JP2003173652A - Recording tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording tape cartridge which easily incorporates a reel lock energizing means, easily performs separation recovery, decreases waste, reduces a load to the environment and has the basic performance and the productivity equal to or more than the conventional one. <P>SOLUTION: This recording tape cartridge is provided with a braking claw 14a which is engaged with an engagement tooth 16a disposed on the periphery of a flange of tape reel, and is provided with a reel lock member 14 which slides accompanying the rotation of a lid 20, a rib which holds the reel lock member 14 in-between and is disposed in the vicinity of a lower half side wall so as to positionally regulate the sliding, the reel lock energizing means 18 which energizes the reel lock member 14 in such a direction that the braking claw 14a is engaged with the engagement tooth 16a and a reel lock releasing member 24 which is disposed so as to energize the reel lock member 14 accompanying the rotation of the lid 20 in such a direction as to release the engagement between the braking claw 14a and the engagement tooth. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording tape cartridge such as a magnetic tape cartridge, for example, a recording tape cartridge such as a digital data storage (DDS) or a digital video cassette or a cartridge (DVC). Further, more specifically, the present invention reduces the number of assembly steps of members at the time of assembly,
The present invention relates to a recording tape cartridge that reduces the burden on the environment by eliminating the trouble of sorting at the time of disposal. Further, more specifically, the present invention is a recording tape cartridge which is easy to assemble and mount a member constituting a locking mechanism of a tape reel housed in a case body, and which is advantageous for separate collection of resin material at the time of disposal. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recording medium cartridges conventionally used as recording media used in external storage devices such as computers are roughly classified into those using a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk (magnetic or magneto-optical). Disk cartridges) and magnetic recording tapes, that is, recording tapes or those using magnetic tapes (recording tape cartridges, that is, magnetic tape cartridges). The latter magnetic tape cartridge is used as a large-capacity recording medium for data backup in the external storage device described above, and a magnetic tape is wound around a case body (also referred to as a case housing) including an upper half and a lower half. This is a system in which a rotated tape reel is rotatably accommodated. This magnetic tape cartridge is a type in which a magnetic tape is wound around a single tape reel (so-called one-reel type magnetic tape cartridge).
There is also a type in which a magnetic tape is wound between two tape reels (so-called two-reel type magnetic tape cartridge or magnetic tape cassette).

These magnetic or magneto-optical disk cartridges, magnetic tape cartridges or magnetic tape cassettes (hereinafter referred to as magnetic tape cartridges or recording tape cartridges) are used for data storage in computers and the like, and important information is stored therein. Since the data is stored, various protection mechanisms are added to prevent damage to the magnetic or magneto-optical disk, jamming of the magnetic tape, and careless pulling out of the magnetic tape.

Specifically, when these magnetic tape cartridges are not loaded in a recording / reproducing apparatus (deck), that is, in order to protect the magnetic tape when the magnetic tape cartridge is stored or carried, the magnetic tape is A lid that covers the front side of the tape cartridge and a reel lock mechanism that prevents (locks) the rotation of a tape reel (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a reel) for preventing winding looseness of the magnetic tape are provided. These will be described below.

First, a conventional general two-reel type magnetic tape cartridge provided with a reel lock member as a reel lock mechanism will be described. FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a conventional general magnetic tape cartridge. As shown in FIG. 16, the case body of the magnetic tape cartridge 100 includes an upper half 102 and a lower half 1.
04 and the like, which are joined together like a lid, and the magnetic tape 108 wound between the supply side reel 106a and the take-up side reel 106b between them (in the case body).
Is housed. When the magnetic tape cartridge 100 is not used, the magnetic tape 1 is attached to the front surface of the upper half 102.
A lid (front lid) 110 that covers and protects 08 is mounted rotatably around a pin (not shown).

Further, when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used, the reel lock (brake) member 112a is provided in order to prevent the magnetic tape 108 wound between the reels 106a and 106b on the supply side and the take-up side from loosening. , 11
2b is arranged in a state of being biased by a spring.
Further, a lock mechanism (lid lock mechanism, which will be described later in detail) including a lid lock member 124 for locking the lid 110 from opening when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used is provided on the lower half 104. Has been. The lid lock mechanism described above is usually provided only corresponding to one end of the lid 110.

FIG. 17 shows one end of the lid 110 (an end on the side where a lid lock mechanism is provided, as will be described later),
In the illustrated example, a perspective view of the right end portion is shown. As shown in FIG. 17, a support shaft 114 is provided inside the side surface of the lid 110. The lid 110 is rotatable about the support shaft 114 as shown by an arrow A so that the upper half 102 can be rotated.
Is attached to.

Further, the support shaft 114 is provided with a protruding reel lock release key 116. Further, on the side surface of the lid 110, a component of a lid lock mechanism (lid lock key 128, which will be described later in detail) for locking the lid 110 from being opened carelessly when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used. A hole (lid lock hole) 118 for receiving is provided.

Further, FIG. 18 shows a reel lock member 112.
The enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of b is shown. As shown in FIG. 18, the reel lock member 112b has a center fitted to the pin 120 and is rotatably supported around the pin 120. One end of the reel lock member 112b is formed of a wall-shaped member 113a and the other end thereof is formed. Is formed of a claw-shaped member (braking claw) 113b.
b is engaged with engaging teeth 107 provided on the peripheral edge of the flange of the reel 106b to restrict the rotation of the reel 106b,
It prevents the magnetic tape from slackening. The reel lock member 112b is normally urged by the coil spring 122 to a position where the braking pawl 113b engages with the engagement tooth 107.

A lid lock member 124 is arranged near the reel lock member 112b. The lid lock member 124 has one end portion 124a fitted to the pin 126 and locked. The lid lock member 124 is rotatable around a pin 126, and a lid lock key 128 having a protruding shape is provided at the other end portion 124b. This lid lock key 128 has a hole 104a formed in the side wall of the lower half 104 as shown in FIG.
The lid 1 protruding from the outside and shown in FIG. 16 or FIG.
This is for engaging with a lid lock hole 118 provided in the side wall of the lid 10 to restrict (lock) the lid 110 from rotating.

The lid lock member 124 is normally (when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used) as shown in FIG.
Is a coil spring 1 for urging the reel lock member 112b.
The lid lock key 128 is urged by the (other) end portion 22 to engage with the lid lock hole 118 of the lid 110 to lock (brake) the lid 110 so as not to rotate. When the magnetic tape cartridge 100 is loaded in the recording / reproducing device (deck, not shown), the member on the deck side presses the lower part of the end portion 124b of the lid lock member 124 in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. Accordingly, the end portion 124b of the lid lock member 124 is
It rotates in the direction indicated by arrow C. As a result, the lid lock key 128 is locked in the lid lock hole 118 of the lid 110.
The engagement with the lid 110 is released, and the lid 110 becomes rotatable in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

Thus, in FIG. 19, when the lid 110 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the support shaft 114 also rotates in the direction of arrow A, as shown in FIG. As a result, the reel lock release key 116 provided on the support shaft 114 urges the wall-shaped member 113a of the reel lock member 112b in the arrow D direction. As a result, the reel lock member 112
b rotates around the pin 120, and the braking claw 113b provided at one end thereof moves in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. 18 to engage with the engagement tooth 107 of the reel 106b. Is released. As a result, the reel 106b becomes rotatable.

