JP2626411B2 - Tape 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 tape cassette used for a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus, comprising a front lid and a rear lid for protecting a stored magnetic tape from dust and the like, and connecting the rear lid. The present invention relates to a tape cassette suspended from a front lid via a lever.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a tape cassette used in a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder, for example, a VHS tape cassette having a tape width of 1/2 inch or an 8 mm tape cassette having a tape width of 8 mm is used. This is well known.

The VHS tape cassette 100 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B has an upper half member 101 and a lower half member 10.
The VHS tape cassette 100 is used to record and / or reproduce data by a magnetic recording and / or reproducing device (not shown) using the VHS tape cassette 100. In order to maintain sex,
The outer dimensions of the VHS tape cassette 100 are almost standardized. A magnetic tape T is wound between a supply reel 103 and a take-up reel 104 provided inside the VHS tape cassette 100, and the magnetic tape T wound on the supply reel 103 is guided by a supply side guide. A front lid 106 provided on the opening 102a side of the lower half member 102 via a pole 105
And wound up on a take-up reel 104 via a guide pole 107 on the take-up side. Also, the opening 102a of the lower half member 102 has an opening on the back side,
A tape loading member (not shown) of the apparatus can enter. The front cover 106 protects the magnetic surface of the magnetic tape T from dust and the like, and is provided so that the magnetic surface cannot be touched by humans.
The front lid 106 has a pair of shafts integrally formed on the inside of the left and right side surfaces.
The upper and lower half members 101 and 102 are supported on the left and right side surfaces of the upper and lower half members 101 and 102 so as to be freely opened and closed about 106a and 106a (only one side is shown), but are locked and closed by a front lid lock member 108 provided on the left side surface.

[0004] Then, as shown in FIG.
Only when the mold tape cassette 100 is inserted into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the front cover locking member 108 is released by the cover opening means on the apparatus side, and the shaft 106a formed on the front cover 106 is rotated. The position shown in the two-dot chain line as the center (front lid
The front cover 106 is opened up to a cover opening angle θ ₁ ) of 106.
Thereafter, when the front lid 106 is opened, the magnetic tape T is loaded along a predetermined tape path in the apparatus by a tape loading member (not shown) inserted into the opening 102a.

[0005] In addition, the 8 mm shown in FIGS.
The mold tape cassette 200 has substantially the same configuration as that described above. The mold tape cassette 200 is assembled into a rectangular parallelepiped box by upper and lower half members 201 and 202, and includes a supply reel 203 and a take-up reel 204 in which a magnetic tape T is wound. Although provided, a rear cover 206 is further provided in the opening 202a opened in the lower half member 202 and behind the front cover 205 to protect the back surface opposite to the magnetic surface of the magnetic tape T. I have. The 8 mm tape cassette 200 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-168979. Here, only the vicinity of the front cover 205 and the rear cover 206 will be briefly described. A magnetic tape T is mounted along the front cover 205, and the magnetic tape T is protected so as to be wrapped between the front cover 205 and the rear cover 206.

That is, the front lid 205 is supported on the left and right side surfaces of the upper and lower half members 201 and 202 so as to be openable and closable about a pair of shafts 205a and 205a integrally formed on the inside of the left and right side surfaces. Also, a pair of projecting pieces 205b, 20
5b is suspended downward, and a rear cover 206 formed in a "substantially T-shape" on the pair of protruding pieces 205b, 205b is rotatably supported via a pair of shafts 206a, 206a integrally formed therewith. ing. A pair of guide pins 206b, 206b integrally formed at the lower ends of the left and right side surfaces of the rear lid 206 are
A pair of guide grooves 202 formed on the left and right near the opening 202a
b, 202b.

