Programmed track selecting apparatus

Claim 1

In a programmed track selecting apparatus for a multiple tape cartridge player utilizing a plurality of multi track endless magnetic tape cartridges, comprising a container rotatably mounted to receive a plurality of cartridges therein, a reciprocating deck carrying means for reproducing the tape including a capstan and a magnetic head, and control means for controlling rotation of the container and movement of the deck, said control means being operable in reponse to an electrical signal to intermittently rotate the container to bring the cartridges to a predetermined playing position in a successive manner and to reciprocate the deck between a position where the cartridge in the playing position is played by said reproducing means and a position where it is not, the improvement of a control means being comprised of: a cam, an electrical plunger for intermittently rotating said cam when energized said cam being operable to shift said magnetic head to a desired track on said tape; a rotary switch rotatably operated synchronously with said cam, said rotary switch having a plurality of first switch members in number corresponding to the respective tracks on the tape and one second switch member for generating said electrical signal, said first switch members being selectively and individually closed by intermittent rotation of said cam and said second switch member being closed during the period when said cam is rotated from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position; a plurality of track selecting switches corresponding in number to the individual tracks on the tape and connected in series with respective first switch members, a plurality of series connections between said track selecting switches and said first switch members each being connected in series with an electrical source for energizing said electrical plunger and said plunger; and designator means for designating the desired track to be reproduced on a tape in any cartridge, said designator means being disposed on a rotatable assignment plate, means for rotating said assignment plate at a rotational speed less than that of said container, said designator means being provided to correspond to the individual cartridges and having a plurality of pushbutton rods for selectively operating said track selecting switches, said track selecting switches being mounted below said assignment plate, said pushbutton rods being slidably mounted in said assignment plate for movement between an upper position and a lowered position where a portion thereof projects below said assignment plate, said track selection switches each having an actuator operable to be closed by engagement with said projecting portion of a lowered pushbutton rod when a cartridge is engaged in said playing position, said plunger being operable to be energized to rotate said cam when a said track selecting switch is closed by a said pushbutton rod, and said plunger being operable to be deenergized so as not to rotate said cam when a said track selecting switch is not closed by a said pushbutton rod whereby the track corresponding to an open track selecting swItch is automatically selected and reproduced.