JP3971788B2

JP3971788B2 - Single reel type magnetic tape cartridge

Info

Publication number: JP3971788B2
Application number: JP14777499A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 信隆宮崎
Original assignee: Hitachi Maxell Energy Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Maxell Energy Ltd
Priority date: 1999-05-27
Filing date: 1999-05-27
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-27
Also published as: JP2000339912A

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テープ引出具が連結固定してある単リール型の磁気テープカートリッジに関し、不使用状態におけるテープ引出具の保持構造を改良したものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種の磁気テープカートリッジ（以下、単にテープカートリッジという）は、例えば特開平１１−７７４９号公報に公知である。そこでは引出具をプラスチック成形品で構成して、不使用状態におけるテープ引出具を、ローディングポケットに設けた一対の突片で所定姿勢に待機保持できるようにしている。
【０００３】
上記のテープカートリッジにおいては、不使用時のテープ引出具を一対の突片で片持ち状に待機保持している。そのため、僅かではあるが待機保持したテープ引出具の位置にばらつきを生じやすい。さらに、落下衝撃を受けたような場合に、テープ引出具が突片から脱落するおそれがある。
【０００４】
こうした不具合を解消するために、本発明者等は、図１０に示すようなテープ引出具とその保持構造とを先に提案した（特願平１０−５４３８９号）。そこでは、テープ引出具４０をピン状に形成し、その上下両端に設けた係合軸部４１を、上下ケースの上壁および底壁に凹み形成した一対の軸受部４２およびばね４３で係合保持できるようにしている。軸受部４２の近傍には、上壁および底壁と平行な抜止壁４４が一体に張り出し形成してある。ばね４３はねじりコイル形のばねからなり、その一方のばね腕の先端に、先の係合軸部４１の周面に密着する部分円弧状の押圧部４５を備えている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記の保持構造においては、上下ケースの上壁および底壁と平行に抜止壁４４を張り出し形成するので、上ケースおよび下ケースの成形用金型の構造が複雑化し、その分だけテープカートリッジの製作コストが高く付く。一方のばね腕を抜止壁４４と上壁（または底壁）との間の狭い隙間に組む必要があるので、組み立てが面倒である。待機保持状態における押圧部４５が、係合軸部４１の周面に対して点接触状に外接するので、ばね４３の加工形状の僅かなばらつきによって、テープ引出具４０の保持位置にばらつきを生じるおそれがある。
【０００６】
テープ引出具４０が軸受部４２に待機収納されたとき、係合軸部４１の上下端面が軸受部４２に接当して軸受面が削られ、このとき生じたプラスチック粉末が磁気テープに付着してノイズや信号欠落の原因になることがある。軸受面の摩滅が進行すると、待機保持したテープ引出具４０の上下位置が徐々にずれてしまうおそれもある。
【０００７】
本発明の目的は、不使用時のテープ引出具を常に適正位置に適正姿勢で待機保持でき、従ってテープ引出具の捕捉や引き出し操作が確実に行えるテープカートリッジを提供することにある。本発明の他の目的は、テープ引出具を前後左右に位置決めでき、さらに上下方向にも位置決めできる係合ピースを備えたテープカートリッジを提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明のテープカートリッジは、図２および図３に示すごとく箱状のケース本体１の内部に、テープ３を巻装した１個のリール２が配置されていて、テープ３の繰り出し端にピン状のテープ引出具７が連結してある。ケース本体１の周側壁には、テープ引出具７を引き出し操作するテープ引出口４が開口してある。テープ引出口４に臨むケース本体１の上壁内面と底壁内面とに、テープ引出具７の上下両端に設けた係合軸部１１を受け止める軸受部１５がそれぞれ設けられている。そのうえで各軸受部１５に、図１に示すごとく係合軸部１１の外面に外接して、係合軸部１１を軸受部１５と協同して位置決め保持する係合ピース１６をそれぞれ配置したものである。
【０００９】
係合ピース１６は、図４に示すごとく係合軸部１１の軸端面を受け止める第１腕２７と、係合軸部１１の軸周面を受け止める第２腕２８とを含む、金属板製のプレス成形品で形成することができる。
【００１０】
