CA1051117A - Cover and/or holding apparatus for a cassette-type recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

COVER AND/OR HOLDING APPARATUS FOR A CASSETTE-TYPE

RECORDER

Abstract of The Disclosure Cover and/or holding apparatus for covering a recess, such as a cassette chamber, disposed in a housing, the housing having outer walls whereby the recess is accessible through an opening in an outer wall. A member is rotatably supported in the housing for covering and/or introducing a magnetic tape cassette, into the recess. A pair of arms is fixed to the member, the arms being disposed in parallel planes that are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the member, the arms extending rearwardly therefrom and being insertable to the recess. A fulcrum is provided on each of the member, the arms extending rearwardly therefrom and being insertable to the recess. A fulcrum is provided on each of the arms, each fulcrum being in physical contact with the interior surface of the outer wall to thereby define pivot points for the member with respect to such outer wall. Each of the arms further includes a portion for receiving a bias force exerted thereon by a resilient member disposed within the recess, whereby each arm is subjected to a moment about an axis of rotation. Each arm further has an arcuate surface portion which rides along a guide member disposed within the recess as such arm rotates about the axis of rotation whereby the guide members are positioned to maintain the fulcrums in contact with the interior surface of the outer wall at all times.

Description

-~iD51~L7 Back~round of the Invention Th~s invent~on relates to cover and~or holding appa-ratus for covering a recess and, in particular, to such apparatus or use with a cassette-type recorder wherein a magnetic tape cassette is received and operably positioned with respect to such recorder. In one embodiment thereof, the cassette holder serves to receive a tape cassette and to cover a cassette cham-ber disposed within the recorder housing.
Cassette-type recorder apparatus is ~nown wherein a cassette chamber disposed within the recorder housing receives a magnetic tape cassette introduced thereto by a cassette hold-er. Such cassette holder is adapted to be exposed externally of such housing so that an operator can conveniently insert a magnetic tape cassette thereinto. In some prior art recorders, the cassette holder simultaneously serves to receive and hold a magnetic tape cassette to be operated upon by the recorder apparatus and to cover the cassette chamber when the magnetic tape cassette is properly positioned therein. In other recorder apparatus a separate cover is provided, independent of the cassette holder.
An attendant disadvantage of many of such prior art cassette-t~pe recorder apparatus is that the cassette holder is of relatively complicated construction resulting in a higher cost of manufacture and requiring careful maintenance. In addi-tion, such cassette holder and/or cover is difficult to assemble to or disassemble from the housing of the recorder apparatus.
Objects of the Invention Thereforel it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cover and/or holder apparatus for use in a cassette type recorder~
It is another object of this invention to provide a -`

cassette holder for a cassette-t~pe recorder which is of ~' ~, .

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relatively simple construction and can be easîly assembled to or dîsassembled for the recorder hous~ng.
It is another object of the present invention to pro~ide an improved cassette holder which enables an operator to easily insert and withdraw magnetic tape cassettes.
A still further object of this invention is to pro- ;
vide an improved cassette holder which additionally serves as a cover for a cassette chamber of a cassette-type recorder.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide ., .;, .
a cassette holder and/or cover for a cassette-type recorder which is constructed of a minimum number of parts, thereby facilitating maintenance thereof when necessary.
An additional object of the present invention is to ;~
provide an improved cover admitting of simple construction and which can be easily manufactured.
Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the forthcoming description and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, cassette holder apparatus is provided for receiving and operably posi-tioning a magnetic tape cassette in a recorder/playback device, the recorder/playback device having a housing formed of outer walls and a cassette chamber accessible through an opening in an outer wall and in which said cassette is positioned; said ;~
cassette holder apparatus comprising:
a cassette holding member for receiving a magnetic ta~e cassette, said cassette holding member being rotatably ~`
supported in said housing for introducing said magneti~ tape cassette into said cassette chamber and for removing said magnetic tape cassette therefrom;

