JP2004111024A - Recording tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording tape cartridge which improves shock resistance around the opening. <P>SOLUTION: In this recording tape cartridge 10 provided with a case 12 for housing a single reel 14 with a recording tape T wound around there in a rotatable way, the opening 20 formed at the corner of a loading side of the case 12 in a driving device and for extracting a reader member 22 attached to the end part of the recording tape T, a plurality of protrusion parts 43 extending in a direction almost parallel with a loading direction to the driving device are provided on the inner surface of the case 12 of the opening 20 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a recording tape cartridge in which a single reel around which a recording tape such as a magnetic tape used mainly as a recording / reproducing medium of a computer or the like is wound is contained in a case.

Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge in which a magnetic tape used as a data recording / reproducing medium of a computer or the like is wound around a single reel and the reel is accommodated in a case is known. A leader member such as a leader pin, a leader tape, or a leader block is provided at the tip of the magnetic tape, and a leader provided on the drive device side pulls out the leader member from the opening of the magnetic tape cartridge and is fixed thereto. The magnetic tape is wound around a take-up reel on the drive device side.

In addition, a reel gear is engraved in an annular shape at the center of the bottom surface of the reel that emerges from the opening formed in the bottom surface of the magnetic tape cartridge, and the drive gear provided on the rotating shaft on the drive device side is the reel gear. The reel is configured to be rotationally driven by meshing with. Therefore, by rotating the reel of the magnetic tape cartridge and the take-up reel of the drive device in synchronization, data can be recorded on the magnetic tape and data recorded on the magnetic tape can be reproduced.

Such a magnetic tape cartridge requires a small storage space during storage and can record a large amount of information, and the position of the opening and the type of door that opens and closes the opening are different for each type of leader member. For example, in the case of a type using a leader pin, as shown in FIG. 13, an opening 68 for pulling out the leader pin 60 is formed in the side wall 64 of the case 62, and the loading direction to the drive device (arrow P direction). The opening 68 is opened and closed by a door 66 that slides in the opposite direction.

A reel 72 around which the magnetic tape T is wound is rotatably accommodated in the case 62, and a leader pin 60 is attached to the tip of the magnetic tape T. A pair of upper and lower pin holding portions 70 that hold the leader pin 60 when not in use (during storage or the like) are provided inside the opening 68 of the case 62. The pin holding portion 70 is a concave portion having a substantially semicircular shape in plan view that is partially opened so that the leader pin 60 can be inserted and removed. 60A of both ends are inserted (for example, refer patent document 1).
US Pat. No. 6,505,789

However, when the pin holding portion 70 is concave in this way, the thickness of the portion becomes thin (about 1.0 mm), and the portion becomes weak in strength. That is, when the case 62 is dropped from the vicinity of the opening 68, the pin holding portion 70 is bent and deformed by the impact, and the leader pin 60 may drop off. When the leader pin 60 is detached from the pin holding portion 70, a problem arises that the drawing means provided in the drive device cannot draw the leader pin 60.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a recording tape cartridge having improved impact resistance in the vicinity of the opening so that the leader pin does not fall off from the pin holding portion even if an impact is applied in the vicinity of the opening due to dropping or the like. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording tape cartridge according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a case that rotatably accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound, and a drive device for the case. In the recording tape cartridge provided with an opening for pulling out a leader member attached to the end of the recording tape, a protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the case on the opening side. It is characterized by.

In the first aspect of the invention, since the protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the case on the opening side, the impact resistance of the case at that portion can be improved. That is, the recording tape cartridge (case) is most damaged when it is dropped from the edge of the opening, particularly the edge on the loading side to the drive device. This causes the case to bend and deform and be held near the opening. The leader member is dropped from the holding portion or displaced. Therefore, by improving the impact resistance in the vicinity of the opening, it is possible to suppress the bending deformation of the case in that portion, so that the leader member held in the vicinity of the opening is prevented from falling off or being displaced. can do.

The recording tape cartridge according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, the protruding portion extends in a direction substantially parallel to a loading direction to the drive device. .

In the invention of claim 2, the protruding portion extends in a direction substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device. For this reason, it is possible to improve the impact resistance against an impact applied in a direction substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device. That is, when the recording tape cartridge (case) is dropped from the loading side edge to the drive device, the direction of the impact force (maximum damage force) is substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device. As a result, the case is bent and deformed in the same direction, and the leader member held in the vicinity of the opening is dropped from the holding portion or displaced.