上下一対の係合ピース１６・１６の第１腕２７・２７の上下間隔は、テープ引出具７の上下長より僅かに小さく設定する。そのうえで、両第１腕２７・２７の少なくともいずれか一方を上下方向へ弾性変形可能に設けて、その遊端にテープ引出具７用の導入案内面３２を斜めに形成することができる。
【００１１】
第２腕２８と係合軸部１１との間には、図８および図９に示すごとく係合軸部１１の周面を受け止める位置規制用の第３腕３５を第１腕２７と一体に設けることができる。
【００１２】
第２腕２８の外面側に臨んで、第２腕２８の過剰変形を阻止するためのストッパー突起３３が、上下ケース１ａ・１ｂと一体に形成してある。
【００１３】
【作用および発明の効果】
テープ引出具７をピン状に形成し、その上下の係合軸部１１をケース本体１の内面上下に設けた軸受部１５と係合ピース１６とで位置決め保持するので、従来形式に比べて、テープ引出具７を確りと、しかも高い位置精度で待機保持できる。さらに、係合ピース１６は弾性材で形成してあって、待機保持状態において係合軸部１１の外面と接当して係合軸部１１が軸受部１５から抜け出るのを阻止する。従って、落下衝撃を受けてテープ引出具７が動くような場合にも、係合ピース１６の弾性によって衝撃を吸収し、テープ引出具７を元の待機位置へと戻すことができる。従って、本発明のテープカートリッジによれば、不使用のテープ引出具７を常に適性位置に待機保持して、その捕捉操作および引き出し操作を確実に行え、従来のテープカートリッジに比べて使用時の信頼性を向上できる。
【００１４】
係合ピース１６をプレス成形品で形成し、第１腕２７で上下の係合軸部１１の軸端面を受け止め、第２腕２８と軸受部１５とで係合軸部１１の軸周面を協同して受け止める保持構造によれば、テープ引出具７を前後、左右、上下にそれぞれ位置決めして、待機状態に保持したテープ引出具７の位置精度を向上できる。さらに、係合軸部１１の軸端面を第１腕２７で受け止めるので、テープ引出具７の出し入れ時に軸受面が削られるのを阻止でき、従って軸受面が削られて生じるプラスチック粉末を原因とするノイズや信号欠落等のトラブルを一掃し、その分だけテープカートリッジの信号読み書き上の信頼性を向上できる。長期使用時にテープ引出具７の上下方向の位置が徐々にずれることも阻止できる。
【００１５】
上下一対の第１腕２７・２７でテープ引出具７の上下端面を弾性的に保持する待機保持構造によれば、例えばテープ引出具７を一方の第１腕２７の弾性で他方の第１腕２７に押し付けて、テープ引出具７を常に一定の上下位置に位置保持できるので、待機保持状態におけるテープ引出具７の位置精度がさらに向上する。テープ引出具７を押し付け操作する第１腕２７に設けた導入案内面３２は、テープ引出具７を軸受部１５の側へ引き込み収納する際に、係合軸部１１が第１腕２７へ乗り上がるのを容易化するために設けられている。
【００１６】
第２腕２８は軸受部１５と協同して係合軸部１１を挟み保持し、テープ引出具７を前後左右に位置決めするが、テープ引出具７の出し入れ時や落下衝撃を受けた場合に、片持ち支持した第２腕２８に過大な外力が作用して塑性変形する恐れがある。こうした第２腕２８の機能不全を避け、テープ引出具７を常に適性位置に待機保持するために、第２腕２８とは別に第３腕３５を設け、係合軸部１１を第３腕３５で受け止めることにより、第２腕２８の変形を防止している。この場合の第２腕２８は主として係合軸部１１を抜け止め保持する作用を発揮する。第３腕３５を第１腕２７と一体に設けるのは、片持ち状に突設される第３腕３５の突出寸法をできるだけ小さくし、その変形応力を第２腕２８に比べて十分に大きく設定するためである。
【００１７】
上下ケース１ａ・１ｂの内面に設けたストッパー突起３３は、テープ引出具７を出し入れする際に、拡開状に変形した第２腕２８の一部を受け止めて、第２腕２８が弾性限界を越えて塑性変形するのを阻止する。このように、第３腕３５やストッパー突起３３を付加した構造によれば、落下衝撃等の大きな外力がテープ引出具７に作用する場合にも、第２腕２８の過剰変形を確実に阻止して、不使用時のテープ引出具７を適性に位置保持できることになる。
【００１８】
【実施例】
図１ないし図７は本発明に係る単リール型の磁気テープカートリッジの実施例を示す。図２において磁気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を有し、ケース本体１の内部に配置した１個のリール２にテープ３が巻装されている。ケース本体１の前側壁の一側端には、テープ引出口４を設けてあり、これをスライド自在な蓋５で開閉できるようにしてある。蓋５はばねで閉じ勝手に移動付勢されている。
【００１９】
リール２に巻装したテープ３をケース外へ引き出し操作するために、テープ３の繰り出し端にテープ引出具７を連結する。図６においてテープ引出具７は、ステンレス鋼等の剛性を有する金属材を素材とするピン状の旋削加工品からなり、その上下高さの大半を小径の連結軸部８が占め、連結軸部８の上下にそれぞれフランジ状の薄い区分壁９が張り出し形成されている。区分壁９の上下には操作軸部１０と係合軸部１１とを一体に形成する。操作軸部１０は連結軸部８と同径に形成し、係合軸部１１は区分壁９の直径寸法と一致させる。連結軸部８にテープ３の端部を輪奈状に巻き付け、輪奈部の外面に断面Ｃ字形の緩衝体１２を外嵌し、更に緩衝体１２に金属薄板で形成した断面Ｃ字形のクランプ１３を外嵌することにより、テープ引出具７をテープ３に連結している。緩衝体１２は、クランプ１３の周方向端縁にテープ３が接当して千切れるのを防ぐために介装する。
