GB1563081A - Cassette type tape recorder - Google Patents

Description

(54) A CASSETTE TYPE TAPE RECORDER (71) We, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TAKARA SEISAKUSHO, a Japanese Company, of 29-12 Tamagawa 2-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a cassette type tape recorder including chassis, a cassette case, a tape drive mechanism, a rockable member supporting one of said cassette case and tape drive mechanism and so supported by the chassis as to be rockable between inoperative position and operative position which allows recording and/or reproducing of magnetic tape, and a magnetic head support plate adapted to move between retracted inoperative position and operative position, and said cassette case, tape drive mechanism and magnetic head support plate cooperating to be set into said operative positions in response to insertion of a cassette into the cassette case.

Such cassette type tape recorder is well known and widely used.

Some conventional such cassette type tape recorders utilize manual force to rock the rockable member, i.e., the tape drive mechanism support plate or the cassette case, from rocked inoperative position to operative position, by transmitting cassette inserting manual force directly to the rockable member. Further, to rock the rockable member from operative position to inoperative position, manual cassette eject operating force is transmitted directly to the rockable member.

Such conventional mechanisms to transmit manual operating force directly to the rockable member to rock the rockable member between inoperative position and operative position are simple and easily manufactured.

However, much operating load is necessary in some cases, so that ease of manoeuverability is reduced especially for car mounting, and easily manoeuverable tape recorder is desired.

Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an above mentioned tap recorder having a simple and reliable mechanical control device of the rocking motion of the rockable member.

According to the present invention, a tape recorder as above described is characterized by a guide element projected sideways from said rockable member, a first slide plate slidably supported by the chassis and having a first cam cooperating with said guide element to guide rocking of the rockable member from said inoperative position to said operative position, and a second slide plate slidably supported by said chassis and having a second cam co operating with said guide element to guide rocking of the rockable member from said operative position to said inoperative position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a tape recorder according to the invention may further include motion transfer means connecting between said magnetic head support plate and said second slide plate to transfer sliding motion of said second sliding plate to retreating motion of said magnetic head support plate to inoperative position.

The magnetic head support plate of a tape recorder is retracted to inoperative position when the rockable member is rocked to inoperative position. To maintain the magnetic head support plate in inoperative position, indirect connection link means are utilized to cooperate with the rockable member. However, such mechanism is complex and less reliable.

Accordingly, a further feature of the present embodiment provides means directly connecting the rockable member with the magnetic head support plate when both are in inoperative positions. According to said further feature a tape recorder embodying the invention may be characterized by a detent element projected directly from said rockable member, and a retainer element projected directly from said rockable member, and a retainer element projected directly from said magnetic head support plate, and said detent element and said retainer element are adapted to engage each other when said rockable member is in inoperative position and said magnetic head support plate is in refracted inoperative position to prevent said magnetic head support plate from moving into said operative position until said rockable member rocks to operative position.

The tape recorder according to the present invention is simple and reliable in operation.

As rocking force of the rockable member is transmitted through cams of sliding plates separately, the rocking motions between inoperative and operative positions are positively and easily transmitted without erroneous operation.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tape recorder embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the tape recorder shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a head support plate of the tape recorder shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of slide plates of the tape recorder shown in Figures 1 and 7; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of second embodiment of the slide plates and head support plate: Figure 6 shows a plan view of the slide plates and head support plate shown in Figure t; Figure 7 shows other embodiment of lock device of the slide plates shown in Figures 4-6: Figure 8(A) - Figure 8(F) show simplified side views of the tape recorder to illustrate sequential operations of the slide plates, in which Figure 8(A) shows inoperative position, Figure 8(B) shows a position while a cassette is being inserted, Figure 8(C) shows a position in which the cassette is fully inserted and the tape recorder is operative, Figure 8(D) shows a position in which a release button is depressed and the second slide plate starts sliding, Figure 8(E) shows a position in which the second slide plate releases the first slide plate, and Figure 8(F) shows a position in which the inserted cassette is ejected and the tape recorder is returned to inoperative position; Figure 9(A) - Figure 9(D) show plan views illustrating operations of the head support plate control mechanism shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, in which Figure 9(A) shows inoperative position, Figure 9(B) shows operative position, Figure 9(C) shows a position just before operative position and Figure 9(D) shows a position just before inoperative position; Figure 10(A) and Figure 10(B) show plan views illustrating operation of the head support plate control mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6, in which Figure 10(A) shows operative position and Figure 10(B) shows a position just before inoperative position; and Figure 11 shows a partial perspective view illustrating a head support plate retaining mechanism.

