Tape end warning apparatus

Claim 1

A tape end warning apparatus for use in a tape recorder of the type which includes an audio amplifier, a loudspeaker, a first switch for connecting an output of said amplifier to said loudspeaker when said tape recorder is in a playback mode and for disconnecting said output of said amplifier to said loudspeaker when said tape recorder is in a record mode, a tape cassette receiving chamber, a drive shaft extending into said receiving chamber and adapted to engage a drive shaft recess in a tape cassette when a tape cassette is placed within said receiving chamber and drive means for driving said drive shaft, said tape end warning apparatus comprising: a power supply; an oscillator for generating an electrical alarm signal when said power supply is applied thereto, the output of said oscillator being coupled to an input of said amplifier; a switching transistor connected to said output of said oscillator and to said speaker in such a manner that said transistor applied said electric alarm signal generated by said amplifier to said speaker when said power source is applied to the base of said transistor; a normally open switch adapted to apply said power source to both said oscillator and said base of said transistor when said normally open switch is closed; and an end of tape detecting means for closing said normally open switch when an end of tape condition is detected, said end of tape detector means including: (1) a lever which is pivotable about a predetermined axis, said lever rotatably supporting said drive shaft at a point spaced from said axis, said lever adapted to pivot when the tension of a tape carried by a cassette placed in said receiving chamber increases due to an end of tape condition; (2) said lever adapted to close said normally open switch when said lever is rotated due to said end of tape condition whereby said power source is applied to the base of said transistor and to said oscillator and an audible alarm signal is generated by said speaker.