Mode changing apparatus for a tape recorder

Abstract

A mode changing apparatus for a tape recorder comprises a rotatable changing gear having a toothed periphery with a toothless gap therein, a magnet rotatably coupled with the changing gear for rotation therewith, a driving gear rotatably mounted for engagement with the toothed periphery of the changing gear, a yoke assembly including a portion cooperating with the magnet for providing a stabilizing effect by which the changing gear is held in an initial position with the toothless gap facing the driving gear, a solenoid coil wound on another portion of the yoke assembly and being operative, when energized, to generate a magnetic force by which the magnet and changing gear are angularly displaced from the initial position for engagement of the toothed periphery by the driving gear to cause turning of the changing gear, an operating member, such as a head base plate of the tape recorder, movable from an inactive position to an active position for establishing a respective mode of the tape recorder and being yieldably urged to return to its inactive position, an actuating assembly, desirably in the form of a cam rotatable with the changing gear and an actuating lever engageable with the cam and with the head base plate or other operating member, and being responsive to turning of the changing gear by the driving gear for moving the operating member to its active position, and an armature assembly moved from a free position spaced from the yoke assembly to a holding position against a portion of the latter in response to movement of the operating member to its active position, the yoke assembly and solenoid coil being operative, when the coil is energized, to magnetically hold the armature assembly in its holding position for preventing return of the operating member to its inactive position.