Abstract: A tape cassette adapter for a compact tape cassette includes a standard cassette case with a recess for receiving the compact tape cassette, a tape draw-out unit having a pair of arms pivoted within the standard cassette case and movable operatively between first and second positions so as to draw the tape member of the compact tape cassette to form a predetermined tape path, a reel drive unit mounted within the standard cassette case for driving the take-up reel of the compact tape cassette, and an arm-driving unit having a cam member mounted rotatably within the standard cassette case. The cam member engages one of the arms and is actuatable so as to move the corresponding arm operatively between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A set of tape cassettes of different sizes which each includes electric information representing terminals and which are used with a common recording and/or reproduction apparatus and a recording and/or reproduction apparatus with which those tape cassettes can be selectively used are improved in that information represented by the electric information representing terminals is read by a detection arrangement common to the tape cassettes of the different sizes. The electric information representing terminals are disposed at equal distances on the tape cassettes from corresponding outer side faces of the tape cassettes.

Abstract: An improved tape cassette adapter uses a mono-directionally operable motor having a worm rod attached to the end of the output shaft thereof that is engaged with a speed variation gear set. The last gear of the gear set having an eccentrically disposed vertical driving pole is associated with a securing board to which a limiting guide board is rotatably mounted. The limiting guide board and a left swing arm are operationally engaged with the vertical driving pole of the last gear. The limiting guide board is further engaged with a horizontally movable slide linkage rod. The likage rod is further linked to a slide board which is coupled to a pivotal right swing arm. A cam block disposed on the linkage rod is slidably in abutment against a power switch block so as to control the on and off of the motor in order to get the tape of a tape cassette stretched out or withdrawn back in operation.

Abstract: A cassette loading apparatus for transporting a selected tape cassette from an insertion opening to a playing position. The tape cassette is selected from among different size cassettes including a large size and a small size. A holder receives the tape cassette. A pair of cassette guides disposed on an inner face of the holder receives the tape cassette between the guides if the tape cassette is of the small size and, when the tape cassette is of the large size, each of the cassette guides is covered by a corresponding one of a pair of grooved portions provided on the bottom of the tape cassette. A resilient arm is provided integrally on an upper face portion of one of the cassette guides and is arranged so as to be pressed and resiliently deformed by the tape cassette received in the holder if such tape cassette is of the large size and not pressed and deformed if such tape cassette is of the small size.

Abstract: A video cassette adapter includes a motor powered by a battery to drive two tape-driving members to move toward an operative position and automatically pull a tape of the cassette placed in the adpater out of the cassette for playing or recording operation or move toward a non operative position and automatically pull the tape back into the cassette. A selective power-transmitting mechanism according to the clockwise or counterclockwise rotational motion of the motor selectively transmits the power of the motor to the tape-driving members so as to automatically conduct and pull the tape out of the cassette to the operative position or transmits the power of the motor to the cassette so as to automatically wind the tape from the operative position of the adapter back into the cassette.

Abstract: A tape recorder includes a first position where an analog compact cassette and a digital tape cassette are installed and dismounted, and a second position where a magnetic tape is caused to run. The digital tape cassette has a shutter for covering front openings for inserting a magnetic head and pinch rollers when the cassette is not used and opened in the magnetic tape running direction or the opposite when the cassette is used. The digital tape cassette also includes a holder for allowing either cassette to reciprocate between the first position and the second position, and a shutter operating device for opening and closing the shutter. The holder is integrated with the shutter operating device.

Abstract: A tape system for implementing tape cassettes of variable size which includes both large-sized and small-sized tape cartridges each housing a memory element having a set of terminals for electric connection with corresponding terminals of a tape player, the level at which the terminals of the memory element in the large-sized tape cartridge are positioned and the level at which the terminals of the memory element in the small-sized tape cartridge are positioned are the same level, spaced from a longitudinal mid center line of the length of magnetic tape, intermediate of the width thereof or a reference plane in which a reel support lies.

