Mode changing apparatus

Abstract

A feather-touch mode changer having low power requirements and being capable of selectively providing a plurality of modes of operation of a tape recording/reproducing apparatus, has two changing mechanisms which are each of the type that includes a rotatable changing gear with a toothless gap, a selectively actuable trigger for causing initial angular displacement of the changing gear from an inactive position in which the toothless gap faces a drive gear to an actuating position in which the changing gear engages the drive gear, and an actuating lever that moves in a response to the rotation of the changing gear by the drive gear. The two changing mechanisms are selectively actuable, and a single drive gear is positioned for engagement with both changing gears. Each of the two changing mechanisms has associated with it a selectively energizable electromagnetic device and a locking lever that moves into a locking position in response to movement of the respective actuating lever. Each electromagnetic device is energized upon actuation of the respective trigger means to magnetically hold the respective locking lever in its locking position. The mode changing apparatus also includes mode establishing mechanisms comprising a plurality of cooperating gears and levers that are engaged by the actuating and locking levers upon selective operation of the changing mechanisms to establish FWD, FF, REW, PAUSE and ADS (Automatic Detection of Silence) modes of operation of the tape recording/reproducing apparatus.