CA1067057A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A tape cassette for a magnetic recording and/or reproducing has a housing formed with an opening through which the tape can be withdrawn from the cassette hou-sing for the recording or reproducing of signals thereon, as by one or more rotary magnetic heads, and a lid is provided to normally close the housing opening when the cassette is not in use and thereby protect the tape from damage thereto. The cassette housing is provided with guides thereon extending at right angles to each other, for example, parallel to the relatively long and short sides of the cassette housing when the latter is rectangular, for the purpose of guiding the cassette into a holder therefor in either of the directions parallel to the long and short sides, respectively, of the housing. A latch mechanism is provided for locking the lid in its closed position, and such latch mechanism is releasable in response to the insertion of the cassette into a holder in either of the foregoing directions. Locating members are provided on the cassette housing, preferably as integral extensions of the bottom wall, and extend through corresponding cutouts in the lid for engagement with respective abutments provided on the holder so as to accurately locate the cassette in respect to the holder while avoiding interference with the opening of the lid. The lid is provided with one or more interior partitions extending parallel to the front wall of the lid to define a channel which, in the closed position of the lid, accommodates the run of the tape extending across the opening of the cassette housing for preventing contact with such run of the tape through the cassette opening.

Description

BACKCROUND OF THE I?~VEI~ITION
~iel~ o~ the Invention This invention relates generally to tape ccssettes and more particularly is directed to improver,en'a in tape cassettes for protecting the tape contents 'hereof~
when not in use, and for facilitatin~ the accure~e posi-tioning of the tape cassettes on magnetic recorcing and/
or reproducing apparatus.
Description of the Prior Art The use of tape cassettes in magnetic recording and~or reproducing apparatus has been expandin~ steadily as a result of the protection afforded to the tape and the ease with which the tape can be loaded on the apparatus ~or a recording or reproducing operation. Initially, tape cassettes were used in connection with magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the type :~aving a fixed magnetic head pro~ected into the cassette housing through a relatively small window. However, it has recently been proposed to employ tape cassettes in apparatus of the type having one or more rotary magnetic heads, for example, as in magnetic tape apparatus for recording and reproducing video signals. Particularly in the latter case, it is necessary that the tape cassette be easily and accurately positioned on the apparatus in order to ensure tne reliable operation of an associated tape loading device by which the tape is withdrawn from the cassette housing and wrapped about a cylindrical guide drum for scanning in oblique tracks by the rotary magnetic head or heads associated with such drum.
When the recording and reproducing of slgnals on the tape is effected by a rotary magnetic head or heads, as above, it is necessary to provide the cassette housing with an opening through which the tape can be withdrawn for engagement with such head or heads. However, if the cassette housing is provided with an opening of sufficient siæe to permit the withdrawal of the tape from the cassette through such opening, there is the danger that the tape may be accldentally or carelessly damaged through the opening when the cassette is not in use.
The foregoing danger may be avoided by the cassette disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,735,939, issued May 29, 1973, and havlng a common assignee herewith. The cassette disclosed in that patent is provided with a lid which ls normally spring biased to cover the tape extending across the opening of the cassette housing when the cassette is not in use. However, in thls prevlously proposed tape cassette, the opening extends along only a part of a side wall of the cassette housing so that the size of the opening is restricted, particularly when it is d~ired to minimize the overall dimensions of the tape cassette.
Such restrictlon of the size of the sassette opening is disadvan-tageous in that it imposes severe limitatlons on the deslgn and reliability of the tape loading device, which is to be provided for withdrawing the tape from the cassette and wrapping the tape about the previously mentioned guide drum.

-' 10670S7 U.S. Patent 2,941,741 discloses a similar tape cassette i~ which an opening extends along the entire length of one side of the cassette housing and a lid is provided for normally covering all of such opening. Although the foregoing arrangement ensures that the size of the opening wi~l be adequate even when the overall dimensions of the cassette are minimized~ other difficulties are encountered, particularly ln respect to the loading of the cassette on the magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus. In general, in order to simplify the loading of the tape cassette on the apparatus, the latter is provided with a cassette loading mechanism that includes a holder for receiving the tape cassette in a convenient or accessible position and for carrying the cassette to an operative position at which the hubs of take-up and supply reels within the cassette housing are engaged by respective reel drive shafts or spindles of a tape transport assembly. When the cassette loading mechanism includes a holder, as aforesaid, it is necessary to accurately position the cassette in respect to the holder when received in the latter so as to ensure that, in the operative position of the holder, the tape supply and take-up reels will be p-operly engaged by the respective reel drive shafts and the run of the tape extending across the opening of the cassette housing will be properly positioned in respect to a tape engaging pin or member of the tape loading device by which the tape is to be with-drawn from the cassette housing and wrapped about the guide drum.

106~7~57 In order to achieve the above-mentioned correct positioning of the cassette housing in respect to the cassette holder, lt is necessary that the holder have abutments thereon engageable by respective locating elements provided on the cassette hous-ing preferably ad~acent the opening of the latter. However,when the opening extends along an entire side of the cassette housing and the lid is formed to close the entire opening, as in U.S. Patent 2,941,741, the lid stands in the way of the engagement of abutments on the holder with positioning elements formed on the cassette houslng adjacent to the opening.
Accordingly, with the described arrangement, the abutments on the holder have to be engageable with the lid itself in the closed position of the latter. The engagement of the abutments with the lid cannot ensure the reliable accurate positioning of the cassette housing by reason of the necessary clearances that have to be provided between the lid and cassette housing for permitlng the free movement of the lid between its opened and closed positions. Further, such clearance tends to increase with long continued use of the cassette and may even vary from cassette to cassette. Even if it is assumed that the engagement of the abutments on the holder with the lid of the tape casset~e can achieve the accurate positioning of the cassette housing relative to the holder, it will be apparent that, after such positioning has been effected, the abutments on the holder have to be moved away from the lid to permit the opening of the latter and, therefore, the construction of the holder is unduly complicated.

