Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention relates to an apparatus including a real engagement portion, a first brake, and a second brake. The first brake is configured to be selectively coupled to the first reel engagement portion. The second brake is configured to be selectively configured to the first reel engagement portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relates to a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatuses (e.g. video cassettes, audio cassettes, and/or micro audio cassette) may be used to record information (e.g. audio signals or video signals). Some cassettes which hold tape for use in a tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus have two reels. As the tape is played, the tape is moved from one reel to another. Additionally, many magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatuses have a function to rewind tape at a relatively high speed. In other words, the two reels in the cassette are moved very quickly so the tape is transferred from one reel to the other.  
           [0005]    However, some limitations do exist in some tape recording and/or reproducing apparatuses. If during a rewind or fast forward operation, the operation is suddenly stopped, there is a possibility that the tape could be damaged. This phenomenon may occur because significantly more tape is on one reel of the tape cassette than the other reel of the tape cassette. Accordingly, each of the two reels will take a different amount of time to be stopped if the same braking forces apply to each of these reels during a stopping operation. Because the two reels will take different amounts of time to stop, the tape may be damaged. In some circumstances, the tape actually may become unwound from the tape cassette inside the tape playing and/or reproducing apparatus, thereby damaging the tape. In other circumstances, too much tension may be applied to the tape and the tape may actually break or be damaged through stretching. Accordingly, there has been a long felt need to prevent tape from being damaged in a tape apparatus, when a fast forward or rewind mode is stopped.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention relates to an apparatus including a real engagement portion, a first brake, and a second brake. The first brake is configured to be selectively coupled to the first reel engagement portion. The second brake is configured to be selectively configured to the first reel engagement portion.  
           [0007]    In exemplary embodiments, a reel of the tape apparatus will have at least two brakes that can be selectively applied to one of two reels in a tape apparatus. In a circumstance where the amount of tape on two reels in a tape apparatus is not equal, an appropriate combination of two brakes is applied so that the stopping time of a first reel and a second reel is approximately the same. Accordingly, since the stopping time of the first reel and the second reel is substantially the same, tape will not be damaged when a rewind or fast forward operation is stopped. For example, if much more tape is wound on a first reel than a second reel, then two brakes may be applied to the first reel when a rewind or fast forward operation is stopped, because the first teel has a greater inertial force than the second reel. Alternately, if much less tape is wound on a first reel than a second reel, then only one brake may be applied to the first reel when a rewind or fast forward operation is stopped. This is appropriate, as the first reel will have a smaller inertial force than the second reel, then the first reel will require a smaller braking force than the braking force needed for the second reel to have substantially the same stopping time. Embodiments of the present invention are advantageous, as tape will not be damaged when a rewind mode or fast forward mode is stopped.  
           [0008]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 4A to  4 C are exemplary partial cross-sectional views of a reel brake mechanism.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic view of a function plate of the reel brake mechanism.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic view showing an operational condition of reel brake mechanism in a standard play mode of a magnetic tape.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic view showing an operational condition of the reel brake mechanism at an early stage of a FF (Fast Forward) or REW (Rewind) mode of a magnetic tape.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic view showing an operational condition of the reel brake mechanism at a later stage of the FF (Fast Forward) or REW Rewind) mode of a magnetic tape. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    A magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus, (e.g., a video tape recorder) may record signals on a tape and/or reproduce recorded signals on the tape by running a tape (serving as a recording medium) along a tape running system. A tape may be used in a tape cassette and loaded on a deck of a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatuses. Tape may be run along a tape running system in accordance with various operation modes (e.g., a reproducing mode, a recording mode, a high-speed forward running mode, and a high-speed backward running mode). A high-speed forward running mode may be referred to as FF (Fast Forward) mode. A high-speed backward running mode may be referred to as a REW (Rewind) mode.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 1 and 2 are exemplary illustrations of a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Supply reel  3  and or take-up reel  5  may be installed on main chassis  1  and may be spaced from each other by a designated distance. Supply reel  3  and the take-up reel  5  may be selectively driven by receiving a driving force of a driving source (not shown). Tape (T) may be run within a tape cassette from one reel to another reel.  
