Signal recording-reproducing apparatus for use with cassette

A signal recording-reproducing apparatus for use with a cassette includes a reel chassis slidably provided on a main chassis and stoppable at least at three positions, i.e., a standby mode position where the reel chassis is to be loaded with the cassette, a play mode position closer to the cylinder device of the apparatus than the standby mode position, and an empty mode position closer to the cylinder device than the play mode position. In the empty mode, the reel chassis is not loaded with a cassette, and the apparatus has a minimum depthwise length compared to the other modes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to apparatus for recording signals on a 
magnetic tape in a cassette or reproducing signals from the magnetic tape, 
and more particularly to signal recording-reproducing apparatus which are 
variable in depthwise length and convenient to carry. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In recent years, video tape recorders (VTRs) are made available in reduced 
sizes. Especially, subminiature lightweight VTRs have been realized for 
use with a magnetic tape having a width of 8 mm. 
With a reduction in the size and weight of VTRs, a camera-equipped VTR has 
been realized which comprises a VTR unit and a camera unit attached 
thereto. It is also possible to provide a liquid-crystal color television 
and a VTR in the form of an assembly to realize a portable image 
reproduction system. Stringent requirements are made of such VTRs for 
further miniaturization. 
A VTR has been proposed which is variable in depthwise length along the 
direction of insertion of the cassette according to the mode of its 
operation as seen in FIGS. 39A and 39B (Unexamined Japanese Patent 
Publication SHO 61-271648). 
With the proposed VTR, a cylinder device 14 having a rotary magnetic head 
is mounted on a main chassis 1, and a reel chassis 4 provided on the main 
chassis 1 is slidable toward or away from the cylinder device 14. A supply 
reel support 43 and a take-up reel support 44 are mounted on the reel 
chassis 4. 
In the mode (standby mode) illustrated in FIG. 39A, the reel chassis 4 is 
partly projected from the main chassis 1 as indicated at A. A tape 
cassette 9 is placed on the reel supports 43, 44 on the reel chassis 4 in 
this state. 
In the mode (play mode) shown in FIG. 39B, the reel chassis 4 is positioned 
as slidingly shifted toward the cylinder device 14, with the cylinder 
device 14 partly inserted in the front opening 91 of the cassette 9. In 
this state, the magnetic tape is passed around the cylinder device to 
record signals on the tape or reproduce signals therefrom. 
The VTR is convenient to carry since the depthwise length can be reduced 
from L.sub.1 to L.sub.2 as illustrated. 
With the VTR, however, the minimum depthwise length L.sub.2 is limited by 
the size of the cassette, imposing a limitation on the miniaturization of 
the apparatus. For example, when the cylinder device 14 for an 8-mm VTR is 
27 mm in outside diameter, the minimum depthwise length L.sub.2 is 
virtually limited to about 85 mm. Furthermore, standards or specifications 
are set for 8-mm VTRs in respect of the cassette size and the outside 
diameter of the cylinder device 14. Accordingly, difficulties are 
encountered in subminiaturizing the VTR. 
Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication SHO 62-164249 discloses a VTR 
wherein the cylinder device 14 can be almost completely accommodated in 
the opening 91 of a cassette 9 in the play mode in order to reduce the 
depthwise length in this mode. The apparatus is so adapted by 
accommodating in the cassette 9 a magnetic tape having a shorter length 
than the standard to reduce the diameter of the reels therein and to 
correspondingly enlarge the opening 91. The VTR therefore has the drawback 
of being unusable for the standard cassette. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a signal 
recording-reproducing apparatus which can be made smaller in size than 
conventionally possible when carried even if there are limitations to the 
size and shape of the cassette to be used therewith and to the outside 
diameter of the cylinder device. 
Since it is required that the cassette be loaded in the apparatus for 
recording or reproduction, the minimum depthwise length of the apparatus 
is invariably limited by the width of the cassette, while the minimum 
depthwise length of the apparatus remains unchanged regardless of whether 
or not the cassette is loaded in the apparatus. Directing attention to 
this point, we have achieved the above object by making the reel chassis 
positionable closer to the cylinder device when the apparatus is not 
loaded with the cassette than when it is loaded therewith. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a signal 
recording-reproduction apparatus for use with cassettes wherein the tape 
loading device for withdrawing the magnetic tape from the cassette and 
winding the tape around the cylinder device, or the pinch roller pressing 
mechanism for driving the magnetic tape as withdrawn from the cassette is 
made movable with the shift of the reel chassis. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a VTR which is equipped with 
a camera unit integrally therewith and wherein when the reel chassis is 
positioned as projected from the main chassis in the play mode, various 
drive means on the reel chassis so projected can be covered with a 
component of the camera unit for protection. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a signal 
recording-reproducing apparatus wherein an operation panel on the main 
chassis is openable and closable by the movement of a cover secured to the 
reel chassis so that the operation panel can be opened only when required. 
The signal recording-reproducing apparatus of the present invention for use 
with cassettes comprises a reel chassis which can be stopped at least at 
three positions, i.e. a first stop position S.sub.1 of a standby mode 
where the cassette is to be set, a second stop position S.sub.2 of a play 
mode where a cassette is closer to the cylinder device than the first stop 
position S.sub.1, and a third stop position S.sub.3 of an empty mode (mode 
wherein the cassette is not loaded) where the cassette is still closer to 
the cylinder device than the second stop position S.sub.2. 
In the standby mode, the reel chassis is held in the first stop position 
S.sub.1 as projected from the main chassis. The reel chassis is 
retractable toward the cylinder device from this position. 
The reel chassis, when loaded with the cassette, stops at the second stop 
position S.sub.2 for operation in the play mode, i.e. for recording or 
reproduction. 
When not loaded with the cassette and empty, the reel chassis is further 
retracted and stopped at the third stop position S.sub.3 for the empty 
mode. 
In the empty mode, the depthwise length of the apparatus is not limited by 
the width of the cassette and can therefore be smaller than the minimum 
depthwise length of conventional apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to 
several embodiments of 8-mm VTRs. 
(First Embodiment) 
Overall Construction 
The VTR illustrated has four different modes, i.e. empty mode, play mode, 
standby mode and ejection mode. The mode changes according to the position 
where a reel chassis 4 stops and to the state of a cassette holder 15 as 
seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. 
