Magnetic tape transducer apparatus for use with multi-size cassettes

Cassette tape transducer apparatus having

• a housing (H) formed with a cassette introduction opening of sufficient size to receive the largest (L) of a set (S, M, L) of at least two differentially dimensioned cassettes (S,M,L);
• cover flap means (1, 3, 7;
• 61, 63, 67) closing of the cassette introduction opening and pivotable out of a closing position into an open position to permit introduction selectively of each cassette into the housing,
• said opening defining a plane symmetrically positioned about an axis bisecting said opening
• and comprising, in accordance with the invention,
• means for placing any of the cassettes (S, M, L) of the set in the opening only when presented in a position parallel to said plane and centered with respect to said axis, and while opening the cover flap means during an introductory movement of the respective cassette into the housing,
• wherein the cover flap means includes
• at least one cover flap which is subdivided into two flap portions (3a, 3b;
• 7a, 7b;
• 63a, 63b;
• 67a, 67b), each portion being positioned symmetrically with respect to said axes;
• connection means (2, 3c, 63c) coupling said portions together to permit only conjoint movement thereof;
• and
• individual locking means (4) locking the flap portions, individually, in closed position for inhibiting introduction of a cassette through said opening into said housing (H),
• said locking means having engagement elements (4b, 87), each associated with individual flap portions and engageable by a leading edge (6a) of the cassette being introduced into said housing for unlocking an associated one of the flap portions only so that, upon attempted introduction of a cassette in a position that is not parallel with said plane and not symmetrically positioned with respect to said axis, one of said locking means remains unengaged by the leading edge of the cassette and retains said respective cassette flap portion in closed position and prevents opening movement of the other flap portion coupled thereto by said connection means to thereby prevent symmetrical introduction of a cassette into the housing.