【００２０】
不使用時のテープ引出具７を、テープ引出口４のケース内方において直立姿勢で位置決め保持するために、上ケース１ａの上壁内面と下ケース１ｂの底壁内面とに、それぞれ先の係合軸部１１を受け止める軸受部１５を設け、さらに係合軸部１１を位置決め保持する係合ピース１６が各軸受部１５に設けられている。
【００２１】
図４において下ケース１ｂ側の軸受部１５は、底壁内面に前後に長い凹み１８を設け、この凹み１８の前端に逆Ｌ字の受リブ１９を突設し、受リブ１９と底壁前縁との間にガイド面２０が設けられている。ガイド面２０は上面側から見て前拡がり状に形成してあり、その前端は丸い曲面に形成されている。受リブ１９は前後方向に長い第１リブ１９ａと、第１リブ１９ａの後端からケース側壁へ向って延びる左右方向に長い第２リブ１９ｂとからなり、第２リブ１９ｂの中途部に後述する第１腕２７用の逃げ溝２１を設ける。この逃げ溝２１に隣接する両隅を部分円弧状に切り欠いて、係合軸部１１の周面を受け止める受面２２とする。これら一対の受面２２と第１リブ１９ａの受面２３との３個所で係合軸部１１を受け止めて位置決めする。第２リブ１９ｂより後ろ側の凹み１８の中央には、係合ピース１６を溶着固定するためのピン２４が突設してある。
【００２２】
係合ピース１６は、ステンレス板材やばね板材等の弾性金属板を素材とするプレス成形品からなり、四角形状の取付部２６の前部に、係合軸部１１の軸端面を受け止める第１腕２７と、係合軸部１１の軸周面を受け止める第２腕２８とを一体に形成してなる。第１腕２７は、板ばね状に形成してあり、その中途部に先の第２リブ１９ｂの逃げ溝２１を乗り越える迂回部２９をコ字状に折り曲げ、迂回部２９の後ろ側の立壁から第２腕２８を前方に向けて片持ち状に連出する。第２腕２８の前端側には、係合軸部１１の周面に外接する部分円弧状の押圧部３０を設け、さらに最先端にケース側壁の側へ傾くガイド部３１を連続して折り曲げる。
【００２３】
取付部２６の板面中央に設けた穴を前記ピン２４に外嵌した後、ピン２４の突端を溶融し拡径変形させることにより、係合ピース１６を底壁に固定する。この取付状態において、第１腕２７の先端寄り部は逃げ溝２１より前側の凹みに密着して、ガイド面２０と面一状になっている（図５参照）。第２腕２８は、第２リブ１９ｂの側端に沿って前方へ突出し、押圧部３０が第１リブ１９ａと左右で向き合っている。自由状態における押圧部３０の前端曲屈部と第１リブ１９ａとの対向間隔は、係合軸部１１の直径寸法より小さい。従って、図７に示すようにテープ引出具７を軸受部１５内へ収納したとき、係合軸部１１はガイド部３１を外拡がり状に押し除けながら潜り抜けて、押圧部３０で弾性的に接当保持される。つまり、受リブ１９に設けた３個所の受面２２・２３と、押圧部３０とが協同して係合軸部１１を位置決め保持する。
【００２４】
上ケース１ａ側の軸受部１５は、下ケース１ｂ側の軸受部１５と上下対称に形成する。係合ピース１６も下ケース１ｂ側の係合ピース１６と基本的に上下対称に形成するが、一部構造が異なる。詳しくは、図４に示すように第１腕２７の突端をケース上壁の側へ斜めに折り曲げて、腕前端に導入案内面３２を設ける。この係合ピース１６を上ケース１ａ側の軸受部１５に配置し、その取付部２６をピン２４で抜け外れ不能に固定した状態において、導入案内面３２の突端が図５に示すように逃げ溝２１より前側の凹みと接当して、係合軸部１１の軸端面を受け止める第１腕２７の受壁２７ａは、先の凹みから浮き離れしている。受壁２７ａの厚み方向への弾性変形を許すためである。
【００２５】
自由状態における上下一対の第１腕２７の上下間隔は、テープ引出具７の上下長より僅かに小さく寸法設定してある。従って、テープ引出具７を待機位置へ収納したとき、上側の係合軸部１１は上側の第１腕２７の受壁２７ａを僅かに押し上げ変形させて、上下の軸受部１５内に保持される。つまりテープ引出具７は上側の第１腕２７で下向きに押し下げ操作されており、常に下側の第１腕２７によって規定される上下位置に位置保持される。
【００２６】
上記のように、第２腕２８はテープ引出具７の出し入れ時に、ケース側壁へ近付く向きに弾性変形するが、何等かの原因で第２腕２８に過大な拡開力が作用すると、その一部が塑性変形して係合軸部１１をがた付きなく保持することができなくなる。こうした第２腕２８の過剰変形を防ぐために、その拡開変形する側にストッパー突起３３が設けられている。
【００２７】