         [0019]    Tension band  7  may be wound on supply reel  3 . Both terminals of tension band  7  may be connected to tension arm  9 . Tension arm  9  may be installed on the main chassis  1 . Tension post  10  may be for adjusting a tension of tape (T) installed on a front end of tension arm  9 . Tension post  10  may contact one surface of running tape (T) and may control a degree of close contact between tension band  7  and supply reel  3  in accordance with tension of tape (T). Tension post  10  may adjust the tension of tape (T). Reference numeral “ 11 ” may denote a tension lever for controlling operation of tension arm  9 . Reference numeral “ 3   a ” may denote a sensor for sensing an amount of tape (T) wound on supply reel  3 . Reference numeral “ 5   a ” may denote a sensor for sensing an amount of tape (T) wound on take-up reel  5 . A braking force may be used to stop rotation of supply reel  3 .  
         [0020]    Supply reel brake unit  13  may be installed at a designated location on main chassis  1  near supply reel  3 . Supply reel brake unit  13  may include a friction member  14  formed at one side. Supply reel brake unit  13  may control rotational speed of supply reel  3  by bringing friction member  14  into close contact with the outer circumference of supply reel  3 . Supply reel brake unit  13  may be supported by spring  15 . Supply reel brake unit  13  may supply a braking force by an elastic force of spring  15 .  
         [0021]    Rotational speed of take-up reel  5  may be controlled. Take-up reel brake unit  17  may be installed on main chassis  1  neat take-up reel  5 . Take-up reel brake unit  17  may include friction member  18  formed at one side. Take-up reel brake unit  17  may, control rotational speed of take-up reel  5  by selectively bringing friction member  18  into close contact with the outer circumference of take-up reel  5 . One side of take-up reel brake unit  17  may be supported by spring  19 .  
         [0022]    Function plate  20  may be provided on main chassis  1 . Cams  20   a ,  20   b , and  20   c  may be for selectively operating at least one of tension lever  11 , supply reel brake unit  13 , and take-up reel brake unit  17 . Cams  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  may operate according to operation modes of a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus installed on function plate  20 . Running of tape (T) may be achieved by selectively rotating supply reel  3  and take-up reel  5 . FF mode and REW mode may be carried out by speeding up rotation of supply reel  3  and take-up reel  5 .  
         [0023]    A degree of close contact between tension band  7  and supply reel  3  may be changed by the tension of tape (T) transmitted by the tension post  10 . The tension of tape (T) may be adjusted. Supply reel brake unit  13  and take-up reel brake unit  17  may be selectively in close contact with supply reel  3  and take-up reel  5 , thereby stopping the running of tape (T).  
         [0024]    The exemplary reel brake mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may have some limitations. The exemplary reel brake mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be useful in FF or REW modes at relatively low speeds. However, the exemplary reel brake mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may not be proper at relatively high speeds, (e.g., more than 500 times-speed). 500 times-speed may be defined as 43.2 seconds to wind a video tape with a normal playing time of 120 minutes in standard play mode and 360 minutes in an extended play mode, from beginning to end. A speed whereby the tape with the aforementioned length is wound in 1 minute is 360 times-speed.  
         [0025]    An amount of tape (T) wound on take-up reel  5  may be more than an amount of tape (T) wound on supply reel  3 . When tape (T) is in a REW mode and running of tape (T) is stopped at an early stage of the REW mode, tape (T) may become unwound from take-up reel  5 . This unwinding may be due to greater inertia of take-up reel  5  than supply reel  3  due to a relatively large amount of tape wound on take-up reel  5 . Likewise, this problem may also exist when an amount of tape (T) wound on supply reel  3  is mote than that wound on take-up reel  5 , when tape (T) is in a FF mode and running of tape (T) is stopped at an early stage of the FF mode.  
         [0026]    When running of tape (T) is stopped at a later stage of REW mode (e.g., in a condition that an amount of tape (T) wound on supply reel  3  is more than that wound on take-up reel  5  by running the tape (T) at a high-speed in backward direction), tape m wound on take-up reel  5  may experience an inertial force of the supply reel  3 , thereby generating a noise due to the force and damaging tape (T). Likewise, this problem may also occur at a later stage of a FF mode.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 4A to  4 C ate exemplary partial cross-sectional views of a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus. FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic view of a function plate of a reel brake mechanism.  
