Abstract: A dual tape drive system is described for accepting either a digital data tape cartridge for data backup or a standard audio cassette tape for audio play and record. A single dual purpose tape head may be utilized for interfacing with both digital data tape cartridges and audio cassette tapes. In an alternative embodiment of the dual tape drive system, separate tape heads may be utilized such that an "audio" head is dedicated to cassette tapes while a "data" head is dedicated to digital tape cartridges. The dual tape drive system may exist as a stand alone device or may be integrated into a computer system whereby the tape drive is controlled through a keyboard operatively coupled to the computer system.

Abstract: A reel braking mechanism for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes first and second reels (5L, 5R), and first and second reel support bases (3L, 3R) for rotatably supporting thereon the first and second reels, respectively the first and second reels are movable together with the first and second reel support bases (3L, 3R) between a first cassette position corresponding to a hub-to-hub distance in a standard tape cassette and a second cassette position corresponding to a hub-to-hub distance for a compact tape cassette. The reel braking mechanism includes a brake lever (7L, 7R) movably mounted on each of the first and second reel support bases (3L, 3R) and having a first arm (7a) engageable with the corresponding reel and a second arm (7b). The brake lever is movable between an engaged position in which the first arm (7a) is engaged with the corresponding reel to hold the reel and a disengaged position in which the first arm (7a) is disengaged from the corresponding reel.

Abstract: A tape deck system uses four sensors to read features on a tape cartridge to determine control operations. A first sensor determines and a second sensor indicate a condition from a set comprising standard tape cartridge present with file protect, standard tape cartridge present without file protect, cleaning cartridge present, and a standard cartridge quiescent state. The remaining two sensors are used with a special cartridge. The special cartridge has features that indicate, to the first two sensors, that the tape deck system is in the standard cartridge quiescent state. A third and fourth sensors then read features on the special cartridge indicating cartridge type and file protect status. This system allows special cartridges, such as those that may contain thin tape, to only be accessed by tape deck systems equipped to handle the special cartridges. The sensor for indicating the special cartridge type may be modified to also indicate that the cartridge is properly seated in the tape deck.

Abstract: In recorders, in particular video recorders, the use of various sizes of cassette is intended and is already customary. For this purpose, the size of the cassette must be identified and the hubs of the transport drive changed appropriately. A mechanical coupling between the winding adjustment and the loading drawer during the loading operation, has no influence on the winding adjustment if a large cassette is inserted, whereas the identification and adjustment, formed by a lever, come into mechanical contact with the winding adjustment in the case of a small cassette. The mechanical coupling is formed by a U-shaped lever, the position.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus has an indirect drive arrangement in which the reel turntables are rotated by an existing motor, such as a capstan motor or the like. The reel turntables can pivot about supporting points on a chassis such that they can be moved between large and small cassette driving positions. A drive gear supported on a swing arm and which is driven by a capstan motor, is selectively meshed with one of the driven gears provided on the two reel turntables.

Abstract: A cassette adaptor is disclosed, in which a head cover for accommodating the magnetic head is elastically supported on the head spring in such a manner that the height of the recording head and the head gap on the signal transmission side can be automatically adjusted in accordance with the tape running position of the reproduction head of a cassette tape reproduction apparatus and in such a manner that the reels can be positively prevented from being driven under no load. The head cover includes a head guide in contact with a reproduction head and at least a dummy tape member in mesh with the tape guide of the cassette tape reproduction apparatus with the cassette adaptor mounted thereon. The head cover thus guides the magnetic head to a position opposed to the reproduction head.

Abstract: A cassette container capable of accommodating plural kinds of cassettes of different sizes including a plate for supporting a cassette to be mounted so as to be in contact with a surface thereof. In this cassette container, a pair of cassette guides are provided for guiding a cassette of a predetermined size which is less than a predetermined maximum size to a mounting position. These pair of cassette guides can be lowered by insertion of a cassette larger than the cassette of the predetermined size to a lower side of the plate. A pair of leaf springs urge the pair of cassette guides toward an upper side of the plate respectively. In addition, the pair of cassette guides are inclined toward a cassette insertion side when the cassette guides move to the upper side of the plate upon urging of the pair of leaf springs. The pair of cassettes are positioned approximately parallel with the plate when the cassette guides are lowered to the lower side of the plate by insertion of the larger cassette.