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a pair of arms f;xed to said eassette holding mem~
ber, said arms ~eing disposed at opposite s~de portlons of said cassette holding member and extending rearwardly therefrom, said arms being inserted into said cassette chamber;
a fulcrum co~prised of a protu~erance projecting from each arm, the surface of said protuberance being in physical contaet with the interior surface of said outer wall to thereby define an axis of rotation for said arm in said protuberanee;
resilient means disposed within said cassette cham-ber for exerting a bias force;
each of said arms including a portion for contacting said resilient means and for receiving said bias force, where-by each of said arms is subjected to a moment about said axis of rotation;
eaeh of said arms having an arcuate surface portion;
and guide means disposed within said cassette chamber contaeting said arcuate surface portion of each of said arms, whereby said areuate surfaee p~rtions ride along said guide means as said arms rotate about said axis of rotation, said guide means being positioned to maintain said prot~berances in eontaet with said interior surfaee of said outer wall while said bias foree is exerted on said arms.
Brief Description of the Drawings The ensuing detailed deseription of a preferred embodiment will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded per~pectiye vie~ of one embodiment of the cover and/or holding apparatus of the present ~ i invention;
~GURE 2 ~s a side view in partial cross section ~4 ~s~
depicting the embod~ment ~hown in F~GURE 1 ~hen the co~er and/or holding apparatus ~s closed and~or loaded;
FIGURE 3 iS a side view in partial cross-section depicting the em~odiment o~ FIGURE 1 when the cover and/or , ...
holding apparatus is opened and/or unloaded; and FIGURE 4 depicts a vector diagram which is helpful in explaining the operation of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.
Detailed Description of a Certain Preferred Embodlment Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout, there is illustrated a cover apparatus which is readily adapted for use in a cassette-type recorder, the cover apparatus finding application as both a cover for a recess, such as a cassette chamber, disposed in ' the recorder housing and, additionally, as a cassette holder to receive and properly position a magnetic tape cassette with respect to such recorder. It is, of course, apparent that the ' present învention need not be limited solely to those appli- ~ , cations in connection with cassette-type recording/playback apparatus. However, in the interest of brevity and to facil-itate a ready understanding thereof, the present invention will ~
be described in the environment of such cassette-type apparatus. ' ' As depicted in the drawings, such recorder/playback apparatus includes a housing 1 formed of outer walls and wherein one of such outer walls is provided,with an opening or window ~' 4 to permit access to a recess 3 in such housing, the recess preferab'ly comprising a cassette chamber. Within such cassette chamber are drive shafts 6a and 6b which project upwa~d -through a chassis surface 5 to thereby enga~e With the hubs of tape suppl~ and ta~e-up reels o~ a conyentional magnetic tape~ cassette ~not shown~. As is recogn~zed~ such drive shafts 6a and 6b function to dri~e the tape between s~ch supply and take~up reels within the cassette. To permit operation of the recorder/playback device, various operat~ng buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are provided. Typical operations controlled ~y the actuation of such buttons result in recording, playback, re-winding and fast ~orward drive of the tape. Additionally, one of such buttons, such as button 7a, functions as an eject con~rol to enable a magnetic tape cassette positioned within the cassette chamber to be removed therefrom.
Reference numeral 2 identifies a cassette holder which serves to receive and properly position a magnetic tape cassette and, additionally, serves --as a lid or cover for the cassette chamber 3. Such holder and/or cover includes a plate member 2a which acts as a cassette holder support and, also, as the lid for closing the cassette chamber. The plate member 2a is conveniently provided with a viewing window F
at its center portion through which an operator can observe the cassette held therebeneath so as to be apprised of various operating characteristics.
The cassette holding apparatus further includes a pair of clamp arms 2b, 2b which are spaced apart and which depend from the plate member 2a. Such clamp arms are L-shàped and serve as a passageway through which a magnetic tape cas-sette is inserted. The bent portions of such L-shaped clamp arms also serve to support the tape cassette in proper align-ment. Such aliynment permits an operator to observe the tape cassette through the window F and, additionally, to enable the drive shafts 6a and 6b to engage the hubs of the tape supply and take-up reels. Also, the proper alignment of the -`
tape cassette by the clamp arms enables the capstan to be inserted into the cassette and permits various recording, playback, and erase heads to be operably positioned ~ith res~
pect to the tape.

