Device for automatically preventing the erasing of a tape in a tape cassette

Claim 2

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the information on said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position, guide pins for releasably locking said cassette loaded on said deck in its operative position when said deck is moved to its second position, one of said guide pins being movable for releasing said cassette together with said deck when actuated, and a cassette releasing knob for actuating said one guide pin, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position when said recording knob is moved and held in its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position when moved and held in its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob, said shift plate having an L-shaped slot in which a pin secured to said tape recorder is slidably engaged so that said recording knob can first be moved in a first direcTion toward said recording/reproducing knob and then moved in a second direction toward the interior of said casing of said tape recorder for bringing said erasing head to its operative position but is prevented from moving in said second direction until it has been moved in said first direction, a first lever pivoted to said tape recorder and having a detecting nose at its one end which is adapted to be inserted into said encoding recess of said tape cassette mounted in position on said tape recorder, said first lever being urged by a spring in the direction to move said detecting nose into said recess, and a second lever pivoted to said tape recorder with one end being operatively coupled with the other end of said first lever so that said second lever is swung when said first lever is swung, said second lever being provided with a depending lug at its other end which overhangs over one side edge of said shift plate extending in the direction substantially parallel to said first direction of movement of said recording knob, said shift plate being provided with a cut-out portion in said one side edge which is so positioned that said depending lug is moved into said cut-out portion to prevent said recording knob together with said shift plate from moving in said first direction when no fin is provided in said recess so that said detecting nose is permitted to move into said recess thereby swinging said first lever and, hence, said second lever so as to move said depending lug into said cut-out portion, while said depending lug is prevented from moving into said cut-out portion to allow said recording knob together with said shift plate to move in said first direction when a fin is provided, in said encoding recess to limit the movement of said first lever and, hence, said second lever so as to maintain said depending lug disengaged from said cut-out portion thereby permitting said recording knob to be moved in the second direction for bringing said erasing head to its operative position.

Claim 3

Device according to claim 1, wherein said recording knob is coupled with said recording/reproducing knob when said recording knob is moved in said first direction so that the same is moved in said second direction together with said recording/reproducing knob when the latter is actuated.

Claim 4

Device according to claim 1, wherein said one guide pin is secured to one end of a third lever pivoted to said tape recorder and actuated by said cassette releasing knob, the other end of said third lever being provided with a pin secured thereto which is adapted to abut against said first lever to swing the same so that said detecting nose is disengaged from said encoding recess when said third lever is actuated to release the cassette loaded on said tape recorder thereby permitting said cassette to be released without hindrance by said detecting nose.

Claim 5

Device according to claim 1, wherein said cassette loading deck is provided with a depending lug adapted to abut against said first lever so as to limit the movement of said first lever and, hence, said second lever when said deck is moved to its first position so that said depending lug of said second lever is kept disengaged from said cut-out portion of said shift plate thereby permitting said recording knob to be actuated even though no cassette is loaded on said tape recorder.

Claim 6

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the information on said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantIally flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and provided with an ear at its inner end and a shoulder at its side edge, said shift plate having an elongated hole in which a pin secured to said tape recorder is slidably engaged and a pin secured to said shift plate which is slidably engaged in a L-shaped slot provided in said tape recorder so that said recording knob can first be moved in a first direction toward said recording/reproducing knob and then moved in a second direction toward the interior of said casing of said tape recorder for bringing said erasing head to its operative position but is prevented from moving in said second direction until it has been moved in said first direction, said shift plate being normally urged by a spring toward its initial position, a detecting lever pivoted to said tape recorder and having a detecting nose at its one end adapted to be inserted in said encoding recess of said cassette when the same is loaded in position on said tape recorder, the opposite end of said detecting lever terminating adjacent to said shoulder of said shift plate, said detecting lever being normally urged by a spring in the direction to move said detecting nose into said recess but held by said ear of said shift plate so that a clearance is held between said recess and said detecting nose when said recording knob is in its original position, and a swingable lever pivoted to said tape recorder and urged by a spring in the direction so that one end of said swingable lever abuts against said pin secured to said shift plate thereby permitting said swingable lever to be swung against the action of said spring by said pin when said recording knob is moved in said second direction, the opposite end of said swingable lever being operatively coupled with switching means for switching said tape recorder for the recording operation when said recording knob is moved to said second direction while said switching means being set for the reproducing operation when said recording knob is held in its initial position so that the reproducing operation is commenced by the actuation of said recording/reproducing knob, thereby permitting said detecting lever to be swung causing said detecting nose to be inserted into said encoding recess when no fin is provided therein so that said opposite end of said detecting lever engages with said shoulder of said shift plate when said recording knob together with said shift plate is moved in said second direction after the same has been moved in said first direction to move said ear of said shift plate apart from said detecting lever thereby preventing said recording knob from moving in said second direction to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position, while, when a fin is provided in said encoding recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin so that said opposite end of said detecting lever is kept apart from said shoulder of said shift plate to thereby permit said recording knob together with saId shift plate to be moved in said second direction after the same has been moved in said first direction so that said erasing head is brought to its operative position with said swingable lever being swung for switching said switching means for the recording operation of said tape recorder.

