Magnetic tape cassette loading system in recording and/or reproducing apparatus

A cassette loading system for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette which has a sliding closure member openably closing a cut-out in a bottom surface of the cassette casing, the cassette loading system comprising:

• cassette holding means for receiving and holding said magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle defined therein, said cassette holding means being movable among a first position in which said cassette receptacle is exposed for insertion and removal of said magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from said first position, and a third position vertically offset from said second position and at which cassette loading is completed;
• first means, associated with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said first and second positions;
• second means, associated with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said second and third positions;
• timing control means, associated with said first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling functioning of said first and second means during movement of said cassette holding means, said timing control means disabling one of said first and second means while the other of said first and second means is in operation;
• and
• third means, associated with said cassette holding means, for moving said sliding closure member between said closed position and said open position during movement of said cassette holding means between said first and second positions.

A cassette loading system for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette which has a sliding closure member openably closing a cut-out in a bottom surface of the cassette casing, the cassette loading system comprising:

• cassette holding means for receiving and holding said magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle defined therein, said cassette holding means being movable among a first position in which said cassette receptacle is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of said magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from said first position, and a third position vertically offset from said second position and at which cassette loading is completed;
• first means, associated with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said first and second positions;
• second means, associated with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said second position and third position;
• third means, associated with said first means, for selectively moving said sliding closure member between closed positions and open positions depending upon the cassette holder position between said first and second positions;
• and
• timing control means, associated with said first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling operation of said first and second means during movement of said cassette holding means, said timing control means disabling one of said first and second means while the other of said first and second means is in operation.

A combination of a magnetic tape cassette and a cassette loading system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for said magnetic tape cassette wherein:

• said magnetic tape cassette includes:
• a cassette casing housing a magnetic tape and having a front opening exposing said magnetic tape therethrough, and a cut-out in a floor of said cassette casing for receiving a tape loading mechanism of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therethrough;
• a pivotal closure lid for openably closing said front opening of said magnetic tape cassette;
• a sliding closure member movable between a closed position closing said cut-out and an open position opening said cut-out;
• and
• locking means, associated with said sliding closure member, for locking the latter in said closed position and in said open position;
• and
• wherein said loading system comprises:
• cassette holding means for receiving and holding said magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle defined therein, said cassette holding means being movable among a first position in which said cassette receptacle is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of said magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from said first position, and a third position vertically offset from said second position and at which cassette loading is completed;
• first means, associated with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said first and second positions;
• second means, associated with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said second position and third position;
• third means, associated with said first means, for selectively actuating said pivotal closure lid and said sliding closure member between closed positions and open positions depending upon cassette holder position between said first and second positions;
• and
• a timing control means for selectively enabling and disabling operation of said first and second means during movement of said cassette holding means, said timing control means disabling one of said first and second means while the other of said first and second means is in operation.

A cassette loading system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette which has a cassette casing housing therein a magnetic tape, said cassette casing being formed with a front end opening and a bottom opening to expose said magnetic tape therethrough, a pivotal lid being associated with said front end opening for selectively opening said front end opening for allowing access to said magnetic tape and closing for blocking access to said magnetic tape, and a sliding shutter associated with said bottom opening for selectively opening said bottom opening for allowing access to said magnetic tape therethrough and closing for blocking access to said magnetic tape, comprising:

• cassette holding means for receiving and holding said magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle defined therein, said cassette holding means being movable between an eject position, in which said cassette holding means can receive said cassette and allow a cassette to be removed, and a loading position at which cassette loading is completed along a predetermined path which includes a first component directed in a first direction and a second component directed in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction;
• and
• first means, associated with said cassette holding means, for actuating said pivotal lid and said sliding closure member to an open position in synchronism with movement of said cassette holding means from said eject position to said loading position.