Cassette loading apparatus including means for controlling the cassette insertion force

Claim 1

A cassette loading apparatus comprising: a cassette holder for removably holding a cassette: side plates each having a plurality of L-shaped guide grooves for guiding said cassette holder so that said cassette is reciprocated between a first position where said cassette can be loaded and unloaded, and a second position where said cassette is subjected to recording and reproduction, said guide grooves each including a substantially horizontal section and a substantially vertical section; and a cassette holder drive means for driving said cassette holder so that said cassette holder is moved from said first position to said second position and vice versa, said cassette holder driving means further comprising: sliding means, said sliding means being reciprocated substantially rectilinearly when driven by a motor coupled thereto, said sliding means including a clutch mechanism comprising: a first sliding member movable in a substantially horizontal direction along a guide member provided in at least one of said side plates, said first sliding member being formed thereon with a projection; and a second sliding member having therein an elongated hole in which said projection formed on said first sliding member is engaged so as to be slidable therealong, said second sliding member being coupled with said first sliding member through the intermediary of a first resilient member so as to slide together with the first sliding member, said elongated hole having a length which is greater than the distance by which said projection moves corresponding to the distance by which said cassette holder moves at least along said substantially horizontal sections of said L-shaped guide grooves in said side plates; and a drive power transmission mechanism for converting said substantially rectilinear motion of said sliding means into rotational motion so as to transmit a moving force to said cassette holder.