Video cassette recorder incorporating therein a door opening device for selectively exposing/concealing operating buttons on a front panel thereof

A video cassette recorder provided with a door opening device for selectively exposing or concealing operating buttons used to input recording reservation data and mounted on a front panel thereof, wherein the door opening device comprises:

• a preprogramming start button slidably mounted on the front panel from a first position to a second position and including a button body positioned outside of the front panel, a depressing bar extending from the button body to pass through the front panel, and an urging member having an end-slanted surface and extending from the button body to pass through the front panel;
• a door member pivotably attached to a lower portion of the front panel from a position wherein, when the preprogramming start button is in the first position, the door member is completely closed, to a position wherein, when the preprogramming start button is in the second position, the door is completely opened, and including a folded extension having a pin receiver and a slant surface at its free end;
• and
• an interlocking means slidable from a position wherein, when the preprogramming start button is in the first position, the interlocking means is retained through the pin receiver, to a position wherein, when the preprogramming start button is in the second position, the interlocking means is released from the pin receiver.