a cassette such as a magnetic tape cassette is pivoted in either of two opposite directions to open positions about a single axis. To latch the cover, adjacent each side wall of the cassette there is a cover flange having a circular slot concentric with the pivot axis, the slots in the two flanges extending in opposite directions and overlapping at ends which, in the closed cover position, are aligned with latching projections on the cassette housing. By moving one latching projection out of its slot, the cover is free to pivot in the direction in which the other projection engages the slot at its end. In a flip-over reversible cassette, one unlatching member on the apparatus will engage the correct latching projection, depress and release it, so as to permit the cover to open only the correct direction. When the cover is fully opened, the projection may be permitted to be reinserted, into a recess provided for that purpose.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus in which a tape is extracted from a tape cassette and wound around a rotary head drum by a pair of tape guide blocks. The tape guide blocks are moved along a pair of guide rails arranged around both sides of the rotary head drum by being driven through a pair of ring gears. At least one of the guide rails is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotary head drum in order that the pair of tape guide blocks have a level difference at the tape-loaded positions thereof.A parallel movement mechanism is provided for moving at least one of ring gears along the axis of the rotary head drum so that the level relationships between the tape guide blocks and the ring gears are substantially kept constant while the pair of ring gears rotate in the opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: A cassette-like housing having a cleaning ribbon mounted therein and wound on a pair of spools. The housing is adapted to be positioned in a playing location of a conventional playing/recording unit to operatively engage the video head and other components of the unit to clean the same. There is a cleaning cartridge to clean the capstan and pinch roller of the unit, and this cartridge is adjustable to be moved between two separate locations. In one location, the ribbon is between the capstan and pinch roller, and in the other location, it bypasses the capstan and pinch roller. There is also a mirror device to activate the shut off mechanism.

Abstract: A tape end detecting device detects a tape end in a tape cassette comprising a cassette case. The cassette case comprises a first reel having a first reel hub and a second reel having a second reel hub, an opaque tape having first and second transparent leaders integrally fixed to the opposite ends thereof, wherein the tape is connected at the opposite ends of the leaders to the first and second reel hubs. The tape end detecting device comprises at least one light-emitting element, and at least one light-receiving element. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are arranged outside a tape cassette loading space for loading the tape cassette so that a traveling path of a light beam connecting the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element intersect the tape and the first or second leader.

Abstract: A bi-directional tape recorder having a single tape tension control device operable in both directions of tape transport. A flexible brake band is wrapped around a braking disc, both ends of the band being secured to the chassis. A tape tension sensing lever presses against a substantially taut part of the brake band between the braking disc and one of the two fixed ends, so that a force exerted by the lever transversely to the brake band produces a change in tensile force in the brake band which is larger than that exerted by the lever.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder has a first gear mechanism, a second gear mechanism, an operation cam rotable by power of the first gear mechanism, tape operation driving mechanisms actuated by the operation cam, a tape loading mechanism driven by the power of the second gear mechanism, and a driving power transmission change-over mechanism for transmitting the torque of a motor selectively to the first and second gear mechanisms.

Abstract: In the helical scan type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having the tape loading mechanism for training the magnetic tape against the wall of the tape guide drum including the magnetic head over the predetermined angle, an idler is arranged to selectively engage the supply reel pedestal and the takeup reel pedestal and is provided with a driving torque transmitting means for transmitting driving torque from a drive source to this idler wherein the aforesaid driving torque transmitting means is arranged to be switchable between a 1st mode where the driving torque of the drive source is directly transmitted to the idler and a 2nd mode where the driving torque of the drive source is transmitted through a slip torque transmission portion to the idler, and this switching is effected in relation to operation of the aforesaid tape loading mechanism.

Abstract: A video cassette adapter allowing a miniature cassette to be played in conventional video apparatus is disclosed. The adapter has the outer shape and dimensions of a standard, large size video cassette and has a cut-out portion in one face for receiving a miniature cassette having spools and recording tape extending therebetween normally in a small loop. Guide rollers are mounted on pivotable arms movable by a motor in the adapter for forming a large loop of the recording tape of a miniature cassette in the cut-out portion with a section of the large loop extending along a straight elongated path. Hubs are rotatably mounted for access through a face thereof by and for cooperation with spindles of a video apparatus and connected to rotate the miniature cassette spools to transfer recording tape along the path of the large loop.

Abstract: A helical scan type tape recording reproducing apparatus comprises a drum assembly on which a tape is obliquely wound. The drum assembly includes coaxially mounted, vertically spaced apart drums, wherein at least the upper drum is truncated along a vertical flat plane into the shape of a part-cylindrical form. The arrangement is such that when the apparatus is in a standby condition the straight edge side of the part-cylindrical drum is positioned in close proximity to and in parallel with a section of a cassette tape that extends through a recess formed in the cassette and when the apparatus is activated the part-cylindrical drum is rotated 180.degree. turn so that it partially enters the recess of the cassette.

