Abstract: Device for the programmed control of the operative sequences for a cassette-type tape recorder having a tape transport mechanism moved by a motor and a support for the magnetic heads and for the pressure roller, which device comprises: a shaft which can be rotatably moved in a predetermined direction by a wheelwork connected to said motor; a spring which tends to cause the rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction; first, second, third and fourth control means disposed on said shaft; means of introduction and expulsion of the cassette sensible to said first control means; means for lowering and for raising the cassette sensible to said second control means; approach and removal means to and from the cassette of the support for the magnetic heads and the pressure roller, sensible to said third control means; and engagement and disengagement means for the wheelwork, sensible to said fourth control means.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproduction apparatus for an endless tape which includes a hollow fixed reel, the outer wall of which is wound with an endless tape which is conducted from the innermost portion and wound onto the outermost side a head mechanism for scanning the thus guided tape, a pinch roller and capstan which are driven with the tape held therebetween thereby causing the tape to be slackened downstream of the capstan, a swingable arm which releases the pinch roller from the capstan before its rotation is brought to an end, and a guide pin for releasing the tape from the head mechanism, capstan and pinch roller.

Abstract: An endless tape cassette including a stationary reel having a slit communicating the inner and outer peripheral sides and carrying an endless tape wound on the outer periphery, guide plates for guiding the endless tape wound on the stationary reel such that it is pulled out from the inner periphery of the tape roll through the slit and taken up on the outer periphery of the tape reel, and a housing accommodating and supporting the stationary reel and guide plates. The housing includes a bottom plate formed with an opening for permitting a tape drive mechanism to be inserted therethrough into housing for operative coupling to said endless tape, a top plate facing said bottom plate, a pair of side plates, a front end plate and a rear end plate.

Abstract: An automatically loading and unloading mechanism for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. Tape pack detecting element is provided within an area where a tape pack is to be inserted. A cam member is operable by the tape pack detecting element to actuate a second slide member. The second slide member is provided with a gear meshable with a pinion provided on a first slide member, a worm wheel meshable with a gear portion of a rotating lever pivotally connected to a chassis together with a resetting spring, and an attracting portion for holding the second slide member in the actuated position by an electromagnetic mechanism. The rotating lever has a fork portion engageable with a guide formed on a slidable frame member and leading the guide along a bent slot formed on a guide member. An actuating lever is positioned so that it may be operated by the guide led along the bent slot. A motor for driving the pinion is incorporated in a power source circuit in relation with the electromagnetic mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic reverse cassette tape recorder, whose central part acts as a rotation center, and both ends of which are each provided with a magnetic head, and wherein the head-supporting board is rotated by a plunger actuated at the detection of a tape end and as often as required. Both magnetic heads are alternately pushed by the rotation of the head-supporting board. The operation mode of a motor polarity changeover switch is shifted in accordance with the rotation of the head-supporting board. A forward-reverse rotation concurrent motor has its rotation reversed to effect an automatic reverse tape run when the operation mode of the motor polarity changeover switch is shifted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tape deck for receiving standardized tape cartridges for data interchange in which the cartridge is accurately positioned by the combination of the forward thrust of a pair of resiliently biased pivot plates working in the notches of the cartridges and the resilient upward thrust of a leaf spring, with the cartridge near the plane of the interface of the recording head with the tape, having precision reference bearing points engaging complementary positioning pins anchored in the deck. The pair of pivot plates are restrained to remain in phase by means of a cross-coupling linkage and means are provided for the automatic ejection of the cartridges.

Abstract: A cassette loading and unloading device has a guiding element for positioning a cassette either in an ejected position or in an inserted position, a spring for urging the guiding element towards the ejected position and a locking element for locking the guiding element in the inserted position. The locking element is held in a locked position by the energization of an electromagnet which is effected during the closure of a switch. The release of the guiding element from the locking element and the movement of the guiding element to the ejected position are established when the switch is turned off to de-energize the electromagnet.

Abstract: A magazine including a fixed hub having a central opening and an endless loop of tape. The tape is wrapped about the hub to form a coil and extends from the innermost wrap in the coil through a slot in the hub, across the central opening and then around one side surface of the coil to the outermost wrap of the coil. A tape drive mechanism, tape guides and a transducer of a recording and/or playback machine can be positioned in the central opening to pull tape through the slot from the inner wrap of the coil and accurately guide the tape along a path past the transducer.