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As illustrated, a pair of spaced apart arms 8 are coupled to the plate member 2a, In one embodiment, the arms are formed integrally with the plate mem~er and are disposed in parallel planes that are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate member. Those arms are shown as depending from the plate member, and additionally, extend rearwardly beyond the boundary defined by the plate member 2a. As shown, the arms 8 may be pro~ided at the opposite side edges of the plate member 2a and are adjacent the rear edge of such plate member. The arms are adapted to be i,n-serted into the cassette chamber during assembly of the -holder/cover. Each arm is provided with a fulcrum portion 8a, each fulcrum portion being in physical contact with the ~ -interior surface of the outer wall 1 of the recorder housing.
The fulcrum portions are formed as protuberances projecting from each arm, the surface of each protuberance being arcuate, such as semicircular, whereby an axis of rotation O for the arm is provided in each protuberance.~ Each arm 8 additionally is provided with a poOEtion 8b for a purpose soon to be de~
scribed. As shown, such portion 8b comprises a horizontal projection terminating as a rounded ear`. Each arm further includes an arcuate surface portion 8c having a radius of curvature R about the axis of rotation O.
As depicted in greater detail in FIGURES 2 and 3, the interior surface of the outer wall of the recorder housing 1, proximate the edge 4a'of the window 4, is provided with portions 9. These portions are in physical contact with the fulcrum protuberances 8e of each arm when such arms are in-serted into the cassette chamber and the cassette holder/cover is opera~ly positioned therein. In addition, a leaf spring 10 is affixed to the housin~, as by a suitable securing member, such as a screw, the leaf spring being adapted to be contacted - - . . ~, :... . .

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b~ t~e portion 8b of the arms 8, It is appreciated that such leaf spring is adapted to exert a spring bias force on the arm contact portions 8b when such arm is propexly pos~tioned with respect to the cassette chamber and is placed in contact with such leaf spring. The leaf spring may comprise a single spring member extending across the length of the cassette chamber or, alternatively, the leaf spring may be formed of a pair of spring members juxtaposed with respect to the pair of arms 8. Further description of such leaf spring and its function is set forth below.
A pair of guide members 11, such as a pair of bosses, are provided within the cassette chamber and are adapted to contact the arcuate surface portions 8c of the arm`s 8. Such guide members are fixed to the outer wall of the recorder housing 1 and project into the cassette chamber. It is appre-ciated that such guide members may be integrally formed with the housing wall and, as illustrated, project perpendicular to the side edges 4b of the housing window 4. Such guide members are positioned in the vacinity of the window edge 4a for a purpose soon to be described. The arcuate surface portions 8c of the arms ~ are adapted to ride along the respective guide members as the arms rotate about the axis of rotation O, as when the cassette holder/cover is closed and opened (loaded and unloaded).
Preferably, the window 4 ~isposed in the recorder ~;
housing 1 is of a substantially rectangular shape to accommodate magnetic tape cassettes and to minimize the space required therefore. The plate member 2a forming the cover of the cassette holder 2 is seen to fit ~ithin the ~indow 4 so as to cover the cassette chamber, thus acting as a lid when a magnetic tape cassette îs received by the cassette holder 2 and is operably positioned withrn the recorder/playback dev~ce.

