GB2135499A

GB2135499A - Tape player

Info

Publication number: GB2135499A
Application number: GB08334457A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazuki Takai; Toshihiro Ikahata; Wataru Watanabe
Original assignee: Clarion Co Ltd
Current assignee: Faurecia Clarion Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1982-12-28
Filing date: 1983-12-23
Publication date: 1984-08-30
Also published as: SE8307161L; DE3347342C2; SE456126B; GB2135499B; GB8334457D0; SE8307161D0; DE3347342A1

Abstract

A head shifting mechanism adopted in a tape player, comprising a head shifting plate 11 always forced by a spring 12, 13 in the direction of reverse movement, power plate (17) connected to link 6 for moving forward said head shifting plate against the action of said spring, a hook plate 5 pivotably mounted on said head shifting plate and which is engaged, disengageably, with said power plate, holding plate 3 to hold the hook and power plates as engaged with each other when attracted by an electromagnetic plunger 1, and a means 4 of holding said head shifting plate in the forward position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tape player The present invention relates to a tape player, and more particularly, to an improved head shifting mechanism and locking mechanism associated therewith, adopted in a such tape player, to use the driving force from a motor for shifting a record/reproduce/erase head for compression to a magnetic tape.

Recently, many tape players employ such an arrangement that the driving force from the motor is utilized for shifting various members into place.

As one example among them, there has been provided a mechanism in which the driving force from a motor is used to shift, into a cassette and for compression to a magnetic tape therein, the head from a position where it has stood before the cassette tape is set or the tape player is put into operation.

For automatic operation of said head shifting and pressing mechanism, it has been proposed to unlock an intermittent-motion gear or power plate having been locked against movement by an electromagnetic plunger and rotate the intermittent gear as engaged with a gear at the driving force source side, for thereby conveying the driving force from its source to the head shifting and pressing mechanism. The rotation of this gear causes the power plate to move to and fro, for thereby shifting the head toward, for compression to, the magnetic tape. When this operation is over, the intermittent gear is disengaged from the gear at the driving force source side so that the intermittent gear stops rotating. The driving force will no longer be transmitted to the head shifting and pressing mechanism. This is what we call the drive mechanism.

A locking mechanism operationally coupled with this drive mechanism receives, when the power plate starts moving, a signal indicative of this start of movement, and engages with the head mechanism. Thereafter, as the power plate keeps moving forward, the locking mechanism interlocked with the power plate tows the head mechanism while being engaged with the latter, until the head is pressed to the tape. When the power plate is moved reversely to its initial position, the locking mechanism is disengaged from the head mechanism, for thereby disengaging the drive mechanism from the head mechanism. The head mechanism having fully moved forward is kept by another locking means so that playing operation or reproduction will continuously be done.

However, since the conventional locking mechanism is so constructed that after having locked, receiving the signal indicative of the start of driving force transmission, the head mechanism, it will keep the latter locked all the way until the head mechanism has completed its forward movement, if the tape player itself is deenergized for any reason while the driving force is being transmitted to the head mechanism, the drive mechanism is stopped and also the head mechanism is stopped as locked in the mid course. If the tape player is deenergized in the course of the head being shifted toward the tape, the cassette having been inserted can neither be set in place nor ejected.

The present invention has the object to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional techniques. Preferred embodiments provide a tape player having an improved head shifting mechanism and locking mechanism associated therewith by which if the tape player is deenergized in the course of the head mechanism being shifted toward the tape by the drive mechanism, the head mechanism can be disengaged from the drive mechanism and returned to the position where it has stood before put into operation.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tape player having a head shifting mechanism comprising a head shifting plate formed in reverse direction by a spring, a hook plate pivotably provided on the head shifting plate, a holding plate fixing the hook plate under the force of an electromagnetic plunger, a power plate engageable with the hook plate so as to be disengageable therefrom at any time, and a holding means to lock the head shifting plate in forward-moving position. When the electromagnetic plunger is energized as the power supply is connected to the tape player, the hook plate is fixed by the holding plate so that the power plate is engaged with the hook plate for shifting the head shifting plate toward the tape.

