Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is capable of selectively loading a large-sized cassette and a small-sized cassette. A large-sized cassette insertion opening having a form corresponding to the large-sized cassette (3) is provided in a cassette control unit (K1). The inserted large-sized cassette (3) is supported by a slider (6). This slider (6) is movable between an insertion position (6S) and an operation position (6P). The small-sized cassette (1) is received in a housing (19) outside the cassette control unit (K1) through the large-sized cassette insertion opening and it is set and supported in an adapter chassis (14). The adapter chassis (14) is movable through a slide plate (30) between a retreat position (14S) enabling insertion of the large-sized cassette (3) and a setting position (14G), and between the setting position (14G) and an operation position (14D). The adapter chassis (14) can be attached to the slider (6) in the operation position ( 6P).

Abstract: An automatic cassette changer capable of selectively loading any of cassettes of various sizes upon a recording and/or playback unit, comprises cassette-housing racks capable of selectively storing any of large cassettes and small cassettes, and having first guides for the large cassette and second guides for the small cassette so as to put the respective cassettes in their proper positions; and a cassette transfer having third guides for the large cassette and fourth guides for the small cassette so as to have both sides of the respective cassettes guided, and capable of selectively moving any of the large cassette and the small cassette from the cassette-housing racks to the recording and/or playback unit, and vice versa.

Abstract: A mechanism for loading the tape of a standard- or compact-size tape cassette against a rotary head assembly in a compatible recording/reproducing apparatus for selective use with the two types of tape cassettes. The apparatus has a main chassis with a set of fixed positioning pins for positioning the standard-size tape cassette thereon. A floating chassis, much less in size than the main chassis, is mounted thereto for displacement in a direction normal to the principal plane of the main chassis. A pair of tape loader assemblies are mounted to the main chassis for taking the tape out from the standard-size tape cassette positioned on the main chassis, or from the compact-size tape cassette positioned on the floating chassis, and for loading the tape against the rotary head assembly. A common drive cam is coupled to both the floating chassis and the tape loader assemblies via separate drive linkages in order to cause their timed travels.

Abstract: An automatic video tape converting device capable of converting camera-used video tape into general video tape suitable for common video player to play, wherein a pair of corresponding guide grooves are formed on a box body for a drive cover having a rack portion to slidably associate with, winding mechanism and left and right arm members and fixing blocks being disposed in the box body, whereby when the video tape is placed therein, the drive cover can move forward or backward to push the winding mechanism and outward swing the left and right arm members, making the same fixedly located by the fixing blocks, or to make the winding mechanism reversely wind the tape member of video tape thereinto.

Abstract: A cassette loading mechanism for a magnetic recording/reproducing device is disclosed, in which two different cassettes can be loaded selectively. Two inserting openings, profiled to conform to a large size cassette and a small size cassette, are provided in a cassette control unit. The large size cassette, when introduced, is held by a slider. This slider is movable between a position of insertion and a position of recording and/or reproduction. The small size cassette inserted into the unit is held by an adapter chassis. This adapter chassis is movable by the medium of the loading chassis, between a position of insertion and a position of recording/reproduction. The adapter chassis may be attached to the slider. A lid is mounted to the unit for rotation for opening or closing the inserting opening for the large size cassette. Locking levers for engaging with the lid are provided at both end edge portions of the lid.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading system of a video tape recorder comprises a cassette loading mechanism including a cassette tray adapted to accept a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape cassette, for transporting a tape cassette placed thereon from a eject state located substantially outside of a body of the video tape recorder for placement or removal of the tape cassette horizontally to a closed state in which the tape cassette is completely inside the body of the video tape recorder, then to a compact cassette loading state immediately below the closed state, and then to a standard cassette loading state further below the compact cassette loading state, wherein a reel drive mechanism is movable responsive to the type of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means between a first state and a second state for driving a take up reel and a supply reel of the tape cassette, a tape loading mechanism is movable responsive to the type of the tape cassette on the cassette loading mechanism between a firs

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce system, disclosed is an accessor which inserts or extracts a cassette from a storage location or a record/reproduce device. The accessor includes a cassette gripper assembly which handles different sizes of cassettes. Lateral motion of the accessor (a) actuates the gripper assembly to grip and ungrip a cassette and (b) effects locking and unlocking of the gripper assembly. A pair of accessors are mounted on an accessor platform so that one accessor can insert a cassette while the other accessor extracts a cassette, either at the same location (record/reproduce device) or at different locations (storage compartments).