Claim 7

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the information on said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantIally flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and provided with an ear at its inner end and a shoulder at its side edge, said shift plate having an elongated hole in which a pin secured to said tape recorder is slidably engaged and a pin secured to said shift plate which is slidably engaged in a L-shaped slot provided in said tape recorder so that said recording knob can first be moved in a first direction toward said recording/reproducing knob and then moved in a second direction toward the interior of said casing of said tape recorder for bringing said erasing head to its operative position but is prevented from moving in said second direction until it has been moved in said first direction, said shift plate being normally urged by a spring toward its initial position, a detecting lever pivoted to said tape recorder and having a detecting nose at its one end adapted to be inserted in said encoding recess of said cassette when the same is loaded in position on said tape recorder, the opposite end of said detecting lever terminating adjacent to said shoulder of said shift plate, said detecting lever being normally urged by a spring in the direction to move said detecting nose into said recess but held by said ear of said shift plate so that a clearance is held between said recess and said detecting nose when said recording knob is in its original position, and a swingable lever pivoted to said tape recorder and urged by a spring in the direction so that one end of said swingable lever abuts against said pin secured to said shift plate thereby permitting said swingable lever to be swung against the action of said spring by said pin when said recording knob is moved in said second direction, the opposite end of said swingable lever being operatively coupled with switching means for switching said tape recorder for the recording operation when said recording knob is moved to said second direction while said switching means being set for the reproducing operation when said recording knob is held in its initial position so that the reproducing operation is commenced by the actuation of said recording/reproducing knob, thereby permitting said detecting lever to be swung causing said detecting nose to be inserted into said encoding recess when no fin is provided therein so that said opposite end of said detecting lever engages with said shoulder of said shift plate when said recording knob together with said shift plate is moved in said second direction after the same has been moved in said first direction to move said ear of said shift plate apart from said detecting lever thereby preventing said recording knob from moving in said second direction to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position, while, when a fin is provided in said encoding recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin so that said opposite end of said detecting lever is kept apart from said shoulder of said shift plate to thereby permit said recording knob together with saId shift plate to be moved in said second direction after the same has been moved in said first direction so that said erasing head is brought to its operative position with said swingable lever being swung for switching said switching means for the recording operation of said tape recorder.

Claim 8

Device according to claim 5, wherein said recording knob is coupled with said recording/reproducing knob when said recording knob is moged in said first direction so that the same is moved in said second direction together with said recording/reproducing knob when the latter is actuated.

Claim 9

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the information on said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, said tape recorder being provided with a detecting lever swingably supported in said tape recorder and having a detecting nose at its one end, said detecting lever being biased by a spring so that said detecting nose is inserted into said encoding recess of said cassette loaded on said tape recorder when no fin is provided in said recess thereby preventing said recording knob from being actuated by the movement of said detecting lever so as to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin to thereby permit said recording knob to be actuated to move said erasing head to its operative position, wherein the improvement comprises a pin slidably provided in said tape recorder adjacent to said detecting lever and normally urged by a spring into the path of movement of said detecting lever so as to prevent said detecting lever from moving to the position to cause said recording knob to be inoperative, said pin being so positioned that the same is urged against the action of said spring to a position out of the path of movement of said detecting lever by the cassette when loaded on said tape recorder thereby permitting said recording knob to be operated when no cassette is loaded on said tape recorder.

