JP2893644B2 - 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 for use in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder (VTR), in particular, a tape medium is accommodated in a case via a tape reel. The present invention relates to a video tape cassette equipped with a reel brake for restricting rotation of the tape reel when not in use, for example, a tape cassette such as an 8 mm video cassette or a digital video cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a tape cassette in which a pair of tape reels in which a tape-shaped medium is wound inside a case are rotatably incorporated, a brake mechanism for stopping rotation of the tape reel when not in use is a torsion coil which is an elastic member. A structure in which a brake member is urged by a spring or a leaf spring to a tooth-shaped uneven portion provided on an outer periphery of a flange surface of a tape reel.When this tape cassette is mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus,
2. Description of the Related Art In many cases, a brake release member of a recording / reproducing apparatus comes into contact with a brake member to move the brake member against an elastic force, remove the brake member from the tape reel, and rotate the tape reel.

[0003]

However, when a strong impact, for example, a drop impact is applied to the tape cassette, a conventional brake mechanism simply biases the brake member in the direction of the tape reel by an elastic force. Since there is only a force, when a force larger than the elastic force is applied, the brake member moves, the brake mechanism is disengaged, the tape reel rotates, and the tape is slackened. If this tape cassette is directly mounted on the recording / reproducing device, the tape may be hit or caught on the rotating head of the recording / reproducing device because the tape position is not normal, and the tape may be bent, or the tape may be damaged or cut. Would. Also, there is a problem that the tape is not normally pulled out by the tape pull-out member and the tape is entangled in the recording / reproducing device, so that the tape cannot be run, or in the worst case, the tape cassette cannot be ejected from the recording / reproducing device. was there. Conventionally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
It is also known to lock the hub brake with the lid, but it is necessary to form a gap between the hub brake lock and the lid. In addition to the uncertainty of the lock, it is difficult to apply in a form in which the lower flange of the tape reel has an engaging portion as in a normal video cassette. A reel brake structure that withstands a drop impact by independently biasing the reel brake member with a spring has been tried,
In this embodiment, there is a drawback that the locking effect is not provided unless the spring force is increased, and the brake release force is increased when the spring force is increased, which hinders handling. The present invention is intended to easily eliminate the conventional disadvantages, and a reel brake mechanism for stopping rotation when a pair of tape reels rotatably housed inside a tape cassette case is not used,
It is an object of the present invention to prevent the brake from being disengaged even when a strong impact such as a drop impact is applied, to prevent the tape from becoming loose, and to use the tape cassette safely.

[0004]

According to the present invention, a pair of tape reels each having a tape wound thereon are rotatably housed in a case, and the tape is stretched from one tape reel to the front of the case and the other tape reel is stretched. The tape reel has an opening for exposing the tape stretched on the front surface of the case, a lid for opening and closing the opening, and a recess for pulling out the tape, and a flange of the tape reel. A reel brake member having a brake claw that is locked to an uneven portion provided on the outer periphery and suppresses rotation and a brake release operating portion exposed from an opening formed in the case is detachably provided on the tape reel. In the tape cassette, a lock member for restricting the movement of the reel brake member in the brake release direction is provided on the reel brake member and / or the case. The lock member enables the reel brake member to move when the brake claw and the concave and convex portion of the tape reel are engaged when not in use, and the locking portion of the lock member is engaged with the locked portion of the case. The movement of the reel brake member is restricted within a range up to a position where the engagement of the brake claw is released by the contact. Further, in the present invention, a lock member for restricting the movement of the reel brake member in the brake release direction is provided on the reel brake member and / or the case, and the brake release operation portion of the reel brake member is provided at an opening of the case. It is also characterized in that the facing slope is provided so as to contact the brake release means of the recording / reproducing apparatus, and a lock release operating portion of a lock member for restricting the movement of the reel brake member is provided so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the slope. And

[0005]