Therefore, by extending a protrusion with a predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device and improving the impact resistance in the same direction in the vicinity of the opening, the bending deformation of the case at that portion is suppressed. It is possible to prevent the leader member held in the vicinity of the opening from dropping from the holding portion, or from being displaced.

The recording tape cartridge according to claim 3 is the recording tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided.

In the invention of claim 3, since a plurality of protrusions are provided, it is possible to further improve the impact resistance against an impact applied in a direction substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device. That is, as the number of the protrusions increases, the case strength at that portion can be increased, so that the bending deformation near the opening due to the drop impact can be further suppressed.

As described above, in any case, according to the present invention, the impact resistance of the case in the vicinity of the opening can be improved, so that bending deformation of the case can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the leader member from falling off or being displaced.

Hereinafter, a recording tape cartridge 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall configuration of the recording tape cartridge 10 will be briefly described, and then the main part according to the present invention will be described in detail. For convenience of explanation, the direction in which the recording tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the drive device is indicated by an arrow A, which is the front direction (front side) of the recording tape cartridge 10. The arrow B direction orthogonal to the arrow A is the right direction.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the recording tape cartridge 10 includes a single reel 14 in which a magnetic tape T as a recording tape as an information recording / reproducing medium is wound in a substantially rectangular case 12 in plan view. Is configured to be rotatably accommodated. The case 12 has a pair of upper and lower cases 16 and 18A, 18A each having a pair of an upper case 16 and a lower case 18 each having a right front corner, which is one corner on the leading side in the loading direction of the drive device, cut obliquely in plan view. And a storage space for the reel 14 around which the magnetic tape T is wound is provided.

Further, the corner portions of the peripheral walls 16A and 18A of the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 are formed as openings 20 for drawing out the magnetic tape T, and a drive device is provided at the free end of the magnetic tape T drawn from the opening 20 The leader pin 22 that is pulled out while being locked (engaged) by the pulling means is connected. An annular groove 22A is formed at both ends of the leader pin 22 projecting from the widthwise end of the magnetic tape T, and the annular groove 22A is locked to a hook or the like of the drawing means. Thereby, when pulling out the magnetic tape T, the hook or the like is in contact with the magnetic tape T and is not damaged.

A pair of upper and lower pin holding portions 24 for positioning and holding the leader pin 22 in the case 12 are provided inside the opening 20 of the case 12, that is, on the inner surface of the top plate of the upper case 16 and the inner surface of the bottom plate of the lower case 18. ing. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pin holding portion 24 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with the drawing side of the magnetic tape T opened, and both end portions of the leader pin 22 in an upright state are opened from the opening side. The pin is held in a recess 24A of the pin holding portion 24 so as to be able to enter and exit.

In the vicinity of the pin holding portion 24, a leaf spring 25 is provided with a spring holding portion 27 and a groove portion 23 (FIG. 3, FIG. 3) provided on the inner surface of the front wall 12 </ b> A (the portion of the peripheral walls 16 </ b> A and 18 </ b> A whose outer surface faces the arrow A direction). 4), the base portion is inserted and fixedly arranged, and the bifurcated tip portion of the leaf spring 25 is engaged with the upper and lower end portions of the leader pin 22, respectively. The pin holder 24 holds the pin. In addition, when the leader pin 22 enters / exits the pin holding part 24, the front-end | tip part of the leaf | plate spring 25 is elastically deformed suitably, and is a structure which accept | permits the movement of the leader pin 22. FIG.

A gear opening 26 for exposing a reel gear (not shown) of the reel 14 to the outside is provided at the center of the lower case 18. The reel 14 is engaged with the drive gear of the drive device in the case 12. It is designed to be driven by rotation. Further, the reel 14 is partially protruded from the inner surfaces of the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 so as not to be rattled by an idle regulation wall 28 as an inner wall on a circular locus coaxial with the gear opening 26. Is held in.

A bag portion 28A, in which a position restricting hole is formed, is continuously provided at an end portion of the play restricting wall 28 in the vicinity of the opening 20. Further, inside the left front corner portion of the case 12, a bag portion 29 in which a position restricting hole that is a long hole is formed is provided apart from the floating restricting wall 28. The bag portions 28A and 29 are arranged on a straight line along the arrow B direction. Then, except for the end portion where the bag portion 28A is continuously provided, each of the floating regulation walls 28 is connected to the peripheral wall 16A or the peripheral wall 18A of the case 12 so that the outside and the reel 14 are installed. Partitions the space.