When the power supply is disconnected from the tape player and so the plunger is deenergized, both the holding and hook plates become pivotable so that the hook plate is disengaged from the power plate, resulting in that the head shifting plate will be returned under the force of the spring to the position where the head has started shifting toward the tape.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the ensuing description made of one embodiment, by way of example, according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 7 are plan views showing the one embodiment of head shifting mechanism according to the present invention, whereof: Figure 1 shows the head shifting plate in a position before shifted forward after the tape player is powered; Figure 2 shows the head shifting plate having completed its forward movement, Figure 3 shows the head shifting plate in a power where the power supply is disconnected in the course of the plate being shifted forward; Figure 4 is a partial view of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a partial view of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a partial view showing the head shifting plate under reverse movement after tape playing; and Figure 7 is a partial view of Figure 3.

Referring now to the Figures, the construction of various mechanisms of the inventive tape player will be described herebelow: (a) Head Shifting Mechanism This head shifting mechanism consists of an electromagnetic plunger 1 plunger plate 2, holding plate 3, locking plate 4, hook plate 5 and a sub-plate 6.

Provided in the proximity of the electromagnetic plunger 1 installed at one inner end of the tape player is the plunger plate 2 which has an attractive piece 2a. This attractive piece 2a is attracted by the plunger 1 when energized. The plunger plate 2 is installed pivotably about a shaft 2b and forced always by a spring 2S in the direction of the plunger 1.

The holding plate 3 coupled with the plunger plate 2 at the one end thereof is an elongated member extending nearly in the direction of the width of the tape player in the depth thereof, and provided on the tape player chassis pivotably about a shaft 3a. This holding plate 3 has a linear guide section 3b which will be parallel with the direction of the width of the taper player when the electromagnetic plunger 1 is energized. The guide section 3b has the lateral side formed so that a locking pin 7 provided on the hook plate 5 which will be described moves being in contact with it.

The holding plate 3 also has provided thereon a coupling shaft 3c at an end thereof opposite to the above-mentioned guide section 3b, with which the locking plate 4 is coupled at the end thereof. The locking plate 4 is so located as to be nearly registered with the holding plate 3, and has formed in the middle thereof a small hole 4a in which the shaft 3a of said holding plate 3 is inserted. The one of the ends of the locking plate 4 which is not coupled with the holding plate 3 is formed as a locking section 4b which is shaped like such a hook as to be capable of locking the locking pin 7 provided on said hook plate 5.This shape of the locking section 4b has a stepped portion which may form a right angle with respect to the moving direction of a head plate, or any other angle smaller than a right angle and which becomes larger than a right angle when the locking plate 4 is pivoted couterclockwise against the force of the spring 4S, namely, the angle of the stepped portion of the locking section 4b may have an angle smaller than a right angle and which is within an angle formed between the lines connecting from the locking pin 7 has an apex to the shaft 3a and to the coupling shaft 3c. On the other hand, the locking section 4b is further terminated by a to-be-pressed, taper portion 4c by which the locking pin 7 can be pressed. Before the head shifting plate 1 1 is moved forward, the end of the to-be-pressed portion 4c gets into the proximity of the locking pin 7.The locking plate 4 is independently pivotable about the shaft 3c coupled with the holding plate 3, or it is pivotable about the shaft 3a along with the holding plate 3.

Also the locking plate 3 is always forced by the spring 4S in the direction of locking the locking pin 7.

The hook plate 5 is pivotably mounted by means of a mount shaft 5a on the head shifting plate 11 and moved along with the head shifting plate 11 in the direction of the tape player width.

The mount shaft 5a, said locking pin 7 and coupling shaft 3c are so located as to be on a line I along the moving direction of the head shifting plate 11 when the locking plate 4 has locked the locking pin 7. The hook plate 5 is terminated by an engagement portion 5b which is so formed as to be engageable, when the head shifting plate is moved forward, with a member (engagement pin 8 of the sub-plate 6) on the power plate side which tows the head shifting plate 11. The engagement portion 5b is further continued by a taper portion 5c.It should be noted that the engagement portion 5b has the stepped portion which may have a depth being short with respect to the radius of the engagement pin 8 when the stepped portion is perpendicular to the moving direction of the head shifting plate 1 1, or which is so tapered as to have an angle larger than a right angle with respect to the moving direction of the head shifting plater irrespectively of the depth of the stepped portion and radius of the engagement pin 8.

There is provided under these holding plate 3, locking plate 4 and hook plate 5 the sub-plate 6 extending in the direction of tape player width.

The sub-plate 6 has provided at the upside of one end thereof the engagement pin 8 projecting through an elongated hole 9 in the tape player chassis to near the engagement portion 5b of said hook plate 5. The end of the sub-plate 6 opposite to the engagement pin 8 thereof is coupled with a power link 10. The sub-plate 6 is always forced by a spring 6S to the hook plate 5.

