Portable recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Claim 2

A cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder comprising: a cabinet (2) having a cassette insertion opening (3) which is adapted to insertably receive a video cassette (42); a lid (4) disposed to open outwardly from said cassette insertion opening (3) and being pivotally mounted in respect to said cabinet (2) for movement between a first position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is closed, and a second position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is unobstructed by said lid (4); cassette holding means (14) within said cabinet (2) operative to accept and hold said cassette (42) inserted therein and being movable between a cassette insertion position, which is adjacent to said cassette insertion opening (3), and a cassette operation position, spaced rearwardly and downwardly from said cassette insertion position; drive means (17) for moving said cassette holding means (14) between said cassette insertion position and said cassette operation position; and switch means (SW2) responsive to the position of said lid (4) for activating said drive means (17), so that, when said lid (4) is moved to said second position, said switch means (SW2) actuates said drive means (17) such that said cassette holding means (14) is moved from said cassette operating position to said cassette insertion position.

Claim 3

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 1; further comprising: a chassis (12) mounted in said cabinet (2); and a pair of support plates (13) vertically projecting from said chassis (12) with said cassette holder means (14) being horizontally supported between said pair of support plates (13).

Claim 4

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 2; further comprising, on one of said support plates (13), a pivotable first latch (20) for holding said lid (4) in said first position and a pivotable second latch (21) for holding said lid (4) in said second position.

Claim 5

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 3; wherein said lid (4) is pivotably mounted on said cabinet (2) by a pair of vertically extending arms (19) pivotably connected to said support plates (13), one of said arms (19) having a pair of pin members (29, 30) projecting therefrom which are capable of engaging said first and second latches (20, 21), respectively.

Claim 6

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 3 or 4, wherein said first and second latches (20, 21) are urged against first and second stop means (26b; 27) by first and second biasing means (24; 25), respec­tively.

Claim 7

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 5; wherein said second stop means (27) is fitted within an elongated hole (28) provided in said second latch (21).

Claim 8

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 3 to 6; wherein said switch means is an ejection switch (33) secured to said one of the support plates (13) and being actuable by a first lever means (34) which is urged thereagainst by third biasing means (35) and is pivotable about a pivot axis (23) of said second latch (21).

Claim 9

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 4 to 7; wherein one of said pin members (29) is fitted within a V-shaped groove of said first latch (20) as said lid (4) is moved to said first position such that said lid (4) closely confines said cassette insertion opening (3) by the force applied by said first biasing means (24) to said first latch (20).

Claim 10

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 7 or 8; wherein movement of the lid (4) towards said second position urges the other of said pin members (30) to be pressed against said second latch (21) as a result of a force applied to said second biasing means (25) on said second latch (21) as said lid (4) is moved to said second position and, simultaneously therewith, said other pin member (30) contacts said first lever means (34) for disengaging the latter from said ejection switch (33) and thereby closing said ejection switch (33).

Claim 11

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder of claim 9; wherein, said other pin member (30) is disengaged from said second latch (21) and said first lever means (34) as said lid (4) is moved from said second position to said first position so that said first lever means (34) is rotated clockwise at the urging of said third bias means (35) for engaging said ejection switch (33) and thereby opening said ejection switch (33).

Claim 12

A cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder comprising: a cabinet (2) having a cassette insertion opening (3) which is adapted to insertably receive a video tape cassette (42); a lid (4) disposed outwardly from said cassette insertion opening (3) and movable between a first position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is closed, and a second position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is opened; cassette holding means (14) adapted to accept and hold a cassette (42) inserted therein and being movable between a cassette insertion position, which is adjacent to said cassette insertion opening (3), a cassette operation position, spaced rearwardly and downwardly from said cassette insertion position, and a cassette intermediate position between said cassette insertion and operation positions; drive means (17) for moving said cassette holding means (14) between said cassette insertion position, said cassette intermediate position, and said cassette loading position; and first switch means (SW2; 33) for controlling said drive means and being closed when said lid is moved to its second position; second switch means (37) being closed for temporarily stopping said drive means (17) when said cassette holding means (14) is moved to said cassette intermediate position; and control means for causing said drive means (17) to move said cassette holding means (14) from said cassette operation position to said cassette insertion position when both said first and second switch means are closed.

