Apparatus for winding video tape on reels of a cassette

An apparatus for feeding pairs of reels to a winding position in a winding apparatus for winding video tape on the reels and removing the loaded reels from the winding apparatus, comprising:

• a feeding means for feeding trays carrying a pair of empty reels removably mounted in the trays to a transfer area, and carrying trays into which pairs of loaded reels have been placed away from the transfer area;
• a rotating arm means rotatably mounted adjacent said feeding means for transferring a pair of reels from a tray at the transfer area to the winding position and another pair of reels having tape wound thereon from the winding position to the transfer area, said rotating arm being rotatable about a point between the transfer area and the winding position and in a plane including the transfer area and the winding position and being movable axially, means for rotating said rotating arm means and reciprocally moving said rotating arm means axially of the axis of said rotation shaft, said rotating arm means having a plurality of arms extending radially from said rotation shaft, each of said arms having on the free end a holding member means for gripping a pair of reels while said rotating arm means is moved axially for removing the reels from a tray, holding the reels while said rotating arm means is rotated and while the reels are placed on the winding apparatus in the winding position as said rotating arm means is moved axially, for gripping reels in the winding position while said rotating arm means is moved axially for removing the reels from the winding apparatus, holding the reels while the rotating arm means rotates and while the reels are placed in the trays as said rotating arm means is moved axially.