JPH0310184B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a magnetic recording and/or reproducing device,
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus equipped with an adapter for a small tape cassette which is used when using a small tape cassette and can automatically perform tape loading and unloading operations by a motor.

Prior Art The present applicant has previously proposed an adapter for use in attaching a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette to a standard recording/reproducing apparatus. This adapter accommodates a small tape cassette and performs tape loading to form a tape path in the adapter that corresponds to the front tape path of the standard tape cassette. Similarly, it is attached to a recording/reproducing device. Furthermore, the present applicant has previously proposed an adapter with improved operability by incorporating a motor into the adapter and operating the tape loading mechanism by driving the motor.

However, in conventional recording/playback devices, there is no means to start the motor in the adapter to perform tape unloading operation while the adapter is inserted, and tape unloading in the adapter is not possible. The operation is performed with the adapter ejected from the device.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention For this reason, although the adapter itself is configured to automatically perform the tape unloading operation using a motor, the motor starting operation must be performed manually after the adapter is ejected from the device. In addition, it is necessary to wait for the tape unloading operation to be completed before replacing a small tape cassette, and there is a problem that the adapter is not configured to take full advantage of its functions. Ta.

Means for Solving the Problems Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems by configuring the motor in the adapter to be activated to perform the tape unloading operation before the adapter is ejected from the device. magnetic recording and/or
or a magnetic recording and/or reproducing device, which has a housing moving mechanism for moving a housing into which a standard tape cassette is inserted between an insertion slot position and a mounting position. , an operating means for starting to move the housing at the mounting position to the insertion port position, a detection means for detecting that the housing moving mechanism has moved from the mounting position in the direction of the insertion port position and has reached a predetermined position, and the standard It is used when a tape cassette smaller than the standard tape cassette is installed in the device instead of the standard tape cassette, and the tape loading operation involves drawing out the tape from the small tape cassette to form a predetermined tape path, and vice versa. If a small tape cassette adapter is inserted that drives a built-in motor to perform the tape unloading operation to return the tape into the small tape cassette, the operation of the operating means and the detecting means will The present invention includes a motor starting means for starting the motor in the adapter for a small tape cassette in a direction for performing a tape unloading operation.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. This magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus 1 has an insertion slot 3 for an adapter (standard tape cassette) in the front panel 2, and an insertion slot 5 for a small tape cassette in the top plate 4. In the insertion port 5,
A door 6 is provided with its rear side supported by a shaft. Door 6 is
Normally, the insertion port 5 is closed (see FIG. 3), but is opened when a small tape cassette is inserted or removed.

Also, inside the device 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
Adapter (tape cassette) automatic attachment/detachment mechanism 10
is incorporated. This mechanism 10 roughly supports an adapter housing 11 with left and right vertical support plates 12 and 1.
This structure is movably provided between 3 and 3. The adapter housing 11 has left and right side plates 14 and 15.
and a lower bottom plate 1 that spans between the side plates 14 and 15.
6, which is driven by a rack gear 15a on the L-shaped end surfaces of the side plates 14 and 15 (the rack gear on the side plate 14 is not shown) and a pinion 18.
Guide grooves 19a, 19b, 19c of vertical support plate 13
The adapter (cassette) is inserted while being guided by the corresponding guide groove (not shown) of the vertical support plate 12.
The tape is moved between the discharge position A and the adapter (cassette) mounting position B via the small tape cassette storage/removal position C shown in FIG. Also,
The position C of the housing 11 is detected by the switch SW4, and the housing 11 is stopped at this position C as necessary.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, position C is a position where the top cover 60 of the small tape cassette adapter 30 (FIG. 4) inserted into the housing 11 faces the small tape cassette insertion opening 5 of the top plate 4. It is a position where At this position C, the small tape cassette within the adapter is replaced, as will be described below.

Further, between the tops of the vertical support plates 12 and 13, a frame plate 20 with an opening on the inside is installed in a horizontal manner.

