JP2730442B2 - 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.
2, a pair of reels each of which is wound with a magnetic tape is housed in a cassette housing assembled in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by using a VHS type tape cassette 100 to record and / or reproduce data by a magnetic recording and / or reproducing device (not shown). At this time, the external dimensions of the VHS tape cassette 100 are almost standardized in order to maintain compatibility with the apparatus. In addition, VHS tape cassette 100
The magnetic tape T is wound between the supply reel 103 and the take-up reel 104 stored inside the
The front cover provided on the opening portion 102a side of the lower half member 102 via the guide pole 105 on the supply side with the magnetic tape T wound around
While being stretched along 106, it is further wound up on a take-up reel 104 via a guide pole 107 on the winding side. An opening 102a of the lower half member 102 is provided with a lightening opening on the back surface side, so that a tape loading member (not shown) of the apparatus can enter. Also,
The front cover 106 protects the magnetic surface (front 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 is supported on the left and right sides of the cassette housing so as to be openable and closable about a pair of shafts 106a, 106a (only one side is shown) integrally formed on the inside of the left and right sides, but is provided on the left side. Locked by the lock member 108, the cover is closed.

[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.
Type tape cassette 200 is the VHS type tape cassette described above.
It has a configuration almost equivalent to 100, and the upper and lower half members 201,
Although a supply reel 203 and a take-up reel 204 around which a magnetic tape T is wound are provided in a cassette housing assembled in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by 202, the lower half member 20
The rear cover 20 for protecting the back surface opposite to the magnetic surface of the magnetic tape T in the opening 202a opened to the rear and behind the front cover 205.
6 are provided. This 8mm 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, and a magnetic tape T stretched between the front cover 205 and the rear cover 206 will be described. Is protected with the front and back surfaces of the magnetic tape T wrapped by the both lids 205 and 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. The lid 205 and the rear lid 206 cooperate to be integrally opened. 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 201 a of the upper half member 201. . That is, while the guide pin 206b formed on the rear cover 206 protrudes along the guide groove 202b formed on the lower half member 202,
In addition, the rear lid 206 is opened upward while rotating about a shaft 206a which is a rotation center of the rear lid 206. At this time, the rear lid 206 cooperating with the front lid 205 must be opened to a position where the rear lid 206 does not come into contact with the tape loading member for drawing the magnetic tape T into the apparatus. Since only the shaft 206a is integrally formed on one side, there is no freedom in the opening operation of the rear lid 206, and the front lid 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. . Even if a tape cassette is proposed with a new configuration, a great burden is imposed on the user.

Therefore, when the rear lid cooperating with the front lid is provided, the rear lid can move smoothly in the opening direction, and the front lid and the rear lid can be securely connected while maintaining the parallelism. There is a demand for a tape cassette having a structure having good connection means.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a pair of reels wound with a magnetic tape housed in a cassette housing and formed on the front side of the cassette housing. The magnetic tape is stretched along the front of the tape loading member entry opening, and the front side of the stretched magnetic tape is protected by a front lid that is openably and closable, and the back side of the magnetic tape is protected. A tape cassette protected by a rear lid located on the back side of the front lid, provided in the opening, a rear lid having a boss,
The rear cover is rotatably supported on the back surface of the front lid in parallel with the front lid via first horizontal posture holding means, and is suspended in parallel with the front lid via second horizontal posture holding means. A connecting groove provided in the opening, a guide groove fitted in a boss portion of the rear lid suspended on the connection lever to guide the rear lid in the opening and closing direction, and a rear portion suspended on the coupling lever. Urging means for urging the lid in the opening direction, and opening of the rear lid formed on the cassette housing and energized by the urging means when the front lid and the rear lid are closed. And a regulating means for regulating the tape cassette.

[0012]

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, and FIG.
Is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the front lid and the rear lid near the main part of the tape cassette according to the present invention is partially broken,
(A) shows the entire front side, and (B) shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the connecting lever. FIGS. 3A and 3B are partially cutaway perspective views 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. FIG. 3A shows the entire front side, and FIG. The right side of the side is enlarged.