Claim 10

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the information on said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, said tape recorder being provided with a detecting lever swingably supported in said tape recorder and having a detecting nose at its one end, said detecting lever being biased by a spring so that said detecting nose is inserted into said encoding recess of said cassette loaded on said tape recorder when no fin is provided in said recess thereby preventing said recording knob from being actuated by the movement of said detecting lever so as to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin to thereby permit said recording knob to be actuated to move said erasing head to its operative position, wherein the improvement comprises a pin slidably provided in said tape recorder adjacent to said detecting lever and normally urged by a spring into the path of movement of said detecting lever so as to prevent said detecting lever from moving to the position to cause said recording knob to be inoperative, said pin being so positioned that the same is urged against the action of said spring to a position out of the path of movement of said detecting lever by the cassette when loaded on said tape recorder thereby permitting said recording knob to be operated when no cassette is loaded on said tape recorder.

Claim 11

Device according to claim 7, wherein said pin is fixedly secured to said cassette loading deck at the lower surface thereof.

Claim 12

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording other information on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the informations on said tape may not be erased for maintaining the informations recorded thereon, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob normally urged outwardly but manually operated to be moved inwardly of said tape recorder for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a detecting lever swingably supported in said tape recorder and having a detecting nose at its one end, said detecting lever being urged by a spring so that said detecting nose is inserted into said encoding recess of said cassette loaded on said tape recorder when no fin is provided in said recess thereby preventing said recording knob from being actuated by the movement of said detecting lever so as to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin to thereby permit said recording knob to be actuated to move said erasing head to its operative position, said detecting lever being provided with an inclined bent lug at its opposite end, said recording knob being secured to a shaft on which a conically shaped stopper member having a major diameter greater than that of said recording knob is fixedly mounted with a clearance being held between said stopper member and said recording knob, said inclined bent lug normally abutting against said stopper member so as to arrest said detecting lever in a position so as to position said detecting nose spaced from said encoding recess, thereby permitting said detecting lever to be swung so that said detecting nose is inserted into said recess when no fin is provided therein thereby causing said inclined bent lug to be engaged in said clearance between said stopper member and said recording knob so as to prevent the actuation of said recording knob when the same is actuated thus maintaining said erasing head in its inoperative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin so as to allow said inclined bent lug to move over said recording knob when the same is actuated thereby permitting said erasing head to be brought to its operative position, said recording knob being allowed to return to its initial position by virtue of the inclination of said bent lug abutting against said upper member during the returning movement of said recording knob.

Claim 13

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording other information on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the informations on said tape may not be erased for maintaining the informations recorded thereon, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob normally urged outwardly but manually operated to be moved inwardly of said tape recorder for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a detecting lever swingably supported in said tape recorder and having a detecting nose at its one end, said detecting lever being urged by a spring so that said detecting nose is inserted into said encoding recess of said cassette loaded on said tape recorder when no fin is provided in said recess thereby preventing said recording knob from being actuated by the movement of said detecting lever so as to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin to thereby permit said recording knob to be actuated to move said erasing head to its operative position, said detecting lever being provided with an inclined bent lug at its opposite end, said recording knob being secured to a shaft on which a conically shaped stopper member having a major diameter greater than that of said recording knob is fixedly mounted with a clearance being held between said stopper member and said recording knob, said inclined bent lug normally abutting against said stopper member so as to arrest said detecting lever in a position so as to position said detecting nose spaced from said encoding recess, thereby permitting said detecting lever to be swung so that said detecting nose is inserted into said recess when no fin is provided therein thereby causing said inclined bent lug to be engaged in said clearance between said stopper member and said recording knob so as to prevent the actuation of said recording knob when the same is actuated thus maintaining said erasing head in its inoperative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting lever is limited by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin so as to allow said inclined bent lug to move over said recording knob when the same is actuated thereby permitting said erasing head to be brought to its operative position, said recording knob being allowed to return to its initial position by virtue of the inclination of said bent lug abutting against said upper member during the returning movement of said recording knob.