Abstract: A cassette type recording and reproducing apparatus in which during an eject operation of a tape cassette, a cam driven lever 28 is kicked by a cam 31 and a cassette discharge lever 51 is rotated by the cam driven lever 28, whereby a tape cassette 1 in cassette stage is pushed out in a cassette discharge direction by the cassette discharge lever 51 is provided with cam lever control mechanism 50 for positionally regulating the cam driven lever 28 with some degree of freedom within a fixed range .theta..sub.12 at the intermediate position of a swing range .theta..sub.11 in which the cam driven lever 28 is rotated by the cam 31. Therefore, a cam driven lever can be prevented from violently colliding against a cassette discharge lever in the course of a loading operation of a tape cassette.

Abstract: A cassette type recording and reproducing apparatus in which during an eject operation of a tape cassette, a cam driven lever 28 is kicked by a cam 31 and a cassette discharge lever 51 is rotated by the cam driven lever 28, whereby a tape cassette 1 in a cassette stage is pushed out in a cassette discharge direction by the cassette discharge lever 51 is provided with cam lever control mechanism 50 for positionally regulating the cam driven lever 28 with some degree of freedom within a fixed range .theta..sub.12 at the intermediate position of a swing range .theta..sub.11 in which the cam driven lever 28 is rotated by the cam 31. Therefore, a cam driven lever can be prevented from violently colliding against a cassette discharge lever in the course of a loading operation of a tape cassette.

Abstract: A cassette type recording and reproducing apparatus in which during an eject operation of a tape cassette, a cam driven lever is kicked by a cam and a cassette discharge lever is rotated by the cam driven lever, whereby a tape cassette in a cassette stage is pushed out in a cassette discharge direction by the cassette discharge lever. The cam driven lever is positionally regulated with some degree of freedom within a fixed range .theta..sub.12 at the intermediate position of a swing range .theta..sub.11 in which the cam driven lever is rotated by the cam. Therefore, the cam driven lever is prevented from violently colliding against a cassette discharge lever in the course of a cassette loading operation.

Abstract: A casette adapter in which an S-casette (first casette) of the professional digital video format is housed and having a shape identical with an different-sized M-casette (second casette) operates without fail under a simple constitution, without accompanying any fear of damage on a tape. The casette adapter capable of housing an S-casette (2) comprises an adapter (1) whose shape is identical to an different-sized M-casette. Reels (5, 6) and a reel brake releasing member (7) of the S-casette (2) are exposed while the S-casette is mounted in the casette adapter. The adaptor (1) includes a rear door (12) capable of opening and closing. The rear door (12) comprises contacts (14) for reading identification signal by contacting the identification terminal of S-casette, wirings (16) for coupling the contacts (14) with an identification terminal (15) provided in a same location as that of M-casette and a lever (18) for opening/closing an anti-erasing window in linkage with the anti-erasing gear of S-casette (2).

Abstract: A cassette loading device including the following configuration: one cassette holder is fitted into the other cassette holder so as to slide in the cassette's direction of movement relative to the other. The other cassette holder is moved in linkage with the cassette pushing operation for magnetic tape cassette inserted into the one cassette holder, with a different amount of stroke from the pushed amount of stroke for the magnetic tape cassette inserted in the one cassette holder. Also, a timing change lever which is rotationally supported at a central portion across the length, is adapted to selectively become engaged at its distal end with the magnetic tape cassette held in the cassette holder. In the terminal end of the movement of the cassette, the opening which is provided at the other end of the timing change lever is detected so that the cassette in-pulling operation starts at the timing of the detection.

Abstract: A reel mount moving device for moving a reel mount to the position of each reel contained in each of a plurality of cassettes of different sizes, with any of the cassettes mounted, includes the reel mount which is arranged to be rotated by a power of a drive source for moving a recording medium, a converting member for converting the power of the drive source into a force of moving the reel mount, and a switching member arranged to cause the converting action of the converting member to be selectively turned on or off.

