Tape recorder having an automatic mode switching mechanism

A tape recorder having means for detecting an index signal recorded on a tape, and means for feeding said tape at high and low selectable speeds, comprising:

• first and second latch bars each having a pin and longitudinally movable respectively in response to a manually applied pressure from a normal position to an operative position to cause said tape to feed at said low and high speeds respectively;
• a crosspiece member intersecting said first and second latch bars and movable in the lengthwise direction thereof and having first and second notches in positions to engage the pins of said first and second latch bars respectively, the first notch having a greater depth of cut in the lengthwise direction of said crosspiece member than that of said second notch, whereby the pins of said first and second latch bars engage respectively the first and second notches of said crosspiece member in response to said manually applied pressure;
• a first abutment member on said crosspiece member and movable from a normal position to an operative position in response to the movement of said second latch bar to its operative position;
• and
• a second abutment member on said crosspiece member and movable in the lengthwise direction of said crosspiece member in response to an output signal from said index detecting means to engage said first abutment member in its operative position to cause said crosspiece member to move a distance which is greater than the depth of cut of said second notch and smaller than the depth of cut of said first notch to disengage the pin of the second latch bar from said second notch to thereby cause said second latch bar to return to its normal position causing said first abutment member to return to its normal position and movable in response to a subsequent output signal from said index detecting means to engage said first abutment member in its normal position to cause said crosspiece member to move a distance which is greater than the depth of cut of said first notch to disengage the pin of the first latch bar from said first notch.