JP2596334Y2 - Storage case for cassette - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cassette storage case used for storing an audio magnetic tape cassette, and more particularly to a cassette in which a magnetic tape cassette can be stored in any of the front and rear directions. The present invention relates to a configuration suitable for use in a storage case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic tape cassette (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "tape cassette") used for audio or the like has a front opening into which a magnetic head or the like is inserted when the tape is loaded into a recording / reproducing apparatus or the like. A magnetic tape is mounted so as to cross the front opening. Therefore, dust easily enters the tape cassette from the front opening, and when the dust enters, it adheres to the magnetic tape and becomes an obstacle when performing magnetic recording / reproduction. Therefore, in order to prevent intrusion of dust, to protect the magnetic tape exposed at the front opening and to protect the entire tape cassette,
The magnetic tape cassette is usually stored in a state of being stored in a cassette storage case made of plastic (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “storage case”).

FIG. 6 shows a conventional storage case. Describing the basic configuration, the storage case 1 includes a lid 11 and a casing 12 connected to the lid 11 so as to be openable and closable. The lid 11 includes a lid facing wall 13 along one surface of the tape cassette 2, a pocket 14 provided at one end of the lid facing wall 13, and a front opening 21 of the tape cassette 2 inserted therein. As shown in the figure, the index card 3 and the tape cassette 2 can be inserted into and removed from the pocket 14 along the lid-side facing wall 13.

The casing section 12 has a casing-side facing wall 15 for covering the other surface of the tape cassette 2 mounted on the lid section 11, and the casing-side facing wall 15 is attached to the lid section 11. It comprises a pivotally connecting portion 16 rotatably connected, and a pair of anti-rotation projections 17 protruding from the casing-side facing wall 15.

[0005] The pivot portion 16 is, for example, the lid portion 11.
The lid portion 11 and the casing portion 12 are rotatable relative to each other by projecting axial projections, which fit into bearing holes formed on both side walls of the pocket 14, at corresponding inner portions of the casing portion 12. It is connected to. The tape cassette attached to the lid 11 when the rotation preventing projection 17 closes the casing-side facing wall 15 with respect to the lid 11 by the rotation of the pivot portion 16. 2 to prevent the magnetic tape from sagging during storage.

More specifically, the anti-rotation protrusion 17 is, for example, a locking member whose width is set so that both side portions protrude between adjacent hub claws 23 projecting from the inner periphery of the hub 22. It is composed of a piece 18 and a protruding piece 19 provided orthogonal to the locking piece 18 and facing the hub claw 23 whose both sides face each other. Each of the locking piece 18 and the protruding piece 19 has a shape in which an upper end side is obliquely cut so as to be easily fitted to the hub 22. The arrow (a) in the figure indicates the opening / closing direction of the casing portion 11, and the arrow (b)
Indicates the direction in which the index card 3 and the tape cassette 2 are inserted into the lid 11. The storage case 1
In FIG. 1, the lid 11 is opened as shown in the drawing, the front opening 21 of the tape cassette 2 is stored in the pocket 14, and then the lid 11 and the casing 12 are closed. The entire cassette 2 can be safely stored in the storage case 1.

[0007]

However, in the case of the above construction, the direction in which the tape cassette 2 is stored is limited to one direction, that is, the direction in which the front opening 21 is stored in the pocket 14. As described above, in the storage case 1 in which the anti-rotation protrusion 17 is designed on the assumption that the tape cassette 2 is loaded into the pocket 14 from the front opening 21 side, the tape cassette 2 is erroneously reversed. When the tape cassette 2 is inserted, the case cannot be closed, and the tape cassette 2 has to be re-inserted in the correct direction. Therefore, as a storage case that does not select the storage direction of the tape cassette 2 before and after, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 4-78185,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11484, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-10290, and the like have proposed. The following problems arise in a storage case that does not select a cassette storage direction. This is because the hub 22 is formed at a distance L1 from the front edge and a distance L2 from the rear edge as shown in FIG.
Are set in a relationship of L1> L2. Accordingly, when the tape cassette 2 is inserted as shown in FIG. 2 and when the tape cassette 2 is inserted in the opposite direction, the position of the hub 22 is shifted. This relationship will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of the hub shown in FIG. 8. Assuming that the position of the hub 22 when inserted from any one direction is the position shown by a solid line, the hub 22 when inserted from another direction Is displaced as indicated by the imaginary line, and only a gap W (common area 4) corresponding to the difference between L1 and L2 is formed as a space into which the pair of rotation preventing protrusions can be inserted. For this reason, in order to prevent the magnetic tape from being loosened using the gap W, the shape of the rotation preventing projection must be formed in a relatively thin tongue-like shape.