Next, a conventional general one-reel type magnetic tape cartridge provided with a reel lock (brake) member as a reel lock mechanism will be described. FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional magnetic tape cartridge. A magnetic tape cartridge 204 shown in FIG. 20 includes a reel hub 206, and an upper flange 208 and a lower flange 210 provided above and below the reel hub 206, in a case main body configured by combining an upper half 200 and a lower half 202. A magnetic tape 214 is wound around a tape reel (reel) 212 made of
12 is rotatably accommodated.

At the outer peripheral edge of the upper flange 208, a reel lock member disposed on the inner surface of the upper half to prevent the looseness of the magnetic tape by restricting the rotation of the reel 212 when the magnetic tape cartridge 204 is not used. Engaging teeth 119 with which the braking pawls 218a and 218b of 216a and 216b engage are engraved. Here, the reel lock member will be described by taking the reel lock member 216a as an example. As shown in FIG. 21, a cylinder rotatably fitted to a support shaft 222 provided upright on the inner surface 220 of the upper half 200. The fitting shaft portion 224, and the engaging arm portion 226 and the releasing arm portion 228 extending outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting shaft portion 224.

The above-mentioned engaging arm portion 226 is arranged so as to extend along the outer periphery of the upper flange 208 of the reel 212, and the releasing arm portion 228 is provided at the side wall 2 of the upper half 200.
It is arranged so as to face the opening 232 formed in the hole 30. A braking pawl 218a that engages with the engaging tooth 219 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the upper flange 208 is formed at the tip of the engaging arm portion 228.

The reel lock member 216a has a support shaft 222.
Of the upper half 200 by the torsion spring 236 in which the leg portions 234a and 234b contact the side wall 230 and the engaging arm portion 226 of the upper half 200, respectively.
Six braking pawls 218a are urged toward the central axis of the upper flange 208. Thereby, the reel lock member 21
6a of the braking pawl 218a is the engaging tooth 21 of the upper flange 208.
9, the rotation of the reel 212 is regulated when the magnetic tape cartridge 204 is not used, and the looseness of the magnetic tape is prevented.

When the magnetic tape cartridge 204 is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus, the releasing arm portion 228 has a releasing means which is inserted into the case main body through the opening 232 and presses the releasing arm portion 228. The reel lock member 216a is rotated in the arrow X direction with the support shaft 222 as the rotation axis, and the engagement between the braking pawl 218a and the engagement tooth 219 is released. Further, when the magnetic tape cartridge 204 is taken out from the recording / reproducing apparatus, the pressing of the releasing arm portion 128 by the releasing means is released, and the torsion spring 236 is released.
Thus, the reel lock member 216a is rotated about the support shaft 222 as a rotation shaft, and the braking pawl 218a and the engaging tooth 219 are rotated.
Are engaged, the rotation of the reel 212 is restricted (braking), and the looseness of the magnetic tape is prevented.

Although the reel lock member 216a has been described above as an example, the reel lock member 216b has the same structure and operates in the same manner.

Next, a conventional general two-reel type magnetic tape cartridge will be described in which a reel lock member having a structure different from that of the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 16 is provided as a reel lock mechanism. Figure 2
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a conventional general magnetic tape cartridge. The case body of the magnetic tape cartridge 310 shown in FIG. 22 is configured by combining an upper half 320 and a lower half 322, each of which has a bottom plate and a peripheral wall, in a lid-fitting manner.
The tape reels (reels) 32 on the supply side and the winding side
A magnetic tape 326 wound between 4, 324 is housed.

Here, the reels 324 and 324 are provided with a bottom plate 322 of the lower half 322 so as to extend along the respective outer peripheries thereof.
The plurality of restriction ribs provided upright on a restricts the displacement in the plane direction. The magnetic tape 3 on the reels 324 and 324 is attached to the bottom plate of the upper half 320.
An opening is provided so that the winding amount of 26 can be confirmed, and a transparent window (transparent window) 320a is provided so as to close the opening.

The inner surface of the upper half 320 (in the figure,
On the lower surface), a pair of reel biasing leaf springs (reel pressing springs) 338, 338 are provided for each reel. These reel pressing springs 338, 338 are fixed to the inner surface of the upper half 320 by a method such as heat welding or caulking or screwing in a cantilevered support method, and the corresponding reels 324, 324 are attached to the lower half 322 side. It is configured to bias.

Front surface of the upper half 320 (left side in the figure)
A lid that covers and protects the magnetic tape 326 when the magnetic tape cartridge 310 is not used is attached to the. As will be described later, this lid is made up of three members, an outer lid 330, an upper lid 332, and an inner lid 334, each of which is attached to an opening 328 of the magnetic tape cartridge so as to be openable and closable.

On both sides of the opening 328 on the front end side (the front side in the figure) of the lower half 322, on the overhanging portions 340 and 340,
Tape guides 346 and 346 are provided. Each of the tape guides 346 and 346 guides the magnetic tape 326 delivered from one reel 324 and wound on the other reel 324, and passes the magnetic tape 326 at a predetermined position in the opening 328.

Further, a reel lock member (also referred to as a tape reel lock member) 336 having a tape reel locking arm (hereinafter simply referred to as a locking arm) 336a and a slide body 336b is provided on the lower half 322 at the rear end thereof. It is installed on the side (the back side in the figure). Here, the slide body 336b is slidably held by a pair of guide ribs provided upright on the bottom plate 322a of the lower half 322. The reel lock member 336 is biased by the compression coil spring 342 as described later,
The locking arm 336a is engaged with the engaging teeth 324a formed on the outer periphery of the lower flange of each reel 324, 324 to prevent accidental rotation of each reel 324, 324. This prevents loosening of the magnetic tape 326.

Of the outer lid 330, the upper lid 332, and the inner lid 334 attached to the above-mentioned upper half 320, the lock pin 348 is provided inside the side plate of the outer lid 330 having the flat plate portion and the side plate.
Is projected. A lid lock member 344 that locks the lock pin 348 of the outer lid 330 in the closed state is rotatably attached to the side wall portion 322c that is a part of the peripheral wall of the lower half 322. The lid lock member 344 is a lid lock spring (not shown) that is also attached to the lower half 322.
Is urged in the direction in which the lock pin 348 is locked.

The lower half 322 has a magnetic tape 3
An erroneous erasure prevention plug 352 is attached to prevent accidental erasure of the data recorded in 26. The erroneous erasure prevention plug 352 has a claw portion projecting from one side surface (the side surface on the back side in the drawing), and when the claw portion is mounted in the lower half 322, the claw portion is provided on the upper half 3 side.
It is configured to be exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the peripheral wall of 20.

By operating this claw portion from the outside, the erroneous erasure prevention plug 352 can be moved along the guide ribs provided upright on the bottom plate 322a of the lower half 322. The bottom surface of the erroneous erasure prevention plug 352 can close or open the detection hole provided in the bottom plate of the lower half 322, and a device such as a recording device can read the state of the detection hole and use the magnetic tape. It can be determined whether new data can be written in 326.

