Magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus with eject spring set by tape drive motor

Claim 1

In a magnetic tape cassette recording and reproducing apparatus having a tape driving motor, reel drive bases, and at least one magnetic head movably responsive to movement of a movable head shifting member, the improvement comprising: a rotatable member driven by said motor; a sliding frame adapted to insertingly accept and slide in response to insertion of a tape cassette thereinto; only a single rack member interlocking with said slidable frame so as to be slidable; an operating means for causing said rack member to be slidingly driven by rotation of said rotatable member, so as to guide said tape pack to a recording and reproducing position in said apparatus, said operating means including a gear member for engaging said rotatable member to transmit the rotational drive therefrom to said rack member and a release means for releasing the engagement between said gear member and said rotatable member; an eject plate interlocking with said sliding frame, said head shifting member engaging with said eject plate to shift said magnetic head; an operational member for applying an ejecting force to said eject plate; an eject spring coupled between said rack member and said operational member so as to store said ejecting force due to the sliding of said rack member, said operational member being adapted to be slidable with said rack member so as to apply the ejecting force stored in said spring to said eject plate, said stored spring energy supplying the sole motive force to said eject plate; lock means for locking said operational member in a given position corresponding to said recording and reproducing position; and release means for releasing said operation member from said locked condition produced by said lock means.