テープドライブに磁気テープカートリッジを装填すると、蓋５が開き操作されてテープ引出口４を開放する。同時にリール２の遊転を阻止していたリールロックが解除される。この状態でテープドライブ側の捕捉具がテープ引出口４からケース内へ進入し、テープ引出具７の上下の操作軸部１０を捕捉係合して、テープ引出具７を介してテープ３を引き出し、テープドライブ側の巻き取りリールにテープ引出具７を引き渡す。テープ３に対するデータの記録あるいは読み込みが終了したら、テープ３はリール２に巻き戻される。テープ引出具７は係合ピース１６と軸受部１５とに再び係合捕捉されて、待機状態に位置決め保持される。
【００２８】
図８および図９は、テープ引出具７の捕捉構造を一部変更した本発明の別実施例を示す。主な変更点は、軸受部１５の受リブ１９が、上記の実施例における受リブを左右反転した状態で設けてあること、これに伴って第２腕２８がケース側壁と対向するように迂回部２９の左側縁から連出してあること、さらに第２腕２８の過剰変形を防ぐために、別に第３腕３５を設けることである。
【００２９】
第３腕３５は第１腕２７の受壁２７ａの側縁からＬ字状に折り曲げ形成してあり、その立壁３５ａが第２腕２８の第１リブ１９ａとの対向面側に位置している。この場合の立壁３５ａは第２腕２８の押圧部３０の代わりに係合軸部１１の周面を受け止めて、テープ引出具７を位置決め保持する。従って、第２腕２８は、専ら係合軸部１１の抜け出しを防ぐための部材として機能している。この別実施例においても、第２腕２８の拡開方向の過剰変形を防ぐために、第２腕２８に隣接してストッパー突起３３が設けられている。他は先の実施例と同じであるので、同じ部材に同じ符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００３０】
上記の実施例以外に、第２腕２８は第１腕２７の左右両側に一対の腕として設けることができる。第２腕２８は取付部２６と一体に折り曲げ形成することができる。必要に応じて係合ピース１６の全体をプラスチック成形品で形成してもよい。同様にテープ引出具７はプラスチック成形品にすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図３におけるＡ−Ａ線断面図である。
【図２】磁気テープカートリッジの横断平面図である。
【図３】テープ引出口の正面図である。
【図４】軸受部および係合ピースの分解斜視図である。
【図５】図３におけるＢ−Ｂ線断面図である。
【図６】テープ引出具の斜視図である。
【図７】テープ引出具の収容状態を示す図１と同等の断面図である。
【図８】本発明の別実施例を示す係合ピースおよび軸受部の内部平面図である。
【図９】図８におけるＣ−Ｃ線断面図である。
【図１０】テープ引出具の捕捉構造の比較例を示す横断平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ケース本体
２リール
３テープ
４テープ引出口
７テープ引出具
１１係合軸部
１５軸受部
１６係合ピース
２７第１腕
２８第２腕
３２導入案内面
３３ストッパー突起[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge in which a tape drawing tool is connected and fixed to a feeding end of a magnetic tape, and is an improved structure for holding a tape drawing tool when not in use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of magnetic tape cartridge (hereinafter simply referred to as a tape cartridge) is known, for example, from JP-A-11-7749. In this case, the drawing tool is formed of a plastic molded product, and the tape drawing tool in an unused state can be held on standby in a predetermined posture by a pair of protruding pieces provided in the loading pocket.
[0003]
In the above tape cartridge, the tape puller when not in use is held in a cantilevered manner by a pair of projecting pieces. For this reason, the position of the tape drawing tool held in a standby state is likely to vary slightly. Furthermore, when receiving a drop impact, there is a possibility that the tape drawing tool may fall off the protruding piece.