In the ejection mode shown in FIG. 1D, the reel chassis 4 is at a stop in a 
first stop position S.sub.1 as projected to the greatest extent from a 
main chassis 1, and the cassette holder 15 for accommodating a tape 
cassette 9 is in a raised position. 
In the standby mode shown in FIG. 1C, the cassette holder 15 as lowered is 
held locked to the reel chassis 4. 
In the play mode shown in FIG. 1B, the reel chassis 4 has been moved from 
the position of the standby mode toward a cylinder device 14 and is at 
rest in a second stop position S.sub.2. In the play mode, the apparatus 
operates for signal recording or reproduction. 
In the empty mode shown in FIG. 1A, the reel chassis 4 has been moved 
further toward the cylinder device 14 and is at rest in a third stop 
position S.sub.3 closer to the device than the position S.sub.2 of the 
play mode, with the holder 15 emptied of the cassette. In the empty mode, 
the VTR has a minimum depthwise length in its entirety. 
The VTR has a depthwise length L.sub.1 of 103 mm in the standby mode shown 
in FIGS. 1C and 3, a depthwise length L.sub.2 of 87 mm in the play mode 
shown in FIGS. 1B and 4, and a depthwise length L.sub.3 of 67 mm in the 
empty mode shown in FIGS. 1A and 5. In depthwise length, the VTR is 16 mm 
smaller in the play mode of FIG. 1B than in the standby mode and 36 mm 
smaller in the empty mode than in the standby mode. 
With reference to FIG. 2A, the VTR has a chassis structure carrying thereon 
the mechanisms to be described later. The chassis structure comprises the 
main chassis 1 which is rectangular, the above-mentioned reel chassis 4 
slidably mounted on the main chassis 1, and a subchassis 5 slidably 
provided between the two chassis 1, 4. 
The main chassis 1 has mounted thereon the cylinder device 14, a tape 
loading device 2 in the vicinity of the device 14, and a capstan 16 at the 
right side of the device 14 inwardly thereof. 
Tape Loading Device 
With reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, the tape loading device 2 comprises 
two concentric annular gears 3, 31 rotatably disposed one above the other 
and surrounding the lower portion of the cylinder device 14. The upper 
gear 3 is provided with a tape guide 32 for the tape supply side, and the 
lower gear 31 with a tape guide 34 for the tape take-up side. 
The tape guide 32 on the supply side is attached to the annular gear 3 by a 
lever 35. Provided between the lever 35 and the guide 32 is a spring 33 
for bringing the guide 32 into pressing contact with a positioning stopper 
36 on the main chassis 1 when the tape has been completely loaded. 
The annular gears 3, 31 are coupled to a loading motor 26 by an 
intermediate gear train 20, which comprises a worm 27 drivingly rotatable 
by the motor 26, and first, second, third, fourth and fifth gears 21, 22, 
23, 24 and 25 which are disposed between the worm 27 and the gears 3, 31. 
As seen in FIG. 13, each of the first to fifth gears has upper and lower 
two gear portions. The lower gear portion 21b of the first gear 21 is a 
worm wheel in mesh with the worm 27, and the upper gear portion 21a 
thereof meshes with the lower gear portion 22b of the second gear 22. 
The upper gear portion 22a of the second gear 22 is in mesh with the upper 
gear portion 23a of the third gear 23, and the lower gear portion 23b of 
the third gear 23 with the lower gear portion 24b of the fourth gear 24. 
The upper gear portion 24a of the fourth gear 24 is in mesh with the upper 
gear portion 25a of the fifth gear 25 and with the upper annular gear 3. 
The lower gear portion 25b of the fifth gear 25 is in mesh with the lower 
annular gear 31. 
The upper and lower gear portions of each of the first to fourth gears 21 
to 24 are rotatable together, whereas the upper gear portion 25a of the 
fifth gear 25 and the lower gear portion 25b thereof are concentrically 
supported by a shaft to rotate independently of each other and are 
connected together by a torsion spring 281 (see FIG. 13). 
With reference to FIG. 11, the upper gear portion 21a of the first gear 21 
and the lower gear portion 22b of the second gear 22 are each toothed 
along a portion of the periphery. The upper gear portion 21a is partly 
formed with a large circular-arc portion 21c having the radius of its 
addendum circle. The lower gear portion 22b partly has a small 
circular-arc portion 22c having the radius of its addendum circle. 
When the first gear 21 rotates clockwise in the standby mode of FIG. 11, 
the upper annular gear 3 is rotated through the intermediate gear train to 
revolve the supply tape guide 32 clockwise. On the other hand, the lower 
annular gear 31 is rotated counterclockwise to revolve the take-up tape 
guide 34 counterclockwise. Consequently, the tape guides 32, 34 come into 
contact with the stopper 36 and a stopper 37, respectively, which are 
provided on the main chassis, whereby the guides are positioned in place 
for the completion of tape loading. 
At this time, the upper gear portion 25a of the fifth gear 25 overruns, 
causing the torsion spring 281 to bias the lower gear portion 25b into 
rotation and thereby pressing the guide 34 into contact with the 
positioning stopper 37. 
Even when the first gear 21 further rotates clockwise from the above state, 
the large circular-arc portion 21c of the upper gear portion 21a of the 
first gear 21 is opposed to the small circular-arc portion 22c of the gear 
portion 22b of the second gear 22, so that the first gear 21 idly rotates 
without transmitting its torque to the second gear 22 and the subsequent 
gears. 
In the play mode of FIG. 12, the reaction of the spring 33 pressing the 
supply tape guide 32 against the stopper 36 and the reaction of the 
torsion spring 281 pressing the take-up tape guide 34 against the stopper 
37 subject the respective annular gears 3, 31 to a force acting in the 
unloading direction, whereby the second gear 22 is subjected to a 
clockwise torque. 
Nevertheless, with the large circular-arc portion 21c of the first gear 21 
opposed to the second gear 22 as stated above, the tooth of the lower gear 
portion 22b of the second gear 22 bears against the circular-arc portion 
21c to prevent the clockwise rotation of the second gear 22. 
When unloading the tape, the loading motor 26 rotates reversely, rotating 
the first gear 21 counterclockwise and meshing the upper gear portion 21a 
of the first gear 21 with the lower gear portion 22b of the second gear 22 
again. At this time, the first gear 21 is smoothly meshable with the 
second gear 22 since the gear 22 is subjected to the above-mentioned 
clockwise torque. As a result, the annular gears 3, 31 reversely rotate to 
return the tape guides 32, 34 to the original position shown in FIG. 11. 
