JP3957225B2

JP3957225B2 - Single reel type tape cartridge

Info

Publication number: JP3957225B2
Application number: JP2002211290A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 康夫犬飼; 章裕安井
Original assignee: Hitachi Maxell Energy Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Maxell Energy Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-19
Filing date: 2002-07-19
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-19
Also published as: JP2004055037A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、磁気テープの繰り出し端にリーダーテープを接続してある単リール型のテープカートリッジに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種のテープカートリッジにおいては、例えば特表昭６２−５０２６４１号公報や、特開平８−６３９４０号公報に見られるように、テープドライブの捕捉具でリーダーテープを捕捉連結して磁気テープを出し入れ操作する。そのために、リーダーテープの端部に鍵穴状の連結孔を備えた舌片部を有する。舌片部のテープ上下縁には、不使用時の舌片部を位置決め保持するための掛止片が形成してあり、これら掛止片の近傍のテープ面中央にスリット状の係合溝を形成してある。ケース本体のローディング開口の内部にはストッパー爪を設けてあり、このストッパー爪が先の係合溝と係合することにより、テープの巻き込み限界を規定している。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
多くの場合、リーダーテープは磁気テープより若干分厚めのプラスチックシートで形成してあり、テープドライブの捕捉具による出し入れ操作に耐えられるシート強度を備えている。しかし、テープカートリッジの使用期間が長期にわたり、あるいはテープカートリッジの累積使用回数が一定数を越えると、係合溝や掛止片などが損傷することがある。とくにテープ巻き戻し時には、高速度で巻き込まれるテープがストッパー爪に捕捉されて急停止するため、係合溝の溝端に大きな衝撃力が作用し、溝端に連続して亀裂が生じたり、あるいは掛止片が破損したりすることがある。
【０００４】
本発明の目的は、リーダーテープが巻き戻され、その係合溝がストッパー爪で捕捉されて停止するまでの間にリーダーテープに作用する衝撃を緩衝体で緩和吸収して、係合溝や掛止片などに大きな衝撃力が作用するのを解消し、これらテープエンド部構造体の破損を防止し、従って長期使用時にも支障なく使用できるテープカートリッジを提供することにある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係るテープカートリッジは、図２に示すごとくケース本体１の内部にテープ３を巻き取る１個のリール２が収容されており、リール２に巻かれたテープ３の繰り出し端にリーダーテープ４が接続してある。リーダーテープ４の端部には、図３に示すごとくテープドライブの捕捉具で掛止連結される連結孔１６と、上下一対の掛止片１７と、係合溝１８とを備えたテープエンド部２０が設けられている。ローディング開口６に臨むケース本体１の内部には、図１および図４に示すごとく掛止片１７を誘導案内するガイド溝２３と、係合溝１８を係合捕捉するストッパー爪２４とが隣接して配置されている。ケース本体１の内部において、ガイド溝２３の外溝壁２３ｂとケース本体１の周側壁との間には装着部２８が形成してある。ストッパー爪２４は、装着部２８に嵌め込まれる基部２５と、基部２５から横向きに張り出した腕部２６と、腕部２６の先端からガイド溝２３に沿って折り返し状に突出されるフック部２７とを備えている。ストッパー爪２４は、フック部２７で係合溝１８を捕捉するとともに、定常の待機位置からテープ巻き込み方向へ変位可能になっている。そして、ストッパー爪２４の基部２５を受け止めてストッパー爪２４を前記待機位置に位置保持する弾性変形可能な緩衝体３２が、ケース本体１の内部に配置されている。
【０００６】
そのうえで、緩衝体３２が、図６に示すごとくケース本体１の内面に突設した上下に長いピンで構成してあり、ピン状の緩衝体３２が弾性変形することで、リーダーテープ４とストッパー爪２４との衝突衝撃が緩和吸収されることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
または、緩衝体３２が、図７に示すごとくガイド溝２３の外溝壁２３ｂにおける装着部２８側の外面に突設した板壁３４と、板壁３４に設けられてストッパー爪２４の基部２５を受け止める押圧片３５とで形成してあり、板壁３４が弾性変形することで、リーダーテープ４とストッパー爪２４との衝突衝撃が緩和吸収されることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
または、緩衝体３２が、図８〜図１１に示すごとくガイド溝２３の外溝壁２３ｂにおける装着部２８側の外面に突設した受座３６と、ストッパー爪２４の基部２５との間に配置されており、リーダーテープ４とストッパー爪２４との衝突衝撃が、緩衝体３２の弾性変形作用で緩和吸収されることを特徴とする。このうち、緩衝体３２は、図８および図９に示すごとく板ばね状の弾性材で独立部品として形成することができる。図１０に示すように、緩衝体３２は、圧縮コイルばねで形成してもよい。また、図１１に示すように、緩衝体３２はゴム弾性材で形成してもよい。
【０００９】
または、緩衝体３２が、図１２に示すごとく角棒状のゴムブロックで形成されて、その周面一側が、ガイド溝２３の外溝壁２３ｂにおける装着部２８側の外面に接着固定されており、リーダーテープ４とストッパー爪２４との衝突衝撃が、緩衝体３２の弾性変形作用で緩和吸収されることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
本発明に係るテープカートリッジは、ケース本体１の内部にテープ３を巻き取る１個のリール２が収容されており、リール２に巻かれたテープ３の繰り出し端にリーダーテープ４が接続されており、リーダーテープ４の端部には、テープドライブの捕捉具で掛止連結される連結孔１６と、上下一対の掛止片１７と、係合溝１８とを備えたテープエンド部２０が設けられており、ローディング開口６に臨むケース本体１の内部には、掛止片１７を誘導案内するガイド溝２３と、係合溝１８を係合捕捉するストッパー爪２４とが隣接して配置してある。そのうえで、図１３に示すごとくストッパー爪２４が、係合溝１６を係合捕捉するフック部２７を含むゴム弾性材で形成されており、ストッパー爪２４が、ガイド溝２３を構成する外溝壁２３ｂに固定されている。
