Magnetic tape cassette loading system in recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Claim 2

A cassette loading system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette (1) which has at least a sliding closure member (11) openably closing a cut-out (4a) in the bottom of the cassette casing (2), which cassette loading system is characterised by: cassette holding means (83) defining a casssette receptacle (177) for receiving and holding the magnetic tape cassette (1), the cassette holding means (84) being movable between an eject position, in which it can receive a cassette (1) and allow a cassette (1) to be removed, and a loading position at which cassette loading is completed; and first means (178), associated with the cassette holding means (83), for actuating the sliding closure member (11) from its closed position to its open position in synchronism with movement of the cassette holding means (84) from the eject position to the loading position.

Claim 3

A cassette loading system according to claim 1, wherein the first means comprises a first pusher means (178) for shifting the magnetic tape cassette in the cassette receptacle (177) from a first position, at which the magnetic tape cassette can be removed from the cassette receptacle (177), to a second position, at which the magnetic tape cassette is held within the cassette receptacle (177), the pusher means (178) being associated with the cassette holding means (83) for synchronous operation therewith and actuating the sliding closure member (11) from the closed position to the open position during shifting of the magnetic tape cassette from the first position to the second position.

Claim 4

A cassette loading system according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic tape cassette (1) includes first locking means (26, 29) for locking the sliding closure member in the closed position, and the first means also comprises a first unlocking means (91a) active during operation of the pusher means (178) for unlocking the first locking means (26, 29) of the magnetic tape cassette, thereby enabling the sliding closure member (11) to be actuated from the closed position to the open position.

Claim 5

A cassette loading system according to claim 2, wherein the cassette holding means (83) comprises an elastic means (165) for elastically holding the magnetic tape cassette in the second position.

Claim 6

A cassette loading system according to claim 1, including second means (179), associated with the cassette holding means (83), for actuating the sliding closure member (11) from the open position to the closed position in synchronism with movement of the cassette holding means (83) from the loading position to the eject position.

Claim 7

A cassette loading system according to claim 5, wherein the second means comprises a second pusher means (179) for shifting the magnetic tape cassette in the cassette receptacle from the second position to the first position, the second pusher means (179) being associated with the cassette holding means for synchronous operation therewith and actuating the sliding closure member (11) from the open position to the closed position during shifting of the magnetic tape cassette (1) from the second position to the first position.

Claim 8

A cassette loading system according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic tape cassette includes second locking means (25, 29) for locking the sliding closure member (11) in the open position, and the second means includes a second unlocking means (91b) active during operation of the second pusher means (179) for unlocking the second locking means (25, 29) of the magnetic tape cassette (1),.thereby enabling the sliding closure member (11) to be actuated from the open position to the closed position.

Claim 9

A cassette loading system according to claim 3, including second means, associated with the cassette holding means (83), for actuating the sliding closure member (11) from the open position to the closed position in synchronism with movement of the cassette holding means from the loading position to the eject position.

Claim 10

A cassette loading system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the second means comprises a second pusher means (179) for shifting the magnetic tape cassette in the cassette receptacle (83) from the second position to the first position, the second pusher means (179) being associated with the cassette holding means for synchronous operation therewith and actuating the sliding closure member (11) from the open position to the closed position during shifting of the magnetic tape cassette from the second position to the first position.

Claim 11

1 0. A cassette loading system according to claim 9, wherein the magnetic tape cassette includes second locking means (25, 29) for locking the sliding closure member (11) in the open position, and the second means also comprises a second unlocking means (91b) active during operation of the second pusher means (179) for unlocking the second locking means (25, 29) of the magnetic tape cassette, thereby enabling the sliding closure member (11) to be actuated from the open position to the closed position.

Claim 12

A cassette loading system according to claim 5, wherein the cassette holding means (83) comprises a horizontally movable component and a vertically movable component, the vertically movable component holding the magnetic tape cassette, the horizontally movable component being movable between the eject position and an intermediate position located at the intersection between the horizontal movement of the horizontally movable component and the vertical movement of the vertically movable component, the vertically movable component being movable between the intermediate position and the loading position and co-operative with the horizontally movable component for horizontal movement therewith.