Referring to Figures 1 - 4, a cassette case 1 is secured to a chassis 3 of a tape recorder. At the rear end portion of side plates 4 of the cassette case 1, arms 5 of a tape drive mechanism support plate 2 are rockably supported by pins 6. A reel rest 7, a capstan 10 having a flywheel 8, and a driving motor 9 to drive the reel rest 7 and the capstan 10 are rotatably supported by the tape drive mechanism support plate 2. More specifically, the reel rest 7 and the capstan 10 are hung from the lower surface of the support plate 2. The motor 9 is supported by a bracket 36 which is secured to the rear portion of the support plate 2. The rear portions of the support plate 2 and the cassette case 1 have openings to form a motor space 11 which accommodates the motor 9. The driving torque of the motor 9 is transmitted though a belt 12 to the flywheel 8 which in turn transmits the driving torque through a belt 13 to the reel rest 7. Suitable means, e.g. a locating pin 14, determines accurate position of the rockable support plate 2 while in operating position.

A head support plate 15 supports on its lower surface, as shown in Figure 3, pinch rollers 18 and a magnetic head 16 and the pinch rollers 18 are adapted to cooperate through a side opening of the cassette case with a magnetic tape of a cassette which is inserted in the cassette case 1. The head support plate 15 has a lateral arm 19 which extends on the upper surface of the cassette case 1 and forms elongated slots 21 which receive pins 22 which project from the cassette case 1. Thus, the head support plate 15 slides laterally on the upper surface of the cassette case by guide pins 22 in the slots 21.

A first slide plate 23 which guides the rockable support plate 2 from upper inoperative position to lower operative position and a second slide plate 24 which guides the rockable support plate 2 from lower operative position to upper inoperative position, according to the present invention, are slidably supported on the side surface of the cassette case opposite to the magnetic head 16. As shown more clearly in Figure 4, the side plate of the cassette case 1 has two or more projecting pins 27 which are received in longitudinal slots 25 and 26 of the slide plates 23 and 24. The first and second slide plates 23 and 24 are arranged in relatively slidable face to face contact relation on the side plate of the cassette case 1. The pins 27 act as guides as of the slide plates 23 and 24 by projecting in aligned slots 25 and 26 to allow longitudinal linear reciprocation of the slide plates 23 and 24 within a stroke determined by the slots 25 and 26.

A side plate of the rockable support plate 2 has a projecting guide element 37. The first slide plate 23 forms a cam portion 28 which cooperates with the guide element 37 to maintain the rockable support plate 2 in inoperative position and also to maintain the rockable support plate 2 in operative position by recessed cam portion 28a. The second slide plate 24 forms a cam portion 29 which cooperates with the guide element 37 to lift the rockable support plate 2 from lower operative position to upper inoperative position, as will be described more fully later. When the guide element 37 engages with the recessed cam portion 28a by sliding of the first slide plate 23, the stepped edge surface between the cam portions 28 and 28a prevents return of the slide plate 23 and the rockable support plate 2 is maintained in lower operative position.

The rear end of the first slide plate 23 has angled hook portion 30 which returns the second slide plate 24 when the first slide plate 23 returns to inoperative position. A tension spring 31 is engaged between the hook portion 30 of the first slide plate 23 and front end of the cassette case 1, to urge the first slide plate 23 frontwards. A tension spring 32 is engaged between the first and second slide plates 23 and 24 to urge the second slide plate 24 to the hook portion 30 of the first slide plate 23.

