Sound recording and reproducing apparatus

Claim 1

In a tape transport mechanism of the type wherein a tape is moved sequentially along signal heads for the reception or reproduction or removal of informational signals, means for guiding and pressing the tape against the signal heads comprising a mounting pin located between the signal heads and on the opposite side of the tape relative to the signal heads, two like-shaped swinging levers each having two guide flanges by which the levers are pivotally journalled on said mounting pin, each swinging lever having a wing portion extending outwardly from said mounting pin and carrying a pad oriented so as to lie generally opposite a respective one of the signal heads for bearing against the tape opposite a respective one of said signal heads, and torsion spring means engaged about the mounting pin for biasing said swinging levers and their wings in respective directions to press the tape against the signal heads, each swinging lever having an abutment nose and an abutment surface so arranged that the abutment nose of one is biased by said torsion spring against the abutment surface of the other to define normal inoperative positions in which the swinging levers are held by the spring when the wing pads are clear of the signal heads, and such that the abutment noses and surfaces are moved away from each other when the wing pads bear against the signal heads to define the operative positions of the swinging levers.