[0007] Then, as shown in FIG.
Only when the m-type tape cassette 200 is inserted into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the front cover 205 is formed by a cover opening means on the apparatus side around a shaft 205a formed on the front cover 205 as a two-dot chain line as a center of rotation. 205 and the rear cover 206 are opened integrally. Here, in cooperation with the opening operation of the front cover 205, the rear cover 206 is integrally opened to a position (opening angle θ ₂ of the front cover 106) above the upper surface 201a of the upper half member 201. . At this time, the guide pins 206b projecting from the rear cover 206 are opened upward while rotating along the guide grooves 202b formed in the lower half member 202 and about the shaft 206a that is the center of rotation of the rear cover 206. I will be covered. At this time, the rear lid 206 cooperating with the front lid 205
Must be opened to a position where it does not contact the tape loading member that pulls out the magnetic tape T into the apparatus,
In addition, since the center of rotation of the rear cover 206 is only the shaft 206a integrally formed on one side, there is no freedom in the opening operation of the rear cover 206, and the front cover 205 is necessarily opened greatly.

[0008]

By the way, in recent years, high-density, high-quality recording and / or reproduction on the magnetic tape T has been required, and, for example, at the present stage when digital recording and / or reproduction has become possible, When dust or the like adheres to the magnetic tape T, or when a fingerprint of a hand arrives, it is considered that recording and / or reproducing performance is significantly deteriorated. In the VHS type tape cassette 100, the back surface opposite to the magnetic surface of the magnetic tape T is not protected, and dust or the like adheres to the back surface of the magnetic tape T from the opening 102a, or is accidentally or If a fingerprint or the like is intentionally applied, when the magnetic tape T is wound around the supply reel 103 and the take-up reel 104, the back surface of the magnetic tape T comes into close contact with the magnetic surface of the magnetic tape T, which has an adverse effect. There is a risk.

Therefore, it has been considered that the VHS type tape cassette 100 is provided with a member equivalent to the rear cover (206) in the same configuration as disclosed in the above-mentioned 8 mm type tape cassette 200. However, a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown) employing the VHS tape cassette 100 has already been widely spread in the world. Considering the compatibility of the VHS tape cassette 100 and the apparatus, the 8 mm tape cassette 20 is required.
If the configuration of No. 0 is used as it is, the following problems will occur and the user will be troubled very much. Therefore, the member equivalent to the rear lid (206) should be used with the configuration as it is. It is difficult. . For models such as portable video decks and video movies, the opening angle of the front cover is designed to be as small as possible to reduce the size.
When the member corresponding to the rear cover (206) according to the configuration of 200 is applied as it is, the member corresponding to the rear cover (206) comes into contact with the tape loading member for drawing out the magnetic tape T into the apparatus. . On the other hand, in models such as large VCRs and professional VCRs, the opening angle of the front lid is designed to be large enough, so the equivalent member of the rear lid (206) of the above-mentioned 8 mm tape cassette 200 can be used as it is. In this case, the guide pin (206b, 206b) of the member equivalent to the rear lid (206) comes off above the guide groove (202b, 202b) and comes off, and when the member equivalent to the rear lid (206) is closed, the guide pin ( 206b, 206b) does not enter the guide grooves (202b, 202b) and is damaged.

That is, the opening / closing structure of the rear lid cooperating with the front lid is as follows:
Although the external shape is different, in the basic configuration, it is necessary that the front lid can be reliably applied to both a device having a large opening angle and a device having a small opening angle, and a tape cassette satisfying this condition is desired. ing.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an opening formed in a front side of a box body into which a tape loading member of a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus enters. The magnetic tape wound on the supply reel is wound along the front surface of the box while being wound on the take-up reel, and one surface of the magnetic tape mounted along the front surface is provided on the front surface so as to be freely opened and closed. The magnetic tape is protected by a front cover, and a back surface opposite to one surface of the magnetic tape is protected by a rear cover which is provided on the back surface side of the front cover and in the opening, and is opened and closed integrally with the front cover. A tape cassette,
A connecting lever rotatably supported by a supporting portion provided on the back surface of the front cover, a rear cover rotatably suspended at one end of the connecting lever and forming a guided portion; The rear lid is guided in the opening and closing direction by engaging with the guided part of the lid, and is also suspended by the connection lever formed in the box body by closing an end of the rear lid in the opening direction and the connection lever. Urging means for urging the rear lid in the opening direction; and opening the rear lid formed in the box and energized by the urging means when the front lid and the rear lid are closed. Regulating means for regulating the opening angle of the front lid, when the opening angle of the front lid is set small, until the guided portion of the rear lid reaches almost the end of the guiding portion in the opening direction of the front lid. When the opening angle of the front cover is set to be large, the guided portion of the rear cover is opened at the end in the opening direction of the guiding portion. Contact the department A tape cassette, wherein the rear lid is opened in cooperation with the opening operation of the front lid, and only the front lid is further opened by the action of the connecting lever. It is.