Abstract: A reel position device for shifting reel supports, on which reels are mounted, corresponding to diameters of the reels of plural different sizes and/or distances between the reels and for positioning and holding the reel supports at a predetermined position, and a magnetic recording apparatus usign such reel support shifting device, wherein one end of each of operation members for shifting the reel supports is rotatably engaged by a corresponding pivot shaft arranged at a predetermined radial position of each of rotary members driven by a motor. The other end of said operation member is engaged by a guide in a reel support shifting structure and by a guide slot formed in a fixed part of the device. A positioning and holding mechanism such as a V-shaped notch is provided in each guide slot. Positioning and holding forces are obtained from elastic members such as springs connected to the rotary members.

Abstract: A tape cassette driving system of a video tape recorder for driving the reels of the tape cassette comprises a main chassis for supporting a standard size tape cassette and a sub-chassis for supporting a compact size tape cassette. The main chassis carries a reel disk for driving a take up reel of the standard size tape cassette and the sub-chassis carries a drive gear adapted for engagement with the reel disk on the main chassis and further for engagement with teeth formed on the periphery of the take up reel of the compact size tape cassette. The sub-chassis is connected to the main chassis by a plurality of swing arms such that the sub-chassis is movable up and down relative to the main chassis. As a result of the connection by the swing arms, the sub-chassis is moved along a circular path when it is moved up and down and the engagement of the drive gear with the toothed part of the reel disk can be achieved smoothly.

Abstract: A cassette loading device for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, capable of loading tape cassettes of different sizes and weights, comprises a cassette holder capable of moving between a cassette insertion position and a cassette loading completed position, cassette holder driving means, optical sensors for detecting which type of tape cassette has been inserted into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and torque control means for controlling the driving torque of the cassette holder driving means in response to a detection signal indicative of the type of tape cassette, thereby allowing the tape cassette to load at an essentially consistent loading speed regardless of the type of tape cassette. With this construction, the loading device has high positioning accuracy.

Abstract: A compatible recording/reproducing apparatus for selective use with a standard-size tape cassette and compact-size tape cassette. Included is a main chassis having a set of fixed positioned pins for positioning the standard-size tape cassette thereon, and a pair of drive spindles for driving engagement with the reel hubs of the standard-size tape cassette. A floating chassis, much less in size than the main chassis, is mounted thereto for displacement in a direction at right angles with the principal plane of the main chassis. The floating chassis has mounted thereon another set of positioning pins for positioning the compact-size tape cassette thereon, and a drive gear for driving engagement with a driven gear incorporatd with the compact-size tape cassette. Positioned on the floating chassis, the compact-size tape cassette has its magnetic tape transported by the drive gear and one of the drive spindles on the main chassis.

Abstract: An automatic cassette exchanging system for performing cassette exchange between an information recording/reproducing device such as VTR and a cassette storage device. The automatic cassette exchanging system has a basic unit comprising a box and a fixing type cassette storage case which is placed in line in the box with the information recording/reproducing device so that a robot moving space is formed in the front side portion of the box so as to face cassette entrance and exit ports of the fixing type cassette storage case. A cassette exchanging robot is provided in the robot moving space to be movable orthogonally for the cassette exchange therebetween. The automatic cassette exchanging system allows addition of a unit or units comprising a box which has a robot moving space and a rotatable type cassette storage case whose cassette entrance and exit ports can face the robot moving space.

Abstract: A roll film driving device is capable of accommodating different film cartridges housing reels of different coupling methods to a driving shaft and forwarding and reversing the reeled film by coupling the reel with the driving shaft. The driving shaft is provided with different coupling members respectively adapted to different reels of the film cartridges, wherein each coupling member is bound to the driving shaft in the rotating direction but is axially movable between a coupled position and a noncoupled position, and a coupling member matching the reel of the loaded cartridge is selected to make such movement.