Claim 13

A cassette loading system according to claim 11, including first locking means for locking the vertically movable component at the intermediate position for restricting vertical movement thereof during horizontal movement with the horizontally movable component.

Claim 14

A cassette loading system according to claim 12, which also comprises a second locking means for locking the horizontally movable component at the intermediate position for restricting horizontal movement thereof, during vertical movement of the vertically movable component.

Claim 15

A cassette loading system according to claim 13, which also comprises a pair of arms, one end of which is associated with the vertically movable component and the other end of which is associated with the horizontally movable component, the arms being connected by means of a pivot for pivotal movement between a first position in which the vertically movable component is vertically offset from the horizontally movable component, and a second position in which the vertically movable component is in the intermediate position.

Claim 16

A cassette loading system according to claim 14, wherein the arms are associated with the first locking means to be locked in the second position.

Claim 17

A cassette loading system for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette which has a sliding closure member (11) openably closing a cut-out (4a) in the bottom of the cassette casing, characterised in that the cassette loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding the magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable between a first position in which the cassette receptacle is exposed for insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette (1), a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means, associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means (83) between the first and second positions; second means, associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means (83) between the second and third positions; and timing control means, associated with the first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling operation of the first and second means during movement of the cassette holding means, the timing control means disabling one of the first and second means while the other of the first and second means is in operation.

Claim 18

A cassette loading system for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette which has a sliding closure member (11) openably closing a cut-out (4a) in the bottom of the cassette casing, characterised in that the cassette loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding the magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable between a first position in which the cassette receptacle is exposed for insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette (1), a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means, associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means (83) between the first and second positions; second means, associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means (83) between the second and third positions; and timing control means, associated with the first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling operation of the first and second means during movement of the cassette holding means, the timing control means disabling one of the first and second means while the other of the first and second means is in operation.

Claim 19

A cassette loading system according to claim 16, wherein the cassette holding means comprises a horizontally movable component and a vertically movable component, the vertically movable component holding the magnetic tape cassette and co-operating with the horizontally movable component at the second position for horizontally moving together with the horizontally movable component.

Claim 20

A cassette loading system according to claim 17, wherein the horizontally movable component is associated with the first means to be driven horizontally between the first and second positions while carrying the vertically movable component, and the vertically movable component is associated with the second means to be driven vertically between the second and third positions independently of the horizontally movable component while the horizontally movable component is held in the second position.

Claim 21

A cassette loading system according to claim 18, including a first locking means for locking the horizontally movable component in the first position, a second locking means for locking the horizontally movable component in the second position, a third locking means for locking the vertically movable member in the second position and a fourth locking means for locking the vertically movable component in the third position.

Claim 22

A cassette loading system according to claim 19, wherein the second and third locking means co-operate with each other at the second position so that the second locking means locks the horizontally movable component in the second position while the third locking means is deactivated to allow vertical movement of the vertically movable component, and the third locking means locks the vertically movable component in the second position while the second locking means is deactivated to allow horizontal movement of the horizontally movable component with the vertically movable component.

Claim 23

A cassette loading system according to claim 16, including third means,' associated with the cassette holding means, for actuating the sliding closure member between the closed position and the open position during movement of the cassette holding means between the first and second positions.

Claim 24

A cassette loading system according to claim 21, wherein movement of the cassette holding means includes a horizontal component and a vertical component, the horizontal and vertical components intersecting at a third position, and the third means is active during horizontal movement of the cassette holding means between the first and third positions.

Claim 25

A cassette loading system according to claim 22, wherein the third means can drive the magnetic tape cassette between a set position at which the magnetic tape cassette is held within the cassette holding means, and a released position wherein the magnetic tape cassette rests freely within the cassette holding means, the third means actuating the sliding closure lid between the closed position and the open position during movement of the magnetic tape cassette between the set position and the released position.