By the way, the original function of the rotation preventing projection is to prevent the magnetic tape from loosening.
In some cases, the tape cassette is positioned by contacting the hub. In particular, in the case of the type in which the storage direction is not selected, since the gap W of the common area 4 is small, the anti-rotation projection has a relatively thin structure, and the hub and the anti-rotation projection strongly contact with each other when the storage case is closed. Things can happen. That is, for example, when the tape cassette is inserted into the pocket of the storage case and then closed, the rotation preventing projection acts to move the hub in the process of entering the hub hole, and the position accuracy of the rotation preventing projection is adjusted. As a result, the rear end edge of the cassette may be lifted from the deepest portion of the pocket due to the engagement between the rotation preventing projection and the hub. Therefore, there is a problem that the risk of damaging the anti-rotation projection or damaging the hub claws increases, and the reliability of the storage case decreases.

[0009] In addition to the case of the type shown in Fig. 6 as well as the type of storage case which does not depend on the storage direction, it is not preferable in terms of the cassette protection function that the tape cassette is loose in the storage case. However, there is a problem in that, when setting the cassette with no backlash by narrowing the storage size by setting the rib formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the storage case, for example, the storage case is caught when the storage case is closed, and the operability is reduced. Was. The purpose of this invention is
To provide a storage case in which the positioning of a tape cassette is accurate in a cassette storage state and excellent in opening and closing operability. In addition to being able to insert the tape cassette in either direction, the tape can be securely prevented from loosening, and unnecessary contact between the anti-rotation protrusion and the hub can be avoided. An object of the present invention is to provide a cassette storage case capable of avoiding damage to a cassette.

[0010]

The object of the present invention is to provide a lid-facing wall along one surface of a magnetic tape cassette and a pocket capable of accommodating one end of the magnetic tape cassette at one end of the lid-facing wall. A lid portion having a rotation preventing projection which engages with a hub of the magnetic tape cassette and locks the hub on the casing side facing wall facing the lid side facing wall. In a cassette storage case provided with a casing part pivotally attached, positioning protrusions for regulating the position of the magnetic tape cassette are provided on both side walls of the casing part .
When closing the casing toward the lid,
Insert the magnetic tape cassette in the forward or reverse direction
Even in a state of being housed in the cover portion, the magnetic and the magnetic tape cassette <br/> the end of the cassette front or rear of the side projections which are formed along the cassette front-rear direction on both side surfaces in contact with
The direction of the tape cassette hub toward the anti-rotation protrusion
This can be achieved by a cassette storage case having an inclined surface for urging the magnetic tape cassette in a direction .

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a storage case according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a storage state of a tape cassette, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another storage state of a tape cassette, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a stored state of the tape cassette, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing another stored state of the tape cassette, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a shape of a rotation preventing projection. As shown in FIG. 6, a storage case 60 according to this embodiment includes a lid 61 and a casing 6 connected to the lid 61 so as to be openable and closable as shown in FIG.
And 2. The lid portion 61 is provided on a lid-side facing wall 63 along one surface (a back side surface in the illustrated example) of the tape cassette 2, and is provided on one end side of the lid-side facing wall 63 to open the front opening of the tape cassette 2. The part 21 has a pocket 64 into which the index card 7 and the tape cassette 2 can be pulled out and inserted into the pocket 64 along the lid-side facing wall 63.

The casing 62 has a casing-side facing wall 65 for covering the other surface (the front side in the illustrated example) of the tape cassette 2 mounted on the lid 61, and a casing-facing wall 65. A pivoting portion 66 rotatably connecting the wall 65 to the lid portion 61; and a pair of rotation preventing protrusions 67 protruding from the casing-side facing wall 65.
And side walls 68, 68 surrounding the casing-side facing wall 65 and a front side wall 69. Although three sides of the facing wall portion 65 are surrounded by side walls, positioning projections 90 and 91 described later are provided along the side walls 68 and 68.