【００１１】
【発明の作用効果】
本発明では、ストッパー爪２４を緩衝体３２で定常の待機位置に位置保持できるようにし、リーダーテープ４がストッパー爪２４に衝突するときの衝突衝撃を緩衝体３２の弾性変形作用で緩和吸収するので、テープエンド部２０に設けた係合溝１８がストッパー爪２４に衝突して急停止するのを解消できる。従って、係合溝１８や掛止片１７などに衝突に伴う大きな応力が作用するのを解消し、これらテープエンド部構造体の破損を確実に防止できる。つまり、長期使用時にも支障なく使用できるテープカートリッジが得られる。
【００１２】
緩衝体３２がケース本体１と一体に形成されたテープカートリッジによれば、部品点数の増加を伴うこともなく緩衝機能を付加でき、その分だけテープカートリッジの製造コストを削減化できる。
【００１３】
弾性材で形成した緩衝体３２が、ケース本体１の受座３６とストッパー爪２４との間に配置されて、リーダーテープ４がストッパー爪２４に衝突するときの衝突衝撃が、緩衝体３２の弾性変形作用で緩和吸収されるようにしたテープカートリッジによれば、弾性材の素材や形、および構造などを変更することにより、緩衝体３２の弾性変形応力とその変化特性とを種々に設定できる。従って、緩衝体３２の緩衝特性が更に好適なものになる。
【００１４】
板ばね状の弾性材で独立部品として形成した緩衝体３２によれば、構造が簡単なばね部品を追加するだけで、ストッパー爪２４に作用する衝突衝撃を緩衝吸収できるうえ、緩衝力を最適化してリーダーテープ４の破損を確実に防止できる。その分だけ長期使用時の信頼性も向上する。
【００１５】
緩衝体３２が圧縮コイルばねからなるときは、板ばね状の弾性材で形成した緩衝体３２と同様に、構造が簡単なばね部品を追加するだけで、ストッパー爪２４に作用する衝突衝撃を的確に緩衝吸収してリーダーテープ４の破損を確実に防止できる。緩衝体３２が弾性変形するときの、変形応力の変化特性を正確に設定できるうえ、その占有スペースが少なくて済む利点もある。
【００１６】
緩衝体３２がゴム弾性材で形成されていると、板ばねやコイルばねなどの弾性体で緩衝体３２を形成する場合に比べて、緩衝体３２が弾性変形するときの変形応力の増加率を大きく設定できるので、リーダーテープ４が衝突衝撃を受けてテープ引き込み方向へ移動し、停止するまでの移動ストロークを小さくできる。つまり、係合溝１８や掛止片１７に過剰な衝撃力が作用するのを確実に避けながら、効果的に衝撃を緩和吸収できる。
【００１７】
フック部２７を含むゴム弾性材でストッパー爪２４が形成され、これをガイド溝２３の外溝壁２３ｂに固定して、リーダーテープ４がストッパー爪２４に衝突するときの衝突衝撃をフック部２７の弾性変形作用で緩和吸収するテープカートリッジによれば、ストッパー爪２４の全体をゴム弾性材で形成する場合に比べて、ストッパー爪２４の構造が簡素化し、その分だけテープカートリッジの製造コストを削減化できる。
【００１８】
また、係合溝１８が衝突するフック部２７これ自体が弾性変形することで衝突衝撃を緩和吸収するので、係合溝１８の溝端に大きな衝突応力が作用するのを解消でき、しかも不使用時におけるテープエンド部２０の位置のばらつきが小さくなる利点をも有する。
【００１９】
【実施例】
（実施例１）図１ないし図６は本発明に係る単リール型のテープカートリッジの実施例１を示す。図２においてテープカートリッジは、上下ケース１ａ・１ｂを蓋合わせ状に結合してなる角箱状のケース本体１の内部に１個のリール２が収容してある。リール２には磁気テープ３が巻装してあり、その繰り出し端には磁気テープ３を引き出し操作するリーダーテープ４が連結されている。
【００２０】
図３においてケース本体１の前面には、ケース前面の大半を占めるローディング開口６が開口している。ローディング開口６は、不使用時においてケース本体１に開閉可能に支持したドア７で覆われる。ドア７は支軸８に嵌装したばね９で閉じ勝手に揺動付勢してある。
【００２１】
図２に示すようにケース本体１の内部には、不使用時におけるリール２の遊転を規制してテープたるみを防ぐ２個のリールロック１０・１１と、誤消去を防ぐ切換えピース１２などが設けてある。リール２のボス部底壁と上ケース１ａとの間には、リール２を下ケース１ｂへ向かって押し下げ付勢するばね１３と、ばね１３の下端のボールブロックを受け止めるベアリング１４とが設けてある。
【００２２】
図３においてリーダーテープ４の端部には、鍵穴状の連結孔１６と、上下一対の掛止片１７と、係合溝１８とを備えたテープエンド部２０を設けてある。連結孔１６は、テープドライブ側の捕捉具に掛止連結される。掛止片１７は、後述するガイド溝２３に誘導案内されて、リール２に巻き込まれたリーダーテープ４のテープエンド部２０を位置決め保持する。係合溝１８は、後述するストッパー爪２４のフック部２７で係合捕捉されて、リーダーテープ４の巻き込み限界を規定する。
【００２３】
図３においてリーダーテープ４は、ローディング開口６に向かって左端のテープ引出し口２２からケース外へ引き出される。このテープ引出し口２２に臨むケース内部には、掛止片１７を誘導案内するガイド溝２３と、係合溝１８を係合捕捉するストッパー爪２４とが配設されている。図４においてガイド溝２３は、上下ケース１ａ・１ｂの内面上下に形成されており、部分円弧状の低いリブ壁からなる内溝壁２３ａと、上下ケース１ａ・１ｂの周側壁と同じ高さに突設された外溝壁２３ｂとで区画形成されている。
【００２４】
ストッパー爪２４は、横断面が矢印状に形成された基部２５と、基部２５の下端一側から張り出される腕部２６と、腕部２６の先端から突出されるフック部２７とを一体に形成したプラスチック成形品からなる。上ケース１ａの外溝壁２３ｂと周側壁との間には三角形状の装着部２８が形成してあり、この装着部２８に先の基部２５が嵌め込んである。
【００２５】
上下ケース１ａ・１ｂを接合した状態において、フック部２７はリーダーテープ４の係合溝１８の移動軌跡に臨んでいる。また、腕部２６の一部は上下の外溝壁２３ｂで挟持されるが、横方向へは変位できるように支持してある。フック部２７の突出基端の上下には、掛止片１７と協同してテープエンド部２０を位置決め保持する規制突起２９が設けられている。符号３０はフック部２７と腕部２６の間に形成された捕捉溝である。
【００２６】
磁気テープ３およびリーダーテープ４がリール２に高速度で巻き込まれる際に、リーダーテープ４がストッパー爪２４で捕捉されて急停止したり、あるいは掛止片１７がガイド溝２３の溝端に衝突したりするのを避けるために、装着部２８に嵌め込んだストッパー爪２４は緩衝体３２で受け止める。緩衝体３２は、上ケース１ａの上壁内面から下向きに突設した弾性変形可能なピンで構成してあり、常態においては基部２５に接当してストッパー爪２４の全体を待機位置に位置保持する。
【００２７】
リーダーテープ４の巻き戻し動作によって、係合溝１８が捕捉溝３０の奥端に衝突すると、図５および図６に示すように、緩衝体３２は待機位置からテープ巻き込み方向へ遠ざかる向きに弾性変形して衝撃を緩衝する。つまり、リーダーテープ４を受け止めたストッパー爪２４は、衝撃を受けるのと殆ど同時に、図１の待機位置から図５の緩衝位置へ変位し、その間にピン状の緩衝体３２が弾性変形してリーダーテープ４の衝突衝撃を緩和吸収する。従って、リーダーテープ４に大きな衝撃力が作用するのを解消し、係合溝１８の溝端に亀裂が生じるのを防止する。掛止片１７がガイド溝２３の奥端に衝突することもない。