The lower half 322 is a rectangular bottom plate 322.
The bottom plate 322a has a magnetic tape 3
A pair of reels 324 and 324 around which 26 is wound is rotatably supported, and when the magnetic tape cartridge 310 is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus, a reel shaft (not shown) from the recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to the reels 324, 324. Has reel shaft insertion holes 322b and 322b for driving the reels 324 and 324 to rotate.

Further, the bottom plate 322a has protruding portions 340 and 340 extending forward from both left and right ends, and the left and right protruding portions 340 and 340 have the above-mentioned reel 32, respectively.
Cylindrical tape guides 346, 346 for guiding the magnetic tape 326 stretched between 4, 324 to the front surface of the case body (cartridge case) through a predetermined path are erected vertically from the bottom plate 322a. There is. The overhang part 34
The space between 0 and 340 is a space where the bottom plate 322a of the lower half 322 does not exist, and forms the opening 328 of the case body described above.

The above-mentioned upper and lower halves 320 and 322, the outer lid 330, the upper lid 332 and the inner lid 334, and the upper and lower flanges of the tape reels 324 and 324 are formed by injection molding. In addition to these, the magnetic tape cartridge 3
A member formed by injection molding is used for 10 as appropriate.

[0031]

However, as described above, in the conventional magnetic tape cartridge 100 as shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, the reel lock member 1 is used.
The reel lock spring for urging 12b is shared with the lid lock spring for urging the lid lock member 124 (coil spring 122), which is in agreement with the aim of reducing the number of parts, but Considering the incorporation and separation and collection of, there is a problem that it takes more time than when not shared. If it takes a lot of time to assemble, there is a problem that production efficiency will deteriorate and cost will increase, and the separation and collection of parts will be troublesome, and each part will be destroyed and discarded without being reused. There is also a problem that it becomes easier and has an adverse effect on the environment.

Further, in the above-described magnetic tape cartridge 204 having the reel lock mechanism as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the assembly of the magnetic tape cartridge 204 is performed in advance with the inner surface of the upper half 200 facing upward. Two
After fitting 36 to the support shaft 222, the fitting shaft portion 224 of the reel lock member 216a or 216b is further attached to the support shaft 2.
22 and the leg portions 234a and 234b of the torsion spring 236 are brought into contact with the side wall 230 and the engaging arm portion 226 of the upper half 200, respectively, and the braking pawls 218a and 218b are engaged with the engaging teeth 219. Assembling is not easy because it requires complicated work.

Further, in general, the magnetic tape cartridge is constructed as a composite structure in which various metal members and resin members are combined according to the performance and shape required for each component or member that constitutes the magnetic tape cartridge. For example, as a synthetic resin, (1) a member requiring wear resistance is
Resin molded M (polyacetal), (2) PS (polystyrene) S in consideration of cost performance
Resin molded by adding i (silicon), (3) ABS (acryl nitrile butadiene
Styrene) resin, ABS resin to which PC (polycarbonate) is added, PC, or resin obtained by adding glass fiber to PC and strengthening it, and the like are used.

Further, for the spring member and the like, a material made of metal is often used according to the characteristics required for each component. Also in the members or parts constituting the reel lock mechanism described above, the reel lock members 216a and 216
16b, the support shaft 222 and the like are made of a resin material such as POM, PAR (polyarylate), PC and ABS resin, and the torsion spring 236 is made of a spring metal material such as SUS (stainless steel). Further, the other members are also made of synthetic resin, metal, or a composite material of metal and synthetic resin.

Therefore, when the conventional magnetic tape cartridge is disassembled after use and the constituent parts are separated into the resin material and the metal material to collect each material, the reel lock member is removed and the material is separately collected. However, there is a problem that in order to carry out such recycling, complicated work which requires considerable labor and cost is required.

By the way, as interest in environmental problems has increased in recent years, environmental influences of various kinds of wastes such as plastics and composite materials have attracted attention. It is becoming important that it does not become a factor that causes pollution of soil and does not cause a hindrance to environmental protection, that is, that it has a low impact on the environment. Therefore, even for industrial products,
It is required to have a configuration that can be incorporated into a recycling system.

Here, in the above-described magnetic tape cartridge as shown in FIGS. 16 to 19 and 22, most of the magnetic tape cartridge including the case main body is made of plastic, and a portion having relatively large strength is required. Part, or
The metal material is used only in the portion where the spring property is required. Specifically, in the case of these magnetic tape cartridges, the biasing springs of the reel lock mechanism and the lid lock mechanism, that is, the reel lock spring and the lid lock spring are made of metal from the viewpoint of durability.

However, when the magnetic tape cartridge thus constructed is to be discarded after use, it is necessary to disassemble the magnetic tape cartridge and take out the metal spring. Has a problem that it requires manpower.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems and the above-mentioned circumstances. The main purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, reduce waste, and improve the environment. The load can be reduced and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording tape cartridge in which the basic performance and productivity of a recording tape cartridge such as a magnetic tape cartridge are equal to or higher than those of conventional recording tape cartridges.

More specifically, the first object of the present invention is to
A reel lock member urging means such as a reel lock spring used in a reel lock mechanism for preventing inadvertent rotation of a tape reel around which a recording tape such as a magnetic tape is wound can be easily incorporated. It is to provide a recording tape cartridge that can be easily separated and collected. A second object of the present invention is to provide a recording tape cartridge in which the members constituting the reel lock mechanism can be easily assembled and mounted, and which is advantageous for the separate collection of the resin material.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a biasing means such as a biasing spring of a reel lock mechanism and / or a lid lock mechanism, which have conventionally been made of metal parts, with a reel lock mechanism and a biasing means, respectively. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording tape cartridge which is made of the same resin (plastic) material as the constituent material of the main member of the lid lock mechanism to reduce the number of steps at the time of assembling and save the sorting at the time of disposal.

A fourth object of the present invention is that the reel lock member urging means such as the reel lock spring of the recording tape cartridge is made of a material that does not require separation at the time of disposal, and
To provide a recording tape cartridge that can be assembled as efficiently as or more than that of a conventional structure, and at the same time, such a structural change does not adversely affect the basic performance of the recording tape cartridge. is there.

[0043]

The inventors of the present invention have conducted various studies in order to achieve the above-mentioned main purpose and more specific first to fourth objects, and as a result, have the above-mentioned various configurations. Regarding recording tape cartridges such as magnetic tape cartridges, various approaches can be taken to reduce waste as described above, that is, to reduce the load on the environment. With respect to the main body, it has been found that a structure effective when separating different materials, specifically, a structure in which the reel lock spring is made of resin can be proposed, and further,
In this case, what should be taken into consideration is that it is possible to assemble as efficiently as or more than a recording tape cartridge having a conventional configuration, and at the same time, this reel lock spring material change is The present invention has been accomplished by finding that it does not adversely affect the basic performance.

That is, in order to achieve the above-mentioned main purpose and first purpose, the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a case main body constituted by combining an upper half and a lower half, and a case main body in the case main body. A recording tape cartridge that is housed in a tape reel around which a recording tape is wound, and a lid that is rotatably provided on the upper half and covers the front surface of the case body. A reel lock member that has a braking pawl that engages with an engaging tooth provided on the peripheral edge and slides with the rotation of the lid, and the reel lock member is sandwiched and the sliding position is regulated. A rib provided near the lower half side wall, a reel lock member urging means for urging the reel lock member in a direction in which the braking pawl engages with the engaging tooth, and a rotation of the lid. Along with, A recording tape cartridge comprising: a reel lock releasing member provided on the lid for urging the reel lock member in a direction to release the engagement between the braking pawl and the engaging tooth. To do.