On inner side surface of the first slide plate 23 a cassette sense pin 33 projects, as shown in Figure 4, into the cassette case 1 through suitable opening formed in the side wall of the cassette case 1. The cassette sense pin 33 is pushed by front end surface of a cassette when the cassette is inserted in the cassette case 1 from a front inlet 34 of the case 1. The slide plate 23 slides along the side wall of the cassette case 1 against the force of the spring 31 until the cassette is fully inserted. Thus, the spring 31 is elongated to accumulate cassette eject force when the cassette is to be ejected from operative position. As described later, the second slide 24 is locked in inoperative position, so that when the first slide 23 slides rearwards by the cassette, the spring 32 is also stretched to accumulate sliding force when the second slide plate 24 is released.

A locking device 40 cooperates with the second slide plate 24 to lock the slide plate 24 while the casette and the rockable support plate 2 are in operative position. As shown in Figure 4, the locking device 40 has a lock element 45 which is rotatably supported by a pin 43. The lock element has a lock pawl 41 which projects to engage with an engage portion 46 at rear end of the second slide plate 24. To actuage the locking device 40, suitable means may be utilized to automatically or manually rotate the lock element 45. An embodiment is shown in Figures 4 and 6, to provide a solenoid 47 which cooperates with a plate 42 which is formed on or attached to the lock element 45 to oppose the solenoid 47. Solenoid energize circuit means 48 includes an electric source 50 and a switch 49. The switch 49 may be a part of main cooperating switch of the tape recorder, and control rocking of the rockable tape drive mechanism support plate 2. The cassette case 1 may be rock able in place of the support plate 2. When the switch 49 is on, the solenoid 47 is actuated to rotate the lock element 45. Thus, the pawl 41 projects to engage with the engage portion 46 of the second slide plate 24. Thus, the second slide plate 24 is locked against sliding, and the first slide plate 23 only slides rearwards by insertion of the cassette until the cassette is in operative position. When the switch 49 is off, the lock element 45 is returned to release engagement between the pawl 41 and the engage portion 46. Thus the second slide plate 24 slides rearwards by the spring 32 to move the guide element 37 from the cam portion 28a of the first slide plate 23 upwards to lift the rockable support plate 2 by engagement of the cam portion 29 of the slide plate 24 with the guide element 37.

Also, as the engagement of the guide element 37 with front edge of the cam portion 28 is released, the first and the second slide plates 23 and 24 slide forwards to inoperative position, and the cassette sense pin 33 ejects the cassette from the cassette case 1.

The switch 49 may be actuated automatically. For example, the switch 49 may be actuated by a tape end detect switch to eject the cassette automatically when record or play back of the cassette is completed. The lock device 40 may be manually operated. As shown in Figure 7, a key lever 51 is pulled by an operating button 52 which is operably mounted at front side of the tape recorder to release the lock element 45 against a spring 54 through a link member 53. The spring 54 urges the lock element 45 to lock position to lock the second slide plate 24.

A mechanism which controls lateral movement of the head support plate 15 to and from operative position of the magnetic head 16 in response to the movement of the rocking movement control mechanism 23 and 24 which controls the rockable element, i.e. the tape drive mechanism support plate 2 or the cassette case 1, in this case the support plate 2, is shown in Figures 1 and 9. The rocking movement control mechanism, i.e.

the first and second slide plates 23 and 24, cooperates with sensing levers 55 and 56. A guide pin 58 is secured to the lateral arm 19 of the head support plate 15. The sensing lever 56 has a slot 59 which receives the guide pin 58 which allows relative lateral sliding between the arm 19 and the lever 56.

A spring 57 urges the lever 56 to retract from the slide plates 23 and 24. The sensing lever 55 is rotatably supported by the pin 22 which is received in the slot 21 of the lateral arm 19.