Abstract: An automatic cassette changer wherein a plurality of types of cassettes having different recording formats can be used. The automatic cassette changer comprises a plurality of types of cassettes in which different types of record media having different recording formats are accommodated, a cassette storage rack having a plurality of bins for storing the cassettes therein, a plurality of recording and/or reproducing apparatus each provided for selectively recording and/or reproducing a format signal in accordance with a selected one of the recording formats of the plurality of types of cassettes, and a transport mechanism for selectively transporting the cassettes between the bins and the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing device includes a first lever and a second lever. The first lever has a projection on the free end and a first rotating shaft on the fixed end. The projection comes into contact with the slider of a cassette and open the slider. The second lever has a first rotating shaft on one end, a second rotating shaft at the central portion thereof, and has a restricting member on the other end, for restricting the rotary movement of the first lever. With this arrangement, an increased radius of rotation of the projection and an increased angular moment are achieved when the cassette is pushed into the device and the movement of the slider is started. Therefore, reduced power is required to push the first lever when starting the movement of the slider.

Abstract: An improved automatic cassette changer is disclosed, which comprises a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, an accommodating rack having a plurality of bins for individually accommodating therein a plurality of cassettes, and a transporting apparatus for selectively transporting one of the cassettes accommodated in the bins to the recording and/or reproducing apparatus or vice versa. The transporting apparatus includes holding means for holding a cassette thereon, and first feeding means for feeding the holding means in a first direction in which a cassette held by the holding means is inserted into or removed from any of the bins and the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A cassette loading apparatus wherein a cassette holder has a long operating stroke and can be positioned readily and accurately at a cassette playing position. The cassette holder is mounted for movement under the guidance of L-shaped guides of a pair of side plates such that it first moves horizontally along horizontal guide portions and then moves vertically downwardly along vertical guide portions of the L-shaped guides to carry a cassette received thereon to a playing position. A pair of sliders each having an inclined guide are disposed for movement under the guidance of the horizontal guide portions of the L-shaped guides.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying the type of each of first and second types of tape cassettes which are inserted into the same cassette holder of a tape recorder in a longitudinal direction and mounted at a predetermined position in the tape recorder, the first tape cassette being provided with at least one recess at its side surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the second tape cassette being provided with a projection at a position of its side surface corresponding to the position of the recess of the first tape cassette. The apparatus comprises a rotatable lever arranged to be at a predetermined recessive position before mounting the first and second tape cassettes and rotatable toward the first and second tape cassette after mounting the first and second tape cassettes.

Abstract: The present invention provides tape cartridges of different sizes, and a recording/reproducing apparatus provided with a compatible tape cartridge holding device capable of holding either of the large-sized tape cartridge and the small-sized tape cartridge, and provided with a lid opening lever capable of opening the respective lids of both the large-sized tape cartridge and the small-sized tape cartridge.

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: A tape damage or a tape break 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; and damage of a rear lid opener or the rear lid when the lids are open/closed can be prevented.

Abstract: A tape recorder operates with a Digital Method Compact Cassette (DCC) where the DCC has a hole in its upper surface. When the DCC is placed in the tape recorder, the DCC is moved parallel to the direction of insertion of the DCC and is then moved down. The tape recorder also includes a holder for holding the DCC, a first supporting member for supporting the holder, a projection disposed on the first supporting member, a transfer part for transferring the DCC in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion, a second supporting member rotatably mounted on the transfer part for supporting the lower surface of the DCC, and a spring for urging the second supporting member toward the lower surface of the DCC. The projection mates with the hole in the upper surface of the DCC. The second supporting member has an extending part and the first supporting member has a contact surface which makes contact with the extending part of the second supporting member when the parallel movement of the DCC is completed.

Abstract: The specification discloses a tape cassette loading system equipped in a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for loading a standard tape cassette or a small tape cassette which is smaller than the standard tape cassette into the apparatus.