The exterior of the tape cassette 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is formed of an upper half member 2 and a lower half member 3 using a resin material or the like. By combining the outer peripheral portion with the member 3, the cassette housing 1A having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is assembled. A magnetic tape T is wound between a supply reel 4 and a take-up reel 5 that constitute a pair of reels housed inside the cassette housing 1A. The magnetic tape T wound around the supply reel 4 is After passing through the guide pole 6 on the supply side, the front lid provided on the front side of the cassette housing 1A while being stretched in front of the tape loading member entry opening 3a in which the back surface of the lower half member 3 is lightened and opened. It is wound on the take-up reel 5 through the guide pole 9 on the take-up side, passing between the rear cover 7 and the rear cover 8.

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

The front lid 7 has left and right side surfaces 7a, 7b.
Shafts 7a ₁ , 7b ₁ (7a ₁
(Only shown) is supported on the left and right side surfaces of the cassette housing 1A so as to be openable and closable. Before being inserted into the apparatus, the front cover 7 is locked by a front cover lock member 10 provided on the left side surface 3g of the lower half member 3. Is in the closed state. When the front cover 7 is closed, the front cover 7 protects the front surface of the magnetic tape T (hereinafter, also referred to as a magnetic surface) from dust and the like and prevents the magnetic surface from touching human hands. It has become. 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 the opening means on the apparatus side.
0 is released and the front lid 7 can be opened, but the detailed description is omitted.

On the other hand, a rear lid 8 which is a main part of the present invention is connected to the front lid 7 and cooperates with the front lid 7 so as to be openable and closable integrally therewith. It is located behind the magnetic tape T stretched over. The rear lid 8 protects the lower half member 3 from dust and the like entering from the opening 3a which is lightened to the lower half member 3 so as not to adhere to the back surface of the magnetic tape T, and also erroneously or intentionally removes a finger or foreign matter from the opening 3a. The magnetic tape T is protected from being damaged even when it is inserted.

Here, the main components of the present invention which support the front cover 7 and the rear cover 8 connected to the front cover 7 so as to be openable and closable will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B). Will be described.

[0019] In FIG. 2 (A), and the upper half member 2 and the lower half member 3, the height H ₁ of the cover 7 before being formed at substantially the same height as the tape cassette 1, except for some is divided formed separately each outer peripheral portion almost half of the height H ₂ Te. In the embodiment, the upper half member 2 and the lower half member 3 are divided into substantially equal parts, but they may be divided into two parts having appropriate dimensions.

In front of the upper half member 2, front edges 2a ₁ , 2a ₂ are formed on the left and right, and are formed so as to protrude forward with a thin plate thickness t, and these front edges 2a ₁ , 2a _{2 are formed.} Projecting portions 3i, 3j formed on the lower half member 3 as will be described later.
And has a function of closing the upper ends of the guide grooves 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ formed in the protruding portions 3i, 3j. Furthermore, the left front edge portion 2a between ₁ and right and front edge portions 2a _2, the protruding portions 3i, away portion 2a _3-away corresponds to between 3j
Are formed in a concave shape so as not to obstruct the opening of the rear cover 8 described later.

The right and left side surfaces 3g, 3 of the lower half member 3
front of h is formed to the height _H the height _{H 3} slightly lower than the _first front lid 7, the right and left side surfaces 3g, stepped portion _{3 g} 1 to 3h, 3h
₁ are formed to face slightly lower than the height H _3,
Further behind the stepped portion _{3g 1,} 3h 1 is formed in a half-height _{H 2.} When the upper half member 2 and the lower half member 3 are combined to support the front lid 7, the left shaft 7 a ₁ of the front lid 7 is fitted into the hole 2 g ₁ formed in the left side surface 2 g of the upper half member 2. while supporting the cover 7 before it is engaged so that it can be pre-assembled, on the right axis 7b ₁ of the front lid 7 half member 2
A stepped portion 2h ₁ formed on the right side surface 2h of, by crowded write sandwiched between the step portion 3h ₁ formed on the right side surface 3h of the lower half member 3, the front lid 7 is opened and closed in front of the cassette housing 1A It is free.