One arm of the lever 55 has an engage portion 60 and the other arm has a sensing finger 62. The sensing lever 56 has an engage portion 61 which cooperates with the engage portion 60 of the lever 55, and a sensing finger 63. The first slide plate 23 has retaining edge 64 which contacts the sensing finger 62 through all operations. The second slide plate 24 has a retaining edge 65 which contacts with the sensing finger 63 while in operative position and is released from the finger 63 while in inoperative position. The second slide plate 24 has a slot 66 which only allows pivot movement of the sensing lever 55.

A spring 67 urges the head support plate 15 to retract to inoperative position. More specifically. the pin 22 which guides the lateral arm 19 along the slot 21 supports one end of the spring 67 to urge the arm 19 along a line connecting the pins 22 without deviation. As the spring 67 urges the head support plate 15 to inoperative position, the spring 57 urges the head support plate 15 to operative position when the sensor lever 55 urges the sensor lever 56 to engage with the retaining edge 65. When the head support plate 15 is retracted no force is applied by the spring 57 to the plate 15, however, the head support plate 15 is pulled by the spring 57 to operative position against the spring 67 so that force of the spring 57 must be larger than that of the spring 67.

A detent element 68 is attached or formed on front end of the rockable support plate 2 to retain the head support plate 15 in inoperative or retreated position while the rockable support plate 2 is in upper or inoperative position. As shown in Figures 2 and 9, a portion of the head support plate 15 is extended to form a retainer portion 69 to engage with the detent element 68 when the rockable support plate 2 is in upper inoperative position, and to release from the detent element 68 when the rockable support plate 2 is in lower operative position to allow forward movement of the head support plate 15 to operative position.

As shown in Figure 11, the detent element 68 has horizontally bent anti vibration element 68a to engage securely with the retainer portion 69. The anti vibration element 68a acts as means to limit upward movement of the rockable support plate 2 when the support plate 2 moves from lower operative position to upper inoperative position. Other known retainer elements, e.g.

slot and pin engagement, may be adopted.

Also the detent element 68 and the retainer portion 69 may be formed or attached with the support plates 2 and 15 respectively as desired.

The operation of the tape recorder according to the present invention will be described more fully referring to Figures 8 and 9.

At first when the tape recorder is in inoperative or rest position, as shown in Figure 8(A), the rockable support plate 2 is maintained in upper inoperative position by the guide element 37 which is supported on the cam portion 28 of the first slide plate 23.

Then the switch 49 is on the actuate the lock device 40 to project the lock pawl 41 into engagement with the engage portion 46 of the second slide plate 24 to lock the slide plate 24 from sliding.

A cassette 70 is inserted from the cassette inlet 34 into the cassette case 1. When tI' end surface of the cassette 70 contacts with the cassette sense pin 33 of the first slide plate 23 the first slide plate 23 with the pin 33 is moved rearwards against the force of the springs 31 and 32, as the slide plate 24 is locked by the lock pawl 41. As shown in Figures 8(B) and (C), the guide element 37 of the rockable support plate 2 slides relatively along the cam portion 28 of the first slide plate 23 until the cam portion 28 passes completely from the guide element 37, when the cassette 70 is fully inserted. The guide element 37 drops to the cam portion 28a of the first slide plate 23 and also the rockable support plate 2 rocks downwards to operative position. As the edge portion between the cam portions 28 and 28a contacts with the guide element 37, the first slide plate 23 is retained in rearmost position, and the springs 31 and 32 are stretched to store returning force.

As shown in Figure 9, when the first slide plate 23 is moved rearwards, the sensing finger 62 of the sensing lever 55 turns clockwise by engagement between the sensing finger 62 and the retaining edge 64 of the slide plate 23. Thus, by engagement between engage portions 60 and 61 of the sensing levers 55 and 56, the clockwise rotation of the lever 55 causes upward movement shown in Figure 9 of the sensing lever 56. By the movement of the lever 56. By the movement of the lever 56 sensing finger 63 of the lever 56 is retained by the retaining edge 65 of the second slide plate 24 and the spring 57 is stretched. While the rockable support plate 2 is still in inoperative position, the detent element 68 contacts with the retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15, to prevent forward movement of the support plate 15.