Abstract: A tape recorder apparatus is compatible with both analog and digital audio tape cassettes 1, 2, upper surfaces of the cassettes being formed with different engaging holes 1a, 2a, respectively. This tape recorder apparatus includes a holder 3 for selectively receiving either of these two different kinds of tape cassettes 1, 2; and a retainer member 4 which is swingably supported about a shaft 4d and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the holder 3. This retainer member 4 has a pair of engaging hooks 4a, 4c disposed along an insertion direction of the tape cassette 1 or 2. Each of these engaging hooks 4a, 4c exclusively engages with either of different engaging holes 1a, 2a formed on the two different kinds of tape cassettes 1, 2 when a respective tape cassette 1 or 2 is completely inserted in the holder 3.

Abstract: An automatic video tape converter which is capable of converting a camera-used video tape into a general video tape suitable for a common video player to play, wherein a rotary shaft is disposed at a corner of a drive cover, permitting the same to be opened/closed in an arch rotary manner instead of the conventional straight pushing manner, whereby a user can easily and smoothly operate the drive cover and in case the drive cover is not completely moved to a true close position, one corner of the drive cover will protrude outside the converter to prevent the same from being inserted into the video player and thus avoid damage of the tape member of the video tape.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus is capable of operating with either one of two different types of tape cassettes which each have a cassette housing with a bottom wall having an underside formed with locating holes in a respective pattern, different from the pattern of the locating holes of the other type of tape cassettes. The recording/reproducing apparatus is provided with locating pin devices at least some of which have a retractable locating pin capable of retracting below a predetermined plane of the underside of the bottom wall of the positioned tape cassette when such tape cassette lacks a locating hole at the location of the respective locating pin device.

Abstract: A cassette loading device for a cassette recording/reproducing apparatus includes a cassette tray reciprocably movable between a first position in which the cassette tray is retracted into a body of the recording/reproducing apparatus for loading a cassette in a predetermined position, and a second position in which the cassette tray is ejected forwardly from the front panel of the body for attachment and detachment of the cassette relative to the cassette tray, a holder disposed in the cassette tray for holding the cassette, and a mechanism responsive to the movement of the cassette tray toward the second position for causing the holder to tilt its forward end upwardly.

Abstract: A tape cassette is arranged to have its size reduced by arranging its tape reels to have a small flange diameter and by arranging a partition wall located opposite to a cassette aperture part across the tape reels to be close to the tape reels. A casing of the tape cassette is composed of two bodies including a first body which is disposed on the side of the aperture part, and a second body which is disposed on the side of the partition wall and is arranged to be movable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device to permit use of camera video tape in a conventional video player. The device has a port formed at a lower right end portion of a front side of a box body for a drive lever. The box body encloses a winding mechanism, left and right arm members, and left and right fixing seats. When the video tape is loaded in the box body, the drive lever can be pushed in to push the winding mechanism and swing the left and right arm members into an extension position where they are fixed by fixing seats to stretch the tape to permit operation in a video player.

Abstract: A tray on which a cassette is mounted can be reciprocated between a first projected position and a second set position in the horizontal direction by a carriage system. When the tray is positioned above a cassette drive section, it can be reciprocated up and down by a lifter system while holding the cassette therein. A cassette adapter can house therein a second cassette, smaller in size than the first-mentioned cassette, having a magnetic tape wound arround it, and the cassette adapter is attached to and detached from the ray. The cassette adapter is provided with an unloaded cassette detecting lever to detect whether or not the second cassette, having the magnetic tape, is inserted in the cassette adapter. A lever detecting device, which also serves as a component of the carriage system, detects that the unloaded cassette detecting lever is projected to prevent the tray from being moved from the first to the second position when the tray is on the way of being inserted into a cabinet.

