| 摘要 |
A changer for tape cartridges is disclosed. A number of tape cartridges are held in stacked but separated fashion in a storage unit which is slidable with respect to a tape player unit. The changer includes an advancing mechanism capable of advancing the storage unit in either direction one cartridge at a time, the total number of positions available being equal to the number of cartridges within the storage unit. In each position, one of the cartridges is adjacent the head and drive capstan of the player unit. Such cartridge may be pushed into the player unit by a cartridge lifter unit. The cartridge is then engaged by the player head and drive capstan. When the entire tape or a desired segment has been played, a signal from the tape activates a release mechanism to release the tape cartridge from the head and drive capstan assembly, thereby replacing the cartridge back into the appropriate position in the storage unit. Then a solenoid operates the advancing mechanism to move the storage unit into position for playing the next adjacent or selected cartridge. When the last tape cartridge of the row of cartridges in the storage unit has been played, a signal is sent from a limit switch to shut off or reverse the cartridge storage unit advancing mechanism. Where a reversing signal is sent, the player continuously and repeatedly plays the series of tape cartridges cartridge-by-cartridge, by moving the storage unit first in one direction, then in the opposition direction, and so on.
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