Patent ID: 6155509
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A multi-cassette record and playback apparatus which is arranged to receive different size cassettes including a first size cassette having a pair of tape reels with a specific reel-center to reel-center spacing at a first distance, and a second size cassette having a pair of tape reels with a specific reel-center to reel-center spacing at a second distance,said record and playback apparatus comprising:a loading and unloading mechanism including a movable housing having a first defined location and a second defined location, the housing being movable horizontally inward and outward between loading and operative positions,a pair of tape-reel driving members,supports for said driving members, the supports being movable to vary a spacing of said driving members,a mobile member translatable horizontally inward and outward by the housing,a linkage between the mobile member and the supports for said driving members, wherein the linkage adjusts the supports to vary the spacing of said driving members responsive to horizontal translation of the mobile member by the housing,the mobile member having a first horizontal position wherein the spacing of said driving members is set by the linkage at the first distance and a second horizontal position wherein the spacing of said driving members is set by the linkage at the second distance, the first horizontal position being horizontally spaced from the second horizontal position, anda connection between the housing and the mobile member, the connection being one of(i) disabled during the inward movement of the housing to allow the mobile member to remain in the first horizontal position and(ii) enabled during the inward movement of the housing to cause the mobile member to be translated by the housing to the second horizontal position,the connection including an element carried by the mobile member, the element being maintained at one of a first level and a second level within the apparatus during the inward movement of the housing, the second level being vertically spaced from the first level,wherein when the element is maintained at the first level during the inward movement of the housing the connection is disabled and the spacing of said driving members is set at the first distance, andwhen the element is maintained at the second level during the inward movement of the housing the connection is enabled and the mobile member is translated by the housing to the second horizontal position to set the spacing of said driving members via the linkage at the second distance.