Automatic tape loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus

Claim 2

An automatic tape loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus which comprises: a supply reel , a tape with a flexible leader provided at the forward end of said tape wound on said reel, means for feeding said leader from said supply reel, means for guiding the leader fed by said feeding means along a predetermined path in said apparatus, means comprising an automatic take-up reel for automatically engaging and taking up said leader which is guided by said guide means, first detecting means for detecting the feeding of a leader of a predetermined length from said supply reel, means for stopping said feeding means responsive to an operation of said first detecting means, means for positively rotating said automatic take-up reel responsive to operation of said first detecting means , said take-up reel positively taking up the leader engaged by said automatic take-up reel, second detecting means for detecting when all of said leader has been fed and a successive leader is fed, tape driving means comprising a capstan and a pinch roller, and means for operating said tape driving means responsive to operation of said second detecting means and for positively driving said leader and tape.

Claim 3

The automatic tape loading type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for positively rotating said automatic take-up reel comprises means to quickly rotate said automatic take-up reel in a fast forwarding mode of operation responsive to a signal from said first detecting means.

Claim 4

The automatic tape loading type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leader has a relatively short detecting member located at a predetermined position thereon, means for operating said first detecting means responsive to said detecting member, and means for precluding operation of said second detecting means responsive to said relatively short detecting member.

Claim 5

The automatic tape loading type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes means comprising a magnetic head portion for recording and reproducing signals on said tape, said first detecting means being located on the tape feeding side relative to said magnetic head portion in a position in the advancing direction of said leader and tape, said second detecting means being located on the tape take-up side relative to said magnetic head portion in the advancing direction of said leader and tape.

Claim 6

The automatic tape loading type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leader comprises a transparent material and a relatively short non-transparent detecting member located at a predetermined position thereon, said first detecting means being a first optical detecting means to detect said detecting member and operate responsive thereto, said second detecting means being a second optical detecting means which is not operated for detecting said detecting member of relatively short passing time and for detecting said non-transparent tape after a long passing time.

Claim 7

The automatic tape loading type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the predetermined length of said leader is a length which is at least equal to a predetermined tape path in said apparatus extending from said supply reel to said automatic take-up reel.

Claim 8

The automatic tape loading type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leader has an engaging slot in the vicinity of its forward end, said automatic take-up reel comprises a reel hub having leader engaging pawls swingably mounted therein for extending out of and retracting into said reel hub, said swingable pawls being engageable with the engaging slot of said leader, said automatic take-up reel being constructed to be stopped and to start rotation responsive to operation of said first detecting means, and means for stopping said automatic take-up reel at a position for easily engaging said leader with one of said swingable pawls.

Claim 9

The automatic tape loading type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leader has an engaging slot in the vicinity of its forward end, said automatic take-up reel comprises a reel hub having recesses and leader engaging pawls swingably mounted for movement into and out of recesses in said reel hub, said swingable pawls being engageable with the engaging slot of said leader, means including said automatic take-up reel for stopping and starting rotation responsive to operation of said first detecting means, and means for stopping said automatic take-up reel at a position where the leader guided by said guide means advances into the recess of said reel hub.

Claim 10

An automatic tape loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprising a supply reel, a tape having a flexible leader connected to the forward end thereof, said tape initially being wound on said supply reel, means for feeding said leader from said supply reel, meanS for guiding the leader fed by said feeding means along a predetermined path in said apparatus, means comprising a rotating take-up reel for automatically engaging and taking up said leader which is guided by said guide means, a rotating capstan disposed on one side of the predetermined path, a pinch roller disposed on the other side of the predetermined path in a cooperating relationship with said capstan, first detecting means for detecting the feeding from said supply reel of a predetermined length of the leader which extends far enough along said path for the forward end of said leader to reach said take-up reel, means for stopping said feeding means responsive to an operation of said first detecting means, means also responsive to the operation of said first detecting means for speeding up the rotation of said take-up reel to positively take up the leader as it is engaged by said take-up reel, second detecting means disposed at a predetermined place near said predetermined path for detecting a passage of said tape after all of said leader has passed by said predetermined place, means responsive to an operation of said second detecting means for moving said pinch roller to press said leader and tape against said rotating capstan so as to positively drive said leader and tape, and means responsive to said second detecting means for restoring the take-up reel to the original speed of rotation.

Claim 11

An automatic tape loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprising a supply reel, a tape having a flexible leader connected to the forward end thereof, said tape initially being wound on said supply reel, means for feeding said leader from said supply reel, meanS for guiding the leader fed by said feeding means along a predetermined path in said apparatus, means comprising a rotating take-up reel for automatically engaging and taking up said leader which is guided by said guide means, a rotating capstan disposed on one side of the predetermined path, a pinch roller disposed on the other side of the predetermined path in a cooperating relationship with said capstan, first detecting means for detecting the feeding from said supply reel of a predetermined length of the leader which extends far enough along said path for the forward end of said leader to reach said take-up reel, means for stopping said feeding means responsive to an operation of said first detecting means, means also responsive to the operation of said first detecting means for speeding up the rotation of said take-up reel to positively take up the leader as it is engaged by said take-up reel, second detecting means disposed at a predetermined place near said predetermined path for detecting a passage of said tape after all of said leader has passed by said predetermined place, means responsive to an operation of said second detecting means for moving said pinch roller to press said leader and tape against said rotating capstan so as to positively drive said leader and tape, and means responsive to said second detecting means for restoring the take-up reel to the original speed of rotation.