In addition, a memory board M storing various information for each recording tape cartridge 10 is installed in the right rear portion of the lower case 18, and a drive device that reads from the lower surface side and a rear wall side. The rear inner wall 18B is inclined at a predetermined angle so that it can be detected by a reading library device (a device that houses a plurality of recording tape cartridges 10 and automatically loads and removes the drive device). Then, the memory board M is supported by the support protrusions 19 and is inclined at a predetermined angle.

In addition, a write protect (not shown) for setting whether recording on the recording tape cartridge 10 is set is provided on the left rear portion of the lower case 18, and an operation protrusion (not shown) for operating the write protect is provided. An opening 17 from which (not shown) protrudes is formed.

Also, a pair of upper and lower short inclined wall portions 30 that define the front edge portion of the opening 20 are provided at the right end portion of the front wall 12A of the case 12. The inclined wall portion 30 is formed to bend along the open surface of the opening 20, and when the opening 20 is closed, a front end of a substantially arcuate door 50 in a plan view, which will be described later, enters the inside thereof, so that a gap through which dust or the like can enter is formed. It is a dust barrier that prevents it from occurring. A pair of upper and lower screw bosses 32 are connected to the inside of the front wall 12 </ b> A near the left side of the inclined wall portion 30.

On the other hand, inside the front end of the right wall 12B of the case 12 (the portion of the peripheral walls 16A and 18A whose outer surface faces the direction of the arrow B), a pair of upper and lower slopes having a shape substantially along the outer peripheral surface of the door 50 in plan view. A wall 34 is provided. The front end surface of the inclined wall portion 34 defines the rear edge of the opening 20, and a pair of upper and lower screw bosses 36 are provided at the front end portion.

Further, the right wall 12B of the case 12 is provided with a slit 40 having a predetermined length as a window portion communicating between the inside and the outside of the case 12, and is used for exposing an operation projection 52 of the door 50 described later. The slit 40 is formed by cutting out the front lower portion of the peripheral wall 16A of the upper case 16 constituting the right wall 12B, and is open to the opening 20 side. As described above, it is preferable that the slit 40 is formed while leaving a part of the peripheral wall 16A on the upper side because the rigidity of the case 12 can be maintained. In particular, it is more preferable that the upper wall that defines the slit 40 is integrally connected to the inclined wall portion 34.

Further, on the rear side of the lower case 18, a portion excluding the upper end of the peripheral wall 18 </ b> A is recessed inward of the case 12 in a substantially “U” shape in sectional view, and is also recessed upward from the lower surface of the case 12 (the bottom plate is A recess 48 is formed. The concave portion 48 is also formed on the left wall of the case 12 and is, for example, an engaging portion that engages with the retracting means of the drive device, or its bottom surface (downward surface) is a reference surface for positioning in the drive device. It is supposed to be.

In addition, the portion excluding the upper end of the peripheral wall 18A is recessed inward of the case 12 in a substantially “U” shape in cross-section and also recessed upward from the lower surface of the case 12 (the bottom plate is cut). A recess 46 is formed. The concave portion 46 is an engaging portion with which the gripping means of the library apparatus is engaged. By providing the concave portions 46 and 48, the torsional strength of the case 12 (lower case 18) is improved. A concave portion 44 having a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view is formed on the upper surface portion of the left wall of the upper case 16. The concave portion 44 is an engaging portion that engages with a holding member (not shown) for canceling a rotational moment accompanying movement of the door 50 in the opening direction when the opening 20 is opened.

Further, in the upper case 16 and the lower case 18, from the vicinity of the opening 20 to the vicinity of the portion where the loose regulation wall 28 is closest to the right wall 12 </ b> B (hereinafter referred to as the first half) and from the vicinity of the rear end of the slit 40 to the vicinity of the rear wall. (Hereinafter referred to as the second half), a guide wall portion 42 having a predetermined height (for example, about 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm) that supports the convex portion 51 of the door 50 described later so as to be sandwiched from both the inner surface side and the outer surface side. Is erected.

The guide wall portion 42 is formed in a substantially arc shape in plan view, and the lengths of the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 are different. The upper case 16 side is closer to the lower case side than the lower case 18 side. It is formed long. This is because the memory board M is inclined at a predetermined angle on the right wall 12B side of the rear inner wall 18B of the lower case 18.