【００２８】
（実施例２）図７は緩衝体３２に関する本発明の実施例２を示す。ここでの緩衝体３２は、上ケース１ａの外溝壁２３ｂと一体に形成されている。詳しくは、外溝壁２３ｂの突端寄りの外面に板壁３４を一体に突設し、この板壁３４の突端に設けた押圧片３５で基部２５を受け止めて、ストッパー爪２４を待機位置に位置決め保持した。この実施例２では、板壁３４が弾性変形することにより、リーダーテープ４の衝突衝撃を緩和吸収する。他は実施例１と同じであるので、同じ部材には同じ符号を付してその説明を省略する。以下の実施例においても同じ扱いとする。
【００２９】
図８ないし図１２は、弾性材で形成した緩衝体３２が、ケース本体１に設けた受座３６とストッパー爪２４との間に配置された別実施例を示す。
【００３０】
（実施例３）このうち図８の実施例３では、緩衝体３２をプラスチック製、あるいは金属製の板ばねなどの弾性材で形成して、ストッパー爪２４の基部２５に固定したものとなっている。詳しくは、Ｕ字状に折り曲げたばね腕３７と、ばね腕３７の一端に連続する取付片３８とで緩衝体３２を構成し、取付片３８を基部２５に固定することにより、ばね腕３７の遊端側を受座３６で受け止めている。受座３６は、ガイド溝２３の外溝壁２３ｂの突端外面に外溝壁２３ｂとほぼ直交する状態で突設してある。この実施例３では、ばね腕３７が弾性変形することにより、リーダーテープ４の衝突衝撃を緩和吸収する。なお、必要に応じてばね腕３７は、基部２５と一体に成形することができる。
【００３１】
（実施例４）図９の実施例４では、緩衝体３２をプラスチック製、あるいは金属製の板ばねなどの弾性材で形成して受座３６に固定したものとなっている。緩衝体３２は、逆Ｖ字状のばね腕３７と、ばね腕３７の一端に連続するコ字状の取付片３８とを備えており、取付片３８を受座３６の突端に嵌合固定して、ばね腕３７の遊端側が基部２５に接当している。この実施例４では、実施例３と同様にばね腕３７が弾性変形することにより、リーダーテープ４の衝突衝撃を緩和吸収する。
【００３２】
（実施例５）図１０の実施例５では、緩衝体３２を圧縮コイル形のばねで形成して、受座３６と基部２５に設けたばね受穴４０との間に介装してある。この実施例５では、緩衝体３２の全体が圧縮変形することにより、リーダーテープ４の衝突衝撃を緩和吸収する。
【００３３】
（実施例６）図１１の実施例６では、緩衝体３２をゴム弾性材で形成して、受座３６と基部２５との間に配置した。緩衝体３２は、四角棒状の緩衝ブロック４１と取付部４２とを一体に備えており、取付部４２を基部２５の取付溝４３に嵌め込んで固定した。この実施例６の緩衝体３２は、緩衝ブロック４１が押し潰し変形されるときの弾性力で、リーダーテープ４の衝突衝撃を緩和吸収する。なお、本発明でいうゴムまたはゴム弾性材とは、天然ゴム、人造ゴム、ゴム状プラスチック、発泡ゴムなどのいずれをも含む。
【００３４】
（実施例７）図１２の実施例７では、緩衝体３２を四角棒状のゴムブロックで形成し、その周面一側を外溝壁２３ｂの突端外面の受座３６に接着固定した。この実施例７の緩衝体３２は、緩衝体３２が斜めに変形されるときの弾性力で、リーダーテープ４の衝突衝撃を緩和吸収する。
【００３５】
（実施例８）図１３の実施例８では、ストッパー爪２４が、ゴム成形されたフック部２７と規制突起２９とのみで形成され、その基端部分を外溝壁２３ｂの突端内面に設けた受座３６に固定した。この実施例８では、リーダーテープ４の係合溝１８がフック部２７で受け止められるときの衝突衝撃を、主としてフック部２７が弾性変形することで緩和吸収する。フック部２７および規制突起２９は、いわゆる２色成形法によって形成することができ、アウトサート成形によって、あるいは接着によって受座３６に固定してもよい。
【００３６】
上記以外に緩衝体３２は、プラスチック成形品で形成して、ストッパー爪２４を待機位置に位置決め保持してもよい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】ストッパー爪とリーダーテープとの係合構造を示す横断平面図
【図２】全体の内部の平面図
【図３】リーダーテープを引き出した状態でのテープカートリッジの正面図
【図４】テープ引出し口をケース内部側から見た分解斜視図図
【図５】ストッパー爪とリーダーテープとの係合構造を示す横断平面図
【図６】図５におけるＡ−Ａ線断面図
【図７】実施例２に係るストッパー爪の周辺構造を示す横断平面図
【図８】実施例３に係るストッパー爪の周辺構造を示す横断平面図
【図９】実施例４に係るストッパー爪の周辺構造を示す横断平面図
【図１０】実施例５に係るストッパー爪の周辺構造を示す横断平面図
【図１１】実施例６に係るストッパー爪の周辺構造を示す横断平面図
【図１２】実施例７に係るストッパー爪の周辺構造を示す横断平面図
【図１３】実施例８に係るストッパー爪の周辺構造を示す横断平面図
【符号の説明】
１ケース本体
２リール
３磁気テープ
４リーダーテープ
６ローディング開口
１６連結孔
１７掛止片
１８係合溝
２３ガイド溝
２４ストッパー爪
３２緩衝体[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a single reel type tape cartridge in which a leader tape is connected to a feeding end of a magnetic tape.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this type of tape cartridge, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-502641 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-63940, a leader tape is captured and connected by a tape drive capturing device, and a magnetic tape is inserted and removed. To do. For this purpose, the end portion of the leader tape has a tongue piece provided with a keyhole-shaped connecting hole. On the upper and lower edges of the tape of the tongue piece, there are formed latching pieces for positioning and holding the tongue piece when not in use, and a slit-like engagement groove is formed in the center of the tape surface near these latching pieces. It is formed. A stopper claw is provided inside the loading opening of the case main body, and this stopper claw engages with the previous engaging groove to define the tape winding limit.