A pair of depending legs 2c are connected to the plate member 2a. In one embod~ment, the depending legs 2c are formed integrally with the plate member. As illustrated, the depenaing legs are spaced apart, preferably at the oppo-site side edges of the plate member, and each includes a pro-jecting lip portion 2a along the length thereof. Such pro-jecting lip portions function as stop members and are disposed at the remote, free end of the legs 2c~ As is appreciated, each leg, taken in combination with the stop member is substan-tially L-shaped. The legs 2c are relatively resilient and may be formed of resilient material or, alternatively, the coupling between such legs and the plate member 2a itself may be resilient. Consequently, the legs 2c are adapted to be urged toward each other in response to a force exerted thereon. The slde faces 2e'-of the respective lip portions 2e are oblique so as to form an acute angle with the side edges 2d of the plate member 2a. As will soon become appar -ent, such oblique side faces 2e' are adapted to contact the ;
window edges 4b when the holder/cover 2 is assembled to the recorder housing 1. A force exerted on such oblique side faces by the window edges 4b as the holder/cover 2 is ini- ~ ;
tially forced into the cassette chamber causes the depending legs 2c to be driven toward each other. However, during quiescent conditions, i.e., when no force is exerted on the depending legs, the distance between the lip portions 2e is greater than the window edge 4a which separates the side edges 4b. In this manner, once the holder/cover 2 is prop~
erly positioned in the cassette chamber 3, the lip portions 2e will abut the interior surface of the outer ~all of the recorder housing 1 to th~ls function as stop member~ ~here~
~y the plate member 2a can ~e opened no grea~er than a pre-determined amount.
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As will soon be described, the ~iasing force exerted by t~e leaf sprlng member 10 on t~e portions 8b of the arms 8 tends to rotate the arms, and t~us t~e holder~
cover 2 about the axis of rotation O. To maintain the holder/cov~r 2 in its closed position with respect to the cassette chamber 3, a locking mechanism is provided. In one embodiment of such locking mechanism, a hook member 12, such as an engaging hook, extends downward from the plate member 2a so as to extend into the cassette chamber when the plate member is rotated to cover such chamber. A cooperating lock engaging member 13, such as a lock claw is provided within the cassette chamber to engage the hook member 12 for maintaini~g the holder/cover in a closed (loaded) position, thus overcoming the bias force exerted by the leaf spring member 10.
As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the lock engaging member 13 is adapted to be selectively operated in accordance with the actuation of an eject button 7a. In particular, the eject button is mechanically coupled to an arm 15 which extends through the recorder housing in the direction of the arrow a.
The arm 15 is provided with longitudinal slots through which fixed members or pins 17 extend. These members serve to guide the arm 15 in its ~idirectional movement. A lever 16 is rotatably supported at the free end of the arm. As illustrated, the arm 15 may be relatively L-shaped and the lever 16 may be rotatably supported at the bent portion of the arm. An engaging lever 20 terminates in the lock engaging member 13 and is rotatably supported at its center by a fixed pin 18.
The engaging lever 20 is pivotally coupled to the le~er 16 so as to be rotated in the c~oc~se or cou~terclock~ise direction about the fixed pin 18 as the lever 16 ~s movedr ;
under the action of the arm 15, in a direction opposîte ~, ~10~ , 1~)S~L7 to that depicted ~y the arrow a or in the d~rect~on of the arrow a, respecti~ely. Additionally, a spr~ng l~ extends ~etween a fixed reference and the end of the engaging lever 20 which îs remote from the lock engaging me~er 13 to there~
by normally bias the engaging lever in the clockwise direct~on~ ;
As is illustrated, both the hook member 12 and the lock engaging member 13 are provided with camed surfaces so that when the holder/cover 2 is closed, these camed surfaces ride over each other to thereby rotate the engaging lever 20 in 1~ its counterclockwise direction, overcoming the spring bias force exerted thereon by the spring 14. Once these camed surfaces are no longer in contact, it is appreciated that the engaging lever 20 is permitted to rotate in the clockwise direction, under the in~luence of the spring bias force ex-erted thereon by the spring l~, to now engage the hook member 12 so as to maintain the holder/cover 2 in its closed (loaded) position whereby the tape cassette (not shown) loaded therein is operably positioned with respect to the recorder processing elements. It is further appreciated that the engagement of the lock engaging member 13 with the hook member 12 sufficiently overcomes the spring bias exerted on the arm portions ~b by the leaf spring member 20.
Now, when the holder/cover 2 is to be rctated to an open position so that a magnetic tape cassette can be received by the holder apparatus, or so that the cassette chamber can be exposed, the eject button 7a is operated. This serves to move the arm 15 in the direction of the arrow a, whereby the lever 16 rotates the engaging lever 20 in the counterclockwise direction about the fixed pin 18. Conse~uently, the Iock engaging member 13 releases ~he hook member 12 to effectively unlock the holder~cover 2 from its previous position.
When unlocked, the bias force exerted on the portions 8b of the ~11~-~S~ 7 arms 8 by the leaf spring member 10 drives the arms 8~ together with the holder/cover 2 to rotate a~out the ax~s of rotation O, as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.
When the holder/cover 2 is assembled to the recorder housing 1, the arms 8 are inserted into the cassette chamber 3 and are directed to the rear portion of such chamber. The holder/cover is inserted into the chamber at and angle inclined to the plane of the window 4 to facilitate the entry of the arms 8 into the cassette chamber and beneath the portions 9 of the interior surface of the outer wall of the housing 1.
As the holder/cover 2 is thus inserted, the oblique faces 2e' on the lip portions 2e of the legs 2c are positioned into contact with the side edges 4b of the window 4. The oblique faces 2e' are tapered so-that, as the holder/cover is con-tinued to be inserted into the cassette chamber, the side edges 4b drive the depending legs 2c toward each other. This distortion of the legs continues until the lip portions 2e pass beneath the side edges 4b of the window 4. When this condition obtains, the resiliency of the legs 2c drive such legs in an outward directlon to now position the lip portions beneath the interior surface of the outer wall of the re- ;
corder housing 1 adjacent the side edges 4b. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, when the holder/cover is positioned within the cassette chamber, the protuberances 8a forming the ful- ~
crums on the arms 8 are placed in contact with the portions -9 of the interior surface of the outer ~all of the housing 1. At the same time, the portions 8b of the arms 8 are driven into contact ~ith the leaf spring member 10 whereby the~
aforenoted spring ~ias force i~ exerted thereagainst~ It is, of course, appreciated that the lip portions 2e of the depending legs 2c now abut the interlor surface of the housing 1 to maintain the holder/cover 2 in the position depicted in FIGURE