In existing tape cassettes of the described type, for example, as specifically disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,735,939, the opening in a side wall of the cassette housing communi-cates with a cutout in the ad~acent portion of the bottom wall so that the tape engaging pln or pins of a tape loading device provided for extracting the tape fDom the cassette can extend upwardly in such cutout for disposition in back of the run of the tape extending across the opening through which the tape is to be withdrawn or extracted. With the foregoing arrangement, the lid, in its closed position, merely covers the opening in the side wall of the cassette housing and the cutout in the bottom wall remalns exposed.
Therefore, there is the posslbility that, when the cassette is not in use, the tape lying in back of the closed lid may be contacted through the cutout and either loosened or damaged.
Cassette loading mechanisms provided for receiving a tape cassette and moving the latter to an operative position on a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus are variously arranged for receiving the tape cassette in the holder by sliding of the cassette either in the direction parallel to the side of the cassette housing having the opening therein or in the direction perpendicular to that slde of the housing. ~owever, existing tape cassettes are provided wlth guiding means for guiding the cassette housing into the holder in only one of the described directions, for example, in the direction perpendicular to the side of the cassette housing having an opening therein, as in U.S. Patent 3,735,S39. The aforesaid tape cassettes are also provided with a latching mechanism for locking the lid in its closed position when the cassette is not in use, and such latching mechanism is adapted to be released in response to the sliding movement of the cassette into the respective holder. However, such release of the locking mechanism requires the insertion of the tape cassette in a single direction into the holder. Thus, the existing tape cassettes are not suitable for use in connect-ion with the various available cassette loading mechanisms having holders adapted to receive the ~c;as~s.ette~ ln either of the described directions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an ob~ect of this invention to provide a tape cassette which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages of tape cassettes of the described type.
More specifically, it is an ob~ect of thls invention to provide a tape cassette of the described type with means by which the cassette housing can be reliably and accurately located in respect to a holder therefor without interfering with opening of the lid.
Another ob~ect is to provide a tape cassette, as afore-said, in which the bottom wall of the cassette housing is formed with a cutout communicating with the opening extend-ing along a side of the housing for the yurposes previously described, and in which the lid is formed so that, in its closed position, the run of the tape extending along the opening of the cassette housing 1s substantially protected from damage thereto through the cutout in the bottom wall.

1~670S7 Still another ob~ect is to provide a tape cassette, as aforesaid, which is suitable for use in connection with cassette loading mechanisms having holders adapted to receive the cassette either in the direction parallel to the open side of the cassette housing or in the direction at right angles thereto.
A further ob~ect is to provide a tape cassette, as afore-sald, in which the latch mechanism for locking the lld in its closed position is releasable in response to the movement of the cassette into a holder in either of the described directions.
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, the cassette housing is provided with integral locating elements which extend through notches or cutouts in the lid so as to be engageable with abutments on the holder of a cassette loading mechanism for accurate-y and reliably locating the cassette housing while avoiding interference with opening of the lid in the holder.
In order to protect the run of the tape extending along the open side of the cassette housing, it is a feature of this lnvention to provide the lid with one or more partitions depending from the top of the lid parallel to the front wall of the latter so as to define a channel accommodating the run of the tape in the closed position of the lidg whereby to prevent contact with the tape through the cutout portion of the bottom wall of the cassette housing.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, 10670~7 the cassette housing is provided with guides, for example, in the form of grooves in exterior wall surfaces of the housing, which extend at right angles to each other, that is, in the two directions of possible insertion of the cassette into a holder, and which are asymmetrically located in respect of the respective wall surfaces to ensure the proper orientation of the cassette when inserted in a holder.
In accordance with another feature of this invention, the cassette housing is provided with openings in right-angularly related side wa-ls ad~acent a corner of the cassette housing and communicating or regi-tering with respective cutouts of the lid, in the closed position of the latter, and the latch mechanism for locking the lid in its closed positlon is releasable by an actuating element extending into the cassette housing through either of such openings and the registered cutout, whereby to permit the release of the latch mechanism in response to movement of the tape cassette into a holder in either of the described directions.
More particularly, there is provided:
a tape cassette comprising a housing O~-~ generally rectangular con~iguration containing a supply of tape and having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along three of the sides of the latter so as to leave an opening along the fourth side of the housing through which the tape can be withdrawn, a lid pivoted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening, and first guide means on said bottom wall, extendlng the entlre length of sald bottom wall in a direction parallel to sald fourth side, and second gulde means on said peripheral wall along at least one of the sides of the housing extending, in a direction at right angles to said fourth side for slidably r ( iO67057 guiding the tape cassette into a cassette holder in either of said directions without re~uiring the exertion of pressure on said lid, said lid including an elongated front portion substan-tially coextensive in length with said fourth side of the housing and ears directed rearwardly from said front portion at the opposite ends of the latter, said ears being pivoted on said peripheral wall of the housing at the sides of the latter which extend at right angles to said fourth side to provide for said movement of said lid between said closed position covering said opening and said opened position exposing said openin~, and guide means on the ears as an extension of the second guide means on the peripheral wall along the adjacent at least one side of the housing.
There is also provided:
a tape cassette comprisin~ a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing a surply of tape and having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extendingibetween said to~ and bottom walls along three of the sides of the'latter so as to leave an opening along the fourth side of the housing throuFh which the tape can be wit~drawn,''first guide means on said housin~
~respecti~elyl extending in ~directions~ a 'd~'rection parallel to said fourth side and second ~u'ide means on said housin~ extending in a 'direct'ion at right angles to the [latter] first guide means for guiding the tape cassette into a cassette holder in either of said directions, a lid pivoted on said housing for movement between a elosed position cover~ng said opening and an opened position exposing said opening, said lid including an elongated front portion substantially coextensive in length with said fourth side of the housing and ears directed rearw~rdly from said front portion at the opposite ends of the latter, said ears being pivoted on said peripheral wall of the housing at the sides of the latter which extend at right angles to said fourth side for movement of said lid between a closed position covering said opening ana an opened position exposin5 said opening, and guide means o~ the ear~