(2) Head Shifting Plate The head shifting plate 11 having mounted thereon a pinch roller (not shown) is supported pivotably in the direction of the tape player width, and it is forced by springs 12 and 1 3 to the right of the tape player. The head shifting plate 11 is operationally coupled with a head plate (not shown) and presses the head plate having a head mounted thereon so that the head will come to a position where it is pressed to the tape running over each capstan. When the driving force is transmitted from its source, the head shifting plate 1 1 is movable forward against the force of the springs 12 and 13.

(3) Drive Mechanism There is provided in the proximity of a drive gear 1 which is always rotated by the driving force from a motor, an intermittent-motion gear 15 having formed along the circumference thereof a toothless cut section 1 spa. When this cut section 1 5a faces the drive gear 14, no rotation is transmitted from the drive gear 14 to the intermittent gear 15. When the cut section 1 5a is not just facing the drive gear 14, the intermittent gear 15 is rotated one turn by the drive gear 15 until the cut section 1 5a comes to a position where it faces the drive gear 14.

There is provided over the surface of the intermittent gear 15 a power plate drive can 16 consisting of a drive section which spirally expands from the center of the cam and a nearly straight return section extending along the maximum radius to the center of the cam. Over the underside of the drive cam 26 reciprocally movably provided is a power plate 17 on the front underside of which a roller-shaped cam follower 18 is provided in contact with the outer circumference of said drive cam 16. The cam follower 18 is so located as to position itself nearly in the center of the straight return section of the drive can 16 when the intermittent gear 15 is not rotated. It should be noted that the power plate 17 is locked by a power plate locking member 19 when the cam follower 18 is in the above position.When unlocked, the power plate 17 is moved upward as viewed on the plane of the drawing by the force of the spring 6S.

The power plate locking member 19 is pivotable about a shaft 20, and always forced by a spring 21 in the direction of locking the power plate. The power plate locking member 19 is interlocked with an electromagnetic plunger 22 disposed over the member 19, and locks the power plate 1 7 against the force of the spring 6S when the electromagnetic plunger 22 attracts an attractive piece 1 9a of the power plate locking member 19. When the electromagnetic plunger 22 is deenergized so that the attractive piece 1 9a thereof is released from the plunger 22, the power plate locking member 19 pivots in the direction of unlocking the power plate 17.

The embodiment of head shifting mechanism of the construction having been described in the foregoing, according to the present invention, will function as follows: It should be noted that the head shifting plate starts forward movement in the following cases: (a) After no cassette tape is load and the tape player is not powered, a cassette tape is completely loaded and the tape player is powered.

(b) After the tape is fast forwarded or rewound with the power kept connected to the tape player, play or reproduction is resumed.

Figure 1 showing one embodiment of the present invention illustrates the case (b) above in which the mechanism is in a position before the head shifting plate is started, namely, in which fast forwarding or rewinding is being done.

(1) Before Head Shifting Plate is Moved Forward This operation will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4.

In case the head plate is reversed to the parking position in the mode of fast forward or rewind, since the tape player is being powered, the electromagnetic plunger 1 is energized, the plunger plate 2 is pivoted about the shaft 2b, the attractive piece 2a of the plunger 1 is attracted by the plunger plate 2, and thus the plunger plate 2 is fixed. As the plunger plate 2 is pivoted in this manner, the holding plate 3 coupled with the plunger plate 2 is also pivoted about the shaft 3a so that it will be fixed at the guide section 3b thereof by the attracting force of the electromagnetic plunger 1 in a position where it is parallel with the direction of the tape player width.Then, the locking plate 4 coupled with the holding plate 3 by means of the coupling shaft 3c is pivoted about this fixed coupling shaft 3c lockwise as viewed on the drawing by the force of the spring 4S, so as to be nearly registered with the holding plate 3. At this time, the hook plate 5 pivotably mounted on the head shifting plate 11 has the locking pin thereof which will be in contact with, and pressed by, the guide section 3b of the holding plate 3 having pivoted, and thus the hook plate 5 is pivoted about the mount shaft 5a counterclockwise as viewed on the drawing.

When the locking pin 7 abuts a side edge 24 of a tape player opening for cassette tape, the hook plate 5 is stopped from pivoting. The locking pin 7 is caught between the side edge 24 of the opening and the guide section 3b of said holding plate 3. As the resulting the mount shaft 5a of the hook plate 5, locking pin 7 and coupling shaft 3c of the holding plate 3 are aligned with each other, and the locking pin 7 is so oriented as to move between the side edge 24 of the tape player opening and the guide section 3b of the holding plate 3.

