VCR cassette transport mechanism with mechanical overload protection

A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a record carrier accommodated in a cassette, comprising:

• a cassette receptacle into which a cassette can be inserted manually in a direction of insertion, said receptacle comprising at least one cassette-retaining member having a coupling stop, said member being movable from an initial position into an operating position at least partly in the direction of insertion,
• a pivotable drive lever,
• a drive mechanism including a motor for driving said drive lever pivotably, and
• a pin-slot linkage for moving said member with the cassette in response to pivoting of the drive lever, said linkage including a pin and a slot having two longitudinal walls, said pin extending through said slot for cooperation with one of said walls when the drive lever is driven by the motor to move the member from its initial position to its operating position;
• said member, when substantially in its initial position, being arranged to be coupled to a cassette which is inserted manually up to an insertion position defined by said coupling stop,
• characterized in that the other longitudinal wall, opposite said one wall, has a recess which extends substantially in the direction of insertion;
• when the member is in said initial position, said recess and said pin being disposed opposite one another in the direction of insertion, and said pin engaging said recess when a cassette is coupled to the member during manual insertion of the cassette to its insertion position, said pin being clamped against a wall portion of said recess to form a detachable clamped connection for blocking a pivotal movement of the drive lever.