         [0028]    Supply reel  32  and take-up reel  33  may be installed on main chassis  30  and may be spaced from each other by a designated distance. Supply reel  32  and take-up reel  33  may be selectively rotated by respectively receiving a driving force of a capstan motor (not shown) serving as a driving force, thereby rotating tape reels of a tape cassette. A supply reel sensor and a take-up reel sensor (not shown) may be for sensing an amount of tape wound on corresponding tape reels of a tape cassette by supply reel  32  and take-up reel  33 . A supply reel sensor and a take-up reel sensor may be installed below supply reel  32  and take-up reel  33 .  
         [0029]    Tension band  35  may be for controlling rotation of supply reel  32  and may be for adjusting tension of running tape m installed at a designated location on main chassis  30  neat supply reel  32 . Tension band  35  wound on outer circumference of supply reel  32 . Tension band  35  may control rotational speed of supply reels  32  in accordance with a degree of friction with the outer circumference of supply reel  32 . Both terminals of tension band  35  may be connected to tension arm  37  installed on main chassis  30 .  
         [0030]    Tension arm  37  may be rotably installed on main chassis  30 , centering around its rotational axis  37 ′. Tension post  38  may be installed on a front end of tension arm  27 . Tension post  38  contacts one surface of running tape (T) and may change the degree of friction between tension band  35  and supply reel  32  in accordance with the tension of tape (T). Driving of tension arm  37  may be controlled by a tension lever  39  installed on main chassis  30 . In standard play mode, FF mode, and REW mode, the position of tension arm  37  may be determined by tension lever  39 . Operation of tension band  35  may be controlled by the position of tension arm  
         [0031]    One end of tension spring  41  may be connected to tension arm  37 . Tension spring  41  may apply an elastic force to tension arm  37 . Another end of tension spring  41  may be connected to spring lever  43 . Spring lever  43  may change the elastic force of tension spring  41  by function plate  60  (described below) in accordance with operation modes. Spring lever  43  may change a braking force supplied to supply reel  32  via tension band  37 . In embodiments, spring lever  43  may change the length of the tension spring  41  to change the elastic force applied to tension arm  37 . Brake force supplied by tension band  35 , in accordance with operation modes of a tape (e.g., standard play mode, FF modes and/or REW modes). A braking force for uniformly maintaining tension of a tape in standard play mode and a braking force for stopping the tape in the FF mode or REW mode may be set differently.  
         [0032]    In embodiments, In order to control rotational speed of take-up reel  33 , first take-up reel brake unit  50  may be installed on main chassis  30  near take-up reel  33 . First take-up reel brake unit  50  may be rotably installed on main chassis  30  centering around its rotational axis  50 ′. First take-up reel brake unit  50  may be provided with friction member  52  formed at one end. In embodiments, friction member  52  is made of felt. Friction member  52  may be selectively in close contact with the outer circumference of take-up reel  33 . Brake spring  54  may be installed on one end of first take-up reel brake unit  50 . One end of brake spring  54  may be connected to first take-up reel brake unit  50 . Another end of brake spring  54  may be connected to main chassis  30 . First take-up reel brake unit  50  may rotate by brake spring  54  in a clockwise direction (referred to FIG. 3) centered around rotational axis  50 ′. First take-up reel brake unit  50  may generate a braking force by the elastic force of brake spring  54 .  
         [0033]    In embodiments, in order to control rotational speed of take-up reel  33 , second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be installed on main chassis  30  near take-up reel  33 . Second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be rotably installed on main chassis  30  centered around its rotational axis  55 ′. Second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be provided with friction member  56  formed at one end. In embodiments, friction number  56  is made of felt. Friction member  56  may be selectively in close contact with the outer circumference of take-up reel  33 . Second take-up reel brake unit  55  may rotate by brake spring  59  in a clockwise direction. One end of brake spring  59  may be connected to second take-up reel brake unit  55 . Another end of brake spring  59  may be connected to main chassis  30 .  
