Cartridge-retaining mechanism for tape decks and the like

Claim 1

An improved tape deck adapted to receive a magnetic tape cartridge having cutout portions in the front edge thereof exposing the tape to be played or transcribed upon; said tape deck comprising: a chassis, including a generally flat plate having upstanding guide flanges mounted thereon; said flat plate and said guide flanges defining a cartridge-receiving slot having a forward end portion; a transducer head mounted on said flat plate adjacent to the forward end portion of said cartridge-receiving slot; a drive capstan mounted on said plate adjacent to said transducer head in the forward end portion of said cartridgereceiving slot for cooperating with a pinch roller in a cartridge inserted into said cartridge-receiving slot to drive the tape in the cartridge past said transducer head; and an improved cartridge-retaining mechanism mounted on said chassis for engaging a cartridge inserted into said cartridgeretaining slot and urging such cartridge forwardly to press the pinch roller and the tape therein against said drive capstan; said improved retaining mechanism comprising: a lever arm mounted on said chassis beneath said flat plate; said lever arm having one end pivotally connected to said chassis and a free end spaced therefrom; a spring member connected between said chassis and said free end of said lever arm; said spring member normally biasing said lever arm to a rearward position; said spring member being operative, in response to forward movement of said lever arm through a predetermined distance, to bias said lever arm toward a forward, cartridgeretaining position; a pair of cam surfaces mounted on said chassis in operative relationship to said lever arm for causing said lever arm to move upwardly as it is moved forwardly, and to move downwardly as it is moved rearwardly; an upstanding, cartridge-retaining flange mounted on said lever arm; an actuator flange mounted on said lever arm and spaced forwardly from said cartridge-retaining flange; means defining an opening in said flat plate of said chassis; said actuator flange extending upwardly through said opening in said flat plate and into said cartridge-receiving slot; said cartridge-retaining flange being disposed beneath said flat plate and outside of said cartridge-receiving slot when said lever arm is in its normal, rearward position; said actuator flange being adapted to be engaged by a cartridge inserted into said cartridge-receiving slot to move said lever arm forwardly and upwardly, thereby moving said cartrigeretaining flange forwardly and upwardly through said opening in said flat plate to engage an abutment on the underside of the cartridge; whereupon said spring member will urge said lever arm forwardly to its retaining position wherein said cartridgeretaining flange urges the cartridge forwardly in said cartridge-receiving slot to urge the pinch roller and tape in the cartridge against said drive capstan.