Abstract: An eight track tape alignment instrument for selective application to and use between the tape cartridge receiving cavity and the tape cartridge of conventional magnetic tape players so as to wedgingly apply uniform pressure between the cartridge wheel and the capstan and cause travel of the magnetic tape past and proper alignment thereof relative to the decoding and electronic sound converting head to prevent slow and non-uniform travel or malfunctioning of the tape and misalignment of the latter relative to the head creating crosstalk problems and thereby insuring of quality reproduction through the speakers. The instrument is preferably plastic, and is small, light, relatively short and narrow, and wedge-shaped so as to be grasped between the index finger and thumb and the tapered end thereof selectively inserted between the front face of the cartridge and the walls of its cavity and pushed inwardly to correct any misalignment between the cartridge wheel and capston.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically printing visible information on the body of a cassette used in a central dictation system is disclosed. The central dictation system includes means for assigning a serial or index number to each cassette upon which dictation has been recorded. Apparatus disclosed herein prints visible indicia of the code on the body of the cassette as it is ejected from the recorder. Another embodiment records a code corresponding to the serial number on the recording medium of each cassette. The second embodiment is associated with a playback apparatus at a central control unit and prints a visible indication of the serial number on a label provided on the cassette in response to the playback head transducing the recorded code.

Abstract: A cassette tape machine has a cassette receiver in form of a drawer which pulls out from the front panel of the machine, so that the cassetts may be placed into it from above in flat condition even if the top surface of the machine itself is inaccessible. The capstan drive, preferably a direct drive, is mounted in the cassette receiver, immediately below the cassette nest, so that no variations in the tape speed--resulting in wow and flutter--are introduced by the need to transmit motion to the capstan from a remote location of the drive.

Abstract: A mechanism for receiving and handling magnetic tape for the purpose of information recording and retrieval, especially from magnetic tape stored in two-reel cassettes. The mechanism includes movable tape handling and tape guide elements which engage the tape in a threading process without the application of tangential stresses and place it in a predetermined path. The tape is handled by the drive capstan of the apparatus which, in the threading operation and the tape removal operation, is temporarily engaged by mechanical linkages that are powered by the rotation of an external carrying handle.

Abstract: A device for inserting and ejecting a cassette in a tape recorder is disclosed which utilizes a sliding block for loading a torsion spring for ejection of the cassette in response to an electric control signal. The block has a rack-type toothed section for engagement with a toothed section of a drum during the movement of the block. Mechanical elements provide the loading, holding, and ejecting of the cassette in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A locating and loading mechanism for a magazine used in a recording and/or playback machine. The magazine includes a generally cylindrical hub portion; an endless length of strip material wound in a coil about the hub portion and extending from the innermost wrap of the coil partially across a central opening in the hub and around the side surface of the coil to the outermost wrap of the coil; and a case enclosing the hub portion and endless length of strip material having three spaced openings. The machine includes three spaced support pins adapted to enter the openings in the case and accurately support the magazine at a station on the machine with respect to drive members, a guide, and transducers in the central opening of the hub. A movable frame portion is adopted to receive the magazine and guide the magazine onto and off of the support pins at the station.

Abstract: An improved beginning-of-tape/end-of-tape sensor for magnetic recording apparatus includes a metalic foil strip adhered to the reverse side of the magnetic record, the opposite side from the oxide, and positioned at the desired longitudinal positions on the tape. A pair of capacitive detectors are positioned adjacent the oxide surface of the tape to detect a change in capacitance when the metalic foil on the opposite side of the tape effectively bridges the two capacitive detectors. A digital logic comparator is provided for responding to the capacitance change to produce a signal representative of the beginning of tape or end of tape condition.

Abstract: A mechanism for establishing the requisite drive tension in a magnetic tape cartridge, and, by means of the same mechanism effecting the ejectment of the cartridge at such time as the magnetic recording or transcribing operation is complete. In an alternative embodiment designed for use in situations where the magnetic tape cartridge is inserted and ejected in the vertical plane, an auxiliary spring is utilized to supplement the tensioning and ejectment forces otherwise operative.

Abstract: A tape player having two belts wound around a motor shaft, with one further wound around flywheels provided with capstans and another further wound around a reel shaft drive system, said flywheels and said reel shaft drive system being adapted to be separately rotated by the different belts, respectively.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a tape player art and more particularly to a tape player which can enjoy minimized wow and flutter as well as reduced thickness in construction.The reduction in thickness of a tape player will not only contribute to reduction of materials to be used for manufacturing of the tape player but also enable the tape player to be suitably installed with advantage in a limited space for a driver's seat in a car. In conventional mobile tape players, it is general that wow and flutter is caused principally by a load fluctuation in the tape drive system.