In order to achieve the above main purpose and second purpose, the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a case main body constituted by connecting an upper half and a lower half, and a case main body in the case main body. Is a recording tape cartridge that is housed in a tape reel around which a recording tape is wound, and a fitting shaft portion that is rotatably fitted to a support shaft that is erected on the inner surface of the upper half, and On the outer peripheral side wall of the fitting shaft portion, a braking release arm portion and a braking arm portion having a braking pawl at a tip end which engages with an engaging tooth engraved on the peripheral edge of the upper flange of the tape reel are provided in a protruding manner. The reel lock member is erected between the brake arm and the locking portion that is erected on the inner surface of the upper half, and urges the reel lock member so that the braking pawl engages the engaging tooth. And a reel lock member urging means. There is provided a recording tape cartridge.

Here, it is preferable that the reel lock member urging means is a reel lock spring made of a leaf spring member. Further, the braking release arm portion that constitutes the reel lock member is disposed so as to face an opening formed in the side wall of the upper half, and when the recording tape cartridge is loaded into a recording / reproducing apparatus, It is preferable that the releasing means on the side of the recording / reproducing apparatus enters through the opening and is pressed to release the engagement between the engaging tooth and the braking pawl by the reel lock member.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned main purpose and the third object, the third aspect of the present invention is to provide a case main body constituted by combining an upper half and a lower half, and A recording tape cartridge that is housed in a tape reel around which a recording tape is wound, and a lid that is rotatably provided on the upper half and covers the front surface of the case body. A brake claw that engages with an engagement tooth provided on a peripheral edge, and with the rotation of the lid, engages or disengages the brake claw and the engagement tooth, A reel lock member for preventing or allowing rotation of the tape reel, a reel lock member urging means for urging the reel lock member in a direction in which the braking pawl engages with the engaging tooth, and an end portion of the lid. Engagement provided on An engaging claw that engages with the recording tape cartridge, and when the recording tape cartridge is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus, the engaging claw and the engaging hole are engaged with each other or released from the engaging claw. The reel lock member for preventing or allowing rotation of the lid lock member, and the lid lock member urging means for urging the lid lock member in a direction in which the engaging claw engages with the engaging hole. The present invention provides a recording tape cartridge characterized in that a lock member and the reel lock member urging means and / or the lid lock member and the lid lock member urging means are integrally formed of resin.

Here, the reel lock member and the reel lock member urging means and / or the lid lock member and the lid lock member urging means are integrally formed of a resin having an appropriate elasticity. Preferably.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned main purpose and fourth object, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a case main body constituted by connecting an upper half and a lower half, and the inside of the case main body. A recording tape cartridge that is housed in a tape reel around which a recording tape is wound, the recording tape cartridge being slidably inserted into the case body, and engaging teeth provided on a peripheral edge of a flange of the tape reel. A recording tape, comprising: a reel lock member having a braking pawl that engages with it; and a reel lock member biasing means for biasing the reel lock member, wherein the reel lock member biasing means is made of resin. A cartridge is provided.

Here, the reel lock member urging means is preferably a reel lock spring having a shape formed by bending a sheet-shaped resin material in zigzag.
In the present invention, “upper” means the side where the upper half is located, and “lower” means the side where the lower half is located.

[0051]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A recording tape cartridge according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the recording tape cartridge of the present invention will be described as a magnetic tape cartridge, but the present invention is not limited to this. First, a magnetic tape cartridge according to a first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 and 16 to 19. In the following, description of the same members or parts as the constituent elements of the two-reel type magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 16 will be omitted, and the constituent elements of the reel lock mechanism such as the reel lock member and the lid. The description will focus on the constituent members of the lid lock mechanism such as the lock member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, of course, the same or different members or parts may be used as the constituent elements of the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 16 except for the constituent elements that characterize the present invention. Is.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the first aspect of the present invention, showing a reel lock member provided on a lower half and a mechanism for releasing a reel lock provided on a lid. It is a perspective view showing an example of composition. Note that in FIG. 1, the lid lock member and the upper half are not shown in order to avoid making the drawing complicated. The lid lock member will be described later.

In FIG. 1, a magnetic tape cartridge 1
A reel lock member 14 is arranged at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the lower half 12 of 0. The reel lock member 14 is
It has a braking pawl 14a, and the braking pawl 14a is attached to the reel flange 1.
6 engages with the engaging teeth 16a provided on the No. 6 to regulate the rotation of the reel flange 16.

Lower half side surface 12a and reel lock member 1
4, a reel lock spring (reel lock member urging means) 18 is arranged, and the reel lock member 14 is moved in the direction in which the braking pawl 14a engages with the engaging tooth 16a (the direction indicated by arrow F in the figure). I am biased. This reel lock spring 18
Is a leaf spring, which is a commonly used sheet-shaped PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin, PC
(Polycarbonate) resin, polyvinyl chloride resin and the like can be preferably used. In addition, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene) resin, P
It may be a belt-shaped molded product of various engineering plastics such as S (polystyrene) resin and nylon.

The leaf spring member may be made of any material such as metal or resin, and is not particularly limited. Especially, when the leaf spring member made of resin is used, the reel lock member 14 made of resin material is used. Since it is possible to separate with, and it is not necessary to separate and collect the metal material and the resin material,
It is advantageous for separate collection of materials. Further, the reel lock member urging means is not limited to the leaf spring as described above, but may be a coil spring made of metal or resin, a spring having another shape, or the like. Alternatively, any elastic body may be used as long as it can bias the reel lock member 14.

Further, a lid 20 is provided on the upper half (not shown), and the lid 20 is rotatable around a support shaft 22. The support shaft 22 has a reel lock release key (reel lock release member) 2 which is a protruding member.
4 are provided. Further, a step 14b is provided above the reel lock member 14, and a slope 14c is provided at a portion of the lid 20 with which the reel lock release key 24 abuts.

When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus (deck), the mechanism on the deck side causes the lid 20 to rotate around the support shaft 22. At this time, the support shaft 22 rotates in the direction indicated by an arrow G in FIG. With the rotation of the support shaft 22, the reel lock release key 24
Also rotates in the same manner, and the step 14 of the reel lock member 14 is rotated.
Press b, but because of the slope 14c, the reel lock member 14
Slides in the direction of the lower half side surface 12a (the direction opposite to the arrow F in FIG. 1) against the drag force of the reel lock spring 18, the braking claw 14a separates from the engaging tooth 16a, and the engagement is released. The reel flange 16 becomes rotatable.

At this time, in order to hold the sliding direction of the reel lock member 14, the reel lock member 14 is sandwiched and ribs 26a, 2 for restricting the position in the sliding direction.
6b is erected on the bottom surface of the lower half 12. Hereinafter, movements of the reel lock member 14 and the reel lock release mechanism configured as described above will be described with reference to plan views.

