JPH01204282A - Self-locking type hub assembly for compact audio tape cassette and method of assembling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To effectively carry out assembly at a low cost and a sure operation by providing two movable parts and a locking member with a spring device so that the two movable parts are engaged with a receptor device to lock a hub and a tape, and are released from the receptor by pressing them. CONSTITUTION: Spring arms 82, 84 press abutting parts 92, 94 and engaging parts 93, 95 inwardly so that the engaging parts 93, 95 are received by two opposing receptor parts 122 in the rising annular ring 118 of the cover 64. As a result, a hug 68 is prevented from rotating, with a mistake avoided in winding a tape. In the meantime, with a tape cassette 62 inserted in a tape player/ recorder, its finned sprindle 124 comes into contact with and presses against the movable abutting parts 92, 94; therefore, the engaging parts 93, 95 connected functionally to the abutting part also resist against the pressing force of the spring arms 82, 84, and move outside in the radius direction to form an unlocking position. Consequently, the assembly is made possible by an effective and simple method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a compact audio tape cassette, and more particularly, to a compact audio tape cassette, and more particularly to a compact audio tape cassette that prevents tape wrapping errors during recording when the tape cassette is not engaged with a tape player/recorder. A self-locking hub assembly for a tape cassette.

[Conventional technology]

Conventional compact audio tape cassettes have two hubs onto which the tape is wound for feeding and storage during operation. The hub is located between the tape cassette cover and the base and includes radially paired rising annular rings on the cover and base that engage recessed rings on the top and bottom surfaces of each hub. Formed on the inner surface. When engaged with a tape player/recorder, its finned spindle enters the center of the hub and cooperates with spokes formed in the center of the hub to enable clockwise or counterclockwise drive of the hub.

Due to industrial tolerances, the spindles of one manufacturer's tape player/recorder may vary in relative position by approximately 0.8 mm (1/32 inch) (closer together) than those of another manufacturer. or away). Therefore, a gap must be provided between the recessed ring formed on the hub and the rising annular ring formed on the tape cassette cover and base. Because of this narrow gap, when the tape cassette is removed from the tape player/recorder, the hub will be free to rotate, resulting in a "wrapping error".
Therefore, the tape circulates inside the tape cassette. Such wrapping errors are undesirable because they damage the tape and cause immobility.

To prevent winding errors, manufacturers of compact audio tape cassettes, an example of which is shown generally by the number IO in FIG.
A separate elongated clip 12 with vertical hooks 14 and 16 at its distal ends is manually inserted into the central portion 18.20 of the clip. The clip 12 is relatively simple and inexpensive, and there is little difficulty in attaching it after the tape cassette 10 has been assembled. Therefore, such a clip 12
is widespread in the compact audio tape cassette industry. Unfortunately, however, rewrapping errors occur during handling that ultimately result in the consumer ceasing to wear the clip 12.

Efforts are being made to prevent wrapping errors in industries other than compact audio tape cassettes. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3.066 by BAUER,
No. 880 describes a self-locking hub assembly for a single reel tape cart rigging machine, which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In particular, an axially and radially extending slot 30 is formed within the hub 32 for receiving a movable member 34 to releasably connect the hub 32 to the cartridge 36. slot 30 for angular movement relative to the plane of hub 32;
A movable member 34 is pivotally mounted on a pin 38 that extends beyond. The movable member 34 has a plurality of radially extending slots 46 formed in the inner wall of the cartridge portion 44.
a detent 4 which is normally forced upwardly by a spring 42 towards a cartridge part 44 to be received in one of the
has 0. Correspondingly, the movable member has a driving portion 48 extendable inwardly from the inner wall 50 of the hub 32. When the cartridge 36 is engaged with a tape player/recorder (not shown), its spindle 52 causes the movable member 34 to rotate, the prime mover 48 to move outwardly, and the tape (not shown) to be controlled by the spindle 52. The hub 34 is released from the cartridge 36 so that it can be supplied and picked up by the user.

The self-locking hub assembly described in U.S. Pat. Not suitable for audio tape cassettes. Because said patent No. 3.066,
No. 880 has been available for about 25 years, and compact audio tape cassettes have been available for at least 20 years (US Pat. No. 3.394.899 by SCHOENl, IAKER3). No. 3,066,880 has been successfully incorporated. The reason is shown below.

