Tape recorder

Claim 2

A tape recorder for use with a tape cassette including a case having an access opening and a magnetic tape and a resiliently biased pad disposed in the case, the tape recorder having a plurality of different modes of operation, comprising: (a) a base; (b) a magnetic head fixedly mounted on said base for contact with the magnetic tape through the access opening when the tape cassette is inserted in the tape recorder; (c) a pad position control member movably mounted on said base for displacing the pad through the access opening when the tape cassette is inserted in the tape recorder; ..and (d) means resonsive to selection of at least one of the tape recorder modes for actuating said pad position control member in a first direction to allow the pad to press the magnetic tape against said magnetic head through the access opening and responsive to selection of at least one of the other tape recorder modes for actuating said pad position control member in a second direction opposite to said first direction to displace the pad out of pressing contact with the magnetic tape.

Claim 3

A tape recorder according to claim 1, wherein said pad position control member is positioned in surrounding relation to said magnetic head and movable forward away from said magnetic head in said second direction in a stop mode of operation and back toward said magnetic head in said first direction in recording and playback modes of operation.

Claim 4

A tape recorder according to claim 1, wherein said base comprises a cassette holder for receiving the tape cassette.

Claim 5

A tape recorder according to claim 3, wherein said means comprises a first spring acting between said cassette holder and said pad position control member for normally urging the latter in said first direction, a control arm movably mounted on said base and engaging said .pad position control member, a second spring acting between said cassette holder and said control arm for normally urging said control arm in said second direction, said second spring having a resiliency larger than that of said first spring for enabling said control arm to be displaced in said second direction in a stop mode of operation, and an operator-controlled rod movable inresponse to selection of recording and playback modes of operation for pressing said control arm in said first direction against the resiliency of said second spring to permit said pad position control member to move in said first direction under the resiliency of said first spring, whereby the pad is allowed under its own resiliency to press the magnetic tape against said magnetic head.

Claim 6

A tape recorder according to claim 4, wherein said cassette holder includes a pair of first and second pins, said pad position control member comprising a pad presser positioned adjacent to said magnetic head and engageable with the pad and a support supporting said pad holder and pivotably mounted on said first shaft, said first spring engaging said support, said control arm being -.pivotably mounted on said second pin and having a presser held in engagement with siad pad position control member, said second spring being mounted on said second pin.

Claim 7

A tape recorder according to claim 5, wherein said first and second pins are positioned one on each side of said magnetic head.

Claim 8

A tape recorder according to claim 5, wherein said magnetic head has at least one recess for receiving therein said pad presser when said pad position control member is moved in said first direction.

Claim 9

A tape recorder for use with a tape cassette including a case having an access opening and a magnetic tape and a resiliently biased pad disposed in the case, the tape recorder having at least stop and actuated modes of operation, comprising: (a) a cassette holder for receiving the tape cassette therein, said cassette holder having first, third and third pins; (b) a magnetic head fixedly mounted on said cassette holder between said first and second pins for contact with the magnetic tape through the access opening when the tape cassette is received in said cassette holder; (c) a pad position control member movably mounted on said cassette holder for displacing the pad through the access opening when the tape cassette is received in said cassette holder, said pad position control member including a pad presser disposed in surrounding relation to said magnetic head and a support supporting said pad presser and pivotably mounted on said first pin, (d) a first spring acting between said cassette holder and said pad position control member for normally urging the latter in a first direction toward said magnetic head to allow the pad to press the magnetic tape against said magnetic head; (e).a control arm pivotably mounted on said second pin and having a presser engageable with said support of the pad position control member and a lever remote from said presser across said second pin; (f) a second spring acting between said cassette holder and said control arm for normally urging the latter in a second direction away from said magnetic head to cause said pad presser to displace the pad out of pressing contact with the magnetic tape, said second spring having a resiliency greater than that of said first spring; (g) a capstan; (h) a pinch roller arm pivotably mounted on said third pin and engaged by said lever; (i) a pinch roller rotatably supported on said pinch ..roller arm; (j) a third spring acting between said cassette holder and said pinch roller arm for normally urging said pinch roller toward said capstan, said third spring having a resiliency smaller than that of said second spring; and (k) an operator-controlled rod movable in response to selection of the actuated mode of operation for pressing said control arm in said first direction against the resiliency of said second spring to-allow said pad presser to move in said first direction under-the resiliency of said first spring and also allow said pinch roller to be held against said capstan with the magnetic tape therebetween under the resiliency of said third spring, and also movable in response to selection of the stop mode of operation for releasing said control arm to cause said pad presser to move in said second direction and said pinch roller to move away from said capstan under the resiliency of said second spring.

Claim 10

A tape recorder for use with a tape cassette including a case having an access opening and a magnetic tape and a resiliently biased pad disposed in the case, the tape recorder having at least stop and actuated modes of operation, comprising: (a) a cassette holder for receiving the tape cassette therein, said cassette holder having first, third and third pins; (b) a magnetic head fixedly mounted on said cassette holder between said first and second pins for contact with the magnetic tape through the access opening when the tape cassette is received in said cassette holder; (c) a pad position control member movably mounted on said cassette holder for displacing the pad through the access opening when the tape cassette is received in said cassette holder, said pad position control member including a pad presser disposed in surrounding relation to said magnetic head and a support supporting said pad presser and pivotably mounted on said first pin, (d) a first spring acting between said cassette holder and said pad position control member for normally urging the latter in a first direction toward said magnetic head to allow the pad to press the magnetic tape against said magnetic head; (e).a control arm pivotably mounted on said second pin and having a presser engageable with said support of the pad position control member and a lever remote from said presser across said second pin; (f) a second spring acting between said cassette holder and said control arm for normally urging the latter in a second direction away from said magnetic head to cause said pad presser to displace the pad out of pressing contact with the magnetic tape, said second spring having a resiliency greater than that of said first spring; (g) a capstan; (h) a pinch roller arm pivotably mounted on said third pin and engaged by said lever; (i) a pinch roller rotatably supported on said pinch ..roller arm; (j) a third spring acting between said cassette holder and said pinch roller arm for normally urging said pinch roller toward said capstan, said third spring having a resiliency smaller than that of said second spring; and (k) an operator-controlled rod movable in response to selection of the actuated mode of operation for pressing said control arm in said first direction against the resiliency of said second spring to-allow said pad presser to move in said first direction under-the resiliency of said first spring and also allow said pinch roller to be held against said capstan with the magnetic tape therebetween under the resiliency of said third spring, and also movable in response to selection of the stop mode of operation for releasing said control arm to cause said pad presser to move in said second direction and said pinch roller to move away from said capstan under the resiliency of said second spring.