At this time, the power plate 17 is locked by the power plate locking member 19, and the subplate 6 is stopped in a slightly deviated position by the force of the spring 6S by means of the power link 10. The engagement pin 8 provided on the end of the sub-plate 6 is position in a place a little apart from the engagement section 5b of said hook plate 5.

It should be noted that in the case (a) in which no cassette tape is yet loaded in the tape player, both electromagnetic plungers 1 and 22 are not energized since the tape player is not supplied with the power. Therefore, the plunger plate 2 is towed only by the spring 2S to the electromagnetic plunger 1. Also the power plate 17 is not locked by the power plate locking plate 19, but stopped with the drive gear 14 and intermittent gear 15 remaining in mesh with each other.

(2) Start of Forward Movement of Head Shifting Plate When the electromagnetic plunger 22 is deenergized under a command for start of playing after fast forward or rewind is over, the power plate locking member 19 having so far been attracted will no longer be attracted by the plunger, thus unlocking the power plate 17. Then, the power plate 17 is moved a little into the tape player by the force of the spring 6S on the subplate 6 and the cam follower 18 presses the drive cam 1 6 so that the intermittent gear 15 turns a little into mesh with the drive gear 14. Thus receiving the driving force from the drive gear 14, the intermittent gear 15 is rotated so that the power plate 17 is moved by the drive cam 16.

In the case (a) above in which a cassette tape is set, when the cassette is entirely loaded in place and the tape player is switched on, the drive gear 14 and intermittent gear 15 stopped in mesh with each other start turning so that the power plate 1 7 immediately moves. At the same time, the electromagnetic plunger 1 is energized and so the plunger plate, holding plate, etc. are fixed as the results of similar operations to the abovementioned operations.

If the power plate 17 starts forward movement in this way, the sub-plate 6 coupled with the this power plate by means of the power link starts moving leftward as viewed on the drawing against the force of the spring 6S. Then, the engagement pin 8 on the end of the sub-plate 6 moves leftward inside the elongated hole 9 formed in the tape player chassis and is engaged with the engagement section 5b of the hook plate 5.

As having previously been described, the hook plate 5 can not be pivoted clockwise since the lock pin 7 provided on the hook plate is caught between the guide section 3b of the holding plate 3 and the side edge 24 of the tape player opening so that the engagement section 5b of the hook plate 5 is applied with a force which will press down the hook plate 5 from above as viewed on the drawing, and fixed in the direction of engagement with the engagement pin 8. Thus it is kept engaged with the pin 8. As the power plate 17 continues forward movement, the engagement pin 8 of the sub-plate 8 will tow the hook plate 5 so that the locking pin 7 moves leftward as viewed on the drawing between the guide section 3b and the opening.Then the head shifting plate 11 coupled by means of the mount shaft 5a on the hook plate 5 causes the pinch roller to be pressed to the capstan shaft, and starts forward movement for the head on the head plate to be pressed to the tape.

On the other hand, also the locking pin 7 provided on the hook plate 5 as the latter moves, and gets into contact with the to-be-pressed portion 4c of the locking plate 4. However, since the locking plate 4 is pivotable about the coupling shaft 3c of the holding plate 3 over a stroke defined by the small hole 4a although the holding plate 3 is fixed by means of the electromagnetic plunger 1, when the locking pin 7 having been moved forward presses the taper, to-be-pressed portion 4c, the locking plate 4 pivots against the force of the spring 4S.

(3) Completion of Forward Movement of Head Shifting Plate This operation will be explained referring Figures 2 and 5. When the power plate 17 continues to move forward in the above conditions to the initial position of its stroke, the locking pin 7 of the hook plate 5 passes by the tobe-pressed portion 4c of the locking plate 4, and the locking plate 4 is returned by the force of the spring 4S in the direction of locking the locking pin 7 which will engage with the locking section 4b. Here, the head shifting plate 1 1 stops forward movement.

Thereafter, the power plate 17 is reversed by the force of the spring 6S, along with the rotation of the intermittent gear 1 5, to the same position as in the operation ( 1 ) above, in which the cut section 1 5a of the intermittent gear 15 faces the drive gear 14, so that the intermittent gear 15 thus stops rotating. The power plate 17 is locked again by the power plate locking plate 19 having pivoted under the action of the spring 21 in the direction of locking the power plate.