With the tape loading device 2, it is important that even after the tape 
has been loaded in place, the worm 27 can be driven by the loading motor 
within the range of contact of the circular-arc portion 21c of the first 
gear 21 with the circular-arc portion 22c of the second gear 22 opposed 
thereto, with the tape guides 32, 34 held by the stoppers 36, 37 in the 
loading completed position. Consequently, the rotation of the worm 27 can 
be transmitted to the mechanism for driving the reel chassis 4 to slide 
the chassis 4 to the third stop position as will be described below. 
Chassis Structure 
With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the main chassis 1 has upwardly bent 
walls of short height at its four sides, including opposed side walls 11, 
11 each having a guide bar 13. 
The reel chassis 4 is provided on the main chassis 1 and is movable toward 
or away from the cylinder device 14. The reel chassis 4 has a bottom plate 
41 which is bent upward at its opposite sides to form side plates 42, 42. 
Guide members 46 projecting downward from the respective sides of the 
bottom plate 41 are slidably in engagement with the guide bars 13, 13 on 
the main chassis 1. 
A supply reel support 43 and a take-up reel support 44 are mounted on the 
bottom plate 41 of the reel chassis 4. The bottom plate 41 further carries 
a subchassis drive lever 8, pinch roller lever 6, tape withdrawing lever 
64 on the take-up side and tape withdrawing lever 7 on the supply side, 
each pivotally movably in a plane parallel to the bottom plate 41. 
The bottom plate 41 is greatly cut out at its one side closer to the 
cylinder device 14. When the reel chassis 4 retracts toward the cylinder 
device 14, lapping over the main chassis 1, the cylinder device 14 is 
positioned in the cutout of the chassis 4 without the likelihood of the 
chassis 4 striking against the device 14. 
As shown in FIG. 2A and 13, the bottom plate 41 is provided on its lower 
side with a rack plate 48 having a toothed lower surface and meshing with 
the worm 27 of the tape loading device 2. The worm 27, when rotated, moves 
the reel chassis 4 toward or away from the cylinder device 14. 
With reference to FIG. 2A, the subchassis 5 provided between the main 
chassis 1 and the reel chassis 4 comprises a front plate 51, a pair of 
side plates 53 and a bottom plate 52 joined to the front plate 51 and to 
the side plates 53. The bottom plate 52 is greatly cut out except at its 
opposite end portions. 
Provided on the bottom plate 52 is an unlocking piece 200 movable into the 
cassette on the reel chassis through a hole in the bottom of the cassette 
for releasing the reel locking mechanism within the cassette. 
Each side plate 53 of the subchassis 5 is formed with a guide groove 54 
having rollably fitted therein a roller 45 mounted on the side plate 42 of 
the reel chassis 4. The subchassis 5 has a pair of guide pins 55 
projecting from its bottom plate 52 and each slidably fitted in a guide 
slit 47 formed in the bottom plate 41 of the reel chassis 4. Accordingly, 
the subchassis 5 is slidable in the same direction as the reel chassis 4 
independently of the sliding movement of the reel chassis 4. 
The subchassis 5 has on the upper surface of its bottom plate 52 a pair of 
cassette sensor switches 56, 56 projecting upward above the reel chassis 4 
through front cutouts 49 formed in the chassis bottom plate 41. 
A spring 57 for biasing the subchassis 5 toward the cylinder device 14 is 
connected between the subchassis 5 and the reel chassis 4. The movement of 
the subchassis 5 is limited by the spring 57 and the subchassis drive 
lever 8 pivoted to the bottom side of the reel chassis 4. 
The drive lever 8 has a downward contact lug 81 at its one end and a 
contact pawl 82 at the other end thereof. In the ejection mode of FIG. 6, 
the contact lug 81 bears against the inner surface of the front wall 10 of 
the main chassis 1, while the contact pawl 82 bears on the rear end face 
of the bottom plate 52 of the subchassis 5. In FIGS. 6 to 10, the main 
chassis 1 and the subchassis 4 are shown only partly by two-dot-and-dash 
lines. 
The subchassis 5 is biased toward the cylinder device 14 by the spring 57 
at all times as already stated, exerting a clockwise torque on the drive 
lever 8, whereas the lever 8 is prevented from clockwise rotation by the 
engagement of the contact lug 81 with the inner surface of the front wall 
10 of the main chassis 1. In the ejection mode of FIG. 6, accordingly, the 
subchassis 5 is held projected from the main chassis 1 to the greatest 
extent and thus fixedly positioned relative to the main chassis 1. 
As seen in FIG. 6, a mode sensor switch 28 for controlling the loading 
motor 26 is disposed close to the motor 26 on the main chassis 1. A switch 
lever 29 for actuating the switch is movably supported by a pivot 291. 
Upon the reel chassis 4 reaching the second stop position S.sub.2 of the 
play mode with the cassette on the reel chassis 4, the wall of the 
cassette 9 comes into contact with the switch lever 29, thereby closing 
the switch 28 to stop the loading motor 26. 
On the other hand, when the reel chassis 4 carries no cassette and is 
empty, the reel chassis 4 further advances and reaches the third stop 
position S.sub.3 of the empty mode, whereupon the reel chassis 4 contacts 
the switch lever 29 as seen in FIG. 5 to thereby close the switch 28 and 
stop the loading motor 26. 
Pinch Roller Pressing Mechanism 
With reference to FIGS. 2A and 14, the bottom plate 41 of the reel chassis 
4 is provided on the right side thereof with the pinch roller lever 6 and 
a drive lever 62 supported by a pivot and rotatable independently of each 
other. A spring 63 is connected between the drive lever 62 and the pinch 
roller lever 6. 
The pinch roller lever 6 has a free end close to the cylinder device and 
carrying a pinch roller 61 in an upwardly projecting state. The drive 
lever 62 has a free end with a cam roller 68 downwardly projecting 
therefrom. The cam roller 68 is rollably engaged in a cam groove 67 formed 
on the main chassis 1 to provide a cam follower. 