[0004]
In order to solve such problems, the present inventors have previously proposed a tape drawer and its holding structure as shown in FIG. 10 (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-54389). There, the tape drawing tool 40 is formed in a pin shape, and the engaging shaft portions 41 provided at the upper and lower ends thereof are engaged with a pair of bearing portions 42 and springs 43 that are recessed in the upper and bottom walls of the upper and lower cases. It can be held. In the vicinity of the bearing portion 42, a retaining wall 44 parallel to the upper wall and the bottom wall is integrally projected. The spring 43 is a torsion coil spring, and has a partial arc-shaped pressing portion 45 that is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the previous engagement shaft portion 41 at the tip of one spring arm.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above holding structure, the retaining wall 44 is formed so as to extend in parallel with the upper wall and the bottom wall of the upper and lower cases, so that the structure of the molding die for the upper case and the lower case becomes complicated, and the tape cartridge is manufactured accordingly. Cost is high. Since it is necessary to assemble one spring arm in a narrow gap between the retaining wall 44 and the upper wall (or bottom wall), the assembly is troublesome. Since the pressing portion 45 in the standby holding state circumscribes the peripheral surface of the engagement shaft portion 41 in a point contact manner, the holding position of the tape drawing tool 40 varies due to slight variations in the processed shape of the spring 43. There is a fear.
[0006]
When the tape puller 40 is stored in the standby state in the bearing portion 42, the upper and lower end surfaces of the engagement shaft portion 41 abut against the bearing portion 42 and the bearing surface is shaved, and the plastic powder generated at this time adheres to the magnetic tape. May cause noise and signal loss. When wear of the bearing surface progresses, there is a possibility that the vertical position of the tape drawing tool 40 held on standby may gradually shift.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge that can always hold and hold a tape puller when not in use in a proper position and in a proper posture so that the tape puller can be reliably captured and pulled out. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge provided with an engagement piece that can position the tape drawing tool in the front-rear and left-right directions and also in the vertical direction.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the tape cartridge of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one reel 2 around which a tape 3 is wound is disposed inside a box-shaped case body 1, and a pin-like shape is provided at the feeding end of the tape 3. The tape drawing tool 7 is connected. On the peripheral side wall of the case body 1, a tape outlet 4 for pulling out the tape drawer 7 is opened. Bearing portions 15 for receiving engagement shaft portions 11 provided at both upper and lower ends of the tape drawing tool 7 are provided on the inner surface of the upper wall and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the case body 1 facing the tape outlet 4. In addition, each bearing portion 15 is provided with an engagement piece 16 circumscribing the outer surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 and positioning and holding the engagement shaft portion 11 in cooperation with the bearing portion 15 as shown in FIG. is there.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 4, the engagement piece 16 includes a first arm 27 that receives the shaft end surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 and a second arm 28 that receives the shaft circumferential surface of the engagement shaft portion 11. It can be formed of a press-formed product.
[0010]
The vertical distance between the first arms 27 and 27 of the pair of upper and lower engagement pieces 16 and 16 is set slightly smaller than the vertical length of the tape drawing tool 7. In addition, at least one of the first arms 27 and 27 can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction, and the introduction guide surface 32 for the tape drawer 7 can be formed obliquely at the free end.
[0011]
Between the second arm 28 and the engagement shaft portion 11, a third arm 35 for position regulation for receiving the peripheral surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 is integrated with the first arm 27 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Can be provided.
[0012]
Facing the outer surface of the second arm 28, stopper protrusions 33 for preventing excessive deformation of the second arm 28 are formed integrally with the upper and lower cases 1a and 1b.
[0013]
[Operation and effect of the invention]
The tape drawing tool 7 is formed in a pin shape, and the upper and lower engagement shaft portions 11 are positioned and held by the bearing portions 15 and the engagement pieces 16 provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the case body 1. The tape drawing tool 7 can be securely held on standby with high positional accuracy. Further, the engagement piece 16 is formed of an elastic material, and comes into contact with the outer surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 in the standby holding state to prevent the engagement shaft portion 11 from coming out of the bearing portion 15. Therefore, even when the tape puller 7 moves due to a drop impact, the impact can be absorbed by the elasticity of the engagement piece 16 and the tape puller 7 can be returned to the original standby position. Therefore, according to the tape cartridge of the present invention, the unused tape draw-out tool 7 is always held in the proper position in the standby state, and the capturing operation and the pull-out operation can be reliably performed, which is more reliable in use than the conventional tape cartridge. Can be improved.