[0012]

In the tape cassette according to the present invention, the rear lid, which is integrally opened and closed in cooperation with the front lid, is suspended from the front lid via the connecting lever, and the magnetic tape is interposed between the front lid and the rear lid. In addition to protecting one surface (magnetic surface) and the back surface opposite to the one surface (magnetic surface), in a basic configuration, a device having a large front cover opening angle and a device having a small front cover opening angle are provided. It can also be applied to certain applications.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a tape cassette according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

<Structure of Tape Cassette> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of a tape cassette according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of a front cover and a rear cover which are main parts of the tape cassette according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the assembled state.

In the tape cassette 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, an upper half member 2 and a lower half member 3 are formed by using a resin material or the like, and an upper half member 2 and a lower half member 3 are formed. Are assembled into a rectangular parallelepiped box 1A. Supply reel 4 provided inside this box 1A
A magnetic tape T is wound between the magnetic tape T and the take-up reel 5. The magnetic tape T wound on the supply reel 4 passes through the supply-side guide pole 6 and then opens in the lower half member 3. It passes between a front lid 7 and a rear lid 8 provided on the front side of the portion 3a, and is further wound on a take-up reel 5 via a guide pole 9 on the take-up side.

On the back side of the lower half member 3, in addition to the opening 3a into which a tape loading member of a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown) can be inserted,
Holes 3b and 3c facing the supply reel 4 and the take-up reel 5 are formed, and the tape cassette 1 is positioned near the opening 3a.
Are provided with positioning holes 3d and 3e for positioning the magnetic tape T, and a hole 3f into which a light emitting element (not shown) for detecting the mounting state of the magnetic tape T enters.

The front lid 7 has left and right side surfaces 7a, 7b.
Shafts 7a ₁ , 7b ₁ (7a ₁
(Only illustrated), the front cover 7 is supported on the left and right side surfaces 3g and 3h of the box body 1A (lower half member 3) via an openable / closable opening, but before the front cover 7 is inserted into the apparatus, the front cover 7 is closed on the left side surface 3 of the lower half member 3.
g is locked by the front lid lock member 10 provided in the g. When the front cover 7 is closed, the front cover 7 protects one surface of the magnetic tape T (hereinafter, also referred to as a magnetic surface) from dust and the like, and
The magnetic surface cannot be touched by humans. The opening operation of the front cover 7 is performed only when the tape cassette 1 is inserted into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown) by releasing the front cover locking member 10 by the opening means on the apparatus side. Although the lid 7 can be opened, a detailed description is omitted.

On the other hand, the rear lid 8 located on the rear side of the magnetic tape T mounted along the front lid 7 is one of the members constituting a main part of the present invention, and is opened in the lower half member 3. Dust and the like entering through the opening 3a is prevented from adhering to the back surface opposite to the one surface (magnetic surface) of the magnetic tape T, and the fingerprint of the hand inserted from the opening 3a accidentally or intentionally is attached. The magnetic tape T is provided to protect the magnetic tape T from being damaged even when a foreign object or the like is inserted from the opening 3a. Since the rear cover 8 is provided, dust and fingerprints of hands are not attached to the back surface of the magnetic tape T, and the magnetic tape T is not damaged.
When the magnetic tape T is wound around the supply reel 4 and the take-up reel 5, even if the back surface of the magnetic tape T is in close contact with the magnetic surface of the magnetic tape T, magnetic recording and / or reproduction can be performed without any trouble. Becomes

Here, the main components for supporting the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8, which are the main parts of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] In FIG. 2, the upper half member 2 and the lower half member 3, the height H ₁ of the tape cassette 1 (Figure 1) and before being formed at substantially the same height lid 7, a portion is divided formed separately each at approximately half the height H _2, except.