Further, the rear end portion of the guide wall portion 42 is closed in a substantially arc shape in a plan view, and the rearmost convex portion 51 is restricted so that the door 50 cannot move further rearward. Yes. The front end portion of the guide wall portion 42 is positioned so as not to obstruct the entry / exit of the leader pin 22 when the leader pin 22 is put in / out (the illustrated one is the rear side of the pin holding portion 24 and the opening of the opening 20). About half of the width).

Also, in the vicinity of the inclined wall portion 30, a guide wall portion 41 having a rear end portion opened is erected so as to be positioned on an extension line of the guide wall portion. The guide wall portion 41 does not extend to the rear side of the front end of the pin holding portion 24 so that the rear end portion does not prevent the leader pin 22 from entering and exiting. The width is slightly narrower than the interval (groove width) between the guide wall portions 42.

In other words, the gap (groove width) between the guide wall portions 42 is formed to be slightly wider in order to allow variation in molding of the door 50 (variation in curvature), and the convex portion 51 of the door 50 has a certain amount of backlash. The guide wall 42 is slid in a state having a tack. Therefore, at least the interval (groove width) between the guide wall portions 41 is set to be substantially the same as the width of the convex portion 51 of the door 50 (the width including a protrusion described later), and the foremost convex portion 51 when the opening 20 is closed. Is inserted into the guide wall 41 so that the door 50 is held without rattling.

Further, the guide wall portion 41 and the first-half guide wall portion 42 are formed to be slightly lower than the second-half guide wall portion 42. That is, for example, the height of the guide wall portion 41 and the first-half guide wall portion 42 is formed to be about 1 mm, and the height of the second-half guide wall portion 42 is formed to be about 1.5 mm. This is to secure a space in which the drawing means on the drive device side can be inserted into the opening 20 by chucking and drawing the leader pin 22. Therefore, as will be described later, the plate wall (height) of the door 50 of the front half (at least the portion that closes the opening 20) is large because the guide wall 41 and the front guide wall 42 are low. It is formed to be (high).

Further, on the inner surface of the upper case 16 and the inner surface of the lower case 18, ribs 38 are formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view integrally with the outer guide wall portion 42 exposed from the opening 20. The ribs 38 are erected so as to have the same height, and the ribs 38 ensure the strength of the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 in the opening 20 portion. The pin holding portion 24 is continuously provided so as to be integrated with the inner guide wall portion 42, but the height of the pin holding portion 24 is substantially the same as the height of the integrally provided guide wall portion 42. It is desirable that they are formed to be the same or higher.

The upper case 16 and the lower case 18 as described above are provided with screws (not shown) arranged at predetermined positions and screws (not shown) from the lower side on the screw bosses 32 and 36 located near the edge of the opening 20. It is the structure fixed by screwing (joining). Therefore, the corner portions at both ends of the opening 20 are defined by the free ends of the inclined wall portion 30 (front wall 12A) and the inclined wall portion 34 (right wall 12B), which are disadvantageous in strength and easily collide with the ground or the like due to falling. Even when the case 12 is dropped, the recording tape cartridge 10 is not deformed by the weight of the entire recording tape 10 or buckled and misaligned. Note that the abutting surfaces (corner portions on both sides of the opening 20) of the peripheral walls 16A and 18A may be fixed by welding, but screwing is more desirable in consideration of decomposability and recyclability.

The opening 20 is opened and closed by a door 50 as a shielding member. The door 50 is formed so that the plate width (height) of the portion sliding at least between the guide wall portion 41 and the first half guide wall portion 42 (at least the portion closing the opening 20) is substantially the same as the opening height of the opening 20. The rear side is formed slightly smaller (lower), and the plate length is formed sufficiently larger than the opening width of the opening 20. And it is formed in the planar view substantially circular arc shape curved in the plate | board thickness direction so that it can move along a predetermined | prescribed circumference.

Further, the curved longitudinal dimension of the door 50 is determined so that the rear end portion thereof is located in the right rear corner portion (near the concave portion 46) behind the concave portion 48 of the case 12 when the opening 20 is closed. The rear lower portion of the door 50 is notched obliquely in order to avoid the memory board M inclined at a predetermined angle on the rear inner wall 18B side of the lower case 18. In addition, it is preferable that the inner surface and / or outer surface of the front end portion (front end portion) of the door 50 is formed in a tapered surface so that it can smoothly enter the guide wall portion 41.