Abstract: A tape drive system for use with a removable tape cartridge. The tape drive comprises a slidable tray that moves the tape cartridge into a load position within the disk drive and into an eject position out of the disk drive. The tray is adapted to accept one of three cartridge types each type having a different physical size. When a selected cartridge is inserted into the tray and the tray is loaded into the drive, the entire cartridge is automatically moved into the drive enclosure. After the cartridge is moved into the drive, a door attached to the tray closes behind the cartridge such that no portion of the cartridge protrudes from the drive.

Abstract: A tape drive for accommodating tape cartridges of different sizes and capacities is provided with a tape insertion opening, a first guide at a first side of the tape insertion opening, and a second guide at a second side of the tape insertion opening. The first and second guides are separated from one another to provide a first opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a first size between the first and second guides. The first and second guides are movable within the tape insertion opening to provide a second opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a second size.

Abstract: A cassette loading apparatus includes a cassette container, an identifier having different positions corresponding to different kinds of cassettes that can be inserted into the cassette container, and a driver adjustable to different positions corresponding to the different kinds of cassettes. The apparatus also includes a blocking mechanism selectively operable to prohibit travel of the cassette container to a cassette loading position.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus arranged to permit, each of a plurality of types of tape cassettes having different distances between reels to be selectively mounted on the apparatus by moving reel mounts with a reel mount moving mechanism and to allow a tape pulled out from the reels to travel while mechanically controlling the tension of the tape with a tape tension control mechanism in recording or reproducing information on or from the tape, includes a plurality of reel mount braking devices respectively provided for the plurality of types of tape cassettes, at least one of the braking devices being supported for translation relative to another of the braking devices and a coupling controller for selectively coupling one of the plurality of reel mount braking devices to the reel mount and a tape tension detecting means according to the type of the tape cassette mounted on the apparatus.

Abstract: A package relay terminal assembly of the present invention not only electrically conducts to exterior connection terminals (101) of an electric circuit housed in a record package (100) but also is intended to guide and position the record package within a recording and reproducing device during recording and reproduction, and ensure reliable setting of the record package in place. To this end, the package relay terminal assembly of the present invention has L-shaped terminal strips (1) corresponding in number to the exterior connection terminals (101) of the record package (100), the terminal strips (1) being arranged side by side on a terminal wall (2a). And the terminal wall (2a) is provided with a base block (2b) and a guide wall (2c).

Abstract: A cassette type recording and reproducing apparatus in which during an eject operation of a tape cassette, a cam driven lever 28 is kicked by a cam 31 and a cassette discharge lever 51 is rotated by the cam driven lever 28, whereby a tape cassette 1 in a cassette stage is pushed out in a cassette discharge direction by the cassette discharge lever 51 is provided with a control mechanism 50 for positionally regulating the cam driven lever 28 with some degree of freedom within a fixed range .theta..sub.12 at the intermediate position of a swing range .theta..sub.11 in which the cam driven lever 28 is rotated by the cam 31. Therefore, a cam driven lever can be prevented from violently colliding against a cassette discharge lever in the course of a loading operation of a tape cassette.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a rack mechanism by which a cassette compartment can be easily removed from a mechanical deck regardless of any position at which reel tables are moved. In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus such as a video cassette recorder in which a space between two reel tables can be moved by a reel table movement mechanism and small and large tape cassettes of different size are selectively mounted on the reel tables, a rack mechanism has a pair of parallel racks which can be relatively moved through a pinion, one rack has an engagement recess formed on one end portion thereof, the other rack has an engagement recess formed on one end portion thereof, the engagement recess being positioned over the one rack and a cassette compartment includes a drive lever which is moved in the height direction in response to the insertion of tape cassettes of different size.

Abstract: To provide a recording and reproducing apparatus which permits to use tape cassettes different in not only size but also thickness. In order to make the apparatus cope with the tape cassettes different in size and thickness, there is provided a positioning guide mechanism including a pair of positioning guide members so that a small cassette can be guided at both the side faces on a cassette supporting surface of the cassette holder so as to be depressed and projected by a biasing means, and a pair of side plates at its both sides of a cassette holder so that a large cassette can be guided at its both side faces. If a user is not highly skilled in operating such recording and reproducing apparatus which permits to use tape cassettes different in size and thickness, the apparatus will suffer from risk that the cassettes are erroneously inserted or the user carries out malicious operation.

