JP4198340B2 - Recording tape cartridge - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording tape cartridge in which a single reel on which a recording tape such as a magnetic tape used as a recording / reproducing medium of a computer or the like is wound is accommodated in a case.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge in which a magnetic tape used as a data recording / reproducing medium such as a computer is wound around a single reel and the reel is accommodated in a case is known. A leader member such as a leader block, a leader pin, and a leader tape is provided at the tip of the magnetic tape, and a drawing means provided on the drive device side draws the leader member out of the magnetic tape cartridge and is fixed to the magnetic member. The tape is wound around a take-up reel on the drive device side.
[0003]
In addition, a reel gear is engraved in an annular shape at the center of the bottom surface of the reel that emerges from the opening formed in the bottom surface of the magnetic tape cartridge, and the drive gear provided on the rotating shaft on the drive device side is the reel gear. The reel is configured to be rotationally driven by meshing with. Thus, by rotating the reel of the magnetic tape cartridge and the take-up reel of the drive device in synchronization, data can be recorded on the magnetic tape and data recorded on the magnetic tape can be reproduced.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the magnetic tape cartridge having such a configuration, as described above, the leader member is provided at the tip of the magnetic tape. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the leader pin 110 is held by the upper case 116 and the lower case 118 in the vicinity of the opening 108 with the upper end 112 and the lower end 114 locked, and is loaded (loaded into the drive device). 8B), as shown in FIG. 8B, the reel 100 meshes with the drive gear 120 on the drive device side and is slightly raised, so that the center height position T and the leader pin 110 center height are increased. The position S coincides with the side view, and the magnetic tape 102 is fed out in parallel to the reel 100.
[0005]
However, when not in use (when not loaded in the drive device), as shown in FIG. 8A, the upper end portion 112 and the lower end portion 114 of the leader pin 110 are locked to the upper case 116 and the lower case 118, respectively. Te, whereas the height position S of the center is unchanged, the reel 100 to be biased I toward or downward by the spring 106, the reel 100 central height position T is the leader pin 110 central It is different from the height position S, and the magnetic tape 102 is supported in an obliquely extended state.
[0006]
Accordingly, when not in use, different tensions are applied to the upper and lower side end portions (hereinafter referred to as edges) 102A of the magnetic tape 102, and the magnetic tape 102 is bent or the magnetic tape 102 is wrinkled. In addition, the magnetic tape 102 may be damaged when the edge 102A contacts and rubs against the upper flange portion 104 of the reel 100.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a recording tape cartridge that can be suitably pulled out without damaging the magnetic tape.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a recording tape cartridge according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a case in which a single reel on which a recording tape is wound is accommodated, and the recording tape provided in the case In a recording tape cartridge comprising a drawer opening and a leader pin fixed to the leading end of the recording tape and pulled out by a pulling means on the drive device side , the reel and the case are not used when the reel is not in use. It is urged downward by a spring provided between and held at a predetermined height position, and when used, it is driven to a predetermined height position against the urging force of the spring by a drive gear provided in the drive device. The leader pin is held at the same height position as the reel by the position adjusting means provided in the case when not in use. In, the engagement member provided at the drive device, in conjunction with the rise of the reel, it is characterized in that it is configured to rise to the same height as the said reel.
[0009]
The recording tape cartridge according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, the position adjusting means has a spring for urging the leader pin downward. The recording tape cartridge described in item 3 is the recording tape cartridge described in item 1, wherein the position adjusting means is a support member that suspends the leader pin. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording tape cartridge of the first aspect, the position adjusting means is a notch portion into which the leader pin is fitted with friction.
[0010]
With this configuration, the height of the reel and the leader pin can be made the same at all times, so that there is no problem that the recording tape bends or wrinkles on the recording tape, and the upper flange of the reel does not There is no problem that the side end (edge) of the recording tape is touched and damaged. Therefore, the recording tape can be pulled out suitably. Further, there is no problem that the leader pin is broken due to an impact at the time of dropping or the like.
[0011]
The recording tape cartridge according to claim 5 is the recording tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a hole for allowing the engaging member to enter the case is formed. An engaging portion is provided around the hole to engage a positioning means provided in the drive device. The recording tape cartridge according to claim 6 is the recording tape cartridge according to claim 4, wherein an engaging portion is provided around the cutout portion to engage a positioning means provided in the drive device. It is characterized by being.