Abstract: A disk, tape, etc. record member is contained in a cartridge or cassette. A cartridge type record player has a movable receptacle for receiving the cartridge. The receptacle has two stable and one momentary positions. A center stable position is a load position wherein the cartridge can be inserted into the receptacle. A second stable position, on one side of the center position, is a play position wherein a transducer is in operative association with the second member. The third and momentary position on a second side of the center stable position causes a spontaneous ejection of the cartridge from the receptacle. Usually, from the eject position, the receptacle returns to the center stable position.

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.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tape cartridge receiving and locking mechanism comprised of but three relatively moving parts which collectively function to both receive a magnetic tape cartridge and lock said cartridge into position during the recording and transcription of information therefrom. The combination comprises a table portion upon which the magnetic tape cartridge rides, a generally U shaped rocker arm pivotally mounted on the table, and a relatively straight spring which exerts a biasing force on the rocker arm tending to cause projections on the extremities of the rocker arm to project through cut-out portions of the table and into locking engagement with the cartridge.

Abstract: In an apparatus having a pivotable cassette cradle with a record-playback head fixedly mounted on its hinged end, a carriage is provided which is held close to the free end of the cradle when the latter is in a record-playback position and which has mounted thereon a pair of cassette retainer leaf springs and two electrical switch assemblies to be actuated by the tape cassette carried by the cradle. The apparatus further comprises a carriage shift mechanism for retracting the carriage away from the cradle immediately upon depression of a cassette ejector/carriage retractor pushbutton, and an ejector mechanism loosely connected to the carriage shift mechanism for pivoting the cradle from the record-playback to a loading position with some delay upon depression of the pushbutton. When the cradle is manually pivoted back from the loading to the record-playback position, the carriage automatically travels back toward the cradle with some delay.

Abstract: A dual capstan tape transport mechanism having a magnetic tape trained along a path for movement successively between an upstream capstan and pressure roller, past record and play heads, and between a downstream capstan and pressure roller. A motor drives the downstream capstan directly and drives the upstream capstan indirectly, and slightly slower, through an overrunning clutch. Separate solenoids move the pressure rollers to press the tape against the respective capstans. The mechanism is selectible to play either an improved dual capstan type cartridge with both capstans, or to play a conventional single capstan type cartridge with the downstream capstan alone. Tape guide posts, aligning the tape and providing wrap around the heads, and a shield engageable with the backside of the tape opposite the play head, are movable with the upstream pressure roller through openings in the housing of the dual capstan cartridge.

Abstract: A miniaturized tape cartridge is provided and which is designed to fit within a cartridge container of dimension allowing the container/cartridge assembly to be inserted into and played in a conventional-type eight-track player machine. The container is designed and provides for the insertion of the tape cartridge within either end of the container, and either end of the loaded container may be inserted into the eight-track playing machine. The container includes a pair of pinch wheels, one at each end thereof, whereas the pinch wheel of the tape cartridge is effectively eliminated. Within the tape cartridge is a continuous loop of magnetic tape. The tape cartridge is so constructed and arranged whereby it will record and play the same amount of material as the conventional eight-track tape musical album.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cassette tape player comprising a fixed frame and a movable frame which is slidable with respect to said fixed frame in such a manner as that of a drawer. The fixed frame is provided with such electric systems as a motor and magnetic head; said movable frame is provided with a capstan, pinch roller, reel shafts and a driving system for driving and connecting these members. When the tape is stuck around the capstan and the pinch roller, the movable frame is drawn to remove the tape easily from the fixed frame and, at the same time, a burn-out of lead wire may be prevented.

Abstract: In a tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus for use with a tape cassette including a housing containing a supply of tape and having spaced parallel walls with an opening therebetween at one side of the housing along which a run of the tape is normally guided, and lids mounted on the housing for movement relative to the latter in directions parallel to the planes of the spaced walls between closed positions where the lids extend along the opening 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; and in which magnetic heads or transducers for recording and/or reproducing information signals on a tape engaged therewith are mounted on a chassis so as to be spaced from the open side of a cassette housing when the latter is positioned by engagement with locating members on the chassis, and tape withdrawing members are engageable with the tape run in the cassette housing positioned by the locating m

Abstract: A cassette holder pivotally supported at its rear end and adapted to allow the insertion of cassettes at a set position within a cassette tape recorder. The cassette holder has a pivoted section capable of movement against the force of a spring so that the cassette holder can be rotated through a larger angle of inclination by removing it from a stopper which limits the angle of inclination, whereby a cassette can be directly placed within the tape recorder by inserting it below the cassette holder which has been rotated through the larger angle of inclination.