Abstract: A tape supplying and taking up apparatus is capable of use with either large or small size tape cassettes containing reels which can be of different diameters and rotated with a high degree of accuracy by reel spindles of simple structure. Each tape cassette for use with the apparatus has a shutter of the slide type for closing access holes in the bottom wall of the cassette casing.Each of the reel spindles has a large size cassette receiving portion for receiving a tape reel of a large size tape cassette coaxial with a small size cassette receiving portion for receiving a tape reel of a small size tape cassette. The small size cassette receiving portion is smaller in diameter and disposed at a higher position than the large size cassette receiving portion. The diameter of a lower end of a reel spindle engaging hole provided in each reel hub of the small tape cassette is smaller than the outer diameter of the small size cassette receiving portion of the reel spindle.

Abstract: In a tape cassette recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of selective operation with a relatively large or small-sized cassette containing a respective pair of rotatable reels having a relatively large or small center-to-center distance, respectively; a cassette holder is movable between a cassette receiving and discharging position and a loading position and can receive a selected one of the large and small-sized cassettes when in the receiving and discharging position and can convey the selected cassette to the loading position; a pair of reel bases are movable relative to each other for varying the center-to-center distance therebetween; a reel base adjusting device is selectively driven in first or second modes for respectively moving the reel bases to first or second positions wherein the center-to-center distance therebetween is suitable for engagement with the reels of a large or small-sized cassette; a detector detects the size of a cassette received in the holder and assumes different condit

Abstract: Disclosed is an adapter apparatus useful in conjunction with recording systems employing tape cassettes. The apparatus includes a first and second element for operatively engaging the tape drive element of a tape recorder/playback apparatus, a compartment sized to receive a smaller tape cassette, a magnetic head, and an element connecting the magnetic head of the adapter apparatus to the magnetic head of the tape recorder/playback apparatus. The adapter is configured such that when a smaller cassette is positioned within the compartment the entire apparatus can be substantially flush-mounted in a tape recorder/playback apparatus, that is, the overall profile of the adapter remains unchanged whether or not a smaller cassette is positioned in it.

Abstract: An adaptor for rewinding or fast-forwarding an 8 mm video tape in a video home system (VHS) video tape rewinder includes a housing having dimensions substantially the same as those of a VHS video tape and a transmission assembly in the housing. The housing has a central recess on an upper side thereof for accommodating the 8 mm video tape with two reels. After the adaptor is put in the VHS video tape rewinder, a driving rotor wheel of the VHS video tape rewinder drives the transmission assembly of the adaptor which in turn drives one of the reels of the 8 mm video tape.

Abstract: A cassette loading/unloading apparatus enables a magnetic recording and reproducing device to be used with both a standard-type tape cassette and a miniature tape cassette without a cassette adapter. When the miniature tape cassette is used, a holding mechanism for the standard-type tape cassette is located at a position where it does not hinder the loading of the miniature tape cassette. When the standard-type tape cassette is used, a holding mechanism for holding the miniature tape cassette is located at a position where it does not hinder the loading of the standard-type tape cassette. Further, only one tape extraction mechanism and only one detection unit for detecting an anti-erasure claw are provided for extracting a magnetic tape from either of the standard type tape cassette and the miniature-tape cassette and for detecting the presence of the anti-erasure claw of either of the two types of tape cassettes.

Abstract: A system consists of a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus, comprising a deck and a loading mechanism (27) for magnetic-tape cassettes, and of a magnetic-tape cassette (3, 13) provided with recesses (6) which are each engageable with one coupling member (32) of the loading mechanism (27) to perform further loading and unloading functions, in which for handling magnetic-tape-cassette types (3, 13) with different recording standards and housing constructions a special coupling member (32, 33) of the loading mechanism has been assigned to each type of magnetic-tape cassette with its specially constructed recess (6, 21).