_9~_ :1067057 as an extension of the guide mean5 on the ends thereof and-latching means disposed in said housing adjacent said peripheral wa~l near a corner of the housing between said fourth side and a contiguous side of said housing; and in ~hich said latching means is yieldably urged toward said peripheral wall to engage said lid and lock the latter in said closed position thereof~ and said peripheral wall has apertures therein adjacent said corner and respectively opening in said directions Darallel to said fourth side and at right angles to the latter and through which said latching means can be selectively released from said l~d to ~ernit ~ovement of the latter to said opened position.
There is further provided:
the combination of a tape cassette cumprising a housing of ~enerally rectan~ular confi~urs~ion containing a ~u~ly of ta~e and having to~ ana bottoD ~all5 and a peripheral wall e~tending between said top and bottom walls along three of the sides of t~e housi~g so as to leave an opening along the fourth side of the housing through which the tape can be withdrawn, a lid 20 oivoted on said ~ousing for movement bet~7een a closed position covering said o~ening and an opened position exposing said open.ng, said lid including an elongated front portion substantially coextensive in length with said fourt~ side of the housing and ears directed rearwaraly from said front portion at the opposite ends of the latter, said ears ~eing pivoted on said peripheral wall of the housing at the sides of the latter which extena at right angles to said fourth side for movement of said lid between a closed position covering said oDening and an opened position exposing said opening, and guide means on the ears as an extension of the guide means on the ends thereof, latching means within said housing adjacent said peripheral wall near a corner of the housing be~ een said fourth side and a contiguous side of said housing~ said latching means being yieldably urged toward said peripheral wall for engaging said lid and thereby locking the lid in said closed H ~
~ -9b-` 1067057 position thereof, and a~ertures in said peripheral wall adjacent said corner and opening respectively in directions parallel to said fourth side and at right an~les to the iatter; and a cassette hblder adapted to have said cassette inserted therein in a selected one of said directions, and a latch - releasing member fixed relative to said hol~er and having a f7~e end portion extending ~arallel to said one direction and positioned to enter the one of said apertures o~ening in said one direction upon the inser:tion of the cassette in said holder for releasing said latching ~eans from said lid and thereby permitting movement of the latter to said opened position.

The above, and ~ther ob~ects, features and advantages of this invention, will be ~pparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE nP~I~INGS
: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cassette in accordance.with an embodiment of this invention, and which is shown with ~ts lid partially opened;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II - II

