Magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Abstract

An automatic tape loading and unloading device for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a cylindrical tape guide drum having at least one rotary magnetic head which moves in a circular path substantially coinciding with the circumferential surface of the drum. The tape used in the apparatus is stored on supply and take-up reels having the tape wound thereon in a tape holder such as a cassette or cartridge and in use the holder positions the tape supply at a relatively lower level with respect to the tape guide drum. The device further includes a first tape engaging member, for example, tape guide pins, carried by levers which are rotatable about a fixed pivot to draw the tape from the tape supply reel in a diagonally upward direction to the tape guide drum where it is helically wrapped about at least a portion of the circumferential surface of the drum and a second tape engaging member to draw the tape from the tape supply reel in a horizontal direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first tape engaging member.