JP2001143433A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold a tape and a leader pin in a satisfactory connection state. SOLUTION: A tape cassette 1 is characterized by that a tape 4 is wound around one reel 3 supported rotatably in a case body 2 and has one end part 4a connected to the leader pin 7, and the tape is drawn out of the case body together with the leader pin and used when the cassette is loaded in a tape drive device 200. The leader pin has a slit 7a, which extends along the axis of the leader pin and into which the lead-outside end part of the tape is inserted and the tape which is inserted into the slid is clamped to connect the tape to the leader pin.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to the technical field of tape cassettes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field of a tape cassette in which a tape wound around one reel rotatably supported in a case body is pulled out from the case body and used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a tape cassette, a tape is wound around one reel rotatably supported in a case body, and the tape is pulled out of the case body to record or reproduce information signals on the tape. There is a so-called one-reel type tape cassette.

[0003] In such a one-reel type tape cassette, when the tape pull-out end is connected to a leader pin and the tape is pulled out from the case together with the leader pin, the tape pull-out end is used. As a method of connecting to the leader pin, a method as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is assumed.

In the method shown in FIG. 11, the end of the tape a on the drawing side is connected to the peripheral surface of the leader pin b via an adhesive tape c.

In the method shown in FIG. 12, a slit is formed in the peripheral surface of the leader pin d so as to extend in the axial direction and penetrates the leader pin d.
Is wound around the leader pin d a plurality of times for connection.

[0006]

However, in the method in which the tape a and the leader pin b are connected using the adhesive tape c, there is a possibility that the adhesive force of the adhesive tape c is reduced due to a change over time or the like. In addition, there is a possibility that the tape a may come off the leader pin b due to a decrease in the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape c.

In the method of inserting the tape a into the penetrated slit and winding the tape a around the leader pin d a plurality of times, a strong connection between the tape a and the leader pin d is required depending on the number of turns of the tape a. There is a possibility that the tape a may come off from the leader pin b because no force is obtained, and the leader pin d rotates in the direction around the axis and the leader pin b of the tape a
In this case, there is a possibility that the tape a may come off the leader pin b in this case.

Accordingly, it is an object of the tape cassette of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems and maintain a good connection between the tape and the leader pin.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a tape cassette according to the present invention is provided with a slit formed in a leader pin so as to extend in the axial direction of the leader pin and to insert the end of the tape withdrawal side. Then, the tape inserted into the slit is pinched to connect the tape to the leader pin.

Accordingly, in the tape cassette of the present invention, a good holding force of the leader pin on the tape can be obtained.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The tape cassette 1 is formed by winding a tape 4 as a magnetic recording medium around one reel 3 rotatably supported in a case body 2 (see FIG. 1).

The case body 2 has a substantially rectangular box shape, and is formed by vertically connecting an upper half 5 and a lower half 6, and has a tape drawing hole 2a formed on one side surface. An insertion hole 6a is formed in the bottom surface of the lower half 6.

The reel 3 has a cylindrical hub 3a and the hub 3a.
The upper and lower flange portions 3b and 3c are provided above and below, respectively, and the tape 4 is wound around the hub 3a. The tape 4 has one end 4a, that is, the end on the pull-out side connected to the leader pin 7, and the other end connected to the hub 3a of the reel 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The leader pin 7 is formed of a metal material, for example, stainless steel, and a portion excluding both ends in the axial direction is formed as a substantially cylindrical shaft portion 8. Both ends of the shaft portion 8 in the axial direction are formed. It is formed as pinching margins 9 and 9 (see FIG. 3).

The pinching allowances 9, 9 are substantially oval in cross section and have two flat surfaces 9a, 9a whose outer peripheral surfaces are parallel to each other.
And two arc surfaces 9b, 9 located between the planes 9a, 9a.
b. The pinching margins 9, 9 protrude in opposite directions from the center of both end surfaces of the shaft 8, and have an outer shape smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft 8.

The leader pin 7 is formed with a slit 7a cut from the outer peripheral surface to a substantially central portion thereof, and the slit 7a is continuous with the shaft portion 8 and the arc surfaces 9b, 9b of the clip margins 9, 9. It is formed so as to reach between both ends in the axial direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Flanges 10 and 10 are externally fitted to the pinching margins 9 and 9 of the leader pin 7, respectively. The flanges 10, 10 have a slightly thick disk shape, and have mounting holes 10a, 10a opened on the upper surface or lower surface and having shapes and sizes corresponding to the outer shapes of the pinching margins 9, 9.

