Patent GB-1345906-A (GB)
Title: Cassette type tape recording and reproducing apparatus
IPC: G11B15/68
Filed: 1971-04-20
Abstract: 1345906 Sequential play cassette recorder AKAI ELECTRIC CO Ltd 20 April 1971 [20 April 1970 15 June 1970 7 Oct 1970] 10169/71 Heading G5R In a reel to reel cassette type tape recording and play-back arrangement in which cassettes stacked in a store are fed in sequence to a playing position, each cassette is turned over after the end of recording or playback in one direction so that the second track or set of tracks is recorded or played back before the cassette is discharged. The arrangement is controlled by a circuit, Fig. 2 (not shown), which includes a photoelectric detector system coupled to a tape drive pinch roller which signals the stationary state of the tape at the end of play and a bi-stable circuit which when the end of play is signalled initiates a turn over operation when in one state and a cassette change operation when in its other state. During each of the operations the bi-stable circuit is switched to its other state. Cassette turn over.-Assume cassette 24 is in the playing position in which it is located and supported by parts 28-31 and in which capstan 23 and reel spindles 21, 22 are entered in the corresponding apertures in the cassette and the tape is engaged by erase and playback/record heads 141, 142 and pinch roller 143. The end of tape play is signalled by the photo-electric detector associated with apertured disc 151 and this causes operation of solenoid 333, whereby latch 145 holding head plate 140 is removed so that the plate carrying the magnetic heads and pinch roller are moved away from the cassette by spring 164. In addition, a second solenoid 331 is operated and this acts on a pin 108 to move a gear-wheel 100 driving cam-shaft 95 into engagement with a pinion 102, driven from motor 106, which drives the wheel 100 through one complete turn. Rotation of cam 97 actuates arm 86 whereby lifting member 32, pivoted at 33, is lifted moving the cassette on its carrier member 40 free of the drive and location spindles, in addition slide member 88 operated by the roller 87 on an end of arm 86 is moved to release a stop from tab 68 on carrier 40. Roller 132 in cam groove 101 now rotates U-shaped member 127 about fixed shaft 124, whereby the pinion 83 engages with rack 78 and the sliding plate 75 carrying the rack is driven rearwards moving with it the cassette on its carrier member by means of the guide pin 41. The cassette is thus brought between a pair of members 57 provided with rollers 59-61. Now cam plate 96 moves a hauling rod 114 engaged with a fanshaped gear 110 which is permanently meshed with gear 56 and turns this gear and the cassette support members 57 connected therewith through 180 degrees during which movement the cassette is guided by curved guide member 171. At this time roller 132 in cam groove 101 moves pinion 83 into engagement with rack 77 on member 75 and the cassette on its carrier 40 is returned to its initial position at which it is lowered by the lifting member into engagement with its support and drive spindles. When the cassette is in this position cam 98 acts on arm 135 which moves the head plate into its tape engaging position in which it is latched by latch 145. Cassette change operation.-At the end of playing the second set of tracks on the cassette, a further solenoid 248, in addition to solenoids 333 and 331, is operated, whereby by operation of member 247 and sliding member 243 a further cam device 235 is clutched into engagement with the shaft 95 driven by gear-wheel 100. At the same time an arm 302 is turned, moving a plate 305 which actuates an L-shaped member 308, Fig. 11, whereby shaft 128 carrying pinion 83 is lowered to a position disengaged from the racks 77, 78 so that the cassette cannot be moved back to the turn-over position. Instead when the cassette is raised as before by lifting member 32 to position free of its drive and support spindles, arm 255 is pivoted by cam surface 257 and actuates via rod 290 and lever 289 an L-shaped member 292 which acts on a pin 52 which draws a sliding member 51 rearwards to allow the cassette to be discharged towards the receptacle 7. Arm 251 is now actuated by cam surface 253, whereby an arm carrying a driven pinion 265 is moved into engagement with a rack 264 which is slidably mounted with a pusher member on a shaft, not shown, and driven leftwards by the pinion so that the pusher moves the cassette into the receptacle 7. At this time pivoting arm 230 is turned by roller 232 operating in cam groove 236 and via L-shaped arm 228 moves driving plate 202 in the direction of its length, thereby turning cassette holding members 205, 206 via racks formed on the driving plate and gears 207, 208. Holding member 205 turns counterclockwise and member 206 clockwise releasing cassette 25 while supporting the remainder of the cassettes on the curved portions 221, 222 of the holders. When the holder members return to the original position the cassettes fall until the lowest 26 is now supported by holding portions 219, 220. At this time lifting member 32 lowers the cassette 25 to its operating position. Manual switch operating means are also provided for initiating a cassette turnover or discharge operation.