         [0034]    A braking force of second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be determined by braking spring  59 . In embodiments of the present invention, braking force of second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be smaller than a braking force of tension band  35 . Braking force of second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be set to be the same as or larger than the braking force of first take-up reel brake unit  50 . The total sum of braking forces of first braking unit  50  and second braking unit  55  may be larger than a braking force generated by tension band  35 .  
         [0035]    As illustrated in exemplary FIG. 5, function plate  60  may be installed on main chassis  30 . A plurality of cams  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c , and/or  60   d  may be provided on function plate  60 . Operations of first take-up reel brake unit  50 , second take-up reel brake unit  55 , tension lever  39 , and spring lever  43  may be determined by cams  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c , and/or  60   d  in accordance with operation modes of a tape (e.g., standard play mode, FF mode, and REW mode). Cams  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c , and/or  60   d  of function plate  60  may be driven by a loading motor or a separate driving source in accordance with the operation modes of a tape, thereby determining their positions.  
         [0036]    In embodiments, cams  60   a  and  60   b  which may be provided on function plate  60  may only drive first take-up reel brake unit  50  or simultaneously drive both first take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  in accordance with operation modes of a tape. In embodiments, in order to stop running of tape (T) in FF and REW modes, braking force must be applied to both supply reel  32  and take-up reel  33 . Braking force may be applied to supply reel  32  by tension band  35 . Braking force may be applied to take-up reel  33  by first take-up reel brake unit  50  or both first take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55 . Cams  60   c  and  60   d  may be provided on function plate  60  and may rotate spring lever  43  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in accordance with the operation mode of a tape, thereby changing the tension of tape m applied by tension band  35 .  
         [0037]    In a FF mode or REW mode, cams  60   a   1  and  60   b   1  which may be provided on function plate  60  may contact downward protrusion  50   a  of first take-up reel brake unit  50  and the downward protrusion  55   a  of second take-up reel brake unit  55 . Downward protrusion  43   a  of spring lever  43  may be located on a left-side of cam  60   d   1  provided on function plate  60 . Downward protrusion  39   a  of tension lever  39  may be inserted in cam  60   c   1  provided on function plate  60 . In embodiments, since the working load of tension spring  41  is reduced by clockwise-direction rotation of spring lever  43 , the tension of supply reel  32  actuated by tension band  35  may be released. For example, tension band  35  may not be in close contact with supply reel  32 . First take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be located on designated positions so that their braking forces are applied to the take-up reel  33 .  
         [0038]    In embodiments of the present invention, in a stopping operation of a FF mode or REW mode, the stopping operation may be divided into two modes. In a first mode, cams  60   a   2  and  60   b   2  which may be provided on function plate  60  may contact downward protrusion  50   a  of first take-up reel brake unit  50  and downward protrusion  55   a  of second take-up reel brake unit  55 . Downward protrusion  43   a  of spring lever  43  may be located on the left-side of cam  60   d   1  provided on function plate  60 . Downward protrusion  39   a  of tension lever  39  may be insetted in cam  60   c   2  provided on function plate  60 . Tension lever  39  may actuate tension band  35  to apply tension to supply reel  32  to a certain extent. First take-up reel brake unit  50  may be located on a designated position so that its braking force is not applied to take-up reel  33 . Second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be located on a designated position, so that its braking force is applied to take-up reel  33 . At least one of first take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake units  55  may be actuated so that its braking force is applied to take-up reel  33 .  
         [0039]    In a second mode of stopping operation of FF mode or REW mode, locations of the downward protrusion  55   a , downward protrusion  43   a , and/or downward protrusion  39   a  may be identical to the first mode. However, cam  60   a   3  may alternatively provided on function plate  60  to contact downward protrusion  50   a  of first take-up reel brake unit  50 . Tension lever  39  may actuate tension band  35  to apply tension to supply reel  32  to the same extent as the first mode. First take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be located at positions so that their braking forces can be applied to take-up reel  33 .  