The right and left side surfaces 3g, 3 of the lower half member 3
h is formed to the height _{H 1} slightly lower height _{H 3} from the front cover 7, the right and left side surfaces 3g, a pair of holes _{3 g} 1 to face each other in 3h, 3h ₁ are bored. Also, a pair of holes 3g
_1, left and right side surfaces 7a of the lid 7 prior to 3h _1, a pair of shaft _7a 1 which is integrally formed opposite one another on the inside of 7b, 7b ₁ is fitted, the center front cover 7 is an axial _7a 1, 7b ₁ It is supported to open and close freely.

On the front side of the lower half member 3, an opening 3a having a space into which a tape loading member (not shown) enters is formed. A pair of protruding portions 3i facing each other at an interval on the left and right inside the opening 3a.
3j is protruded before upward at a height H ₁ slightly lower height H ₃ from the lid 7, the projecting portion 3i is located slightly to the left of the center portion of the lower half member 3, the projecting portion 3j near right side surface 3h It is located in. Further, a pair of left and right protrusions 3i, 3j include:
A pair of guide portions 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ facing each other (hereinafter, referred to as guide grooves 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ ) closes the end (upper end) of the rear cover 8 in the opening direction and “down boots”. And the lower ends of the guide grooves 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ have bosses (guided portions) 8e ₁ , 8f formed on a rear lid 8 described later.
₁ is opened so that it can be inserted when engaged. The opening 3
The pair of protruding portions 3i and 3j in a are provided so that the rear cover 8 can be opened without abutting during the opening operation described below.

A regulating portion 3k (hereinafter referred to as a lever guide portion) is provided substantially at the center of the lower half member 3 and at the back of the opening 3a, and between the left projecting portion 3i and the right projecting portion 3j. 3k and referred) is protruded upward at a height H slightly lower height H ₃ from the _first front lid 7, further lever guide portion 3k
Are tapered portion 3k ₁ above the tip of formation, this is the tapered portion 3k ₁ and contact portion 13b of the connecting lever 13 supported by the cover 7 before the later becomes can abut, when closed ,
The rotation of the connecting lever 13 is restricted.

Further, on the bottom surface on the front side of the lower half member 3,
Holes 3m, 3n where guide poles 6, 9 (FIG. 1) are erected
Are formed, and the magnetic tape T forms a path shown by a two-dot chain line by the guide poles 6 and 9. Further, the light emitting element (not shown) is provided behind the lever guide portion 3k.
A hole 3f into which a hole enters is formed. The hole 3f is located substantially at the center of the lower half member 3.

The left and right side surfaces 3g, 3h, protrusions 3i, 3j, lever guide 3 formed on the lower half member 3 described above.
k is a section related to the opening operation of the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 as will be described later. Therefore, these sections are used to maintain the mounting position accuracy of the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 properly. 7
Is formed integrally with the lower half member ₃ at a height H ₃ which is slightly lower than the height H ₁ of the upper half member 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the upper and lower half members 2 and 3 may be divided and formed in the same positional relationship. Further, it left and right side surfaces 3 g, 3h, the projecting portion 3i, 3j, when forming the lever guide portion 3k height _{H 3} is the upper half member 2 are combined with a thin thickness t.

Next, between the left and right side surfaces 7a and 7b of the front lid 7,
The front surface 7c and the upper surface 7d are connected to each other at a substantially right angle to form an “inverted L-shape”.
The e-side triangular portion 7e ₁ is very slightly protrude. The lower end portion 8 of the lid 8 after the trigone 7e ₁ is to be described later lower side of the magnetic tape T attached along the front lid 7 when closed
a ₁ and a function of wrapping in a sealed state.
Is protected from the opening 3a. Also,
In a substantially central portion rear surface side of the front lid 7 and the back surface of the top surface 7d support portion 7d 1 _{(hereinafter,} referred to as a lever support portion 7d ₁₎ are downwardly depending shaft 11 to the lever support portion 7d ₁ Is fixed. Further, a “reverse-shaped” connecting lever 13 urged clockwise (in the direction of arrow B) in the figure around the shaft 11 by a torsion spring 12 so as to be rotatable on the shaft 11. Also, the shaft 11
A stopper ring 14 is fitted to the end of the shaft 11, and the position is regulated so that the connecting lever 13 does not fall off the shaft 11.
A hole 13a for rotatably suspending the rear cover 8 is formed at one lower end of the connecting lever 13, and the lower half member 3 is formed at the other upper end via the shaft 11 at the other end. abutment portion abutting 13b to the tapered portion 3k ₁ of the lever guide portion 3k is formed. The connection lever 13 is one of the members constituting a main part of the present invention, and has a function of rotatably suspending the rear cover 8 with respect to the front cover 7. As will be described later, the rear cover 8 has a function of increasing the degree of freedom in opening (closing) the cover.