H _gc_ on Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the tape cassette accord-ing to this lnvention, but with the top wa-l of the cassette housing being removed;
Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the tape cassette;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line ~ - V
on Fig. 3;
Flg. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner in which the tape cassette according to this invention is engageable with drlving and locating elements of a typical magnetlc tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus;
Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a cassette loading mechanism adapted to receive a tape cassette according to this lnvention and belng effective to dispose such tape cassette in an operative position on the recording and/or reproducing apparatus;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view 111ustrating the condition of the tape cassette according to this invention in the course of its insertion into a holder included ln the cassette loading mechanism of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 8, but showing the tape cassette in the condition thereof when located in its operative position by means of the associated holder; and Figs. lO and ll are schematic perspective views illus-trating the manner in which the tape cassette according to this invention may be inserted into a holder in two different ~0670S7 right-angularly related directions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. ~ - 3 thereof, it will be seem that a tape cassette T according to this invention generally comprises a substan-tially rectangular cassette housing 1 formed of mating upper and lower sections la and lb which are suitably secured together and which are :,~e~p~e.c*::~ve:l~y constituted by top and bottom walls having side wall-defining flanges extending along one of the relatively long sides and both relatively short sides of the rectangular houslng 1. Thus, the other relatively long slde of cassette housing 1 is open or with-out a side wall and cooperates with a contiguous trapezoidal cutout ln the bottom wall to define a recess or opening 10 through which tape 11 contalned wlthin the cassette houslng can be extracted or wlthdrawn therefrom. The tape cassette T further comprises a lid 12 which is plvoted on cassette houslng 1 and which is adapted, in a closed posltion, to c}ose or cover the open relatlvely long slde o~ cassette housing 1.
As shown particularly on Figs. 2 and 3, the supply of -tape 11 contalned ln cassette housing 1 is wound on supply and take-up reels 2 and 3. The supply reel 2 is shown to : include a cyllndrical hub 4 which, at its lower end, is loosely and rotatably guided i-n a circular hole 7 provlded in the bottom wall of cassette housing 1. A lower flange 4a extends radially from hub 4 above the bottom wall of cassette houslng 1 and the upper end of cylindrical hub 4 has an end wall 4b extendlng thereacross. The inner surface of hub 4 is formed with axial pro~ections or splines 5a, 5b spaced apart around ; the hub, ~or example, with an angular spacing of 60~between ad~acent splines for rotatable coupling of supply reel 2 with a respectlve reel drive shaft or spindle, as hereinafter descrlbed. The supply reel 2 ls completed by an outer cylindrical hub 6 which extends downwardly over hub 4 and may be secured to the latter by a suitable adhesive or binder therebetween, and an upper flange 6a extendlng radially out-ward from hub 6 to deflne an annular space between flanges 4a and 6a ln which tape 11 may be wound about the secured-together ; hubs 4 and 6. A spring 8 is interposed between the top wall of housing 1 and end wall 4b of hub 4 for urging supply reel 2 downwardly against the bottom wall of cassette housing 1. A
layer (not shown) of a frictional material is preferably coated on the bottom wall of housing 1 under flange 4a to resist rotation of supply reel 2 when the latter is urged downwardly thereagainst by sprlng 8, whereby to avoid inadvertent loosening of the tape within housing 1 when the cassette T is not in use.
As shown, the take-up reel 3 may be -dentlcal in construction to the supply reel 2 and its several parts are identifled by the same reference numerals but with primes appended thereto.
As shown particularly on Fig. 3, a flange extends upwardly from the bottom wall of housing 1 along the margin of the cutout in such bottom wall and cooperates with a mating flange depending from the top wall of the cassette housing to define a ~067057 wall or partition lOa which prevents access to the reels 2 and 3 through the opening or recess 10. Arcuate partitlons 13 are similarly provided wlthin housin~ 1 ad~acent the peripheries of the flanges of reels 2 and 3 for pre~enting the removal from the reels of the turns of tape 11 wound thereon in the event that such turns become loosened. Gulde pins 14a and 14b and guide pins 14c and 14d extend upwardly from the bottom wall of cassette housing 1 at opposite sldes of the cutout in such bottom wall for guidlng the tape 11 between reels 2 and 3 ln a path having a run that extends along the open, relatively long side of housing 1.
The side or peripheral walls 15a and 15b of housing 1 which extend along the opposite relatively short sides of the rectangular cassette housing are formed with lnwardly offset end portions 15a' and 15b' ad~acent the open relatively long slde of the cassette housing (Fig. 3). The lid 12 i8 shown to include a front portion 27 (Fig. 9) depending from an edge of an elongated top portion 32 (Fig. 1) and ears 12a and 12b , directed rearwardly from the opposite ends of front portion 27 to fit into the recesses defined outside of end portions 15a' and 15b' of side walls 15a and 15b and thus lie flush with the outer surfaces of such side walls, as shown particularly on Fig. 8. The offset end portion 15b' of side wall 15b has two spaced apart apertures 16a and 16b extending therethrough, and a latching element, for example, of a resilient plastic, is dlsposed at the lnside of end wall portion 15b'. The latching element 17 is shown to include a relatively thln mountlng portion 17a of generally F-shaped configuration, as viewed from above, and a latching pin or pro;ectlon 17b whlch extends outwardly through aperture 16a from a relatlvely thic~ end portlon 17c of the latching element (Fig. 3). A groove 18 is defined between the step formed by inwardly offset end portion 15b' and an ad~acent lnward pro~ectlon 20, and a gap 22 is defined between such pro~ectlon 20 and an ad~acent abutment 21 extending upwardly from the bottom wall of housing 1. The F-shaped mounting portion 17a of latching element 17 is received ln the gap 22, and abutment 21 urges the end flange of F-shaped mountlng port~on 17a agalnst pro~ection 20 whlle the other flange ; of such mounting portion is urged lnto recess 18. Thus, the relatively thick end portlon 17c of latching element 17 is , normally resiliently held against end portion 15b' of slde wall 15b to extend the latchlng pin or pro~ectlon 17b through aperture 16a beyond the outer surface of end portion 15b'.
