JP2730449B2 - 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 method for suspending a rear lid on a front lid of a tape cassette via a connecting plate, protecting the front surface of the magnetic tape with the front lid, and connecting the rear surface of the magnetic tape to the connecting plate. The present invention relates to a tape cassette that is configured to be protected by a rear lid and that has a good assemblability of the rear lid into a cassette housing.

[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. 7A and 7B 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
Is wound by turning the magnetic tape T through the supply side of the guide poles 105, while stretched along the rear surface of the lid 106 before provided to the opening 102a ₁ ~102a ₃ side of the lower half member 102, further, the winding It is wound up on a take-up reel 104 via a guide pole 107 on the take-up side. The opening 102a ₁ of the lower half member 102
～102A ₃ is adapted to the back surface forward are hollowed opening can tape loading member of the apparatus (not shown) enters. The front cover 106 is made of a magnetic tape T
Is provided to protect the front surface (magnetic surface) from dust, fingers, and the like. 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. It is locked by the lock member 108 and 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 206 for protecting the back surface opposite to the front surface of the magnetic tape T in the opening portion 202a opened to the rear and behind the front cover 205.
Is provided. This 8 mm tape cassette 200 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-168979. Here, only the vicinity of the front lid 205 and the rear lid 206 will be briefly described. Stretched magnetic tape T
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 lid 206 formed in a "substantially T-shape" on the pair of projections 205b, 205b is rotatably supported via a pair of shafts 206a, 206a integrally formed therewith. ing. A pair of guide bosses 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 formed on the left and right near the opening 202a of 202
202b, 202b.

[0008] 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, the guide boss portion 206b projecting from the rear lid 206 is formed.
Are opened upward while rotating along a guide groove 202b formed in the lower half member 202 and about a shaft 206a serving as a rotation center of the rear cover 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 front and the back side opposite the magnetic tape T is not protected, or adhering dust is on the back of the magnetic tape T through the opening 102a ₁ ~102a _3, or openings 10
2a _{1 to} 102a When a fingerprint or the like is applied from ₃ to ₃ , 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 front surface (magnetic surface) of the magnetic tape T. Therefore, there is a possibility that an adverse effect occurs. Of course, it would damage the magnetic tape even when inserted foreign objects through the opening 102a ₁ ~102a _3.

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 inconvenienced very much.Therefore, a member equivalent to the rear lid (206) should be used with the configuration as it is. It is difficult. . When a member equivalent to the rear lid (206) constituted by the above-described 8 mm tape cassette 200 is applied to the VHS tape cassette 100 as it is, the opening / closing operation of the member equivalent to the rear lid (206) that opens and closes in cooperation with the front lid 106. Although it is difficult to perform the above operation smoothly, and a method of suspending a member equivalent to the rear lid (206) on the front lid 106 via the connecting means to improve this is conceivable, Must be completely obscured. . 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 is applied as it is. In this case, the guide bosses (206b, 206b) of the member equivalent to the rear lid (206)
Comes off above the guide grooves (202b, 202b) and comes off,
When the member corresponding to the rear lid (206) is closed, the guide boss (206
b, 206b) does not enter the guide grooves (202b, 202b) and is damaged.

Therefore, the rear lid is connected to the front lid via the connecting plate, and the rear surface of the magnetic tape T is completely protected by the rear lid and the connecting plate, and the rear lid cooperating with the front lid is fully opened. When the lid is closed, the guide boss of the rear lid does not come off from the upper end of the guide groove when the lid is opened, and the front lid connected to the rear lid is temporarily supported on the upper half member. When assembling the cassette housing by combining the components, the tape cassette with a structure that can securely fit the guide boss of the rear lid into the guide groove with good assemblability without affecting the magnetic tape stored in the lower half member Is desired.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and accommodates a pair of reels wound with a magnetic tape in a cassette housing in which an upper half member and a lower half member are combined. The front surface of the magnetic tape is protected by the front cover while the magnetic tape is stretched along the back surface of the front cover which is provided to be openable and closable in front of the cassette housing. A tape cassette that protects the back surface of the magnetic tape by a connecting plate and a rear cover provided with the magnetic tape interposed therebetween, the tape cassette being provided above the back surface of the front cover, and formed on the back surface of the top plate of the front cover. A connecting plate that is rotatably supported by a connecting plate supporting portion via a shaft and that protects an upper portion of the back surface of the magnetic tape when the front cover is closed, and is provided below the connecting plate on the back surface of the front cover. And cooperates with the opening and closing operation of the front lid That the arm portion formed in the coupling plate for a boss guide is suspended rotatably via a shaft,
A rear cover that protects the magnetic tape from below the upper rear surface when the front lid is closed, and a lower half member formed on the lower half member to engage with the guide boss of the rear cover to open and close the rear cover in the opening and closing direction. A guide groove for guiding and opening an upper end portion with respect to the opening direction of the rear cover, and a front cover formed on a back surface of a front edge formed in front of the upper half member and connecting the rear cover. The upper half member is temporarily assembled with the upper half member, and the guide boss portion of the rear lid is temporarily locked with the movement of the front lid in the opening direction. A locking recess that guides the guide boss into the guide groove while closing the upper end by aligning with the open upper end of the guide groove when assembled to the lower half member; and closing the front lid in the closing direction. First urging means for urging the connecting plate and the front cover Second urging means for urging the rear lid suspended on the connecting plate in the opening direction by urging the rear lid in the opening direction, and opening the front lid by the second urging means when the front lid is closed. And a rear lid regulating means for regulating the opening of the rear lid biased in the direction.