The tape withdrawing lever 64 on the take-up side, which is pivoted to the 
reel chassis 4, is connected to the pinch roller lever 6 by a link plate 
66. The lever 64 has a free end carrying a pin 65 for engaging the 
magnetic tape within the cassette. 
The cam groove 67 on the main chassis is so shaped as to rotate the drive 
lever 62 clockwise with the movement of the reel chassis 4 from the 
position of FIG. 1C to the position of FIG. 1B and further to rotate the 
drive lever 62 counterclockwise with the movement of the reel chassis 4 
from the position of FIG. 1B to the position of FIG. 1A, whereby the pinch 
roller lever 6 is rotated counterclockwise to move the pinch roller 61 
slightly away from the capstan 16. 
As seen in FIG. 2A and 15, the tape withdrawing lever 7 for the supply side 
is provided on a left portion of the bottom plate 41 of the reel chassis 
4. The lever 7 is biased counterclockwise by a spring 73 and has a 
downwardly projecting cam roller 72 in the vicinity of the center of its 
rotation, The roller 72 is slidably fitted in a cam groove 74 formed on 
the main chassis 1 to serve as a cam follower. 
The lever 7 has a free end carrying a pin 71 for engaging the magnetic tape 
in the cassette. 
The operation of the VTR will be described below in the case where the reel 
chassis 4 is loaded with the cassette 9 and also when it is loaded with no 
cassette. 
With Cassette Loaded 
In the ejection mode of FIG. 1D, the cassette 9 is placed into the holder 
15, which is then lowered onto the reel chassis 4, whereby the holder 15 
is locked to the chassis 4 by unillustrated lock means. At the same time, 
the cassette sensor switches 56 shown in FIG. 2A function, initiating the 
loading motor 26 into operation. 
The tape loading device 2 therefore operates, causing the tape guides 32, 
34 to revolve around the cylinder device 14 approximately one-half of the 
circumference while withdrawing a magnetic tape 90 from the cassette 9 to 
load the tape in place as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
Simultaneously with the loading operation, the reel chassis 4 is driven 
toward the cylinder device 14 to the second stop position of play mode 
shown in FIG. 4. Consequently, the cassette 9 strikes on the switch lever 
29 to stop the loading motor. The reel chassis 4 also stops. The reel 
chassis 4 is thus moved by an amount of 16 mm. 
During the retraction of the reel chassis 4 in the direction of arrow shown 
in FIG. 14, the cam roller 68 is driven along the cam groove 67 to move 
the drive lever 62 on the reel chassis clockwise in conformity with the 
configuration of the cam groove 67, thereby moving the pinch roller lever 
6 in the same direction through the spring 63. 
The movement of the pinch roller lever 6 causes the link plate 66 to rotate 
the tape withdrawing lever 64 also clockwise for the lever 64 to withdraw 
the tape from the cassette. At the same time, the pinch roller 61 on the 
lever 6 presses the magnetic tape 90 against the capstan 16. 
The tape withdrawing lever 64 has a pivot located away from the pivot for 
the pinch roller lever 6. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 3, the pin 
65 is positioned in the vicinity of the pinch roller 61 and housed 
conveniently in the cassette. However, as the reel chassis 4 moves toward 
the position shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the pin 65 and the 
pinch roller 61 becomes larger gradually. When the reel chassis 4 arrives 
at the play mode position shown in FIG. 4, the pinch roller lever 6 
arrives at the position where the pinch roller 61 presses the magnetic 
tape 90 against the capstan 16, and causes the tape withdrawing lever 64 
to operate as a tape guide means at the position where the pin 65 is at a 
specified distance from the pinch roller 61, i.e., at the position 
determined by the cassette format. 
Further the retraction of the reel chassis 4 in the direction of arrow in 
FIG. 15 drives the cam roller 72 along the cam groove 74 on the main 
chassis 1, thereby rotating the withdrawing lever 7 on the supply side 
counterclockwise in conformity with the configuration of the cam groove 74 
to withdraw the tape from the cassette. 
With the movement of the reel chassis 4 toward the cylinder device 14, the 
center of rotation (indicated at 8a in FIG. 6) of the subchassis drive 
lever 8 supported on the chassis 4 also shifts toward the cylinder device 
14, so that the drive lever 8 is made rotatable clockwise since the 
contact lug 81 thereof is released from the main chassis 1. This makes the 
subchassis 5 retractable relative to the reel chassis 4. Nevertheless, 
since the front plate 51 of the subchassis 5 shown in FIG. 3 contacts the 
front side of the cassette 9, the subchassis 5 is not slidable relative to 
the reel chassis 4 and therefore moves with the reel chassis 4 to the 
position shown in FIG. 4. 
When Reel Chassis is empty 
The loading motor 26, when started up in the standby mode in FIG. 1C, 
starts to drive the reel chassis 4, which therefore moves toward the 
cylinder device 14 from position to position as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 
9. 
This permits clockwise rotation of the subchassis drive lever 8, releasing 
the subchassis 5 from the reel chassis 4. Consequently, the subchassis 5 
is retracted relative to the reel chassis 4 by the force of the spring 57 
shown in FIG. 2A. 
The reel chassis 4 and the subchassis 5 pass the second stop position of 
the play mode in FIG. 9 and further retract. The reel chassis 4 thereafter 
comes into contact with the switch lever 29 as shown in FIG. 10, whereupon 
the loading motor 26 stops to stop the reel chassis 4. 
During the change from the state of FIG. 9 to the state of FIG. 10, the 
pinch roller lever 6 slightly rotates counterclockwise as already stated, 
moving the pinch roller 61 slightly away from the capstan 16. Accordingly, 
the deformation of the pinch roller 61 due to the reaction of the capstan 
16 can be precluded. 
The change of the standby mode of FIGS. 1C, 3 and 6 to the empty mode of 
FIG. 1A, 5 and 10 retracts the reel chassis 4 by 20 mm and retracts the 
subchassis 5 relative to the reel chassis 4 by 16 mm. Thus, the depthwise 
length of the VTR is 36 mm smaller in the empty mode than in the standby 
mode. 
Tape loading is completed upon the reel chassis 4 reaching the second stop 
position S.sub.2 of the play mode. Even when the loading motor further 
rotates from this state to retract the reel chassis 4, the large 
circular-arc portion 21c of the first gear 21 of the loading device 2 is 
opposed to the small circular-arc portion 22c of the second gear 22 as 
already described, with the result that the torque of the loading motor 26 
is not transmitted to the tape guides 32, 34, which in turn remain at rest 
in the loading completed position, causing no trouble to the retraction of 
the reel chassis 4. 