Claim 26

A cassette loading system according to claim 23, wherein the magnetic tape cassette includes a locking means for locking the sliding closure member in the closed positions, and the third means unlocks the locking means of the magnetic tape cassette while actuating the sliding closure member from the closed position to the open position.

Claim 27

A cassette loading system according to claim 16, wherein the first and second means are driven by a common driving means.

Claim 28

A cassette loading system according to claim 25, wherein the driving means includes a driving motor and power train and the power train included means for selectively transmitting driving force to one of the first and second means.

Claim 29

A cassette loading system according to claim 26, wherein the driving force transmitting means comprises a first gear associated with the first means, a second gear associated with the second means, and a third gear associated with the driving motor to be driven by the driving motor and selectively transmit the driving force of the driving motor to one of the first and second gears.

Claim 30

A cassette loading system according to claim 27, wherein the third gear transmits the driving force to the first gear while the vertically movable component is locked at the second position, and to the second gear while the horizontally movable component is locked at the second position.

Claim 31

A cassette loading system for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette (1) which has a sliding closure member (11) openably closing a cut-out (4a) in the bottom of the cassette casing, characterised in that the cassette loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding the magnetic tape cassette (1) within a cassette receptacle (177) defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable among a first position in which the cassette receptacle (177) is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means (81), associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the first and second positions; second means (116), associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the second position and the third position; third means, associated with the first means, for selectively actuating the sliding closure member (11) between closed positions and open positions depending upon cassette holder position between the first and second positions; and timing control means, associated with the first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling operation of the first and second means during movement of the cassette holding means, the timing control means disabling one of the first and second means while the other of the first and second means is in operation.

Claim 32

A cassette loading system for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette (1) which has a sliding closure member (11) openably closing a cut-out (4a) in the bottom of the cassette casing, characterised in that the cassette loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding the magnetic tape cassette (1) within a cassette receptacle (177) defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable among a first position in which the cassette receptacle (177) is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means (81), associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the first and second positions; second means (116), associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the second position and the third position; third means, associated with the first means, for selectively actuating the sliding closure member (11) between closed positions and open positions depending upon cassette holder position between the first and second positions; and timing control means, associated with the first and second means, for selectively enabling and disabling operation of the first and second means during movement of the cassette holding means, the timing control means disabling one of the first and second means while the other of the first and second means is in operation.

Claim 33

A cassette loading system according to claim 29, wherein the cassette holding means (83) is movable in a first horizontal direction and in a second vertical direction, and prevented from moving in the second direction during movement in the first direction and from moving in the first direction during movement in the second direction.

Claim 34

A cassette loading means according to claim 29, wherein the third means is active for actuating the sliding closure member (11) between the closed position and the open position during the movement of the cassette holding means in a horizontal direction.

Claim 35

A cassette loading means according to claim 30, wherein the third means is active for actuating the sliding closure member between the closed position and the open position during the movement of the cassette holding means in the first direction.

Claim 36

A combination of a magnetic tape cassette aMFQ45 cassette loading system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for the magnetic tape cassette wherein the magnetic tape cassette (1) includes: a cassette casing housing a magnetic tape and having a front opening exposing the magnetic tape therethrough, and a cut-out (4a) in its floor for receiving a tape loading mechanism of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therethrough; a pivotal closure lid (9) for openably closing the front opening of the magnetic tape cassette; a sliding closure member (11) movable between a closed position closing the cut-out (4a) and an open position opening the cut-out (4a); and locking means (25, 26, 29), associated with the sliding closure member, for locking the sliding closure member (11) in the closed position and in the open position; and wherein the loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding he magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle (177) defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable between a first position in which the cassette receptacle is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means (81), associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the first and second positions; second means (116) associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the second position and the third position; and third means, associated with the first means, for selectively actuating the pivotal closure lid (9) and the sliding closure member (11) between closed positions and open positions depending upon the cassette holder position between the first and second positions.

