Cassette loading device in a cassette tape recorder

Claim 1

In a cassette tape recorder having a loading space for accommodating a cassette loaded thereinto, an opening through which the cassette is inserted and taken out, and a capstan adapted to enter relatively into a capstan receiving opening in the cassette and to drive a tape within the cassette, said cassette loading device comprising: a cassette holder for receiving and holding the cassette inserted thereinto; a cassette holder supporting member rotatably supporting said cassette holder by means of a first pivot shaft; a second pivot shaft for rotatably supporting said cassette holder supporting member between the loading space and an outside of the cassette tape recorder through the opening, said second pivot shaft being disposed at a fixed position in the vicinity of the capstan such that the distance between the second pivot shaft and said capstan is less than the distance between said capstan and the rear end of the cassette inserted into said cassette holder; first spring means for urging said cassette holder supporting member to rotate about said second pivot shaft toward the outside of the cassette tape recorder; second spring means for urging said cassette holder to rotate about said first pivot shaft toward a direction which is reverse to the direction of the torque of said first spring means; pushing means for pushing said cassette holder supporting member so as to rotate about said second pivot shaft toward the loading space against said first spring means; means, operating in response to the rotation of said cassette holder together with said cassette holder supporting member about said second pivot shaft by said pushing means, for rotating said cassette holder about said first pivot shaft in the direction opposite to the urging direction of said second spring means; and locking means responsive to the accommodation of said cassette holder into the loading space for locking said cassette holder supporting member.