Patent GB-1464935-A (GB)
Title: Cassette-type magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a cassette ejecting device
IPC: G11B15/675
Filed: 1974-11-27
Abstract: 1464935 Magnetic tape cassette apparatus SONY CORP 27 Nov 1974 [30 Nov 1973] 51470/74 Heading G5R A cassette-type magnetic tape recording and/or playback apparatus has a cassette holding device 5 with a holder 6 movable between a first position Fig. 3A, at which a magnetic tape cassette 1 can be inserted in and withdrawn from holder 6, and a second position, Fig. 3B (not shown), at which an inserted cassette is at an operative position, a tape loading and unloading device operative to wrap tape from an operatively positioned cassette around a rotary magnetic head drum assembly 68, Fig. 8, and to unwrap the tape therefrom, a cassette ejector having a holder displacing means S 1 , Fig. 3A, to return holder 6 from its second to its first position, transmission means S 3 , Fig. 8, having an operative state, in which a motor 58 rotates a drive member to thereby operate the holder displacing means S 1 , and an inoperative state in which the drive member is disconnected from the motor 58, and control means permitting establishment of the operative state of transmission S 3  only when the tape loading and unloading device is in a condition corresponding to that at the completion of the unloading operation thereof. Loading.-On horizontally sliding a cassette 1, Fig. 3A, in direction a into the holder 6 through front opening 6g thereof, an ejector member 7 is moved by cassette 1 in direction a relative to holder 6 against springs 12 until rollers 19 on member 7 have moved along horizontal parts 18a of L-shaped slots 18 in stationary plates 16 to the tops of vertical slot parts 18b, whereupon cassette 1, holder 6 and member 7 move together under gravity vertically downwards to the operative cassette position, such movement being guided by rollers 19 in slot parts 18b and by rollers (17), Fig. 1 (not shown), on holder 6 engaging plates 16. During the end part of such vertical movement an inturned tab (41a), Fig. 7 (not shown), on sidewall 6c of holder 6 engages an inclined part (44) of a pivoted lockling lever (42a) to swing the latter and, via a link (45), a second locking lever (42b) to release positions allowing holder 6 to fully descend to its second position whereat it is locked by the levers (42a), (42b) being urged by a spring (51), Fig. 6 (not shown), to engage over tabs (41a), (41b) of holder side walls 6c, (6d). Ejection.-When, during a recording or playback operation, an eject button is operated a motor 74, Fig. 8, is energized to drive a support ring 66 of the loading and unloading device whereby a guide pin and pinch roller thereon are driven from positions 69<SP>1</SP>, 70<SP>1</SP> adjacent capstan 72 to starting positions 69, 70, at which they project into the cassette, and the tape previously wrapped around drum 68 is returned to the cassette. When ring 66 reaches its starting position a cam follower 65 engages in a notch 66b therein and spring 67 pivots a member 64 from a blocking position to a release position allowing a solenoid 60, energized simultaneously with motor 74, to act via spring 61 to swing a pulley 55 of transmission S 3  into engagement with a wheel 57 driven by a main motor 58 which drives capstan 72 and rotary index heads of assembly 68. Drive is taken from pulley 55 via belt 56, pulley 52, shaft 34, worm (35), Fig. 6, worm wheel (36), and one way clutch (36a), (37a) to rotate cam 31 and a coaxial crank 25, Fig. 3A, whereby the locking levers (42a), (42b) are first released by means of cam follower 46 and bellcrank (47), Fig. 6, and then a pin 26 on the crank 25 drives a link 27 to swing levers 21 about pivots 22 on plates 16 whereby, by the engagement of rollers 19 in slots 21a of levers 21, the holder 6, cassette 1 and ejector member 7 are moved upwards to the first position of holder 6 and when rollers 19 reach the top of slot parts 18a, springs 12 move ejector member 7 relative to holder 6 to at least partly eject the cassette therefrom. Crank 25 has a cam surface 25a operating a switch SW 1  in series with solenoid 60 and main motor 58 so that the latter are deenergized when the holder is in its cassette receiving, first position. The cassette 1 may have a lid (1d), Fig. 1 (not shown), to close a front opening through which the tape is withdrawn from the cassette, means (not shown) being provided on the cassette holding device 5 to open the lid (1d) as the cassette holder 6 moves downwards to its operative second position.  The tape loading and unloading device may be of the type shown in U.S.A. Specification 3,821,805 or 3,833,921.