Abstract: A tape cassette comprises a housing and a pair of reels mounted for rotation in the housing. A recording tape is wound on the reels and extends therebetween for transport from one of the reels to the other. The housing is formed with an opening through which a transducer can gain access to the recording tape for recording or reproducing signals on or from the recording tape. Front and back lids are connected to the housing and movable between a closed position wherein the front and back lids block the opening and form a channel capable of enclosing the recording medium at a front portion of the housing and an open position wherein the front and back lids are displaced from the opening and from the recording medium. The back lid is formed to leave a pair of gaps near either end thereof capable of accommodating passage of the recording medium therethrough when the front and back lids are in the closed position.

Abstract: A tape cassette include a housing and a pair of reels for rotation and translation in the housing so that the reels can assume either of first and second relative positions. A recording tape is wound on the reels and extends therebetween for transport from one of the reels to the other. The housing is formed with an opening through which a transducer can gain access to the recording tape for recording or reproducing signals on or from the recording tape. The reels in the first relative position conform to a first arrangement of a drive for driving the reels in rotation and afford a predetermined amount of space for accommodating a transducer within the housing for access to the recording tape and in the second relative position conform to a second arrangement of a drive for driving the reels in rotation and afford an additional amount of space for accommodating the transducer within the housing for access to the recording tape.

Abstract: A tower unit for a personal computer wherein the tower unit is a generally rectangular box having a generally rectangular interior chassis. The interior chassis includes a first set of interiorly extending mounting flanges and tabs which are positioned and aligned on opposing chassis walls to mount one or more drives at an upwardly facing angle in order to allow the user visual and manual access to the drives for ease of operation. A similar combination of interiorly directed tabs and flanges are formed in the opposing side walls of the frame near the bottom of the tower unit chassis in order to mount a plurality of hard disk drives in horizontal positions. The frame includes a front frame panel which combines with the front bezel to provide a gripping area which cooperates with another gripping area formed in the rear bezel to allow the tower unit to be easily moved about.

Abstract: A cassette loading device of the front loading type selectively loads standard and smaller cassettes into a loaded position in a video cassette recorder, and ejects the loaded cassette from the video cassette recorder. A housing has a cassette insertion slot, a first door mounted on the housing for selectively opening and closing the cassette insertion slot, and a second door mounted on the first door for selectively opening and closing an opening defined in the first door. A pair of door lock members is mounted on the housing one on each side of the cassette insertion slot. When no cassette is inserted, the first door is locked against angular movement by the door lock members, and when a standard cassette is inserted through the cassette insertion slot, a tapered surface of each of the door lock members is pushed by the inserted standard cassette to disengage an engaging surface of the door lock member from the first door to unlock the first door.

Abstract: In a cassette housing shelf for accommodating various sized cassettes in cassette auto-changers or the like, a guiding block for guiding a small-sized cassette is provided near to a cassette inlet of a cassette housing portion formed upon the shelf. When a large-sized cassette is inserted into the cassette housing portion, the guiding block is automatically removed from the cassette housing portion, and when a small-sized cassette is inserted, the guiding block securely leads the cassette to a predetermined space within the cassette housing portion, so that it is easy to insert the small-sized cassette into the cassette housing portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tape cassette winder/rewinder adapted to wind on rewinder a conventional VHS tape cassette or a compact VHS-C type cassette. This is achieved by providing a space to receive the conventional VHS tape cassette and a recess below this space to house retractable confining arms that extend to hold a VHS-C tape cassette. The recess also houses a retractable idle gear assembly which extends to drive the take up reel of the VHS-C cassette when it is being held by the confining arms.