When the cassette 70 is fully inserted and the cam portion 28 of the slide plate 23 is released from the guide element 37, the rockable support plate 2 rocks downwards to operative position as shown in Figure 8(C).

Thus, the detent element 68 moves downwards from the retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15. The head support plate 15 moves along the cassette case 1 by the force of the stretched spring 57 to operative position shown in Figure 9 B). Thus, the magnetic head 16 and the pinch rollers 18 contact and cooperate with magnetic tape of the fully inserted cassette 70 through opening in the side wall of the cassette case 1.

Thus, desired record or play back of the tape can be performed.

As the arm 19 of the head support plate 15 is directly attached on the top plate of the cassette case by guide pins 22, the head support plate 15 is precisely positioned relative to the cassette case 1. Thus, positioning and setting of the head support plate 15 during assembly are easy, and operation of the head support plate 15 is stable and smooth.

When the desired record or play back is completed, the lock device 40 is released manually or automatically to retract the lock pawl 41 from the second slide plate 24. The second slide plate 24 slides rearwards by the spring 32. At first, as shown in Figures 9(C) and (D), the sensing finger 63 of the second sensing lever 56 which has engaged with the second slide plate 24 turns clockwise shown in Figure 9, about the pin 58 and releases the engage portion 61 from the engage portion 60 of the sensing lever 55. Thus, the lever 56 moves downwards and the force of the spring 57 is decreased. The head support plate 15 is retracted by the force of the spring 67. The actuating action of the second slide plate 24 occurs at first stage of the rearward sliding of the slide plate 24.

Then the cam portion 29 of the second slide plate 24 contacts with the guide element 37 of the rockable support plate 2. The guide element 37 is moved upwards between the front edge of the cam portion 28 and the cam portion 29, as shown in Figures 8(D) and (E), until the guide element 37 clears the front edge of the cam portion 29, as the slide plate 24 moves rearwards until the rear edge contacts with the hook 30 of the first slide plate 23. The rockable support plate 2 is lifted to upper inoperative position.

As the guide element 37 is cleared from the front edge of the cam portion 28 onto the cam portion 28, the first slide plate 23 and also the second slide plate 24 by engagement of the hook 30 slide forward by the force of the stretched spring 31. The cassette sense pin 33 also moves forward while pushing the inserted cassette 70. As shown in Figure 8(F) the guide element 37 slides along horizontal cam portion 28 of the first slide plate 23.

When the rockable support plate 2 is lifted to inoperative position, the detent element 68 contacts with the retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15, to limit the upward movement of the rockable support plate 2 and to retain the head support plate 15 in inoperative or retreated position. Thus, the slide plates 23 and 24 return to original inoperative position and the rockable support plate 2 and the head support plate 15 are maintained in inoperative position shown in Figure 8(A) and Figure 9(A).

Another embodiment of the mechanism which controls lateral movement of the head support plate 15 to and from operative position of the magnetic head 16 in response to the movement of the rocking movement control mechanism 23 and 24, according to the present invention is shown in Figures 5,6 and 10. In this embodiment, only one sensing lever 71 is used to follow linear movement of the second sliding plate 24 which controls the rocking movement of the rockable support plate 2, and the mechanism is simplified.