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3 This illustrated position corresponds to the open or un- ' loaded posit~on ~hereby the cassette cham~er 3 ~s now exposed and the cassette holder apparatus is adapte~ to receive a magnetic tape cassette.
Now, if the holder/cover 2 is urged downward, that '' is, in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3, thereby cover the cassette chamber so as to position a tape cassette loaded into the holder apparatus, for example, the arcuate surface portions 8~ of the arms 8 contact the ~uide members 11 and ride along such ~uide members as the holder/cover is closed.' Consequently, the guide members are effective to maintain the fulcrum portions 8a in contact with the portions 9 on the interior surface of the housing l and to maintain the axis of rotation O at its illustrated position to permit the stable rotation of the holder/cover 2. ~In addition, the cooperation between the guide members ll, the fulcrums 8a and the'arm portions- 8b is such that the holderfcover '~
can be rotated until the lower surface of the plate member 2a abuts the guide members ll. When this position is attained, the window 4 of the housing 1 is covered by the plate member as illustrated in FIGURE 2. When the holder/cover is thus -~
closed, a magnetic tape cassette positioned in the holder apparatus 2b, 2b is operably loaded such that the drive shafts 6a and 6b of the recorder enga~e the hubs of the supply and ' take-up reels of the cassette. Also, the lock engaging member 13 engages the hook member 12 so as to maintain the holder/
cover 2 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, whereby the ~
various recording, playback, fast for~ard and re~ind operations, ~`
normally performed by the recorder apparatus, can be effected.
As ~s fully appreciated, if the cassette loaded in the holder/cover 2 is to be removed and, for example, replaced ~ith a different cassette, the eject button 7a is operated. ~s 3L~51~
descx~bed above, the opexation o.this eject button serves to release the ~oo~ member 12 so that the biasing force f exerted on the arm portions Bb by the leaf spring mem~er 10 rotates the holaer/cover in the clockwise direction a~out the axis of rota-tion O. In this manner, the front portion of the holder/cover is raised above the housing 1, as shown in FIGURE 3, to enable an operator to remove and~or insert a magnetic tape cassette thereinto.
It is apparent, from the configurations shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, that the biasing force f exerted upon the arm portions 8b by the lea spring member 10 provi~es a moment about the axis of rotation O. Consequently, this biasing force f can be divided into horizontal and vertical components fl and ~2' respectively, as depicted in FIGURE 4. The horizontal :
component fl tends to translate the arm 8 and, consequently, the holder/cover 2 so that the fulcrum portion 8a is displaced from the portion 9 on the housing 1. However, the arcuate sur~
face portion 8c is restrained by the guide member 11 and, more- : .
over, rides along such guide member, as noted above. Hence, the :`~
horizontal component of the biasin~ force fl acts to rotate the holder/cover 2 as aforedescribed. Of course, ~he lip portions 2a provided on the legs 2c function as stop elements when the ~
holder/cover is rotated to the position whereby such lip portions ~i abut the interior surface of the housing 1. When this position is reached, as shown in FIGURE 3, the passageway ~f of the holder : ..
apparatus is exposed externally of the housing window 4 - where~
by a magnetic tape cassette can be removed from or inserted into the holder apparatus via the passageway 2f.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it is readily apparent that various changes and modifications in form .
and details can be made. For example, the present invention need n~t ~e l~mited ~olel~ to those applicat~ons ~hexein a ma~etic tape cassette is ~sed. It ~s apparent that the plate member 2a can readily serve as a cover for an~ convenient recess dis~
posed in a general housing, not necessarily a recorder~type housing. Similarly, although the illustrated embodiment con~
veniently acts as a combination cover and cassette holder, it should be appreciated that the principles disclosed herein can be used merely for a cassette-type holder in the absence of a cover. In that event, the plate member 2a may serve merely as a support structure or frame for the illustrated cassette holding apparatus,or, alternatively, may be omitted. The clamp arms 2b may be provided with alternative frame structure which is adapted to be provided with the arms 8 and the de-pending legs 2c, as described above. It should therefore be understood that the term "holder/cover" as used hereinabove, is intended to refer to merely a cover for a recess disposed in a housing, for cassette holding apparatus to be used to receive and operably position a magnetic tape cassette and for a combination of cassette holding apparatus and a cover or lid which can be used to cover a cassette chamber in a cassette- -type recorder. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include the foregoing and various other changes and modifications.