Abstract: An ultra-compact tape cassette system includes an ultra-compact cassette and an adapter, simulating a standard compact cassette, which allows the cassette to be played in a recorder designed for a standard compact cassette. When the cassette is inserted into the adapter, internal reel brakes are automatically de-activated, and the front door of the cassette is opened, to expose the tape for playing. The adapter further comprises devices which simulate recordable tabs and reflect the recordable status of the ultra-compact cassette.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism operable with either one of first and second cassettes each accommodating therein a reeled magnetic recording tape. The first cassette is of a type having a uniform thickness and a head access window and at least one roller access window defined at a front thereof and also has a normally closed slide shutter for selectively opening and closing both of the head and roller access windows. The second cassette has a head access window and at least one roller access window defined at a bulged region at a front thereof and has therefore maximum and minimum thicknesses. The cassette loading mechanism has spaced apart holders for holding either one of the first and second cassettes, a detecting lever assembly movable in a plane parallel to a cassette inserting plane between first and second positions and also for movement in a direction generally diverging from the cassette inserting plane.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a case accommodating magnetic tape wound around a pair of reel hubs. The case defines tape feed path openings extending through both ends of the case near its front portion from winding openings to a front recess through which a magnetic head or the like is to be inserted. The case has a base portion and top and bottom plates covering top and bottom surfaces of the base portion. The base portion is solid in the direction of its thickness except at the winding opening and the tape feed path openings. The base portion has a front portion and a rear portion contiguous to each other through a bridge extending between the winding openings. The base portion and the top and bottom plates are cut out at portions corresponding to the front recess. The base portion is provided at the front part thereof with guides to guide the magnetic tape. An adaptor may be provided for use with the tape cassette. The adaptor has a case into which the tape cassette is insertable.

Abstract: Provided is a cassette holder device in a tape recording apparatus having a body, which receives either one or more than two kinds of tape cassettse having different sizes, and loads thereof in the tape recorder body, comprising: a cassette holder member, having an insertion opening, for storing and holding therein a large size tape cassette; and a small size tape cassette guide member disposed rotatably so that it can project into the insertion opening of the cassette holder member from above the latter, having one of side surfaces facing one of side surfaces of an inserted small size cassette with a slight gap therebetween so as to regulate and guide the position of insertion of the small size tape cassette, the one side surface of the small tape cassette guide member guiding the one side surface of the small size tape cassette so as to introduce the latter into the holder member while the guide member is rotated upward by insertion force of a large size tape cassette which is inserted into the insertion op

Abstract: A full cassette and a C cassette having different shapes and different dimensions are received in a tray moved to a cassette inserting position, with their feed reels coaxially positioned. As a tray is moved by a tray moving mechanism, the full cassette and C cassette are moved to a tape driving position while being protected by the tray and their feed reels are mounted on a common feed reel stand at the tape driving position. As the feed reel stand can be shared by the full cassette and C cassette, a cassette loading device can have a simple structure.

Abstract: A feed reel and a take-up reel of a full-size cassette are mounted directly on a feed reel table and a take-up reel table which constitute a tape running system. A feed reel of a C-cassette (compact cassette) is mounted directly on the feed reel table, while a take-up reel of the C-cassette receives a driving force transmitted from the take-up reel table through a torque transmitting mechanism. The full-size cassette is driven directly by the feed and take-up reel tables in the state wherein the tape is loaded by a tape loading member, so that a tape of the full-size cassette is run. On the other hand, in the state wherein a tape in the C-cassette is loaded by the tape loading member, the C-cassette is driven such that the feed reel of the C-cassette is rotated by the feed reel table while the take-up reel of the C-cassette receives a driving force from the take-up reel table 14 through the torque transmitting mechanism. Thus, the tape in the C-cassette is run.