The anti-rotation projection 67 is connected to the pivot 66
When the casing-side opposing wall 65 is closed with respect to the lid 61 by the rotation of the
1 is to be engaged with the hub 22 of the tape cassette 2 mounted on the tape cassette 1 to prevent the tape from sagging during storage. In the present embodiment, the projecting position of the rotation preventing protrusion 67 on the casing-side facing wall 65 is such that the rotation preventing protrusion 67 is prevented even when the tape cassette 2 is loaded in the forward or reverse direction with respect to the lid portion 61. The tape cassette 2 is oriented in the forward direction (for example, in such a manner that the protrusion 67 is engaged with the hub 22 of the tape cassette 2 loaded in the lid portion 61.
(When the front opening 21 is inserted into the pocket 64 of the lid 61) when the lid is loaded in the lid in a direction opposite to the normal loading area corresponding to the hub position when the lid is loaded into the lid 61. Is set at a position corresponding to the common area 4 with the area at the time of reverse loading corresponding to the hub position, but this common area 4 is enlarged by positioning projections 90 and 91 having a cam function described later. ing.

Incidentally, the positioning projections 90, 91
When the tape cassette 2 is stored and the lid 61 and the casing 62 are closed, the tape cassette 2 is pushed and the common area 4 for inserting the pair of rotation preventing projections 67 is formed. In addition to the enlargement, the positioning of the tape cassette 2 and the prevention of rattling are performed. The enlargement operation and the like will be described later in detail. Further, the hub 22 is held in the tape cassette 2 so as to be able to move in a radial direction within a prescribed range (that is, the hub 22).
In the state of being held in the tape cassette 2, there is a slight play.)

The overall shape of the rotation preventing projection 67 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the common area of the hub 22 when the tape cassette 2 is loaded in both forward and reverse directions. 4 includes two plate portions 71 and 72 projecting in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval and a connecting portion 73 connecting the base ends of these two plate portions 71 and 72 to each other. Configuration. The two plate-shaped portions 71 and 72 provide a gap therebetween as hub claw locking grooves into which the hub claws 23 protruding from the inner periphery of the hub 22 are fitted. The heights are different, for example, one is a long plate-shaped portion 71 having a high protruding height, and the other is a short plate-shaped portion 72 having a low protruding height.

As described above, since the anti-rotation projection 67 allows both the forward and reverse loading of the tape cassette 2, the shape of the tip of the anti-rotation projection 67 is the smallest common. the dimensions set so that a smaller than the area 4 has been made, the base side of the shape of the rotation stopper projections 67 are greatest dimension set to be larger than or corresponding to the common area 4 have been made. With such a dimension setting, the outer periphery of the rotation preventing projection 67 has a configuration in which the diameter gradually increases from the distal end side to the proximal end side as described above, so that the outer periphery of the rotation preventing projection 67 has a play when engaged with the hub 22. And rotation can be reliably prevented.

The cover-side facing wall 63, the pocket 64, and the casing-side facing wall 65 are provided with
As shown in FIG. 7, concave portions 81, 82, and 83 are provided for receiving the increased thickness portion 25 of the tape cassette 2 so that the tape cassette 2 can be loaded into the lid 61 in either forward or reverse orientation. Have been. As shown in FIG. 1, the concave portion 82 provided in the pocket 64 receives the thickened portion 25 when the front opening 21 of the tape cassette 2 is inserted in the pocket 64 in the forward direction. The recess 83 provided in the casing-side facing wall 65 is inserted in the pocket 64 at the rear end of the tape cassette 2 (that is, the front opening 21 is located at the opening end of the case). Sometimes thickening part 25
It accepts. However, since the concave portion 81 provided in the lid-side facing wall 63 requires the thickness increasing portion at the time of loading in the opposite direction to the concave portion for normal loading for receiving the thickness increasing portion 25 at the time of loading in the forward direction. And a single concave concave portion integrating the reverse loading concave portion. In addition,
In FIG. 1, arrows (d) and (e) indicate the insertion direction of the index card 7 into the cover 61 and the insertion direction of the tape cassette 2 into the cover 61, respectively.

The positioning projections 90 and 91 are provided on the inner side surfaces of the side walls 68. The positioning projection 90 pushes the tape cassette 2 toward the opening side when the tape cassette 2 is stored in the storage case 60 in the reverse direction (the direction in which the cassette rear portion is inserted into the pocket side). In addition, a side surface facing the opening side is formed on an inclined surface 95 having a desired angle. The positioning projection 91 pushes the tape cassette 2 toward the pocket 64 when the tape cassette 2 is stored in the storage case 60 in the forward direction. The side facing toward the side 64 has an inclined surface 96 having a desired angle.
Is formed.