Abstract: A tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a tape cassette holder or carriage which is movably mounted on the housing of the apparatus for movement between a first loading position extending from the housing and a second recording and/or reproducing position in the housing. The tape is placed in the cassette holder in its first position and the holder is then moved manually to the operating position. As this is done a spring used for returning the holder to its first position, in an eject operation, is energized so that the cassette holder is automatically returned back to its first position by the energized spring when the eject mechanism of the apparatus is operated. In this apparatus an automatic speed adjusting mechanism is provided which does not disturb or interfere with movement of the cassette holder from its first, eject position to its second, operating position, but which controls the speed of movement of the cassette holder during the eject operation.

Abstract: A dual capstan tape transport mechanism having a magnetic tape trained along a path for movement successively between an upstream capstan and pressure roller, past record and play heads, and between a downstream capstan and pressure roller. A motor drives the downstream capstan directly and drives the upstream capstan indirectly, and slightly slower, through an overrunning clutch. Separate solenoids move the pressure rollers to press the tape against the respective capstans. The mechanism is selectible to play either an improved dual capstan type cartridge with both capstans, or to play a conventional single capstan type cartridge with the downstream capstan alone. Tape guide posts, aligning the tape and providing wrap around the heads, and a shield engageable with the backside of the tape opposite the play head, are movable with the upstream pressure roller through openings in the housing of the dual capstan cartridge.

Abstract: The tape recorder is provided with a cassette guiding device including a tiltable cassette loading platform pivotably mounted at one end, spring means for normally holding the platform in an inclined position for receiving an inserted cassette and for permitting the platform to rotate to the horizontal position, a guide member for loading the cassette at an operating position when the platform is rotated to the horizontal position. A cassette containing chamber is formed by a cassette inserting section provided with an opening for passing the cassette, a door for normally closing the opening and shoulders for guiding the cassette to the platform, and a cassette loading section containing the cassette loading platform. There is provided a door operating mechanism including a door locking member for locking the door in the opened position, a sliding member interlocked with the door locking member, and a door operating button mounted on the sliding member for causing the door locking member to release the door.

Abstract: An automatic cartridge-rejecting apparatus for use with a cartridge tape-playing device, wherein, when an endless tape is transported fully over any or all of the tracks formed on the endless tape, then the driving force of a capstan-rotating motor is transmitted to an automatic cartridge-rejecting cam through a reduction gear system in response to an electric signal set forth from a track changeover senser; and a driving rod connected to a cam follower continuously pushes a cartridge elastically or detachably locked by a spring in the cartridge-loading unit of the tape-playing device forcefully and gently at a low speed until the cartridge is released from the lock.

Abstract: The portable tape player and tape container includes an approximately rectangular, open top housing with speakers located adjacent the ends of the housing. A tape playback mechanism and an amplifier are located near one end of the housing, and the housing defines a concave recess for resting against the side of a human body. A strap is connected to the housing for suspending the housing from the shoulder of a human body, and a plurality of partitions divide the housing into compartments for receiving individual tape cartridges, etc.

Abstract: A device for preventing a tape cartridge from springing out from the cartridge entryway of a tape player upon cartridge ejection operation. This device includes a sliding member having one end provided with a roller projection into the cartridge entryway. The sliding member is adapted to slide on an inclined face so that the amount of the roller projecting into the cartridge entryway will increase as the roller and sliding member moves toward the insertion opening of the cartridge entryway, whereby the roller exerts a retaining pressure on the cartridge which increases as the cartridge moves toward the insertion opening of the entryway during cartridge ejection.

Abstract: A magnetic information carrier comprises a support or base strip made, for example, of plastic material or of light metal, on which a layer of magnetizable material is deposited.The support is pretensioned so as to assume at rest a stable configuration following a spiral path, without the auxiliary of a central core. This carrier is written on and/or read by an apparatus comprising a first cavity on which the carrier is placed. The carrier is fed by a capstan in front of a magnetic head and is pushed into a second cavity of the apparatus, wherein the carrier winds itself following a spiral configuration similar to the initial one. In a second embodiment, the carrier is mounted in a removable cartridge having one or two cavities.