Abstract: A tape transport capable of receiving cassettes of varying sizes, one at the time for play, includes a cassette indexing mechanism capable of selectively positioning the spindles which engage the reels of an associated cassette at a selected distance corresponding to the reel-center-to-reel-center distance of the cassette. Mis-insertion apparatus associated with the transport provides that any cassette smaller than the cassette receiving opening in the transport will be protected against being improperly inserted into the transport.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, such as a VTR, capable of operating with a plurality of kinds of tape cassettes varying in the center distance between a pair of reels contained therein comprises a reel mount shifting mechanism which discriminates between different tape cassettes and varies the center distance between a pair of reel mounts of the VTR according to the center distance between a pair of reels of a tape cassette to be used, a cassette holder capable of moving between a cassette inserting position and a cassette mounting position, a tape loading mechanism for winding the tape of a tape cassette mounted on the reel mounts around a rotary drum, driving circuits respectively for driving the reel mount shifting mechanism, the cassette holder and the tape loading mechanism, a single variable output power circuit for supplying power to the driving circuits, and a control circuit for connecting the variable output power circuit alternately to the driving

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus has incorporated therein a tape cassette adapter which can house therein a small tape cassette and which has a mechanism for drawing out a magnetic tape from the small tape cassette to attain nearly the same tape travel path to that of a large tape cassette in order to load the magnetic tape on a tape drive mechanism. The tape cassette adapter can have a position that it will not interfere with the loading and unloading of the large tape cassette, a position where at least a part of the tape cassette adapter is projected outside from the apparatus so that the samll tape cassette can be housed into or removed from the adapter, and a position where the drawn-out magnetic tape is driven by a tape drive mechanism of the apparatus. Either the small or large tape cassette can be easily loaded on or unloaded from the apparatus.

Abstract: A tape transport capable of receiving cassettes of varying sizes, one at the time for play, includes a cassette indexing mechanism capable of selectively positioning the spindles which engage the reels of an associated cassette at a selected distance corresponding to the reel-center-to-reel-center distance of the cassette. Mis-insertion apparatus associated with the transport provides that any cassette smaller than the cassette receiving opening in the transport will be protected against being improperly inserted into the transport.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus which enables selective loading of a plurality of kinds of magnetic tape cassettes of different sizes, including a slider which receives a large magnetic tape cassette horizontally from an insertion position of the large magnetic tape cassette so as to displace the large magnetic tape cassette horizontally and then, lowers the large magnetic tape cassette vertically and an adapter chassis into which a small magnetic tape cassette is fitted so as to be locked thereto.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of selectively loading at least two tape cassettes whose respective spaces between reels differ from each other, has a pair of reel bases moved to be made to coincide with either of the spaces between the reels, a pair of position reference pins used in common to put either of the two tape cassettes in a horizontally and vertically exact position, and a pair of height reference pins moved together with the pair of reel bases to put either of the two tape cassettes in a vertically exact position, so that the bottom face, the front face and the central plane equidistant from a pair of reels of the cassette are exactly put in respective predetermined normal face or plane positions.

Abstract: A tape transport capable of receiving cassettes of varying sizes, one at the time for play, includes a cassette indexing mechanism capable of selectively positioning the spindles which engage the reels of an associated cassette at a selected distance corresponding to the reel-center-to-reel-center distance of the cassette. Mis-insertion apparatus associated with the transport provides that any cassette smaller than the cassette receiving opening in the transport will be protected against being improperly inserted into the transport.

Abstract: An improved standard size video cassette has a top shell and a bottom shell held together so as to define a rectangular casing for storing therein a magnetic tape wound on reels. The bottom shell is formed with a groove having a width sufficiently wide to receive the projection therein with hardly any contact during cassette insertion into or ejection from the holder. An improved reduced size video cassette has a top shell and a bottom shell held together so as to define a rectangular casing for storing therein a magnetic tape wound on reels. The bottom shell is formed with the groove which is located such that a distance between the center of the groove and one end of the rectangular casing is slightly smaller than the distance between a center of the projection and one of the opposite side plates.

Abstract: To prevent distortion of a cassette housing, and specifically of the top or plan surface (T) thereof upon engagement of the cassette housing with drive rollers, a drive shaft (34) extends transversely across the housing and carries a plurality of pairs of drive rollers (50,51; 52,53; 54,55), of increasing diameters starting from a central axis of symmetry (X--X), the respective pairs of rollers being spaced from each other by a distance which is just slightly smaller than the widths dimension of the respective cassette of the set to be introduced therein. A motor (35) is coupled to the shaft to rotate the shaft, for insertion, or ejecting movement.