[0012]
In this way, if it is configured to be positioned directly under the leader pin, it can be suitably positioned without being affected by the dimensional error of the recording tape cartridge, the leader pin can be pulled out accurately, Leader pin trajectory can be kept accurate.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on examples shown in the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the direction in which the recording tape cartridge is loaded into the drive device (the direction of the arrow P) is defined as the front direction, and the front / rear, left / right, and upper / lower directions are used as a reference. Further, a magnetic tape is employed as the recording tape, and the following description will be made as a magnetic tape cartridge. First, the overall configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge will be briefly described.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape by joining the upper case 20 and the lower case 30 made of synthetic resin with the peripheral walls 22 and 32 in contact with each other. Inside, a single reel 50 around which a magnetic tape 12 as an information recording / reproducing medium is wound is rotatably accommodated. Further, the reel 50 is biased I toward or downwardly by a spring which is provided (not shown) between the upper case 20 and the reel 50, and is vertically movable.
[0015]
Further, the front portions of the right peripheral walls (hereinafter referred to as side walls) 22A and 32A of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 are cut out into a substantially rectangular shape to form an opening 18, and the shutter member 14 that opens and closes the opening 18 has a side wall 22A. , 32A. The opening 18 is used to pull out the magnetic tape 12 wound on the reel 50 to the outside. When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is not used (not loaded in the drive device), the opening 18 is closed by the shutter member 14 and used. At the time (when loaded in the drive device), the shutter member 14 is opened, and the leader pin 40 attached to the tip of the magnetic tape 12 can be pulled out by a pulling means (not shown) on the drive device side. ing.
[0016]
The upper case 20 and the lower case 30 inside the opening 18 are provided with engaging portions 24 and 34 for locking the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40. In use, the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 are respectively engaged with the engaging portions 24 and 34 so as to stand by in the vicinity of the opening 18 while being held vertically with respect to the upper case 20 and the lower case 30. It has become.
[0017]
The leader pin 40 is formed in a substantially dumbbell shape in which the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 are bulged and formed with a larger diameter than the central portion, and the tip of the magnetic tape 12 is adhesive or the like at the central portion of the leader pin 40. It is fixed by. Further, flanges 46 and 48 are provided in the vicinity of the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40, and the flanges 46 and 48 regulate the upper and lower edges (side end portions) 12A of the magnetic tape 12. The mounting accuracy of the leader pin 40 to the magnetic tape 12 is ensured.
[0018]
Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 in the magnetic tape cartridge 10 as described above. First, the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper and lower stages 60 and 70 that contact the upper end 42 and the lower end 44 of the leader pin 40 are provided at the engaging portions 24 and 34, respectively. The pin 40 is sandwiched and fixed between the upper stage 60 and the lower stage 70.
[0019]
In the upper stage 60, the flange portion 60 </ b> C is locked to a locking protrusion 62 </ b> A provided on the lower end periphery of the concave portion 62 provided in the upper case 20 to prevent the upper stage 60 from falling off, and the bottom surface of the concave portion 62 and the upper stage 60. It is urged downward by a spring 66 provided between the back surface and the back surface. The lower stage 70 is provided in a concave portion 72 provided in the lower case 30 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. In the concave portion 72, a hole 68 into which a push-up pin 80 provided in the drive device can enter is formed. ing. A recess 64 is provided around the hole 68 on the lower surface of the lower case 30 for positioning when loaded into the drive device, and an engaging portion 80A provided at the lower portion of the push-up pin 80 is provided in the recess. 64 is engaged and positioned.
[0020]
Further, stopper walls 60B and 70B are provided on the rear side of the upper stage 60 and the lower stage 70 so as not to draw the leader pin 40 into the case more than necessary. The openings of the upper stage 60 and the lower stage 70 are provided. Tapered surfaces 60 </ b> A and 70 </ b> A are formed on the side facing the surface 18 so that the leader pin 40 is smoothly sandwiched between the upper stage 60 and the lower stage 70 when the magnetic tape 12 is rewound. .
[0021]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), when not in use (when not loaded in the drive device), the upper stage 60 is directed downward by the spring 66. by being biased it does, the leader pin 40 is urged me toward or below. And, with it, the reel 50 is also biased I toward or downward by a spring (not shown), the height position of the two central (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to height) the same as viewed from the side It has become. Therefore, as in the prior art (as shown in FIG. 8A), the magnetic tape 12 is not supported obliquely, the magnetic tape 12 is bent, or the edge 12A is rubbed against the upper flange portion 52. There are no problems such as hurting.
[0022]
When in use (when loaded in the drive device), as shown in FIG. 2B, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is lowered, so that the drive gear 76 and the push-up pin 80 are relatively opened and opened, respectively. Entering from the section 68, the reel 50 is raised to a predetermined height, and the lower stage 70 is pushed up to hold the leader pin 40 at the same height as the reel 50 against the urging force of the spring 66. Therefore, the magnetic tape 12 is not supported at an angle at this time, and no troubles are caused thereby.
