Tape cassette apparatus with plural intermediate positions

Abstract

A cassette tape recording apparatus of the type in which the pressure roller and the recording and reproducing head are mounted on a support movable between a retracted position and an operative position which provides a stable intermediate position into which the movable support automatically moves upon insertion of a cassette into the machine. Once the movable support is in the stable intermediate position, it may be selectively moved into and from the operative position and into the retracted position. A stop responsive to the insertion of a cassette restrains the movable support in the retracted position prior to the insertion of a cassette. When a cassette is inserted into the machine, the stop is released and a spring moves the movable support toward the operative position. A latching lever arrests and maintains the movable support in a stable intermediate position. An operator-actuated slide is porvided which acts upon the latching lever and/or the movable support to move the movable support into and from the operative position and into the retracted portion. A separate mechanism is provided to temporarily move the movable support into an unstable intermediate position to facilitate rewinding the tape during the operation of the machine.