Claim 14

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further Recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the information on said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position, guide pins for releasably locking said cassette loaded on said deck in its operative position when said deck is moved to said second position, one of said guide pins being movable for releasing said cassette together with said deck when actuated, and a cassette releasing knob for actuating said one guide pin, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a cassette releasing lever pivoted to said tape recorder and mounting thereon said cassette releasing knob and said one guide pin, said cassette releasing lever being provided with an inclined cam edge, a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and an abutting pin, said shift plate being located in spaced relationship from said cassette releasing lever and supported in said tape recorder movably in the direction toward and away from said cassette releasing lever, and a T-shaped erasing preventing lever pivotally supported intermediate said cassette releasing lever and said shift plate and having a detecting nose at an arm of the T-shape of said lever and a camming pin at the other arm of said T-shape, said erasing preventing lever being urged by a spring in the direction to move said camming pin in contact with said inclined cam edge and said detecting nose into said encoding recess of said cassette loaded on said tape recorder with the outer end of the stem of said T-shape being aligned with said abutting pin of said shift plate when no fin is provided therein, thereby preventing said recording knob from being actuated by the abutment of said abutting pin against said outer end of the stem of said T-shape of said erasing preventing lever so that said erasing head is kept in its inoperative position, while, when a fin is provided in said recess, said erasing preventing lever is swung by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin so that said outer end of the stem of said T-shape is moved out of the path of movement of said abutting pin to thereby permit said recording knob to be actuated to bring said erasing head to its operative position, said detecting nose being moved apart from said recess when said cassette releasing knob is actuated by virtue of the camming action of said camming pin contacting said inclined cam edge so that said cassette is released without hindrance by said detecting nose.

Claim 15

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further Recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that the information on said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position, guide pins for releasably locking said cassette loaded on said deck in its operative position when said deck is moved to said second position, one of said guide pins being movable for releasing said cassette together with said deck when actuated, and a cassette releasing knob for actuating said one guide pin, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to bring said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a cassette releasing lever pivoted to said tape recorder and mounting thereon said cassette releasing knob and said one guide pin, said cassette releasing lever being provided with an inclined cam edge, a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and an abutting pin, said shift plate being located in spaced relationship from said cassette releasing lever and supported in said tape recorder movably in the direction toward and away from said cassette releasing lever, and a T-shaped erasing preventing lever pivotally supported intermediate said cassette releasing lever and said shift plate and having a detecting nose at an arm of the T-shape of said lever and a camming pin at the other arm of said T-shape, said erasing preventing lever being urged by a spring in the direction to move said camming pin in contact with said inclined cam edge and said detecting nose into said encoding recess of said cassette loaded on said tape recorder with the outer end of the stem of said T-shape being aligned with said abutting pin of said shift plate when no fin is provided therein, thereby preventing said recording knob from being actuated by the abutment of said abutting pin against said outer end of the stem of said T-shape of said erasing preventing lever so that said erasing head is kept in its inoperative position, while, when a fin is provided in said recess, said erasing preventing lever is swung by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin so that said outer end of the stem of said T-shape is moved out of the path of movement of said abutting pin to thereby permit said recording knob to be actuated to bring said erasing head to its operative position, said detecting nose being moved apart from said recess when said cassette releasing knob is actuated by virtue of the camming action of said camming pin contacting said inclined cam edge so that said cassette is released without hindrance by said detecting nose.

Claim 16

Device according to claim 10, wherein said detecting nose is provided with an inclined portion so as to move said erasing preventing lever out of the path of movement of said cassette by the engagement of said inclined portion with a cassette when the same is loaded on said tape recorder thereby permitting said cassette to be loaded on said tape recorder without being obstructed by said erasing preventing lever.

Claim 17

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to closE said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position, guide pins for releasably locking said cassette loaded on said deck in its operative position when said deck is moved to said second position, one of said guide pins being movable for releasing said cassette together with said deck when actuated, and a cassette releasing knob for actuating said one guide pin, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial position so as to being said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a swingable lever pivoted to the tape recorder and mounting thereon said one guide pin, said swingable lever being normally urged by a spring in the direction to releasably lock a tape cassette loaded in position on said tape recorder, a T-shaped cassette releasing lever mounting said cassette releasing knob on one arm of the T-shape of said cassette releasing lever and having a detecting nose and a slot at the opposite arm of said T-shape, the stem of said cassette releasing lever being slidably mounted on said swingable lever so that said cassette releasing lever is movable in opposite directions on said swingable lever between a first position in which said detecting nose is inserted into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said tape recorder and a second position in which said detecting nose is spaced from said recess, said cassette releasing lever being normally urged in the direction toward said first position, and a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and having an abutting pin, said shift plate being shiftably located in said tape recorder so that said abutting pin abuts against a portion of said opposite arm of said cassette releasing lever when said recording knob is actuated while said cassette releasing lever is in said first position, said slot in said opposite arm of said cassette releasing lever being so located that said slot is aligned with the path of movement of said abutting pin of said shift plate when said detecting nose abuts against a fin provided in said encoding recess to limit the movement of said cassette releasing lever toward said first position by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin, thereby permitting said recording knob to be actuated to bring said erasing head to its operative position while said recording knob is prevented from being actuated when no fin is provided in said recess to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position, said cassette releasing knob being actuated to swing said swingable lever so as to release said cassette only after said cassette releasing knob is first moved so as to move said cassette releasing lever toward said second position until said slot is aligned with said abutting pin at which position said detecting nose is moved out of said encoding recess so that said cassette can be released without obstructions by said detecting nose.