Thus, the slit 7a of the leader pin 7
Of the tape 4 at one end 4a of the tape 4
Is inserted (see FIG. 4), and in this state, the flanges 10 and 10 are attached to the clip margins 9 and 9, respectively. The attachment of the flanges 10 and 10 to the clipping margins 9 and 9 is performed by inserting the clipping margins 9 and 9 into the mounting holes 10a and 10a of the flanges 10 and 10 so that the mounting holes 10a and 10a are 9 has a shape and size corresponding to the outer shape of the slit 9, the slit 7 a is in a crushed state when the flanges 10, 10 are attached to the clipping margins 9, 9 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). ).

Accordingly, the tape 4 is held in a state where one end 4a is sandwiched by the shaft 8 in the slit 7a, and a strong holding force of the leader pin 7 to the tape 4 is obtained. Can be prevented from coming off.

Further, as described above, since the leader pin 7 is formed of a metal material,
Of the tape 4 is extremely strong, and the reliability of connection with the tape 4 can be improved.

Further, one end 4 of the tape 4 by the shaft 8
a can be performed simply by attaching the flanges 10 and 10 to the clip margins 9 and 9, so that the tape cassette 1
Can be facilitated and improved.

In addition, one end 4a of the tape 4 is slit 7a
When inserting the leader pin 7, the one end 4 a may be inserted from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the leader pin 7, or the one end 4 a may be moved in the axial direction of the leader pin 7. .

The mounting holes 10 of the flanges 10 and 10
In order to facilitate the insertion of the clip margins 9 and 9, the tapered surfaces a and 10 a may be formed at the end on the opening surface side such that the inner dimension increases as approaching the opening.

Next, a method of connecting the tape 4 to the leader pin 7 by the connecting device 100 will be described (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

The connection device 100 is configured by arranging predetermined mechanisms on a base 102 supported on support legs 101.

The base 102 is provided with a reel support shaft 103 and guide pins 104, 104.
A reel 3 around which a tape 4 is wound is supported rotatably. The base 102 is provided with a guide block 105 having an air suction function, and the guide block 105 is arranged with a pair of block portions facing each other.

A mounting block 106 is rotatably supported on the base 102 between a working position and a non-working position.
The rotating end of the mounting block 106 is located away from the base 102. Although not shown, the mounting block 106 holds one flange 10. The mounting block 106 supports the leader pin 7 movably in the axial direction.

Guide block 105 on base 102
Is formed in the vicinity of the concave portion 102a.
The other flange 10 is arranged at 02a. The base 102 has an air cylinder 1 for attaching the other flange 10 to the pinch allowance 9 of the leader pin 7.
07 is provided.

When the reel 3 is supported by the reel support shaft 103, a part of the wound tape 4 is pulled out and guided by the guide pins 104, 104 so that one end 4a of the tape 4 is It is inserted between a pair of block parts. Then, the tape 4 is in a state where one end 4 a protrudes from the guide block 105. At this time,
The tape 4 is held in a state in which one end 4 a protrudes from the guide block 105 by the air suction function of the guide block 105.

One end 4a of the tape 4 is the guide block 1.
05, the mounting block 10
6 is rotated to the working position, and the supported leader pin 7 is moved in the axial direction. At this time, the position of the slit 7a of the leader pin 7 corresponds to the one end 4a of the tape 4, and the one end 4a is inserted into the slit 7a by the axial movement of the leader pin 7.

Next, one of the flanges 10 held by the guide block 105 is attached to the leader pin 7 by an attachment means (not shown) provided on the guide block 105.
The other flange 10, which has been arranged in the arrangement recess 102 a by the air cylinder 107, is attached to the other clipping margin 9 of the leader pin 7. Thus, the flanges 10, 10
Are attached to the clipping allowances 9, 9, respectively.
One end 4a of the tape 4 is clamped by the shaft 8 of the leader pin 7, and the connection of the tape 4 to the leader pin 7 is completed.

The tape cassette 1 constructed as described above is mounted on the mounting portion of the tape drive 200 to record or reproduce information signals on the tape 4 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

The tape driving device 200 has a chassis 201 on which necessary members and mechanisms are arranged.

The chassis 201 is provided with a mounting portion, and the tape cassette 1 is mounted on the mounting portion. The tape cassette 1 is mounted on the mounting portion by inserting a support shaft (not shown) provided in the mounting portion into the insertion hole 6a of the case body 2 and the reel 3 being rotatably supported by the support shaft. .