When the ejection mode is selected in the empty mode by manipulating a 
switch (not shown) on the operation panel of the VTR, the loading motor 26 
is reversely driven, first initiating the tape loading device into an 
unloading operation, which proceeds along with the subsequent advance of 
the reel chassis 4. Thus, the reel chassis 4 moves away from the cylinder 
device 14 and stops upon reaching the first stop position S.sub.1 of the 
standby mode. 
During the advance of the reel chassis 4, the contact lug 81 of the 
subchassis drive lever 8 comes into engagement with the front wall 10 of 
the main chassis 1, whereby the drive lever 8 is rotated counterclockwise. 
This causes the contact pawl 82 of the lever 8 to push the subchassis 5 
forward against the spring 57, moving the subchassis 5 forward relative to 
the reel chassis 4 to return the chassis 5 to the standby position shown 
in FIGS. 3 and 6. In this state, the cassette holder 15 is unlocked and is 
raised. 
According to the embodiment described above, the subchassis 5 provided 
between the main chassis 1 and the reel chassis 4 makes it possible to 
decrease the depthwise length of the VTR by an amount corresponding to the 
amount of retraction of the reel chassis 4 plus the amount of retraction 
of the subchassis 5. 
(Second Embodiment) 
The VTR of this embodiment has a stop mode shown in FIG. 16B in addition to 
the ejection mode, standby mode, play mode and empty mode of the first 
embodiment. In the stop mode, the magnetic tape as wound 
around the cylinder device 14 is stopped during travel. 
As seen in FIG. 16A, the reel chassis 4 can be stopped further at a fourth 
stop position S.sub.4 of stop mode which is a specified distance away from 
the second stop position S.sub.2 of the play mode toward the first 
position S.sub.1 of the ejection mode. 
When a stop button on the operation panel is manipulated in the play mode, 
an instruction for a change to the stop mode is given, whereby the loading 
motor is started, starting to retract the reel chassis 4. When the reel 
chassis 4 subsequently reaches the fourth stop position S.sub.4, the 
loading motor is stopped to stop the reel chassis 4. 
The reel chassis 4 can be stopped at the fourth stop position S.sub.4, for 
example, in the following manner by the system controller for controlling 
the operation of the VTR. 
The loading motor is started in response to the instruction signal given by 
the manipulation of the stop button. The controller detects when the 
switch 28 subsequently opens, and counts 100 msec from this time. Upon the 
lapse of this time interval, the loading motor is stopped to realize the 
stop mode. 
The above operation retracts the pivot of the pinch roller lever 6 shown in 
FIG. 17 along with the reel chassis 4 and moves the cam roller on the 
drive lever along the cam groove 67. Consequently, the pinch roller 61 in 
pressing contact with the capstan 16 in the play mode is moved away from 
the capstan. 
Since the pinch roller is thus free of the reaction of the capstan, the 
pinch roller remains free of deformation even if the VTR is in the stop 
mode for a prolonged period of time. 
(Third Embodiment) 
FIGS. 18 to 21 show an embodiment wherein the reel chassis 4 is connected 
to the subchassis 5 by a lever mechanism in place of the spring 57 of FIG. 
2A, whereby the subchassis 5 is made movable and positionable in place 
more reliably. 
The reel chassis 4 has pivoted to the underside of its bottom plate 41 a 
first lever 80 located away from the front end of the bottom plate toward 
the cylinder device, and a second lever 85 close to the bottom plate end. 
These levers are each rotatable in a plane parallel to the bottom plate 
41. 
The first lever 80 has one free end 80a carrying a downwardly projecting 
pin 83 and the other free end 80b formed with a cutout groove 84. 
The second lever 85 has one free end 86 carrying a downwardly projecting 
pin 87 slidably fitted in the cutout groove 84 of the first lever 80. The 
other free end 88 of the second lever 85 has a downwardly projecting pin 
89 engaged with an engaging portion 58. 
Accordingly, the first lever 80, when rotated in one direction, rotates the 
second lever 85 in the other direction. The free end 80a of the first 
lever 80 toward the cylinder device is shorter than the other free end 80b 
thereof. The free end 86, adjacent to the first lever 80, of the second 
lever 85 is shorter than the other free end 88 thereof. Consequently, the 
amount of rotation of the free end 88 of the second lever 85 toward the 
engaging portion 58 is greater than that of the free end 80a, toward the 
cylinder device, of the first lever 80. 
The main chassis 1 is fixedly provided with a guide member 17 for the pin 
82 on the first lever 80 to slidably engage in. The guide member 17 is 
formed with a first guide portion 118 in the form of a groove extending in 
the direction of movement of the reel chassis 4 and a second guide portion 
119 extending from the inner end of the first guide portion 118 at a right 
angle therewith. The pin 83 on the first lever 80 is slidably fitted in 
the guide portion 118 or 119. 
The engaging portion 58 is inwardly projected from the inner end of the 
subchassis 5 toward the cylinder device for the pin 89 on the second lever 
85 to slidably engage in. The engaging portion 58 is formed with a guide 
groove 59 for the pin 89 to engage in. The groove 59 comprises a first 
portion 59a extending straight from the left end of the portion 58 
rightward, a second portion 59b extending from the first portion 59a 
outwardly rightward, and a third portion 59c extending from the second 
portion 59b straight rightward. 
The movement of the subchassis 5 will be described below in the case where 
the reel chassis 4 is loaded with a cassette 9 and also in the case where 
it is not loaded with the cassette 9. 
With Cassette Loaded 
With reference to FIG. 18 showing the VTR in the standby mode and to FIG. 
19 showing the same in the play mode, the movement of the reel chassis 4 
toward the cylinder device 14 moves therewith the subchassis 5 in 
engagement with the second lever 85 on the subchassis 4. 
At this time, the pin 83 on the first lever 80 is slidably in engagement 
with the first guide portion 18 on the main chassis 1 to prevent the 
rotation of the first lever 80, which in turn prevents the rotation of the 
second lever 85 in engagement with the first lever 80, permitting the 
subchassis 5 to move with the reel chassis 4 toward the cylinder device 
14. 