First, No. 3.066, 880 self 0 Tsuku expression/'
The pivoting characteristics of the tape assembly only work here when inserting a single reel tape cartridge into a tape player/recorder in one direction as shown in FIG. If you attempt to insert a single reel tape cartridge 36 in both directions,
The movable member 34 will be in fixed contact with the spindle 52, and the cartridge 36 will be inserted into the tape player/recorder.
(You will not be able to insert it.

The curved blade, compact audio tape cassette is intentionally designed to be reversible. That is, it is inserted into the tape player/recorder from two different directions, using both "sides" or "tracks" of the tape, starting from the top or starting from the bottom. Therefore, patent No. 3.066, 88 is applied to compact audio tape cassettes.
When using the No. 0 self-locking hub assembly, the hub can be locked if the cassette is not engaged with the tape player/recorder, but if inserted in the second direction/S
It becomes impossible to unlock the disc or operate the tape cassette.

Second, the self-locking hub described in the '880 patent includes at least one opening 46 and a movable member 3.
4, pivot pin 38, and spring 42 require sufficient vertical space within the cartridge. Furthermore, the movable member 34 requires sufficient clearance to pivot up and down during operation. Compact audio tape cassettes have limited space. For example, a self-locking hub assembly may only allow approximately 4 mm to 4.2 mm (15 mm).
5/1000 to 165/1000 inch).

Therefore, it is not possible to incorporate several types of components into a compact audio tape cassette, and Patent No. 3.066
, 880, the pivoting and angular movements required by the self-locking hub assembly of the '880 patent are not possible. Furthermore, Patent No. 3.066,
With respect to the limitation of insertion in only one direction with the '880 device, if it were attempted to pivot the movable member 34 in both directions to allow insertion of the cassette either top or bottom first; This requires more parts and more space than a compact audio tape cassette can accommodate.

Third, because the self-locking hub retractor of Patent No. 3.066,880 for compact audio tape cassettes is a relatively complex assembly, quick, easy, and inexpensive mass production is critical. This means that the most important feature of compact audio tape cassette manufacturing, which is a compact audio tape cassette, will not be utilized.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Regarding the foregoing, a self-locking hub assembly for compact audio tape cassettes prevents rotation of the hub whenever the cassette is not engaged with the tape player/recorder, yet prevents the cassette from being placed inside the tape player/recorder. It would be desirable to have a more efficient and simpler method of assembly, which would easily release the hub when inserted in either direction. A faster and easier method of assembling a self-locking hub assembly is also desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a self-locking hub assembly for a compact audio tape cassette that is inexpensive, efficient to manufacture and assemble, and reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to minimize space requirements and to allow for insertion of a cassette into a tape player/recorder in directions greater than or equal to (1), allowing for actuation movement only parallel to the plane of the hub. To provide a self-locking hub assembly for a compact audio tape cassette.

Still another object of the present invention is that the cassette is used in a tape player/
Self-locking system for compact audio tape cassettes that easily locks the hub from rotation when removed from the recorder and easily releases the hub when inserted into the tape player/recorder in either of two directions. A hub assembly is provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-locking hub assembly for a compact audio tape cassette that can be effectively incorporated into a tape cassette without undesirably affecting normal operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact audio tape cassette having a self-locking hub assembly that is automatically operable without assistance from the user of the tape cassette.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of assembling a self-locking hub assembly for compact audio tape cassettes, which is characterized by faster, more accurate, easier automatic operation and less cost than those of the prior art. It is.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to carry out the above and other objects of the present invention, an internal self-locking hub assembly for a compact audio tape cassette is provided having two movable parts and a locking member with a spring device. The tape cassette has a receiving device formed within its rising annular ring. The tape cassette detaches from the tape player/recorder.
The spring device then typically forces the two moving parts radially inward parallel to the plane of the hub so that the two moving parts engage the receiving device and prevent the hub and tape from rotating. lock it like so. On the other hand, when a tape cassette engages a tape player/recorder from either of two directions,
The tape player/recorder spindle is located in the center of the hub.
The two people come into contact and push the two movable parts against the force of the spring device, which causes the two movable parts to disengage from the receiving device and the hub to rotate normally.

The method according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a locking member having two movable parts, a spring device and a positioning device; taking up the locking member; and providing a mounting device corresponding to the positioning device. advancing the locking member toward the hub; inserting the locking member into the hub such that the locking device is received by the mounting device; The method comprises the steps of attaching a hub, forming a cassette cover with a receiving device, and positioning the cassette cover on the base such that the receiving device receives the at least one movable part.