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In many cases, the leader tape is formed of a plastic sheet that is slightly thicker than the magnetic tape, and has a sheet strength that can withstand the operation of loading and unloading by a tape drive catcher. However, if the tape cartridge is used for a long period of time or if the cumulative number of times the tape cartridge is used exceeds a certain number, the engaging groove, the retaining piece, or the like may be damaged. In particular, when rewinding the tape, the tape that is wound at a high speed is caught by the stopper pawl and stops suddenly. Therefore, a large impact force acts on the groove end of the engagement groove, and the groove end is continuously cracked or latched. The piece may be damaged.
[0004]
It is an object of the present invention to absorb and absorb the shock acting on the leader tape by the buffer until the leader tape is rewound and the engaging groove is captured by the stopper claw and stopped. An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge that eliminates a large impact force acting on a stop piece and the like, prevents damage to the structure of the tape end portion, and can therefore be used without any trouble during long-term use.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Tape cartridge according to the present invention, internal to a single reel 2 winds the tape 3 is housed, the feeding end of the tape 3 wound around the reel 2 of the case body 1 as shown in FIG. 2 A leader tape 4 is connected. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the leader tape 4 is a tape end portion provided with a connecting hole 16 that is hooked and connected by a tape drive catcher, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces 17, and an engaging groove 18. 20 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a guide groove 23 that guides and guides the latching piece 17 and a stopper claw 24 that engages and captures the engagement groove 18 are adjacent to the inside of the case body 1 facing the loading opening 6. Are arranged. Inside the case body 1, a mounting portion 28 is formed between the outer groove wall 23 b of the guide groove 23 and the peripheral side wall of the case body 1. The stopper claw 24 includes a base portion 25 fitted into the mounting portion 28, an arm portion 26 projecting laterally from the base portion 25, and a hook portion 27 protruding in a folded manner from the tip of the arm portion 26 along the guide groove 23. I have. The stopper claw 24 captures the engaging groove 18 by the hook portion 27 and can be displaced from the normal standby position in the tape winding direction. An elastically deformable buffer 32 that receives the base 25 of the stopper claw 24 and holds the stopper claw 24 in the standby position is disposed inside the case body 1.
