Coplanar type driving mechanism for telephone answering and recording device

A coplanar tape driving mechanism in a telephone answering device, which includes means to respond to an incoming call on a telephone line, characterized by

• an incoming message tape (T-2) which is mounted on a supply reel and a take up reel and including means for driving said incoming message tape (T-2) with a common capstan, a first pinch roller and a spindle which fits into a hub at the center of the take up reel,
• an outgoing message tape (T-1) and means for containing said out-going message tape (T-1) space above or below said incoming message tape (T-2), said outgoing message tape (T-1) being wound around a reel which fits over or under part of said spindle said outgoing message tape being driven by means including a second pinch roller which co-operates with said common capstan, motor torque transmitting means to transmit the motor torque from a common motor to said spindle, the mechanism further including means to establish an out-going message tape (T-1) drive made independent of an incoming message tape (T-2) drive mode, including linking means which causes the second pinch roller to engage the out-going message tape (T-1) with the common capstan so as to drive said out-going message tape (T-1) where said linking means prevents said motor torque transmitting means from driving said spindle while said linking means operates and further means to engage the motor torque transmitting means and said spindle by disengaging said linking means which causes said second pinch roller to release said outgoing message tape (T-1) from engagement with said common capstan and to cause the incoming message tape (T-2) to be driven.