Abstract: A reel table shifting device is adapted to accommodate tape cassettes in a range of differant sizes. The reel table shifting device includes a pair of reel tables adapted to support the tape cassette, a driving mechanism for moving the reel tables between a plurality of mount positions such that the cassette can be mounted at one of the mount positions depending upon the size of the cassette, and an intermediate stopper mechanism operative to arrest movement of the reel tables in a precise predetermined intermediate mount position independent of the direction of movement of the reel tables towards such intermediate mount position.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism comprising a cassette holder for holding a cassette positioned at a first position, with a support member for supporting the cassette holder so that the cassette holder is movable from a first position to a second position at which the cassette is loaded along a predetermined path. A first detector detects that the cassette holder has been moved from the first position to the second position, with a second detector detecting that the cassette holder has been moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A tape recorder provided with a disc player, wherein a tape cassette accommodating portion is formed within a case, a tape winding reel shaft is provided in a position opposite to a hub on the tape winding side of a compact tape cassette to be engaged with the tape cassette accommodating portion, and a turntable for driving a disc is provided in a position opposite to the hub on the tape feed side, thereby to make it possible to reproduce the 8 cm CD disc although it is almost the same in size as the conventional headphone type of tape recorder.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette loading system for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, includes a cassette holder assembly for receiving and holding one cassette of any of a number of different sizes. The cassette holder assembly includes an outer cassette holder which is movable within the loading system body in the vertical and horizontal directions, and an inner cassette holder which supports a cassette therein and which is so supported on the outer cassette holder as to be movable thereon in the horizontal direction. The inner and outer cassette holders are cooperable to cause a cassette to move to an eject position, in which a cassette can be received into the cassette holder assembly and removed therefrom, and a loaded position in which cassette loading is completed.

Abstract: A tape cassette storage rack can accommodate tape cassettes of different sizes at a predetermined position. The accommodated tape cassette may be directly manually withdrawn from the rack without using a jig or the like. The tape storage racks create a high area efficiency available for the storing of the tape cassettes.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus including a cassette discriminating device for discriminating a large cassette having first supply and take-up reels and a small cassette having second supply and take-up reels, a first reel base engageable with the first and second supply reels, a second reel base engageable with the first take-up reel, a third reel base engageable with the second take-up reel, which is lifted and lowered vertically, a first cassette loading device for loading the large cassette onto the first and second reel bases so as to hold the third reel base at a lowered position before completion of loading of the large cassette, a second cassette loading device for loading the small cassette onto the first and third reel bases so as to hold the third reel base at a lifted position before completion of loading of the small cassette and a rotational power transmission device for transmitting a rotational force to the third reel base when the third reel base is held at the lifted position.

Abstract: An adaptor having the same size as that of a standardized tape cassette accommodates a small-sized tape cassette for insertion into a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and includes an upper adaptor half formed to become openable and/or closable, a pair of tape withdrawing levers for withdrawing a magnetic tape from the small-sized tape cassette, and a pair of coupling members for coupling the upper adaptor half to the tape withdrawing levers, wherein when the upper adaptor half is rotated in its closing direction, the tape withdrawing levers are rotated to withdraw the magnetic tape so that the magnetic tape is extended within the adaptor.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a cassette tray adapted for holding a standard size tape cassette and having a depression adapted for holding a compact size tape cassette, a cassette carriage for transporting the cassette tray in a horizontal direction from an unloading position to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, and an elevating mechanism for moving the cassette tray transported to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in a downward direction to a loading position where the tape cassette is located ready for loading on a rotary drum assembly of the apparatus. The loading system comprises detecting switches for detecting uncorrect state of the tape cassette on the cassette tray and a controller for inhibiting the continuation of loading procedure when it is detected that the tape cassette is not properly or correctly placed on the cassette tray.

Abstract: A tape loading mechanism of a video tape recorder designed to play a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape casette comprises a chassis carrying a pair of guide grooves at both sides of a guide drum toward a first area of the chassis on which the standard size tape cassette is held at the time of operation of the video tape recorder. The guide grooves are further extended toward a second area of the chassis defined inside the first area on which the compact size tape cassette is held. A pair of loading members are moved along the guide grooves toward their front ends close to the tape cassette when the compact size tape cassette is loaded so that loading poles in the loading members are accepted in a cutout portion formed at a front side of the compact size tape cassette.