Abstract: A reel table moving mechanism selectively receives tape cassettes having different sizes. The mechanism includes a deck member in which a head drum and a tape guiding unit are installed and having first and second openings formed to be spaced from each other, each having a predetermined length. A pair of reel tables, operative to move along the first and second openings, selectively receive first and second tape cassettes of a different size. Each reel table has a stopper for locking a pair of reels and a releasing lever for releasing the stopper. A pair of first and second reel bases on which the reel tables are mounted are slidably supported to the deck member. First and second shafts are supported by a supporting mechanism at one side of each of the first and second openings and are slidably connected to the first and second bases. A mechanism moves the first and second reel bases, and first and second releasing devices release each releasing lever of the first and second tape cassettes from being locked.

Abstract: In an apparatus which is capable of selectively using a plurality of cassettes of different sizes, a cassette lid opening mechanism includes a first opening member arranged to open the lid of a first cassette by abutting on the lid when the first cassette is inserted into the apparatus, a second opening member arranged to open the lid of a second cassette which is smaller than the first cassette by abutting on the lid when the second cassette is inserted into the apparatus, and a moving mechanism arranged to move the second opening member when detecting the first cassette.

Abstract: Two kinds of large and small cassettes having respective unlocking apertures for fitting a common unlocking member therein can be loaded onto a chassis. When the cassettes are loaded in position with their tape centers in coincidence, the unlocking apertures are displaced from each other by .DELTA. Y. Mounted on the chassis are a pair of pivotal levers each supporting a reel support on a free end thereof, a drive slide reciprocatingly movable on the chassis for controlling the rotation of the pivotal levers and moving the reel supports to two different positions corresponding respectively to the large and small cassettes, a drive gear for driving the slide, and pressure contacting mechanism disposed between the gear and the slide for positioning and holding the slide in two cassette loading positions by pressing contact, with the rotation of the gear. The drive slide has the unlocking member projecting from its upper surface and is slidingly movable only by the distance .DELTA.

Abstract: A cassette type recording and reproducing apparatus with which it is possible to use tape cassettes of a plurality of different sizes wherein the overall space in the cassette insertion direction occupied by a cassette discriminating member and a cassette insertion guide for ensuring correct insertion of small cassettes is made small so that a cassette stage for carrying cassettes from the vicinity of a front panel to a loading position inside the apparatus where recording and reproducing of information are carried out can be brought amply close to the front panel and the front-rear direction depth of the cassette stage can be made long to enable cassettes to be held firmly and stably on the cassette stage and the tape cassettes are pressed in optimum positions near their reel centers onto the cassette stage with a stronger force during loading than during ejecting so that slipping of the tape cassettes on the cassette stage during loading is prevented and during ejecting the tape cassettes can be smoothly an

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) which accepts two different sizes of magnetic-tape cassettes (15, 16) each having two juxtaposed reels (21, 22, 23, 24) comprises four drive devices (25, 26, 27, 28) mounted stationarily in the apparatus and each comprising a reel spindle (31, 32, 39, 40) and a reel disc (33, 34, 41, 42). Both the reel spindles (31, 32, 39, 40) and the reel discs (33, 34, 41, 42) are axially movable and, when a magnetic-tape cassette (15, 16) is loaded into the apparatus (1) in its operating position, the reel spindles (39, 40, 31, 32) and the reel discs (41, 42, 33, 34) which are not adapted to enter into driving engagement with the inserted magnetic-tape cassette (15, 16) are moved into an area situated outside the area occupied by the inserted magnetic-tape cassette (15, 16).

Abstract: A composite tray comprises a small cassette tray and a large cassette tray pivoted to inside portions of the tray. A first lid opener for opening the lid of a large cassette is pivoted to inside portions of the large cassette tray. Pivoted to the opener is a second lid opener pivotally movable in a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the large cassette for opening the lid of a small cassette. The second lid opener is positioned in a large cassette supporting region in the absence of the large cassette, but is pushed by the lid of the large cassette to escape to the outside of the tray when the cassette is placed on the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) comprising a cassette holder (5) which has a bottom wall (6) and into which, at option, a larger first cassette (7) or at least one smaller further cassette (8) can be inserted, and comprising at least one positioning device (37, 38, 39) for the smaller further cassette (8) and a blocking device (54, 55, 56) for the positioning device (37, 38, 39), which locking device serves for blocking the positioning device (37, 38, 39) in its positioning position, the positioning device (37, 38, 39) and the blocking device (54, 55, 56) have been arranged on the cassette holder (5) in the area of the bottom wall (13), and the blocking device (54, 55, 56) and the positioning device (37, 38, 39) are movable into the non-blocking position and into the non-positioning position, respectively, by the larger first cassette (7) when it is inserted into the cassette holder (5).