FIG. 2 shows the same reel lock member 14 as in FIG.
FIG. The state shown in FIG.
Similar to the above, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is in a non-use state, and the lid 20 covers the front surface side (right side in the drawing) of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 to protect the magnetic tape. Further, at this time, the reel lock member 14 is biased toward the reel flange 16 by the reel lock spring 18, so that the braking pawl 14 a causes the engagement teeth 16 of the reel flange 16.
It engages with a and regulates the rotation of the reel flange 16.

FIG. 3 shows the magnetic tape cartridge 1
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where 0 is loaded in the deck and the lid 20 is rotated around the support shaft 22. As shown in FIG.
As a result of the lid 20 rotating around the support shaft 22, the portion that has covered the front surface side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 so far covers the lower half 12. At this time,
As the support shaft 22 rotates, the reel lock release key 24 also rotates in the same manner and presses the slope 14c of the step 14b of the reel lock member 14. Since the slope 14c is pushed rightward in FIG. 3 by the reel lock release key 24, the slope 14c slides while contacting the reel lock release key 24.
The reel lock member 14 slides toward the lower half side surface 12a (upward in the drawing) while crushing the reel lock spring 18. As a result, the braking claw 14a is separated from the engaging tooth 16a, the reel lock is released, and the reel flange 16 is released.
Can be rotated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the reel lock spring and the lid lock spring are conventionally used in common, whereas the reel lock spring is a separate component and configured as described above. When assembling the reel lock spring into the lower half, it suffices to simply place it from above the lower half, which makes the assembly extremely easy. Further, it can be easily removed even when dismantled.

The lid lock spring, which has been commonly used as the reel lock spring, is not particularly limited in the present embodiment, and may function similarly to the conventional lid lock mechanism. Therefore, it can be preferably used.

For example, FIG. 4 shows an example thereof. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the pin 28 is erected at a position close to the reel lock member 14 of the lower half 12, and fitted to this, the lid lock member 30 is rotatably provided. The lid lock member 30 is configured such that the arm portion 30 a has the support shaft 22 of the lid 20.
And a lid lock key (not shown) is provided at the end 30b.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view corresponding to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the lid lock member 30 includes an end portion 3 thereof.
0b has a lid lock key 32 having a protruding shape. This lid lock key 32 is pushed out from a hole 12b provided in the lower half side wall 12a and fitted into a hole (lid lock hole) 20a provided in the lid 20 to prevent the lid 20 from rotating. Locked.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lid lock spring 34 is applied to the pin 28 to urge the arm portion 30a of the lid lock member 30 so that the lid lock key 32 is fitted in the lid lock hole 20a. It is provided. The lid lock spring 34 has one end locked to a protrusion 30c provided on the arm portion 30a of the lid lock member 30 and the other end locked to a pin 36 standing on the bottom surface of the lower half 12 so that the arm portion 3
0a is urged toward the lower half side surface 12a.

The lid lock spring 34 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 was a coil spring, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.
A lid lock member 40 rotatably fitted to the pin 28.
Is provided with an elastically deformable portion 42 formed of the same resin as the lid lock member 40 and extending like a branch.
By supporting the pin 40 with the pin 36, a biasing force in the direction of the lower half side face 12a may be applied to the arm 40a. According to this structure, both the reel lock spring and the lid lock spring can be molded with resin, which is effective for separating and collecting the material.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the reel lock spring and the reel lock member are sandwiched, and the rib for restricting the position is arranged at an appropriate position of the lower half, whereby the reel is reeled. When the lock spring is installed in the lower half, it is possible to easily install it by simply placing it from above the lower half using the rib as a guide. Further, it can be easily removed even when disassembled. Therefore,
The work of assembling and separating and collecting the parts can be saved, and the parts can be reused easily. The magnetic tape cartridge of the first aspect of the present invention is basically configured as described above.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 and FIGS. 20 and 21, a magnetic tape cartridge according to a second aspect of the present invention will be described. The present invention is applied to a magnetic tape cartridge having a magnetic tape and a case main body that rotatably accommodates the magnetic tape. More specifically, a tape reel (reel) formed by winding a magnetic tape accommodates the magnetic tape in a predetermined position so that the magnetic tape can be pulled out from the case body or run, and when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used. In order to prevent the loosening of the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape, a reel lock (brake) member having braking pawls engaging with engaging teeth provided on the flange of the reel is attached to the upper half or the lower half. It also applies to tape cartridges.

In the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, the case body is mainly composed of the upper half and the lower half, and is wound around a reel including other members mounted on the upper half or the lower half. Also, it refers to various members including a door opened when pulling out the magnetic tape, an opening / closing mechanism for the door, a member for holding the tip of the magnetic tape, and the like. For example, in the above-described magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 20, other members are constituted by a plurality of members including a door, an erroneous erasure prevention plug, a tape engaging member, and other metal parts, and an upper half and a lower half. It is formed by combining.

In the magnetic tape cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention, the reel housed in the case main body includes a reel hub around which the magnetic tape is wound, and upper and lower flanges fitted above and below the reel hub. Engaging teeth that engage with the braking pawls of the reel lock member are engraved on the outer peripheral edge of the upper flange. Further, the reel lock member includes a fitting shaft portion rotatably fitted on a support shaft erected on the inner surface of the upper half, and a braking release arm portion laterally provided on an outer peripheral side wall of the fitting shaft portion. And a brake arm.

The braking release arm portion is arranged so as to face the opening formed in the side wall of the upper half, and when the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus, the releasing means on the recording / reproducing apparatus side, Entered through this opening and pressed,
This is a member for releasing the engagement between the engaging tooth and the braking claw by the reel lock member.

Further, the brake arm portion is provided so as to project from the outer peripheral side wall of the fitting shaft portion, extends along the outer periphery of the upper flange of the reel, and is engraved at the tip on the outer peripheral edge of the upper flange. And a braking pawl that engages with the engaged tooth. The braking claw is
It is urged toward the central axis of the upper flange, so that the braking claw and the engaging tooth of the upper flange are constantly engaged, and the rotation of the reel is restricted when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used, and It prevents loosening of the tape.

In the magnetic tape cartridge of this aspect, the braking pawl is engaged by a reel lock member urging means, for example, a leaf spring member, which is installed between the locking portion erected on the inner surface of the upper half and the brake arm portion. To engage the artificial teeth,
That is, the reel lock member is biased in the brake engagement direction. The leaf spring member has, for example, a substantially circular cross-section having a locking notch groove fitted in a fitting locking part formed in the locking part and a brake notch groove fitted in a brake arm part. Examples include an arc-shaped leaf spring member or a linearly cut leaf spring. The fitting shaft portion is erected between the locking portion and the brake arm portion and uses the support shaft as a rotation shaft. By the elastic force generated by elastically deforming due to the rotation of, the braking claw is urged toward the central axis of the upper flange to be engaged with the engaging tooth. As the leaf spring member, generally used sheet-shaped PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC, polyvinyl chloride and the like can be preferably used. If the spring characteristics can be maintained, ABS, P
It may be a belt-shaped molded product of various engineering plastics such as S and nylon.

The leaf spring member may be made of any material such as metal or resin and is not particularly limited. In particular, when a leaf spring member made of resin is used, it can be separated together with the reel lock member made of a resin material, and it is not necessary to separate and collect the metal material and the resin material, which is advantageous for the separate collection of the material.

