JPH02270180A - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely prevent dust from entering by making a dust cover forward and backward slide along a bottom wall, opening/closing the opening under side of a pocket, and locking the backward sliding of the dust cover by means of a locking means at the time of nonuse. CONSTITUTION:A dust cover 16, which opens/closes the opening under side of a pocket 15, is loaded on a main body case 1 so as to forward/backward slide along the external side of a bottom wall 4 of the main body case 1 in a forward progressing posture to close the opening under side of a pocket 15 and in a backward regressing posture to open the opening under side of the pocket 15. In addition, a locking means 22, which locks and holds the dust cover 16 in the forward progressing posture, is provided between the main body case 1 and the dust cover 16. Thus the opening under side of the pocket 15 itself is opened/closed by forward/backward sliding, and the dust proof performance at the time of nonuse can be ensured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a tape cartridge having a tape loading pocket on the front surface of a nine-body case.

More specifically, in a tape cartridge equipped with a dust cover that prevents dust that enters from the bottom surface of the opening of the pocket from adhering to the tape portion led out to the front of the case when not in use, the bottom surface of the opening of the pocket is attached to the main body case. A dust cover that opens and closes is attached so that it can be slid back and forth along the bottom wall of the main body case.

[Conventional technology]

For video and audio tape cartridges in which the tape is pulled forward from the main body case when loaded on a deck, there is a tape loading pocket that opens at the front and bottom of the main body case and is recessed into the front of the main body case. It is set up. When not in use, a front lid is pivotally attached to the main case to cover and protect the outside of the front of the tape led out to the front of the case, further protecting the tape from dust and other objects that enter from the bottom of the opening of the pocket. It is known to attach a dust cover to the main body case.

There, when a tape cartridge is loaded into a deck,
The front lid opens upward, but the dust cover must also be able to switch from a closed position to an open position at the bottom of the pocket opening.

The problem is how to operate this dust cover.

Regarding this point, the front cover and the dust cover are formed separately, cam followers are provided at the left and right ends of the dust cover, and the cam followers are guided into cam grooves formed on the left and right sides of the pocket on the side of the main body case, On top of that, the front cover and dust cover are linked and connected separately, and when the front cover opens, the dust cover also opens upwards on the rear side of the main body case, which has been proposed for use with 8mm videos. .

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the biggest drawback is that it is extremely troublesome to assemble the dust cover and the front cover together so that they interlock with each other, especially when downsizing the tape cartridge. In addition, it is necessary to form the cam groove with high precision on the main body case side, which is disadvantageous in terms of case molding and ensuring case strength.Furthermore, it is difficult to ensure a smooth sliding effect of the cam follower in the cam groove. be. Further, there were other problems such as the dust cover contacting and interfering with the tape when the dust cover was opened and closed, and protruding significantly above the two-body case and getting in the way.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to create a structure in which the dust cover slides back and forth along the bottom wall of the main body case to open and close the bottom surface of the opening of the pocket itself, to ensure dustproofness when not in use, and to create a pocket when the deck is loaded. The objective is to obtain a tape cartridge that allows tape loading without any hindrance with the bottom surface of the cartridge in an open state.

Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the conventional complicated opening/closing mechanism that interlocks and connects the front cover and the dust cover, and to facilitate the installation of the dust cover on the outer lower surface of the bottom wall of the main body case using a simple sliding mechanism. is to obtain.

Accordingly, a further object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge that can uniquely prevent the dust cover from coming into contact with other objects and being moved in the opening direction when not in use.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the dust cover from coming into contact with the tape and interfering with it when the dust cover is opened.

To obtain a tape cartridge that does not protrude greatly outside a main body case.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention relates to a tape cartridge in which a tape loading pocket 15 is recessed in the front surface of a main body case 1.

The main body case 1 is provided with a dust cover 16 for opening and closing the opening lower surface of the pocket 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dust cover 16 extends forward along the outer lower surface of the bottom wall 4 of the main case 1 and closes the lower surface of the opening of the pocket 15.

Between the main body case 1 and the dust cover 16, the pocket 15 should be slidably mounted in the front-rear direction across the rear entry position in which the lower surface of the opening of the pocket 15 is in an open state.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a locking means 22 for locking and holding the dust cover 16 in a forwardly advanced position is required.

[Effect]

The dust cover 16 slides along the bottom wall 4 of the main case 1 in the front-rear direction. When the tape cartridge is not in use, the dust cover 16 is in the forward extended position, closing the lower surface of the opening of the dust cover 15, and in this extended position, it is locked by the locking means 22 so that it cannot be slid backward. Therefore, dust and the like will not enter from the bottom side of the pocket 15. On the other hand, when the deck is loaded, the locking means 2'2 is released and the dust cover 16 slides to the rear retracted position. The lower surface of the pocket 15 is now in an open state.

[First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, specifically an audio tape cartridge 7 of a digital recording/playback type.

In Figure 2, 1 is the main case 0 main case 1
consists of an upper case 1a and a lower case 1b made of plastic. These upper and lower cases 1a and 1b are screwed together at several locations in a way that their lids fit together.