Claim 18

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to closE said recess for indicating that the information on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position, guide pins for releasably locking said cassette loaded on said deck in its operative position when said deck is moved to said second position, one of said guide pins being movable for releasing said cassette together with said deck when actuated, and a cassette releasing knob for actuating said one guide pin, said tape recorder having a recording knob for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial position so as to being said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a swingable lever pivoted to the tape recorder and mounting thereon said one guide pin, said swingable lever being normally urged by a spring in the direction to releasably lock a tape cassette loaded in position on said tape recorder, a T-shaped cassette releasing lever mounting said cassette releasing knob on one arm of the T-shape of said cassette releasing lever and having a detecting nose and a slot at the opposite arm of said T-shape, the stem of said cassette releasing lever being slidably mounted on said swingable lever so that said cassette releasing lever is movable in opposite directions on said swingable lever between a first position in which said detecting nose is inserted into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said tape recorder and a second position in which said detecting nose is spaced from said recess, said cassette releasing lever being normally urged in the direction toward said first position, and a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and having an abutting pin, said shift plate being shiftably located in said tape recorder so that said abutting pin abuts against a portion of said opposite arm of said cassette releasing lever when said recording knob is actuated while said cassette releasing lever is in said first position, said slot in said opposite arm of said cassette releasing lever being so located that said slot is aligned with the path of movement of said abutting pin of said shift plate when said detecting nose abuts against a fin provided in said encoding recess to limit the movement of said cassette releasing lever toward said first position by the abutment of said detecting nose against said fin, thereby permitting said recording knob to be actuated to bring said erasing head to its operative position while said recording knob is prevented from being actuated when no fin is provided in said recess to maintain said erasing head in its inoperative position, said cassette releasing knob being actuated to swing said swingable lever so as to release said cassette only after said cassette releasing knob is first moved so as to move said cassette releasing lever toward said second position until said slot is aligned with said abutting pin at which position said detecting nose is moved out of said encoding recess so that said cassette can be released without obstructions by said detecting nose.

Claim 19

Device according to claim 12, wherein said detecting nose is provided with an inclined portion to facilitate the loading of a cassette on said tape recorder.

Claim 20

Device according To claim 12, wherein said slot in said cassette releasing lever is L-shaped having a portion extending in the direction of the movement of said abutting pin and another portion extending in the direction parallel to the movement of said cassette releasing lever on said swingable lever.

Claim 21

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the informations on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob normally urged outwardly but manually operated to be moved inwardly of said tape recorder for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to being said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a detecting plate slidably mounted on the lower surface of said cassette loading deck and having a detecting nose connected to one end of said detecting plate through a connecting strip and a depending lug at said end, said detecting plate being normally urged by a spring so that said detecting nose is moved into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said deck, and a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and slidable inwardly of the tape recorder in the direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said detecting plate when said recording knob is actuated, the inner end of said shift plate being so located that, when no fin is provided in said encoding recess of the cassette loaded on said tape recorder and said detecting nose is moved into said recess, said inner end of said shift plate abuts against said depending lug when said recording knob is actuated thereby preventing said erasing head from being moved to its operative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting nose is limited to thereby locate said depending lug out of the path of movement of said inner end of said shift plate so that said recording knob is allowed to be actuated so as to bring said erasing head to its operative position, said recording knob being permitted to be operated when no cassette is loaded on the tape recorder and, hence, said deck is in said first position by virtue of the location of said depending lug above and out of the path of movement of said inner end of said shift plate.