[0023]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, the leader pin 40 is pulled out by pulling means (not shown) on the drive device side, but the upper stage 60 has the flange portion 60C locked by the locking protrusion 62A. , It can be lowered only to a predetermined position (a height position not touching the edge 12A of the magnetic tape 12). Therefore, the problem that the upper stage 60 rubs and damages the edge 12A of the magnetic tape 12 does not occur.
[0024]
When the magnetic tape 12 is rewound, the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40 are smoothly guided to the upper stage 60 and the lower stage 70 by the tapered surfaces 60A and 70A, and the case is formed by the stopper walls 60B and 70B. It is sandwiched and fixed between the upper stage 60 and the lower stage 70 in a state in which unnecessary pull-in is prevented.
[0025]
When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is taken out from the drive device, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is raised contrary to the above, the drive gear 76 is pulled out from the opening 54, and the push-up pin 80 is pulled out from the hole 68. but this time, the reel 50 by the biasing force of the spring is pushed me toward or downwardly therewith, the leader pin 40 is pressed I toward or downward by the urging force of the spring 66. Accordingly, the reel 50 and the leader pin 40 always move up and down while maintaining the same height, and the above-described problems do not occur at all.
[0026]
Next, a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 will be described. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the engaging portions 24 and 34 have the same diameter as the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40, or have a diameter slightly smaller than that. U-shaped cutout portions 26 and 36 are provided, and the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40 are configured to fit into the cutout portions 26 and 36 with a slight friction (resistance). The shutter member 16 at this time is fitted to the upper case 20 and the lower case 30 from the outside so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the leader pin 40 of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is not used. The dropouts 26 and 36 are prevented from falling off.
[0027]
The operation of the second embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, when not in use (when not loaded in the drive device), the upper end 42 and the lower end 44 of the leader pin 40 are The leader pin 40 is fitted and fixed to the notches 26 and 36 so that the height of the leader pin 40 is the same as that of the reel 50 in a side view. Therefore, the magnetic tape 12 is not supported obliquely as in the prior art, and no malfunctions are caused thereby.
[0028]
When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the drive device, as shown in FIG. 4B, the shutter member 16 slides backward to open the opening 18 and the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is lowered. Then, the drive gear 76 and the push-up pin 80 enter from the opening 54 and the notch 36, respectively, to raise the reel 50 by a predetermined height, and push the leader pin 40 to the same height as the reel 50. At this time, since the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40 are fitted with friction (resistance) to the notches 26 and 36, there is no problem that the leader pin 40 is detached from the notches 26 and 36. The leader pin 40 is fixed while maintaining its height.
[0029]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, the leader pin 40 is pulled out from the magnetic tape cartridge 10 by the drawing means (not shown) on the drive device side. At this time, the reel 50 and the leader pin 40 are at the same height. Since the magnetic tape 12 is held, the magnetic tape 12 is not supported at an angle as in the prior art, and no problems are caused thereby.
[0030]
When the magnetic tape 12 is rewound, as shown in FIG. 5A, the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40 are fitted and fixed to the notches 26 and 36 with the same height as the reel 50. Is done. When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is taken out from the drive device, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is raised, the drive gear 76 is extracted from the opening 54, and the reel 50 is lowered by the biasing force of the spring. As shown in FIG. 5B, the leader pin 40 is pushed down to the same height as the reel 50 by the entry from the notch portion 26 of the push-down pin 82 that descends in conjunction with the height fluctuation of the reel 50.
[0031]
At this time, since the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44 of the leader pin 40 are fitted with friction (resistance) to the notches 26 and 36, there is no problem that the leader pin 40 is detached from the notches 26 and 36. The leader pin 40 is maintained and fixed at the same height as the reel 50. After that, as shown in FIG. 5C, the push-down pin 82 is retracted upward, and the shutter member 16 slides forward to close the opening 18, so that the notch portions 26 and 36 of the leader pin 40 are removed. Dropping is prevented.
[0032]
Next, a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, support members 28 and 38 having a substantially L-shape in front view are projected inside the engaging portions 24 and 34, and the tips of the support members 28 and 38 are projected. Are provided with notches 28A and 38A having a substantially U-shape in plan view, and a hole 78 into which the push-up pin 80 can be inserted is formed in the engaging portion 34. Locking flanges 56 and 58 are provided between the upper end portion 42 and the flange 46 of the leader pin 40 and between the lower end portion 44 and the flange 48, respectively.
[0033]
The diameters of the cutout portions 28A and 38A are slightly larger than the diameter of the leader pin 40 excluding the upper end portion 42 and the lower end portion 44, and the cutout portions 28A and 38A are respectively engaged as shown in FIG. When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is not used by being fitted between the stop flanges 56 and 58 and the flanges 46 and 48, the leader pin 40 locks the locking flange 56 to the support member 28. While suspended by its own weight, the shutter member 14 is prevented from falling off from the cutout portions 28A and 38A. In this state, the reel 50 is held at the same height.