[0012]

In the tape cassette 1 according to the present invention, the magnetic tape T is housed in a cassette housing 1A in which the upper half member 2 and the lower half member 3 are combined. Then, after the rear lid 8 is suspended via the connecting plate 9 on the back side of the front lid 7, the front lid 7 is assembled to the upper half member 2. In this case, prior to lid opening the lid 7 to a position above the guide bosses 8d ₁ of the rear lid 8 temporarily to the locking recess 2a ₁₁ formed on the rear surface of the front edge portion 2a ₁ of the upper half member 2 The front lid 7 is temporarily assembled to the upper half member 2 by being locked. Thereafter, the upper half member 2 when assembled to the lower half member 3 from above, the guide boss 8d ₁ of the rear lid 8 can enter the guide grooves 3p ₁ formed in the protrusion 3p of the lower half member 3.

[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 a partially exploded perspective view showing a front cover, a rear cover, and a vicinity of a connecting plate which are main parts of the tape cassette, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which a rear cover and a connecting plate are attached to the front cover of the tape cassette. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the assembling order of the tape cassette. FIG. 4A is a sectional view showing a state in which a rear cover and a connecting plate are attached to a front cover, and FIG. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the lid is attached to the upper half member, FIG. 5C shows a state in which the upper half member with the front lid attached is assembled to the lower half member, and FIG. It is the partially broken perspective view which showed the state which attached the front lid to the cassette housing.

The exterior of the tape cassette 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is formed into two parts, an upper half member 2 and a lower half member 3 by using a resin material or the like. And the outer periphery of the lower half member
A rectangular casing 1A 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 supply side of the guide poles 6a, the tape loading members for approaching stretched while being wound side in front of the opening 3a ₁ to 3 a ₃ of the guide pole 6b that lightening openings backside front of the lower half member 3 Through the take-up reel 5.

Further, on a rear surface of the lower half member 3, in addition to the opening _3a 1 to 3 A _3, hole 3b facing the supply reel 4 and the take-up reel 5, 3c are bored, further, the tape cassette Positioning holes 3d for positioning 1 in the device,
A hole 3f or the like is provided for receiving a light emitting element (not shown) for detecting a mounting state of the magnetic tape 3e and the magnetic tape T.

The front cover 7 provided to be openable and closable in front of the cassette housing 1A has a pair of shafts 7a ₁ , 7b ₁ integrally formed inside left and right side surfaces 7a, 7b of the front cover 7 to form the cassette housing 1A. The front cover 7 is locked by a front cover lock member 12 provided on the left side surface 3g of the lower half member 3 before the device is inserted into the device, so that the front cover 7 is closed. . The opening operation of the front cover 7 is performed according to the tape cassette 1.
Is inserted into the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown) only by the front lid opening means on the apparatus side.
2 is released and the front lid 7 can be opened, but detailed description is omitted.

On the back side of the front cover 7, a rear cover 8 is suspended via a connecting plate 9 with a magnetic tape T stretched along the back surface of the front cover 7 interposed therebetween. The plate 9 can be opened and closed integrally in cooperation with the front lid 7. When the front cover 7 is closed, the front surface (magnetic surface) of the magnetic tape T is
Covered and protected. At the same time, the magnetic tape T
Is protected by being covered with a connecting plate 9, and below the upper part of the back is covered and protected by a rear lid 8. Thus, the rear lid 8 and the coupling plate 9, together with the dust entering from the opening 3a ₁ to 3 A ₃ was hollowed opening the lower half member 3 are protected from adhering to the rear surface of the magnetic tape T, accidentally or intentionally finger through the opening 3a ₁ ~3a _3, be inserted and foreign materials are protected against stick scratches on the magnetic tape T.