When the power plate 17 is thus returned to the initial position, namely, to the inner position within the tape player, the sub-plate 6 interlocked with the power plate is also returned by the spring 6S to the position as in the operation (1) above.

Therefore, the engagement pin 8 at the end of the sub-plate 5 is also disengaged from the engagement portion 5b of the hook plate 5 and moved leftward as viewed on the drawing within the elongated hole 9 in the tape player chassis so that it will no longer tow the hook plate 5.

However, since the locking pin 7 is kept engaged with the locking section 4b of the locking plate 4, the head shifting plate 11 will not be reversed but will keep the forward position.

That is to say, since the holding plate 3 is fixed, the locking plate 4 pivots about the coupling shaft 3c, but as the mount shaft 5a on the hook plate 5, locking pin 7 and coupling shaft 3c are aligned with each other when the stepped portion of the locking plate 4 is perpendicular to the latter, the force of the springs 1 2 and 1 3 under which the head shifting plate is forced rightward as viewed on the drawing acts in the above straight line to press the stepped portion of the locking section 4b at a right angle. Thus although it is pivotable about the coupling shaft 3c, the locking plate 4 will not be pivoted against the force of the spring 4S so that the locking pin 7 and locking portion 4b are kept engaged between them. It should be noted that even when the locking portion 4b has a stepped section forming an angle smaller than a right angle with respect to the locking plate 4, such a force is applied as to press the locking section 4b in the direction of the locking pin 7 so that the locking section 4b and locking pin 7 are continuously kept engaged with each other.

(4) Reverse Movement of Head Shifting Plate This will be described with reference to Figure 6.

When the electromagnetic plunger 1 is deenergized by pressing the eject lever after the head shifting plate has moved over its entire forward stroke, the locking pin 7 being engaged with the locking portion 4b of the locking plate 4 is disengaged from the locking portion 4b so that the head shifting plate 11 is reversed. This is effected owing to the following operation.

As the electromagnetic plunger 1 loses the attractive force so that the holding plate 3 will no longer be fixed, the locking plate 4 will be pivotable about the shaft 3a of the holding plate 3 in lieu of the coupling shaft 3c about which it has so far been pivotable. The force of the springs 12 and 13 for towing the head shifting plate 11 will be applied along a line connecting the shaft 3a to the locking pin 7 and obliquely act on the locking portion 4b so that a lateral moment will be act on the locking plate 4 which in turn will be pivoted counterclockwise. Along with this counterclockwise pivoting of this locking plate 4, the coupling shaft 3c is also pivoted and deviated from the moving line I of the head shifting plate 11.

Thereafter, the force of towing the head shifting plate will act in a direction deviated from the line I and which connects the coupling shaft 3c and the locking pin 7. In conjunction with the eccentric action of said shaft 3c, the inclination angle formed between the locking portion 4b and line I becomes larger so that the locking pin 7 pushes up the locking plate while sliding on the locking portion 4b, and moves rightward as viewed on the drawing, for thereby unlocking the head shifting plate 11.

(5) In Case the Tape Player is Deenergized in the Course of the Head Being Shifted Forward The operation in this case will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 7. If the power supply is disconnected to the tape player for any reason in the course of the head shifting plate being moved forward, that is, before the locking pin 7 engages with the stepped portion 4b of the locking plate 4, the power plate 17 having so far moved forward will stop moving in the middle of forward movement because the drive gear 14 stops rotating so that no driving force will be transmitted.Thus, the engagement pin 8 of the sub-plate 6 having towed the head shifting plate 1 1 and hook plate 5 by means of the power link 10 is stopped within the elongated hole 9 in the tape player chassis while remaining engaged with the engagement section 5b of the hook plate 5.

Since the electromagnetic plunger 1 is deenergized at this time so that it will no longer attract the plunger plate 2, the plunger plate 2 and also the holding plate 3 coupled therewith will no longer be fixed. As the result, the holding plate 3 becomes pivotable about the shaft 3a.

