An improvement in tape recorders and players which comprises a means to detect whether the spindles or reels are rotating and an indication means which will signal to the operator when there is no rotation. An electric circuit can be used to transmit a signal from the means to detect to the indication means.

An automatic tape run-reversing device, wherein a single-channel type magnetic head has its operative height shifted by one step, each time the run of a magnetic tape is reversed when it is taken up from one reel to another thereby enabling said single channel type magnetic head to act as a multichannel type in recording and reproducing data.

An improved tape drive system for an apparatus (a telephone answering device in the exemplary, preferred embodiment of this invention) which employs one or more dual reel tape cassettes or cartridges. The tape drive system of the present invention requires only a single motor and a single solenoid for providing all operating functions of the apparatus. One lever (a broadcast lever) is pivotably mounted on a base or chassis and carries a broadcast pinch roller mechanism and a broadcast record/playback head. A second lever (an incoming call recording or "ICR" lever) is pivotably mounted on the first lever and carries an ICR pinch roller and an ICR record/playback head. The broadcast, ICR and rewind operating modes of the apparatus are provided by a single motor and a single solenoid. A novel one-way clutch mechanism employs an eccentric disc or cam for camming the broadcast pinch roller out of engagement with the broadcast tape drive capstan during the rewind mode of operation of the apparatus, without the need of a separate solenoid. A novel automatic ICR tape reversing mechanism is employed for driving the take-up reel of the ICR cassette during the ICR mode of the apparatus and for driving the supply reel of the ICR tape cassette during the rewind mode of the apparatus, without the need of separate solenoids.

A drive mechanism for cassette tape recorders is disclosed wherein first and second reel bases are rotated in opposite tape take-up directions to pull in the slack of a tape after a cassette is loaded and an electrical power is turned on. After the tape slack is removed, a drive and transmission mechanism is changed into a playback state. A detector is employed to detect the stoppage of tape run as a result of pulling in the tape slack to actuate release means which selectively disconnects one of two transmission means to first and second reel bases from a drive unit.

In a magnetic-tape sound recorder including mode-selecting and selected mode holding means for selecting a desired mode out of a plurality of modes of operation and holding the selected mode until the mode is to be cleared, an automatic start and shut-off apparatus comprising locking means for holding the operational component parts of the recorder in a locked condition until the locking condition is automatically terminated. Also provided in the apparatus is an unlatching means operative to clear the selected mode in the mode-selecting and selected mode holding means. Motion translating means between the locking and unlatching means holds the unlatching means disengaged from the mode-selecting and selected-mode holding means when the locking means is operative to hold the operational component parts in the locked conditions. Unlocking means connected to the unlatching means and engageable with the locking means is driven in response to (1) a first signal for making the locking means inoperative by the unlocking means and (2) a second signal for clearing the selected mode of operation in the mode-selecting and selected-mode holding means. The operational component parts include a pressing roller associated with the capstan for driving the reels carrying the magnetic tape so that the pressing roller is spaced apart from the capstan when the locking means is held operative.