Record inhibit defeat in a recording and reproducing apparatus

Abstract

In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, for example, for use with tape cassettes, and which is of the type that requires both a record push-button and a forward push-button to be in their active positions for establishing the recording mode of operation, whereas the reproducing or playback mode of operation is established when only the forward push-button is in its active position; there are provided a first interlocking mechanism operative to prevent actuation of the record push-button to its active position after the forward push-button has been actuated to its active position so as to normally inhibit change-over of the apparatus directly from its reproducing mode of operation to its recording mode of operation, and a second interlocking mechanism operative in response to establishing of the recording mode of operation to disable the first interlocking mechanism and thereafter permit actuation of the record push-button to its active position with the forward push-button already in its active position until such time as the second interlocking mechanism is itself disabled in response to restoration of the apparatus to its stop mode, as by actuation of a stop push-button. Further, a latching mechanism for the mode selecting push-buttons is effective to retain the forward push-button in its active position upon changeover of the apparatus from its recording mode of operation to its rewind or fast-forward mode of operation so that, upon termination of a rewind or fast-forward operation of the apparatus, the recording mode of operation can be re-established simply by actuation of the record push-button.