FIG. 4 shows an adapter 30 for a small tape cassette that is attached to the apparatus 1 of FIG. This adapter 30 consists of an adapter housing 31 and a front lid 32, has substantially the same external dimensions as a standard tape cassette, and has a small tape cassette storage section 33 inside. FIG. 5 shows a small tape cassette 34 stored in the storage section 33. This small tape cassette 34 is a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette, and includes a cassette housing 35 that stores a magnetic tape, and is provided on the front side of the cassette housing 35 and is normally closed to protect the magnetic tape inside. Lid 36
It becomes more.

The adapter 30 described above is configured such that a tape loading operation within the adapter is performed by a built-in motor 37. That is, motor 3
7 rotates in the forward direction, the driving force of the motor 37 is transmitted to the gear 40 via the worm 38 and the gear train 39, and this is coupled to the arm 41 integrally formed therewith.
It rotates clockwise together with the switch switching cam 42 and the pole locking cam 43. As the arm 41 rotates, the special chain 44 is wound up, and the loading arm 45 rotates clockwise about the shaft 46 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. This arm 4
5 is rotated by bell crank lever 47, link 4
8, the signal is transmitted to the loading arm 51 via the bell crank lever 49 and the link 50, which rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 52 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line.

The rotation of each loading arm 45, 51 causes the poles 53, 54 to pull out the magnetic tape 55 from the small tape cassette 34 stored in the storage section 33, tape loading is performed within the adapter, and a standard tape cassette is loaded. A tape path 56 corresponding to the front side tape path is formed. The pawl 53 is locked at the final position by a lock lever 57 rotated by the cam 43.

Furthermore, when the motor 37 is reversed, each of the above members operates in the opposite direction to that during tape loading, the loading arm 45 rotates counterclockwise, the loading arm 51 rotates clockwise, and the small tape cassette is rotated. A take-up reel 58 within 34 rotates in the tape winding direction. As a result, the tape 55 forming the tape path 56 is transferred to the small tape cassette 3.
The tape is unloaded after being wound and housed in the tape.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned adapter 30 has a structure in which a locking member 59 interlocking with the link 48 locks the top cover 60 covering the storage section 33, so that the top cover 60 is not opened unnecessarily when the tape is pulled out of the cassette. . Also, gear 61
A one-way clutch is incorporated therein to transmit rotation to the tape winding system during the tape unloading operation. Further, the adapter 30 is configured such that when the top cover 60 is open, the link 48 is locked by the lock lever 62, and displacement in the direction of arrow _X1 is restricted, so that no tape loading operation is performed.

Further, the adapter 30 includes the following switches in relation to the motor 37. These switches are connected as shown in FIG.

Note that the switch provided within the adapter 30 is designated by the symbol A. SW1A is a small tape cassette storage detection switch, and when the small tape cassette 34 is stored in the storage section 33, it is pushed by the lever 63 and closed. SW2A is a top cover closed detection switch, which is closed when the top cover 60 is closed. SW3A
is the tape unloading start switch,
When the sliding knob 64 is slid in the direction of arrow _X1 to the locked position, it is pushed by a locking portion 64a integrated with the knob 64 and closed. sliding knob 6
4 is locked in the slide operation position by a locking member (not shown), and switch SW3A is also kept in the closed state. SW4A is an auxiliary switch for switch SW3A, and is closed when loading arm 45 starts rotating counterclockwise from the tape pull-out position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Note that this auxiliary switch SW4A is connected in parallel with the above-mentioned switch SW3A, and as described later, even if it is closed after tape unloading starts and switch SW3A is opened just before tape unloading is completed, the motor drive circuit will not be activated. It is intended to keep the circuit closed, and specifically, it is normally closed,
When the loading arm 45 rotates to the tape withdrawal completion position, it is pushed by the arm 45 and opens, and when the arm 45 rotates counterclockwise, the locking by the arm 45 is released and the tape is closed. SW5
Reference numeral A denotes a tape loading/unloading completion detection switch, which is switched by the switch switching cam 42 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 when tape unloading is completed, and is switched as shown by the broken line in the figure when tape loading is completed. Switch as shown. SW6A is a tape loading completion detection switch, which is closed by the switch switching cam 42 when the tape loading operation is completed. SW7A is a power selector switch, which is normally closed, and the adapter 30 is connected to the housing 1.
A protruding piece 66 (see FIG. 8) inserted into the spring 6 and protruding from the left side wall 65 of the adapter housing
7 and is pushed into the adapter housing 31, the battery 68 in the adapter 30 is disconnected from the motor circuit.

