Ejection device for tape cartridge

Claim 1

In a push-button operated set, arranged to have a tape record cartridge inserted thereinto, and having a plurality of push-buttons, a cartridge ejecting device comprising, in combination, latch means operable to engage an inserted tape cartridge to retain the cartridge in operative relation; a solenoid operatively associated with said latch means and operable, when energized, to disengage said latch means from the cartridge; means operable, responsive to such disengagement of said latch means, to effect at least partial ejection of the cartridge; an energizing circuit for said solenoid including, in series, a normally open switch; and means operable, responsive to operation of a push-button, to close said switch to energize said solenoid; said latch means comprising a holding plate; a roller mounted at an end of said holding plate and engageable in a recess in a cartridge; a supporting plate; means biasing said holding plate into engagement with said supporting plate; a sliding plate adjacent said holding plate and connected to said solenoid for movement thereby; said sliding plate being formed with a rectilinear slot adjacent its end connected to said solenoid, and with a L-shape slot adjacent its opposite end; a pin engaged in said rectilinar slot and forming a pivot for said supporting plate; a projection on said supporting plate engaged in said L-shaped slot; said pin and said projection normally engaging those ends of their respective slots nearer to said solenoid and, upon movement of said sliding plate toward said solenoid responsive to energization of said solenoid, engaging the opposite ends of their respective slots whereby said projection is at the junction of the two legs of said L-shape slot so that said supporting plate and said holding plate may pivot about said pin for release of said roller from the recess in the cartridge.