In the magnetic tape cartridge of this aspect, the reel lock mechanism including the reel lock member, the leaf spring member, and the support shaft is appropriately arranged according to the position of the tape reel in the case body, the number of tape reels stored, the pressing direction, and the like. It is placed on the inner surface of the half. For example, in the magnetic tape cartridge of the type shown in FIG.
Two are arranged facing one corner.

In the assembly of the magnetic tape cartridge according to this embodiment, the fitting shaft portion of the reel lock member is fitted on the support shaft with the inner surface of the upper half facing upward, and the leaf spring member is engaged with the locking portion and the brake. The reel lock mechanism can be assembled by fitting the brake claws to the engaging teeth of the upper flange while fitting them in the arm portions, respectively, which facilitates the assembling work.

Further, when disassembling the magnetic tape cartridge, the leaf spring member is detached from the engaging portion and the brake arm portion, the leaf spring member is removed, and the fitting shaft portion is pulled out from the support shaft, whereby the reel lock is performed. The members can be separated and easily disassembled. Moreover, if the leaf spring member is made of a resin material, it is advantageous when the magnetic tape cartridge is disassembled or discarded and the constituent parts are separated into a resin material and a metal material, and each material is separately collected for recycling. is there.

The magnetic tape cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the configuration example shown in FIG. In this aspect, the same members or parts as those of the one-reel type magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 20 described above may use the same or different members or parts. In the following, detailed description of these members or parts will be omitted, and the reel lock member,
Description will be made centering on the engaging teeth provided on the upper flange and the leaf spring member that is the reel lock member urging means. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 shows, in an embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention, the reel lock member, the engaging teeth of the upper flange, and the inner surface of the upper half facing upward.
It is a figure explaining composition of a leaf spring member and other related members.

On the inner surface 230 of the upper half 200 of the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 7, there is provided a cylindrical fitting shaft portion 224 rotatably fitted to a support shaft 222 provided upright on the inner surface 230. A reel lock member 216 having a brake arm portion 238 and a brake release arm portion 240 that are provided and extend radially outward from the outer peripheral side wall of the fitting shaft portion 224 is provided.

The brake arm portion 238 is projectingly provided from the outer peripheral side wall of the fitting shaft portion 224 so as to extend along the outer periphery of the upper flange 208 of the tape reel, and the brake releasing arm portion 240.
Are protruded from the outer peripheral side wall of the fitting shaft 224 so as to face the opening 232 formed in the side wall of the upper half 200. Further, a braking claw 218a that engages with an engaging tooth 219 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the upper flange 208 is formed at the tip of the brake arm portion 238.

The reel lock member 216 according to this embodiment.
Is a locking portion 2 provided upright on the inner surface 201 of the upper half 200.
A leaf spring member 246 installed between the brake arm 44 and the brake arm 238 constantly urges the braking pawl 218a to engage with the engaging tooth 219 of the upper flange 208.

As shown in FIG. 8, the leaf spring member 246 described above has two ribs 244a and 2 which form the engaging portion 244.
Notch groove 2 for locking fitted in the bridge portion 248 between 44b
50 and a plate-shaped resin member having an elastically deformable semi-arcuate cross-section, which has, at both ends, a brake notch groove 254 that is fitted to the arm part 252 and that crosses the arm part 252 of the brake arm part 238. .

In the reel lock member 216, the fitting shaft portion 224 is rotatably fitted to the support shaft 222, and the arm portion 252 of the brake arm portion 238 and the bridging portion 248 of the locking portion 244 are respectively braked. The notch groove 254 and the notch groove 250 for engagement are fitted, and the leaf spring member 246 is installed between the engagement portion 244 and the brake arm portion 238.

The leaf spring member 246 is elastically deformed by the rotation of the fitting shaft portion 224 having the support shaft 222 as a rotation shaft in the direction opposite to the arrow P, whereby the braking pawl 218a of the reel lock member 216 is moved. The magnetic tape is biased toward the central axis of the upper flange 208 so that it is always engaged with the engaging teeth 219 of the upper flange 208, and the rotation of the tape reel is restricted when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used. The winding slack is prevented.

When the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus, the braking release arm portion 240 has a releasing means that is inserted into the case body through the opening 232 to press the braking release arm portion 240. Then, the reel lock member 216 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Q with the support shaft 222 as the rotation axis to release the engagement between the braking claw 218a and the engagement tooth 219, and the rotation restriction of the tape reel is released. A magnetic tape can be pulled out or wound up by the device.

Further, when the magnetic tape cartridge is taken out from the recording / reproducing apparatus, the pressing of the brake releasing arm portion 240 by the releasing means is released, and the leaf spring member 2 is released.
By the elastic force of 46, the reel lock member 216 is rotated around the support shaft 222 as a rotation shaft, and the braking pawl 218a and the engagement tooth 219 are engaged. As a result, the rotation of the tape reel is restricted and the looseness of the magnetic tape is prevented. By disposing the reel lock mechanism as described above at one or two or more locations on the inner surface of the upper half, it is possible to prevent the tape reel from being loosened when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used.

In assembling the magnetic tape cartridge having the reel lock mechanism as described above, the fitting shaft portion 224 of the reel lock member 216 is attached to the support shaft 222 with the inner surface 201 of the upper half 200 facing upward. By fitting and fitting the locking notch groove 250 and the brake notch groove 254 of the leaf spring member 246 into the bridging portion 248 of the locking portion 244 and the arm portion 252 of the brake arm portion, respectively, the arrow Q Since the braking pawl 218a is engaged with the engaging tooth 219 of the upper flange 208 while rotating in the direction, the reel lock mechanism can be assembled.
Easy to assemble.

Further, when disassembling the magnetic tape cartridge, the leaf spring member 246 is detached from the engaging portion 244 and the brake arm portion 238, the leaf spring member 246 is removed, and the fitting shaft portion 224 is attached to the support shaft 222. Pull out from
The reel lock member 216 can be separated and can be easily disassembled. Moreover, if the leaf spring member 246 is formed of a resin material, when the magnetic tape cartridge is disassembled or discarded, the constituent parts are separated into a resin material and a metal material, and each material is separately collected and recycled. It is advantageous. The magnetic tape cartridge of the second aspect of the present invention is basically configured as described above.

Next, FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 and FIG. 16 to FIG.
The magnetic tape cartridge of the third aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the same members or parts as those of the two-reel type magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 16 described above may use the same or different members or parts. In the following, detailed description of these members or parts will be omitted, and the description will focus on the components of the reel lock mechanism and the lid lock mechanism. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 9 shows a component (hereinafter referred to as a component) in which a reel lock member and a reel lock member urging means are integrally formed of resin, which is used in an embodiment of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the third aspect of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a reel lock component).
[Fig. 6] is an incorporated image view showing a situation in which the reel lock component is set at a predetermined position in the lower half.

9 and 10, reference numerals 104,
113a, 113b, 120, 124a and 126
Indicates the same component (or part thereof) as the component (or part thereof) shown in FIGS. 16 to 19. Reference numeral 112 denotes a reel lock component used in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in this embodiment, and 26.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a reel lock spring integrally formed so as to extend from the central portion of the reel lock component 112, which is the main part thereof.

