Loading mechanism of magnetic recording-reproduction apparatus and method of assembling the mechanism

A tape loading mechanism with a chassis in which tape from a cassette is withdrawn, said tape loading mechanism comprising:

• guide slots formed in the chassis;
• apertures formed in the chassis, each of the apertures having a portion respectively communicating with the guide slots;
• leading guide blocks respectively insertable in the apertures and slidably fitted in the guide slots guiding the tape when the tape is withdrawn from the cassette;
• loading links provided on the chassis pivotably sliding the respective guide blocks along the guide slots, each of the loading links including:
• a pivotal lever having a base end rotatably supported by a pivot on the chassis;
• and
• a link plate connected by a pivot pin to a free end of the pivotal lever and rotatably engaged respectively with one of the guide blocks at a forward end portion of the link plate,
• wherein a first center line connects the pivot on the chassis and the pivot pin on the pivotal lever and a second center line connects the pivot pin and the forward end of the link plate engaged with the respective guide block, and
• when the first center line and the second center line extend toward a loading completed position in alignment with each other, the respective portion of the aperture communicating with the respective guide slot is positioned at a greater distance from the pivot than the forward end portion of the link plate rotatable engaged with the guide block;
• and
• catchers mounted on the chassis covering the apertures at the loading completed position each having a holder with a portion with which the respective guide blocks come into pressing contact, the portion of the holder being disposed closer to a loading wait position than the portion of the aperture communicating with the guide slot.