Between the lateral arm 19 of the head support plate 15 and one of the guide pins 22, a spring 72 is engaged to urge the head support plate 15 to operative position when the head support plate 15 is retracted and the dentent element 68 contacts with the retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15. The sensing lever 71 is rotatably supported by the guide pin 22 and include a sensing finger 73 at one end of an arm and a retainer pawl 76 at the other arm of the lever 71. The sensing finger 73 is engaged with an engage opening 74 formed in the second slide plate 24 and the retainer pawl 76 is adapted to cooperate with retaining pin 75 which is secured to the lateral arm 19 of the head support plate 15. The sensing lever 71 rotates clockwise when the second slide plate 24 slides rearwards by engagement between the sensing finger 73 and the engage opening 74. Thus, the retainer pawl 76 urges the retaining pin 75 downwards shown in Figure 10, to retract the head support plate 15 against the spring 72.

Consequently, the action of the rocking movement control mechanism is transmitted to the head support plate 15. As shown in Figure 10(A), when the rockable support plate 2 is lowered by control of the first slide plate 23, and engagement between the detent element 68 and the retainer portion 69 is released, the head support plate 15 moves into operative position by the spring 72, as the second slide plate 24 is moved back to release the retaining pin 75 from the retainer pawl 76. When the second slide plate 24 moves rearwards to place the rock able support plate 2 in inoperative position, the sensing lever rotates to retract the head support plate 15 to inoperative position. As the rockable support plate 2 rocks upwards, the detend element 68 engages with the retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15, as shown in Figure 10(B), so that the inoperative positions of the rockable support plate 2 and the head support plate 15 are maintained.

A fast tape feed lever 80 is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The lever 80 is rotatably supported by a pin 81 on the upper surface of the cassette case 1 and biased to one direction by a spring 82. A stopper 83 prevents accidental operation of the lever 80. The mechanism to perform fast feed is known and is not shown. The lever 80 has a pawl 84 to engage with the lateral arm 19 or the head support plate 15 directly. When the lever 80 is rotated against the spring 82 to perform fast feed, the pawl 84 urges the head support plate 15 to retreat from operative position.

Thus, the magnetic head 16 and the pinch rollers 18 are separated from fast feeding tape in the cassette.

The first slide plate 23 and the second slide plate 24, according to the present invention, amy be applied easily to a tape recorder which has a fixed tape drive mechanism and a rockable cassette case to control rocking of the cassette case.

It will be appreciated that the first and second slide plates 23 and 24 are slidably supported on one side surface of a construction member in close contact relation so that necessary space is far less than for known mechanism. The two slide plates move alternately to rock the rockable member downwards and upwards to effect positive control of the rockable member between operative or recording and reproducing position and inoperative position. As the lock device 40 locks the second slide plate 24 from sliding, operation of the first slide plate 23 to lower the rockable plate 2 is positively performed.

As the guide element 37 of the rockable plate 2 itself prevents the first slide plate 23 from returning while in operative position, the first slide plate 23 is retained positively.

Also, as the first and second slide plates 23 and 24 guide the guide element 37 which is a portion of the rockable plate 2 without any intermediate link mechanism. operation is simple without any erroneous motion. The first slide plate 23 is released from retaining by sliding of the second slide plate 24 and the first and second slide plates simultaneously slide back to original rest position automati cally.

Further. when the rockable member 2 rocks to inoperative position, detent element 68 of the rockable member engages with retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15. Thus, as long as the rockable member is in inoperative position, the head support plate 15 is prevented from moving to operative position. Thus, mechanism to retain the head support plate 15 inoperative is very simple and accurately operated. When the rockable member lowers to operative position, the engagement between the rockable member and the head support plate is released to allow movemebt of the head support plate to operative position.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A cassette type tape recorder including a chassis, a cassette case, a tape drive mechanism, a rockable member supporting one of said cassette case and tape drive mechanism and so supported by the chassis as to be rockable between inoperative position and operative position which allows recording and/or reproducing of magnetic tape, and a magnetic head support plate adapted to move between retracted inoperative position and operative position, and said cassette case, tape drive mechanism and magnetic head support plate cooperating to be set into said operative positions in response to insertion of a cassette

Claims (4)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   able support plate 2 in inoperative position, the sensing lever rotates to retract the head support plate 15 to inoperative position. As the rockable support plate 2 rocks upwards, the detend element 68 engages with the retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15, as shown in Figure 10(B), so that the inoperative positions of the rockable support plate 2 and the head support plate 15 are maintained.

