A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a tape loading mechanism
including a driving ring gear member, first and second ring gear members for shifting
first and second tape guide posts, respectively, and first, second, and third gear
members engaging the driving ring gear member and the first and second ring gear
members, respectively. Each of the first through third gear members includes a
gear part and a cam part in the same plane. The cam part of the first gear member
has an arcuate shape. The cam part of the second gear member engages the cam part
of the third gear member so as to transmit rotation during the operation of the
tape loading mechanism, and is pressed against the circumferential surface of the
arcuate cam part of the first gear member in a state where the operation of the
tape loading mechanism is completed.
