The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 11, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 11, 1999
Koichiro Hirabayashi, Hirakata, JP;
Akio Konishi, Sanda, JP;
Yoshiyuki Saito, Katano, JP;
Hideaki Kawane, Takatsuki, JP;
Matshushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd, Kadoma, JP;
Abstract
The magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus of the present invention records/reproduces information on/from a magnetic tape by drawing out the magnetic tape from a tape cassette and allowing the magnetic tape to pass around a rotary head cylinder, having a rotary head, for a predetermined arc. The tape cassette is drawn by moving tape guide members located at an opening of the tape cassette. The recording/reproduction apparatus includes: a first chassis on which the tape cassette is placed; and a second chassis having thereon the rotary head cylinder. The magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus includes: a first state in which the tape cassette is placed on the first chassis by a user; and a second state in which a tape running path enabling recording/reproduction of the magnetic tape is established. The second chassis includes: a capstan shaft mounted thereon for driving the magnetic tape; a pinch roller for pressing the magnetic tape against the capstan shaft; and a pinch arm supporting the pinch roller to be rotatable, the pinch arm being swingably mounter on the second chassis. Due in part to the above, when the magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus shifts from the first state to the second state, the first chassis moves towards the rotary head cylinder, and during the movement of the first chassis towards the rotary head cylinder, the first chassis drives the pinch arm so that the pinch roller moves from the opening of the tape cassette to a vicinity near the capstan shaft.