Tape cassette loading and ejection device

A tape cassette loading device for selectively holding, in an operating position or an ejection position, a tape cassette of the type including forward and rearward portions and having at least one guide hole which includes a bottom edge defined in said forward portion, said tape cassette loading device comprising:

• chassis means defining one surface on which the tape cassette is mounted when in said operating position;
• guide pin means protruding from said one surface of said chassis means and engageable with said at least one guide hole to guide the tape cassette throughout the entire movement thereof between said operating and ejection positions;
• and
• ejection means operatively associated with said chassis and moveable along said guide pin between an upper position and a lower position to responsively displace the tape cassette between said operating position and said ejection position, respectively, said ejection means operating to raise said forward portion of the tape cassette so as to angularly dispose the tape cassette when in said ejection position relative to said one surface;
• and wherein
• said guide pin means includes downwardly and outwardly tapered surface defined at a predetermined height above said surface, said tapered surface establishing means for retaining said bottom edge of said guide hole in bearing contact against said tapered surface to responsively retain the tape cassette in said angularly disposed ejection position while yet permitting the tape cassette to be manually moved to said operating position upon application of pressing force to the tape cassette to cause said bottom edge to slide along said tapered surface.