In the embodiment, the tape cassette 1 according to the present invention, which has been schematically described above, is configured so as to maintain compatibility with a well-known VHS type tape cassette.
The present invention is not limited to the HS type tape cassette, but can be applied to a tape cassette having an appropriate shape.

Here, the main components of the tape cassette 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, the upper half member 2 and the lower half member 3, the height H ₁ of the cover 7 before being formed in the tape cassette 1 approximately the same height, substantially half the outer peripheral portion except for a portion It is divided formed separately at half height H _2, respectively.

In front of the middle portion of the upper half member 2,
The front edges 2a ₁ and 2a ₂ are formed so as to protrude forward with a small thickness at a distance. These leading edges 2a ₁ ,
The locking recesses 2a ₁₁ and 2a ₂₁ on the back surface of 2a ₂ {FIG.
An enlarged illustration｝ is formed in a concave shape in (B), and guide grooves formed by opening upper end portions of projecting portions 3p, 3q of a lower half member 3 to be described later are formed with locking concave portions 2a ₁₁ , 2a _21. 3p ₁ and 3q ₁ are matched. Thereby, when assembling the tape cassette 1 described later, particularly, after temporarily assembling the front lid 7 to which the rear lid 8 is connected to the upper half member 2,
When assembling the temporarily assembled upper half member 2 to the lower half member 3, the locking recesses 2a ₁₁ , 2a of the upper half member 2
_The guide bosses 8d ₁ , 8d ₂ formed near the lower end of the rear cover 8 described later are temporarily locked to the lower half ₂₁ and the front edges 2a ₁ , 2a ₂ of the upper half member ₂ are fixed to the lower half member 3. The guide grooves 3p ₁ , 3q ₁ which are in contact with the upper ends of the protrusions 3p, 3q formed at the upper end and whose upper ends are open are engaged with the locking recesses 2a ₁₁ ,
The guide bosses 8d ₁ and 8d ₂ temporarily locked while being closed by the 2a ₂₁ are guided to the guide grooves 3p ₁ and 3q ₁ .

Further, the left front edge 2a of the upper half member 2
₁ and the front edge 2a ₂ on the right side, a connecting plate guide 2
a ₃ is formed projecting in a tapered shape toward the front.
The connecting plate guide portion 2a _3, the cam portion 9a provided on the rear surface of the connecting plate 9 which will be described later is supported by the front lid 7 is freely separable. The first biasing means 10 for biasing the front lid 7 in the closing direction and fitted to the shaft 7a ₁ when closing the front lid 7 by (hereinafter referred to as the torsion spring 10), the coupling plate 9 front cover 7
The connection plate 9 is urged in the cover opening direction by a second urging means 11 (hereinafter, referred to as a torsion spring 11) that urges the top plate 7d in the back surface direction. Since the cam portion 9a of the connecting plate 9 abuts on the portions 2a and ₃ to restrict the rotation of the connecting plate 9, the connecting plate 9 is restricted from being opened, and is closed in the closing direction while resisting the urging force of the torsion spring 11. Is turning. Also, at the same time, the rear lid 8 suspended on the connecting plate 9
The torsion spring 11 is biased in the opening direction by the urging force of the torsion spring 11, and is closed while resisting the urging force of the torsion spring 11 following the closing state of the connecting plate 9. Therefore,
After the connection plate guide portion 2a ₃ formed on the upper half member 2 and the cam portion 9a provided on the rear cover 8 regulate the opening of the rear cover 8 via the connection plate 9 when the front cover 7 is closed. It constitutes a lid regulating means.

Next, the left and right 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, these lateral sides 3g, behind the 3h 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 cover 7, the torsion spring 10 is fitted into the shaft 7 a ₁ of the front cover 7,
The shafts 7a ₁ and 7b ₁ of the upper half member 2 are
h, the front lid 7 is temporarily supported by the upper half member 2 by being fitted into the insertion hole (2g ₁ ) and 2h _{1 from} the front, and thereafter, the outer peripheral portion of the upper half member 2 and the outer peripheral portion of the lower half member 3 And the front lid 7 is moved to the cassette housing 1A.
Can be opened and closed in front of.

Furthermore, on both sides near the front substantially central opening 3a ₂ of the lower half member 3, the tape guide portion 3i for guiding the back surface side of the magnetic tape T, 3j are separated apart, and a half It is projectingly formed integrally with flat to slightly higher above the level H _2. These tape guide portions 3i and 3j are provided on the back cover 8 of the rear surface of the magnetic tape T due to static electricity.
And, it is prevented from being in close contact with the connecting plate 9. These tape guide portion 3i, notches 8c 1 formed in the lid 8 of the later by concatenating the deeper the _3j, 8c ₂ a recess 3m crotch causes, 3n are formed.

