Magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus with an automatic cartridge remover

Claim 2

Apparatus for loading and unloading a cartridge having a recess in its side and provided with a pinch roller, comprisinG a. a base plate; b. a pair of guide rails mounted on said base plate for guiding said cartridge; c. a rotary lever rotatably mounted on said base plate; d. a positioning roller rotatably mounted on said rotary lever, said positioning roller being shaped to fit within said recess for positioning said cartridge; e. a spring; f. an engaging lever slidably mounted on said base plate and coupled to said spring, said engaging lever being translated against the force of said spring when said cartridge is inserted into the apparatus between said guide rails; g. connecting means resiliently engaging said rotary lever; h. locking means coupled to said connecting means and said engaging lever, said connecting means, when said cartridge is inserted, rotating said rotary lever to press said positioning roller against the side of said cartridge as a result of said movement of said engaging lever, said locking means maintaining said positioning roller pressed against said cartridge; and i. a capstan for engagement with the pinch roller in said cartridge when said cartridge is fully inserted, said locking means maintaining said positioning roller pressed into the recess of said cartridge to maintain the playing state, said cartridge being automatically ejected by displacement of said engaging lever by said spring when the pressure on said positioning roller by said locking means is released.

Claim 3

Apparatus for loading and unloading a cartridge having a recess in its side and provided with a pinch roller, comprising a. a base plate; b. a pair of guide rails mounted on said base plate for guiding said cartridge; c. a first rotary lever rotatably mounted on said base plate; d. a positioning roller rotatably mounted on said first rotary lever, said positioning roller being shaped to fit within said recess for positioning said cartridge; e. a first spring; f. a first engaging lever slidably mounted on said base plate and coupled to said first spring, said first engaging lever being translated against the force of said first spring when said cartridge is inserted into the apparatus between said guide rails; g. connecting means resiliently engaging said first rotary lever; h. locking means coupled to said connecting means and said first engaging lever, said connecting means, when said cartridge is inserted, rotating said first rotary lever to press said positioning roller against the side of said cartridge as a result of said movement of said engaging lever, said locking means maintaining said positioning roller pressed against said cartridge; i. a second engaging lever rotatably mounted on said base plate and engaging said locking means; j. a plunger coupled to said second engaging lever, said plunger being actuated upon completion of a tape performance; k. a capstan for engagement with the pinch roller in said cartridge when said cartridge is fully inserted, said locking means maintaining said positioning roller pressed into the recess of said cartridge to maintain the playing state, said second lever being rotated to engage said locking means when said plunger is actuated thereby releasing the pressure applied to said positioning roller to permit automatic ejection of said cartridge by displacement of said first engaging lever by said first spring; and l. a first operating lever adapted to engage with said second engaging lever for manually ejecting said cartridge.

Claim 4

Apparatus for loading and unloading a cartridge having a recess in its side and provided with a pinch roller, comprising a. a base plate; b. a pair of guide rails mounted on said base plate for guiding said cartridge; c. a first rotary lever rotatably mounted on said base plate; d. a positioning roller rotatably mounted on said first rotary lever, said positioning roller being shaped to fit within said recess for positioning said cartridge; e. a first spring; f. a first engaging lever slidably mounted on said base plate and coupled to said first spring, said first engaging lever being translated against the force of said first spring when said cartridge is inserted into the apparatus between said guide rails; g. connecting means resiliently engaging said first rotary lever; h. locking means coupled to said connecting means and said first engaging lever, said connecting means, when said cartridge is inserted, rotating said first rotary lever to press said positioning roller against the side of said cartridge as a result of said movement of said engaging lever, said locking means maintaining said positioning roller pressed against said cartridge; i. a second engaging lever rotatably mounted on said base plate and engaging said locking means; j. a plunger coupled to said second engaging lever, said plunger being actuated upon completion of a tape performance; k. a capstan for engagement with the pinch roller in said cartridge when said cartridge is fully inserted, said locking means maintaining said positioning roller pressed into the recess of said cartridge to maintain the playing state, said second lever being rotated to engage said locking means when said plunger is actuated thereby releasing the pressure applied to said positioning roller to permit automatic ejection of said cartridge by displacement of said first engaging lever by said first spring; and l. a first operating lever adapted to engage with said second engaging lever for manually ejecting said cartridge.

Claim 5

Apparatus for loading and unloading a cartridge as defined by claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises a second operating lever slidably mounted on said base plate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion and removal of said cartridge; and a spring coupling said second operating lever to said first rotary lever, said spring engaging one end of said second operating lever against an edge of said first rotary lever.

Claim 6

Apparatus for loading and unloading a cartridge as defined by claim 3 wherein Said locking means comprises a first lever having one end rotatably connected to said second operating lever; a second lever having one end rotatably mounted on said base plate and the other end rotatably coupled to the other end of said first lever; a swingable lever rotatably coupled to the other ends of said first and second levers; and a second rotary lever attached to said first engaging lever for translation therewith, said second rotary lever further engaging said swingable lever.