Further, on the upper and lower surfaces of the door 50, the guide walls 41 and the guide walls of the guide wall portion 42 (inner surfaces facing each other), the inner surface of the upper case 16 between the guide wall portion 41 and the guide wall portion 42, and Convex portions 51 projecting from the inner surface of the lower case 18 to guide the door 50 in the opening / closing direction of the opening 20 are provided. The convex portions 51 are formed in a substantially elliptical shape in plan view that is long along the longitudinal direction of the door 50, four on each of the upper surface and the lower surface, vertically symmetrical except for the rearmost convex portion 51, and the guide Projecting so that the height is substantially equal to the height of the wall 41 and the guide wall 42 (for example, about 0.5 mm on the front side and about 1.5 mm on the rear side of the boundary portion where the plate width of the door 50 is different). Has been. The reason why the rearmost convex portion 51 is not vertically symmetric is that the rear lower portion of the door 50 is cut obliquely.

Further, the tip of the convex portion 51 is formed so as to have a substantially arc shape in a cross-sectional view (side view), and further, projections (not shown) such as a substantially arc shape in plan view or a substantially triangular shape in plan view are formed on both side surfaces. Projecting over the entire height of the convex portion 51. Therefore, when the convex portion 51 is inserted between the guide wall portions 42 and slides, only the substantially arcuate tip of the convex portion 51 is in contact with the inner surface of the upper case 16 and the inner surface of the lower case 18, so that line contact occurs. In addition, the guide surfaces of the guide wall portion 42 facing each other are in contact with each other in the same manner because only the tips of the projections, such as a substantially arc shape, are in contact.

Thus, sliding resistance (friction) between the upper and lower convex portions 51 and the inner surface of the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 between the guide wall portion 41 and the guide wall portion 42 and the guide surfaces of the guide wall portion 41 and the guide wall portion 42 is obtained. ) And the door 50 can be smoothly slid with little resistance. In addition, when the convex part 51 is formed in a substantially elliptical shape in a plan view, for example, it has better impact resistance than that formed in a substantially circular shape in a plan view. Even if the force from is applied, there is no worry that the convex portion 51 is broken.

Further, an operation projection 52 as an operation portion is provided along the radial direction of the door 50 on the outer peripheral surface slightly in front of the longitudinal center portion of the door 50 (near the boundary portion where the plate width of the door 50 is different). ing. The operation protrusion 52 is exposed to the outside of the case 12 from the slit 40. When the opening 20 is closed, the operation protrusion 52 is positioned slightly spaced from the rear end of the screw boss 36 and is opened to the front of the slit 40. It is possible to operate from the part. In the open state of the opening 20, the operation protrusion 52 is positioned slightly away from the rear edge of the slit 40, and at this time, the rear end of the guide wall 42 is projected to the rear end. The part 51 is in contact.

Note that the inside and outside of the case 12 communicate with each other by the slit 40 for exposing the operation protrusion 52. The slit 40 is always substantially closed by the screw boss 36 and the door 50 extending over the entire height in the case 12, and as an inner wall. The floating regulation wall 28 prevents dust and the like from adhering to the magnetic tape T wound around the reel 14.

Further, a stopper 58 is provided on the inner surface of the front end portion of the door 50 so as to abut against the side surfaces of the upper and lower ends of the leader pin 22 when the opening 20 is closed. It is possible to further prevent the holding part 24 from falling off. The coil spring 56 as a biasing member that biases the door 50 in the closing direction of the opening 20 has a length that reaches the right rear corner of the case 12 when the door 50 is closed. The space between the floating regulation wall 28 and the right wall 12B (peripheral walls 16A, 18A) in the portion is disposed effectively.

That is, on the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the rear end of the door 50, a spring holding portion 54 having a substantially “L” shape in rear view is integrally projected upward, and on the inner surface in the vicinity of the recess 48 of the lower case 18. A cylindrical spring locking portion 55 projects upward. Ring-shaped attachment portions 56A and 56B are formed at both ends of the coil spring 56, respectively. Therefore, the coil spring 56 can be easily inserted into the above-described space by inserting one mounting portion 56B of the coil spring 56 into the spring locking portion 55 from above and inserting the other mounting portion 56A into the spring holding portion 54 from above. Can be attached.

Also, the upper case 16 is provided with a rib 57 that is slidably contacted with the upper end of the spring holding portion 54 when the door 50 is opened and closed in a substantially arc shape in plan view. The rib 57 is disposed at a position and length so that the upper end of the spring holding portion 54 can be slidably contacted at least when the door 50 starts to move (open), and resists the biasing force of the coil spring 56. By suitably guiding the moving spring holding portion 54, the door 50 is opened more stably (so that the door 50 is not shaken by the biasing force of the coil spring 56 when opened).

