Apparatus for securing and releasing tape cartridges from tape decks

Tape deck apparatus for receiving and positioning for data interchange standard tape cartridges housing tape reels and in which the leading edge includes a driven capstan to engage a driving capstan in the deck, and a tape exposing area to be brought into precision engagement with a recording head in the deck, the side edges carrying guide channels and latching notches, and reference bearing points adjacent the respective side edges of the cartridge for locating the tape in precise lateral position with respect to the recording head, the invention comprising:

• means defining a slot chamber in the deck to receive the cartridge including edge guides to engage the respective side channels of the cartridge for loose sliding movement;
• a pair of reference bearing members to be engaged by the reference bearing points of the cartridge when the cartridge is seated;
• resilient means to engage one side of the cartridge to urge it in a direction normal to the plane thereof and against the reference bearing members;
• and
• latch means to engage the cartridge in the said notches to force it forwardly to bring the driving and driven capstans into engagement, said latch means comprising a pair of pivot plates in the path of movement of the guide channels of the cartridge, said pivot plates being independently pivotally coupled to the tape deck, and link means to cross-couple the pivot plates, whereby the pivot plates are constrained to remain in phase upon insertion and withdrawal of the cartridge.