Further, a plurality of terminals are embedded in the left side wall 65 and right side wall 69 of the adapter housing 31 so as to be exposed from the wall surface, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The terminals are arranged in parallel in the thickness (height) direction of the adapter housing 31, and as described later,
When inserted into the housing, it comes into contact with the corresponding group of contact pieces on the housing side. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, on the right side wall 69, in order from the top, a power input terminal 70, a tape unloading start input terminal 7
1. A tape loading completion detection output terminal 72 is provided. Here, the terminal 71 is for forming, via the terminal 71, a circuit 101 that is connected in parallel with the switch SW3A when the housing 11 returns to the position C as will be described later. (See Figure 11). Terminal 72 is switch SW6
When switch SW6A is closed, a tape loading completion signal is output.

Further, a recess 76 for adapter identification is formed in the left side wall 65.

The housing 11 also includes an adapter detection switch SW1, an adapter insertion detection switch SW2,
SW3 and contact piece groups 81, 82, etc. are provided.

The contact piece group 82 includes two central contact pieces 82a,
82b is arranged to face and contact the terminal 71 of the adapter 30 inserted into the housing 11, and the two upper and lower contact pieces are arranged to contact the terminals 70 and 72, respectively. Further, the device 1 is provided with a position detection switch SW4 for detecting when the housing 11 reaches the position C.

The device 1 is also provided with a circuit shown in FIG. That is, first and second relays RL1 and RL2 are provided in association with the switch SW4. 1st
The relay RL1 is provided in the middle of a motor drive circuit 103 consisting of a motor 87 and a power source 102,
The first relay RL1 has contact pieces 82a and 8 at both ends.
2b is provided in the middle of the circuit 101.

Note that a time constant circuit 104 is provided before the second relay RL2. Also, relays RL1 and RL2 are
In the de-energized state, each relay contact piece S1, S
2 is connected to contacts a1 and a2.

Next, the operation when using the above adapter 30 and the operation of the device 1 will be explained.

First, the power switch 80 of the device 1 is operated to turn on, and the empty adapter 30 containing no small tape cassette is inserted into the insertion slot 3. The adapter 30 is pushed in the direction of arrow _Y1 and inserted into the adapter 11 to the position shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this state, the left and right terminals of the adapter 30 are connected to the left and right side plates 14 and 1 of the housing 11, respectively.
5 (contacts with the contact pieces 82a, 82b of the terminal 71), and the motor drive circuit shown in FIG. connected. Also,
The tip of the adapter detection lever 83 on the left side plate 14 is fitted into the recess 76, the detection lever 83 is in a position rotated counterclockwise by the torsion coil spring 84, and the adapter detection switch SW1 is closed. It is determined that the adapter 30 has been inserted into the housing 11. Furthermore, the front cover 3 of the adapter 30
2 pushes a pair of sliding plates 85 and 86 that are slidably provided on the left and right sides of the bottom plate 16, which slides somewhat in the direction of arrow _Y1 , and a rotating arm (not shown) rotates to close the side plate. Adapter insertion detection switches SW2 and SW3 attached to ports 14 and 15 are closed.

When switches SW2 and SW3 are closed, the motor 87 starts and rotates forward, and this driving force is transferred to the worm 8.
8, is transmitted to the pinion 18 via the worm wheel 89, gears 90, 91, etc., and rotates clockwise. As a result, the housing 11 moves in the direction of arrow _Y1 together with the inserted adapter 30, and further moves diagonally upward, and the adapter 30 moves toward the device 1.
drawn inside. When the housing 11 reaches the position C shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the side plate 14 comes into contact with the position detection switch SW4 mounted obliquely on the support plate 12, and the switch SW4 is closed.

When the switch SW4 is closed, the rotation of the motor 87 is stopped and the housing 11 is stopped at the position C together with the adapter 30. The housing 11 remains stopped at position C until a predetermined operation is performed.

