Magnetic head assembly for tape recorders having reversible tape motion

Claim 1

Tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus having tape reversing means by which the direction of movement of the tape is automatically reversible, comprising: a magnetic head assembly movable between a tape non-contact position and a tape contact position, the assembly including an outer member and an inner member carrying a magnetic head and mounted in the outer member for movement therewith, the inner member being rotatable in the outer member from a first angular position to a second angular position in response to the operation of the tape reversing means, there being a clearance between the outer and inner members in radial and axial directions for smooth rotation of the inner member when the assembly is not in the tape contact position, said inner member having a pair of inclined surfaces located in positions corresponding to said first and second angular positions, respectively; and means separate and spaced from said inner member when said head assembly is in the tape non-contact position and arranged to come into contact with one of said inclined surfaces when said assembly is moved to the tape contact position for simultaneously biasing the inner member radially and axially against the inner walls of the outer member to thereby firmly hold the inner member in each one of said first and second angular positions.