         [0040]    In standard play mode or record mode, cams  60   a   2 ,  60   b   3 , and/or  60   d   2  may be provided on function plate  60  to contact downward protrusion  50   a  of first take-up reel brake unit  50 . Downward protrusion  55   a  of second take-up reel brake unit  55 , and/or downward protrusion  43   a  of spring lever  43 . Downward protrusion  39   a  of tension lever  39  may be inserted in cam  60   c   3  provided on function plate  60 . Since the working load of tension spring  41  may be increased by the counter-clockwise direction rotation of spring lever  43 , tension band  35  is in close contact with supply reel  35  so that tension of supply reel  32  actuated by tension band  35  is increased. First take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be located on designated positions so that their braking forces are not applied to the take-up reel  33 .  
         [0041]    Exemplary FIG. 6 relates to standard play mode (e.g., a recording mode or a reproducing mode). In standard play mode, tension hand  35  may serve to uniformly maintain the tension of tape (T). Friction members  52  and  56  of first take-up reel unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  may not be in contact with take-up reel  33 . In order to maintain this condition, cams  60   c  and  60   d  may be provided on function plate  60  to rotate spring lever  43  in a counterclockwise direction by driving a loading motor. Accordingly, tension spring  41  may be expanded for uniformly maintaining the tension of tape M by tension band  35 . Cams  60   a  and  60   b  may be provided on function plate  60  to rotate first take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  around rotational axes  50 ′ and  55 ′ in a counterclockwise direction against the elastic force of brake springs  54  and  59 , thereby separating friction members  52  and  56  from take-up reel  33 .  
         [0042]    Exemplary FIG. 3 relates to FF mode or REW mode of reel brake mechanism of embodiments of the present invention. In FF mode or REW mode, tension band  35  may be maintained so that tension band  35  is not in contact with supply reel  32 , thereby freely rotating supply reel  32 . Compared to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, spring lever  43  of FIG. 3 rotates in a clockwise direction and changes the length of tension spring  41 . In other words, tension spring  41  is slightly constricted.  
         [0043]    First take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be maintained so that friction members  52  and  56  are not in contact with take-up reel  33 , thereby freely rotating take-up reel  33 . Compared to FIG. 6, the location of function plate  60  in FIG. 3 is moved toward the right. In this condition, tape (T) within a tape cassette may be run forward or backward so as to be wound.  
         [0044]    As illustrated in FIG. 7, at an early stage of a REW mode (or a later stage of a FF mode), an amount of tape (T) wound on take-up reel  33  is more than an amount of tape cm wound on supply reel  32 . In embodiments, during a stop operation, function plate  60  may move from the condition in FIG. 3 to the condition illustrated in FIG. 7. The movement to the condition illustrated in FIG. 7 may be accomplished by a loading motor. Tension lever  39  may be driven by cam  60   c , thereby rotating tension arm  37  and bringing tension band  35  into close contact with the outer circumference of supply reel  32  to generate a braking force.  
         [0045]    As friction members  52  and  56  contact the outer circumference of take-up reel  33 , first take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  may generate braking forces by braking springs  54  and  59 , in accordance with movement of function plate  60 . Cam  60   a   3  may be provided on function plate  60  to contact downward protrusion  50   a  of first take-up reel brake unit  50 . Cam  60   b   2  may be provided on function plate  60  contact downward protrusion  55   a  of second take-up reel brake unit  55 . Accordingly, brake forces of first take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  may be actuated on take-up reel  33 .  
         [0046]    Strength of a braking force applied to take-up reel  33  by first take-up reel brake unit  50  and second take-up reel brake unit  55  is larger than that of a braking force applied to supply reel  32  by tension band  35 . One reason for this is that an amount of tape m wound on take-up reel  33  is more than an amount of tape m wound on supply reel  32 . Accordingly, an inertial force of take-up reel  33  is larger than an inertial force of supply reel  32 .  
         [0047]    At later stage of REW mode (or at an early stage of FF mode), an amount of tape (T) wound on supply reel  32  is more than an amount of tape (T) wound on take-up reel  33 . In these circumstances, braking motion is achieved as illustrated in exemplary FIG. 8. When a stop signal is supplied at a later stage of REW mode, function plate  60  may be moved from a condition illustrated in FIG. 3 to a condition illustrated in FIG. 8. Tension lever  39  may be driven by cam  60   c , thereby rotating tension arm  37  and bringing tension band  35  into close contact with the outer circumference of supply reel  32  to generate a braking force.  
