Head shifting mechanism for two-channel and four-channel cartridge tape recorder

Claim 1

A magnetic head shifting mechanism for a cartridge-type tape player adapted to receive and play two-channel and four-channel tape cartridges and including a changeover switch mechanism between a first position when a two-channel tape cartridge is inserted into the player and a second position when a fourchannel tape cartridge is inserted into the player, including in combination: magnetic tape head means having four pick-up areas, head shifting cam means mounted to the player and engageable with said tape head means, said cam means being rotatable between first, second, third and fourth levels to align said pick-up areas with selected tracks on the tape, drive means coupled to said cam means for rotating said cam means between said first, second, third and fourth levels, rotary switch means including a rotary contactor portion coupled to said cam means and a contact portion having first, second, third and fourth contacts coupled to said drive means for actuating the same to rotate said cam means, the contact portion further including means for aligning the contacts with respect to the contactor such that a selected sequential one of the contacts is in electrical engagement with the contactor as the contactor is rotated, and manual switch means coupled to said drive means and to said rotary switch means for energizing said drive means to rotate said cam means when the changeover switch mechanism is in the second position, said rotary contact portion and said first and fourth contacts being constructed to continuously energize said drive means as said contactor portion moves from said fourth contact to said first contact when the changeover switch is in the second position and said manual switch means has been actuated to energize said drive means to rotate said cam means to successive levels to thereby align said pick-up areas with selected tracks on the tape.