Abstract: To permit only centered insertion of variously sized cassettes (SML) of a set of cassettes into an opening leading into an insertion well of a tape transducer housing (H), cover flaps (1,3,7) are located across the opening, the cover flaps being positioned symmetrically with respect to a central axis of symmetry (XX) of the insertion path. One of the flaps, corresponding in size to the smallest one of the cassettes, closes off the path for the smallest cassette. The next flap is subdivided into two flap portions located, symetrically, adjacent the center flap, and cross-connected by a cross-connecting shaft or strap (3c,63c). Adjacent thereto are outer flap portions (7a,7b). The respective flap portions are locked in position by releasable locks (4) engageable by the leading edge of the respective cassettes. The locks are located adjacent the outer edges of the respective flap portions. Only if both appropriately sized flap portions are released from the locks, can the openings be completely uncovered.

Abstract: To provide for conjoint movement of reel tables (1,2) on which the centers of winding reels of cassettes having different reel spacing, for example from a set of cassettes, can be positioned, the reel tables are located on respective carriages (5,25) operable in a common plane along guide reels or rods (3,4; 23,24), and commonly driven from a single motor (13). The motor 13 is in engagement, via bevel gears coupled to the shaft, with two spindles (7,27), engaged by spindle nuts which are coupled to the respective carriages, so that, upon rotation of the motor, both of the reel tables will move in a common plane and will shift proportionately along the guide tracks or rods, thereby moving conjointly, and proportionately with respect to said axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A large-sized tape cassette has a width, measured in a transverse direction, larger than the similarly measured width of a standard, relatively small-sized tape cassette and, for the purpose of being adapted to be selectively loaded, in place of the standard cassette, into a tape cassette recording and/or reproducing, the large-sized tape cassette has a bottom surface with a plurality of grooves therein extending at right angles to the transverse direction and spaced from each other by a distance equal to the width of the standard, relatively small-sized cassette, and the apparatus includes a cassette holder having a pair of parallel guide rails spaced apart for slidable reception in the grooves of the large-sized cassette or for slidable engagement of confronting surfaces of the guide rails with side surfaces of the standard, small-sized cassette.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of selectively loading at least two tape cassettes whose respective spaces between reels differ from each other, has a pair of reel bases moved to be made to coincide with either of the spaces between the reels, a pair of position reference pins used in common to put either of the two tape cassettes in a horizontally and vertically exact position, and a pair of height reference pins moved together with the pair of reel bases to put either of the two tape cassettes in a vertically exact position, so that the bottom face, the front face and the central plane equidistant from a pair of reels of the cassette are exactly put in respective predetermined normal face or plane positions.

Abstract: A serial cassette changer in which the height and the width of a cassette in a cassette carriage are measured. The positions of two markers are controlled by levers which bear against the sides of the cassette, so that the angular positions of the markers are determined by the cassette dimensions. The angular positions of the markers are then "read" by an optical source and sensor by moving the cassette carriage (bearing the markers) across the field of view of the optical reader.

Abstract: A device which is compatible for selectively loading either a first disk cartridge in which a first disk is encased or a second disk cartridge in which a second disk is encased and wherein the radius of the first disk is different from the radius of the second disk, the first cartridge having a first width extending over substantially the whole length of the first cartridge in the intended direction of cartridge insertion, the second cartridge consisting of a front portion having a width equal to the first width and a rear portion having a width greater than the first width, the device including a chassis and a cartridge guiding and loading apparatus supported by the chassis for selectively loading either the first cartridge or the second cartridge, the cartridge guiding and loading apparatus including guides for guiding either the first or the second cartridge as the first or second cartridge is selectively loaded into the device, the guides being moveable between first and second positions such that when in

Abstract: The cassette tape recorder for the four common types of cassettes according to German Industrial Standards DIN 32 715 T, 32 715 W, and the so-called micro-cassette as well as the mini-M-cassette comprises three sound head carriers (10, 20, 30) adapted to be moved selectively into operating position. Furthermore, the spacing between winding shafts (2,2') is adjustable by a movable cam disc (17). This adjustment is taken care of by cam disc engaging fixtures (23, 33) at the movable sound head carriers (20 and 30, respectively) and by a spring (18) holding the cam disc (17) in an inoperative position against a stop. Likewise provided are adjustable winding heads (3,3') causing different engagement members (4,6) to become effective for the winding drive, the adjustment of the winding heads (3,3') also being effected upon moving of the sound head carriers (10,20,30).

