TAPE CARTRIDGE LOADING/UNLOADING APPARATUS
A tape cartridge loading/unloading apparatus having a motor, a shaft which is driven by the motor, a worm gear which is mounted on the shaft in such a manner that it rotates together with the shaft but freely moves axially along the shaft, a first power transmission mechanism which is driven by meshing with the worm gear when the worm gear is at the first axial position on the shaft and the shaft is rotated in a first rotating direction, a first stopper interlocked with the first power transmission mechanism for keeping the worm gear at the first axial position until the first power transmission mechanism is driven by a fixed amount and thereafter for allowing axial movement of the worm gear, a second stopper which keeps the worm gear at a second axial position on the shaft, a second power transmission mechanism which is driven by meshing with the worm gear when the worm gear is at the second axial position and rotated in the first rotating direction, and a third stopper which interlocks with the second power transmission mechanism when the worm gear is at the second axial position and is rotated in a second rotating direction, wherein the third stopper keeps the worm gear at the second axial position until the second power transmission mechanism is driven by a fixed amount and then allows the worm gear to return to the first axial position.