[0034]
The operation of the third embodiment will be described. First, the leader pin 40 normally (when not in use) is in a state where the upper locking flange 56 is supported by the support member 28 as shown in FIG. And is held at the same height as the reel 50. Therefore, the magnetic tape 12 is not supported obliquely as in the prior art, and no malfunctions are caused thereby.
[0035]
When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the drive device, the shutter member 14 slides rearward to open the opening 18, the push-up pin 80 enters from the hole 78, and the leader pin 40 moves along with the rise of the reel 50. Although the lower end portion 44 is pushed upward, the leader pin 40 is loosely fitted in the notches 28A and 38A, and thus rises without resistance (friction). Then, in a state where the height of the reel 50 is the same as the height of the reel 50, the reel 50 is pulled out by pulling means (not shown) on the drive device side. Therefore, the magnetic tape 12 is not supported obliquely as in the prior art, and no malfunctions are caused thereby.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 7B, when the position where the lower locking flange 58 contacts the support member 38 is set to be substantially the same as or slightly lower than the highest position of the reel 50, the leader pin when the height position of the 40 becomes the same as the height position of the reel 50, it means that the push-up pins 80 to press I or toward the locking flange 58 to the support member 38, of the drive device extraction means It is preferable that the leader pin 40 can be prevented from falling off from the support members 28 and 38 before the leader pin 40 is engaged.
[0037]
In addition, a recess 74 for positioning when loaded into the drive device is also provided around the hole 78 on the lower surface of the lower case 30, and the engaging portion 80 </ b> A provided at the lower portion of the push-up pin 80 is As the push-up pin 80 enters, the recess 74 is engaged and positioned.
[0038]
That is, as shown in the first embodiment and the third embodiment, if the concave portions 64 and 74 for positioning are provided around the lower surface of the lower case 30 that directly contacts the leader pin 40, the positioning against the drive device can be improved. The leader pin 40 can be suitably positioned without being affected by the dimensional error of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Accordingly, the leader pin 40 can be accurately pulled out, and the trajectory of the leader pin 40 in the drive device can be accurately maintained.
[0039]
The positioning recesses 64 and 74 and the engaging portion 80A are not shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 as the second embodiment, but also in the second embodiment, the first embodiment and the third embodiment. Needless to say, this is the same as the embodiment. The engaging portion 80A may be provided separately from the push-up pin 80. However, it is preferable to provide the engagement portion 80A integrally with the push-up pin 80 because the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the height of the reel and the leader pin can always be the same, there is no problem that the recording tape is bent or the recording tape is wrinkled. In addition, there is no problem that the side edge (edge) of the recording tape contacts and gets damaged. Therefore, the recording tape can be pulled out suitably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a magnetic tape cartridge as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a first embodiment of a position adjusting unit according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the position adjusting means according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the position adjusting means according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the position adjusting means according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the third embodiment of the position adjusting means according to the present invention. Explanatory diagram showing the relationship [Explanation of symbols]
10 magnetic tape cartridge 12 magnetic tape 20 upper case 26 notch 28 support member 30 lower case 36 notch 38 support member 40 leader pin 60 upper stage 62 recess 64 recess 66 spring 68 hole 70 lower stage 72 recess 74 recess 78 hole 80 Push-up pin 80A Engaging portion 82 Press-down pin

Claims (6)

A case that accommodates a single reel wound with a recording tape;
An opening for drawing out the recording tape provided in the case;
In a recording tape cartridge comprising a leader pin fixed to the leading end of the recording tape and pulled out by a pulling means on the drive device side,
When the reel is not in use, the reel is biased downward by a spring provided between the reel and the case and is held at a predetermined height position, and when in use, by a drive gear provided in the drive device, It is configured to rise to a predetermined height position against the urging force of the spring,
When not in use, the leader pin is held at the same height as the reel by position adjusting means provided in the case, and in use, the leader pin is interlocked with the rise of the reel by an engaging member provided in the drive device. The recording tape cartridge is configured to rise to the same height as the reel . The recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the position adjusting unit includes a spring that biases the leader pin downward . The recording tape cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the position adjusting unit is a support member that suspends the leader pin . 2. The recording tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the position adjusting means is a notch portion into which the leader pin is fitted with friction. A hole for allowing the engagement member to enter the case is formed, and an engagement portion for engaging a positioning means provided in the drive device is provided around the hole. The recording tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The recording tape cartridge according to claim 4, wherein an engaging portion is provided around the cutout portion to engage a positioning unit provided in the drive device.

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