In the case, the reel brake member urged by the elastic force to engage with the tape reel moves to a state where the brake claws of the reel brake member are disengaged when not in use. The movement range is limited by the reel brake lock member that prevents the movement, that is, the reel brake lock member locks the movement range of the reel brake and restricts the movement of the reel brake mechanism from the position where the engagement between the brake claw and the tape reel does not come off. Even if a strong impact such as a drop impact is applied, the locking part of the lock member engages with the locked part of the case and is regulated, and the reel brake does not come off, causing tape slack. Can be used so that various problems do not occur when the cassette is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus. When the tape cassette is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus, the reel brake lock mechanism releases the lock and releases the regulation of the reel brake before the reel brake release operation starts. That is, the brake release means of the recording / reproducing apparatus pushes up the lock release operation part of the lock member facing the opening of the case to expose the brake release operation part of the reel brake member, and then contacts the brake release operation part. The tape brake can be safely moved by pushing up the reel brake member to remove the brake claws from the concave and convex portions of the tape reel.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. A pair of tape reels 2 on which a tape 1 is wound.
Is rotatably housed inside a case 3 composed of upper and lower cases, and the tape 1 is stretched from one tape reel 2 to the front of the case and wound around the other tape reel 2.
The tape reel 2 includes an opening 4 for exposing the tape 1 stretched on the front surface of the case, a lid 5 for opening and closing the opening 4, and a tape entrance 6 for pulling out the tape 1. Brake member 7 for preventing rotation of the reel
The A tape cassette provided disengageably the tape reel 2, to suppress the rotation engages the uneven portion 2 ₁ provided on the flange outer periphery of the tape reel brake claws 7
Reel brake member 7 having _1, a brake release operation portion 7 ₂ exposed from the opening 14 formed in the casing 3
In a tape cassette detachably provided on the tape reel 2, a lock member 8 having a locking portion 9 for restricting the reel brake member 7 from moving in the brake releasing direction is connected to the brake claw 7 ₁ to but moving movable under engagement to the uneven portion 2 ₁ of the tape reel, i.e., the distal end portion of the brake pawl ₇₁ enters between the projecting portions of the tape reel 3, to the position of the 7 ₁₁ indicated by the two-dot chain line By moving, the reel brake member 7 also moves leftward in the drawing. The locking portion 9 of the lock member 8 is provided so as to engage with the locked portion 10 provided in the case within this moving distance. Therefore,該被locking portion 10 is the brake claws 7 ₁ of the case 3 is provided at a position separated by a distance which is movable under the engaging state uneven portion 2 ₁ of the tape reel, before recording and reproducing apparatus a locking member 8 The brake release means 13 is operated by a cam rod, for example, and the impact force at the time of non-use allows the brake claw to move to a position where it does not come off the concave and convex portion of the tape reel. This is a tape cassette provided as a lock member for restricting the movement of the member.

The reel brake member 7 is disposed between the pair of tape reels 2 and 2 at a position near the side surface opposite to the opening 4 for exposing the tape 1, a pair of brake pawls ₇₁ for locking the uneven portion 2 ₁ provided 2 of flange circumference, opening the brake releasing means 13 of the recording and reproducing apparatus 11 is inserted 14
And a brake release operation portion 7 ₂ with a slope 7 ₃ that faces the, the locking member 8 having a lock release operating portion 8 ₃ so as to cover the swash surface 7 ₃ freely separable in response to the slope When the brake release means 13 is fitted into the opening 14 with the interposition, the lock member 8 is moved, and then the reel brake member 7 is moved in the brake release direction by a pair of guide pieces 17, 17.
The guide ribs 16 are provided so as to be able to slide and move smoothly by the guide ribs 16 and 16 projecting from the upper case.

[0008] The brake pawl ₇₁ of the reel brake member 7 is elastically deformable in an elastic hinge 7 ₄ formed thin with concave 7 _5, irregularities in the outer periphery of the tape reel 2 and it is biased by a spring 15 in a direction to lock the parts 2 _1. There are impact absorbing effect by the thin hinge portion 7 ₄ in elastic deformation. That is, when a tape cassette drop impact is applied, even if a force is applied to move the reel brake in the direction in which the reel brake is released by the heavy pair of tape reels, the impact force of the tape reel is applied to the brake claws 7 _{2 of the} reel brake member 7. of absorbed by the thin hinge portion 7 ₄ relaxes the force acting on the reel brake member 7, which also helps to prevent with eating the brake claws 7 ₂ of the tape reels 2 of the uneven portion 2 _1. Further, when the reel brake member 7 is moved by an impact force is applied, the brake claws 7 ₁₁ As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the concave and convex portion 2 ₁ of the tape reels 2 spread outward by the elastic restoring force Although the engaged portion 10 cases while keeping the engagement with the engaging portion 9 of the locking member 8 engages the hooking state to limit the movement of the reel brake member 7, the braking pawl ₇₁ and the tape in the normal state Uneven portion 2 of reel 2
_{1 so} that the locking portion 9 of the lock member 8 is not engaged with the locked portion 10 in a hooked state.