Abstract: A drive for a magnetic tape cassette. Edge and corner blocks mounted on a planar frame receive the leading edge of a magnetic tape cassette adjacent the corners thereof and position the cassette with respect to drive spindles which engage tape reels in the cassette and to a transducer located with respect to the blocks. The cassette has a notch offset from the center in the railing edge thereof. In one of two operating positions of the cassette, the notch registers with a switch, so the switch is not actuated. In the other position, the bottom surface of the cassette actuates the switch. A second switch registers with a selectively plugged recess in the trailing edge of the cassette thereby to enable or disable writing operations. A light source, disposed in the frame, transmits light along a first axis toward a detector housing. A prism in the housing intercepts and redirects the light toward a photosensitive detector.

Abstract: A cassette tape recorder particularly featured by the improved apparatus for insertion, holding and removal of a tape cassette. The apparatus comprises a movable chassis rotatably supported on a stationary chassis and an elongate metal strip extending along one side of the movable chassis and slidably supported by the stationary chassis. A tension spring is fastened to the movable chassis at one end, while its other end is secured to the slidable metal strip. A rotatable L-shaped lever has one end engaged with the slidable metal strip. The other end of the L-shaped lever is engaged with a latching member adapted to maintain the one end of the L-shaped lever in restrictive engagement with the slidable metal strip to prevent the strip from movement under the action of the tension spring, so that the tension spring acts to pull the movable chassis toward the metal strip to rotate the movable chassis into its lowered position during insertion of a tape cassette.

Abstract: A simplified and easily constructed device for loading and unloading a tape cartridge is disclosed. The device consists of a rotary member rotatably mounted on a chassis. The rotary member has a holder portion positioned for selectively engaging and disengaging a V-shaped notch in a tape cartridge in association with the rotational motion of the rotary member. The rotary member also has a responder portion positioned for being engaged by a cartridge upon insertion and rotating the holder portion into the V-shaped notch. A floating pin and a spring for biasing the pin into contact with a recess in the rotary member are used to restrain the rotational movement of the rotary member and assure a positive loading and unloading of the cartridge.

Abstract: A film cartridge having a film to be projected, a magnetic tape with a sound signal and film feeding signals, a housing for accommodating therein the film and tape separately therein, a reflector for projecting light passing the film and a locking mechanism for locking the film when it is not driven.A cartridge autoslide or player for the film cartridge mentioned as above having a housing with an opening for receiving the cartridge, a light source for projecting light on to the reflector of the film cartridge, an optical device for projecting the light passed through the film onto a screen, a film driving mechanism, a tape driving device and an unlocking mechanism for automatically unlocking the film locking mechanism when the cartridge is inserted into the autoslide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape recorder which is attached with an endless magnetic cartridge having 8 track-4 channels or 4 track-2 channels wherein each channel may be recorded or regenerated one after another.

Abstract: A video tape cartridge of endless loop configuration capable of tape speeds suitable for longitudinal scan television recording while providing one hour or more of continuous playing time on one-quarter inch width tape. In an illustrative embodiment tape guides within the cartridge are shiftable from a loading position to an operating position without a substantial change in the length of the tape path to accommodate scanning of the tape at a tensioned loop closely adjacent the capstan. In operating condition, the tape is engaged with the capstan at one side thereof so that the capstan pulls tape along an incoming tape path from the inner side of the coil, the tape passing about the tensioned loop past the transducer head and again engaging the capstan for supply of the tape to the outer side of the coil along an outgoing tape path, with a tape drag applying a substantial drag force to the tape at the incoming tape path between the reel and the capstan.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for turning a rotor for each desirable angle by a capstan drive system wherein an eccentric free travelling ring carried by a turnable lever at a point removed from the pivot end of the lever is thus contactable and discontactable with a rotary shaft of the capstan drive system. A small gear is connected to the free travelling ring and is engaged with another large rotor gear for reducing the rotation thereof, the large gear being pivotally mounted on the pivot bearing of the turntable lever. Means are provided for biasing the free travelling ring toward the rotary shaft of the capstan drive system and further control means are provided for interlocking the free end of the turntable lever so as to prevent contact of the free travelling ring with the rotary shaft of the capstan drive system.

Abstract: A combined two (stereo) and four (quadraphonic) channel tape recorder is disclosed which can use both two and four channel eight track magnetic tape cartridges. The tape recorder includes a head positioning rotary body having four fixed rotary positions and a selection means for selecting two of these four fixed rotary positions when four channel (quadraphonic) operation is desired. The selection means comprises a rotary switch rotated in association with the rotation of the head positioning rotary body and an additional switch connected in series with the rotary switch and actuated by each rotation of the rotary body. Thus a single tape recorder capable of playing stereophonic and quadraphonic magnetic tape cartridges has been provided.