Claim 22

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said recess for indicating that the informations on the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording on said tape when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a recording knob normally urged outwardly but manually operated to be moved inwardly of said tape recorder for moving an erasing head to its operative position, a recording/reproducing knob for moving a recording/reproducing head to its operative position and a stopping knob for returning said recording knob and said recording/reproducing knob to their initial positions so as to being said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head to their inoperative positions, wherein the improvement comprises a detecting plate slidably mounted on the lower surface of said cassette loading deck and having a detecting nose connected to one end of said detecting plate through a connecting strip and a depending lug at said end, said detecting plate being normally urged by a spring so that said detecting nose is moved into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said deck, and a shift plate mounting thereon said recording knob and slidable inwardly of the tape recorder in the direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said detecting plate when said recording knob is actuated, the inner end of said shift plate being so located that, when no fin is provided in said encoding recess of the cassette loaded on said tape recorder and said detecting nose is moved into said recess, said inner end of said shift plate abuts against said depending lug when said recording knob is actuated thereby preventing said erasing head from being moved to its operative position while, when a fin is provided in said recess, the movement of said detecting nose is limited to thereby locate said depending lug out of the path of movement of said inner end of said shift plate so that said recording knob is allowed to be actuated so as to bring said erasing head to its operative position, said recording knob being permitted to be operated when no cassette is loaded on the tape recorder and, hence, said deck is in said first position by virtue of the location of said depending lug above and out of the path of movement of said inner end of said shift plate.

Claim 23

Device according to claim 15, wherein said detecting nose is provided with an inclined portion for facilitating the loading of said cassette in position on said deck.

Claim 24

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said reCess for indicating that the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a first electric circuit connecting said erasing head and an erasing signal supply means through switch means closed when said tape recorder is set for the recording operation and a second electric circuit including said recording/reproducing head having switch means for switching said second electric circuit for either of the recording and reproducing operations wherein the improvement comprises a detecting plate slidably mounted on the lower surface of said cassette loading deck and having a detecting nose connected to one end of said detecting plate through a connecting strip, said detecting plate being normally urged by a spring so that said detecting nose is moved into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said deck, and a pair of switches so located adjacent to the opposite end of said detecting plate that said pair of switches are opened when said detecting nose is moved into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said deck when no fin is provided therein, while they are closed when the movement of said detecting nose is limited by a fin provided in said recess, one of said pair of switches being connected in said first electric circuit while the other of said pair of switches is connected in said second electric circuit when said switch means is switched for the recording operation, thereby permitting said erasing head to be rendered inoperative and said recording/reproducing head to be held operative when no fin is provided in said encoding recess while both said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head are held operative when a fin is provided in said encoding recess.

Claim 25

Device for automatically preventing the erasing of information recorded on a tape loaded in a tape cassette for use with a tape recorder, said cassette having an encoding recess at one side wall of the casing thereof in which a fin is selectively provided to close said reCess for indicating that the tape in said cassette may be erased for further recording when the fin is provided in said recess while, when no fin is provided in said recess, indication is given that said tape may not be erased, said tape recorder having a cassette loading deck movable between a first position in which the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder and a second position in which the cassette is loaded thereon in its operative position with the upper surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the casing of said tape recorder, said deck being normally held in said first position while the cassette loaded on said deck is releasably locked in its operative position by locking means provided in said tape recorder when said deck is moved to said second position with said cassette loaded thereon, said tape recorder having a first electric circuit connecting said erasing head and an erasing signal supply means through switch means closed when said tape recorder is set for the recording operation and a second electric circuit including said recording/reproducing head having switch means for switching said second electric circuit for either of the recording and reproducing operations wherein the improvement comprises a detecting plate slidably mounted on the lower surface of said cassette loading deck and having a detecting nose connected to one end of said detecting plate through a connecting strip, said detecting plate being normally urged by a spring so that said detecting nose is moved into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said deck, and a pair of switches so located adjacent to the opposite end of said detecting plate that said pair of switches are opened when said detecting nose is moved into said encoding recess of a cassette loaded on said deck when no fin is provided therein, while they are closed when the movement of said detecting nose is limited by a fin provided in said recess, one of said pair of switches being connected in said first electric circuit while the other of said pair of switches is connected in said second electric circuit when said switch means is switched for the recording operation, thereby permitting said erasing head to be rendered inoperative and said recording/reproducing head to be held operative when no fin is provided in said encoding recess while both said erasing head and said recording/reproducing head are held operative when a fin is provided in said encoding recess.

