Streaming cassette tape transport

Claim 1

A cassette tape transport for a standard cassette comprising A. a base; B. a generally vertical front plate, said plate (1) defining a cassette-receiving slot, and (2) being attached to the base so that it makes an acute angle with the base; C. a magnetic read/write head assembly fixedly mounted to the base at a location thereon spaced generally opposite the slot; D. cassette holding means (1) pivotally connected to the base so that the holding means can swing between (a) a loading position wherein they lie away from the base in a plane aligned generally with said slot and said head assembly and, along with the opposing surfaces of the front plate and base, define a right triangle, and (b) an operating position wherein the holding means lie against the base in line with said head assembly, and (2) including (a) a holder swingably connected to the base so as to be swingable between said positions; (b) a cassette-receiving slider slidably mounted to the holder, said slider being movable by pushing a cassette through the slot when the holder is in its said loading position between (i) an extended position wherein it resides adjacent to and registers with said slot, and (ii) a retracted position wherein it is disposed away from said slot nearer said head assembly so as to position the leading edge of the cassette against the head assembly; (c) means for biasing the slider toward its extended position; (d) means for releasably retaining the slider in its retracted position; and (e) means for releasing the retaining means so that the slider slides to its extended position when the holder is moved to said loading position; and E. means for releasably retaining the holding means in its two positions, said transport defining a spatial volume that is about 31/2 by 6 by 8 inches.