Furthermore, recess 3m on both sides deeper forward substantially central opening 3a ₂ of the lower half member 3, and connected to 3n, a pair of projecting portions 3p, 3q are separated left and right spacing, and the front lid 7
It is projectingly formed integrally upward in the slightly lower height H ₃ than the height H ₁ of the. These pair of protrusions 3p, 3q
Guide bosses 8 d ₁ , 8 formed near the lower end of rear lid 8
guide grooves 3p _1, 3q ₁ for guiding the opening and closing of d ₂ is away lateral spacing is formed on the counter to "substantially boots like" each other. At this time, the guide grooves 3p ₁ , 3q ₁ are
The lower end is closed with respect to the closing direction, while the upper end is opened with respect to the opening direction of the rear cover 8.

[0026] Thus, during assembly of the rear lid 8, the guide grooves _3p 1, since the upper end portion of 3q ₁ is opened, the guide bosses _8d 1, 8d ₂ of the rear lid 8 guide grooves _3p 1,
3q ₁ becomes easy to insert, and after insertion, the guide groove 3p
₁ , 3q ₁ have front ends 2a ₁ ,
With confidence rear lid 8 so blocked by 2a ₂ it is made to be able to sufficiently open lid. Furthermore, since the formation of the guide grooves _3p 1, 3q ₁ for guiding the guide boss portion _8d 1, 8d ₂ formed on the rear lid 8 on both sides deeper forward substantially central opening 3a ₂ of the lower half member 3, apparatus The rear lid 8 and the connecting plate 9 can be opened and closed while maintaining the rear lid 8 and the connecting plate 9 substantially parallel to the front lid 7 without any influence on the tape loading member.

On the bottom surface on the front side of the lower half member 3,
Holes 3r and 3s for attaching the guide poles 6a and 6b (FIG. 1) are formed. When the guide poles 6a and 6b (FIG. 1) are attached to the holes 3r and 3s, the magnetic tape T is attached to the guide poles 6a and 6s. 6b, it is stretched by a tape path shown by a two-dot chain line.

Next, between the left and right side surfaces 7a and 7b of the front lid 7,
Is formed on the front plate 7c and the top plate 7d is connected substantially at a right angle "inverted L-shape", further, triangular section 7c ₁ on the back side at the lower end of the front plate 7c is toward the only slightly deeper The projection is formed. The triangular portion 7c ₁ has a function to wrap tightly sealed at a front lower end portion 8b ₁ of the lid 8 after below the lower end of the magnetic tape T which is stretched along the rear surface of the front lid 7 when closed,
It protects while isolating the magnetic tape T through the opening _3a 1 _{~3a 3.}

On the back side of the front cover 7 and on the back side of the top plate 7d of the front cover 7, connecting plate support portions 7d ₁ and 7d ₂ are suspended at least at two or more places at right and left intervals. I have.
These two or more connection plate support portions 7d ₁ , 7d ₂
, The hole 7d _11, 7d ₂₁ for supporting the coupling plate 9 for connecting the rear lid 8 to the front lid 7 rotatably are drilled horizontally.

Next, the connecting plate 9 which is a main part of the present invention is provided above the back surface of the front cover 7 and sandwiches the magnetic tape T stretched along the back surface of the front cover 7 so as to sandwich the back surface of the magnetic tape T. It has a function to cover and protect the upper part. The connecting plate 9 is made of a resin material, and has a width direction that is substantially as long as a rear lid 8 to be described later, and a height direction that is a front surface 9b facing the rear surface of the front lid 7.
The side is formed in a “substantially inverted shape”.

The above-described cam portion 9a is formed on the upper surface of the rear surface of the connecting plate 9 so as to protrude therefrom.
Lightening portion in the vicinity of the central portion, and the right end is released the hollow portions and the spacing, horizontal axis 9c _1, 9c ₂ is rightward are projectingly formed integrally. And the left axis 9
The c ₁ is fitted and supported in the hole _{7d 11} of the connecting support part 7d ₁ of the front cover 7 is fitted is torsion spring 11, and the holes of the connecting support part 7d ₂ of the right shaft 9c ₂ is the front lid 7 Since the connecting plate 9 is fitted and supported by the 7d ₂₁ , the connecting plate 9 can be supported rotatably substantially in parallel along the back surface of the front lid 7. At this time, the torsion spring 1
1 end is hooked to the connecting support part 7d ₁ of the front lid 7 and the other end is hooked to the rear surface of the connecting plate 9, the biasing force of the torsion spring 11 is front connection plate 9 as described above The lid 7 is urged to rotate in the direction of the back surface of the top plate 7d, and the connecting plate 9
Is urged in the opening direction. The hollow portion near the center of the connecting plate 9 is formed with a U-shaped reinforcing frame toward the upper rear.

