US 4,021,856 A · Cassette tape recorder

Abstract

A miniature cassette tape recorder is provided for use with a micro-cassette of a size which is comparable to a small packet of matches, and is constructed and sized so as to be received in a pocket of a suit or shirt. The recorder includes, in selected combinations, an automatic stop mechanism which is adapted to stop the operation of the tape recorder automatically during a recording or playback operation in response to a shift of a shaft associated with a tape supply hub which occurs as a result of the drive on the tape which is transmitted to the tape hub to which a tape end is secured and hence to the shaft when the tape end is reached; a locking device for holding a recording button in its operative position; a detection mechanism for detecting a lug which is provided on the part of the cassette for preventing an inadvertent erasure of a previously recorded magnetic tape; an operating mechanism which permits a rapid advance, rewind, queing or review operation with a single button; an improved support mechanism for a capstan shaft and its associated flywheel; an improved capstan drive mechanism, or a drive transmission mechanism imparting a drive to the flywheel which is fixedly mounted on the capstan which in turn cooperates with a pinch roller to feed the tape at a uniform speed, including an idler support mechanism and its associated adjusting mechanism. The tape recorder is connectible with another electroacoustic instrument.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A cassette tape recorder for use with a tape cassette internally housing a magnetic tape having its opposite ends secured to a pair of tape hubs which are rotatably disposed within the cassette;

the recorder comprising a tape end detecting lever having an arm on which a tape supply shaft is mounted for engagement with a tape supply hub, and pivotally mounted on a stationary base plate within the tape recorder for rocking motion under the tension in the tape when an end of the tape being fed is reached;
an operation stop member pivotally mounted on another arm of the tape end detecting lever and having an abutment on its one end and a portion on its other end which unlocks a locking member for a playback actuating member;
a pin fixedly mounted adjacent to the periphery of a flywheel which drives a capstan at uniform rate for cooperation with its associated pinch roller to feed the tape;
and means for normally maintaining the tape end detecting lever at a given position in which the tape supply shaft is properly located relative to a tape take-up shaft, thereby maintaining the abutment of the operation stop member retracted from the path of rotation of the pin and maintaining said portion of the operation stop member away from the locking member, a rocking motion of the tape end detecting lever as the tape end is reached being effective to move the abutment of the operation stop member into the path of rotation of the pin, which thereupon bears against the abutment to rock the operation stop member so that said portion thereof unlocks the locking member to reset the playback actuating member.

1 more element

A cassette tape recorder for use with a tape cassette internally housing a magnetic tape having its opposite ends secured to a pair of tape hubs which are rotatably disposed within the cassette, the recorder comprising a playback actuating member and a record actuating member associated with a playback button and a record button, respectively, and adapted to be moved into respective operative positions as the associated button is depressed;

a locking member for engaging and locking the playback actuating member in its operative position as the latter is moved into its operative position;
a magnetic head support plate carrying a magnetic head and a pinch roller thereon and pivotally mounted for rocking motion to bring the head and the pinch roller into respective operative positions as the playback actuating member is moved to its operative position;
a detent post on the record actuating member;
and a switch operating member extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the record and playback actuating members and pivotally mounted for engagement with the detent post on the record actuating member which has moved to its operative position as the held support plate rocks for locking the record actuating member in its operative position.

1 more element

A cassette tape recorder for use with a tape cassette internally housing a magnetic tape having its opposite ends secured to a pair of tape hubs which are rotatably disposed within the cassette, the recorder comprising an FF operating member having an operating button attached thereto so as to be capable of both a rocking motion and a sliding motion relative to a stationary base plate within the tape recorder;

a switching lever mounted for rocking motion as the operating button is operated to rock the FF operating member for closing a switch which is adapted to energize a tape drive motor at an increased speed, thereby rotating the tape take-up shaft at an increased rate to provide a rapid tape advance;
a switching member mounted for rocking motion as the operating button is operated to rock the FF operating member for closing the switch which is adapted to energize the tape drive motor at an increased speed and for transmitting the drive from the motor to a drive wheel associated with the tape supply shaft, thereby rotating the tape supply shaft in a tape rewind direction at an increased rate;
means for moving a pinch roller away from its associated capstan in response to a sliding movement of the FF operating member initiated by an operation of the operating button during a playback mode of the tape recorder;
and means for momentarily maintaining the FF operating member in a tape rewind position which is reached by an initial sliding movement thereof, followed by a rocking motion thereof when the tape remains at rest, whereby a rocking motion of the FF operating member establishes a rapid tape advance, a sliding movement of the FF operating member establishes a tape rewind, a rocking motion of the FF operating member during a playback mode establishes a queing operation and a sliding movement of the FF operating member during a playback mode establishes a review operation.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cassette tape recorder

Life of this patent

Cassette tape recorder

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46