Head base shift mechanism in cassette tape recorder of automatic reverse tape

Abstract

Disclosed is a head base shift mechanism in an auto-reverse cassette tape recorder comprising a motor ( ); a chassis ( ) with a pair of capstans ( ), ( ′) rotatable in forward and reverse directions; a head base ( ) slidably mounted on the chassis and carrying at least a head ( ) substantially at a center of the head base; a pair of pinch rollers ( ), ( ′) for forward play and reverse play arranged in a substantially symmetric design at opposite sides of the head; spring means ( ) for biasing the head base toward a stand-by position remote from a tape running plane (T) defined by and between the capstans; a pair of engagement members ( ), ( ′) engageable with the head base at a point offset from a center line (X) of the chassis; and rotation transmission means ( ) for moving one of the engagement members, selected depending upon the direction of rotation of the motor, while in engagement with the head base at the offset point, thereby moving the head base from the stand-by position (FIG. ) toward the tape running plane. The head base at the stand-by position is shifted toward the tape running plane, against the biasing force of the spring means, in one of oppositely oblique directions due to engagement with a selected one of the engagement members, so that one of the pinch rollers is pressed against a corresponding one of the capstans, while the other pinch roller remains uncontact with the other capstan.