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus being able to use a normal-sized cassette and a small sized cassette according to a user's selection. The apparatus comprises a supply reel stand for engaging with a supply reel; a supply reel stand base for supporting the supply reel stand; a take-up reel stand for engaging with a take-up reel; a take-up reel stand base for supporting the take-up reel stand; a reel stand displacing mechanism for displacing the supply reel stand base and the take-up reel stand base according to a size of the normal-sized cassette and a size of the small sized cassette. The reel stand displacing mechanism displaces the supply reel stand base and the take-up reel stand base by using a drive force transmitted from the tape loading mechanism.

Abstract: In a cassette holder having, on the lower side thereof, a lid unlocking member arranged to unlock the lid of a cassette when the cassette is inserted and a stopper member arranged to stop the cassette by abutting on the front surface of the cassette, the lid unlocking member and the stopper member or at least the lid unlocking member is carried by the support member together with a protruding part which protrudes inward from the inner side of the cassette holder. The support member is arranged on the lower side of the cassette holder to face the inside of the cassette holder.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective cover opening mechanism for cassette loading and unloading apparatus of a digital compact cassette (DCC) or analog compact cassette (ACC). The apparatus consists of a sliding plate, a turning arm, a spline, and a stretching spring. The end surface of the sliding plate has an inclined plane with a concave channel at its bottom with an end part with the first pulling hook. There is a sliding slot on the sliding plate and the spline is fitted into this sliding slot. The spline shaft is attached to one end of the turning arm. The turning arm has a second pulling hook and there is a stretching spring connected between the first and second pulling hooks. The turning arm has a fixed pin, which when a DCC is inserted moves the fixed pin along the inclined plane of the sliding plate and while moving opens the protective cover. If an ACC is inserted, the fixed pin slides along the outer edge only and does not affect the ACC at all.

Abstract: A cassette transport configuration provides a cassette insertion slot for introducing a cassette cartridge, guide rails for guiding and positioning each cassette cartridge and a plurality of cassette detecting elements for detecting the correct positioning of each cassette. The detecting elements are spaced apart on an upper inner portion of the insertion slot.

Abstract: A multimedia array (100) is formed from a plurality of compartments (102, 104) that are capable of receiving differently sized cartridges (30, 50, 70) for presentment to a robotic arm (166). The compartments each include a sidewall ramp (150) for use in centering the cartridges in the compartments, and a rearward boss (134) for positioning forward surfaces (32, 52, 72) of the respective cartridges equidistantly (at distance D) from the forwardmost surface (114) of the compartments.

Abstract: A mechanism wherein reel tables of a recording/reproducing device are moved to selectively load different-sized tape cassettes thereon so that a tape cassette loading mechanism can stably support each of the different-sized tape cassettes. First and second loading pins move with the reel tables, and third and fourth loading pins are fixed on an upper deck. The first and second loading pins support the back end of a small tape cassette, and the third and fourth loading pins support the back end of a large tape cassette.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism operable with first and second type similar size magnetic tape cassettes such as analog cassettes (CC) and digital cassettes (DCC) which are parallelepiped cassettes having a discontinuity on an external surface; the cassette loading mechanism having: a sensing mechanism which distinguishes between the types of cassettes, when correctly presented, and which blocks movement to the fully inserted position of cassettes mis-presented upside down or with sides inverted; the sensing mechanism including a cassette-type-sensing lever movable from an initial position to first and second positions representing, respectively, the type of cassette responsive to engagement with a surface discontinuity distinguishing the type of cassette correctly presented and inserted in the housing, and a movable slider member which is normally blocked against movement by the sensing lever, and prevents mis-presented cassettes being moved to the fully inserted position, and which is allowed to move with corr