Thus, the hook plate 5 having so far been fixed against pivoting because the locking pin 7 has been caught between the guide section 3b of the holding plate 3 and the side edge 24 of the tape player opening, is also released from the fixed condition to be pivotable again. The head shifting plate 11 having been towed in the forward direction against the force of the springs 12 and 13 will, when no longer towed, be moved reversely under the force of the springs 12 and 13. At this time, the engagement section 5b of the hook plate 5 having so far been engaged with the engagement pin 8 on the sub-plate 6 is disengaged from the pin 8 under the following dynamic action.In case the stepped portion of the engagement portion 5b of the hook plate 5 has a depth smaller than the radius of the engagement pin 8, since there is no force which presses and fixes the hook plate 5 from above as viewed on the drawing, the action toward the right as viewed on the drawing of the force of the springs 12 and 13 will cause the stepped portion of the hook plate 5 to be pressed for the corner thereof to slide on the circumference of the engagement pin 8, so that the hook plate 4 will pivot clockwise. Also in case the engagement section 5b of the hook plate 5 is tapered, the taper portion is pressed sliding on the engagmeent pin 8, so that the hook plate 5 will be pivoted with the engagement pin 8 being disengaged from the hook plate 5.

In this way, the head shifting plate 1 1 will leave the sub-plate 6 and be returned by the force of the springs 12 and 13 to the position where it has stood before starting the forward movement.

As apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the present invention having been described in the foregoing, but may be embodied in any variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the claims, as will be described below: With the present invention, the locking means for the head shifting plate may be the engagement between the stepped locking section of the locking plate and an engagement portion provided on the hook plate.

Also with the present invention the hook plate may be interlocked with a head plate on which the head is mounted, or with a member on which both a pinch roller and head are mounted.

Furthermore the head shifting plate may be towed by engaging a pin provided on the hook plate with a partially tapered, engagement portion formed on the sub-plate, and the power plates may be formed integral with the sub-plate.

As having previously been described, the head shifting mechanism according to the present invention comprises a holding, hook and locking plates which are provided pivotably. When the tape player is switched on and the electromagnetic plunger is energized, the holding and hook plates are fixed by the plunger. The member on the power plate side is engaged by with the hook plate, for thereby forwarding the head shifting plate. Upon completion of the forward movement, the locking plate is engaged with the hook plate to lock the head shifting plate. If the power supply is disconnected to the tape player in the course of the head shifting being done, the electromagnetic plunger is deenergized so that the holding and hook plates are freed. Thus, the hook plate is disengaged from the power plate-side member, so that the head shifting plate is released from the locked state.

With preferred embodiments of the present invention, the head mechanism including the head shifting plate can be disconnected from the drive mechanism, even if the tape player is deenergized in the course of the head being moved forward and the drive mechanism is stopped in the course of its operation, and returned to the position where it has stood before starting the operation.

Even if the power supply to the tape player is interrupted in the course of a cassette tape being loaded therein, it is possible to eject the cassette for removal. Thus, the tape player can be powered, or the power supply can be inspected for maintenance, by inserting a cassette tape into the tape player.

Claims

1. A tape player, comprising: a first spring; a head shifting plate always forced by said first spring in the direction of moving reversely; a power plate to move forward said head shifting plate against the force of said first spring; a hook plate mounted pivotably on said head shifting plate and which is engaged with said power plate; a first electromagnetic plunger; and a holding plate operative in response to the attractive action of said first electromagnetic plunger to hold the engaged condition of said hook plate with said power plate.

2. A tape player as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a holding means to hold said head shifting plate in the forward position.

3. A tape player as set forth in claim 2, in which said holding means comprises an engagement pin provided on the head shifting plate and a step-shaped locking plate engageable with said engagement pin, said locking plate being mounted on said holding plate by means of a coupling shaft which is positioned off the shaft of said holding plate.

4. A tape player as set forth in claim 1, in which said hook plate is pivotable only in one direction as seen from the moving line of said head shifting plate, and is to be pressed by said holding plate to the moving line side of the head shifting plate.

5. A tape player as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sub-plate having an engagement pin provided thereon and which is interlocked with the power plate, said engagement pin being engaged with the stepped portion of said hook plate.

6. A tape player as set forth in claim 3, in which said hook plate has one end thereof mounted on a shaft forced in a line extending in the unlocking direction, and has fixed on the other end thereof said engagement pin, said holding plate being provided pivotably about a pivot in a position off the line extending in said unlocking direction.

7. A tape player as set forth in claim 1, comprising: a drive gear which is always rotated; an intermittent-motion gear having a toothed section for engagement with said drive gear, and a cut section; a drive cam interlocked with said intermittent gear to reciprocate said power plate; and a locking means of locking said power plate in a position where said drive gear and intermittent gear will not be engaged with each other.

8. A tape player as set forth in claim 7, said locking means comprising: a locking member for engagement with said power plate; a spring forcing said locking member in the locking direction; and a second electromagnetic plunger to hold said locking member in the locked state.

9. A tape player substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.