Further, even if an impact due to dropping or the like is applied to the case 12 and the mounting portion 56A of the coil spring 56 moves up the spring holding portion 54, the rib 57 is provided so that it does not come off from the spring holding portion 54. it can. In addition, since the upper end of the spring locking portion 55 side is also inserted between the floating regulation wall 28 and the guide wall portion 42 of the upper case 16, the attachment portion 56 </ b> B is similarly connected to the spring locking portion 55. Can be prevented from coming off.

The inner surface of the case 12 on the opening 20 side of the recording tape cartridge 10 as described above, that is, the inner surface on the front wall 12A side of the upper case 16 and the inner surface on the front wall 12A side of the lower case 18, as shown in FIGS. An elongated, substantially prismatic ridge 43 is projected. 3 and 4, the protrusion 43 is closer to the front wall 12 </ b> A than the imaginary straight line K connecting the opening 20 side front end of the floating regulation wall 28 and the screw boss 36, and the opening 20. If it is on the front wall 12A side (portion represented by a dot) from the line partitioned by the free-restriction free movement regulating wall 28 and the area of the reel 14 (curve represented by a dotted line), it protrudes anywhere. However, it is preferable that a plurality (two in the drawing) are provided in the vicinity of the opening 20 and on the path through which the magnetic tape T passes, substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one of the protrusions 43 (outward side) has a predetermined length, that is, an extension of the floating regulation wall 28, integrally from each pin holding portion 24 toward the rear. It is stretched until it substantially reaches the line (the area of the reel 14 indicated by the dotted line) (until it does not interfere with the reel 14), and the other side (inward side) is parallel to the predetermined distance D (D = 1). 0.0 mm to 2.0 mm (preferably D = 1.5 mm) from the groove 23 between the pin holding part 24 and the spring holding part 27 on a predetermined length, that is, on an extension line of the floating regulation wall 28 (in dotted lines) Most preferably, the film is stretched to the point where it substantially reaches the area of the reel 14 shown (to the point where it does not interfere with the reel 14).

Note that it is preferable that the rear end of the ridge 43 is cut obliquely to form a tapered surface 43A because the configuration further prevents interference with the reel 14. Further, the height H of the protrusion 43 is formed to be, for example, H = 0.9 mm, and is at the same height as the pin holding portion 24 at the maximum, and may interfere with the recording tape T fed out from the reel 14. There is no height. The width W of the ridge 43 is W = 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably W = 1.0 mm.

When such a protrusion 43 is provided, the edge of the opening 20, particularly the edge of the opening 20 on the front wall 12 </ b> A side, where damage is large (the leader pin 22 falls off or is displaced), is provided. It is possible to improve the impact resistance against dropping from the water. That is, since the protrusion 43 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device, the rigidity in the same direction can be ensured. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 near the opening 20 in a direction (substantially front-rear direction) substantially parallel to the loading direction of the drive device, vibration and bending deformation due to the impact can be suppressed. it can. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the leader pin 22 from falling off or being displaced from the pin holding portion 24.

In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that the intensity | strength of case 12 can be increased, so that this protrusion part 43 increases, the number increases. Moreover, although the above-mentioned protrusion part 43 is the most preferable embodiment, the shape, arrangement | positioning position, quantity, etc. are not limited to what was shown in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. That is, it is good also as the protrusion 45, 47, 49 as shown in FIG. 7 thru | or FIG. The ridges 45, 47, and 49 are linear like the above-described ridge 43, but are not composed only of those provided substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device. .

That is, two ridges 45 shown in FIG. 7 are provided parallel to each other like the ridges 43, but are obliquely projected so as to have a predetermined angle α with respect to the loading direction to the drive device. ing. It is to be noted that the rear end of the ridge 45 is cut off obliquely to form a tapered surface 45A, as with the ridge 43. Further, although not shown in the figure, the protrusion 45 may be provided in a zigzag manner like a saw blade.

Further, the protruding portion 47 shown in FIG. 8 is provided in a radial manner with three pins from the pin holding portion 24. That is, the drive unit is provided in parallel with the loading direction of the drive device, the drive device provided in a direction orthogonal thereto, and a predetermined angle β with respect to the loading direction of the drive device therebetween. It is comprised with what was provided diagonally. Of these, at least the rearmost end of the ridge 47 close to the reel 14 is diagonally cut out to form a tapered surface 47A, similar to the ridge 43.

