Tape cassette loading and unloading apparatus having a lock mechanism for locking a tape cassette in a loading position

Claim 1

A tape cassette loading and unloading apparatus comprising: a frame; a holder provided within said frame for receiving and moving a tape cassette which is inserted into said holder; guide means provided on said frame for guiding said holder so that said holder moves horizontally between a cassette receiving position where the tape cassette is received and an insertion completion position and moves vertically between said insertion completion position and a predetermined loading position; a motor which rotates in a first direction during a tape cassette loading mode and rotates in a second direction during a tape cassette unloading mode, said second direction being opposite to said first direction; and transmitting means coupled to said motor for transmitting a rotational driving force of said motor to said holder so that said holder is moved to said predetermined loading position via said insertion completion position during the tape cassette loading mode and said holder is moved to said cassette receiving position via said insertion completion position during the tape cassette unloading mode, said transmitting means comprising a first rotary member rotatably supported on said frame and driven by said motor, a second rotary member rotatably supported on said frame and coupled to said first rotary member, and a third rotary member rotatably supported on said frame and coupled to said second rotary member and to said holder, said second rotary member transmitting the rotational driving force of said motor from said first rotary member to said third rotary member so that said third rotary member drives said holder, said first rotary member locking said second rotary member in a non-rotatable state when said holder reaches said predetermined loading position in the tape cassette loading mode, so that said holder is immovably locked in said predetermined loading position, said first rotary member comprising a first toothed wheel having a first engaging part and an untoothed part, said second rotary member comprising a second toothed wheel meshing with said first toothed wheel, a third toothed wheel, and a second engaging part, said third rotary member comprising a fourth toothed wheel meshing with said third toothed wheel, for transmitting the rotational driving force of said motor transmitted from said third toothed wheel to said holder, said fourth toothed wheel being coaxially provided with respect to said first toothed wheel, said untoothed part of said first wheel opposing said second toothed wheel immediately before said holder reaches said predetermined loading position, thereby stopping said second toothed wheel from rotating so that said first engaging part engages said second engaging part and locks said second rotary member in the non-rotatable state.