Abstract: A tape cassette is provided with a slider serving as a reel lock releasing element and which is movable in the front-to-rear direction near the rear of the cassette, along a path defined by a guide. A guide groove is formed in the underside of the cassette in alignment with the guide for the slider. The slider has a downward projection extending into the guide groove through an elongated opening in the guide. The downward projection is abutted by a projection built into the playback unit, and which is received in the guide groove for guiding the cassette during its insertion into the playback unit or VTR. Therefore, insertion of the cassette causes the cassette guiding projection to displace the slider for releasing the tape reels.

Abstract: An adaptor for playing a magnetic tape cassette in a tape player for 8-track endless tape cartridges, including an adaptor housing whose horizontal width and depth dimensions and peripheral shape adjacent the bottom thereof are substantially the same as that of the endless tape cartridge to fit in the cartridge-receiving cavity of the tape player. The housing is shaped to form an upwardly opening well for receiving the magnetic tape cassette, and has a tape driving capstan for driving the cassette tape, and a capstan drive train for selectively driving the capstan from the tape drive of the cartridge player, including a pivoted power takeoff lever and pulley to couple and decouple with the cartridge tape drive, and a pivoted function control lever having an end portion movable relative to the takeoff lever to position the latter at non-driven and release positions.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus has a pair of movable reel tables, the center distance between which is automatically so adjustable as to coincide with the center distance between the reels of any tape cassette optionally selected from various types of tape cassettes.

Abstract: A digital magnetic recording tape cartridge has a housing that permits use of up to 1/4-inch wide tape which, in turn, increases data recording packing density over standard 0.150-inch tape cartridges. The tape cartridge is the belt-driven type having a flexible elastic endless belt that applies tension to tape on the supply and take-up reels to move the tape. Rotation of a driving roller causes the belt to drive the tape reels and move the tape between the reels. A magnetic head of the tape transport engages an exposed portion of the tape in the cartridge for reading or writing data on the tape. In a preferred embodiment, the tape is 1/4-inch wide. The number of data tracks is substantially increased by the wider 1/4-inch tape. The cartridge housing has a base plate with a stepped down recess that accommodates the wider 1/4-inch tape and the wider supply and take-up reels, tape guide rollers, and tape guide pins.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette comprises an adapter case having an external form and size substantially the same as those of a standard type tape cassette, an accommodating part for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette, a tape draw-out mechanism for drawing a tape out of the miniature type tape cassette which is accommodated within the accommodating part, and for forming a tape path within the adapter case, an electrical circuit located within the adapter case, and terminals coupled to the electrical circuit within the adapter case and exposed at a surface of the adapter case. The terminals make contact with a contact of a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus when the adapter is inserted into the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, so as to electrically couple the electrical circuit within the adapter case to an electrical circuit within the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette has an external form and size smaller than those of a standard type tape cassette. The miniature type tape cassette is primarily designed for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus which is originally designed for the standard type tape cassette. The miniature type tape cassette has an erroneous erasure preventing tab which operates together with a detection mechanism of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the different type. While the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus has a detection mechanism which is primarily designed to operate together with an erroneous erasure preventing tab of the standard type tape cassette.

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

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

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

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

Abstract: A tape cassette adapter has a compact cassette, the magnetic tape of which is drawn out of the compact cassette by the movement of a tape drawing member from an inoperative position to an operative position due to movement in a single direction by a slide member. The tape is wound back onto a take-up reel of the compact cassette by a rotating member due to movement of the slide member in the reverse direction, while the tape drawing member returns from the operative position to the inoperative position.

Abstract: A tape cassette loaded with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a reel driving mechanism including at least one reel driving shaft comprises a cassette case, and a supply side reel and a take-up side reel provided within the cassette case, for winding a tape. One reel of the supply side and take-up side reels is constructed so that the reel driving shaft of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus is inserted into this one reel from a lower direction thereof to engage therewith when the tape cassette is loaded into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and driven at a center part of the one reel. The other reel of the supply side and take-up side reels is constructed so as to be transmitted of rotation by a rotation transmitting mechanism at a part other than a center part thereof and rotated.