Furthermore, in the lower half member 3, a pair of projecting portions 3i of the opening and closing to form the guide grooves _3i 1, 3j ₁ for guiding the rear lid 8, 3j are, apart intervals within the left and right sides of the opening 3a is provided integrally with the lower half member 3 so as to face each other, these protrusions 3i, 3j protrudes in front of the opening 3a, and, at a height H slightly lower height H ₃ from the _first front lid 7 It is also provided to protrude upward. The left protrusion 3i is located slightly to the left of the center of the lower half member 3, while
The right protrusion 3j is located near the right side surface 3h.
The pair of protrusions 3i and 3j in the opening 3a is provided so that the rear cover 8 can be opened without abutting during a cover opening operation described later.

The pair of guide grooves 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ formed on the pair of protrusions 3i, 3j is a main part of the present invention, and these guide grooves 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ are formed by the opening 3a. Within each other, they are formed into "boots-like grooves"
When fitted to the boss portion _8e 1, 8f ₁ formed on the lid 8 after that will be described later, the boss portion _8e 1, 8f ₁ of the rear lid 8 can be slid smoothly. Further, the guide grooves 3i ₁ ,
3j ₁ is lower end is closed with respect to closing direction of the rear lid 8, whereas the upper end portion with respect to the lid opening direction of the rear lid 8 is opened. At this time, the boss portions 8e ₁ ,
The 8f ₁ Gaito grooves _3i 1, after insertion of the open upper end of the 3j _1, the lower half member 3 over half member 2 from above
Bosses 8e ₁ , 8f ₁ formed on the rear cover 8 by closing the upper ends of the guide grooves 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ with the front edges 2a ₁ , 2a ₂ of the upper half member 2.
Are prevented from coming out of the guide grooves 3i ₁ and 3j ₁ upward. As described above, when assembling the rear lid 8, since the upper ends of the guide grooves 3i ₁ and 3j ₁ are open, the bosses 8e ₁ and 8f ₁ of the rear lid 8 are inserted into the guide grooves 3i ₁ and 3j ₁ . And after insertion, the guide grooves 3i ₁ ,
Front edge _2a 1 of the upper half member 2 the upper end of the 3j ₁ are, 2a
_2, so that the rear lid 8 can be sufficiently opened with confidence.

A regulating means 3k (hereinafter referred to as a lever guide) is provided substantially at the center of the lower half member 3 and at the back of the opening 3a, and between the left projection 3i and the right projection 3j. 3k and referred) is protruded before upward at a height H ₁ slightly lower height H ₃ from the lid 7, further lever guide portion 3
tapered portion 3k ₁ above the tip of k is formed, the contact portion 13b of the coupling lever 13 of the later into the tapered portion 3k ₁ which is supported by the front lid 7 has become a contactable, Closing Time,
Connected to the tapered portion 3k ₁ of the lever guide portion 3k lever 13
Abuts on the contact portion 13b to regulate the rotation of the connecting lever 13, thereby restricting the opening of the rear cover 8 urged in the opening direction by the torsion spring 12 urging the connecting lever 13. .

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 front of the left and right side surfaces 3g and 3h, the projections 3i and 3j, and the lever guide 3k formed on the lower half member 3 are related to the opening operation of the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 as described later. to a duty post, the lower half member 3 a little lower height H ₃ than the height H ₁ of the front lid 7 for maintaining a good mounting position accuracy of the order before these duty post lid 7 and the rear lid 8 These parts are combined with a thin plate thickness t on the upper half member 2 side.

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 triangular portion 7e ₁ is provided with a function to wrap tightly sealed at the lower end portion 8a ₁ of the lid 8 after that will be described later lower side of the magnetic tape T which is stretched along the rear surface 7e of the front lid 7 when closed, the magnetic tape T is protected while being isolated from the opening 3a.