The lock member 8, which restricts the movement of the reel brake member 7, restricts the movement of the reel brake member 7 against the spring 18 by engaging with the brake release means 13 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. The locking portion 9 of the lock member is released from the locked portion 10 of the case 3, for example, the hook-shaped projection, so that the locking with the case 3 is released. as shown in 10, the locking member 8 is rotatably supported via a bracket ₈₁ in the mounting pin ₈₂ to the reel brake member 7, urged in the direction of locking the reel brake member 7 by the spring 18 In this state, a pair of hook-shaped locking portions 9 that are mounted on the support columns 12 for spring stopping and locked on the hook-shaped projections of the locked portion 10 formed on the case 3 are provided. That is, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lock member 8 is rotatably mounted in the reel brake member 7 in the up-down direction, and is exposed to the opening 14 of the case 3. _3, a bracket ₈₁ and the bearing pin 8 ₂ extending from the actuating portion 8 _3, wherein the disengaging and the engaging portion 10 provided on the moving range of the case 3 of the reel brake member 7 engaging portion 9 and a spring 18 for biasing the locking portion 9 in the locking direction. Further, the locking member 8 as shown in FIG. 9 (b), so as to cover the inclined surface 7 ₃ of the reel brake release operation section 7 _2, the brake release means 13 so as to face the lock release operating portion 8 ₃ to the opening 14 It is in a form that can be easily turned by pushing up. In addition,
In this example, the lock member 8 is provided on the reel brake member 7, but may be provided on the case 3, for example, a support member (not shown) projecting from the case 3.

FIGS. 10A to 10F show a state in which the brake release means 13 is inserted into the opening 14 of the case, the lock member 8 is released, and the reel brake member 7 is moved in the release direction. . Note that the lock member 8 is assembled to the reel brake member 7 as shown in FIGS.
(B) As shown in (a), it is preferable that the latch of the spring 18 can be easily performed. That is, the bearing pin ₈₂ by inserting the coil portion of the spring 18 rotates the lock member 8 After fitted in pin holes as shown in FIG. 9 (b '), hooking the one end of the spring 18 to the strut 12 The other end of the spring 18 to the lock member 8
If brought into contact with the back, the lock release operating portion 8 ₃ comes to cover the slopes 7 ₃ reel brake release operation portion 7 ₂ [FIG. 9 (a) (b)].

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the lock member 8 is of a sliding type, and cam grooves 20 and 21 are formed on the inner surface of the reel brake member 7. Sliding guide projections 2 entering 20 and 21
2, 23 are provided. The lock member 8 includes a cam groove 20,
The 21, in the locked state, is in position covering the slope which is formed on the lower surface of the brake member 7, moved by the unlocking operation, the obliquely upward along the inclined surface 7 _3,
After the locking member 8 from the slope 7 ₃ until the upper has moved, slides vertically. Further, a spring 28 for urging the lock member 8 is provided.
One end is locked to the lock member 8 so as to urge the lock member 8 to the locked state, and the other end is
It is locked to the lid 27 of the brake member 7. Further, in this embodiment, the lock member 8 is slidably guided by the reel brake member 7, but a slide guide (not shown) such as a cam groove is provided in the case to guide the lock member. This is an effective form as an example.

In any case, considering the drop direction of the tape cassette in each embodiment, the direction of movement of the reel brake member 7 and the lock member 8 and the direction of urging by the elastic member are determined by the movement of the reel brake member 7. Direction is different from the direction in which If possible, when the reel brake member 7 moves in the horizontal direction, it is desirable that the lock member 8 be perpendicular to the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the case. Further, in order to increase further certainty slack prevention of the tape 1, when a configuration in which the brake pawl ₇₁ in a direction interference tape winding is energized, the reel brake member 7
There when engaging concave and convex portions 2 ₁ a tape reel 2 rotates in tight direction the tape reel 2 is wound, mounted malfunction and in the recording and reproducing apparatus of the tape cassette, so that there is no slack even if the repetition detachable operation Is also effective.

[0013]

According to the present invention, a reel brake member for restraining the rotation of a pair of tape reels wound with a tape housed in a case is provided on the tape reel so as to be freely detachable from the tape reel. In a tape cassette provided with a reel brake member having a brake claw for stopping and suppressing rotation and a brake release operating portion exposed from an opening formed in the case, the reel brake member is detachable from the tape reel, A lock member for restricting movement in the brake release direction is provided on the reel brake member and / or the case, and the lock member is configured to lock the reel when the brake claw and the concave and convex portion of the tape reel are engaged when not in use. The brake member is movable, and the locking portion of the lock member comes into contact with the locked portion of the case. By that restrict the movement of a rk nail engaged deviates the range up to the position reel brake member, when the drop impact is applied to the tape cassette,
Allows the brake pawls to move in the direction in which the brake claws do not come off in the direction in which the reel brake is released by a pair of heavy tape reels, absorbs the impact force of the tape reels with the reel brake members, and reduces the force acting on the reel brake members. And, further movement of the reel brake member can be fixed by restricting the movement of the reel brake member with the lock member, so that even if a strong impact such as a drop impact is applied, the reel brake does not come off, preventing tape slack from occurring However, there is no inconvenience when the cassette is mounted on the recording / reproducing device, and
With such a configuration, the spring force of the lock member can be reduced, and the lock release operation becomes easy. Further, when used, the reel brake lock mechanism releases the lock member before the reel brake release operation starts when the tape cassette is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus, and then releases the regulation of the reel brake member. The tape cassette can be run safely, the handling of the tape cassette is easy, the reliability and the commercial value are greatly improved, and the quality is improved. This tape cassette is used without applying a load to the release force of the recording / reproducing device. In addition, the recording and reproducing apparatus can be provided in a simple and inexpensive form. Further, the reel brake member has a brake release operating portion provided with a slope facing the opening of the case so as to contact the brake release means of the recording / reproducing apparatus, and restricts the movement of the reel brake member corresponding to the slope. The tape cassette of the present invention can be used as it is in a conventional tape cassette recording / reproducing apparatus without a brake lock by providing the unlocking operation section of the lock member to be able to freely contact and separate. There is also an effect that it can be used without changing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a separated state showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a lower case of the example of FIG. 1, showing a state where a lock member is assembled.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4 excluding a lock member.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a locked state in which the reel brake member and the lock member of the present invention are assembled, wherein FIG. 6A is a perspective view from the back side, and FIG.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an unlocked state in a state where the reel brake member and the lock member according to the present invention are assembled, wherein FIG. 7A is a perspective view from the back side, and FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a separated state of the lock member of the example of FIG. 6,
(A) is a rear perspective view, (b) is a front perspective view.