At the lower left side of the connecting plate 9 and at the lower right end spaced apart from the notch, the arms 9d ₁ and 9d ₂ are provided with the front lid 7 obliquely downward. It protrudes left and right at least two places on the back side. These two or more arms 9d ₁ , 9d ₂ have a rear lid 8 described later.
Shaft 8 that is formed to project horizontally from the upper part in an "inverted L-shape"
hole _9d 11 for supporting the a _1, 8a ₂ rotatably, 9d
₂₁ is drilled horizontally. Next, the rear lid 8 which is a main part of the present invention is provided below the connecting plate 9 on the back surface of the front lid 7,
The magnetic tape T has a function of protecting the magnetic tape T by covering the lower part of the upper surface of the back surface of the magnetic tape T with the magnetic tape T stretched along the back surface of the front cover 7. The rear lid 8 is formed to a length width direction using a resin material covering the openings 3a ₁ to 3 A ₃ enters into between the openings 3a ₁ to 3 A ₃ of the lower half member 3, the height In the direction, the front surface 8b side facing the back surface of the front lid 7 is formed in a "substantially inverted letter shape".

In the vicinity of both upper portions of the rear lid 8, a shaft 8a is provided.
₁ and 8a ₂ are formed to protrude horizontally in an “inverted L-shape”, and these shafts 8a ₁ and 8a ₂ are connected to the arm portions 9 of the connecting plate 9.
When is fitted to d _1, hole _9d formed in 9d ₂ 11, _{9d 21,} the rear lid 8 are parallel along the back surface of the front cover 7, and,
It is rotatably supported while being suspended by the connecting plate 9.

Also, a cut is made at the lower left and right middle part of
Notch 8c₁, 8c₂Are formed at intervals,
These notches 8c₁, 8c₂Guide boss inside
8d ₁, 8d₂Are horizontal, and they are
It is integrally formed to protrude. These guide buttons
Part 8d₁, 8d₂Is the lower half member 3 described above.
Guide groove 3p formed in protrusions 3p, 3q₁, 3q₁To
Mated. At this time, the notch 8c of the rear lid 8₁, 8c
₂Is a part of the recess 3 of the lower half member 3 described above.
m and 3n, and the front cover 7 can be closed.
Notch 8c for lid₁, 8c₂Front lower edge excluding
8b₁Is the opening 3a of the lower half member 3.₁~ 3a₃Before
Triangular part 7c formed at the lower end of the front lid 7₁
And keep the lower end of the magnetic tape T wrapped around it.
To protect.

Then, the rear lid 8 is connected to the front lid 7 via the connecting plate 9.
When connected to the front cover 7 and the connecting plate 9
c ₁ , 9c ₂ ), a rotation axis (8a) between the connecting plate 9 and the rear lid 8
₁ , 8a ₂ ), the rear cover 8 has two degrees of freedom in the link mechanism, and the rear cover 8 and the connecting plate 9 cooperate with the front cover 7. The opening and closing operation can be smoothly and smoothly performed substantially in parallel with the front lid 7.

Next, the order of assembling the tape cassette 1 with the main constituent members will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (C), the reference numerals of the respective components of the tape cassette 1 indicate the reference numerals on the left side from the center of the cassette housing 1A, and the right side parts are substantially symmetric with the left side part. Is omitted.

[0037] First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and FIG. 4 (A), the front after fitting the torsion spring 10 in the axial 7a ₁ of the lid 7, is fitted a torsion spring 11 in the axial 9c ₁ of the connecting plate 9, the shaft 9c ₁
The rotatably supported to the connecting plate supporting portion 7d ₁ of the front lid 7, pivotally attached to the shaft 8a ₁ of the rear lid 8 further arms 9d ₁ of the connecting plate 9,
By suspending the rear lid 8 on the connecting plate 9, the rear lid 8 is connected to the front lid 7.
Connect to

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the front lid 7 to which the rear lid 8 is connected is temporarily assembled to the upper half member 2. Here, the shaft 7 of the front lid 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 2 g ₁ of the upper half member 2.
The a ₁ is inserted from the front, is held by a hand to open lid to upward while resisting the front cover 7 to the torsion spring 10 about the shaft 7a _1. Along with this operation, the rear since the lid 8 is also moved upward, the locking recess 2a formed in the rear surface of the front edge portion 2a ₁ of the upper half member 2 the guiding boss portion 8d ₁ of the rear lid 8
₁₁ and guide boss 8d by hand or the like.
_The front cover 7 is temporarily assembled to the upper half member 2 by temporarily locking the front cover 7 to the locking recesses 2 a ₁₁ .