A pair of support portions 7d ₁ , 7d ₁ (hereinafter, referred to as lever support portions 7d ₁ , 7d ₁ ) are spaced apart from each other substantially at the center rear surface of the front lid 7 and on the back surface of the upper surface 7d. And are downwardly opposed to each other. A connection lever 13 for connecting the rear cover 8 to the front cover 7 is rotatably mounted between the lever support portions 7d ₁ , 7d ₁ and constitutes a main part of the present invention. The connection lever 13 has a function of increasing the degree of freedom in opening (closing) the rear cover 8 as described later.

That is, as shown in an enlarged manner in the vicinity of the connecting lever 13 in FIG. 2B, the lever supporting portions 7d ₁ , 7d ₁ hanging down on the back surface 7e side of the front lid 7 have holes 7 near the lower end.
d ₁₁ , 7d ₁₁ are bored in parallel with the front lid 7 so as to penetrate horizontally. On the other hand, the connecting lever 13 is integrally molded by using a resin material, a long hole 13a ₁ of fitting length in the center of the supporting portion 13a are provided through horizontally, the left support portion 13a A contact portion 13b is formed so as to protrude upward, and a pair of arms 13c, 13c are spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides of the support portion 13a and face each other. 7 is formed to protrude from the back surface 7e side. Holes 13c ₁ , 13c ₁ are formed in the vicinity of the lower ends of the arms 13c, 13c so as to penetrate horizontally in parallel with the holes 13a ₁ . Abutment 13b of the coupling lever 13 described above is brought into contact with the tapered portion 3k ₁ of the formed lever guide portion 3k the lower half member 3 described above, closed up, the means for regulating the lid opening of the rear lid 8 one Department. on the other hand,
The arms 13c, 13c of the connecting lever 13 are
Is a part of the means for suspending the rear cover 8 in parallel to the rear cover.

Here, while the torsion spring 12 is provided on the left side of the support portion 13a of the connecting lever 13, the torsion spring 12
And the support portion 13a is inserted between a pair of lever support portions 7d ₁ , 7d ₁ hanging down from the front lid 7, and the right lever support portion 7d is inserted.
₁ of the small-diameter portion 11b on the right side of the lever support portion 7d ₁ of the hole _{7d 11} from the right large-diameter portion 11a and a small diameter portion 11b and a bunk formed shaft 11, holes 13a ₁ of the supporting portion 13a, the torsion spring 12 , Hole 7d _{11 in} left lever support 7d ₁
At the same time inserted into, spokes to the tip of the small-diameter portion 11b of the shaft 11 projecting leftward of the lever support portion 7d ₁ of the left 1
4 is fitted. Thereby, the support portion 13a of the connecting lever 13 is supported in parallel with the front cover 7 and is rotatable. The means for holding the connecting lever 13 in a position parallel to the front lid 7 as described above is referred to as first horizontal position holding means. In this embodiment, the first horizontal posture holding means is a pair of lever support portions 7d ₁ , 7d ₁ formed in the front lid 7, the shaft 11, and the long fitting hole 13a ₁ formed in the support portion 13a of the connecting lever 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any means may be used as long as it can hold the connecting lever 13 in parallel with the front cover 7. At this time, the torsion spring 12 has one end hooked to the contact portion 13b of the connection lever 13 and the other end hooked to the front cover 7 side. The urging force of the torsion spring 12 causes the connection lever 13 to move the shaft 11. The center is urged clockwise (direction of arrow B) in the figure, and the connecting lever 1
This is urging means for urging a later-described rear cover 8 suspended in the cover 3 in the opening direction.

Next, the rear cover 8, which is an essential part of the present invention, has a front surface 8a facing the front cover 7 formed in an "inverted shape". It is suspended in parallel with the front lid 7 via a connecting lever 13. This rear lid 8
Corresponding to the opening 3a is formed prior to a length shorter than the lid 7, positioned in front of the opening 3a of the lower half member 3 when closed, and the lower end portion 8a ₁ of the front surface 8a is front cover 7 abuts against the triangular portion 7e ₁ formed in, so as to protect in a state that wraps the lower end of the magnetic tape T.