[0006]
In addition, the buffer body 32 is composed of vertically long pins protruding from the inner surface of the case main body 1 as shown in FIG. 6, and the pin-shaped buffer body 32 is elastically deformed so that the leader tape 4 and the stopper claw The impact impact with 24 is relaxed and absorbed.
[0007]
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the buffer 32 protrudes from the outer surface of the outer groove wall 23 b of the guide groove 23 on the mounting portion 28 side, and the pressing is provided on the plate wall 34 to receive the base 25 of the stopper claw 24. It is formed by the piece 35, and the impact of the collision between the leader tape 4 and the stopper claw 24 is relaxed and absorbed by elastic deformation of the plate wall 34.
[0008]
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the buffer body 32 is disposed between the receiving seat 36 protruding from the outer surface of the outer groove wall 23 b of the guide groove 23 on the mounting portion 28 side and the base portion 25 of the stopper claw 24. The impact impact between the leader tape 4 and the stopper claw 24 is relaxed and absorbed by the elastic deformation action of the buffer 32. Among these, the buffer body 32 can be formed as an independent part with a leaf spring-like elastic material as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 10, the buffer body 32 may be formed of a compression coil spring. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 1, the buffer body 32 may be formed of a rubber elastic material.
[0009]
Alternatively, the buffer body 32 is formed of a square bar-shaped rubber block as shown in FIG. 12, and one circumferential surface thereof is bonded and fixed to the outer surface of the mounting groove 28 side of the outer groove wall 23b of the guide groove 23. The collision impact between the leader tape 4 and the stopper claw 24 is relaxed and absorbed by the elastic deformation action of the buffer 32.
[0010]
Tape cartridge according to the present invention, one of the reel 2 winds the tape 3 on the inside of the case body 1 is housed, the leader tape 4 the feeding end of the tape 3 wound around the reel 2 A tape end portion that is connected to the end portion of the leader tape 4 and includes a coupling hole 16 that is hooked and connected by a tape drive catcher, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces 17, and an engaging groove 18. 20, a guide groove 23 for guiding and guiding the latching piece 17 and a stopper claw 24 for engaging and capturing the engagement groove 18 are adjacent to the inside of the case body 1 facing the loading opening 6. It is arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 13 , the stopper claw 24 is formed of a rubber elastic material including a hook portion 27 that engages and captures the engagement groove 16, and the stopper claw 24 is an outer groove wall 23 b that constitutes the guide groove 23. It is fixed to.
[0011]
[Effects of the invention]
In the present invention, the stopper claw 24 can be held at the stationary standby position by the buffer body 32, and the impact impact when the leader tape 4 collides with the stopper claw 24 is relaxed and absorbed by the elastic deformation action of the buffer body 32. The engagement groove 18 provided in the tape end portion 20 can be prevented from colliding with the stopper claw 24 and suddenly stopping. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the large stress caused by the collision on the engaging groove 18 and the latching piece 17 and to reliably prevent the tape end structure from being damaged. That is, a tape cartridge that can be used without any trouble during long-term use can be obtained.
[0012]
According to the tape cartridge in which the buffer 32 is formed integrally with the case main body 1, a buffer function can be added without increasing the number of parts, and the manufacturing cost of the tape cartridge can be reduced accordingly.
[0013]
A shock absorber 32 formed of an elastic material is disposed between the seat 36 of the case main body 1 and the stopper claw 24, and a collision impact when the leader tape 4 collides with the stopper claw 24 is affected by the elasticity of the shock absorber 32. According to the tape cartridge that is relaxed and absorbed by the deformation action, the elastic deformation stress of the buffer body 32 and its change characteristics can be variously set by changing the material, shape, and structure of the elastic material. Therefore, the buffering characteristics of the buffer 32 are further improved.
[0014]
According to the shock absorber 32 formed as an independent part by a leaf spring-like elastic material, the impact shock acting on the stopper claw 24 can be absorbed and absorbed by simply adding a spring part with a simple structure, and the shock absorbing force is optimized. Thus, the leader tape 4 can be reliably prevented from being damaged. The reliability during long-term use is also improved accordingly.
[0015]
When the shock absorber 32 is composed of a compression coil spring, the impact shock acting on the stopper claw 24 can be accurately detected by adding a spring component with a simple structure, just like the shock absorber 32 formed of a leaf spring-like elastic material. It is possible to reliably prevent the leader tape 4 from being damaged by absorbing the water. In addition to the fact that the deformation characteristic of the deformation stress when the buffer body 32 is elastically deformed can be set accurately, there is an advantage that the occupied space can be reduced.
[0016]
When the buffer body 32 is formed of a rubber elastic material, the rate of increase in deformation stress when the buffer body 32 is elastically deformed is higher than when the buffer body 32 is formed of an elastic body such as a leaf spring or a coil spring. Since it can be set large, the movement stroke until the leader tape 4 receives a collision impact and moves in the tape pull-in direction and stops can be reduced. That is, the impact can be effectively relaxed and absorbed while reliably avoiding an excessive impact force acting on the engaging groove 18 and the retaining piece 17.