Next, the rear cover 8 is provided with a front surface 8a facing the front cover 7.
The side is formed in an “inverted shape”, and is suspended parallel to the front lid 7 via a connecting lever 13 behind the front lid 7 and the magnetic tape T. When the lid is closed, the lower end 8a of the front surface 8a is closed. ₁ is in contact with front conical portion 7e ₁ formed in the cover 7, so as to protect the lower end of the magnetic tape T. That is, a key-shaped recess 8b is opened substantially at the upper center of the rear lid 8, and a shaft 8c is integrally formed to project from the right to the left of the recess 8b. When one end of the connection lever 13 is inserted into the recess 8b and the shaft 8c is fitted into a hole 13a formed in the connection lever 13, the rear cover 8 is suspended from the front cover 7 via the connection lever 13. And the rear cover 8 is rotatable about a shaft 8c. Further, a protruding portion 8e is formed integrally and protruding rearward below the middle portion on the rear surface 8d side of the rear lid 8, and a protruding portion 8f having the same shape as the protruding portion 8e is formed on the rear surface 8d near the right side. They are formed to face each other. Guided portions 8e ₁ , 8f ₁ (hereinafter, referred to as bosses 8e ₁ , 8f ₁ ) project outward from the projecting portions 8e, 8f.

The bosses 8e ₁ , 8 formed on the rear lid 8
protrusion 3i of the lower half member 3 f _1, is inserted through a pair of guide grooves 3i _1, the lower end of the 3j ₁ formed in the 3j engaged, suspending the rear lid 8 to the lid 7 via the front connecting levers 13 Then, the rear lid 8 is supported on the back side of the magnetic tape T mounted along the front lid 7 and in the opening 3 a of the lower half member 3. In this state, as shown in FIG.
And the front cover 7 and the rear cover 8 are in a closed state, and the contact portion 13b of the connecting lever 13 connecting the rear cover 8 to the front cover 7 is a lever guide of the lower half member 3. contact with the tapered portion 3k ₁ formed in parts 3k, coupling lever 13 while being rotated restricted, the rear lid 8 is connected lever 13
And is suspended in a “reverse shape” toward the lower opening 3a through the opening. Also, bosses 8e ₁ , 8 formed on the rear lid 8
f ₁ is located downward while engaging the pair of guide grooves _{3i 1,} 3j 1.

<Tape Cassette Opening Operation> Here, the tape cassette opening operation according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (D).

FIGS. 4A and 4B are longitudinal sectional views showing the tape cassette opening operation according to the present invention in a sectional view taken along the arrow XY direction shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. Indicates a closed state, (B) indicates a state in which the front and rear lids are being opened, (C) indicates an open state in a device in which the front and rear lids have a small opening angle, and (D) indicates Indicates an open state in a device in which the opening angles of the front lid and the rear lid are large. In addition, FIG.
() Indicates the department on the opposite side, but the description of the () is omitted.