More specifically, a pair of key-shaped recesses 8b, 8b are opened substantially at the upper center of the rear cover 8, and these recesses 8b are formed.
b, 8c, a pair of shafts 8c, 8c from right to left.
Are formed integrally with each other. Here, as described above, the connecting lever 13 is supported in parallel with the front cover 7, and the pair of arms 13 c, 13 c formed on the connecting lever 13 are formed in the pair of recesses 8 b, 8 b formed on the rear cover 8. And insert
When the pair of holes 13c ₁ , 13c ₁ formed in the arms 13c, 13c are fitted to the pair of shafts 8c, 8c, the rear lid 8 is connected in a state of being suspended in parallel with the front lid 7 via the connection lever 13. At the same time, the rear lid 8 is rotatable around the shafts 8c, 8c. At this time, the arm 13c of the connecting lever 13
Since the holes 13c ₁ and 13c ₁ formed in the hole 13c are formed horizontally with a space between them, it is substantially equivalent to the case where the fitting length is long, and the shafts 8c, 8
The insertion length when inserting into c can be set short. Further, after supporting the arms 13c, 13c on the shafts 8c, 8c,
c and 8c do not have a snap ring fitted thereto, and the rear lid 8 described below is used.
When the bosses 8e ₁ , 8f ₁ formed on the lower half member 3 are fitted into the guide grooves 3i ₁ , 3j ₁ , the position of the rear lid 8 is regulated in the left-right direction. , 13c do not come off the shafts 8c, 8c of the rear lid 8. As described above, the rear cover 8 is connected to the connecting lever 13.
The means for holding and connecting the posture in parallel to the front lid 7 via the second lid is referred to as second horizontal posture holding means. In this embodiment, the second horizontal posture holding means comprises a pair of holes 13c ₁ , 13 formed in a pair of arms 13c, 13c formed in the connecting lever 13.
c ₁ , is composed of a pair of shafts 8 c, 8 c formed on the rear lid 8, but is not limited to this, and is a means that can connect the rear lid 8 to the front lid 7 in parallel with the front lid 7 via the connection lever 13. I just want it. Therefore, by connecting the front cover 7 and the connection lever 13 via the first horizontal posture holding means, the front cover 7
While the connecting lever 13 is supported rotatably in parallel,
By connecting the connecting lever 13 and the rear lid 8 via the second horizontal attitude holding means, the rear lid 8 is supported by the connecting lever 13 so as to be freely rotatable in parallel. Are always connected in parallel to each other, so that the front and rear lids 7 and the rear lid 8 can be held in the open / closed position in a favorable state, and the rear lid 8 can be opened and closed smoothly. Also, the front lid 7
The rear cover 8 suspended via the connecting lever 13 has two pivot points (11, 8c).
The opening and closing operations can be smoothly and smoothly performed.

Further, a protruding portion 8e is integrally formed on the rear surface 8d side of the rear lid 8 below the intermediate portion, and protrudes rearward. The protruding portion 8 has the same shape as the protruding portion 8e near the right side on the rear surface 8d side. 8
f are formed facing each other. The protrusions 8e,
The bosses 8e ₁ and 8f ₁ protrude outward from each other at 8f. In a state where the rear cover 8 was suspended front lid 7 through the connecting lever 13, the shaft 7a ₁ of the left front cover 7
Temporarily assembled into the hole 2g ₁ bored on the left side 2g of the upper half member 2, thereafter, the rear lid 8 boss _8e 1, 8f ₁ of the lower half member 3 of the protrusion 3i, formed in 3j guide Groove 3i
_1, while fitted is inserted from the open upper end of the 3j _1, before the step portion 2h ₁ of the upper half member 2 right shaft 7b ₁ of the lid 7, the stepped portion 3h ₁ of the lower half member 3 Assemble with sandwiching between. At this time, as described above, after the boss portions 8e ₁ and 8f ₁ of the rear lid 8 are inserted into the guide grooves 3i ₁ and 3j ₁ , the front edges 2a ₁ and 2a of the upper half member 2 from above.
₂ is brought into contact with the upper portions of the protrusions 3i, 3j, and the guide grooves 3i
₁ , 3j ₁ is closed at the upper end.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a state after the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 connected to the front lid 7 are assembled.
, The front cover 7 and the rear cover 8 are in the closed state, and the contact portion 13b of the connecting lever 13 connecting the rear cover 8 to the front cover 7
There abuts the tapered portion 3k ₁ formed in the lever guide portion 3k of the lower half member 3, the connecting lever 13 while being rotated restricted, the rear lid 8 is below the opening 3 via the connecting lever 13
It is suspended in a "reverse shape" toward a. The bosses 8e ₁ and 8f ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 are positioned at the lower end while being fitted into the pair of guide grooves 3i ₁ and 3j ₁ .
Also, as shown in FIG. 3A, the left guide groove 3i.
One ₁ of the upper end portion is blocked by the leading edge 2a ₁ of the upper half member 2, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the upper end of the right guide groove 3j ₁ is the front edge of the upper half member 2 It is blocked by 2a _2. A rear lid 8 connected to the front lid 7 is supported on the back side of the magnetic tape T stretched along the front lid 7 and in the opening 3 a of the lower half member 3.