Further, the protrusions 49 shown in FIG. 9 are projected in a grid pattern. That is, the one provided in parallel with the loading direction to the drive device and the one provided in the direction orthogonal thereto are integrally crossed. Note that three protrusions 49 shown in FIG. 9 are provided in each of a direction parallel to the loading direction to the drive device and a direction orthogonal thereto, and a plurality of space portions F having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view are formed. However, the shape of the space F is not limited to a substantially square shape in plan view, and may be a substantially triangular shape, circular shape, elliptical shape, or the like in plan view. That is, the grid shape of the protrusions 49 may be configured such that the shape of the space F is a substantially triangular shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like in plan view. Further, at least the rearmost end of the ridge 49 close to the reel 14 is notched obliquely to form a tapered surface 49A, as with the ridge 43.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, it may be a curved ridge 53. The ridges 53 are provided in the same manner as the ridges 43, but are configured to be bent in an arc shape so as to have a substantially “S” shape in plan view. It is to be noted that the rear end of the ridge 53 is cut out obliquely to form a tapered surface 53A, as with the ridge 43. In addition, the curved shape of the protruding portion 53 is not limited to a substantially “S” shape in plan view, and it is needless to say that an arbitrary curved shape can be adopted. Moreover, you may comprise the protrusion part 43,45,47,49 and the protrusion part 53 combining suitably.

Here, the ridges 43, 45, 47, 49, and 53 in FIGS. 1 to 10 are all molded integrally with the upper case 16 and the lower case 18, but as shown in FIG. As a separate (for example, metal) protrusion 33, the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 may be integrally provided by insert molding or the like. In this case, the protrusion 33 is preferably provided in the same shape as the protrusion 43, but is not limited to this, and the protrusions 45, 47, 49 shown in FIGS. Or you may provide in the shape similar to the protrusion part 53 grade | etc., Shown in FIG. It is to be noted that the rear end of the ridge 33 is cut off obliquely to form a tapered surface 33A, as with the ridge 43.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusions 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, and 33 as described above is not limited to a quadrangular shape (rectangular shape). For example, as shown in FIG. In addition, it may be formed in an elliptical shape (curved surface shape) or the like, or may be formed in a shape combining them.

Further, the installation position of the pin holding portion 24 is a position close to one screw boss (the illustrated one is the screw boss 32), and the plate thickness of the area where the pin holding portion 24 is installed is the upper case 16 and the lower case 18. Both are relatively thick (for example, 2 mm). With such a position and thickness, it is the holding (positioning) position of the leader pin 22 that is most important in the function of the recording tape cartridge 10 (should be correctly locked to the drawing means when the magnetic tape T is pulled out). The strength in the vicinity of the pin holding portion 24 can be further improved. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the top plate of the upper case 16 and the vibration of the bottom plate of the lower case 18 caused by an impact caused by dropping or the like, and the leader pin 22 can be further removed from the pin holding portion 24 and displaced. Can be prevented.

Further, when the plate thickness of the upper case 16 and the lower case 18 in the vicinity of the opening 20 is configured to be thick as described above, the protrusions 43, 45, 47, 49, 53 as described above are not provided. 12B, the groove 35 is provided so that the same shape as the protrusions 43, 45, 47, 49, 53 is formed on the inner surfaces of the upper case 16 and the lower case 18. It may be. However, it is preferable that the protrusions 43, 45, 47, 49, and 53 are provided so as to reduce the amount of sink marks after molding.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case where the protrusions 43 are provided. In the recording tape cartridge 10 having the above-described configuration, the opening 20 is closed by the door 50 when not in use (when stored or transported). Specifically, the door 50 is always urged in the closing direction of the opening 20 by the urging force of the coil spring 56, and the front end portion (front end portion) enters the guide wall portion 41 in the vicinity of the inclined wall portion 30. With this, the opening 20 is closed.

On the other hand, when the magnetic tape T is used, the recording tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the drive device along the arrow A direction. Along with this loading, an opening / closing member (not shown) constituting the opening / closing means of the drive device enters the slit 40 opened forward and engages with the operation protrusion 52 of the door 50. In this state, when the recording tape cartridge 10 (case 12) is further pushed in, the opening / closing member moves the operation protrusion 52 backward while being pushed against the biasing force of the coil spring 56 by this pushing force (loaded in the direction of arrow A). Relative to the rear case 12).