Claim 37

A combination of a magnetic tape cassette aMFQ45 cassette loading system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for the magnetic tape cassette wherein the magnetic tape cassette (1) includes: a cassette casing housing a magnetic tape and having a front opening exposing the magnetic tape therethrough, and a cut-out (4a) in its floor for receiving a tape loading mechanism of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therethrough; a pivotal closure lid (9) for openably closing the front opening of the magnetic tape cassette; a sliding closure member (11) movable between a closed position closing the cut-out (4a) and an open position opening the cut-out (4a); and locking means (25, 26, 29), associated with the sliding closure member, for locking the sliding closure member (11) in the closed position and in the open position; and wherein the loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding he magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle (177) defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable between a first position in which the cassette receptacle is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means (81), associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the first and second positions; second means (116) associated with the cassette holding means, for driving the cassette holding means between the second position and the third position; and third means, associated with the first means, for selectively actuating the pivotal closure lid (9) and the sliding closure member (11) between closed positions and open positions depending upon the cassette holder position between the first and second positions.

Claim 38

A combination of a magnetic tape cassette and a cassette loading system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for the magnetic tape cassette characterised in that: the magnetic tape cassette (1) includes: a cassette casing housing a magnetic tape and having a front opening exposing the magnetic tape therethrough, and a cut-out (4a) in its floor for receiving a tape loading mechanism of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therethrough; a pivotal closure lid (9) for openably closing the front opening of the magnetic tape cassette; a sliding closure member (11) movable between a closed position closing the cut-out (4a) and an open position opening the cut-out (4a); and locking means (25, 26, 29), associated with the sliding closure member (11), for locking the sliding closure member in the closed position and in the open position; and wherein the loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding the magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle (177) defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable between a first position in which the cassette receptacle (177) is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means (81), associated with the cassette holding means (83), for driving the cassette holding means between the first and second positions; second means (116), associated with the cassette holding means (83), for driving the cassette holding means between the second position and third position; third means, associated with the first means, for selectively actuating the pivotal closure lid (9) and the sliding closure member (11) between the closed positions and open positions depending upon the cassette holder position between the first and second positions; and a timing control means for selectively enabling and disabling operation of the first and second means during movement of the cassette holding means, the timing control means disabling one of the first and second means while the other of the first and second means is in operation.

Claim 39

A combination of a magnetic tape cassette and a cassette loading system in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for the magnetic tape cassette characterised in that: the magnetic tape cassette (1) includes: a cassette casing housing a magnetic tape and having a front opening exposing the magnetic tape therethrough, and a cut-out (4a) in its floor for receiving a tape loading mechanism of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therethrough; a pivotal closure lid (9) for openably closing the front opening of the magnetic tape cassette; a sliding closure member (11) movable between a closed position closing the cut-out (4a) and an open position opening the cut-out (4a); and locking means (25, 26, 29), associated with the sliding closure member (11), for locking the sliding closure member in the closed position and in the open position; and wherein the loading system (43) comprises: cassette holding means (83) for receiving and holding the magnetic tape cassette within a cassette receptacle (177) defined therein, the cassette holding means (83) being movable between a first position in which the cassette receptacle (177) is exposed to facilitate insertion and removal of the magnetic tape cassette, a second position horizontally offset from the first position, and a third position vertically offset from the second position and at which cassette loading is completed; first means (81), associated with the cassette holding means (83), for driving the cassette holding means between the first and second positions; second means (116), associated with the cassette holding means (83), for driving the cassette holding means between the second position and third position; third means, associated with the first means, for selectively actuating the pivotal closure lid (9) and the sliding closure member (11) between the closed positions and open positions depending upon the cassette holder position between the first and second positions; and a timing control means for selectively enabling and disabling operation of the first and second means during movement of the cassette holding means, the timing control means disabling one of the first and second means while the other of the first and second means is in operation.