In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the front cover 7 and the rear cover 8 of the tape cassette 1 are closed, and the magnetic tape T is mounted along the back surface 7e of the front cover 7. Further, in the opening 3a of the lower half member 3, the connecting lever 1 to a shaft 11 fixed to the lever support portion 7d ₁ of the front lid 7
3 is rotatably mounted on a shaft.
A rear lid 8 is rotatably connected to one end of the first through a shaft 8c integrally formed therewith. At this time, the connecting lever 13 although is urged in a clockwise direction (arrow B direction) in FIG. About the shaft 11 by the torsion spring 12, the abutting portion 13b tapered portion 3k of the lever guide portion 3k ₁ of the coupling lever 13 , The rotation of the connecting lever 13 is restricted, whereby the rear lid 8 is suspended near the back surface of the magnetic tape T via the connecting lever 13. Further, a boss 8e ₁ (8f ₁ ) formed on the rear lid 8 has a guide groove 3i ₁ formed on the protrusion 3i (3j) of the lower half member 3 described above.
It is located below while engaging with (3j ₁ ). Also,
Trigone 7e ₁ of the lower end portion 8a ₁ of the rear lid 8 is formed on the front lid 7
, So that dust, fingerprints of hands, and the like do not adhere to the magnetic tape T from the opening 3a.
That is, the magnetic tape T is covered with the front cover 7 on the magnetic surface side, the back surface of the magnetic tape T is covered with the rear cover 8, and the lower end of the magnetic tape T is formed on the lower end 8 a ₁ of the rear cover 8 and the front cover 7. It is protected to wrap in the formed triangular portion 7e ₁ to. Therefore, when the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 are in the closed state, that is, before the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 are inserted into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the front lid 7 is closed.
The magnetic tape T is completely protected between the magnetic tape T and the rear lid 8.

[0032] Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), when the tape cassette 1 is inserted into the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the front cover 7 in Fig around the shaft 7a ₁ The cover is opened clockwise (direction of arrow C). Here, in accordance with the front cover 7 is gradually being opened cover, the front contact portion 13b abutting released from the tapered portion 3k ₁ formed in the lever guide portion 3k of the connecting lever 13 which is pivotally mounted via a shaft 11 to the lid 7 Then, the connecting lever 13 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow B) around the shaft 11 by the urging force of the torsion spring 12 and reaches until it comes into contact with the upper surface 2 a of the upper half member 2. the lid 8 after being coupled through a shaft 8c is lifted upward while rotating around the shaft 8c, and a boss 8e ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 is the guide groove 3i
₁ slides upward. Therefore, in cooperation with the opening operation of the front lid 7, the rear lid 8 suspended from the front lid 7 via the connecting lever 13 is also opened. , And the rear cover 8 is rotatable about the shaft 8c with respect to the connecting lever 13, so that the rear cover 8 can be opened. During the operation of the lid, the rear lid 8 can be freely and freely opened by the two pivot points (11, 8c), and the rear lid 8 has two degrees of freedom in the link mechanism. Further, when the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 is opened cover is trigone 7e ₁ of the front lid 7 is opened cover so away from the magnetic surface side of the magnetic tape T, on the other hand, the lower end portion 8a ₁ of the rear lid 8 is boss since 8e ₁ is guided by the guide grooves 3i _1, are open lid without touching the back surface of the magnetic tape T.