Thereafter, the operator opens the door 6 of the top plate 4 of the device 1 to the vertical position. This opens the insertion slot 5, and the top cover 60 of the adapter 30 is placed directly below it.
is located. Next, when a fingertip is inserted into the insertion opening 5 and the knob 64 of the adapter 30 is slid in the direction of the arrow _X1 , the top cover 60 is unlocked and rotated approximately vertically by the torsion coil spring 77 to open. In this state, the small tape cassette 34 is inserted into the storage section 33 of the adapter 30 through the insertion slot 5.

After storing the small tape cassette 34, the top cover 60 is closed and the door 6 is closed. When the top cover 60 is closed, switch SW1A,
SW2A is closed, and the motor 37 is started by applying power from the device 1 side through the terminal 70, and the tape loading operation is performed within the adapter 30 as described above, and the tape path 56 is formed. When the tape loading operation is complete, press the switch.
SW6A is closed, and switch SW5A is switched as shown by the broken line in FIG. Switch SW5
When A is switched, the motor 37 stops.

Also, when switch SW6A is closed, terminal 72
Then, a tape loading completion signal is output to the device 1 side, and the motor 87 is driven again. As a result, the housing 11 is lowered in the direction of arrow _Z2 to position B.
Then, the adapter 30 is attached to the recording/reproducing apparatus 1 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the motor 87 is stopped.

When the playback button 92 is operated in this state, the magnetic tape 55 is loaded from the adapter 30 onto a predetermined tape path attached to the drum from which it is pulled out, runs, and is played back. When the play button 92 and the record button 93 are operated simultaneously, recording is performed.

When replacing the small tape cassette 34 currently in use, the first eject button 94 is operated. By this operation, the motor 87 is reversed, and the housing 11 rises together with the adapter 30 in the direction of arrow _Z1 to reach position C, where switch SW4 is
is closed again, relays RL1 and RL2 in FIG. 11 are both excited, and contact pieces S1 and S2 are switched to contacts b1 and b2. By switching the contact piece S1, the motor drive circuit 103 is opened, the motor 87 is stopped, and the housing 11 is stopped at position C. Further, when the contact S2 is switched, regarding the motor drive circuit (FIG. 6) in the adapter 30, a circuit 101 is formed in parallel with the switch SW3A via the terminal 71, and the motor 37 is reversely rotated.

Therefore, the adapter 30 stops at position C, and the tape unloading operation within the adapter 30 is automatically performed without any special operation by the operator. Note that relay RL2 has a time constant of 104
When it is energized for a predetermined time, it returns to its original de-energized state, and the contact piece S1 switches to the contact a1 side and the circuit 101 is opened, but at this point, the switch is not activated.
Since SW4A is closed, the motor 37 continues to rotate in reverse without stopping, and the tape unloading operation is carried out to the end. Here, for example, if a tape unloading start timing switch is provided and is closed before the housing 11 returns to position C, the tape unloading operation will start at an early point and the adapter 30 will return to position C. The waiting time from when the tape is loaded until the tape unloading is completed can be shortened.

When the tape unloading operation reaches the final stage, the top cover 60 is unlocked, the top cover 60 is opened in a vertical position by the spring 77, and the door 6 is also pushed by the top cover 60 and opened automatically.

In this state, the operator inserts his hand into the insertion slot 5, takes out the small tape cassette 34 from the storage section 33, and inserts another small tape cassette into the storage section 3.
Store within 3. Next, when the top cover 60 is closed, the motor 87 rotates in the normal direction, the housing 11 moves to position B, and the adapter 30 is attached to the device 1, as in the previous case.

In this way, the small tape cassette 34 is removed from the adapter 30 and inserted into the adapter 30 through the insertion port 5 while the adapter 30 remains inside the device 1. There is no need to take out the adapter 30 from the device 1 every time, which is extremely convenient.

Furthermore, the time required from the end of recording and reproduction of the previous small-sized tape cassette until the start of recording and reproduction of the next small-sized tape cassette is shortened. That is, the interruption time of recording and reproduction can be shortened.