[0017]
The stopper claw 24 is formed of a rubber elastic material including the hook portion 27, and this is fixed to the outer groove wall 23 b of the guide groove 23, so that a collision impact when the leader tape 4 collides with the stopper claw 24 is applied to the hook portion 27. According to the tape cartridge that relaxes and absorbs by elastic deformation, the structure of the stopper claw 24 is simplified and the manufacturing cost of the tape cartridge is reduced by that amount compared to the case where the entire stopper claw 24 is formed of a rubber elastic material. it can.
[0018]
Further, since the hook portion 27 itself to engagement groove 18 collides relaxes absorb the collision impact by elastic deformation, can be eliminated from acting large collision stress into groove end of the engaging groove 18, yet when not in use There is also an advantage that variation in the position of the tape end portion 20 is reduced.
[0019]
【Example】
Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 to 6 show Embodiment 1 of a single reel type tape cartridge according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the tape cartridge has a single reel 2 housed in a rectangular box-like case body 1 formed by joining upper and lower cases 1a and 1b in a lid-like manner. A magnetic tape 3 is wound around the reel 2, and a leader tape 4 for pulling out the magnetic tape 3 is connected to a feeding end thereof.
[0020]
In FIG. 3, a loading opening 6 occupying most of the front surface of the case is opened on the front surface of the case body 1. The loading opening 6 is covered with a door 7 that is supported by the case body 1 so as to be openable and closable when not in use. The door 7 is closed by a spring 9 fitted to the support shaft 8 and urged to swing freely.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, inside the case body 1, there are two reel locks 10 and 11 that prevent loosening of the reel 2 when it is not in use, and a switching piece 12 that prevents erroneous erasure. It is provided. Between the bottom wall of the boss portion of the reel 2 and the upper case 1a, there are provided a spring 13 for pushing and urging the reel 2 toward the lower case 1b, and a bearing 14 for receiving the ball block at the lower end of the spring 13. .
[0022]
In FIG. 3, the end portion of the leader tape 4 is provided with a tape end portion 20 having a keyhole-shaped connecting hole 16, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces 17, and an engaging groove 18. The connecting hole 16 is hooked and connected to a capturing device on the tape drive side. The latching piece 17 is guided and guided in a guide groove 23 described later, and positions and holds the tape end portion 20 of the leader tape 4 wound around the reel 2. The engagement groove 18 is engaged and captured by a hook portion 27 of a stopper claw 24 to be described later, and defines the winding limit of the leader tape 4.
[0023]
In FIG. 3, the leader tape 4 is drawn out of the case from the tape withdrawal port 22 at the left end toward the loading opening 6. A guide groove 23 that guides and guides the latching piece 17 and a stopper claw 24 that engages and captures the engagement groove 18 are disposed inside the case facing the tape drawing port 22. In FIG. 4, guide grooves 23 are formed above and below the inner surfaces of the upper and lower cases 1a and 1b, and have the same height as the inner groove wall 23a formed of a partially arc-shaped low rib wall and the peripheral side walls of the upper and lower cases 1a and 1b. A partition is formed by the projecting outer groove wall 23b.
[0024]
The stopper claw 24 is integrally formed with a base portion 25 having a cross section formed in an arrow shape, an arm portion 26 protruding from the lower end side of the base portion 25, and a hook portion 27 protruding from the tip of the arm portion 26. Made of plastic molded products. A triangular mounting portion 28 is formed between the outer groove wall 23b and the peripheral side wall of the upper case 1a, and the base 25 is fitted into the mounting portion 28.
[0025]
In a state where the upper and lower cases 1 a and 1 b are joined, the hook portion 27 faces the movement locus of the engagement groove 18 of the leader tape 4. A part of the arm portion 26 is sandwiched between the upper and lower outer groove walls 23b, but is supported so as to be displaced in the lateral direction. On the upper and lower sides of the protruding base end of the hook portion 27, there are provided restricting projections 29 for positioning and holding the tape end portion 20 in cooperation with the hooking piece 17. Reference numeral 30 denotes a catching groove formed between the hook portion 27 and the arm portion 26.
[0026]
When the magnetic tape 3 and the leader tape 4 are wound around the reel 2 at a high speed, the leader tape 4 is caught by the stopper claw 24 and stops suddenly, or the latching piece 17 collides with the groove end of the guide groove 23. In order to avoid this, the stopper claw 24 fitted in the mounting portion 28 is received by the buffer 32. The buffer 32 is composed of an elastically deformable pin projecting downward from the inner surface of the upper wall of the upper case 1a, and normally contacts the base 25 to hold the entire stopper claw 24 in the standby position. To do.
[0027]
When the engaging groove 18 collides with the back end of the catching groove 30 by the rewinding operation of the leader tape 4, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the buffer body 32 is elastically deformed in a direction away from the standby position in the tape winding direction. To buffer the shock. That is, the stopper claw 24 that has received the leader tape 4 is displaced from the standby position in FIG. 1 to the buffer position in FIG. 5 almost simultaneously with receiving an impact, and the pin-shaped buffer body 32 is elastically deformed in the meantime, and the leader The impact impact of the tape 4 is relaxed and absorbed. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate a large impact force acting on the leader tape 4 and prevent the groove end of the engagement groove 18 from cracking. The latch piece 17 does not collide with the back end of the guide groove 23.