Next, as shown in FIG.
Of the guiding boss portion 8d ₁ remains to engage with the engaging recesses 2a ₁₁ of the upper half member 2, assembling the upper half member 2 from above the lower half member 3. At this time, the lower half member 3
Since the magnetic tape T is stored in advance, the magnetic tape T is attached to the front lid 7 and the rear lid 8 which are positioned above in the opened state.
Are not in contact with each other, so that the tape cassette 1 can be assembled reliably and securely.

[0040] Here, the leading edge portion 2a ₁ of the half member 2 is in contact with the upper end portion of the protruding portions 3p formed on the lower half member 3,
And, locking recesses _{2a 11} of the front edge 2a ₁ projecting portion 3p
It meets the upper end portion of the guide groove 3p ₁ formed in. Thus, the upper half member temporarily locked guide boss while closing the guide grooves 3p ₁ of the lower half member 3 opening the top end by the locking recess 2a ₁₁ formed in the front edge portion 2a ₁ of 2 Since 8d ₁ is guided in the guide groove 3p ₁ ,
It is possible to perform the assembling operation of the tape cassette 1 securely and quickly, without the guide boss portion 8d ₁ of the rear lid 8 comes out upward from the guide grooves 3p ₁ before the time of lid opening of the lid 7, before the lid 7 and The rear cover 8 can be sufficiently opened with a sense of security, which contributes to the improvement of the reliability and quality of the tape cassette 1.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG.
When release the hand from the state to release the engagement of the guide bosses 8d ₁ of the locking recess 2a _11, together with the front cover 7 is closed by lowering the urging force of the torsion spring 10, the front lid 7
The guide bosses 8d ₁ , 8d _{2 of} the rear lid 8 descend along the guide grooves 3p ₁ , 3q ₁ in cooperation with, so that the tape cassette 1 reaches an assembly completed state. In this assembled state, the magnetic tape T is wound on the back side of the closed front lid 7 via the supply-side guide pole 6a along the front of the tape guide portions 3i, 3j formed on the lower half member 3. It is suspended on the guide pole 6b on the take-off side. And
When the front cover 7 is closed, the front surface of the magnetic tape T is covered and protected by the front cover 7, the upper rear surface of the magnetic tape T is covered and protected by the connecting plate 9, and is lower than the upper rear surface of the magnetic tape T. Is protected by being covered by a rear lid 8.

[0042] At this time, the cam portion 9a provided before the rear surface of the connecting plate 9 which is supported by the lid 7, the connecting plate guide portion 2a ₃ projecting tapered forwardly of the upper half member 2 is in contact with Therefore, since the rotation of the connecting plate 9 is restricted,
Is held in a closed state while resisting the urging force of the torsion spring 11. The guide bosses 8d ₁ and 8d ₂ of the rear lid 8 suspended on the connecting plate 9 reach the lower ends of the guide grooves 3p ₁ and 3q ₁ formed in the protrusions 3p and 3q of the lower half member 3. The rear lid 8 keeps the closed state by following the closed state of the connecting plate 9. The right and left movements of the rear cover 8 and the connecting plate 9 relative to the front cover 7 in the width direction are restricted by the respective connected states.

<Tape Cassette Opening Operation> Here, the tape cassette opening operation according to the present invention having the above-described structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6C.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are longitudinal sectional views for explaining the opening operation of the tape cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 6A shows the closed state of the front cover, the rear cover and the connecting plate, and FIG. (C) shows an open state in which the front cover is opened and the guide boss of the rear cover reaches near the upper end of the guide groove. I have. In addition, FIG.
The reference numerals of the respective components of the tape cassette 1 shown in (C) show the reference numerals of the left part from the center of the cassette housing 1A, and the description of the right part which is substantially symmetric with the left part will be omitted.