[Function and Examples]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the pond of the invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 4-8, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Tape cassette 62: includes a cover 64 and a base 66,
Preferably, each is made of a transparent hard plastic such as styrene. Inside the cover 64 and base 66,
A first tape reel hub 68 and a second tape reel hub 7 that feed and pick up the tape 72 into the tape cassette 62
Position 0.

Each tape reel hub 68 and 70 is preferably formed from a dark colored plastic such as acetal.

Tape force 77 to accommodate tape guide 78 as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,846 (now U.S. Re.
The two covers 64 and bases 66 may each be formed with raised areas 4 and 76.

Although only a single hub is shown in FIGS. 5 and 8,
In accordance with the present invention, it will be appreciated that the two hubs in a compact audio tape cassette, as shown in FIG. 4, each have a similar construction.

Each first tape reel hub 68 is associated with a self-lengthening hub assembly 69. Similarly, each second tape reel huff 70 is associated with the same self-locking hub assembly 71 as assembly 69. Accordingly, only the self-locking hub assembly 69 will be described in detail below.

Self-locking hub assembly 69 has a fixed member 80, at least a portion of which is movable relative to hub 68. In particular, the locking member 80 has a spring device 81 in the form of two flattened angular spring arms 82, 84 extending from a central flattened portion 86 thereof.

The main portions 83 and 85 of spring arms 82 and 84 are substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, each spring arm 82 and 84 extends perpendicularly to the main portion 83.85, respectively, and terminates in a coplanar abutment 92 and 94, respectively. The engaging portions 93 and 95 that protrude upward are the abutting portions 9, respectively.
Connect with 2,94. Each spring arm 82.84 typically has a respective movable abutment 92, 94 and a cooperating engagement portion 93.9.
5 is biased radially inward with respect to the centerline 90 of the tape reel hub 68 as indicated by the arrow "towards 1" in FIG.

Optionally, each spring arm 82 and 84 also has an upright reinforcement H87, 89, respectively,
This adds stiffness and prevents it from bending upward.

Furthermore, on the top surface 87 of the center portion 860 of the locking member 80,
A reinforcing member 96 is provided and the bottom surface 99 is provided with a positioning device 98, such as a pair of parallel rectangular ribs 100 and 102.

The hub 68 is provided with a mounting device 1, such as a pair of parallel rectangular openings 106 and 108 (see FIG. 5) corresponding to a pair of rectangular ribs 100 and 102 of the positioning device 98.
It has 04. Hub 68 also has an inner annular wall 110 with two opposing openings 112, 114 formed therein for receiving abutments 92, 94, respectively. Similarly, hub 68 has an outer annular wall 116.

A raised annular ring 118 formed on the inner surface of the cover 64 of the tape cassette 62 has receiving devices 120 therein, such as a plurality of radially spaced receptacles 122 .

The operation of the invention is described below. Normally, the gating device 80 is held in the "locked" position of FIG. That is, the spring arms 82 , 84 engage gH 3 , 95 in the two opposing receptacles 12 in the rising annular ring 118 of the cover 64 .
The abutting parts 92, 94 and the engaging parts 93, 95 are urged inward so that they are received by the two. Therefore, the hub 68 is
It does not rotate, and tape wrapping errors are avoided. On the other hand, when the tape cassette 62 is inserted into the tape player/recorder of FIG. 8, the finned spindle 124 of the tape player/recorder abuts against and presses against the movable abutments 92, 94, thereby forming a functionally interlocking engagement therewith. Part 93.
95 also moves radially outward against the biasing force of spring arms 82 and 84.

As the engagement portions 93,95 move outward, they leave the receptacle 122, releasing the hub 68 from the "long" position and creating the "four-way release" position. At the long release position,
The hubs 68,70 rotate freely on the rising annular ring 118 and transport the tape while being driven by the spindle of the tape player/recorder.

4-8 also illustrate a method of assembling the invention comprising the following steps: First, the locking member 80 shown in FIGS.
, 94 and a spring device 81;
It is formed with a positioning device 98 as described above. Second, the locking member 80 is picked up by an automatic device (not shown) such as a robot arm. Third, the locking member 80 is connected to the positioning device 9 as shown in FIG.
8 advances to the tape reel hub 68 formed with the device 104.