However, as hereinafter described, a latch releasing element can be extended inwardly through aperture 16b to act against end portion 17c of the latching element for urglng the same away from the ad~acent wall end portion 15b', and thereby retract the locklng pro~ectlon 17b into aperture 16a. ~all end portion 15b' has an lnwardly dlrected end 25b (Fig. 3) whlch extends in front of the thick end portion 17c of the latchlng element and whlch is formed with an aperture 16c (Figs. 1 and 3) that is aligned with an oblique or beveled end surface (not shown) provided at the bottom part of thick end portion 17c. Thus, a latch releasing element can be extended through -;

-aperture 16c to act against the described oblique or beveled end surface as an alternative means for displacing the thick end portion 17c of the latching element away from the ad~acent wall end portion 15b', as herelnafter descrlbed in detail.
The ears 12a and 12b at the opposlte ends of lid 12 are formed with inwardly directly pins 28 (Figs. 1, 8 and 9) i engageable ln respective apertures or recesses (not shown) ln wall end portions 15a' and 15b' so as to mount lid 12 pivotally on cassette housing 1 for movement between a closed posltion (Fig. 8) and an opened position (Fig. 9).
The ear 12b of lid 12 which is ad~acent wall end portion 15 is formed with an aperture 23 which, ln the closed position of the lid, is adapted to recelve the latching pin or pro~ect-ion 17b for locking the lid in its closed position. However, when the thlck end portion 17c of latching element 17 is , displaced away from the ad~acent wall end portion 15b', as descrlbed above, latchlng pin or pro~ection 17b ls wlthdrawn from aperture 23 and thereby releases the lid for movement to its opened position~ as hereinafter described, against the force of a suitable spring (not shown) which normally urges the lid to its closed position. The wall end portion 15a' is shown to have an inwardly directed, right-angled end 25a for deflning a recess ~ in the respective corner of cassette housing 1 (Fig. 3) for a purpose hereinafter described in detail. As shown on Fig. 1, a tab or claw 19 may be formed on side wall 15b~ with the presence or absence o~ such tab 19 being detected by a conventional device of the magnetic ; recording and/or reproducing apparatus when the cassette is ln i ~67~S7 an opera~e position on such apparatus to prevent inadvertent erasing of signals recorded on tape 11.
In accordance with this invention, the side edge of the bottom wall of cassette housing 1 at opposite ends of the cutout portion of such bottom wall define locating elements 26a and 26b which pro~ect beyond ends 25a and 25b of wall portions 15a~ and 15b~ (Fig. 3) so that, in the closed position of lid 12 (Figs. 4 and 8), such locating elements 26a and 26b extend through respective notches or cutouts 30a and 30b formed in the lower edge of front portion 27 of the lid and are substan-tially flush with the outer surface of front portion 27. The cutouts 30a and 30b are shown to be substantially filled by locating elements 26a and 26b in the closet position of the lid.
The lid 12 is further formed with recesses or cutouts 29 and 31 (Fig. 1) in the ear 12b and in the front portion 27 90 that, in the closed position of lid 12~ cutouts 29 and 31 will be sub-stantially aligned with the previously mentioned apertures 16b and 16c, respectively, for penmitting access to such apertures for the purpose described above.
It will be apparent that, when lid 12 is in its closed position~ the run of tape 11 extending along opening 10 between guide pins 14b and 14c is shielded or protected, at the outside, by front portion 27 of the lid and, from above, by top portion 32 of the lid. However, even with lid 12 in its closed position, the cutout in the bottom wall of cassette housing 1 remains open and could be contacted or damaged by a finger or instrument inserted through such cutout. In order to avoid the possibility of such damage, the tape cassette T according to this invention has partitions 33a and 33b ~Fig. 4) depending from top portion 32 of lid 12, which partitions extend parallel to, and are spaced from, front portion 27 of the lid so as to define a channel therebetween in which the run of the tape between guide pins 14b and 14c is accommodated when lid 12 is in its closed position. The partitions 33a and 33b have a depth at least equal to the width of tape 11 so that, with the lid in its closed position, partitions 33a and 33b substantially prevent contact with the tape run through the cutout portion of the bottom wall of cassette housing 1. Further~ in accordance with this invention, a substantially L~shaped tape locating member 34 extends outwardly and downwardly from the top wall of ~assette housing 1 (Fig. 9) so as to be located in the gap between partitions 33a and 33b in the closed position of lid (Fig. 4).
The tape locating member 34 ensures that, even if the tape between reels 2 and 3 becomes substantially loosened, the run of the tape extending between guide pins 14b and 14c will be properly positioned in respect to a tape engaging pin or me~ber of a tape loading device by which the tape is to be withdrawn from the cassette housing.
In order to guide the cassette T in accordance with this invention during its insertion into the holder of a cassette loading mechanism, as hereinafter described, the cassette T is provided with guiding means extending at right angles to each other, that is, perpendicular to the open relatively long side of cassette housing 1 and parallel to such long side~ respectively.