Next, the as shown FIG. 4 (C), the earlier in the case of applying the model, such as the lid opening angle alpha ₁ so much larger can not for example a portable VCR Toka video movie setting the lid 7, before the lid 7 is opened cover in FIG. 4 (B) from further clockwise (arrow C) about the axis 7a _1, prior to bosses 8e ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 reaches approximately the upper end of the guide groove 3i ₁ The rear lid 8 is opened in cooperation with the opening operation of the lid 7. If you stop lid opening of the front cover 7 up to this state, it can be set small lid opening angle alpha ₁ of the front lid 7.
That is, in the illustrated state, the connecting lever 13 is connected to the torsion spring 1.
By rotating the shaft 11 about the shaft 11 in the clockwise direction (arrow direction) from FIG. 4B by the urging force of 2, the shaft 8 c reaches the upper surface 2 a of the upper half member 2, and the shaft 8 c is lid 8 after being coupled through is lifted further upward than FIG 4 (B) while rotating around a shaft 8c, and approximately the upper end of the boss 8e ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 is the guide grooves 3i ₁ Has been reached. At this time, the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 are opened without touching the magnetic tape T in the same manner as described above, and the rear lid 8 suspended on the front lid 7 via the connecting lever 13 as described above. Two pivot points (11, 8c)
As a result, the shaft 8c connected to one end of the connection lever 13 can be lifted without difficulty to the vicinity of the back surface of the upper surface 7d of the front cover 7, and the opening angle α of the front cover 7 can be increased.
₁ can be kept small.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 (D), before the case of applying the model, such as the lid opening angle alpha ₂ can significantly be set, for example large video deck Toka Professional video deck lid 7, before FIG lid 7 about the axis 7a ₁ 4
(C) even more is opened cover in a clockwise direction (arrow C direction), lid opening operation and cooperation of the front cover 7 to the boss 8e ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 is in contact reaches the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i ₁ Back lid 8
And then the front cover 7 is actuated by the action of the connecting lever 13.
Only the lid is opened further upward. When lid opening the front cover 7 to the state can be set large lid opening angle alpha ₂ of the front lid 7. That is, in the illustrated state, the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i _1, since blocked previously, bosses 8e formed on the rear lid 8
₁ keeps the remains in contact with the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i _1, lid 8 after has in cooperation with the front cover 7 is kept in a position that can not be any more open lid. On the other hand, even when the rear lid 8 is held at the illustrated open position, only the front lid 7 can be opened further, that is, when the front lid 7 is opened, the connecting lever 1 is opened.
The shaft 11 serving as a rotation fulcrum of 3 moves rightward, and
The shaft 8c at one end of the connecting lever 13 receives a leftward force by the rear cover 8 and resists the urging force of the torsion spring 12 to move the connecting lever 13 counterclockwise about the shaft 11 (arrow D).
Since rotating direction), the front lid 7 is further opened cover in a clockwise direction (arrow C direction), the lid opening angle alpha ₂ of the front lid 7 is larger than the lid opening angle alpha ₁ described above.

Incidentally, the closing operation of the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 is performed by the reverse operation of the above, and is shown in FIG.
Returning to FIG. 4A, the order of (C) and (B) is returned.

As a result, in the tape cassette 1 according to the present invention, before the tape cassette 1 is inserted into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the magnetic tape is moved between the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8. T can be protected from dust and fingerprints of hands, and the magnetic tape T can be protected from foreign substances. Further, when the tape cassette 1 is inserted into the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus, the rear cover 8 is suspended from the front cover 7 via the connecting lever 13, so that the rear cover 8 is attached to the front cover like a conventional 8 mm tape cassette. As compared with the case where the lid is directly suspended, the opening (closing) of the rear lid 8 which is integrally opened (closed) in cooperation with the front lid 7 has a greater degree of freedom. Closed) The lid operation can be performed without difficulty. In the configuration of the tape cassette 1, a boss formed on the rear lid 8 (guided portion) 8e _1, 8
The guide grooves (guide portions) 3i ₁ and 3j _{1 with which} f ₁ engages are:
Since the rear lid 8 is formed by closing the end (upper end) in the opening direction, the rear lid 8 does not fall out in the opening direction, and the opening angle of the front lid cannot be set so large. In addition to being applicable to models such as a video movie and the like, it is also applicable to a model such as a large video deck or a professional video deck in which the opening angle of the front lid can be set larger by the action of the connecting lever 13. . Furthermore, since the present invention can be applied to a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus while maintaining compatibility with a conventional tape cassette, it does not put any burden on the user and provides a user with a tape cassette of improved quality. Can be.

In the tape cassette 1, the connecting lever 13 for connecting the rear cover 8 to the front cover 7 and the connecting lever 1
The lever guide portion 3k that regulates the rear cover 3 is provided only in one place. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two lever guide portions 3k may be provided in the vicinity of both left and right ends of the rear cover 8;
A pair of guide grooves 3i ₁ and 3j _{1 with which} e ₁ and 8f ₁ engage.
May also be provided near the left and right ends of the rear lid 8.