Reference numeral 270 is a lid lock component also used in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in this embodiment. As will be described later, this lid lock component 270 has the same structure as the reel lock component 112 described above.
It is characterized in that a lid lock spring integrally formed so as to extend from the central portion thereof is provided.

Like the reel lock member 112b described above, the reel lock component 112 has a central large-diameter portion fitted to the pin 120, and is rotatably supported around the pin 120. Further, in this state, the reel lock component 112 locks the reel lock spring 260 with the lid lock component 27.
It is configured to urge itself in a direction away from the lid lock component 270 by pressing 0 (more specifically, the large diameter portion at the center).

The reel lock component 112 according to the present embodiment configured as described above is the conventional reel lock member 1
12b (see FIG. 18), the reel lock provided by itself does not have to be provided with the metal coil spring 122 for urging the braking claw 113b in the direction of engaging the engaging teeth 107 of the reel 106b. The spring 260 realizes exactly the same function.

This function is realized by the reel lock spring 260 formed integrally with the reel lock component 112, and thus the coil spring 122 made of metal is unnecessary. That is, according to the present embodiment, by using the reel lock part 112, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembling steps at the same time, further, it is possible to easily disassemble at the time of disposal, and the number of parts that need to be separated are reduced. There are great effects such as doing.

FIG. 11 shows a component in which the lid lock member and the lid lock member urging means are integrally formed of resin, which is also used in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a lid lock component. )
FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the lid lock component is set at a predetermined position in the lower half.

11 and 12, reference numeral 10
4, 120, 124a, 124b and 126 are shown in FIG.
6 to 19 indicate the same constituent element (or part thereof) as that shown in FIG. Also,
Reference numeral 112 is a reel lock part shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, 260 is a reel lock spring which is a main part thereof, and 27 is a reel lock spring.
0 indicates a lid lock part. The lid lock component 270 according to the present embodiment is also provided with a lid lock spring 280 integrally formed so as to extend from the central portion thereof, like the reel lock component 112 described above.

The lid lock component 270 has a large diameter portion at the center thereof fitted on the pin 126, and is rotatably supported around the pin 126. Further lid lock parts 270
In this state, the lid lock spring 280 is urged in the direction away from the reel lock component 12 by pressing the lid lock component 280 against the reel lock component 112 (more specifically, the large diameter portion at the center). ing.

The lid lock component 270 according to the present embodiment configured as described above is the same as the conventional lid lock member 1.
Like 24, the lid lock key 128 is normally engaged with the lid lock hole 118 of the lid 110 to prevent the lid 110 from rotating.

This function is realized by the lid lock spring 280 formed integrally with the lid lock component 270, and thereby the metal coil spring 122 is unnecessary. That is, according to the present embodiment, by using the lid lock component 270, it is possible to reduce the number of components and the number of assembling steps, and further, it is possible to easily disassemble at the time of disposal and the number of components that need to be sorted out is reduced. That is a great effect.

In the lid lock mechanism according to this embodiment, the biasing direction of the lid lock component (specifically, the lid lock key 128) by the lid lock spring 280 is parallel to the bottom surface of the magnetic tape cartridge. , So to speak, the lid is rotated in the vertical direction, which is the direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction, so that even if a relatively weak plastic spring is used, there is sufficient certainty. It has an advantage that a certain lid lock can be realized. The magnetic tape cartridge of the third aspect of the present invention is basically configured as described above.

Next, a magnetic tape cartridge according to a fourth aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15 and 22. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. The magnetic tape cartridge of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is different from the above-described two-reel type magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG.
Since they have the same configuration, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The magnetic tape cartridge 30 shown in FIG.
No. 0 uses a resin reel lock spring 354 in place of the compression coil spring 342 which is the reel lock spring in the magnetic tape cartridge 310 shown in FIG. That is, the magnetic tape cartridge 30 of this embodiment
At 0, a reel lock mechanism having a reel lock member 336, a resin reel lock spring 354, and a guide rib for slidably supporting the reel lock member 336 is provided on the rear end side (the rear side in the drawing) of the lower half 322. It is provided.

In this reel lock mechanism, the reel lock member 336 has a tape reel locking arm 336a and a slide body 336b, and is assembled to the rear end side (back side in the figure) of the lower half 322. Here, the slide body 336b of the reel lock member 336 is slidably held by a pair of guide ribs provided upright on the bottom plate 322a of the lower half 322.

As will be described later, the reel lock member 336 is biased by a spring (resin reel lock spring) 354, which is a characteristic feature of the present embodiment, so that the tape reel locking arm 336a is moved to each tape. Reel 32
4,324 Engaging teeth 324 formed on the outer periphery of the lower flange
By engaging with a, the unexpected rotation of each tape reel 324, 324 is prevented. This prevents loosening of the magnetic tape 326.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a resin reel lock spring which is a characteristic construction of the magnetic tape cartridge according to this embodiment. Note that, here, parts that are not directly related are omitted. Further, in the following description, the overall configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge described above will be omitted, and only the essential points will be described.

In FIG. 14, the portion indicated by the arrow R is the reel lock member accommodating portion, and the lower half 322.
The reel lock member 336 is guided and slid between the two ribs provided upright on the bottom surface 322a. The tape reel locking arm 336a of the reel lock member 336 is formed on the outer circumference of the lower flange of each tape reel 324, 324 by a resin reel lock spring (hereinafter referred to as a plastic spring) 354, as described above. It is biased toward the engaging teeth 324a.

The plastic spring 354 has a reel lock member 336 in the reel lock member accommodating portion R described above.
It is housed with. Conventionally, a compression coil spring made of metal was placed here, so in order to take it out, first, at least the upper and lower halves of the magnetic tape cartridge are disassembled (or disassembled) and compressed in that state. It was necessary to take out the coil spring.

However, this operation, that is, the disassembling (or disassembling) of the upper and lower halves for the purpose of only taking out the compression coil spring is not a good idea. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reel lock spring 354 is used. Is made of plastic and does not need to be taken out for separation.

Specifically, here, in the reel lock spring accommodating portion constituted by the lower half bottom surface and side ribs of the reel lock member accommodating portion R, the reel lock spring 354 made of a plate-shaped plastic sheet is provided. It is designed to be accommodated, and by appropriately selecting the material of this plastic sheet, it is possible to put the reel lock spring 354 on the same recovery route as the upper and lower halves without removing it from the upper and lower halves. It was done.

FIG. 15 shows a detailed view of the reel lock spring 354. Reel lock spring 35 according to the present embodiment
4 is a plastic sheet such as polycarbonate (PC) having an appropriate thickness processed into a bent shape (FIG. 15 (a) is a narrowly defined bending, and FIG. 15 (b) is a bending including a curved line). This spring realizes a spring that functions as a one-dimensional compression spring by setting and using it in a passage that regulates left / right and up / down.

According to the above embodiment, since the reel lock spring of the magnetic tape cartridge is made of resin, the reel lock spring 54 does not need to be taken out at the time of disposal. Assembly efficiency is not reduced, and at the same time, this structural modification does not adversely affect the basic performance of the magnetic tape cartridge.