The inside of the main body case l has hubs 3 on the left and right sides around which the tape 2 is wound. These hubs 3, 3 are rotatable over the left and right drive shaft insertion holes provided through the bottom wall 4 of the main body case 1. There are tape guide members on the front left and right sides of the main body case 1, and the tape 2 is placed on one side. A transparent window 6 is provided on the upper wall 5 of the case 1, and the amount of tape wound onto each hub 3 can be seen through this transparent window 6. Visible from the outside.

A front lid 7 is pivotally attached to the main body case 1 so that it can be opened and closed, and covers and protects the front outer side of the tape 2 led out to the front of the case when not in use.

The front M7 includes a front plate 9 that closes the front surface of the main body case 1 between the left and right sides, connecting pieces 10 extending rearward from both left and right ends of the front plate 9, and facing inner surfaces of the connecting pieces lO and 10. It is a plastic molded product having pivots 11, 11 protruding from the sides.

At the front ends of the left and right side walls 12, 12 of the main body case 1, a first
As shown in the figure, pivot holes 13, 13 are provided, and the pivot shafts 11, 11 are fitted into these pivot holes 13, 13 from the outside and are pivotally supported.

A front cover 7 is connected to the main body case 1 about a pivot 11 so as to be rotatable in opening and closing.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, front end wall portions 12a, 12a of the left and right side walls 12, 12 of the main body case 1 are recessed toward the inside of the case via the left and right connecting walls 14, 14. The front lid 7 is attached to the front end wall portions 12a, 12a.
The outer surfaces of the connecting pieces 10 and 10 are the case left and right side walls 12 and 1.
They fit flush with those of No. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a tape loading pocket 15 is recessed in the front central portion of the main body case 1. The upper surface of this pocket 15 is closed by the upper wall 5 of the upper case Ia.

The front and bottom surfaces are open. This is to allow the tape loading member on the deck side to rush into the pocket 15 from below the case, thereby making it possible to pull out the tape 2 toward the front of the case.

In FIG. 1, the main body case 1 is provided with a dust cover 16 that closes the bottom surface of the opening of the pocket 15 when not in use.

As shown in FIG.
r! i The lower case 1b is connected from the left and right ends of the main surface plate 17.
Side plates 18, 18 along the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 12, 12
It has 9 side plates on the 1st side and 18 on the left and right side walls of the case.
12 so that it can be slid forward and backward to prevent it from being pulled out downwards.

That is, with respect to the lower case 1b, the dust cover 16 is in a forwardly advanced position in which the front end 17a of the main face plate 17 closes the lower surface of the opening of the pocket 15.

It is slidable in the front and rear directions between a backward retracted position in which the lower surface of the pocket 15 is completely opened. A spring means (not shown) is provided between the main body case 1 and the dust cover 16 to slide and bias the cover 16 forward.

More specifically, the side plates 18 and 18 of the dust cover 16
is deformed laterally and outwardly, and the dust cover 1 is removed from the main body case 1.
In order to prevent 6 from falling downward, L-shaped engaging pieces 19 are connected inward from the upper end of each side plate 18 and extending from the front and back of each side plate 18, as shown in FIG. Yes, the engaging pieces 19 are connected to the left and right side walls 12 of the main body case 1.
- It engages with the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 12 through slits 20 provided in the 12 so as to be slidable back and forth.

This slit 20 is formed between the lid mating surfaces of the left and right side walls 12, 12 of the upper and lower cases 1a, 1b. Therefore, when assembling, the dust cover 16 is guided to the lower case 1b from below and temporarily assembled with the engaging pieces 19 straddling the upper ends of the left and right side walls 12, 12 of the lower case 1b, and then
It is sufficient to simply place the upper case 1a on the lower case tb.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the left and right side walls 12 of the lower case 1b
- Cutouts 21 are formed in the upper ends of the connection walls 14 provided in 12, and the two side pieces 19 of the dust cover 16 are introduced from the front through the cutouts 21 and 21. You can guide them.

Due to the existence of these notches 21.
The dust cover 16 can freely slide in the front-back direction without the dust cover 19 hitting the connecting walls 14.

Further, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a locking means 22 that locks the dust cover 16 in a forwardly advanced position so as to prevent it from sliding backward.

The locking means 22 includes a thin locking piece 2 that can be elastically deformed from the connecting wall 14 of the lower case 1b in the left-right direction.
3 extends forward in a cantilevered manner, and this lock piece 23 has a protruding engaging portion 25 at the front and rear intermediate portions of the lateral outer surface, and a pressed portion 26 having an inclined surface 26a at the front end. are provided for each. On the other hand, the side plate 1 of the dust cover 16
An engaged portion 27 (a hole in the figure) is provided at the front end of 8.

Thus, when the dust cover 16 is placed in the forwardly advanced position, the engaging portion 25 engages the engaged portion 27 in a concave and convex manner, thereby locking the backward sliding movement of the dust cover 16.