<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).

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the arrow XY direction shown in FIG. 3 (A) for explaining the opening operation of the tape cassette according to the present invention. (B) shows the front cover and the rear cover in the middle of opening, (C) shows the front cover opened and the boss of the rear cover is near the upper end of the guide groove. (D) shows a state where the front lid and the rear lid are sufficiently opened. still,
4 (A) indicates the opposite part, 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 stretched along the back surface 7e of the front cover 7. . Also,
In the opening 3 a of the lower half member 3, a connection lever 13 is pivotally mounted on lever support portions 7 d ₁ , (7 d ₁ ) of the front cover 7 so as to be rotatable in parallel with the front cover 7. 13
The rear lid 8 is rotatably suspended in parallel with the front lid 7 via arms 8c and 8c formed integrally with the arms 13c and 13c. At this time, the connection lever 13 is urged clockwise (in the direction of arrow B) around the shaft 11 by the torsion spring 12 around the shaft 11, and the rear lid 8 suspended on the connection lever 13 is urged in the opening direction by the torsion spring 12. although being, the contacting portion 13b of the connecting lever 13 is in contact with the tapered portion 3k ₁ of the lever guide portion 3k, the connecting lever 13 is restricted to rotate. As a result, the rear cover 8 is positioned near the back surface of the magnetic tape T while the cover is regulated and the cover is kept closed. Further, the boss 8e ₁ (8f ₁ ) formed on the rear lid 8 has the guide groove 3i ₁ (3j ₁ ) formed on the projection 3i (3j) of the lower half member 3 described above.
And is located at the closed lower end. Further, the triangular portion 7 of the lower end portion 8a ₁ of the rear lid 8 is formed on the front lid 7
contacts in close contact to e _1, dust, such as a hand of a fingerprint is prevented being attached to the magnetic tape T from the opening 3a. That is, the magnetic surface (front surface) of the magnetic tape T is covered with the front cover 7, 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 connected to the lower end 8 a ₁ of the rear cover 8. It is protected in a state wrapped in the front triangular portion 7e ₁ formed in the cover 7. Therefore, when the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 are in the closed state, that is,
Before being inserted into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the magnetic tape T is completely protected between the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Set 1 is connected to a magnetic recording and / or reproducing device (not shown)
When inserted, the front lid 7 is₁Clock with figure around
The cover is opened in the direction (arrow C direction). Here, the front cover 7 is opened.
As it is covered, the front lid 7 is
The contact portion 13b of the connection lever 13 that has been worn is a lever guide portion.
Tapered part 3k formed in 3k ₁Contact is released from
The coupling lever 13 is shuffled by the urging force of the torsion spring 12.
While rotating clockwise (arrow B direction) around
It reaches until it comes into contact with the upper surface 2a of the upper half member 2,
Is connected to one end of the connecting lever 13 via a shaft 8c.
The lid 8 is lifted upward while rotating about the shaft 8c.
Boss 8e formed on the rear lid 8₁Is a guide groove
3i₁Slide upwards inside. Therefore, the opening operation of the front lid 7
In cooperation with the front lid 7 via the connecting lever 13
The rear lid 8 is also opened, but the connecting lever 13 is
And rotate clockwise (direction of arrow B) around shaft 11
It is freely movable, and the rear lid 8 is connected to the connecting lever 13.
On the other hand, the rear lid is rotatable around the shaft 8c.
When the cover 8 is opened, two pivot points (11, 8c)
The rear lid 8 can be opened freely without difficulty.
This gives two degrees of freedom in construction. In addition, front cover 7