1~67Q57 In the illustrated embodi~ent of the invention~ such guiding means are constituted by grooves 36 (Figs. 1, 9, 10 and 11) formed in the outer surfaces 35a and 35b of the relatively short side walls 15a and 15b and aligned with groove exten-sions 36c in the ad~acent ears 12a and 12b of lid 12 when the latter is in its closed position. The groove extensions 36c have diverging open ends 36a by which respective guiding ridges 36a" and 36b" of a cassette holder 50 are led into grooves 36 when cassette T is inserted into such holder 50 in the direction perpendicular to the open relatively long side of the cassette housing (Fig. 10). Further, the undersurface of the bottom wall of cassette housing 1 is fonmed with a guiding groove 36' (Fig. 4) extending parallel to the long open side of the cassette housing, and having enlarged or diverging open ends 36a~ so that, when tape cassette T is inserted into a holder 50 in the direction parallel to the relatively long open side of the cassette housing, one or the other of the diverging or enlarged ends 36a' of groove 36' will initiate or facilitate the entry of a guiding ridge 36b' (Fig. 11) of holder 50 into groove 36'. Thus, it will be seen that tape cassette T
according to this invention can be used in various types of magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus having holders which are adapted to receive the tape cassette in different directions~ The grooves 36 and 36' are preferably asymmetrically located relative to the surfaces of the cassette housing in which they are formed. Thus, the grooves 36 in side wall surfaces 35a and 35b are located closer to the top than to the bottom of the cassette housing, while the groove 36~ in the bottom wall surface of the cassette housing is located closer to one relatively long side of the cassette housing than to the other relatively long side thereof. By reason of such asymmetrical positioning of grooves 36 and 36' and of the res-pective guiding ridges in the holders 50, the cassette T is insertable in each holder 50 in only a single proper orientation relative to the latter.
As shown on Fig. 4~ the bottom surface of cassette h~using 1 is further preferably formed with longitudinally grooves surface portions 37 extending along the opposite relatively short sides of the cassette housing and along the closed relatively long side of the housing so that the cassette housing can be con-veniently gripped at the resulting roughened surface portions when inserting the tape cassette into a holder in either of the directions illustrated on Figs. 10 and 11.
In order to accurately locate the tape cassette T in its operative position on a magnetic tape recording andlor repro ducing apparatus, the latter is provided with a pair of locating pins 42 and 43 (Figs. 5 and 6) projecting upwardly from a suitable baseplate or chassis 57 (Fig. 7) and each having a relatively large dia~eter base portion 41a and a relatively small diameter end portion 41b extending upwardly from the base portion 41a to define a shoulder at the top of the latter.
An additional locating pin 39 (Fig. 6) extends upwardly from the baseplate or chassis 57 and has its upper end surface at the same level as the shoulders provided at the top of base ~67057 portions 41a of locating pins 42 and 43. The locating pins 42 and 43 are disposed so that, when tape cassette T is in its proper operative position, the small diameter end portions 41b of locating pins 42 and 43 are respectively enga8ed in sockets 4~ and 45~ respectively~ which are fonmed in the lower sec-tion lb of housing 1 and open downwardly at the botto~ wall surface of the latter. The socket 44 is diametrically dimensioned to closely receive end portion 41b of locating pin 42~ while the other socket 45 is laterally elongated~ that is, elongated in the tirection parallel to a line connecting the edge surfaces of locating elements 26a and 26b. Thus, even if there is some variation in the distance between the centers of locating pins 42 and 43, no difficulty will be experienced in obtaining the en~agement of pins 42 and 43 with the respec-tive sockets 44 and 45 when the tape cassette is properly located by means of its locating elements 26a and 26b, as hereinafter described. It will be noted that the sockets 44 and 45 are disposed ad~acent the open relatively long side of the cassette housing 1, and the locating pin 39 is positioned relative to locating pins 42 and 43 so that, when sockets 44 and 45 recei~e the small diameter end portions 41b of locating pins 42 and 43~ the bottom surface of cassette housing 1 will rest on the shoulders at the top of base portions 41a of pins 42 and 43 ad~acent the opposite sides of the cutout in the bottom wall of the cassette housinp and on the upper end of locating pin 39 at a single point adjacent the closed relatively long side of the cassette housing. The reel drive shafts or ~2~-spindles 40a and 40b (Fig. 6) of the recording and~or reproducing apparatus are of course located relative to the locating pins 39, 42 and 43 so that, when the tape cassette T is positioned by such locàting pins, the drive shafts 40a and 40b will extend into the hubs of reels 2 and 3 and be rotatably coupled with the latter.
Since the end portion 41b of locating pin 42 is intended to engage closely in the respective socket 44, the top wall 44a of such sockets may be formed with a vent hole 46 (Fig. 5) through which air may enter and leave the socket to avoid any inter-ference with the easy insertion and removsl of the end portion 41b of pin 42.
Referring now to Fig. 7, it will be seen that the tape cassette T in accordance with this invention may be conveniently used in connection with a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a cassette loading mechanism ; including a holder 50 which receives the cassette in a con-venient elevated position shown in full lines and is then movable downwardly to the position shown in broken lines at which the received cassette is disposed in its operative position on the previously described locating pins 39, 42 and 43 for rotatable coupling of its reels 2 and 3 with drive shafts 40a and 40b and further for proper positioning of the tape within the cassette housing in respect to the tape loading device (not shown) by which the tape may be extracted or withdrawn from the cassette housing for a recording or reproducing operation. The holder 50 - is generally of box-like configuration and includes top and bottom walls 52 and 53 which are connected at their ad~acent ends by opposed end walls 54a and 54b so as to be open at the other opposed sides of holder S0. The holder 50 of the cassette loading mechanism shown on Fig. 7 is intended to have the tape cassette T inserted therein in the direction perpen-dicular to the open relatively long side of the cassette housing, for example, as on Fig~ 10, and thus the distance between walls 54a and 54b is selected to be slightly larger than the larger dimension of the cassette housing and such end walls 54a and 54b are provided with the guide ridges 36a"
and 36b" for entry into the widened ends 36a of grooves 36 when the tape cassette is inserted with lid 12 at the leading s~de thereof. As shown on Fig. ~, the top wall 52 of holder 50 is at a relatively small distance fr~m bottom wall 53 at the open side of the holder through which tape cassette T is inserted, while the top wall 52 is stepped upwardly, as at 52b ad~acent the opposite side of holder 50 so that the top wall will not there interfere with the opening of lid 12 within the cassette holder. It will further be understood that bottom wall 53 of the cassette holder has openings (not shown) fonmed therein and being located to permit the upward passage there-through, when holder 50 is in the operative position, of the reel drive shafts 40a and 40b and of the cassette locating pins 39, 42 and 43. Leaf springs 5S are provided at the under-side of top wall 52 to bear downwardly on the top wall of the cassette housing and thereby hold the latter downwardly against bottom wall 53 when ~ape cassette T is inserted in holder 50.