Abstract: A small-sized and low-power magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus. A first idler is press-contacted with a driving roller provided coaxially with a capstan shaft for transporting a magnetic tape at a constant speed, the pressing force of the first idler being changed so as to obtain a driving force caused by friction according to the pressing force. The driving force of the first idler is transmitted to a relay wheel via a timing belt mounted on the first idler and the relay wheel, and to a reel drive turntable by a reel transmission mechanism. The reel transmission mechanism has a selective transmission mechanism which transmits the rotation of the relay wheel to a rotating wheel juxtaposed with the reel drive turntable and then to the reel drive turntable either directly or indirectly via a torque limiter provided on the rotating wheel.

Abstract: In a rotary scanning magnetic tape recorder having a head support clamped on a shaft by a cylindrical portion, a clamping ring which is adjustable axially has at least three clamping projections arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the shaft and projecting radially toward and contacting the cyclindrical portion. An adjusting ring, rotatable with respect to the support, bears against the clamping ring through at least three cam-and-follower arrangements arranged axially symmetrically relative to the shaft. The adjusting ring is rotated with respect to the support by engagement of a pinion through a bore in the clamping ring and meshing with an annular gear segment on the adjusting ring.

Abstract: A system for counting videotape cassette play includes a counter sealed within the cassette to count plays. A count signal is provided on the tape or a movable part of the cassette. Coded access circuitry allows retrieval of the count. Discrimination circuitry discriminates between a count signal passing an internal head at the slowed play speed, as opposed to the fast-forward and rewind speeds. A rental agent's unit is a decoder that is programmed with the correct digital code word that permits access to the count stored in the cassette's circuitry. A decoding and display circuit converts the count to a visible numeric display for the rental agent. Resetting the cassette's counter is prohibited except in the presence of the digital code word.

Abstract: A tape threading arrangement for a helical scan VTR with a 360 degree wrap angle has two pairs of guides. The first pair wraps the tape around a drum for 360 degrees. The second pair keeps the tape from contacting the tape on the drum and is actuated by a pair of variable length springs coupled between said guide pairs. This allows a compact structure.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus records and/or reproduces a signal on and/or from a magnetic tape within a miniature type tape cassette which is smaller than a standard type tape cassette, when loaded with an adapter which has a shape approximately the same as the shape of the standard type tape cassette and accommodates therein the miniature type tape cassette.

Abstract: Signal-recording/reproducing apparatus for use with a tape cassette includes a cylinder having mounted thereon heads for recording and reproducing a signal on and from a magnetic tape within the tape cassette, respectively. A pair of tape guides are movable between an unloading position remote from the cylinder and a loading position adjacent thereto. The tape is withdrawn out of the tape cassette by the tape guides when they are moved from the unloading position to the loading position. When the tape guides are in the loading position, an angular extent over which the tape is in contact with a non-rotatable guide element of one of the tape guides located at an exit side where the tapes leaves the cylinder is less than that over which the tape is in contact with a non-rotatable guide element of the other tape guide located at an approaching side where the tape approaches the cylinder.

Abstract: A cassette transporting device adapted to receive on a cassette support a cassette inserted through an inlet in the front side of the main body of a video tape recorder or like magnetic record reproducing apparatus, to move the cassette support along a cassette frame horizontally rearward and then vertically downward to an operative position and to return the support to the loading position for the ejection of the cassette by reversely moving the support. The device comprises guide means for guiding the support along the path of the movement, and drive means having a motor for driving the support. The guide means has a stationary guide groove formed in each of opposite side walls of the frame and including a horizontal groove portion and a vertical groove portion, a movable guide member fitted in the horizontal groove portion and slidable only along the horizontal groove portion, and a guided projection formed on each of the support side walls and guidable by the guide groove and the guide member.

Abstract: A video tape recorder of a type wherein a portion of the video tape exposed to the outside of a video cartridge through a cutout in the cartridge is drawn out of the cartridge and in a direction laterally of the cartridge towards a guide cylinder assembly for turning it therearound through a predetermined angle. The recorder comprises a pair of tape guides which are situated within the cutout in the cartridge when and so long as the tape is not loaded and which, when the tape is loaded, is operable to draw that portion of the video tape in said direction laterally of the cartridge and turn it around the guide cylinder assembly through the predetermined angle.

Abstract: An adapter permits mounting of a large cassette on a information recording and/or reproducing apparatus adapted for recording or reproducing records on a strip like recording medium contained in a small cassette mounted on the apparatus, so that both small and large cassettes can be used on the apparatus with the adapter mounted thereon.

