Cassette changer with a pause mode

Claim 1

In a cassette changer apparatus for cassettes having a pair of tape reels between which a tape is wound or unwound, the combination comprising a laterally slidable magazine For storing the cassettes and for selectively releasing the cassettes for playing or recording, transporting means including an elevator for lowering one of the cassettes from said magazine into an operative position for playback or recording and for lifting and returning the same to said magazine, a laterally and downwardly shiftable chassis carrying a pair of tape spindles for simultaneously penetrating the tape reels during downward movement of said cassette and forward and reverse drive tape capstans for insertion into said cassette and behind said tape to transport the tape, a sound transducer head for operative association with said tape in said cassette when said cassette is in said operative playing position, a forward tape pressing means movable between a position spaced from said tape and a pressing position for holding said tape against said forward drive capstan, a reverse tape pressing means movable between a position spaced from said tape and a pressing position for pressing said tape against said reverse tape drive capstan, a vertically movable carrier means for carrying said sound transducer head and said forward and reverse tape pressing means downwardly from said tape to a pause position and for returning the same upwardly to engage said sound transducer head with said tape and to engage one of said tape pressing means with said tape, and selectively operable pause means for providing a pause in a playback or recording operation by shifting said carrier means downwardly from a cassette at said operative position and for shifting said carrier means upwardly with the previously positioned tape pressing means in its tape pressing position to resume the same tape transport direction after a pause.