Abstract: A cassette having one of a plurality of sizes, in which each size cassette is adapted for use with a common cassette recording/reproducing apparatus. Each size cassette includes a cassette case holding a recording medium therein, an information device for providing information pertaining to the respective cassette to the cassette recording/reproducing apparatus when the respective cassette is being used with the cassette recording/reproducing apparatus, and a reference hole for positioning the cassette case in the cassette recording/reproducing apparatus. The reference hole and the information device have a constant positional relationship therebetween regardless of the size of the cassette.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus can translate a detecting device for detecting information, such as the kind and content of tape cassette and a reel lock mechanism releasing device to proper positions corresponding to tape cassettes of different sizes. A tape cassette information detecting device (71) and reel lock releasing device (72a, 72b) can be translated to positions at which large and small tape cassettes are in use through a swing drive member (54), a translating lever (73), a driving link (74), a detection mechanism holding member (75) and a reel lock releasing plate (77) in unison with a movement of reel mounts (44, 45).

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus which accepts two different sizes of magnetic-tape cassettes each having two juxtaposed reels comprises four drive means mounted stationarily in the apparatus and each comprising a reel spindle and a reel disc. Both the reel spindles and the reel discs are axially movable and, when a magnetic-tape cassette is loaded into the apparatus this cassette is detected by means of the reel spindles which are not adapted to enter into driving engagement with this cassette. The reel spindles and the reel discs which are not adapted to enter into driving engagement with this cassette are moved into an area situated outside the area occupied by the inserted magnetic-tape cassette by the cassette housing.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus arranged to permit each of tape a plurality of types of tape cassettes having different distances between reels to be selectively mounted on the apparatus by moving reel mounts with a reel mount moving mechanism and to allow a tape pulled from the reels to travel while mechanically controlling the tension of the tape with a tape tension control mechanism in recording or reproducing information on or from the tape is provided with a change-over mechanism for changing the radius of swing of a tape tension detecting guide of the tape tension control mechanism from one radius over to another, and a moving mechanism for moving the tape tension control mechanism in such a way as to vary the radius of swing of the tape tension detecting guide according to the distance between the reels.

Abstract: An apparatus performs recording and/or reproduction of signals by a head of a drum with which a tape-like recording medium is brought into contact while being moved under a fixed tension from a reel engaging a supply reel base to a reel engaging a take-up reel base. An arm retains a tension post which presses against the recording medium, forming a predetermined path to detect a tension thereof. One end of the arm is pivotally supported, and the arm is urged by a spring so as to allow the tension post to elastically press against the recording medium. At least one end of a band brake for loading a braking torque on the supply reel base is locked to the arm.

Abstract: A cassette loading apparatus of the present invention is capable of loading a plurality of tape cassettes different in size from each other, while achieving the following effects. Tape damage or tape breakage when the lids of the tape cassette are opened/closed can be prevented. The opening height of a rear lid when the lids are opened can be maintained constant, and at the same time, a gap is not produced between the lids when the lids are closed, thereby preventing an increase of drop-outs due to the invasion of dust or the like into the gap. Damage of a rear lid opener or the rear lid when the lids are opened/closed can be prevented. These effects are accomplished by providing the tape cassettes with rear lids each having a laterally extending protruding portion and a bottom end located below the protruding portion. The cassette loading apparatus has the rear lid opener positioned and configured to advantageously abut against the protruding portion of the rear lid in order to open the rear lid.