[0014]
The engagement piece 16 is formed of a press-molded product, the shaft end surface of the upper and lower engagement shaft portions 11 is received by the first arm 27, and the shaft peripheral surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 is formed by the second arm 28 and the bearing portion 15. According to the holding structure that receives in cooperation, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the tape drawing tool 7 held in the standby state by positioning the tape drawing tool 7 in the front-rear, left-right, and vertical directions. Further, since the shaft end surface of the engaging shaft portion 11 is received by the first arm 27, it is possible to prevent the bearing surface from being scraped when the tape drawing tool 7 is put in and out, and hence the plastic powder generated by scraping the bearing surface is the cause. It is possible to eliminate troubles such as noise and signal loss, and to improve the reliability of tape cartridge signal reading and writing by that amount. It is also possible to prevent the vertical position of the tape drawing tool 7 from gradually shifting during long-term use.
[0015]
According to the standby holding structure in which the upper and lower end surfaces of the tape drawing tool 7 are elastically held by the pair of upper and lower first arms 27, 27, for example, the tape drawing tool 7 is elasticated by one first arm 27 and the other first arm. 27, the tape drawing tool 7 can always be held at a certain vertical position, so that the positional accuracy of the tape drawing tool 7 in the standby holding state is further improved. The introduction guide surface 32 provided on the first arm 27 that presses the tape drawing tool 7 is engaged with the engagement shaft portion 11 on the first arm 27 when the tape drawing tool 7 is drawn into the bearing portion 15 and stored. It is provided to make it easier to go up.
[0016]
The second arm 28 cooperates with the bearing portion 15 to sandwich and hold the engaging shaft portion 11 and positions the tape pull-out tool 7 in the front-rear and left-right directions. An excessive external force may act on the second arm 28 that is cantilevered to cause plastic deformation. In order to avoid such a malfunction of the second arm 28 and to always hold the tape drawing tool 7 in the proper position, the third arm 35 is provided separately from the second arm 28, and the engagement shaft portion 11 is connected to the third arm 35. The second arm 28 is prevented from being deformed by being received by. In this case, the second arm 28 mainly exerts an action of retaining and holding the engagement shaft portion 11. The third arm 35 is provided integrally with the first arm 27 because the projecting dimension of the third arm 35 projecting in a cantilever manner is made as small as possible, and its deformation stress is sufficiently larger than that of the second arm 28. This is for setting.
[0017]
The stopper projections 33 provided on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower cases 1a and 1b receive a part of the second arm 28 deformed in an expanded shape when the tape drawer 7 is inserted and removed, and the second arm 28 has an elastic limit. Prevents plastic deformation beyond. As described above, according to the structure in which the third arm 35 and the stopper projection 33 are added, even when a large external force such as a drop impact acts on the tape drawing tool 7, the excessive deformation of the second arm 28 is surely prevented. Thus, the tape drawing tool 7 when not in use can be appropriately held.
[0018]
【Example】
1 to 7 show an embodiment of a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the magnetic tape cartridge has a rectangular box-shaped case body 1 formed by joining upper and lower cases 1 a and 1 b in a cover-like manner, and the tape 3 is attached to one reel 2 arranged inside the case body 1. It is wound. A tape outlet 4 is provided at one side end of the front side wall of the case body 1 so that it can be opened and closed with a slidable lid 5. The lid 5 is closed by a spring and is urged to move.
[0019]
In order to pull out the tape 3 wound around the reel 2 out of the case, a tape drawing tool 7 is connected to the feeding end of the tape 3. In FIG. 6, the tape drawing tool 7 is made of a pin-shaped turned product made of a metal material having rigidity such as stainless steel, and a small-diameter connecting shaft portion 8 occupies most of the vertical height thereof. On the upper and lower sides of 8, a thin section wall 9 having a flange shape is formed so as to protrude. An operation shaft portion 10 and an engagement shaft portion 11 are integrally formed above and below the partition wall 9. The operation shaft portion 10 is formed to have the same diameter as the connection shaft portion 8, and the engagement shaft portion 11 is made to coincide with the diameter dimension of the partition wall 9. The end of the tape 3 is wound around the connecting shaft portion 8 in a wrinkle shape, a C-shaped shock absorber 12 is externally fitted to the outer surface of the wrinkle portion, and a C-shaped cross section clamp formed by a thin metal plate on the shock absorber 12 The tape drawing tool 7 is connected to the tape 3 by externally fitting 13. The buffer body 12 is interposed in order to prevent the tape 3 from coming into contact with the circumferential edge of the clamp 13 and breaking.
[0020]
In order to position and hold the tape drawer 7 when not in use in an upright posture inside the case of the tape outlet 4, the upper wall inner surface of the upper case 1a and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the lower case 1b respectively A bearing portion 15 that receives the combined shaft portion 11 is provided, and an engagement piece 16 that positions and holds the engaging shaft portion 11 is provided in each bearing portion 15.