Claim 13

A cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder comprising: a cabinet (2) having a cassette insertion opening (3) which is adapted to insertably receive a video tape cassette (42); a lid (4) disposed outwardly from said cassette insertion opening (3) and movable between a first position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is closed, and a second position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is opened; cassette holding means (14) adapted to accept and hold a cassette (42) inserted therein and being movable between a cassette insertion position, which is adjacent to said cassette insertion opening (3), a cassette operation position, spaced rearwardly and downwardly from said cassette insertion position, and a cassette intermediate position between said cassette insertion and operation positions; drive means (17) for moving said cassette holding means (14) between said cassette insertion position, said cassette intermediate position, and said cassette loading position; and first switch means (SW2; 33) for controlling said drive means and being closed when said lid is moved to its second position; second switch means (37) being closed for temporarily stopping said drive means (17) when said cassette holding means (14) is moved to said cassette intermediate position; and control means for causing said drive means (17) to move said cassette holding means (14) from said cassette operation position to said cassette insertion position when both said first and second switch means are closed.

Claim 14

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 11; and further including: a chassis (12) mounted in said cabinet (2); and a pair of support plates (13) vertically projecting from said chassis with said cassette holder means (14) being horizontally supported between said pair of support plates (13).

Claim 15

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 12; wherein said cassette holding means (14) includes a pivotable first latch (20) for holding said lid (4) in said first position and a pivotable second latch (21) for holding said lid (4) in said second position, both of said latches (20, 21) being mounted on one of said support plates (13).

Claim 16

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 13; wherein said lid (4) is pivotably mounted on said cabinet (2) by a pair of vertically extending arms (19) pivotably connected to said support plates (13), one of said arms (19) having a pair of pin members (29, 30) projecting therefrom which are engageable with said first and second latches (20, 21), respectively.

Claim 17

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 13 or 14; wherein said first and second latches (20, 21) are urged against first and second stop means (26b; 27) by first and second biasing means (24; 25), respec­tively.

Claim 18

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 15; wherein said second stop means (27) is fitted within an elongated hole (28) provided in said second latch (21).

Claim 19

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 12 to 16; wherein said first and second switch means are both mounted on one of said support plates (13).

Claim 20

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 17; wherein said cassette holding means (14) further includes first and second lever means (34; 36) rockably mounted on one of said support plates (13) adjacent to said first and second switch means, respectively.

Claim 21

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 18; wherein said first and second lever means (34; 36) are urged against said first and second switch means, respectively, by third and fourth biasing means (35; 41), respectively.

Claim 22

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 18 or 19; wherein said first lever means (34) is in abutting engagement with one of said pin members (30) and said second lever means (36) is in abutting engagement with an abutment post (40).

Claim 23

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 14 to 20; wherein one of said pin members (29) is fitted within a V-shaped groove of said first latch (20) as said lid (4) is moved to said first position so that said lid (4) is made to closely confine said cassette insertion opening (3) by the force applied by said first bias means (24) to said first latch (20).

Claim 24

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 14 to 20; wherein the other of said pin members (30) is pressed against said second latch (21) as a result of the force applied by said second biasing means (25) to said second latch (21) as said lid (4) is moved to said second position, and, simultaneously therewith, said other pin member (30) contacts said first lever means (34) so that said first lever means (34) is disengaged from said first switch means (SW2; 33) and the latter is closed.

Claim 25

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 14 to 22; wherein the other of said pin members (30) is disengaged from said second latch (21) and said first lever means (34) as said lid (4) is moved from said second position to said first position so that said first lever means (34) is rotated at the urging of said third biasing means (35) to engage said first switch means (SW2; 33) and thereby open the latter.

Claim 26

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 20 to 23; wherein, in said cassette intermediate position, said abutment post (40) abuts against said second lever means (36) for rotating said second lever means (36) against the biasing force applied by said fourth biasing means (41) so that the second lever means (36) is disengaged from said second switch means (37) for closing said second switch means (37) to temporarily stop said drive means (17) and temporarily locate said cassette holding means (14) in said cassette intermediate position.