Claim 12

The automatic tape loading apparatus of claim 9 wherein said leader comprises a transparent material with a relatively short non-transparent detecting member located at a predetermined position thereon, said first detecting means comprising a first light emitting means and a first photocell means positioned on opposite sides of the predetermined path and in face-to-face relationship with each other, means whereby said means for stopping said feeding means is operated by a signal from the first photocell in response to an interruption of the light from said first light emitting means by said non-transparent detecting member, means whereby said means for speeding up the rotation of said take-up reel is operated by a signal from said first photocell in response to the interruption of the light from said first light emitting means, said second detecting means comprising a second light emitting means and a second photocell means disposed on opposite sides of the predetermined path in face-to-face relationship with each other, and means whereby said means for moving said pinch roller to press the leader and tape against said rotating capstan is operated by a signal from said second photocell in response to the interruption of the light emitted from said second light emitting means by the tape, said second photocell signal being recognized by the fact that the tape interrupts the second light emitting means for a period of time which is longer than the interruption period caused by the length of said non-transparent detecting member.

Claim 13

An automatic tape loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: a. supply reel; b. a tape with a flexible leader at the forward end of said tape, said tape and leader being wound on said supply reel, said leader having a slot in the vicinity of its forward end; c. means for feeding said leader from said supply reel; d. means for guiding said leader along a predetermined path in said apparatus as it is fed by said feeding means; e. a take-up reel means comprising a reel hub having recesses and pawls for engaging said slot in the leader and thereby catching the leader as it is guided by said guiding means, said pawls being swingably mounted for movement into and out of said recesses; f. means for engaging said take-up reel to hold it in a stationary state; g. a rotating capstan means disposed on one side of the predetermined path; h. a pinch roller means disposed on the other side of the predetermined path in a spaced and cooperating relationship with said capstan; i. first detecting means for detecting the feeding of a predetermined length of the leader from said supply reel whereby the forward end of said leader reaches said take-up reel; j. means for stopping said feeding means responsive to an operation of said first detecting means; k. means responsive to the operation of said first detecting means for disengaging said take-up reel from said engaging means and rotating said take-up reel in a fast forward mode to positively catch the leader and wind up the leader and tape on said take-up reel; l. second detecting means disposed at a predetermined place near said predetermined path for detecting the presence of said tape after all of said leader has passed by said predetermined place; m. means responsive to an operation of said second detecting means for moving said pinch roller to press said leader and tape against said rotating capstan so as to positively drive said leader and tape; and n. means responsive to the operation of said second detecting means for slowing down the rotation of said take-up reel to the tape transport velocity of a recording or reproducing mode.

Claim 14

An automatic tape loading type magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: a. supply reel; b. a tape with a flexible leader at the forward end of said tape, said tape and leader being wound on said supply reel, said leader having a slot in the vicinity of its forward end; c. means for feeding said leader from said supply reel; d. means for guiding said leader along a predetermined path in said apparatus as it is fed by said feeding means; e. a take-up reel means comprising a reel hub having recesses and pawls for engaging said slot in the leader and thereby catching the leader as it is guided by said guiding means, said pawls being swingably mounted for movement into and out of said recesses; f. means for engaging said take-up reel to hold it in a stationary state; g. a rotating capstan means disposed on one side of the predetermined path; h. a pinch roller means disposed on the other side of the predetermined path in a spaced and cooperating relationship with said capstan; i. first detecting means for detecting the feeding of a predetermined length of the leader from said supply reel whereby the forward end of said leader reaches said take-up reel; j. means for stopping said feeding means responsive to an operation of said first detecting means; k. means responsive to the operation of said first detecting means for disengaging said take-up reel from said engaging means and rotating said take-up reel in a fast forward mode to positively catch the leader and wind up the leader and tape on said take-up reel; l. second detecting means disposed at a predetermined place near said predetermined path for detecting the presence of said tape after all of said leader has passed by said predetermined place; m. means responsive to an operation of said second detecting means for moving said pinch roller to press said leader and tape against said rotating capstan so as to positively drive said leader and tape; and n. means responsive to the operation of said second detecting means for slowing down the rotation of said take-up reel to the tape transport velocity of a recording or reproducing mode.

Claim 15

The automatic tape apparatus of claim 9 wherein said leader comprises a transparent material having a relatively short non-transparent detecting member located at a predetermined position thereon, said first detecting means comprising first light emitting means and a first photocell means positioned in face-to-face relationship with respect to each other and on the opposite sides of the predetermined path, means whereby said means for stopping said feeding means is operated in response to a photocell signal produced by an interruption of the light passing from said first light emitting means to said first photocell means, said interruption being caused by said non-transparent detecting member, means whereby said means for disengaging said take-up reel is operated in response to the interruption of the light passing from said first light emitting means to said first photocell means, said second detecting means comprising second light emitting means and a second photocell means disposed in face-to-face relationship with respect to each other and on the opposite sides of the predetermined path, and means whereby said means for moving said pinch roller and for said slowing the rotation of said take-up reel is operated in response to the interruption by the tape of the light passing from said second light emitting means to said second photocell means, said tape interruption having a time duration which is longer than the length of said interruption by the non-transparent detecting member passing said predetermined place.