Patent ID: 6215612
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus for recording/reproducing information on/from a magnetic tape by drawing out the magnetic tape from a tape cassette and allowing the magnetic tape to pass around a rotary head cylinder having a rotary head for a predetermined arc, the apparatus comprising:a capstan shaft for driving the magnetic tape;a pinch roller for pressing the magnetic tape against the capstan shaft;a first reel base rotatably attached to a shaft, the first reel base engaging with a first reel for holding the magnetic tape wound onto the first reel located in the tape cassette;a second reel base rotatably attached to a shaft, the second reel base engaging with a second reel for holding the magnetic tape wound onto the second reel located in the tape cassette; andan idler supported swingably to swing to the second reel base when the capstan shaft is rotated in a first direction and to the first reel base when the capstan shaft is rotated in a second direction,wherein the idler includes a gear portion which rotates in association with the rotation of the capstan shaft,when the running of the magnetic tape is to be shifted from the first direction to the second direction, the rotation of the capstan shaft in the first direction stops, the pinch roller moves away from the capstan shaft, the capstan shaft is rotated in the second direction by a predetermined amount so that the idler swings to the first reel base, the capstan shaft stops again, the pinch roller presses the magnetic tape against the capstan shaft, and the capstan shaft is rotated again in the second direction to allow the magnetic tape to run in the second direction and the gear portion to be coupled with the first reel base, the gear portion rotating the first reel base in a direction in which the magnetic tape is wound onto the first reel.