9A and 9B show one use state of the example of FIG. 6, wherein FIG. 9A is a plan view, FIG. 9B is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line B′-B ′, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the reel brake member is moved while being mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus and the lock is released, and FIG. 4C is a bottom view.

FIG. 10 shows an operation state of the apparatus of FIG. 1 when the apparatus is set, and is used from (a) to (f).

11A and 11B show a locking structure of a lower case, wherein FIG. 11A is a plan view, FIG. 11B is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line CC, and FIG. 11C is an enlarged side view showing a locked state with a lock member. is there.

FIG. 12 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape 2 Tape reel 3 Case 4 Opening 5 Lid 6 Tape entrance / exit 7 Reel brake member 7 ₁ Brake pawl 7 ₂ Brake release operation part 7 ₃ Slope 7 ₄ Hinge part 7 ₅ Concave strip 8 Lock member 8 ₁ Bracket 8 ₂ Bearing Pin 8 ₃ Lock release section 9 Lock section 10 Locked section 11 Recording / reproducing device 12 Column 13 Brake release means 14 Opening 15 Reel brake member biasing spring 16, 17 Guide piece 18 Lock member biasing spring 20, 21 Cam groove 22, 23 Projection 28 Spring

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A pair of tape reels each having a tape wound thereon are rotatably housed in a case, and the tape is stretched from one tape reel to the front of the case and wound around the other tape reel. An opening for exposing the tape stretched on the front surface, and a lid for opening and closing the opening,
A concave portion for pulling out the tape, a brake claw that suppresses rotation by engaging with a concave and convex portion provided on the outer periphery of the flange of the tape reel, and a brake release operating portion exposed from an opening formed in the case. In a tape cassette having a reel brake member having a reel brake member detachably attached to the tape reel, a lock member for restricting movement of the reel brake member in the brake release direction is provided on the reel brake member and / or the case, The member enables the reel brake member to move when the brake claw is engaged with the concave and convex portions of the tape reel when not in use, and the locking portion of the lock member contacts the locked portion of the case. The movement of the reel brake member is restricted in a range up to a position where the engagement state of the brake claw is released by contact. Tape cassette, wherein the door. 2. A case in which a pair of tape reels around which a tape is wound are rotatably housed in a case, the tape is stretched from one tape reel to the front of the case, and wound around the other tape reel. An opening for exposing the tape stretched on the front surface, and a lid for opening and closing the opening,
A concave portion for pulling out the tape, a brake claw that suppresses rotation by engaging with a concave and convex portion provided on the outer periphery of the flange of the tape reel, and a brake release operating portion exposed from an opening formed in the case. In a tape cassette having a reel brake member having a reel brake member detachably attached to the tape reel, the brake release operating portion of the reel brake member abuts the slope facing the opening of the case with the brake release means of the recording / reproducing apparatus. Wherein a lock release operating portion of a lock member for restricting the movement of the reel brake member corresponding to the slope is provided so as to be able to freely contact and separate therefrom. 3. A lock release operation portion, wherein the lock member is rotatably supported around a rotation support portion provided on the reel brake member and / or the case, and has a portion exposed to an opening of the case. A locking portion extending from the unlocking operation portion and provided on a case outside the range of movement of the reel brake member, and a locking portion configured to be detachable, and in which the locking portion is locked. 3. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the tape cassette is biased by an elastic member. 4. A brake claw of the reel brake member is configured to be elastically deformable by a thinly formed hinge portion, and is urged in a direction of engaging with an uneven portion on the outer periphery of the tape reel. 4. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein when the lock member is in a locked state, the brake pawl maintains an engaged state with an uneven portion on an outer periphery of the tape reel.