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

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 its floor 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;
• and
• 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.

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 the bottom 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, cooperating with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said second and third positions;
• second means, cooperating with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said second and third positions;
• and
• timing control means, cooperating with said first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling said first and second driving 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 enabled;
• a horizontally movable component and a vertically movable component, said vertically movable component holding said magnetic tape cassette and cooperating with said horizontally movable component at said second position for horizontally moving together with said horizontally movable component;
• a first locking means for locking said horizontally movable component in said first position, a second locking means for locking said horizontally movable component in said second position, a third locking means for locking said vertically movable component in said second position and a fourth locking means for locking said vertically movable component in said third position.

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 the bottom 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, cooperating with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said second and third positions;
• second means, cooperating with said cassette holding means, for driving the latter between said second and third positions;
• and
• timing control means, cooperating with said first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling said first and second driving 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 enabled;
• wherein said first and second means are driven by a common driving means and said driving means includes a driving motor and power train, said power train including means for selectively transmitting driving force to one of said first and second means, wherein said driving force transmitting means comprises a first gear associated with said first means, a second gear associated with said second means, and a third gear associated with said driving motor to be driven by the latter and selectively transmit the driving force of the driving motor to one of the said first and second gears;
• and
• wherein said third gear transmits the driving force to said first gear while said vertically movable component is locked at said second position, and to said second gear while said horizontally movable component is locked at said second position.