When the rear cover 8 is opened, the triangular portion 7e of the front cover 7₁Is magnetic
The cover is opened away from the magnetic surface side of the
The lower end 8a of the rear lid 8₁Is the boss 8e₁Is the guide groove 3
i₁On the back of the magnetic tape T
It is opened without doing.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), when the front lid 7 is opened cover More further clockwise (arrow C) FIG. 4 (B) around an axis 7a _1, the front cover 7 boss 8e ₁ of the lid 8 after which bets cooperating levels reaches the vicinity of the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i _1. If you stop lid opening of the front cover 7 up to this state, the front can be set small lid opening angle alpha ₁ of the lid 7, Toka front lid opening angle alpha ₁ to modest example portable VCR is not possible to set the lid 7 Applicable to models such as video movies. That is, in the state shown in the drawing, the connecting lever 13 is further rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow) about the shaft 11 around the shaft 11 by the urging force of the torsion spring 12 and above the upper surface 2a of the upper half member 2. Reached, connecting lever 1
3 is connected to one end of shaft 3 via shaft 8c.
Center further lifted upward from FIG 4 (B) while rotating in the, and the boss portion 8e ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 has reached the front vicinity of the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i _1. 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. Since the degree of freedom is obtained by the two pivot points (11, 8c), the shaft 8c connected to one end of the connecting lever 13 is
The lifted without unreasonable to the back surface near the top surface 7d, and can be pre-pressed small lid opening angle alpha ₁ of the cover 7.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 (D), when the front lid 7 is opened cover More further clockwise (arrow C) FIG. 4 (C) about the axis 7a _1, the front cover 7 boss 8e ₁ of the lid 8 after cooperating reaches the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i _1, and,
Abuts against the rear surface of the front edge portion 2a ₁ of the half-member 2 on blocking the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i _1. Then, connecting lever 1
3, only the front lid 7 is further opened upward.
When the front cover 7 is opened to this state, the opening angle α of the front cover 7
₂ can be set large, can be pre-applied to the model, such as a lid opening angle α ₂ can be a big set, for example, large video deck Toka professional video deck of the lid 7. That is, in the illustrated state, the upper end portion of the guide groove 3i _1, since is closed by the front edge portion 2a ₁ of the upper half member 2, the boss portion 8e ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 of the upper half member 2 The rear lid 8 which has been kept in contact with the front edge 2a ₁ and cooperates with the front lid 7
Is kept in a position where it can no longer be opened. On the other hand, the rear lid 8
Even when the front cover 7 is maintained at the illustrated open position, only the front cover 7 can be further opened, that is, the shaft 11 serving as a pivot of the connecting lever 13 when the front cover 7 is opened.
Moves to the right and the shaft 8c at one end of the connecting lever 13
The side receives the leftward force by the rear cover 8 and turns the connecting lever 13 counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow D) about the shaft 11 against the urging force of the torsion spring 12, so that the front cover 7
Furthermore the lid opening 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 of the above-described. At this time, the upper boss 8e ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 is half member 2
Since there is no being withdrawn from the guide groove 3i ₁ by the front edge 2a ₁ above, with confidence front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 can be sufficiently opened cover, contribute to the reliability and quality of the tape cassette 1 it can.

