A magnetic tape head cleaning system is provided that linearly moves a cleaner element across the surface of a read/write head while simultaneously using the liner displacement to rotate the cleaner element relative to the surface of the head. A cleaning mechanism includes a stationary post having a drive pin that engages a spiral cam slot in a rotary slide positioned to slide over the post. A linearly moving cleaner slide is mounted over the rotary slide to cause linear displacement of the rotary slide. As the rotary slide is displaced linearly, the drive pin and spiral cam slot cause the rotary slide to rotate. The rotation of the rotary slide in turn drives the cleaner element to rotate.

A pinch roller apparatus for a recording/reproduction device which prevents the contamination of a head, resulting from foreign objects settled on the recording medium, by providing a cleaning roller for removing foreign objects from a pinch roller. The invention allows cleaning of a pinch roller without utilizing a separate dedicated cassette for cleaning.

In a standard audio tape cassette, a new method of cleaning the capstan(s) while the tape is playing or recording. The new method and means consists of a fibrous material, generally a felt, which is positioned against the capstan(s) in a way so that when it is in contact it exerts a wiping pressure on the rotating capstan(s). Another means is by positioning the felt on a moveable lever which will bring the felt into contact with the capstan(s) when the cassette is in operating mode and not in contact when the cassette is not operating.

Apparatus for cleaning a head assembly (12) of a magnetic tape player and/or recorder with a cleaning solution. The apparatus includes a housing (14) adapted to be inserted in the player and/or recorder in a cleaning position, a drive mechanism (18) and wiper arm (16) connected within the housing (14) for providing oscillating movement, and a cleaning head (20) connected to the wiper arm (16) for cleaning the head assembly (12). The cleaning head (20) comprises a rigid body (82) having a plurality of cleaning materials (84, 86, 88) extending forwardly out of the rigid body (82). One of the cleaning materials is a solution-holding material (84) characterized by its ability to absorb a cleaning solution, for spreading the cleaning solution on the head assembly (12). Another cleaning material (86, 88) comprising a relatively stiffer material for scrubbing the head assembly, is positioned on both sides of the solution-holding material (84). In use, the drive mechanism (18) within the housing is driven by the tape player and/or recorder such that it moves the wiper arm (16) with the attached cleaning head (20) back and forth along a transverse path on the head assembly (12) to be cleaned as it both spreads a cleaning solution and scrubs the area clean.

A head cleaner for a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for cleaning rotary magnetic heads. The head cleaner includes a rotary spindle rotatably mounted on a support arm movable between an operative position, in which the head cleaner is in position to clean the magnetic heads, and an inoperative position separated from the magnetic heads. The head cleaner also includes a plurality of oblong webs of non-woven fabric with or without an abrasive material coated on one surface thereof. The oblong webs of non-woven fabric are fixedly secured to the rotary spindle so as to extend radially outwardly therefrom while being spaced an equal distance from each other in a direction circumferentially thereof.