Furthermore, if the small tape cassette 34 is taken out from the adapter 30 at position C to empty the adapter 30 and the top cover 60 is closed, the motor 87 will not start and the adapter 30 will remain stopped at position C. Ru. Taking advantage of this state, the inside of the device 1 can also be used to store empty adapters 30. Also, in this state, if the first eject button 94 is operated again, the housing 11
moves in the direction of arrow _Y2 and returns to position A, and the empty adapter 30 is sent out of the device 1. In addition, the 8th
As shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, a small tape cassette "present" signal output terminal 95 connected to the switch SW1A and a top cover close signal output terminal 96 connected to the switch SW2A are provided on the left side wall 65 of the adapter housing 31. is provided so that when the top cover 60 is closed with the storage section 33 empty, the motor 87
is reversed and the empty adapter 30 is automatically inserted into the device 1.
It can also be configured to be sent outside.

Note that when the second eject button 97 is operated, the housing 11 does not stop at position C, but moves from position B to position A, and the adapter 30 is delivered to the insertion port 3. When the housing 11 returns to position A, the motor 87 automatically stops.

In this case, as in the case above, when the housing reaches position C and switch SW4 closes, relay RL2 is energized (in this case, relay RL1
is not energized), the switch is activated via terminal 71.
A circuit 101 is formed in parallel with SW3A, the motor 37 is reversed, and a tape unloading operation is performed within the adapter 30. As a result, the adapter 30 is removed from the apparatus 1 with the tape unloading operation completed inside, and the operator is not forced to perform the tape unloading operation after taking out the adapter 30 from the insertion slot 3. This makes the adapter 30 that much more convenient to use. Furthermore, the small tape cassette 34 can be taken out immediately from the storage section 33, that is,
The waiting time until the small tape cassette 34 is taken out from the storage section 33 becomes substantially zero, and in this respect as well, the adapter 30 becomes easier to use.

Furthermore, in the adapter 30 described above, a small tape cassette 3 is placed inside the adapter 30 outside the device 1.
4 is attached and the top cover 60 is closed, the motor 37 is rotated by the battery 68 and tape loading is performed. In the adapter 30 in which the tape path 56 is formed, the switch SW6A is closed, and a signal is output from the terminal 72. Therefore, when the adapter 30 on which the tape path 56 is formed is inserted from the insertion slot 3,
Unlike the case of the empty adapter described above, the housing 11 is not stopped at position C, but moves to position B, and the adapter 30 is attached to the device 1.

Furthermore, if the battery 68 is removed from the adapter 30, no tape loading operation will be performed even if the small tape cassette 34 is stored in the storage section 33. When the adapter 30, in which only the small tape cassette 34 is housed in the storage section 33, is inserted into the housing 11 through the insertion opening 3, the motor 87 rotates forward and the housing 11 is inserted.
moves with the adapter 30 toward position C.

Further, when the adapter 30 is inserted into the housing 11, power from the device 1 is applied to the adapter 30 via the terminal 70, the motor 37 is operated, and a tape loading operation is started within the adapter 30.

That is, the adapter 30 moves in the direction of arrow _Y1 while the tape loading operation is being performed internally, and the tape loading operation is completed by the time it reaches position C, and the housing 11 does not stop at position C but moves to position B. and the adapter 30 is attached to the device 1.

When a standard tape cassette is inserted, the detection lever 83 is pushed from the side of the tape cassette and rotated, opening the switch SW1.

Therefore, unlike when the adapter 30 is inserted, the housing 11 does not stop at position C but moves to position B, and the standard tape cassette is inserted into the device 1.
will be installed on the When the eject operation is performed, the housing 11 returns directly to position A and the standard tape cassette is ejected from the device.