Incidentally, the closing operation of the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 is performed by an operation reverse to the above, and 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 cover 7 and the rear cover 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. The degree of freedom in the opening and closing operation of the rear lid 8 cooperating with the front lid 7 is greater than in the case where the lid is directly suspended. Further, in the configuration of the tape cassette 1, a boss 8 formed on the rear lid 8 is provided.
e _1, 8f ₁ of the fitted guide groove _3i 1, 3j _1, so to form blocking the upper portion with respect to the lid opening direction of the rear lid 8,
The rear lid 8 does not come off in the opening direction and the connecting lever 1
There is an advantage that it can be applied 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 large by the operation of 3. Furthermore, the conventional V
Since the present invention can be applied to a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus while maintaining compatibility with an HS type tape cassette or the like, it is possible to provide a user with an improved quality tape cassette without imposing any burden on the user. it can.

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 into which 8e ₁ and 8f ₁ fit.
₁ may also be provided near the left and right ends of the rear lid 8.

Further, in the tape cassette 1, as the urging means for urging the rear cover 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.

[0045]

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. Further, by connecting the front lid and the connection lever via the first horizontal posture holding means, the connection lever is supported on the front lid so as to be rotatable in parallel, while the connection between the connection lever and the rear cover is provided. Since the rear cover is rotatably supported in parallel by the connecting lever by being connected via the second horizontal posture holding means, the rear cover is always connected to the front cover in parallel, and the front cover and the rear The attitude of the lid when opening and closing can be favorably maintained, and the rear lid can be smoothly opened and closed. Furthermore, since the rear lid is suspended from the front lid via the connecting lever, the opening / closing operation of the rear lid cooperating with the front lid is freer than when the rear lid is directly suspended on the front lid like a conventional 8 mm tape cassette. The opening and closing operation of the rear lid can be done without difficulty, and the opening angle of the front lid can be set large by the action of the connecting lever.For example, for models such as large VCRs and professional VCRs There are benefits that can be applied.

[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 lid and a rear lid, which are main parts of the tape cassette according to the present invention, in which the vicinity thereof is partially cut away, (A) showing the entire front side, and (B) showing connection; The vicinity of the lever is shown enlarged.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are partially cutaway perspective views 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. FIG. 3A shows the entire front side, and FIG. The right side of is enlarged.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a tape cassette opening operation according to the present invention when viewed from the arrow XY direction shown in FIG.

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]

1 ... tape cassette, 1A ... cassette housing, 2 ... upper half member, 3 ... lower half member, 3a ... opening, _3i 1, 3
j ₁ : guide groove, 3k: regulating means (lever guide part),
4 ... the supply reel, 5 ... the take-up reel, 7 ... before the lid, 7d ₁ ...
Support part (lever support part), 8 ... rear lid, 8c ... shaft, 8
e ₁ , 8f ₁ boss portion, 11 shaft, 12 urging means (torsion spring), 13 connecting lever, 13a support portion, 13a ₁ hole, 13b contact portion, 13c arm portion, 1
3c ₁ ... holes, 7d ₁ , 7d ₁ , 11, 13a ₁ ... first horizontal attitude holding means, 8c, 8c, 13c ₁ , 13c ₁ ... second horizontal attitude holding means, T: magnetic tape.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A pair of reels wound with a magnetic tape are housed in a cassette housing, and the magnetic tape is stretched in front of a tape loading member entry opening formed on a front side of the cassette housing. A tape cassette that protects the front side of the stretched and stretched magnetic tape with a front cover that is freely openable and closable, and that protects the back side of the magnetic tape with a rear cover positioned on the back side of the front cover. A rear cover provided in the opening and having a boss; and a second cover, which is rotatably supported on the back surface of the front cover in parallel with the front cover via first horizontal posture holding means, A connection lever for suspending the rear cover in parallel with the front cover via a horizontal attitude holding means; and a rear cover provided in the opening and fitted with a boss of the rear cover suspended on the connection lever. And a guide groove to guide the Urging means for urging the rear lid suspended on the connection lever in the opening direction; and urging by the urging means formed on the cassette housing and closing the front lid and the rear lid. And a restricting means for restricting the opening of the rear lid.