         [0048]    Cam  60   b   2  may be provided on function plate  60  to contact downward protrusion  55   a  of second take-up reel brake unit  55 , so that friction member  56  contacts the outer circumference of take-up reel  33 , to generate a braking force. First take-up reel brake unit  50  may not be operated since cam  60   a   2  contacts downward protrusion  50   a  of first take-up reel brake unit  50 . Accordingly, a braking force of tension band  35  is larger than a braking force of second take-up reel brake unit  55 , thereby effectively stopping rotation of supply reel  32  with a relatively large inertial force.  
         [0049]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a reel brake mechanism which applies different braking forces to a supply reel and a take-up reel. The application of different braking forces is in accordance with inertial forces applied due to different amounts of tape wound on the supply reel and the take-up reel when a FF mode or REW mode is stopped. Accordingly, tape wound on a reel with a larger amount of the tape is prevented from being unwound during a stop operation. Embodiments of the present invention prevent tape wound on a reel with a relatively smaller amount of the tape from being pulled into the other reel with the relatively larger amount of the tape by the inertial force of the other reel, thereby reducing operating noise and damage to the tape. Embodiments of the present invention brakes a supply reel using only a tension band, thereby reducing the number of mechanical parts and lowering production cost.  
         [0050]    Embodiments of the present invention prevent a tape from being unwound from a reel in a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus, even though the FF or REW operation is stopped. Embodiments of the present invention protect a tape from any impact or damage generated in stopping the FF or REW operation in a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus.  
         [0051]    In embodiments of the present invention, a reel brake mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus runs a tape by a driving force of a driving source, in which a tape cassette containing the tape is mounted on a supply reel and a take-up reel installed on a main chassis, comprising: a supply reel brake unit for applying a braking force to the supply reel and controlling a rotational speed of the supply reel; a spring lever for selectively changing an elastic force applied to the supply reel brake unit so as to adjust the braking force of the supply reel brake unit; a first take-up reel brake unit and a second take-up reel brake unit for supplying a braking force to the take-up reel by selectively bringing one terminals of the first and second take-up reel brake units into close contact with the take-up reel in accordance with the amounts of the tape wound on the supply reel and the take-up reel; and a function plate provided with cams for operating the supply reel brake unit, the spring lever, and the first and second take-up reel brake units.  
         [0052]    In embodiments, the braking force of the second take-up reel brake unit may be smaller than the braking force of the supply reel brake unit applied to the supply reel in the FF or REW mode and the same as or larger than the braking force of the first take-up reel brake unit, and the total sum of the braking forces of the first and second take-up reel brake units may be larger than the braking force of the supply reel brake unit in the FF or REW mode. In embodiments, the larger force of the two braking forces respectively applied to the supply reel and the take-up reel may be applied to either reel with a relatively larger amount of the tape wound thereon. In embodiments, the supply reel brake unit may be a tension band wound on the outer circumference of the supply reel at a designated length, both terminals of the tension band may be connected to a tension arm, and the tension arm may be rotated by a tension lever driven by the cams of the function plate and achieves a braking motion of the tension band.  
         [0053]    In embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a reel brake method used in a reel brake mechanism in which a tape cassette containing a tape is mounted on a supply reel and a take-up reel installed on a main chassis, the tape is run by a driving force of a driving source, a supply reel brake unit applies a braking force to the supply reel, and first and second take-up reel brake units apply a braking force to the take-up reel wherein the larger force of the two braking forces respectively applied to the supply reel and the take-up reel is applied to either reel with a relatively larger inertial force in accordance to the amounts of the tape respectively wound each of the two reels.  
         [0054]    In embodiments, the braking force of the supply reel brake unit applied to the supply reel may be larger than the braking force of the second take-up reel brake unit, the braking force of the second take-up reel brake unit may be the same as or larger than the braking force of the first take-up reel brake unit, and the total sum of the braking forces of the first and second take-up reel brake units may be larger than the braking force of the supply reel brake unit. In embodiments the present invention, when the tape running at more than 500 times-speed in the FF or REW mode is stopped, in the magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the unwinding of the tape from the reels, a noise generation, and a damage on the tape are prevented.  
         [0055]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.