Then, in the door 50 on which the operation projection 52 projects, the convex portion 51 is guided by the guide wall portion 42 and the spring holding portion 54 is guided by the rib 57, and the plan view clockwise along the curve direction. To turn. That is, the door 50 moves substantially rearward so as to wrap around the outside of the pin holding portion 24 and the reel 14 without protruding from the movement locus along the curved shape by the guide wall portion 42, thereby opening the opening 20. When the case 12 (recording tape cartridge 10) is loaded into the drive device to a predetermined depth, the opening 20 is completely opened.

When the recording tape cartridge 10 is positioned in the drive device in a state where the opening 20 is opened in this way, the door 50 is restricted from further rotation (move substantially backward), and the drive is started from the opened opening 20. The drawing means of the apparatus enters the case 12, and the drawing means pulls out the leader pin 22 positioned and held by the pin holding portion 24. Then, the leader pin 22 is accommodated in a take-up reel (not shown), and the take-up reel and the reel 14 are driven to rotate synchronously. Then, the magnetic tape T is sequentially pulled out from the case 12 while being wound around the take-up reel, and information is recorded and reproduced by a recording / reproducing head or the like disposed along a predetermined tape path.

On the other hand, when the recording tape cartridge 10 is ejected from the drive device, the magnetic tape T is rewound onto the reel 14 and the leader pin 22 is held by the pin holding portion 24. Then, the recording tape cartridge 10 is released from the positioning state and is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction by the biasing force of the coil spring 56 or an unillustrated ejection mechanism. Accordingly, the door 50 is rotated in the closing direction of the opening 20 by the biasing force of the coil spring 56 while the convex portion 51 is guided by the guide wall portion 42, and the front end portion (front end portion) of the door 50 is the guide wall. By entering the portion 41, the opening 20 is completely closed and returns to the initial state.

Here, on the inner surface of the upper case 16 and the inner surface of the lower case 18 in the vicinity of the opening 20, there are a plurality of protrusions 43 (two in the drawing) having a predetermined height H (H = 0.9 mm), approximately Since it is arranged by extending a predetermined length in the front-rear direction (direction substantially parallel to the loading direction to the drive device), the damage is greatest (the leader pin 22 falls off from the pin holding portion 24 or is displaced). The impact resistance against dropping from the edge of the opening 20 on the front wall 12A side can be improved. Therefore, the leader pin 22 does not fall off or be displaced from the pin holding portion 24.

In particular, when the case 12 is formed of polycarbonate without glass fiber, the leader pin 22 comes off (dropping or displacement of the leader pin 22 from the pin holding portion 24) due to dropping. It occurred at a height of 35 cm at 1.0 mm, 75 cm at 1.7 mm, and 100 cm at 2.3 mm, but by providing this ridge 43, the leader pin 22 comes off at each height. No longer occurs. As described above, the protrusion 43 effectively acts when the thickness of the case 12 in the vicinity of the opening 20 is thin, and prevents the leader pin 22 from falling off or being displaced from the pin holding portion 24. it can.

Schematic perspective view of recording tape cartridge Outline exploded perspective view of recording tape cartridge Schematic plan view of the lower case Schematic plan view of the upper case Schematic perspective view showing the situation near the opening Partially enlarged schematic plan view showing the vicinity of the opening Partially enlarged schematic plan view showing a state in the vicinity of the opening of another embodiment Partially enlarged schematic plan view showing a state in the vicinity of the opening of another embodiment Partially enlarged schematic plan view showing a state in the vicinity of the opening of another embodiment Partially enlarged schematic plan view showing a state in the vicinity of the opening of another embodiment The schematic perspective view which shows the mode of opening vicinity provided with the protrusion part of another Example. (A) Schematic sectional view showing the shape of the protrusion (B) Schematic sectional view showing the groove A schematic exploded perspective view of a conventional recording tape cartridge

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Recording tape cartridge 12 Case 14 Reel 20 Opening 22 Leader pin 24 Pin holding part 43 Projection part

Claims (3)

A case that rotatably accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound;
An opening for pulling out a leader member formed at a corner on the side of loading the case into the drive device and attached to the end of the recording tape;
In a recording tape cartridge comprising:
A recording tape cartridge comprising a protrusion on the inner surface of the case on the opening side. 2. The recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion extends in a direction substantially parallel to a loading direction of the drive device. 3. The recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided.

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