Guide shafts 202 and 202 and a magnetic head 203 are arranged at predetermined positions of the chassis 201, and a drive reel 204 rotated by the driving force of a reel motor (not shown) is supported. And
The drive reel 204 has a holding recess 204a formed on the peripheral surface thereof.

When the tape cassette 1 is mounted on the mounting portion of the tape drive 200, the tape 4 together with the leader pin 7 and the tape 4 from the tape pull-out hole 2a of the case 2 by a tape pull-out mechanism (not shown) provided in the tape drive 200.
Is drawn out (see FIG. 9). Then, the pulled out leader pin 7 is held in the holding recess 20 of the drive reel 204.
4a and held in the holding recess 204a (see FIG. 10), thereby forming a predetermined tape path.

When the leader pin 7 is held in the holding recess 204a, the drive reel 204 is rotated by the driving force of the reel motor, and the tape 4 runs in the direction of winding around the drive reel 204. At this time, the tape 4 is brought into sliding contact with the magnetic head, and recording or reproduction of information signals on the tape 4 is performed.

When the recording or reproduction on the tape 4 is completed, the reel 3 of the tape cassette 1 is rotated by a tape reel motor (not shown), and the tape 4 runs in the direction of winding on the reel 3, and the tape 4 is wound on the reel 3. Will be done. Next, the holding recess 204a of the leader pin 7
Is released, the leader pin 7 is stored at the original position in the case body 2, and the tape cassette 1 can be taken out from the tape driving device 200.

It should be noted that the specific shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these. Should not be construed as limiting the technical scope of the present invention.

[0041]

As is apparent from the above description, in the tape cassette of the present invention, the tape is wound around one reel rotatably supported in the case body, and one end of the tape is connected to the leader pin. And a tape cassette used when the tape is pulled out of the case body together with the leader pin when the tape cassette is mounted on the tape drive. The tape cassette extends in the axial direction of the leader pin and has an end on the tape pull-out side. A slit into which the portion is inserted is formed, and the tape inserted in the slit is sandwiched to connect the tape to the leader pin.

Accordingly, a strong holding force of the leader pin with respect to the tape is obtained, and the tape can be prevented from coming off from the leader pin.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the leader pin is formed of a metal material, the holding force of the leader pin on the tape is extremely strong, and the reliability of the connection between the leader pin and the tape is improved. Can be achieved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the slit is formed so as to reach both ends in the axial direction of the leader pin, and a pair of flanges respectively attached to both ends in the axial direction of the leader pin. The tape is pinched by attaching a flange to the leader pin with the tape pull-out end inserted into the slit, so that the tape is pulled out by the leader pin. Since it can be performed only by attaching flanges to both ends in the axial direction of the pin, the assemblability of the tape cassette can be facilitated and improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention together with FIG. 2 to FIG. 10, which is an enlarged exploded perspective view.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view partially showing a state in which a tape wound on a reel is connected to a leader pin.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a main part.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which a tape pull-out end is inserted into a slit.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a state where a tape is connected to a leader pin.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the connection device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view partially showing a cross section of the connection device.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a state where a tape is pulled out from a tape cassette mounted on the tape driving device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a leader pin is held on a drive reel of the tape drive.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of a method of connecting a tape and a leader pin.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing another example of a method of connecting a tape and a leader pin.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Tape cassette, 2 ... Case body, 3 ... Reel, 4 ...
Tape, 4a: one end, 7: leader pin, 7a: slit, 10: flange, 200: tape drive

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tape is wound around one reel rotatably supported in a case body, and one end of the tape is connected to a leader pin. When the tape is mounted on a tape driving device, the tape is wound together with the leader pin. What is claimed is: 1. A tape cassette which is used by being pulled out of a body, wherein a slit is formed in the leader pin so as to extend in the axial direction of the leader pin and an end of the tape withdrawal side is inserted, and the tape inserted in the slit Characterized in that a tape is connected to the leader pin by sandwiching the tape. 2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein said leader pin is formed of a metal material. 3. The tape is formed so as to reach both ends of the leader pin in the axial direction, and a pair of flanges are provided at both ends in the axial direction of the leader pin so as to be externally fitted, respectively. 2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the tape is clamped by attaching a flange to the leader pin while the tape is inserted into the slit.