   A fast tape feed lever 80 is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The lever 80 is rotatably supported by a pin 81 on the upper surface of the cassette case 1 and biased to one direction by a spring 82. A stopper 83 prevents accidental operation of the lever 80. The mechanism to perform fast feed is known and is not shown. The lever 80 has a pawl 84 to engage with the lateral arm 19 or the head support plate 15 directly. When the lever 80 is rotated against the spring 82 to perform fast feed, the pawl 84 urges the head support plate 15 to retreat from operative position.

   Thus, the magnetic head 16 and the pinch rollers 18 are separated from fast feeding tape in the cassette.

   The first slide plate 23 and the second slide plate 24, according to the present invention, amy be applied easily to a tape recorder which has a fixed tape drive mechanism and a rockable cassette case to control rocking of the cassette case.

   It will be appreciated that the first and second slide plates 23 and 24 are slidably supported on one side surface of a construction member in close contact relation so that necessary space is far less than for known mechanism. The two slide plates move alternately to rock the rockable member downwards and upwards to effect positive control of the rockable member between operative or recording and reproducing position and inoperative position. As the lock device 40 locks the second slide plate 24 from sliding, operation of the first slide plate 23 to lower the rockable plate 2 is positively performed.

   As the guide element 37 of the rockable plate 2 itself prevents the first slide plate 23 from returning while in operative position, the first slide plate 23 is retained positively.

   Also, as the first and second slide plates 23 and 24 guide the guide element 37 which is a portion of the rockable plate 2 without any intermediate link mechanism. operation is simple without any erroneous motion. The first slide plate 23 is released from retaining by sliding of the second slide plate 24 and the first and second slide plates simultaneously slide back to original rest position automati cally.

   Further. when the rockable member 2 rocks to inoperative position, detent element

   68 of the rockable member engages with retainer portion 69 of the head support plate 15. Thus, as long as the rockable member is in inoperative position, the head support plate 15 is prevented from moving to operative position. Thus, mechanism to retain the head support plate 15 inoperative is very simple and accurately operated. When the rockable member lowers to operative position, the engagement between the rockable member and the head support plate is released to allow movemebt of the head support plate to operative position.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A cassette type tape recorder including a chassis, a cassette case, a tape drive mechanism, a rockable member supporting one of said cassette case and tape drive mechanism and so supported by the chassis as to be rockable between inoperative position and operative position which allows recording and/or reproducing of magnetic tape, and a magnetic head support plate adapted to move between retracted inoperative position and operative position, and said cassette case, tape drive mechanism and magnetic head support plate cooperating to be set into said operative positions in response to insertion of a cassette into the cassette case, characterized by a guide element projected sideways from said rockable member, a first slide plate slidably supported by the chassis and having a first cam cooperating with said guide element to guide rocking of the rockable member from said inoperative position to said operative position, and a second slide plate slidably supported by said chassis and having a second cam cooperating with said guide element to guide rocking of the rock able member from said operative position to said inoperative position.
2. 2. A tape recorder claimed in claim 1 further including motion transfer means connecting between said magnetic head support plate and said second slide plate to transfer sliding motion of said second slide plate to transfer sliding motion of said second sliding plate to retreating motion of said magnetic head support plate to inoperative position.
3. 3. A cassette type tape recorder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterized by a detent element projected directly from said rockable member, and a retainer element projected directly from said magnetic head support plate, and said detent element and said retainer element adapted to engage each other when said rockable member is in inoperative position and said magnetic head support plate is in retracted inoperative position to prevent said magnetic head support plate from moving into said operative position until said rockable member rocks to operative position.
4. 4. A cassette type tape recorder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 4, 8,

   9 and 11, or such Figures when modified as illustrated in Figures 5,6 and 10 and/or Figure 7, of the accompanying drawings.