Upon the reel chassis 4 reaching the play mode position shown in FIG. 19, 
the switch 28 functions to stop the loading motor. The reel chassis 4 and 
the subchassis 5 therefore stop as the same time. 
When Reel Chassis is Empty 
During the change from the standby mode to the play mode, the reel chassis 
4 and the subchassis 5 move together toward the cylinder device 14 as in 
the above case. 
Even when the reel chassis 4 reaches the play mode position of FIG. 19, the 
loading motor 26 continues rotation since no cassette 9 is loaded. The 
reel chassis 4 and the subchassis 5 further retract until the motor stops 
upon the reel chassis 4 striking on the switch lever 19. 
When the reel chassis 4 passes the play mode position, pin 83 on the first 
lever 80 moves from the first guide portion 118 of the guide member 17 on 
the main chassis into the second guide portion 119 thereof, rotating the 
first lever 80 clockwise. This rotates the second lever 85 
counterclockwise, moving the subchassis 5 toward the cylinder device 14 as 
seen in FIG. 20. 
In this way, the subchassis 5 moves as arrested by the reel chassis 4 from 
the ejection mode position to the empty mode position and can therefore be 
accurately positioned in place in each mode. 
The first lever 80 and the second lever 85 have such a ratio that the free 
end 88, adjacent the engaging portion 58, of the second lever 85 rotates 
by a greater amount than the free end 80a, adjacent the guide member 17, 
of the first lever 80, so that the subchassis 5 retracts by a greater 
amount than the reel chassis 4 for the change from the play mode to the 
empty mode. Accordingly, the present embodiment, like the first 
embodiment, can be greatly compacted in its entirety in the empty mode. 
(Fourth Embodiment) 
FIGS. 22 to 30 show a VTR which, like the VTRs of the foregoing 
embodiments, have four different modes, i.e., empty mode, play mode, 
standby mode and ejection mode, the mode being changeable according to the 
stopped position of the reel chassis 4 and the state of the cassette 
holder 15. However, the fourth embodiment differs from those already 
described in the construction of the tape loading device, chassis 
structure, etc. as will be described below. 
With reference to FIGS. 22 to 25, the reel chassis 4 is slidably provided 
on the main chassis 1, but the subchassis described above is not provided. 
The main chassis 1 is provided with a cylinder device 14 and, around the 
device 14, with a tape guide 38, second movable guide 39, fixed guide 
posts 101, 102, 103, etc. to constitute a tape loading device already 
known. 
Disposed at the right side of the cylinder device 14 are a capstan 16 
drivingly rotatable by a capstan motor, and a pinch roller lever 6 having 
a pinch roller 61 thereon as opposed to the capstan. 
The main chassis 1 is provided at opposite sides of its rear end with a 
pair of platelike projecting stoppers 18, 19 with which the forward ends 
of tape withdrawing levers 7, 64 come into contact, respectively, in the 
empty mode. 
The reel chassis 4 is greatly cut out at the portion thereof opposed to the 
cylinder device 14 so as not to collide with the device 14 when the reel 
chassis 4 retracts toward the device 14 and laps over the main chassis 1. 
The reel chassis 4 carries thereon a supply reel support 43, a take-up reel 
support 44, a known idler 401 for driving the reel supports, a drive gear 
402 meshing with the idler 401 for transmitting the torque of the capstan 
motor thereto, etc. The pair of withdrawing levers 7, 64 having tape 
withdrawing pins 71, 65, respectively, are pivoted to the reel chassis at 
opposite sides of its inner end. A pair of cassette positioning pins 405, 
405 are provided in the vicinity of the levers 7, 64, respectively. A pair 
of cassette sensor switches 56, 56 are disposed at opposite side portions 
of the chassis 4 to the front of the reel supports 43, 44. 
As seen in FIGS. 27 (a) and (b), the reel chassis 4 is driven by a loading 
motor 26 mounted on the main chassis 1. A drive gear 204 and a driven gear 
206 are supported on the side plate of the main chassis 1. A pulley 203 is 
attached to and rotatable with the drive gear 204. The rotation of the 
loading motor 26 is transmitted to the pulley 203 through a belt 202 to 
drive the drive gear 204. The side plate of the reel chassis 4 has a rack 
205 extending in the direction of sliding movement of the reel chassis. 
The drive gear 204 and the driven gear 206 are in mesh with the rack 205. 
The loading motor 26 is started in the standby mode shown in FIG. 27 (a), 
initiating the drive gear 204 into counterclockwise rotation, whereupon 
the rack 205 is driven by the drive gear 204 to finally move the reel 
chassis 4 to the empty mode position shown in FIG. 27 (b). When the 
loading motor 26 reversely rotates, the drive gear is rotated clockwise to 
drive the reel chassis 4 toward the standby mode position of FIG. 27 (a). 
To give a start instruction to the loading motor 26, the reel chassis 4 has 
a holder switch (not shown) for detecting that the cassette holder has 
been locked upon moving down onto the reel chassis from its raised 
position. 
The loading motor 26 is controlled by the system controller of the VTR in 
the following manner. 
First, the holder switch is checked as to whether it is on. When the switch 
is found to be on, the controller then checks whether both the cassette 
sensor switches 56, 56 are on. When at least one of the switches 56 is on, 
the reel chassis is transported to the play mode position, whereupon the 
chassis is stopped. If the cassette sensor switches are both off, the reel 
chassis is transported to the empty mode position, where it is halted. The 
loading motor is stopped by a signal from a limit switch (not shown) 
provided on the main chassis. 
Accordingly, even if the cassette 9 is loaded in the holder 15 in an 
improper posture, at least one of the cassette sensor switches is turned 
on to stop the reel chassis 4 at the play mode position without advancing 
the chassis to the empty mode position. This eliminates the likelihood 
that the cassette in the holder 15 will collide with the cylinder device 
14, hence safety. 
The cassette sensor switches are not limited to two in number; at least 
three switches can be provided so that only when all the switches are off, 
the reel chassis is brought to the empty mode position. 
With reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the tape withdrawing levers 7, 64 are 
supported at their base ends respectively by pivots 78, 603 on the reel 
chassis 4, with L-shaped arms 77, 602 projecting from the respective lever 
base ends. The arms 77, 602 extend through arcuate slits 403, 404 in the 
reel chassis 4 into the space between the chassis 4 and the main chassis 1 
and carry rollers 76, 601 at their forward ends. On the other hand, the 
main chassis 1 has arcuate contact pieces 75, 69 projecting therefrom for 
contact with the respective rollers 76, 601. Springs 79, 608 are connected 
between the chassis 4 and the lever 7 and between the chassis 4 and the 
lever 64, respectively, for biasing the levers 7, 64 away from each other. 
Accordingly, with the movement of the reel chassis 4, the withdrawing 
levers 7, 64 are moved away from the contact pieces 75, 69, but the 
rollers 76, 601 are held in contact with the contact pieces 75, 69 by 
being biased with the springs 79, 608, whereby the two levers 7, 64 are 
rotated in directions away from each other. 
As shown in FIGS. 30 (a), (b) and (c), the pinch roller lever 6 is coupled 
to the reel chassis 4 by a pivotal lever 604 and a slide lever 605. The 
pinch roller lever 6 is L-shaped, supported at an intermediate portion 
thereof by a pivot 606 on the main chassis 1 and biased into clockwise 
rotation by an unillustrated spring. The pivotal lever 604 is supported at 
its midportion by a pivot 607 on the main chassis 1 and has two free ends, 
one of which is pivoted to the pinch roller lever 6. The other free end of 
the pivotal lever 604 is in sliding contact with the head of the slide 
lever 605, which is supported on the main chassis 1 reciprocatingly 
movably laterally over a specified distance. The forward end of the slide 
lever is in sliding contact with a cam face 40 formed on the reel chassis. 
As illustrated, the cam face 40 varies in height along the direction of 
sliding movement of the reel chassis 4. The cam curve rises for a change 
from the ejection or standby mode of FIG. 30 (a) to the standby mode of 
FIG. 30 (b) and then gradually lowers as the mode further changes to the 
empty mode of FIG. 30 (c). 
Consequently, the reel chassis 4, when moved in the direction of arrow 
shown, reciprocatingly drives the slide lever 605, and the movement of the 
lever is transmitted to the pinch roller lever 6 through the pivotal lever 
604, with the result that the pinch roller lever 6 is rotated against the 
spring or by the action of the spring, thereby moving the pinch roller 61 
into or out of pressing contact with the capstan 16. 
The operation of the apparatus will be described below with changes in 
mode. 
In the ejection mode shown in FIG. 22, the tape withdrawing levers 7, 64 
are positioned as rotated toward each other to the limit positions, 
holding the withdrawing pins 71, 65 most proximate to the respective reel 
supports 43, 44. The pinch roller lever 6 is positioned as rotated 
clockwise to its limit position, holding the pinch roller 61 at the 
greatest distance away from the capstan 16. 
When a cassette 9 is inserted in the holder 15 positioned as seen in FIG. 
1D, the holder 15 is lowered onto the reel chassis 4, whereupon the holder 
is locked to the chassis 4 by unillustrated lock means, whereby the 
apparatus is set in the standby mode of FIG. 1C. Further the holder 15, 
when lowered, turns on the pair of cassette sensor switches 56 shown in 
FIG. 22. 
Consequently, the loading motor 26 is started, driving the reel chassis 4 
to the play mode position of FIG. 24. With the movement of the reel 
chassis 4, the tape withdrawing levers 7, 64 rotate in directions away 
from each other, causing the tape withdrawing pins 71, 65 to withdraw a 
magnetic tape 90 from the cassette 9. 
Simultaneously with this, the tape loading device operates to move the tape 
guide 38 and the second guide 39 clockwise around the cylinder device 14 
and position the magnetic tape 90 in the specified tape drive path along 
the cylinder device 14, guide posts 101, 102, 103 and capstan 16. 
Further with the movement of the reel chassis 4, the pinch roller lever 6 
is driven counterclockwise to cause the pinch roller 61 to press the tape 
90 against the capstan 16. 
Completion of signal recording or reproduction in the play mode is followed 
by a change to the ejection mode of FIG. 1D, in which the cassette 9 is 
removed from the holder 15. 
Subsequently, the empty holder 15 is lowered and locked to the reel chassis 
4. Since no cassette is loaded in the holder 15 at this time, both the 
cassette sensor switches 56 remain inoperative. Consequently, the reel 
chassis 4 is driven to the empty mode position of FIG. 26 as already 
described. 
The shift of the reel chassis 4 from the ejection mode position of FIG. 22 
to the empty mode position of FIG. 26 rotates the tape withdrawing levers 
7, 64 in the following manner. 
When the ejection mode of FIG. 22 changes to the play mode of FIG. 24, the 
levers 7, 64 rotate away from each other. 
While the reel chassis 4 further advances to the empty mode position of 
FIG. 26, the forward ends of the withdrawing levers 7, 64 come into 
contact with the stoppers 18, 19 on the main chassis 1, which in turn 
prevent further rotation of the levers 7, 64 in directions away from each 
other. At this time, the springs 79, 608 stretch to permit the movement of 
the reel chassis 4. Accordingly, in the empty mode wherein the reel 
chassis 4 is completely superposed on the main chassis 1, there is no 
likelihood that the levers 7, 64 will project beyond the extent of the 
main chassis 1. 
With the apparatus described above, the pinch roller 61 is released from 
the capstan 16 in the empty mode of FIG. 26, so that the duration during 
which the pinch roller is pressed against the capstan at rest is 
minimized, thus obviating the likelihood that the pinch roller 61 will be 
deformed by the reaction exerted by the capstan 16. Further because the 
pinch roller lever 6 and the capstan 16 are supported commonly by the main 
chassis 1, the pinch roller 61 can be set in parallel to the capstan 16 
with high accuracy 
(Fifth Embodiment) 
FIGS. 31 to 33 show a camera-equipped VTR embodying the present invention. 
This VTR comprises a VTR unit 110 and a camera unit 120 which are housed in 
a single cabinet 111. As is already known, the camera unit 120 comprises 
an objective lens 121, autofocusing mechanism, zooming mechanism, 
automatic iris diaphragm mechanism, solidstate image sensor, etc. 