[0028]
(Example 2) FIG. 7: shows Example 2 of this invention regarding the buffer body 32. FIG. The buffer body 32 here is integrally formed with the outer groove wall 23b of the upper case 1a. Specifically, a plate wall 34 is integrally projected on the outer surface near the protruding end of the outer groove wall 23b, the base 25 is received by a pressing piece 35 provided on the protruding end of the plate wall 34, and the stopper claw 24 is positioned and held at the standby position. . In the second embodiment, the impact of the leader tape 4 is relaxed and absorbed by elastic deformation of the plate wall 34. Since others are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.
[0029]
8 to 12 show another embodiment in which a buffer body 32 formed of an elastic material is disposed between a receiving seat 36 provided on the case main body 1 and the stopper claw 24.
[0030]
(Example 3) Among these, in Example 3 of FIG. 8, the buffer body 32 is formed of an elastic material such as a plastic or metal leaf spring and is fixed to the base 25 of the stopper claw 24. Yes. Specifically, the shock absorber 32 is composed of a U-shaped spring arm 37 and an attachment piece 38 continuous with one end of the spring arm 37, and the attachment piece 38 is fixed to the base portion 25, whereby the spring arm 37 is free of play. The end side is received by the receiving seat 36. The receiving seat 36 protrudes from the protruding outer surface of the outer groove wall 23b of the guide groove 23 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the outer groove wall 23b. In Example 3, the spring arm 37 is elastically deformed, so that the impact shock of the leader tape 4 is relaxed and absorbed. Note that the spring arm 37 can be formed integrally with the base portion 25 as necessary.
[0031]
(Embodiment 4) In Embodiment 4 of FIG. 9, the buffer body 32 is formed of an elastic material such as a plastic or metal leaf spring and is fixed to the seat 36. The shock absorber 32 includes an inverted V-shaped spring arm 37 and a U-shaped attachment piece 38 continuous to one end of the spring arm 37, and the attachment piece 38 is fitted and fixed to the protruding end of the receiving seat 36. Thus, the free end side of the spring arm 37 is in contact with the base portion 25. In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the spring arm 37 is elastically deformed, so that the impact shock of the leader tape 4 is relaxed and absorbed.
[0032]
(Example 5) In Example 5 of FIG. 10, the buffer body 32 is formed of a compression coil spring, and is interposed between the receiving seat 36 and the spring receiving hole 40 provided in the base portion 25. In the fifth embodiment, the entire shock absorber 32 is compressed and deformed, so that the impact shock of the leader tape 4 is relaxed and absorbed.
[0033]
Example 6 In Example 6 of FIG. 11, the buffer body 32 is formed of a rubber elastic material and disposed between the receiving seat 36 and the base portion 25. The buffer body 32 is integrally provided with a square bar-shaped buffer block 41 and an attachment portion 42, and the attachment portion 42 is fitted into the attachment groove 43 of the base portion 25 and fixed. The buffer body 32 of the sixth embodiment relaxes and absorbs the collision impact of the leader tape 4 by the elastic force when the buffer block 41 is crushed and deformed. The rubber or rubber elastic material referred to in the present invention includes any of natural rubber, artificial rubber, rubber-like plastic, foamed rubber and the like.
[0034]
In Example 7 (Example 7) FIG. 12, the cushion 32 formed by a rubber block square bar-like and bonded and fixed to the peripheral surface of one side to the seat 36 of the tip outside surface of the outer groove wall 23b. The buffer body 32 of the seventh embodiment relaxes and absorbs the collision impact of the leader tape 4 by an elastic force when the buffer body 32 is obliquely deformed.
[0035]
(Example 8) In Example 8 of FIG. 13, the stopper claw 24 is formed only by a rubber-molded hook portion 27 and a restriction projection 29, and its base end portion is provided on the inner surface of the outer end of the outer groove wall 23b. Fixed to the seat 36. In the eighth embodiment, the collision impact when the engagement groove 18 of the leader tape 4 is received by the hook portion 27 is relaxed and absorbed mainly by elastic deformation of the hook portion 27. The hook portion 27 and the regulation protrusion 29 can be formed by a so-called two-color molding method, and may be fixed to the seat 36 by outsert molding or by adhesion.
[0036]
In addition to the above, the buffer body 32 may be formed of a plastic molded product, and the stopper claw 24 may be positioned and held at the standby position.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an engagement structure between a stopper claw and a leader tape. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the entire interior. FIG. 3 is a front view of a tape cartridge with a leader tape pulled out. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the engagement structure between the stopper claw and the leader tape. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the peripheral structure of the stopper claw according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the peripheral structure of the stopper claw according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the peripheral structure of the stopper claw according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the peripheral structure of the stopper claw according to the sixth embodiment. Shows the peripheral structure of the stopper claw Cross-sectional plan view showing a peripheral structure of the stopper pawl of the cross-sectional plan view and FIG. 13 EXAMPLE 8 [REFERENCE NUMERALS]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case main body 2 Reel 3 Magnetic tape 4 Leader tape 6 Loading opening 16 Connection hole 17 Latching piece 18 Engaging groove 23 Guide groove 24 Stopper claw 32 Buffer

Claims

A tape cartridge in which one reel for winding the tape is housed in the case body, and a leader tape is connected to a feeding end of the tape wound around the reel;
At the end of the leader tape, there is provided a tape end portion including a connection hole that is hooked and connected by a trapping device of a tape drive, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces, and an engaging groove.
Inside the case body facing the loading opening, a guide groove for guiding and guiding the latching piece and a stopper claw for engaging and capturing the engagement groove are disposed adjacent to each other,
Inside the case body, a mounting portion is formed between the outer groove wall of the guide groove and the peripheral side wall of the case body,
The stopper claw includes a base portion that is fitted into the mounting portion, an arm portion that protrudes laterally from the base portion, and a hook portion that protrudes in a folded manner from the tip of the arm portion along the guide groove. ,
The stopper pawl captures the engagement groove at the hook portion, and is displaceable from a normal standby position in the tape winding direction.