Abstract: A miniature type tape cassette used with respect to a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs recording and/or reproduction when loaded with a standard type tape cassette and with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a cassette case having a size smaller than that of the standard type tape cassette, and a tape accommodated within the cassette case.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette has an external form and size smaller than those of a standard type tape cassette. The adapter comprises an adapter case having an external form and size substantially identical to those of the standard type tape cassette, an accommodating part for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette, a cover provided in a state free to open and close for covering the accommodating part in its closed state, a tape draw-out mechanism provided within the adapter case, for drawing out a tape from the miniature type tape cassette accommodated within the accommodating part and forming a predetermined tape path within the adapter case, and a locking mechanism for engaging with a part of the tape draw-out mechanism when the cover is in its open state, and for locking the tape draw-out mechanism in an immovable state at a position before the tape draw-out mechanism starts a tape draw-out operation.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette provided with an opening and closing lid, has an external form and size smaller than those of a standard type tape cassette, and comprises an adapter case having an external form and size substantially identical to those of a standard type tape cassette, an accommodating part for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette, a tape draw-out mechanism provided within the adapter case for drawing out a tape from the miniature type tape cassette so as to form a predetermined tape path within the adapter case, and a lid stopping member for stopping a lower surface of an open lid of the miniature type tape cassette accommodated within the accommodating part, at least at a substantially central part along a longitudinal direction of the lid.

Abstract: An adapter for a miniature type tape cassette which has an external form and size smaller than those of a standard type tape cassette, where the miniature type tape cassette is used with a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus for performing recording and/or reproduction when loaded with the standard type tape cassette. The adapter comprises an adapter case having an external form and size substantially equal to those of the standard type tape cassette, an accommodating part for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette, and a tape guiding member provided within the adapter case, for guiding a tape drawn out from the miniature type tape cassette so as to form a predetermined tape path within the adapter case.

Abstract: A plug-in adaptor for playing standard cassettes in an 8-track stereo cartridge player, wherein the mechanical power for playing and rewinding the tape in the cassette is provided by the capstan of the 8-track player. A pickup head in the adaptor senses the magnetic signals from the cassette tape as it is driven past the pickup head, and these signals are amplified by an adaptor amplifier and supplied to a magnetic coupler in the adaptor adjacent the 8-track tape playback head, which receives the signals for transmission to the electronics and speakers of the 8-track unit. Electric power for the adaptor amplifier is drawn from an 8-track tape sensor ordinarily used to sense the end of an 8-track tape.

Abstract: A miniature type tape cassette comprises a cassette case smaller than a standard type tape cassette, a magnetic tape, a transparent leader tape having one end secured to a take-up reel and the other end connected to a starting end of the magnetic tape, and a transparent trailer tape having one end secured to a supply reel and the other end connected to a terminal end of the magnetic tape, which are accommodated within the cassette case. The miniature type tape cassette is loaded together with a tape cassette adapter having an external form and size identical to the standard type tape cassette into a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and is also loaded independently into a compact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: Tape cleaning apparatus comprising a platform having an upstanding wall at one end is disclosed. Upper and lower means are provided in the wall for receiving pads to clean, lubricate, and impart anti-static treatment to tape in cassettes when positioned thereagainst. Members on the platform extend thereabove for mounting and positioning cassettes with exposed tape portions in cleaning positions adjacent the pad receiving means. A first set of members, including a clip member, is positioned to engage the rear of a dual reel cassette in the lower position adjacent the platform. A second set of members is spaced rearwardly of the position of the dual reel cassette and extends thereabove to support a continuous loop cassette in an elevated position above that of the dual reel cassette, the members of the first set having a height below the minimum height above the platform of the continuous loop cassette.

Abstract: A tape cassette comprises a cassette case, a tape accommodated within the cassette case where the tape has a front tape path part along the front surface of the cassette case when the tape cassette is not used, a lid rotatably provided at the front surface of the cassette case free to open and close where the lid covers the tape at the front tape path part when the lid is closed, and a mechanism for maintaining the lid in an open state and a closed state, respectively.

Abstract: A tape recorder in which a pair of reel shafts are protruded from a cassette receiving surface on one side of which a magnetic recording/reproducing part, a pinch roller and a capstan are arranged sequentially is parallel with a line between said reel shafts, slits are symmetrically provided in reference to the center line between said reel shafts in said cassette receiving surface, said slits are arranged so that the end parts near said magnetic recording/reproducing part are close to the center line between said reel shafts while the other end parts are away from the center line between said reel shafts, the reel shafts are positioned in accordance with the distance between the reels of a cassette half in a different size by shifting said reel shafts symmetrically in said slits, a bearing pulley is provided at each of the roots of said pair of reel shafts, a driving device having an endless belt selectively depressed onto one of these bearing pulleys is provided between said bearing pulleys so that the part