Tray-type cassette loading compatible with two different sized cassettes for recording/reproducing apparatus

A cassette loading device for a cassette recording/reproducing apparatus including a body having a front panel, comprising:

• a cassette tray displaceable in a horizontal direction and reciprocally movable between a first position in which said cassette tray is retracted into the body of the recording/reproducing apparatus for loading a cassette in a predetermined position, and a second position in which said cassette tray is ejected forwardly from the front panel of the body for attachment and detachment of the cassette relative to said cassette tray;
• a holder disposed in said cassette tray for holding the cassette, said cassette being one of a first cassette and a second cassette which is smaller in size than said first cassette, said holder including a first holder member for supporting thereon the first cassette and a second holder member disposed below said first holder member for supporting thereon the second cassette, said first holder member having an opening complementary in contour to the shape of the second cassette and receptive of the second cassette for guiding the second cassette when the second cassette is disposed on said second holder member, said second holder member being horizontal, said first holder member having a rearward end pivoted to a rearward end of said second holder member, said first holder member being tiltable with respect to said second holder member and said cassette tray in response to the movement of said cassette tray between said first and second positions, the second holder member being pivotally stationary when the first holder member pivotally tilts;
• means responsive to the movement of said cassette tray toward said second position for causing said first holder member to tilt up relative to said second holder member and said cassette tray, with a forward end of said first holder member directed upwardly;
• wherein said second holder member having at least one hole, a slider movable between an operative position to open said hole when the first cassette is disposed on said first holder member and an inoperative position to close said hole when the second cassette is disposed on said second holder member, a first reference pin engageable with the first cassette for holding the first cassette in a first level when the first cassette disposed on said first holder member is loaded in a predetermined position, and a second reference pin engageable with said slider while being disposed in said inoperative position, for holding the second cassette in a second level via said slider and said second holder member when the second cassette disposed on said second holder member is loaded in said predetermined position.

A cassette loading device for a cassette recording/reproducing apparatus including a body having a front panel, comprising:

• a cassette tray displaceable in a horizontal direction and reciprocally movable between a first position in which said cassette tray is retracted into the body of the recording/reproducing apparatus for loading a cassette in a predetermined position, and a second position in which said cassette tray is ejected forwardly from the front panel of the body for attachment and detachment of the cassette relative to said cassette tray;
• a holder disposed in said cassette tray for holding the cassette, said cassette being one of a first cassette and a second cassette which is smaller in size than said first cassette, said holder including a first holder member for supporting thereon the first cassette and a second holder member disposed below said first holder member for supporting thereon the second cassette, said first holder member having an opening complementary in contour to the shape of the second cassette and receptive of the second cassette for guiding the second cassette when the second cassette is disposed on said second holder member, said second holder member being horizontal, said first holder member having a rearward end pivoted to a rearward end of said second holder member, said first holder member being tiltable with respect to said second holder member and said cassette tray in response to the movement of said cassette tray between said first and second positions, the second holder member being pivotally stationary when the first holder member pivotally tilts;
• means responsive to the movement of said cassette tray toward said second position for causing said first holder member to tilt up relative to said second holder member and said cassette tray, with a forward end of said first holder member directed upwardly;
• a reference pin engageable with a reference hole in the second cassette when the second cassette is disposed on said second holder member, a first engagement portion disposed on said second holder member at a side facing the body of the recording/reproducing apparatus, a second engagement portion adapted to be disposed on the body of the apparatus and engageable with said first engagement portion when said holder is disposed in said predetermined position, and means for forcing the second cassette against said second holder member;
• wherein said means for forcing the cassette includes a rotatable circular cam having a cam groove, a pivotable hold lever, a pin disposed on one end of said hold lever and slidably received in said cam groove, a pivotable hold plate linked with an opposite end of said hold lever, said hold plate being pivotally movable in a direction to hold the second cassette in position against displacement relative to said holder in response to rotation of said circular cam, and a spring for urging said hold plate to pivot in a direction away from the second cassette.