_22-~067057 The illustrated cassette loading mechanism is further shown to comprise a shifting mechanism 51 by which holder 50 ; may be mo~ed between the positions shown in full and broken lines on Fig. 7. Such shifting mechanism 51 includes a cradle 56 to which holder 50 is secured, brackets 58 and 59 fixed to baseplate or chassis 57 and supporting respective shafts 58a and 59a which extend parallel to the plane o~ base-plate 57. Shaft 59a is disposed at a relatively small distance h above baseplate 57, while shaft 58a is disposed at a relatively large distance h2 above the baseplate. A pair of levers 60 of a relatively long length 12 are pivotally supported, at one end, on shaft 58a, and the other ends of lever 60 are pivotally connected to cradle 56. A pair of levers 61 of a relatively short length 11 are pivotally mounted~ at one end, on the shaft 59a and have their other ends pivotally connected to cradle 56 at a distance 13 from the pivotal connections of lever 60 to the cradle. Each of the levers 61 has an arm 61a extending there-from and connected to a tension spring 62 by which the respec-tive lever 61 is urged in a counterclockwise direction to the position illustrated in full lines.
Preferably, the various elements of shifting mechanism 51 are dimensioned as follows:
11 is approximately equal to 2/5 12 13 i9 approximately equal to 3/5 14 (that is, the distance between ~he axes of shafts 58a and 59a) hl is approximately equal to 2/7 h2 ~1 (that is~ the angle between the center line of each 1067(~57 lever 61 in its raised position and the horizontal) is approximately equal to 60 ~2 (that is, the angle between the center line of each lever 60 in its raised position and the horizontal) is approximately equal to 25.
When the above dimensional relationships are provided, cassette holder 50 is inclined from the horizontal at a con-venient angle Q3 for receiving the tape cassette T when in its raised posi~ion~ and, when holder 50 is moved downwardly to its operative position illustrated in broken lines, the final down-ward movement of the holder is effected in a vertical direction for permitting the proper engagement of reel drive shafts 40a and 40b and of locating pins 39J 42 and 43 wlth the respective parts of the tape cassette.
In order to lock holder 50 in its lowered operative positinn against the force of spring 62, the cassette loading mechanism is further shown to include a locking mechanism 63 that includes a locking pawl 64 depending from bottom wall 53 of holder 50, and a retainer 65 which is pivoted at 67 on baseplate 57 and ; 20 has a locking portion 65a at its upper end engageable with a nose 64a on pawl 64 when holder 50 is in its lowered operat$ve position. A spring 67 acts on retainer 65 to pivot the latter in the clockwise direction into engagement with pawl 64, and the lower end portion of retainer 65 is engageable by an operating rod 68 for rocking of retainer 65 in the counter-clockwise direction, that is~ in the direction for releasing the pawl 64. The rod 68 may be actuable by an ejection button (not shown) when it is desired to release pawl 64 and thereby permit spring 62 to return holder 50 to its elevated inclined position at which the tape cassette T is conveniently removed therefrom.
As sho~n particularly on Fig. 8, bott~ wall 53 of holder 50 has a pair of abutments 70a and 70b directed upwardly from the edge of bottom wall 53 remote from the open side of holder 50 at which tape cassette T is introduced. The abutments 70a and 70b are spaced apart at locations along the respective edge of bottom wall S3 that correspond to the locations of locating elements 26a and 26b on the bottom wall of cassette housing 1, ; and abutments 70a and 70b pro~ect above the top surface of bottom wall 53 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of locating elements 26a and 26b. Thus, when tape cassette T
is inserted into holder S0, the movement of the tape cassette in the direction of its insertion is limited by the engagement of locating elements 26a and 26b with the respective abutments 70a and 70b. Thus, the final position of cassette housing 1 relati~e to holder 50 is precisely determined without the possibility of error resulting from any clearance or looseness of lid 12 relative to the cassette housing. By reasoo of such precise determination of the position of cassette housing 1 in respect to holder 50, proper engagement of the tape cassette with reel drive shafts 40a and 40b and with locating pins 39, 42 and 43 is ensured when holder 50 is lowered to its operative position. Since abutments 70a and 70b on holder 50 are engaged only with locating elements 26a and 26b projecting through -cutouts 30a and 30b in lid 12, such engagement for determining the final position of cassette housing 1 in holder 50 does not interfere with the opening of lid 12, as on Fig. 9.
An L-shaped latch releasing member 71 (Figs. 8 and 9) which is suitably attached to the side wall 54a (not shown on Figs. 8 and 9) of holder 50 or to the ad~acent side of carriage 56 has an end portion 71a extending in the direction opposed to the direction of insertion of tape cassette T in the cassette holder and is located to extend into notch or cutout 31 of lid 12 and aperture L6c of cassette housing 1 as the tape cassette nears its final position in holder 50. Thus~
during the final portion of the inserting movement of the tape cassette to its predetermined position in holder 50, end portion 71a of latch releasing member 71 acts against the previously described oblique or beveled end surface of the thick end portion 17c of latching element 17 for displacing such thick end portion 17c laterally away from the ad~acent wall end portion 15b', and thereby releasing the latching pin or projec-tion 17b from the opening 23 of lid 12 so that the latter is ; 20 then free to be opened.
Of course~ if the tape cassette T is inserted in the lengthwise direction into the holder 50, for example, as illus-trated on Fi8. 11, a latch releasing member similar to the member 71 on Figs. 8 and 9 ~ould be provided at the side of the holder toward which the tape cassette is moved so that, as the tape cassette nears its final position in the cassette holder, such latch releasing member extends through cutout 29 1067~57 of lid 12 and aperture 16b of cassette housing 1 to act against the adjacent side of thick end portion 17c of latching element 17 for similarly releasing the latching element and freeing the lid 12 for movement to its opened position.
In either case, that is, whether the tape cassette is inserted into the cassette holder in the lengthwise direction of the cassette or at right angles thereto, the opening of : lid 12 is effected in response to the downward movement of cassette holder 50 from its raised cassette receiving position to its lowered operative position. In order to effect such opening of lid 12, the magnetic tape recording and/or repro-ducing apparatus is provided with a lid opening member 73 (Pigs. 8 and 9) which extends upwardly~ for example, from the baseplate 57 on Fig. 7, and is fixedly positioned so that, as holder 50 is moved downwardly to its operative position, the bent upper end of member 73 will engage the lower edge of front portion 27 of lid 12 adjacent the end of such front portion 27 from which ear 12a extends. As shown particularly on Fig. 9, bottom wall 53 of holder 50 is formed with a cutout 74 adjacent abutment 26a so as to substantially register with the corner recess 80 of cassette housing 1. Such cutout 74 and corner recess 80 are provided for the movement of lid opening member 73 thereinto as the holder 50 and tape cassette T move forwardly in the course of the downward movement of holder 50 from its raised inclined position to its lowered operative position parallel to baseplate 57. By reason of the engagement of member 73 with the lower edge of front portion 27 of lid 12, the latter is pivoted to its open position during the final movement of holder 50 to ; its lowered operative position.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that, when holder 50 reaches its lowered operative position, the cassette housing accurately located in the cassette holder is, accordingly, accurately positioned for engagement by the locating pins 39, 42 and 43 and the lid 12 of the tape cassette is fully opened so that the tape 11 can be withdrawn or extracted from the cassette housing, as by a conventional tape loading device (not shown). When cassette housing 1 is positioned by locating pins 39, 42 and 43, reel drive shafts 40a and 40b engaging within the hubs of reels 2 and 3 preferably act against the end walls 4b and 4~' of such reels so as to raise the latter away from the frictional material on the bottom wall of cassette lS housing 1 against the force of springs 8 and 8~, whereby to make the tape supply and take-up reels freely rotatable.
It will be further apparent that, since the locating elements 26a and 26b of the tape cassette according to this invention are formed on the cassette housing itself, the engagement of such locating elements with abutments 70a and 70b on the cassette holder ensures the accurate locating of the cassette housing relative to the holder irrespective of the position of front portion 27 of lid 12, in its closed position, relative to the cassette housing. By reason of such accurate locating of the cassette housing relative to the cassette holder, the proper enga8ement of the cassette housing with locating pins 39, 42 and 43 and with reel drive shafts 40a and 40b is assured at all -28_ times. Sinee the locating elements 26a and 26b extend through and substantially fill the respective cutouts 30a and 30b in lid 12, the lid can extend along the entire open side of the cassette housing to fully protect the tape therein without any obstruction by ~eason of the locating elements 26a and 26b to the movement of the lid between its opened and closed positions. The disposition of locating elements 26a and 26b on an edge of the bottom wall of cassette housing 1 ensures that the described function of such locating elements can be achieved without restricting the extent of the opening of the csssette housing at the relatively long side of the latter.
Thus, the overall dimensions of a tape cassette according to this invention can be minimized without undesirably restricting the size of the opening at the relatively long side of the cassette housing, and hence without giving rise to problems in connection with the tape loading device for withdrawing or extracting the tape from the cassette. Since the cassette locating elements 26a and 26b are substantially flush with the outer surface of front portion 27 of lid l2 in the closed position of the latter, such locating elements do not interfere with the insertion of the cassette into a cassette holder, when such insertion is effected in the longitudinal direction of the cassette, as on Fig. 11. Finally, it is to be noted that tape cassette T according to this invention is provided with guiding means, for example, the previously described grooves 36 and groove 36' for guiding the cassette into a holder either in the direction perpendicular or the directlon parallel to the longitudinal a~is of the cassette, and that the latching element 17 for locking lid 12 in its closed position is arranged for release during the insertion of the tape cassette into a holder in either of the described directions.
Although an illustrative embodiment of this invention has been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings~ it is to be noted that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifica-tions may be effected therein by one skilled inithe art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