Fourth, the locking member 80 is inserted into the hub 68 to ensure that the positioning device 98 is received by the mounting device 104. Fifth, the hub 68 is mounted within the casing 7) base 66 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. Sixth,
Cassette cover 64 is formed with receiving device 120 . Finally, the cassette cover 64 covers the receiving device 12.
0 is positioned on the base 66 to receive the engagement portions 93, 95 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8.

It is to be understood that the foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the structure and operation only shown and described, but that various modifications and variations are, of course, possible. Accordingly, all suitable variations and equivalents do not depart from the scope of the invention and the claims herein.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional compact audio tape cassette, specifically showing the use of an elongated clip with the distal hook inserted into the hub to eliminate winding errors; FIG. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a self-locking hub assembly for a single reel tape cartridge, particularly showing the cartridge removed from a tape player/recorder; FIG. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the hub assembly, specifically showing the single reel tape cartridge for engagement with a tape player/recorder; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one of the tape reels of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a top plan view of one of the tape reels of FIG. 4; and FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one of the locking members of FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the locking member taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6; and FIG. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking hub assembly. 62...Tape cassette, 64...Cover, 66.
...Base, 68...First tape reel hub, 69...
- Self-aligning hub assembly, 70... Second tape reel hub, 72... Tape, 78... Tape guide,
80... Long member, 82.84... Spring arm,
98... Positioning device, 92.94... Contact part, 1
04... Installation is the device, 112, 114... Opening,
118... Rising annular ring, 120... Receiving device.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) having at least one hub adapted to be rotated by a tape player/recorder, and also having an opposing cover and a base that are substantially coplanar, each of the at least one hub being substantially coplanar; A self-locking hub assembly for use in a tape cassette having a rising annular ring for positioning a hub, the hub comprising: (a) located on a surface of the hub and relative to the plane of the hub; (b) a receiving device formed on the ascending annular ring; (c) a locking member forming a unit with first and second parts movable in parallel planes;
) a spring device cooperating with the locking member to bias the first and second movable parts radially inwardly parallel to the plane of the hub; the spring device cooperating with the locking member; first and second spring arms respectively extending from a central portion of the locking member to the first and second movable portions, each movable at a distal end of each spring arm opposite a distal end extending from the central portion of the locking member; When the tape cassette is inserted into the tape player/recorder in either direction, the tape player/recorder
The spindle of the recorder enters and abuts the hub and moves each movable part radially outward parallel to the plane of the hub, thus avoiding engagement of each movable part with the receiving device and A self-locking hub assembly for a tape cassette, wherein the hub is rotatable by a spindle. (2) (a) a substantially planar cover; (b) parallel substantially planar portions so as to define an enclosed space and a matching substantially planar base on the cover; (c) at least one rising annular ring formed on the cassette with a receiving device formed therein; (d) positioned in the enclosed space by the at least one rising annular ring for receiving the spindle of the tape player/recorder; at least one substantially planar tape reel hub having a central opening for reeling; (e) first and second portions movable for movement in a plane parallel to the plane of the hub; a unit of locking member located on the surface; (f) typically cooperating with the locking member to urge the first and second movable parts radially inwardly, thereby
and a spring device for engaging the second movable portion with the receptacle and preventing rotation of the hub, the spring having first and second spring arms extending from a central portion of the locking member. , the first and second movable portions being formed at a distal end of each spring arm opposite a distal end extending from a central portion of the locking member, the tape cassette being inserted into the tape player/recorder in either direction; when the spindle enters and abuts the central opening of the hub and moves the first and second movable parts radially outwardly parallel to the plane of the hub, thereby removing the first and second movable parts from the receiving device. 1. A tape cassette for use in a tape player/recorder, characterized in that the first and second movable parts are removed to enable rotation of the hub by a spindle. (3) (a) In the step of forming one unit of a locking member including first and second movable parts, a spring device, and a positioning device, the spring device includes a first unit extending from a central portion of the locking member. and a second spring arm, each movable portion being formed at a distal end of each spring arm opposite a distal end extending from a central portion of the locking member; (b) positioning the locking member; (c) picking up the locking member; (d) forming a hub with an attachment device and a central opening on the outer surface corresponding to the device; (c) picking up the locking member;
(e) advancing the locking member toward the tape reel hub; (f) mounting the tape reel hub within a base of the cassette; and (g) forming a cassette cover to contain the receiving device. (h) positioning a cassette cover on the base such that the receiving device receives at least one movable part. How to assemble.