The VTR unit 110 comprises, for example, the construction of 8-mm VTR 
according to any one of the foregoing embodiments. The main chassis is 
fixedly provided in the cabinet 111. The reel chassis and subchassis 
(hereinafter referred to collectively as a "slide chassis") are vertically 
slidably provided relative to the main chassis. A grip 122 of resin is 
removably attached to one side of the cabinet 111. FIG. 31 shows the VTR 
unit 110 in tape drive mode for photographing, and FIG. 32 shows the VTR 
unit in empty mode. 
With reference to FIG. 33, the grip 122 has a side face 123 provided with a 
pair of hooks 126. The grip 122 can be joined to the cabinet 111 by 
engaging the hooks 126 in sockets (not shown) formed in the side face of 
the cabinet 111 opposed to the grip. 
The grip 122 has a battery pack incorporated therein and further has an 
optical viewfinder 130 including an objective lens 128. An eyecup 129 is 
attached to the viewfinder 130. Power is supplied from the battery pack to 
the camera unit 120 and to the VTR unit 110 by the contact of contact 
pieces 127 on the side face 123 of the grip 122 with contact pieces (not 
shown) provided on the side face of the cabinet 111. 
In the empty mode of FIG. 32, the VTR unit 110 has a minimum depthwise 
length L.sub.3. The grip 122 has a head portion 124 projecting beyond the 
VTR unit 110 by a length of A. 
When a cassette is to be loaded into the VTR unit 110, the slide chassis of 
the VTR unit 110 is projected from the main chassis to the greatest 
extent, increasing the depthwise length of the VTR unit 110 to L.sub.1. 
With the cassette loaded, the unit 110 is set in standby mode. 
The slide chassis is thereafter moved by depressing a button on an 
operation panel, whereby the depthwise length of the VTR unit 110 is set 
to L.sub.2 as seen in FIG. 31, whereby the VTR unit 110 is set in the tape 
drive mode ready to record or reproduce images. 
In the tape drive mode, the VTR unit 110 is projected from the camera unit 
120 by a length equal to the length of projection, A, of the grip 122, 
with the result that the front plate 51 of the subchassis of the VTR unit 
110 becomes flush with the top surface 125 of the grip 122. 
Accordingly, when the VTR is in the state for photographing shown in FIG. 
31, the side face, opposed to the grip, of the VTR unit 110 is entirely 
covered with the grip 122, so that the interior of the VTR unit 110 is not 
accessible, for example, by the finger tip of the hand holding the grip. 
The mechanism of the VTR unit 110 can therefore be protected. 
(Sixth Embodiment) 
FIGS. 34 and 35 show another camera-equipped VTR embodying the present 
invention. 
A grip 122 has a battery pack only incorporated therein. An electronic 
viewfinder 130 is supported by a pivot 131 on the rear portion of a camera 
unit 120 and is rotatable through 90 degrees for the user to monitor 
through an eyepiece portion 132 the image to be photographed. 
In the empty mode shown in FIG. 34, the viewfinder 130 can be accommodated 
in a space created by a reduction in the size of a VTR unit 110. The 
viewfinder has a thickness of L.sub.2 -L.sub.3, with the result that in 
the empty mode, the top surface of the viewfinder 130 is flush with the 
top surface of the grip 122. 
FIG. 35 shows the VTR in tape drive mode, in which the VTR unit 110 is 
enlarged utilizing the space produced by the rotation of the viewfinder 
130. 
(Seventh Embodiment) 
FIGS. 36 to 38 show another camera-equipped VTR embodying the present 
invention. 
The cassette holder of a VTR unit 110 is fixedly provided over its upper 
side with a top plate 112 serving as a cover for the VTR unit as will be 
described below. 
The cabinet for housing the VTR unit 110 and a camera unit 120 has a VTR 
accommodating portion 140 as shown in FIG. 37. This portion 140 comprises 
a rear panel 141 opposed to a grip 122, a bottom panel 143 having a width 
approximately equal to the thickness of the VTR unit 110, and a front 
panel 142 having a length B greater than the maximum amount of projection, 
L.sub.1 -L.sub.3, of the VTR unit 110. 
Provided on the front panel 142 are buttons, such as REC button 151, PLAY 
button 152, FF (fast-forward) button 153, REW (rewind) button 154 and 
pause button 155, which are required only in tape drive mode, switches, 
such as variable speed shutter switch 156 and white balance switch 157, 
which are required only during photographing, and a slide power switch 158 
for supplying power to the tape drive system and the like of the VTR unit. 
FIG. 36 shows the VTR in play mode, in which the VTR unit 110 is enlarged 
with the slide chassis projected from the main chassis. In this mode, the 
buttons and switches are exposed and can therefore be manipulated. 
The top plate 112 of the cassette holder is provided on its underside with 
a projection 113 opposed to the cabinet front panel 142 as seen in FIGS. 
38 (a) and (b). The projection 113 is so positioned as to be engageable 
with the slide knob 159 of the power switch 158 with the movement of the 
top plate 112. 
In the tape drive mode shown in FIG. 38 (a), the projection 113 is away 
from the power switch 158, which is left exposed for manipulation as 
stated above. In this state, the knob 159 of the power switch 158 is 
manually slid leftward to on-position R.sub.1 as illustrated, whereby 
power is supplied. 
When the tape drive mode is to be changed to the empty mode, the VTR unit 
is temporarily brought into ejection mode for the removal of the cassette. 
Subsequently in response to an instruction for the change to the empty 
mode, the slide chassis is retracted. With this movement, the top plate 
112 of the cassette holder is moved in the direction of arrow shown in 
FIG. 38 (a). Consequently, the knob 159 of the power switch 158 is pushed 
rightward to off-position R.sub.2 by the projection 113 as shown in FIG. 
38 (b) to discontinue the supply of power. 
With the camera-equipped VTR described above, the VTR unit 110 has its 
mechanisms such as the cylinder device still covered with the front panel 
142 without exposure even when brought into the standby mode or ejection 
mode with the slide chassis projected from the main chassis to the 
greatest extent. 
Since the switches and the like are covered with the top plate 112 of the 
cassette holder in the empty mode, such switches remain free of erroneous 
operation when the VTR is carried as placed in a bag or the like. Further 
even if the user forgets to turn off the power switch after photographing, 
no trouble occurs because the change to the empty mode automatically turns 
off the power supply as stated above. 
The present apparatus is not limited to the foregoing embodiments in 
construction but can be modified variously by one skilled in the art 
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the 
appended claims.