[0021]
In FIG. 4, the bearing portion 15 on the lower case 1 b side is provided with a long recess 18 on the inner surface of the bottom wall, and an inverted L-shaped receiving rib 19 is projected at the front end of the recess 18. A guide surface 20 is provided between the edges. The guide surface 20 is formed in a front-expanded shape when viewed from the upper surface side, and the front end thereof is formed in a round curved surface. The receiving rib 19 includes a first rib 19a that is long in the front-rear direction, and a second rib 19b that is long in the left-right direction extending from the rear end of the first rib 19a toward the case side wall, and will be described later in the middle of the second rib 19b. A relief groove 21 for the first arm 27 is provided. Both corners adjacent to the escape groove 21 are notched in a partial arc shape to form a receiving surface 22 for receiving the peripheral surface of the engagement shaft portion 11. The engagement shaft portion 11 is received and positioned at three locations of the pair of receiving surfaces 22 and the receiving surface 23 of the first rib 19a. A pin 24 for welding and fixing the engagement piece 16 protrudes from the center of the recess 18 behind the second rib 19b.
[0022]
The engagement piece 16 is made of a press-molded product made of an elastic metal plate such as a stainless steel plate or a spring plate, and a first arm that receives the shaft end surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 at the front portion of the rectangular mounting portion 26. 27 and the second arm 28 for receiving the shaft peripheral surface of the engaging shaft portion 11 are integrally formed. The first arm 27 is formed in the shape of a leaf spring, and a detour portion 29 that gets over the escape groove 21 of the second rib 19b is bent in a U shape in the middle of the first arm 27 from the standing wall on the rear side of the detour portion 29 The second arm 28 is cantilevered with the second arm 28 facing forward. On the front end side of the second arm 28, a partial arc-shaped pressing portion 30 circumscribing the peripheral surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 is provided, and a guide portion 31 that is inclined to the side of the case side wall at the forefront is continuously bent.
[0023]
After the hole provided in the center of the plate surface of the mounting portion 26 is externally fitted to the pin 24, the engaging piece 16 is fixed to the bottom wall by melting and expanding the protruding end of the pin 24. In this attached state, the distal end portion of the first arm 27 is in close contact with the recess in front of the escape groove 21 and is flush with the guide surface 20 (see FIG. 5). The second arm 28 protrudes forward along the side edge of the second rib 19b, and the pressing portion 30 faces the first rib 19a on the left and right. The distance between the front end bent portion of the pressing portion 30 and the first rib 19 a in the free state is smaller than the diameter dimension of the engagement shaft portion 11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the tape drawer 7 is housed in the bearing portion 15, the engaging shaft portion 11 is pulled out while pushing the guide portion 31 outwardly, and is elastically moved by the pressing portion 30. Holds a win. That is, the three receiving surfaces 22 and 23 provided on the receiving rib 19 and the pressing portion 30 cooperate to position and hold the engaging shaft portion 11.
[0024]
The bearing portion 15 on the upper case 1a side is formed symmetrically with the bearing portion 15 on the lower case 1b side. The engagement piece 16 is also basically symmetrical with the engagement piece 16 on the lower case 1b side, but a part of the structure is different. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the leading end of the first arm 27 is obliquely bent toward the case upper wall, and an introduction guide surface 32 is provided at the front end of the arm. In a state where the engaging piece 16 is arranged on the bearing portion 15 on the upper case 1a side and the mounting portion 26 is fixed so as not to be detached by the pin 24, the protruding end of the introduction guide surface 32 is a relief groove as shown in FIG. The receiving wall 27a of the first arm 27 that receives the shaft end surface of the engagement shaft portion 11 in contact with the recess on the front side of the shaft 21 floats away from the previous recess. This is to allow elastic deformation of the receiving wall 27a in the thickness direction.
[0025]
The vertical distance between the pair of upper and lower first arms 27 in the free state is set slightly smaller than the vertical length of the tape drawing tool 7. Accordingly, when the tape drawing tool 7 is stored in the standby position, the upper engaging shaft portion 11 slightly pushes up the receiving wall 27a of the upper first arm 27 and is held in the upper and lower bearing portions 15. . That is, the tape drawing tool 7 is pushed downward by the upper first arm 27 and is always held at the vertical position defined by the lower first arm 27.
[0026]
As described above, the second arm 28 is elastically deformed so as to approach the side wall of the case when the tape drawer 7 is put in and out. However, if an excessive expansion force acts on the second arm 28 for some reason, the second arm 28 is The portion is plastically deformed, and the engagement shaft portion 11 cannot be held without rattling. In order to prevent such excessive deformation of the second arm 28, a stopper projection 33 is provided on the side where the second arm 28 is expanded and deformed.
