Cassette deck with combination tape pull-out & tensioning levers

Abstract

To provide for controlled tape tension during pull-out of tape (11) from a cassette into a preliminary pulled-out position, placement of the tape in a transducing path (11a) and subsequent operation of the tape in the transducing path, two tape loading elements (21,22) are movably located on a support (65a) to engage behind the tape (11) in the cassette (12) and move the tape out of the cassette and towards the transducing path. The tape loading elements, for example in form of hooked levers (FIG. 3), are driven by a motor, to move the tape loading elements from a rest position into a position where the tape is out of the cassette and, later, placed in said transducing path. The same tape loading elements are resiliently deflectable with respect to a surrounding sleeve (64) which is axially driven by the motor (60), relative deflection of the sleeve (64) and of the respective tape loading element (21,22) being sensed by an angle sensor (90,91,91a) to provide a relative deflection output signal which, in turn, is connected to the drive motors for the tape reels to control, respectively, tape tension, torque and direction of rotation of the tape drive motors, forming dynamo electric elements, for constant tape tension during either tape pull-out, tape loading, or tape operation conditions.