The state shown in FIG. 6A is the same as the state in which the front cover 7 of the tape cassette 1 described above with reference to FIG. Tape T is stretched. The coupling plate 9 is rotated supported through a shaft 9c ₁ the connecting support part 7d ₁ on the back side of the front cover 7,
The rear lid 8 to the arm portion 9d ₁ below the connecting plate 9 is suspended through a shaft 8a _1, the front cover 7 is biased in the closed direction by a torsion spring 10. Further, the protruding portion 3 of the guide boss portion 8d ₁ formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the rear lid 8 is lower half member 3
It has reached the closed lower end while fitted into the guide grooves 3p ₁ formed in the p. Also, previous front lower portion 8b ₁ of the rear lid 8 to the triangular portion 7c ₁ formed in the lower end of the lid 7 is in contact, wraps the lower end of the magnetic tape T in a sealed state, opening 3a ₁
From 3a ₃ (FIG. 5), dust, fingerprints of hands, and the like are prevented from being attached to the magnetic tape T. Then, the front surface of the magnetic tape T is covered and protected by the front lid 7, and the magnetic tape T
Is protected by being covered with a connecting plate 9 and below the upper part of the back is covered with a rear lid 8. Therefore, when the front lid 7 is closed, that is, before the magnetic tape T is inserted into the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the magnetic tape T is completely protected by the front lid 7, the rear lid 8, and the connecting plate 9. Have been. The cam portion 9a provided on the rear surface of the connecting plate 9 which is supported on the front lid 7 is coupled Since connecting plate guide portion 2a ₃ projecting tapered forwardly of the upper half member 2 is in contact with plate 9 The rear cover 8 and the connecting plate 9 maintain the closed state while resisting the urging force of the torsion spring 11.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the clockwise around the tape cassette 1 is inserted into the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (not shown), the front cover 7 is an axial 7a ₁ The cover is opened in the direction (arrow direction). Here, as the front lid 7 is opened while resisting the urging force of the torsion spring 10, the cam portion 9 of the connecting plate 9 pivotally supported on the back side of the front lid 7.
a linking plate 9 while in contact with the connecting plate guide portion 2a ₃ of the upper half member 2 is moved upward by the urging force of the torsion spring 11,
In addition, the rear lid 8 suspended by the connecting plate 9 is connected to the shaft 8a.
Since lifted upward while rotating around the _1, guide bosses 8d ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 is guide grooves 3p ₁
Move up along. 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 plate 9.
Although also opened cover, the two pivot axes at the time of lid opening operation of the back cover 8 (8a 1, _{9c 1)} Thus the rear lid 8 and the connecting plate 9 front cover 7
The lid can be smoothly and smoothly opened in parallel with the rear end, and the rear lid 8 has two degrees of freedom in the link mechanism. Also, the front lid 7
When the rear lid 8 is opened, the triangular portion 7 at the lower end of the front lid 7
c ₁ is opened cover so away from the front of the magnetic tape T,
On the other hand, the front lower end portion 8b ₁ of the rear lid 8 is guiding boss portion 8d
₁ because it is guided by the guide grooves 3p _1, are open lid without touching the back surface of the magnetic tape T.

Next, as shown in Fig. 6 (C), when the front lid 7 is opened cover More further clockwise (arrow) Figure 6 (B) about the axis 7a _1, the front cover 7 Guide bosses 8d ₁ of the lid 8 after cooperating reaches the upper end portion of the guide groove 3p _1,
And guide grooves 3p ₁ of the locking recess 2a formed in the rear surface of the front edge portion 2a ₁ of the upper half member 2 closes the upper end
The guide boss 8d ₁ of the rear lid 8 comes into contact with _11,
The rear lid 8 cooperating with the front lid 7 is kept in a position where it cannot be opened any more. At this time, since no guide boss portion 8d ₁ formed on the rear lid 8 comes out of the guide grooves 3p ₁ by the front edge 2a ₁ of the upper half member 2 upwards, the front cover 7
In addition, the rear lid 8 can be opened sufficiently and with sufficient security, which contributes to the improvement of the reliability and quality of the tape cassette 1.

Incidentally, the closing operation of the front lid 7, the rear lid 8 and the connecting plate 9 is performed by the reverse operation to the above, and is illustrated in the order of FIGS. 6 (C) and 6 (B). Return to 6 (A).

[0049]

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 tape cassette is mounted on the back surface of the front lid which can be opened and closed in front of the cassette housing. While the front of the magnetic tape can be protected by the front lid while stretching the magnetic tape along,
The upper part of the back of the magnetic tape can be protected by the connecting plate, and
Since the lower part of the lower surface of the magnetic tape can be protected by the rear lid, the magnetic tape T can be completely protected from the adhesion of dust and fingerprints of the hand, and the magnetic tape can be completely protected even if foreign matter is inserted through the opening. .