[0027]
When the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the tape drive, the lid 5 is opened and the tape outlet 4 is opened. At the same time, the reel lock that has prevented the reel 2 from rotating is released. In this state, the trapping device on the tape drive side enters the case from the tape outlet 4, engages and engages the upper and lower operation shafts 10 of the tape drawer 7, and pulls out the tape 3 through the tape drawer 7. Then, the tape drawing tool 7 is delivered to the take-up reel on the tape drive side. When the recording or reading of data on the tape 3 is completed, the tape 3 is rewound onto the reel 2. The tape drawing tool 7 is again engaged and captured by the engagement piece 16 and the bearing portion 15, and is positioned and held in a standby state.
[0028]
8 and 9 show another embodiment of the present invention in which the trapping structure of the tape drawing tool 7 is partially changed. The main change is that the receiving rib 19 of the bearing portion 15 is provided in a state where the receiving rib in the above embodiment is reversed left and right, and accordingly, the second arm 28 is detoured so as to face the case side wall. In order to prevent the second arm 28 from being excessively deformed, a third arm 35 is separately provided.
[0029]
The third arm 35 is formed to be bent in an L shape from the side edge of the receiving wall 27a of the first arm 27, and the standing wall 35a is located on the side facing the first rib 19a of the second arm 28. . In this case, the standing wall 35 a receives the peripheral surface of the engaging shaft portion 11 instead of the pressing portion 30 of the second arm 28, and positions and holds the tape drawing tool 7. Accordingly, the second arm 28 functions exclusively as a member for preventing the engagement shaft portion 11 from coming off. Also in this alternative embodiment, a stopper projection 33 is provided adjacent to the second arm 28 in order to prevent excessive deformation of the second arm 28 in the expanding direction. Since others are the same as the previous embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same members, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0030]
In addition to the above embodiment, the second arm 28 can be provided as a pair of arms on the left and right sides of the first arm 27. The second arm 28 can be bent and formed integrally with the attachment portion 26. If necessary, the entire engagement piece 16 may be formed of a plastic molded product. Similarly, the tape drawing tool 7 can be a plastic molded product.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of a magnetic tape cartridge.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the tape outlet.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a bearing portion and an engagement piece.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tape drawing tool.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view equivalent to FIG. 1 showing the accommodated state of the tape drawer.
FIG. 8 is an internal plan view of an engagement piece and a bearing portion showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a comparative example of a tape puller capturing structure.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case main body 2 Reel 3 Tape 4 Tape drawing outlet 7 Tape drawing tool 11 Engagement shaft part 15 Bearing part 16 Engagement piece 27 1st arm 28 2nd arm 32 Introduction guide surface 33 Stopper protrusion

Claims

Inside the box-shaped case main body (1), one reel (2) wound with a tape (3) is disposed, and a pin-shaped tape drawer (7) is provided at the feeding end of the tape (3). Are connected,
A magnetic tape cartridge in which a tape outlet (4) for pulling out the tape drawer (7) is opened on the peripheral side wall of the case body (1),
A bearing portion (15) for receiving engagement shaft portions (11) provided at both upper and lower ends of the tape drawing tool (7) on the inner surface of the upper wall and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the case body (1) facing the tape outlet (4). Are provided,
Each bearing portion (15) is provided with a receiving rib (19), and an engagement piece (16) made of a metal plate press-molded product is disposed,
The engagement piece (16) includes a first arm (27) formed in a plate shape and a second arm (28) which is extended in a cantilever shape and faces the receiving rib (19). Is formed as one piece,
When the tape drawer (7) is stored, the first arm (27) receives the shaft end surface of the engagement shaft portion (11), and the receiving surfaces (22, 23) provided on the receiving rib (19), The single-reel type magnetic tape cartridge, wherein the two arms (28) receive the shaft peripheral surface of the engagement shaft portion (11) and the engagement shaft portion (11) is positioned and held .

The vertical distance between the first arms (27, 27) of the pair of upper and lower engagement pieces (16, 16) is set slightly smaller than the vertical length of the tape drawer (7),
At least one of the first arms (27, 27) is provided so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction, and an introduction guide surface (32) for the tape drawer (7) is formed obliquely at the free end thereof. The single reel type magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1.

Between the second arm (28) and the engagement shaft portion (11), a third arm (35) for position regulation that receives the peripheral surface of the engagement shaft portion (11) is integrated with the first arm (27). 2. The single reel type magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein

Faces the outer surface side of the second arm (28), a stopper protrusion that prevents excessive deformation of the second arm (28) (33), according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower cases (1a · 1b) are formed integrally Single reel type magnetic tape cartridge .