Cassette loading assembly especially for use in video cassette tape recorders

Claim 1

A cassette loading apparatus for a front-loading tape recorder comprising: a housing having side walls and a front portion, an opening being provided in said front portion for horizontally inserting a cassette; a cassette carrier for operatively receiving said cassette, said cassette carrier being movably mounted relative to said housing between an insert position to an operative position and between an operative position to an eject position; at least one fixed guide being mounted on said side wall; horizontal and vertical guide grooves being disposed in said fixed guide; a guide boss being operatively attached to said cassette carrier for slidable engagement with said horizontal guide groove; a movable guide being slidable mounted within said vertical guide groove; a horizontal guide groove being disposed within said movable guide; drive means for providing a drive force for moving said cassette carrier between said insert position to said operative position and from said operative position to said eject position; control means for sequentially operating said drive means for automatically moving said cassette carrier to said operative position after a cassette is inserted therein and for automatically moving said cassette carrier to said eject position upon actuation of an eject signal; upon insertion of a cassette within said cassette carrier, said cassette carrier being confined to be sequentially in horizontal sliding contact with said guide boss being disposed in said horizontal guide in said fixed guide, in horizontal sliding contact with said guide boss being disposed in said horizontal guide groove in said movable guide and in vertical sliding contact with said movable guide being disposed within said vertical guide groove.