(

Claims (8)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A tape cassette comprising a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing a supply of tape and having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along three of the sides of the latter so as to leave an opening along the fourth side of the housing through which the tape can be withdrawn, a lid pivoted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening, and first guide means on said bottom wall, extending the entire length of said bottom wall in a direction parallel to said fourth side, and second guide means on said peripheral wall along at least one of the sides of the housing extending, in a direction at right angles to said fourth side for slidably guiding the tape cassette into a cassette holder in either of said directions without requiring the exertion of pressure on said lid, said lid including an elongated front portion substan-tially coextensive in length with said fourth side of the housing and ears directed rearwardly from said front portion at the opposite ends of the latter, said ears being pivoted on said peripheral wall of the housing at the sides of the latter which extend at right angles to said fourth side to provide for said movement of said lid between said closed position covering said opening and said opened position exposing said opening, and guide means on the ears as an extension of the second guide means on the peripheral wall along the adjacent at least one side of the housing.

2. A tape cassette according to claim 1, in which said first and second guide means are constituted by elongated grooves formed in outer surfaces of said housing.

3. A tape cassette according to claim 2, in which said groove constituting the said first guide means on said bot-tom wall is off-center in respect to the distance between said fourth side and the opposed side of said housing, and said groove constituting the said second guide means on said peripher-al wall is off-center in respect to the distance between said top and bottom walls.

4. A tape cassette according to claim 1, in which said bottom wall has a cutout therein contiguous with said opening along the fourth side of the housing.

5. A tape cassette comprising a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing a supply of tape and having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along three of the sides of the latter so as to leave an opening along the fourth side of the housing through which the tape can be withdrawn, first guide means on said housing extending in a direction parallel to said fourth side and second guide means on said housing extending in a direction at right angles to the first guide means for guiding the tape cassette into a cassette holder in either of said directions, a lid pivoted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening, said lid includ-ing an elongated front portion substantially coextensive in length with said fourth side of the housing and ears directed rearwardly from said front portion at the opposite ends of the latter, said ears being pivoted on said peripheral wall of the housing at the sides of the latter which extend at right angles to said fourth side for movement of said lid between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening, and guide means on the ears as an extension of the guide means on the ends thereof and latching means disposed in said housing adjacent said peripheral wall near a corner of the housing between said fourth side and a contiguous side of said housing; and in which said latching means is yieldably urged toward said peripheral wall to engage said lid and lock the latter in said closed position thereof, and said peripheral wall has apertures therein adjacent said corner and respectively opening in said directions parallel to said fourth side and at right angles to the latter and through which said latching means can be selectively released from said lid to permit movement of the latter to said opened position.

6. The combination of a tape cassette comprising a housing of generally rectangular configuration containing a supply of tape and having top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said top and bottom walls along three of the sides of the housing so as to leave an opening along the fourth side of the housing through which the tape can be withdrawn, a lid pivoted on said housing for movement between a closed position covering said opening and an opened position exposing said opening, said lid including an elongated front portion substantially coextensive in length with said fourth side of the housing and ears directed rearwardly from said front portion at the opposite ends of the latter, said ears being pivoted on said peripheral wall of the housing at the sides of the latter which extend at right angles to said fourth side for movement of said lid between a closed position cover-ing said opening and an opened position exposing said opening, and guide means on the ears as an extension of the guide means on the ends thereof, latching means within said housing adjacent said peripheral wall near a corner of the housing between said fourth side and a contiguous side of said housing, said latch-ing means being yieldably urged toward said peripheral wall for engaging said lid and thereby locking the lid in said closed position thereof, and apertures in said peripheral wall adjacent said corner and opening respectively in directions parallel to said fourth side and at right angles to the latter; and a cassette holder adapted to have said cassette inserted therein in a selected one of said directions, and a latch releasing member fixed relative to said holder and having a free end portion extending parallel to said one direction and positioned to enter the one of said apertures opening in said one direction upon the insertion of the cassette in said holder for releasing said latching means from said lid and thereby permitting movement of the latter to said opened position.

7. The combination according to claim 6, in which said housing of the tape cassette has first guide means thereon extending in said direction parallel to said fourth side and second guide means at right angles to said first guide means, and said holder has cooperative guide means extending parallel to the direction in which the cassette is inserted in the holder and being selectively engageable with one of said guide means on said housing for guiding the cassette into the cassette holder.

8. The combination according to claim 7; in which said first and second guide means on the housing are both constituted by elongated grooves formed in outer surfaces of said housing, and said guide means of the holder is constituted by an elongated ridge for each of said grooves extending in the direction of insertion and being slidably received in the respective groove.