Although the shape and the like of the tape cassette 2 are well known, a long side projection 2 is formed on both sides.
6 are formed. The purpose of the present invention is to make the side projections 26 the positioning projections 90 when the tape cassette 2 is stored, as will be described below.
This is achieved by pushing with 91. Next, the storage of the tape cassette 2 will be described. When the tape cassette 2 is stored in the forward direction, the thickened portion 25 is inserted into the pocket 64 as shown in FIG. Close. When the tape cassette 2 is to be stored in the opposite direction, the rear end of the tape cassette 2 is inserted into the pocket 64 as shown in FIG. The casing 62 is closed. In this way, insertion in the forward and reverse directions is performed. When the lid 61 and the casing 62 are closed, the tape cassette 2 is pushed by the positioning projections 90 and 91, and the The enlargement of the common area 4 is performed automatically.

First, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of the pushing operation when the tape cassette 2 is inserted in the forward direction.
FIG. 4 shows the positioning projection 9 for convenience of illustration.
1 is omitted. That is, when the lid 61 and the casing 62 are rotated and closed as shown by an arrow R in FIG. 4, the inclined surface 95 of the positioning projection 90 becomes one of the side projections 26 of the tape cassette 2. The tape cassette 2 is pushed in the direction of the arrow S in accordance with the angle of the inclined surface 95 by contacting the end portion 27 and continuing the closing. This pushing movement is, of course, performed simultaneously on both sides of the tape cassette 2. As a result, if the tape cassette 2 is at the position shown by the imaginary line (right side in the figure) at the time of insertion, it is forcibly pushed to the position shown by the solid line corresponding to the inclination angle of the inclined surface 95. become. Therefore, the hub 22 also moves from the position shown by the imaginary line to the position shown by the solid line, and the common area 4 is enlarged according to the amount of movement.

Next, a description will be given of a pushing operation when the tape cassette 2 is inserted in the reverse direction with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 shows the positioning projection 9 for convenience of illustration.
1 is omitted. That is, when the lid portion 61 and the casing portion 62 are rotated and closed as shown by an arrow R in FIG. 5, the inclined surface 96 of the positioning projection 91 becomes one of the side projections 26 of the tape cassette 2. The tape cassette 2 is pushed in the direction of arrow T corresponding to the angle of the inclined surface 96 by abutting on the end 27 and continuing the closing. This pushing is performed simultaneously on both sides of the tape cassette 2. As a result, if the tape cassette 2 is at the position shown by the imaginary line at the time of insertion, it is forcibly pushed to the position shown by the solid line corresponding to the inclination angle of the inclined surface 96. Then, the hub 22 also moves from the position shown by the imaginary line to the position shown by the solid line, and the common area 4 is enlarged in accordance with the amount of movement. It fits completely inside.

The enlargement of the common area 4 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 8 used in the description of the conventional example. This means that the gap W has been enlarged, and the rotation preventing protrusion 67 The diameter and size can be made strong enough. Moreover, the rotation preventing protrusion 67 according to the present embodiment is used.
Since the shape is such that the hub claws 23 can be securely locked, the loosening of the magnetic tape is reliably performed. The positioning projections 90 and 91 are connected to the common region 4.
Performs notable actions other than the expansion of

That is, as described with reference to FIG. 4, when the tape cassette 2 is stored in the storage case 60 in the forward direction and the lid 61 and the casing 62 are closed, Is the positioning protrusion 90
And continues to be pushed to the pocket 64 side until it is opened again. Therefore, the tape cassette 2 is positioned at a predetermined storage position, and even if the entire storage case 1 is shaken temporarily in the stored state, the tape cassette 2 is moved between the pocket 64 side and the opening side. The vibration of the tape cassette 2 can be significantly reduced without reciprocating between the tape cassettes.

