Automatic tape track selector

Claim 1

A magnetic tape deck, said magnetic tape deck being adapted to receive a cartridge containing recorded magnetic tape having separate recordings on more than one channel, said tape deck being adapted to advance the tape within the cartridge; a tape reading head means having first and second tape reading heads on said tape deck, said tape reading head means being adapted to engage the magnetic tape within the cartridge and convert magnetic signals on the magnetic tape into electrical signals, said first and second tape reading heads being spaced from each other and being adapted to read separate channels on the tape in the tape cartridge; a rotary cam made up of first and second cam surfaces on said tape deck; a cam follower in engagement with said cam, said cam follower being connected to said tape reading head; said cam being formed so that when said cam follower is in engagement with one portion of said surface on said cam, said tape reading head is in proper alignment to be adapted to read one channel on the tape in the tape cartridge and when said follower is in contact with another portion of said cam, said tape head is positioned to be adapted to read another channel on the multiple channel magnetic tape in the tape cartridge; detection means on said tape deck, said detection means being adapted to distinguish between first and second classes of cartridges adapted to be inserted in said tape deck, rotary motive means having a rotary shaft, said cam being mounted on said shaft for rotation thereby, said rotary motive means being a rotary solenoid, said rotary solenoid being capable of advancing in successive increments upon successive energization thereof, said rotary solenoid being adapted to be energized by the completion of a traverse of the tape within the cartridge, spring means urging said cam in a first direction along said shaft to a first position, said cam follower being positioned adjacent said first cam surface when said cam is in said first position, said detection means being connected to said cam means to axially move said cam along said shaft, said detection means causing said cam to be positioned in said first position when a tape cartridge of the first class is detected, said detection means moving said cam along said shaft so that said second cam surface is engaged by said cam follower when a tape cartridge of second class is detected, said detection means being a pin, said pin being detected on said tape deck so that it engages a hole in the cartridge of the first class and engages on the surface of the cartridge of the second class when such cartridges are inserted in the tape deck.