Furthermore, in the tape cassette 1, as the urging means for urging the rear lid 8 suspended on the connecting lever 13 in the opening direction, the connecting lever 13 is moved clockwise (in the direction of arrow B) by the torsion spring 12. The rear lid 8 is urged in the opening direction, and the opening of the rear lid 8 urged in the opening direction when the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 are closed is regulated. the means has a tapered portion 3k ₁ to the lever guide portion 3k to restrict the rotation of the connecting lever 13 is not limited to this, the rear cover 8 is provided urging means for the torsion spring 12 equivalent member directly, Further, a regulating means for directly regulating the rear lid 8 when the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 are closed is possible.

[0039]

According to the tape cassette according to the present invention described in detail above, before the tape cassette is inserted into the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus, the magnetic tape is moved between the front lid and the rear lid by dust and hand. It can protect from fingerprints and the like, and also protect the magnetic tape from foreign substances. In addition, when the tape cassette was inserted into the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus, the rear lid was suspended from the front lid via the connecting lever, so that the rear lid was directly suspended from the front lid like a conventional 8 mm tape cassette. In this case, the opening (closing) of the rear lid, which is integrally opened (closed) in cooperation with the front lid, has a greater degree of freedom, so that the opening (closing) of the rear lid can be easily performed. it can. In the configuration of the tape cassette, the guide portion (guide groove) with which the guided portion (boss) formed on the rear lid engages is formed by closing the upper end in the opening direction of the rear lid. It is not possible to set the opening angle of the front lid so large without falling in the lid direction.It can be applied to models such as portable video decks and video movies, and furthermore, the opening angle of the front lid is increased by the action of the connecting lever. There is an advantage that it can be applied to models that can be set, for example, large video decks and professional video decks.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of a tape cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the vicinity of a front cover and a rear cover, which are main parts of the tape cassette according to the present invention, in a partially broken manner.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view in which the vicinity of a front lid and a rear lid which are main parts of the tape cassette according to the present invention are assembled and shown.

4A and 4B are longitudinal sectional views showing the tape cassette according to the present invention in a sectional view taken along the arrow XY direction shown in FIG. 3 for explaining the opening operation of the tape cassette. FIG. (B) shows a state where the front lid and the rear lid are being opened,
(C) shows the open state of the device in which the front and rear lids have a small opening angle, and (D) shows the open state of the device in which the front and rear lids have a large open angle.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a configuration and a cover opening operation of a conventional VHS tape cassette.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and lid opening operation of a conventional 8 mm tape cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape cassette, 1A ... Box body, 2 ... Upper half member,
3 Lower half member, 3a opening, 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ guide part (guide groove), 3k restricting part (lever guide part),
4 ... the supply reel, 5 ... the take-up reel, 7 ... before the lid, 7d ₁ ...
Support (lever support portion), 8 ... the rear _lid, 8e _1, 8f 1 ...
Guided part (boss), 12 ... spring member (torsion spring), 1
3. Connection lever, T: Magnetic tape.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A magnetic tape wound around a supply reel is mounted along a front surface of a box inside a box having an opening for receiving a tape loading member of a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus formed on the front side. While being wound on a take-up reel, one surface of the magnetic tape mounted along the front surface is protected by a front lid provided on the front surface so as to be openable and closable, and on the opposite side to the one surface of the magnetic tape. A tape cassette provided on the back surface side of the front cover and in the opening, and protected by a rear cover that is opened and closed integrally with the front cover, wherein the tape cassette is turned around a support portion provided on the back surface of the front cover. A connecting lever movably supported, a rear cover rotatably suspended at one end of the connecting lever, and forming a guided portion; and Guide the lid in the opening and closing direction, and close the end of the rear lid in the opening direction. A guide formed in the box, a biasing means for biasing the rear lid suspended by the connecting lever in a direction of opening the lid, and a biasing means formed in the box and closing the front lid and the rear lid. Regulating means for regulating the opening of the rear lid urged by the urging means, wherein when the opening angle of the front lid is set small, the guided portion of the rear lid is When the rear cover is opened in cooperation with the opening operation of the front cover until reaching the end of the guide portion substantially in the opening direction, when the opening angle of the front cover is set large, The rear lid is opened in cooperation with the opening operation of the front lid until the guided part of the rear lid abuts on the end of the guide part in the opening direction, and then the front lid is operated by the action of the connecting lever. A tape cassette characterized in that only the lid is further opened.