Abstract: Static electricity is drained from a magnetic tape by a draining element mounted on a movable support which also carries the movable guides that pull tape from the cassette and wrap it around the drum in a playing loop during the play mode of operation. In the inoperative position the run of tape across the front of the cassette passes between the movable playing-loop guide and the static draining element. Preferably, the draining element is not in contact with the magnetic tape in the play mode.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a record carrier in the form of a tape contained in a cassette, which comprises at least one reel hub for taking up said record carrier which reel hub is axially accessible from opposite sides, is provided with a cassette holder which is movable between a loading position and an operating position. The cassette holder comprises a carrying member for a reel-hub hold-down means, which member is movable between a rest position and an operating position and for moving the carrying member there is provided at least one actuating member which projects into the path along which the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder.

Abstract: A video signal recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising a guide drum comprising at least a single video signal recording and/or reproducing head, a supply reel and a take-up reel respectively fitted with a supply reel and a take-up reel of a tape cassette, tape loading mechanism for drawing out a tape from the tape cassette which is loaded and loading the tape unto a predetermined tape path so as to make contact with the guide drum throughout a predetermined range, a capstan rotatable in a forward direction, for causing the tape loaded by the tape loading mechanism in the forward direction along the predetermined tape path, tape feed back mechanism responsive to an interruption of a recording operation, for rotating the capstan in a reverse direction and rotating the supply reel disc in a tape take-up direction, to partially feed back the tape to the supply side along the predetermined tape path, and tape draw-out mechanism for rotating the take-up disc in a tape draw-out direction at a speed greater

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette comprises an adapter case having an external form an size substantially identical to those of the standard type tape cassette, an accommodating part for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette, and a tape draw-out mechanism provided within the adapter case, for drawing out the tape from the miniature type tape cassette so as to form a predetermined tape path within the adapter case. The tape draw-out mechanism comprises tape draw-out members relatively entering on an inner side of the tape path along the front of the cassette case when accommodating the miniature type tape cassette within the accommodating part, and a manipulation part for operating the tape draw-out members so as to form the predetermined tape path within the adapter.

Abstract: A mode setting arrangement for use in a video tape recorder includes a cam arrangement defined by first and second cams provided integrally and mounted on an axle and a spiral guide groove formed in said cam arrangement with the center of the spiral being at the center of the axle. A first lever is provided operatively in association with the first cam for moving a pinch roller, a second lever is provided operatively in association with the second cam for effecting the transmital of driving force to a reel for winding manetic tape, and arm mechanisms are provided operatively in association with the spiral guide groove for effecting the extraction of magnetic tape from a cassette and extending the magnetic tape around a drum.

Abstract: A tape threading device for a helical scan tape cassette recorder, having pivotal levers each having a tape guide for withdrawing and wrapping the tape about a guide drum. The levers overlap each other at an area of instantaneous overlap at which they are coupled to each other by a mechanism including a sliding block which is guided by a carrier device along a path which extends in the area of overlap. The sliding block is in force-sustained engagement with a link-motion surface on at least one of the levers.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus provided with a reversible motor, a rotary member rotated by the motor, an operating mode changer connected to the rotary member to change the operating mode of the apparatus, a tape loader movable in reciprocation between an inoperative position where a magnetic tape can be drawn out from a cassette and an operative position where the tape is drawn out and then wound onto a guide drum, a drive driven intermittently by the rotary member to cause the tape loader to reciprocate between the inoperative and operative positions, and a lock for holding the drive when the tape loader is brought to the operative position. The motor is connected to a housing including therein a speed-reduction device so that the motor output is taken from the peripheral side surface of the motor to drive the rotary member. Thus, the apparatus is highly reliable, small-sized, low in power consumption, and light in weight.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the cassette type which is adapted to employ a small-sized tape cassette, the magnetic tape in the cassette is extracted to be wrapped about and from the both sides of a guide drum to a predetermined angular extent by means of a pair of extracting means. The extracting means have a vertical pin and an inclined pin arranged rotatably about the vertical pin in order that such means may travel in a restricted space of the apparatus. After achievement of the extraction of the tape, the inclined pin is adapted to rotate in such a direction that the tape is further wrapped around the guide drum, so that the tape loading is achieved. A pinch roller is so provided that it travels on the same path as the extracting means at least from the starting position to the predetermined position also in such restricted space.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording apparatus comprises at least one tape-guide device (18, 18') which is movable between a rest position and an operating position and, for moving said device, a drive member (26, 26') which is coupled to a supporting member (19, 19') of the tape-guide device via a disengageable coupling (27, 27'). The drive member (26, 26') and the supporting member (19, 19') are tensioned relative to each other by means of a spring (45, 45') which acts in the direction of movement, the spring urging the coupling abutments (39, 39', 40, 40', 41, 41', 42, 42') of the disengageable coupling, which abutments are operative in the direction of movement, against each other when the tape guide device is out of its operating position.