Claim 26

In a tape recorder adapted to receive either a first tape cassette having an accessible recess in an outer wall thereof or a second tape cassette not having said recess, the recorder having a casing, locking means for locking either one of said cassettes to said casing in an operative position of said one cassette, a cassette releasing member manually operable on said casing for unlocking said one cassette from said operative position thereof, an erasing head, a moving member connected to said erasing head and manually operable for moving said erasing head into an operative position relative to said locked cassette, the improvement which comprises: a. guide means for guiding said moving member in a path during manual operation thereof; b. a detecting member movable on said casing into and away from a position in which a portion of said detecting member is received in the recess of said first cassette when the same is locked in said operative position; c. yieldably resilient means biasing said detecting member toward said position thereof; d. latch means operatively interposed between said detecting member and said moving member for preventing movement of said moving member in said path in a direction for moving said erasing head into the operative position thereof, when said detecting member is in said position thereof, while permitting said movement of said moving member when said detecting member is held out of said position thereof by said second cassetTe being locked to said casing by said locking means; and e. means for preventing said detecting member from moving into said position thereof when no cassette is in said operative position.

Claim 27

In a tape recorder adapted to receive either a first tape cassette having an accessible recess in an outer wall thereof or a second tape cassette not having said recess, the recorder having a casing, locking means for locking either one of said cassettes to said casing in an operative position of said one cassette, a cassette releasing member manually operable on said casing for unlocking said one cassette from said operative position thereof, an erasing head, a moving member connected to said erasing head and manually operable for moving said erasing head into an operative position relative to said locked cassette, the improvement which comprises: a. guide means for guiding said moving member in a path during manual operation thereof; b. a detecting member movable on said casing into and away from a position in which a portion of said detecting member is received in the recess of said first cassette when the same is locked in said operative position; c. yieldably resilient means biasing said detecting member toward said position thereof; d. latch means operatively interposed between said detecting member and said moving member for preventing movement of said moving member in said path in a direction for moving said erasing head into the operative position thereof, when said detecting member is in said position thereof, while permitting said movement of said moving member when said detecting member is held out of said position thereof by said second cassetTe being locked to said casing by said locking means; and e. means for preventing said detecting member from moving into said position thereof when no cassette is in said operative position.

Claim 28

In a tape recorder as set forth in claim 18, said path being L-shaped and having two consecutive portions transverse to each other, said latch means preventing movement of said moving member in one of said portions.

Claim 29

In a tape recorder as set forth in claim 18, said latch means being fixedly fastened to said detecting member and engaging said moving member when in said position thereof.

Claim 30

In a tape recorder adapted to receive either a first tape cassette having an accessible recess in an outer wall thereof or a second tape cassette not having said recess, the recorder having a casing, locking means for locking either one of said cassettes to said casing in an operative position of said one cassette, a cassette releasing member manually operable on said casing for unlocking said one cassette from said operative position thereof, an erasing head, a source of an erasing signal in circuit with said head for erasing information from tape in said locked cassette by means of said erasing signal transmitted to said head, the improvement which comprises: a. a detecting member movable on said casing toward and away from a position in which a portion of said detecting member is received in the recess of said first cassette, when the same is locked in said operating position; b. yieldably resilient means biasing said detecting member toward said position thereof; c. switch means in said circuit; d. latch means operatively interposed between said detecting member and said switch means for interrupting said circuit and thereby preventing erasing of said information by said signal when said detecting member is in said position thereof while permitting transmission of said signal by said switch means when said detecting member is held out of said position thereof by said second cassette being locked to said casing by said locking means; and e. means for preventing said detecting member from moving into said position thereof when no cassette is in said operative position.

Claim 31

In a tape recorder adapted to receive either a first tape cassette having an accessible recess in an outer wall thereof or a second tape cassette not having said recess, the recorder having a casing, locking means for locking either one of said cassettes to said casing in an operative position of said one cassette, a cassette releasing member manually operable on said casing for unlocking said one cassette from said operative position thereof, an erasing head, a source of an erasing signal in circuit with said head for erasing information from tape in said locked cassette by means of said erasing signal transmitted to said head, the improvement which comprises: a. a detecting member movable on said casing toward and away from a position in which a portion of said detecting member is received in the recess of said first cassette, when the same is locked in said operating position; b. yieldably resilient means biasing said detecting member toward said position thereof; c. switch means in said circuit; d. latch means operatively interposed between said detecting member and said switch means for interrupting said circuit and thereby preventing erasing of said information by said signal when said detecting member is in said position thereof while permitting transmission of said signal by said switch means when said detecting member is held out of said position thereof by said second cassette being locked to said casing by said locking means; and e. means for preventing said detecting member from moving into said position thereof when no cassette is in said operative position.