Single motor drive assembly for a tape cassette telephone answering

Abstract

In this drive assembly for a tape cassette telephone answering device, a single motor alternately drives only the outgoing announcement tape loop cassette or only the incoming message tape cassette, depending solely on the direction of rotation of the motor. This is accomplished by using one-way clutches to couple each flywheel to its associated tape drive capstan, and by utilizing a drive belt which engages the drive motor and extends in a figure eight configuration around the two flywheels. During the initial portion of the answering cycle the motor is rotated in one direction in which rotation of one flywheel is coupled by its clutch to the capstan associated with the outgoing announcement tape loop. Rotation of the other flywheel is not imparted to the capstan which drives the incoming message record tape cassette. At the mid-cycle shift, after completion of transmission of the outgoing announcement, the direction of rotation of the motor is reversed. This reverses the direction of both flywheels, thereby causing the capstan associated with the incoming message record tape to be driven and the other capstan to be stopped. A ratchet mechanism is provided in conjunction with the spindle drive transfer mechanism. This ensures that the takeup spindle of the incoming message tape cassette is not driven while the outgoing announcement tape capstan is being driven.