Claim 27

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in anyone of claims 11 to 24; wherein said control means causes said drive means (17) to move said cassette holding means (14) uninterruptedly directly from said cassette operation position to said cassette insertion position when said first and second switch means (SW2, 33; 37) are closed.

Claim 28

A cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder comprising: a cabinet (2) having a cassette insertion opening (3); a lid (4) movable between a first position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is closed, and a second position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is opened; lid detecting means (SW2; 33) for detecting the position of said lid (4); cassette holding means (14) adapted to accept and hold a cassette (42) inserted therein and being movable between a cassette insertion position which is adjacent to said cassette inserting opening (3), a cassette operation position spaced rearwardly and downwardly from said cassette insertion position, and a cassette intermediate position between said cassette insertion and operation positions; means (17) for driving said cassette holding means (14) between said cassette insertion position, said cassette intermediate position, and said cassette operation position; position detecting means (SW3) for detecting whether said cassette holding means (14) is in said cassette operation position; and control means for controlling said drive means (17) in response to signals from said lid detecting means (SW2; 33) and said position detecting means (SW3) so that said cassette holding means (14) is driven by said drive means (17) from said cassette operation position, to said inter­mediate position and to said insertion position when said lid (4) is detected to be at said first and second positions, respectively.

Claim 29

A cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder comprising: a cabinet (2) having a cassette insertion opening (3); a lid (4) movable between a first position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is closed, and a second position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is opened; lid detecting means (SW2; 33) for detecting the position of said lid (4); cassette holding means (14) adapted to accept and hold a cassette (42) inserted therein and being movable between a cassette insertion position which is adjacent to said cassette inserting opening (3), a cassette operation position spaced rearwardly and downwardly from said cassette insertion position, and a cassette intermediate position between said cassette insertion and operation positions; means (17) for driving said cassette holding means (14) between said cassette insertion position, said cassette intermediate position, and said cassette operation position; position detecting means (SW3) for detecting whether said cassette holding means (14) is in said cassette operation position; and control means for controlling said drive means (17) in response to signals from said lid detecting means (SW2; 33) and said position detecting means (SW3) so that said cassette holding means (14) is driven by said drive means (17) from said cassette operation position, to said inter­mediate position and to said insertion position when said lid (4) is detected to be at said first and second positions, respectively.

Claim 30

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 26; and further including power means for operating the video tape recorder and being actuable between a first condition, wherein power is supplied to operate the video tape recorder, and a second inoperative condition, and power detecting means (SW1) for detecting when said power means is in said first position.

Claim 31

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 27; wherein said control means further receives signals generated from said power detecting means (SW1) such that, when said cassette holding means (14) is in said intermediate position, and said lid (4) is in said first position and said power means is in said second inopera­tive condition, said cassette holding means (14) is moved to said cassette operation position.

Claim 32

The cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder as in claim 28; and further including means for braking reels in the cassette when said cassette holding means (14) is moved to said cassette operation position in response to said power means being in said second inoperative position.

Claim 33

A cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder comprising: a cabinet (2) having a cassette insertion opening (3); a lid (4) movable between a first position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is closed, and a second position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is opened; cassette holding means (14) adapted to accept and hold a cassette (42) inserted therein and being movable between a cassette insertion position and a cassette operation position; drive means (17) for driving said cassette holding means (14) between said cassette insertion position and said cassette operation position; lid detecting means (SW2; 33) for detecting said lid position; and control means for controlling said drive means (17) in response to said lid detecting means (SW2; 33) indicating said lid (4) is in said second position so that said cassette holding means (14) is driven from said operation position to said insertion position.

Claim 34

A cassette loading apparatus for a video tape recorder comprising: a cabinet (2) having a cassette insertion opening (3); a lid (4) movable between a first position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is closed, and a second position, wherein said cassette insertion opening (3) is opened; cassette holding means (14) adapted to accept and hold a cassette (42) inserted therein and being movable between a cassette insertion position and a cassette operation position; drive means (17) for driving said cassette holding means (14) between said cassette insertion position and said cassette operation position; lid detecting means (SW2; 33) for detecting said lid position; and control means for controlling said drive means (17) in response to said lid detecting means (SW2; 33) indicating said lid (4) is in said second position so that said cassette holding means (14) is driven from said operation position to said insertion position.