Claims (8)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Cassette holder apparatus for receiving and operably positioning a magnetic tape cassette in a recorder/playback device, the recorder/playback device having a housing formed of outer walls and a cassette chamber accessible through an opening in an outer wall and in which said cassette is positioned; said cassette holder apparatus comprising:
a cassette holding member for receiving a magnetic tape cassette, said cassette holding member being rotatably supported in said housing for introducing said magnetic tape cassette into said cassette chamber and for removing said magnetic tape cassette therefrom;
a pair of arms fixed to said cassette holding member, said arms being disposed at opposite side portions of said cassette holding member and extending rearwardly therefrom, said arms being insertable into said cassette chamber;
a fulcrum comprised of a protuberance projecting from each arm, the surface of said protuberance being in physical con-tact with the interior surface of said outer wall to thereby define an axis of rotation for said arm in said protuberance;
resilient means disposed within said cassette chamber for exerting a bias force;
each of said arms including a portion for contacting said resilient means and for receiving said bias force, whereby each of said arms is subjected to a moment about said axis of rotation;
each of said arms having an arcuate surface portion; and guide means disposed within said cassette chamber con-tacting said arcuate surface portion of each of said arms, whereby said arcuate surface portions ride along said guide means as said arms rotate about said axis of rotation, said guide means being positioned to maintain said protuberances in contact with said interior surface of said outer wall while said bias force is exerted on said arms.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a pair of bosses projecting into said cassette chamber from said outer wall.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a pair of legs depending from said cassette holding member so as to extend into said cassette chamber, said pair of legs being spaced apart and each including a stop member for contacting the interior surface of said outer wall when said cassette holding member rotates a predetermined amount so as to restrain further rotation thereof.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said arms is substantially L-shaped and wherein said arcuate surface portion thereof is provided at the outer portion of the elbow of said L-shape.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said portions of said arms in contact with said resilient means each comprises an ear on the free end of said L-shape, said ear having a rounded contacting surface.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cassette holding member comprises a plate member having a window therein said plate member being rotatable to cover said cassette chamber; and a cassette receiving passageway depending from said plate member for receiving and holding a magnetic tape cassette.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said arms is integral with said plate member, said arms being disposed at opposite side edges of said plate member and depending into said cassette chamber when said plate member is rotated to cover said cassette chamber, each of said arms being substantially L-shaped, and wherein said arcuate surface portion thereof is provided at the outer portion of the elbow of said L-shape.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said plate member includes a hook member which extends into said cassette chamber when said plate member is rotated to cover said chamber;
and wherein said housing includes a lock claw member engageable with said hook member when said plate member is rotated to cover said chamber so as to overcome the bias force exerted by said resilient means and to maintain said plate member in covering relation with respect to said chamber.