Reversible cassette-type recording and/or reproducing apparatus

A reversible cassette-type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising:

• cassette covering means movable between an operative position and an ejecting position;
• magnetic head means;
• inverting means for effecting inverting movement of said head means between a normal condition and a reverse condition, said inverting means including a turntable shaft, a head support fixed to said turnable shaft and supporting said magnetic head means, an idle gear fixed to said turnable shaft, inverting gear means engaged with said idle gear, a pair of azimuth-adjusting screws for regulating the rotation angle of said magnetic head means on inversion of the latter, and toggle spring means for urging said head support alternatively against one of said azimuth-adjusting screws;
• drive means for driving said inverting means;
• a first operating member movable in a first direction from an inoperative position to an operative position for effecting movement of said cassette covering means to said ejecting position;
• a second operating member movable by said drive means between a first position, corresponding to the normal condition of said head means, and a second position, corresponding to the reverse condition of said head means, in a second direction substantially at a right angle to said first direction;
• and
• cooperatively engageable stopper means on said first and second operating members, respectively, for permitting movement of said first operating member from said inoperative to said operative position when said second operating member is located at said first position, and for preventing said movement of the first operating member to said operative position by mutual engagement of said stopper means when said second operating member is moved to said second position by said drive means in causing an inverting movement of said head means.

A reversible cassette-type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising:

• a cassette holder;
• a magnetic head;
• inverting means operative for inverting said head for a normal condition and a reverse condition;
• drive means for operating said inverting means;
• ejection means operative for ejecting a tape cassette from an operative position in said holder;
• and
• means for preventing operation of said ejection means unless said inverting means and said drive means are in their conditions corresponding to the normal condition of said head, thereby avoiding damage to the head from unwanted contact therewith when said cassette has been ejected;
• said drive means including a drive link coupled to said second operating member for moving the latter, a rotary cam in contact with said drive link to urge the latter to move said second operating member, a partly-toothed gear having a toothed portion and a toothless portion on its circumference and coupled to rotate with rotary cam, a drive gear selectively engageable with the toothed portion of said partly toothed gear, a rotatable member for rotating said drive gear, and selectively actuable trigger means for contacting said drive gear with the toothed portion of said partly toothed gear so that, in response to actuation of said trigger means, said second operating member is moved between its first and second position.