Effects As described above, according to the magnetic recording and/or reproducing device of the present invention, the housing moving mechanism moves part way from the mounting position toward the insertion position, starts the motor in the adapter at the predetermined position, and moves the adapter. Since the tape unloading operation is performed inside the adapter, when the adapter is removed from the device, tape unloading is completed inside the adapter and the small tape cassette can be taken out. There is no need to perform an operation to start the tape unloading operation after the adapter is removed, and there is no waiting time when taking out a small tape cassette.
The small tape cassette can be taken out immediately after the adapter has been removed, making the adapter more convenient to use.Also, when the housing is stopped at the above-mentioned predetermined position and the small tape cassette for the adapter is replaced at this position, it is possible to remove the small tape cassette from inside the adapter. There is no need to perform any operations to start the tape unloading operation, and the usability is also improved.
However, the adapter has the advantage of being able to fully utilize its own functions.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a magnetic recording and/or reproducing device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of an adapter automatic attachment/detachment mechanism in the device of FIG. 1. , FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a small tape cassette adapter used in the device shown in FIG. 1 with the top plate removed, and FIG. A perspective view, FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the connection between the motor in the adapter of FIG. 4 and a plurality of detection switches, and FIG.
8 and 8 are perspective views of the adapter shown in FIG. 4 from the right and left sides, respectively, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show that the adapter housing accommodates a small tape cassette.
FIG. 11 is a plan view and a side view of the automatic adapter attachment/detachment mechanism showing the state in the unloading position; FIG. 11 is a circuit showing a circuit for starting the tape unloading operation within the adapter in connection with the adapter detachment operation; It is a diagram. 1... Magnetic recording and/or reproducing device, 2... Front panel, 3... Insertion slot for adapter (standard tape cassette), 4... Top plate, 5... Insertion slot for small tape cassette, 6... Door, 10... Adapter ( tape cassette) automatic attachment/detachment mechanism, 11... adapter housing, 12, 13... vertical support plate, 14, 15... side plate, 15a... rack gear, 16... bottom plate, 18... pinion, 19a, 19b, 19c... guide groove, 20
...Frame plate, 30...Adapter for small tape cassette,
31... Adapter housing, 32... Front lid, 33... Small tape cassette storage section, 34... Small tape cassette, 35... Cassette housing, 36... Lid, 37, 87
...Motor, 38,88...Worm, 39...Gear train, 40,61,90,91...Gear, 41...Arm, 42...Switch switching cam, 43...Pole lock cam, 44...Special chain, 45,51...Low Deing cam, 46, 52...shaft, 47, 49...
Bell crank lever, 48, 50...link, 5
3, 54...Pole, 55...Magnetic tape, 56...Tape path, 57, 62...Lock lever, 58...Take-up reel, 59...Lock member, 60...Top cover, 63...Lever, 64...Sliding knob, 64a...Register Stop portion, 65...Left side wall, 66...Protruding piece, 67...Spring, 68...Battery, 69...Right side wall, 70...Power input terminal, 71...Tape unloading start input terminal, 72...Tape loading completion detection output terminal , 76... Recessed portion for adapter identification, 77, 84... Torsion coil spring, 80... Power switch, 81, 82
... Contact piece group, 82a, 82b... Contact piece, 83... Adapter detection lever, 85, 86... Sliding plate, 92...
Playback button, 93...Record button, 94...First eject button, 95...Small tape cassette "present" signal output terminal, 96...Top cover close signal output terminal, 97
...Second eject button, 101...Circuit, 102...
Power supply, 103...Motor drive circuit, 104...Time constant circuit, SW1A...Small tape cassette storage detection switch, SW2A...Top cover close detection switch, SW3A...Tape unloading start switch, SW4A...Auxiliary switch, SW5A...Tape loading switch. Unloading completion detection switch, SW6A...Tape loading completion detection switch, SW1...Adapter detection switch, SW2,
SW3...Adapter insertion detection switch, SW4...Position detection switch, RL1, RL2...Relay.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A magnetic recording and/or reproducing device having a housing moving mechanism for moving a housing into which a standard tape cassette is inserted between an insertion port position and a loading position. an operating means for starting movement to the insertion opening position; a detection means for detecting that the housing moving mechanism has moved in the direction of the insertion opening position according to the mounting position and has reached a predetermined position; A tape loading operation is used when a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette is loaded into the device, and the tape is pulled out from the small tape cassette to form a predetermined tape path, and conversely, the tape is loaded into the small tape cassette. When a small tape cassette adapter is inserted that performs the tape unloading operation by driving a built-in motor, the amount of tape in the small tape cassette adapter is adjusted according to the operation of the operating means and the detection means. 1. A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: motor starting means for starting the motor in a direction for performing a tape unloading operation.