Cassette holding device for tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Claim 1

In a cassette-type recording and/or reproducing apparatus including a chassis, and cassette engaging members extending from said chassis and being engageable with a cassette for locating the latter in an operative position at which the apparatus can perform signal recording and reproducing operations on a magnetic tape wound on at least one reel rotatable in a housing of the cassette, and in which engagement and disengagement of said cassette engaging members with the cassette requires movement of the latter toward and away from said operative position with said cassette housing in substantially parallel orientation to the plane of said chassis: a cassette holding device comprising a cassette holder adapted to contain the cassette housing for movement of the latter with the holder relative to said chassis between said operative position and a cassette receiving and discharging position relatively remote from said chassis and at which a cassette in said holder is spaced from said cassette engaging members; and mounting assemblies at the opposite sides of said holder mounting the latter for said movement relative to said chassis, each of said mounting assemblies including relatively long first lever means pivotally connected, at one of its ends, to a first pivot point at the respective side of said holder and at the other of its ends to a second pivot point at said chassis, respectively, for swinging about said second pivot point in a plane perpendicular to said plane of the chassis, said first lever means extending substantially parallel to said plane of the chassis in said operative position of the holder and being inclined relative to said plane in said cassette receiving and discharging position so that said first lever means moves said holder relative to said chassis between said operative position and said cassette receiving and discharging position, and relatively short second lever means having three pivotal connections, at spaced apart locations therealong, connecting said second lever means to said chassis, said first lever means and said respective side of the holder, respectively, said second lever means being angularly displaced relative to said first lever means in response to said swinging of the first lever means, said pivotal connection of said second lever means to said respective side of the holder being spaced from said first pivot point so that said angular displacement of the second lever means causes said holder to pivot about said first point while said holder is moved by said first lever means as said first lever means swings relative to the chassis.