As described with reference to FIG. 5, when the tape cassette 2 is stored in the storage case 60 in the reverse direction and the lid 61 and the casing 62 are closed, Is the positioning protrusion 91
Until it reopens and continues to be pushed to fit into the recess 83. Therefore, the tape cassette 2 is positioned at a predetermined storage position, and even if the entire storage case 1 is shaken temporarily in the stored state,
The tape cassette 2 does not reciprocate between the pocket 64 side and the opening side, and the vibration of the tape cassette 2 can be greatly reduced. Thus, by providing the positioning projections 90 and 91, the common area 4 for inserting the rotation preventing projection 67 is provided.
The anti-rotation projection 67, which has a sufficient strength according to the expansion, can prevent the magnetic tape from loosening. Further, positioning of the tape cassette 2 stored in the storage case 60 and prevention of rattling can be performed simultaneously.

The positioning projections 90, 91
The amount of movement of the tape cassette 2 by the
The width can be set freely according to the inclination angle of 96, and the width of the common area 4 corresponding to the moving amount can be set freely. Therefore, the position of the hub 22 can be completely matched regardless of whether the tape cassette 2 is stored in the forward or reverse direction. When the hubs 22 are completely aligned, the anti-rotation protrusion 17 described in the conventional example may be provided instead of the configuration of the anti-rotation protrusion 67. However, when the tape cassette 2 is pushed so that the hubs 22 completely coincide with each other, the shape of the storage case 60 becomes large. Therefore, the setting of the inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 95 and 96, in other words, the setting of the pressing width of the tape cassette 2, depends on the strength and shape of the rotation preventing projection 67 and the size of the entire storage case 60. It can be set freely depending on the degree of setting.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, only one of the positioning projections 90 and 91 may be provided. Also, they may be integrally formed without being divided, and in this case, the shape is trapezoidal when viewed from the side. Further, the shape of the rotation preventing protrusion 67 is not limited to the above. In the present embodiment, the concave portion 81 is formed in a longitudinal shape, but may be formed separately at a position corresponding to the pocket 64 and a position corresponding to the concave portion 84.

[0027]

As described above, the cassette storage case of the present invention is provided with the positioning projections having the inclined surfaces on both sides of the casing and closing the casing and the lid to store the tape cassette. At this time, the inclined surface is brought into contact with the ends of the long side projections formed on both sides of the tape cassette, and the tape cassette is pushed in response to the closing action between the casing and the lid. With this configuration, the tape cassette is pushed in the desired direction regardless of whether the tape cassette is stored in the normal or reverse direction. Therefore, the common area of the hub into which the anti-rotation protrusion is inserted can be enlarged, and the anti-rotation protrusion is formed into a shape having sufficient strength to reliably prevent the magnetic tape from being loosened and improve the reliability of the storage case. be able to. In addition, since the tape cassette is positioned at a predetermined position by the positioning projections and the tape cassette is kept pressed while the casing and the cover are closed, it is possible to prevent the tape cassette from being displaced and rattling. Can be planned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette storage case showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the tape cassette is housed in a forward direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tape cassette is stored in a reverse direction.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a pressing operation when the tape cassette is stored in the forward direction in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a pressing operation when the tape cassette is stored in the reverse direction in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional storage case.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a hub position of the tape cassette.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a shape change of a hub corresponding to normal and reverse storage of a tape cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Tape Cassette 4 Common Area 21 Front Opening 22 Hub 23 Hub Claw 25 Thickness Increasing Part 26 Side Protrusion 27 End 60 Cassette Storage Case 61 Cover 62 Casing 63 63 Opposite Wall 64 Pocket 65 Opposite Wall 66 Side pivot Part 67 Rotation prevention protrusion 90, 91 Positioning protrusion 95, 96 Inclined surface

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A cover having a cover-side facing wall along one surface of the magnetic tape cassette and a pocket at one end of the cover-side facing wall for accommodating one end of the magnetic tape cassette; A cassette provided with a rotation preventing projection which engages with the hub of the magnetic tape cassette and locks the hub on a casing side facing wall facing the wall, and a casing part pivotally attached to the lid part so as to be openable and closable; in use storage case, the positioning projection is provided for regulating the position of the magnetic tape cassette on both side walls of the casing portion, the position
The fixing projection closes the casing part toward the lid part.
The magnetic tape cassette in either forward or reverse
Even if the magnetic tape is stored in the lid in advance,
Hub the rotation stopper collision of the magnetic tape cassette on the end of the cassette front or rear of the side projections which are formed along the cassette front-rear direction on both side surfaces in contact with the tape cassette
A cassette storage case comprising an inclined surface for urging the magnetic tape cassette in a direction toward the starting position.