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 plate, so that the rear lid was attached to the front lid like a conventional 8 mm tape cassette. The degree of freedom in opening and closing the rear lid and the connecting plate cooperating with the front lid is greater than when the suspension is directly suspended, that is, the rotation axis between the front lid and the connecting plate and the rotation between the connecting plate and the rear lid. The rear cover has two degrees of freedom in the link mechanism because of the two rotating shafts including the moving shaft, and the opening and closing operations of the rear cover and the connecting plate cooperating with the front cover are substantially parallel to the front cover. It can be done smoothly without difficulty.

When the front lid to which the rear lid is connected is temporarily assembled to the upper half member, the guide boss of the rear lid is temporarily locked in the locking recess of the upper half member. When assembling the upper half member to the lower half member, the front and rear lids do not come into contact with the magnetic tape housed in the lower half member, so that the tape tape cassette can be assembled securely and securely.

Further, the guide boss portion temporarily locked is guided to the guide groove while closing the guide groove of the lower half member whose upper end is opened by the locking concave portion formed on the front edge of the upper half member. As a result, the assembling work of the tape cassette can be performed reliably and quickly, and when the front cover is opened, the guide boss portion of the rear cover does not come out of the guide groove upward, so that the front cover and the rear cover can be closed. The lid can be opened sufficiently with confidence, which contributes to the improvement of the reliability and quality of the tape cassette.

[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 a partially exploded perspective view showing a front cover, a rear cover, and a vicinity of a connecting plate which are main parts of the tape cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state where a rear lid and a connecting plate are attached to a front lid of the tape cassette according to the present invention.

4A and 4B are cross-sectional views for explaining an assembling order of a tape cassette according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A shows a state in which a rear lid and a connecting plate are attached to a front lid, and FIG. FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a state where the upper half member with the front lid attached is assembled to a lower half member, showing a state where the upper half member is attached to the half member.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state in which a rear lid of the tape cassette according to the present invention and a front lid to which a connecting plate is attached are assembled to a cassette housing.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the opening operation of the tape cassette according to the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a configuration and a cover opening operation of a conventional VHS tape cassette.

FIGS. 8A and 8B 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, _2a 1, 2a 2 _... front _edge, 2a 11, _{2a 21}
... Locking recesses, 2a ₃ ... Connecting plate guides, 3... Lower half members, 3p, 3q... Projecting portions, 3p ₁ , 3q ₁ .. guide grooves, 4... Supply reels, 5. Lid, 7d
… Top plate, 7d ₁ , 7d ₂ … Connecting plate support, 8… Back lid, 8
a ₁ , 8a ₂ ... shaft, 8d ₁ , 8d ₂ ... guide boss,
9 ... connecting plate, 9a ... cam portion, _9c 1, _9c 2 _... shaft, 9d
₁ , 9d ₂ ... arm part, 10 ... first urging means (torsion spring), 11 ... second urging means (torsion spring), 2a ₃ , 9
a: rear cover regulating means, T: magnetic tape.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A back surface of a front lid which is housed in a cassette housing in which a pair of reels wound with a magnetic tape are assembled from an upper half member and a lower half member, and which is openably and closably provided in front of the cassette housing. The front surface of the magnetic tape is protected by the front cover while the magnetic tape is stretched along, and the magnetic tape is provided by a connecting plate and a rear cover provided with the magnetic tape on the back surface side of the front cover. A tape cassette that protects the back surface of the front cover, is provided above the back surface of the front cover, and is rotatably supported via a shaft on a connecting plate support portion formed on the back surface of the top plate of the front cover, A connection plate for protecting the upper portion of the back surface of the magnetic tape when the front cover is closed, and provided below the connection plate on the back surface of the front cover; and
A guide boss that cooperates with the opening and closing operation of the front lid, is rotatably suspended via an axis on an arm formed on the connecting plate, and a back surface of the magnetic tape when the front lid is closed. A rear lid that protects the lower part from the upper part, formed on the lower half member, fitted with a guide boss portion of the rear lid to guide the rear lid in the opening and closing direction, and in the opening direction of the rear lid. A guide groove having an upper end opened, and a front cover formed on the back surface of a front edge formed in front of the upper half member and connecting the rear cover to the upper half member temporarily, and The guide boss of the rear lid is temporarily locked with the movement of the front lid in the opening direction, and the guide groove is opened when the temporarily assembled upper half member is assembled to the lower half member. The guide while closing the upper end so as to match the upper end A locking recess for guiding the boss portion into the guide groove; a first biasing unit for biasing the front cover in a closing direction; and a biasing of the connecting plate toward a back surface of the front plate of the front cover. A second urging means for moving the rear lid suspended in the connecting plate in the opening direction by means of the second urging means; and a rear lid urged in the opening direction by the second urging means when the front lid is closed. And a rear lid regulating means for regulating the opening of the tape cassette.