Abstract: In a tape tension control device having a first base on which there are disposed a reel mount and a brake mechanism arranged to apply a braking force to the reel mount, a second base arranged to support the first base in such a way as to allow the first base to take a plurality of positions, and a tension detecting mechanism which is disposed on the second base and includes a guide member arranged to abut on a tape, the brake mechanism and the tension detecting mechanism are arranged to act in association with each other when the first base takes each of the plurality of positions relative to the second base.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus having a magnetic head, reel drive spindles for driving the reels of a magnetic tape cassette and a pressure roller-capstan combination for driving the tape within the cassette. The apparatus includes an actuating member with urging projections for sliding a slidable cover on a magnetic tape cassette of a first type, having a first thickness between its main walls, when the cassette is inserted into the apparatus. A sensor on the actuating means senses the insertion of a cassette of a second type, having a thickness between its main walls greater than the thickness of the first type of cassette, for moving the actuating member to a position which permits the second type of cassette to be fully inserted in the apparatus and cooperate with the reel drive spindles, the pressure-roller-capstan arrangement and the magnetic head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic tape cartridge driver for opening a tape protecting door of a tape cartridge, enabling contact between a magnetic head of the magnetic tape cartridge driver and a magnetic tape housed within the tape cartridge, which can accept not only a conventional tape cartridge but also an enlarged tape cartridge containing a larger capacity, by providing a slider mounted in the cartridge tape driver for engaging with a guide groove formed on a side of an inserted tape cartridge, thereby sliding the tape cartridge along the guide rails to the specified position, where the slider tip comes into contact with an edge of the tape protecting door before the engagement of the guide rails with the guide grooves.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus within which tape cassettes of different sizes are installable includes a tension regulator arm, pivotably supported by a base plate, and in elastic contact with the magnetic tape withdrawn from the tape cassette, and a tension regulating belt, attached to the tension regulator arm at one end thereof, and in slidable contact with a reel mount to apply a braking force thereto, the braking force being altered according to the position of the reel mount. The braking force applied by the tension regulating belt to the reel mount is less when a smaller sized tape cassette is positioned in the apparatus as compared to when a larger sized tape cassette is positioned therein.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism for loading either a smaller tape cassette or a larger tape cassette into a recording/reproducing apparatus, having apparatus for causing the large cassette to avoid obstructions in a cassette holder during insertion of the large cassette and of enabling the stable insertion of the larger tape cassette in the cassette holder. The cassette loading mechanism has a cassette holder provided with contact members disposed so as to engage only the larger tape cassette and so as to move members provided on the cassette holder for use with the smaller tape cassette to a retracted position. The member for use with the smaller tape cassette and the contact member are formed in an integral unit to ensure the correct operation of the cassette loading mechanism.

Abstract: A video cassette adapter including: a housing having a receptacle for receiving a VHS-C video cassette; a first and a second tape conducting members pivotally disposed in two lateral sections of the housing for drawing the tape of the video cassette outward to an opening of a front section of the housing: a tape rolling reel disposed in the housing; a gear set operatively connected with the tape rolling reel; an operation button slidably disposed on and extended into the housing; a driving lever operatively connected with the first tape conducting member and the gear set; a damper mechanism disposed between the gear set and the driving lever; a transmission mechanism for driving the second tape conducting member; a linkage lever disposed between the first tape conducting member and the transmission mechanism; and a spring connected between the housing and the driving lever to help in retrieving the tape.

Abstract: A rotator moving apparatus has a supporting mechanism for rotatably supporting a rotator. A moving mechanism moves the supporting mechanism to a plurality of positions. A base supports the moving mechanism. An object to be detected is arranged on the rotator. A detecting section is arranged on the base so as to detect the object. A regulation mechanism regulates a plurality of positions to which the supporting mechanism moves so that the rotation path of the object falls within the range which faces the detecting section.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing device having reel bases which move to be adaptable to a plurality of different size cassettes. A tape is pulled out of the cassette which has been loaded into the device and is brought into contact with a head, thereby allowing the device to record and/or reproduce information on/from such a tape. The device includes a reel base movement mechanism for moving the reel bases to predetermined positions so that the reel bases are adaptable to the tape cassette to be loaded. The device also includes a lid opener for opening a lid of each tape cassette. A lid opener movement mechanism allows the lid opener to move to a predetermined position so as to be adaptable to the tape cassette. The lid opener movement mechanism is interlocked with the reel base movement mechanism. Thus, the lid opener is displaced to be adaptable to the loaded tape cassette.

Abstract: A cassette tape player compatible with cassette tapes of different formats incorporates a cassette holder which holds an analog compact cassette and a digital compact cassette in a state they are placed one upon another. The cassette holder includes a cassette holder main body having an analog cassette storage section, a digital cassette storage section, and a second cassette holder member. The second cassette holder member is supported by the cassette holder main body such that it is slightly movable in a moving direction of the cassette holder, and has a slider moving lever for opening the slider of the digital cassette. A cassette tape player with such a cassette holder has separate magnetic heads for analog and digital signals, thereby lengthening the life of the magnetic heads and achieving faithful recording and reproduction.