That is, in order to resinize the reel lock spring according to this embodiment, a separately formed resin reel lock spring 354 is set and assembled at the time of assembling the cartridge, and the cartridge body is disassembled at the time of disposal after use. There is no change in the actual molding process from the conventional process by allowing it to flow directly to the recovery route of the cartridge body, etc., and this structure can be realized by directly following the conventional process. is there.

In the present embodiment, polycarbonate is used as the resin constituting the resin reel lock spring, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the resin that can be used in the fourth aspect of the present invention. In addition to this polycarbonate, various resin materials can be used. The magnetic tape cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is basically configured as described above.

Although the recording tape cartridge according to the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to various embodiments of the recording tape cartridge, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the gist of the present invention It goes without saying that various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the scope.

[0117]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the remarkable effect that the reel lock spring can be easily assembled and separated and collected can be easily obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is easy to assemble and mount the reel lock member and the reel lock member urging means, such as the leaf spring member, which constitutes the reel lock mechanism, and is made of the resin material. It has a remarkable effect that it is advantageous when it is separately collected and recycled.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the biasing springs of the reel lock mechanism and / or the lid lock mechanism, which are conventionally made of metal parts, are
A remarkable effect that it is possible to realize a recording tape cartridge which is made of the same plastic material as the main constituent material of the reel lock mechanism and / or the lid lock mechanism to reduce the man-hours at the time of assembling and the labor of sorting at the time of disposal. Is played.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the reel lock spring of the recording tape cartridge is made of resin, it is not always necessary to disassemble the recording tape cartridge even at the time of disposal after use. Disappeared
This has a remarkable effect that the sorting work at the time of disposal can be simplified.

Further, according to the present invention, by improving the structure of the reel lock mechanism for preventing the inadvertent rotation of the tape reel around which the recording tape is wound, the man-hours at the time of assembling can be reduced and the disposal can be abolished. This has the remarkable effect of realizing a recording tape cartridge that saves time and labor for sorting. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a resin component that can be assembled as efficiently as or more than a conventional recording tape cartridge and is effective when separating different materials in the case body of the recording tape cartridge. This has the remarkable effect of realizing a recording tape cartridge that uses a large amount of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a reel lock member and the like of an embodiment of a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the same reel lock member as in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which the lid is rotated and the reel lock is released in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a lid lock member of the same portion as FIG.

5 is a plan view of a portion corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5, showing another example of the lid lock member used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a reel lock mechanism of another embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of the leaf spring member shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing a reel lock component used in another embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a built-in image showing a situation where the reel lock component shown in FIG. 9 is set at a predetermined position in the lower half.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing a lid lock component used in another embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a built-in image showing a state in which the lid lock part shown in FIG. 11 is set at a predetermined position in the lower half.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic structure of another embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the accommodating portion of the reel lock member shown in FIG.

15A and 15B are perspective views showing reel lock springs, respectively.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional general 2 (two) reel type magnetic tape cartridge.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the lid shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view showing the reel lock member and the lid lock member shown in FIG. 16;

19 is an enlarged perspective view showing a support shaft portion of the lid shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a 1 (one) reel type magnetic tape cartridge according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a reel lock mechanism in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic structure of another type of magnetic tape cartridge according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 100, 200, 300 Magnetic tape cartridge 14, 216, 216a, 216b Reel lock member 14a, 219 Braking claw 16, 208 Reel flange 16a, 219 Engaging tooth 18, 260, 354 Reel lock spring 20, 110 Lid 24 Reel Lock release key (reel lock release member) 30, 40 Lid lock member 32 Lid lock key 34, 280 Lid lock spring 42 Elastic deformation part 112 Reel lock part 224 Fitting shaft part 238 Brake arm part 240 Braking release arm part 246 Leaf spring Member 270 lid lock parts

Continued front page    (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-231371 (P2001-231371) (32) Priority date July 31, 2001 (July 31, 2001) (33) Priority claiming country Japan (JP) (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-301609 (P2001-301609) (32) Priority date September 28, 2001 (September 28, 2001) (33) Priority claiming country Japan (JP) (72) Inventor Shozo Mamoru             2-12-1, Ogimachi, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Shishi Film Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording tape cartridge comprising: a case main body formed by combining an upper half and a lower half; and a tape reel housed in the case main body, around which a recording tape is wound. A fitting shaft part that is rotatably fitted on a support shaft erected on the inner surface of the upper half, a braking release arm part on the outer peripheral side wall of the fitting shaft part, and an engraving on the peripheral edge of the upper flange of the tape reel. A reel lock member formed by projecting a brake arm portion having a braking claw that engages with the provided engagement tooth at the tip, and between a locking portion that is erected on the inner surface of the upper half and the brake arm portion. And a reel lock member urging means for urging the reel lock member so that the braking claw engages with the engaging tooth. 2. A case body composed of an upper half and a lower half joined together, a tape reel in which the recording tape is wound and housed in the case body, and rotatably provided on the upper half. And a lid covering the front surface of the case body, wherein the recording tape cartridge has a braking pawl that engages with an engaging tooth provided on a peripheral edge of a flange of the tape reel, A reel lock member that slides along with the reel lock member, a rib provided near the lower half side wall so as to hold the reel lock member and regulate the position of the reel lock member, the reel lock member, and the braking pawl. Reel lock member urging means for urging in the direction of engaging the engaging tooth, and with the rotation of the lid, the reel lock member releases the engagement between the braking pawl and the engaging tooth. Biased in the direction Recording tape cartridge characterized in that it comprises a reel unlocking member provided in the lid so. 3. A case main body formed by combining an upper half and a lower half, a tape reel in which the recording tape is wound and housed in the case main body, and rotatably provided on the upper half. And a lid covering the front surface of the case body, wherein the recording tape cartridge has a braking pawl that engages with an engaging tooth provided on a peripheral edge of a flange of the tape reel, Accompanied by,
A reel lock member that engages with or releases the engagement of the braking pawl and the engaging tooth to prevent or allow rotation of the tape reel; and the reel pawl is engaged by the braking pawl. A reel lock member urging means for urging in a direction of engaging with teeth and an engaging claw for engaging with an engaging hole provided at an end portion of the lid are provided, and A lid lock member that engages or releases the engagement claw and the engagement hole with loading to prevent or allow rotation of the lid, and the lid lock member A lid lock member urging means for urging the engaging claw in a direction to engage with the engaging hole, and the reel lock member and the reel lock member urging means and / or the lid lock member and the lid. Lock member biaser A recording tape cartridge characterized in that the steps are integrally formed of resin. 4. The reel lock member and the reel lock member urging means and / or the lid lock member and the lid lock member urging means are integrally formed of a resin having appropriate elasticity. The recording tape cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A recording tape cartridge comprising: a case main body formed by connecting an upper half and a lower half together; and a tape reel that is housed in the case main body and around which a recording tape is wound. A reel lock member that is slidably inserted into the case body and has a braking claw that engages with engagement teeth provided on the peripheral edge of the flange of the tape reel, and a reel lock member that biases the reel lock member. A recording tape cartridge, comprising: a biasing means, wherein the reel lock member biasing means is made of resin. 6. The reel lock member urging means is a reel lock spring having a shape formed by bending a sheet-shaped resin material in a zigzag manner.
Recording tape cartridge described in.