Elastically deformable buffer body located held in the standby position the stopper pawl receiving the base of the stopper pawl is disposed inside of the case body,
The shock absorber is composed of pins that are long on the top and bottom protruding from the inner surface of the case body,
Wherein that pin-shaped cushion is elastically deformed, a single reel type tape cartridges, characterized in that the collision impact between the leader tape and the stopper pawl is mitigated absorbed.

A tape cartridge in which one reel for winding the tape is housed in the case body, and a leader tape is connected to a feeding end of the tape wound around the reel;
At the end of the leader tape, there is provided a tape end portion including a connection hole that is hooked and connected by a trapping device of a tape drive, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces, and an engaging groove.
Inside the case body facing the loading opening, a guide groove for guiding and guiding the latching piece and a stopper claw for engaging and capturing the engagement groove are disposed adjacent to each other,
Inside the case body, a mounting portion is formed between the outer groove wall of the guide groove and the peripheral side wall of the case body,
The stopper claw includes a base portion that is fitted into the mounting portion, an arm portion that protrudes laterally from the base portion, and a hook portion that protrudes in a folded manner from the tip of the arm portion along the guide groove. ,
The stopper pawl captures the engagement groove at the hook portion, and is displaceable from a normal standby position in the tape winding direction.
An elastically deformable buffer that receives the base of the stopper claw and holds the stopper claw in the standby position is disposed inside the case body,
The buffer body is formed of a plate wall projecting from the outer surface of the outer groove wall of the guide groove on the mounting portion side, and a pressing piece provided on the plate wall and receiving the base of the stopper claw,
A single reel type tape cartridge characterized in that the impact of the leader tape and the stopper pawl is alleviated and absorbed by elastic deformation of the plate wall .

A tape cartridge in which one reel for winding the tape is housed in the case body, and a leader tape is connected to a feeding end of the tape wound around the reel;
At the end of the leader tape, there is provided a tape end portion including a connection hole that is hooked and connected by a trapping device of a tape drive, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces, and an engaging groove.
Inside the case body facing the loading opening, a guide groove for guiding and guiding the latching piece and a stopper claw for engaging and capturing the engagement groove are disposed adjacent to each other,
Inside the case body, a mounting portion is formed between the outer groove wall of the guide groove and the peripheral side wall of the case body,
The stopper pawl includes a base portion to be fitted to the mounting portion, an arm portion which is out tension sideways from the base, and a hook portion which protrudes to the folded shape along the guide groove from the tip of the arm portion And
The stopper pawl captures the engagement groove at the hook portion, and is displaceable from a normal standby position in the tape winding direction.
An elastically deformable buffer that receives the base of the stopper claw and holds the stopper claw in the standby position is disposed inside the case body,
The buffer body is disposed between a receiving seat projecting on the outer surface of the mounting portion in the outer groove wall of the guide groove, and a base portion of the stopper claw,
A single reel type tape cartridge characterized in that a collision impact between the leader tape and the stopper claw is relaxed and absorbed by an elastic deformation action of the buffer body .

Before SL cushion is the seat and a single reel type tape cartridge according to claim 3, wherein comprising a spring disposed between the base of the stopper pawl.

Before SL cushion is the seat and the single reel type tape cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that formed in the arrangement rubber between the base of the stopper pawl.

A tape cartridge in which one reel for winding the tape is housed in the case body, and a leader tape is connected to a feeding end of the tape wound around the reel;
At the end of the leader tape, there is provided a tape end portion including a connection hole that is hooked and connected by a trapping device of a tape drive, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces, and an engaging groove.
Inside the case body facing the loading opening, a guide groove for guiding and guiding the latching piece and a stopper claw for engaging and capturing the engagement groove are disposed adjacent to each other,
Inside the case body, a mounting portion is formed between the outer groove wall of the guide groove and the peripheral side wall of the case body,
The stopper claw includes a base portion that is fitted into the mounting portion, an arm portion that protrudes laterally from the base portion, and a hook portion that protrudes in a folded manner from the tip of the arm portion along the guide groove. ,
The stopper pawl captures the engagement groove at the hook portion, and is displaceable from a normal standby position in the tape winding direction.
An elastically deformable buffer that receives the base of the stopper claw and holds the stopper claw in the standby position is disposed inside the case body,
The buffer body is formed of a square bar-shaped rubber block, and one circumferential surface thereof is bonded and fixed to the outer surface of the mounting portion side of the outer groove wall of the guide groove,
A single reel type tape cartridge characterized in that a collision impact between the leader tape and the stopper claw is relaxed and absorbed by an elastic deformation action of the buffer body .

A tape cartridge in which one reel for winding the tape is housed in the case body, and a leader tape is connected to a feeding end of the tape wound around the reel;
At the end of the leader tape, there is provided a tape end portion including a connection hole that is hooked and connected by a trapping device of a tape drive, a pair of upper and lower hooking pieces, and an engaging groove.
Inside the case body facing the loading opening, a guide groove for guiding and guiding the latching piece and a stopper claw for engaging and capturing the engagement groove are disposed adjacent to each other,
The stopper claw includes a hook portion that engages and captures the engagement groove and is formed of a rubber elastic material.
A single reel type tape cartridge in which the stopper claw is fixed to an outer groove wall constituting the guide groove .