Abstract: An amusement and educational audiovisual device consisting of what is commonly referred to in the art as a talking book and a playback device adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a plurality of different talking books. The talking book of the invention is of book-like appearance and includes a front cover and such printed material as may be necessary to convey the visual message intended. Appended to the front cover and printed material is the back portion of the talking book which consists of a tape container. The tape container is provided with an opening therein adapted to receive the transducer head and capstan of the playback device and is of such simple construction as to be usable by very young or handicapped children. Various types of biasing means are provided in the alternative embodiments of the talking book and playback device to insure registry of the tape with the transducer head and capstan drive of the playback device.

Abstract: A miniature cassette tape recorder is provided for use with a micro-cassette of a size which is comparable to a small packet of matches, and is constructed and sized so as to be received in a pocket of a suit or shirt.

Abstract: A tape recorder having a solenoid coil-plunger type actuator for performing a mechanical function within the recorder incorporates the solenoid coil into the circuitry to serve as the inductive component of a filter adapted to filter the noise components produced by the DC tape driving motor, or to filter the output of the DC wave rectifier or to filter other outputs within the recorder.

Abstract: A side access opening is provided in a side wall of a continuous loop tape cartridge which is normally driven in a forward direction by the capstan of a tape player through an access opening in its front wall to remove tape from a central hub at the inner convolution thereof and to return it to the hub at the outer convolution. A cooperating side drive mechanism is provided in the tape player housing adjacent the side access opening in the cartridge. The tape is driven in a reverse direction through the cartridge by the side drive mechanism of the player through the side access opening to remove tape from the hub at the outer convolution thereof and to return it to the hub at the inner convolution by being coupled to a vertical peripheral wall portion of the cartridge hub at a point spaced a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the hub. The coupling relation is effected either directly through the outer convolution of tape or directly to the rim of the hub or simultaneously through both means.

Abstract: A cartridge for an endless magnetic tape with a reel having (1) a tape deck and an upwardly and inwardly tapered column with a wide cap to support the tape on the deck; (2) ribs and openings in the deck to crown the tape on the deck and allow particles to drop below the deck; (3) a tapered cam post to support the tape loop at one end across its width at the front of the cartridge; (4) a contoured pressure pad to support the tape loop at the front of the cartridge; (5) a guide to support the tape loop at an angle between the deck and cam post; and (6) supports for retaining the convolutions of tape on the deck and the loop when it becomes slack.

Abstract: A retention device for a cassette tape recorder comprises a cassette holder, a platform, a movable plate, a slide plate and a retention lever. The cassette holder is adapted to receive a tape cassette and is movable vertically so that the tape cassette may be engaged and disengaged with the tape drive means. The platform supports magnetic transducer heads and a pinch roller and is slidable so as to cause the heads and pinch roller to come into engagement with the magnetic tape in the cassette. The movable plate is moved with the platform, when it is moved to engage the heads with the tape in the cassette.The slide plate is slidably mounted on the movable plate, and a tension spring interconnects them; so that the slide plate is moved with the movable plate. The range of the movement of the slide plate is limited to be less than that of the movable plate.

Abstract: A cartridge system for use with a conventional cartridge-type tape reproducer. The cartridge system provides radio transmitting and receiving circuits, connections to a microphone and an antenna, and power connections to convert the tape reproducer into the audio output section of a two-way radio. The tape reproducer can also supply power to the radio system.

Abstract: An improved tape cartridge release assembly for a player/reproducer apparatus of the type used in a vehicle will automatically release a cartridge when the vehicle ignition switch is turned off, will release a cartridge inserted while the ignition switch is turned off, and will release manually as desired. The assembly utilizes a pair of switches operated by insertion of a cartridge to provide identical voltages to the input and common terminals of a semiconductor circuit controlling the release actuator. The semiconductor circuit, by remaining non-conductive, will prevent release until forward biasing voltage is provided to the controlled semiconductor device as by the ignition switch, the manual release button or other means.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a drive mechanism for running an endless magnetic tape of less than 300 m at a higher speed than 5 meters per second; a restricting member interlocking with the roll of said rapidly moving endless magnetic tape wound on a reel to apply a force against a centrifugal force generated on the tape roll so as to prevent it from being shaken unnecessarily; and a stationary magnetic head so arranged that the head is stational in a tape running direction and intermittently movable in a tape width direction to record frequency-modulated video signals in, and reproducing said signals from, the magnetic tape.