Compact magnetic recording and reproducing device having movable reels and reel spindles

A loading device for loading a tape cassette into a recording/reproducing apparatus, the device comprising:

• a pair of movable reels mounted within the cassette;
• a pair of reel drive spindles corresponding respectively to said pair of movable reels;
• a first chassis on which said pair of reel drive spindles are movably mounted for sliding motion;
• a second chassis having a recording/reproducing head mounted thereon, said second chassis being slidable relative to said first chassis;
• guide means arranged on said first and second chassis for providing relative motion between said first chassis and said second chassis and selective movement of said recording/reproducing head toward and away from said pair of reel drive spindles in response to motion of said second chassis.

A system including a cassette and a device for loading a cassette into a recording/reproducing apparatus, comprising:

• a tape cassette having tape take-up and supply reels and a movable lid at one side thereof covering the tape;
• a chassis on which said tape cassette is loaded, having a pair of drive spindles for respectively receiving said tape take-up and supply reels of said tape cassette loaded thereon;
• and
• lid moving means mounted on said chassis for moving said lid during a cassette loading operation independently of movement of said cassette during the loading operation, wherein said movable lid includes an arm and said lid moving means comprises a sector gear having a pin mounted thereon for contacting said arm and a pinion gear for driving said sector gear in a predetermined direction, to cause said pin to contact said arm and open said lid.

A system including a cassette and a device for loading a cassette into a recording/reproducing apparatus, comprising:

• a tape cassette having tape take-up and supply reels and a movable lid at one side thereof covering the tape;
• a chassis on which said tape cassette is loaded, having a pair of drive spindles for respectively receiving said tape take-up and supply reels of said tape cassette loaded thereon;
• and
• lid moving means mounted on said chassis for moving said lid during a cassette loading operation independently of movement of said cassette during the loading operation, wherein said movable lid includes an arm and said lid moving means comprises a lever arm having a pin at a leading end thereof for contacting said arm of said lid and engaged at a trailing end with a cam means movable in at least two strokes, so that upon a first stroke of said cam means, said pin contacts said arm and opens said lid.