That is, when the tape cartridge is currently not in use, the front lid 7 closes the front outside of the tape 2, and the dust cover 16, which is biased to slide forward by a spring means (not shown in Figure 2), The front end 17a of the main surface plate 17 is the pocket 1
The lower surface of the opening of No. 5 is almost completely closed. The above-mentioned uneven engagement between the engaging portion 25 and the engaged portion 27 prevents the dust cover 16 on the outer surface of the case bottom wall 4 from sliding backward unexpectedly even if it comes into contact with another object. This prevents the bottom surface of the pocket 15 from becoming open.

When the tape cartridge is loaded onto the deck, the operating member 29 on the deck side comes into contact with the inclined surface 26a of the pressed portion 26, and the lock piece 23 is moved toward the front end wall portion 12a of the case side wall 12 as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. This releases the uneven engagement between the engaging part 25 and the engaged part 27, and the dust cover 16 is slid backwards and retracted by another member on the deck side, and the bottom surface of the pocket 15 is becomes completely open. Then, the front cover 7 is rotated to open upward, and the tape 2 is placed in a standby state in which it can be pulled out to the front of the case. After this, the tape loading member on the deck side is inserted into the pocket 15 from below.
He rushes in and pulls tape 2 forward.

When removing the tape cartridge from the deck, first close the front cover 7 in the opposite manner to the above, and then use the operating member 29 to move the lock piece 23 to the above-mentioned unlocked position and remove the dust cover 1.
6 returns to the forward advancing position and the first operating member 29 is released from contact with the pressed part 26, the engaging part 25 of the locking piece 23 engages with the engaged part 27 again and the dust is removed. cover 1
6 is locked so that it cannot be slid backwards.

[Another example]

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the lid mating surfaces of the left and right side walls 12, 12 of the main body case 1,
Sliding grooves 30, 30 are recessed in the front-rear direction in the center of the upper end surfaces of the left and right side walls 12, 12 on the lower case 1b side in the front-rear direction, and the portions outside of each sliding groove 30 are formed in a stepped shape. A slit 20 is formed between the upper and lower cases 1a and 1b, and the slit 2
The tips of the engaging pieces 19 connected to the upper ends of the left and right side plates 18, 18 of the dust cover 16 through the sliding grooves 30
- Fitted into 30. According to this, the upper and lower cases 1a.
In the case of 1b, the left and right side walls 12 are butted against each other at the inner side of the sliding grooves 30, 30, so that the dustproof effect can be improved.

Further, regarding the above-mentioned locking means 22, the pressed portion 26 of the locking piece 23 is omitted, and the lock is released by directly pressing the engaging portion 25 from the lateral outer side with the operating member 29 on the deck side. Furthermore, the above-mentioned engaging part 2
5 and the engaged portion 27 can be modified as necessary.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The dust cover 16 of the present invention opens and closes the lower surface of the opening of the pocket 15 by sliding forward and backward along the bottom wall 4 of the main body case 1. Therefore, when the tape cartridge is not in use, the dust cover 16 is in the extended position and almost completely closes the lower surface of the opening of the pocket 15. Moreover, although the dust cover 16 is located on the outer lower surface of the bottom wall 4 of the main case 1, the locking means 22 locks the dust cover 16 from sliding backward when not in use, so that the dust cover 16 comes into contact with other objects. Keep it in the closed position.

It is possible to reliably prevent dust from entering from the lower surface of the opening of the pocket 15. When the tape cartridge is loaded on the deck, the lock by the locking means 22 is released, the dust cover 16 slides backward, and the bottom surface of the pocket 15 is opened.

≠The tape loading member on the side of the balloon is securely attached to pocket 1.
5 can be entered from below.

Since the dust cover 16 slides back and forth along the outer lower surface of the bottom wall 4 of the main body case 1, it does not contact or interfere with the tape bus inside the main body case 1 or the tape path on the front surface of the main body case 1. .

It is also possible to perfectly prevent damage to the tape 2.

The dust cover 16 of the present invention is different from the conventional rocking type that interlocks with the front cover 7 and slides linearly in the front and back direction along the bottom wall 4 of the main body case 1. The dust cover 16 is thicker on the side (does not protrude or protrude). Therefore, when inserting and removing from the deck, no extra space is required on the deck side, and this prevents troubles such as the dust cover 16 interfering with members on the deck side. It is valid.

In addition, the dust cover 16 can be installed by guiding it from below the bottom wall 4 of the main body case 1, and it is equipped with a locking means 22 that is independent of the front cover 7, so it does not work in conjunction with the conventional front cover 7. The difference is that 1 action is reliable, the mechanism is simplified, and 9 assemblies are easy to assemble.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of a tape cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the main body case and dust cover. Figure 2 is an overall perspective view. Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional front view of the main part. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main parts showing the locking means. FIG. 5 is a new horizontal plan view of the locking means. FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of a main part corresponding to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment of the tape cartridge according to the present invention. 1... Main body case. 1a... Upper case. 1b...Lower case. 2...Tape. 4...Bottom wall of the main case. 7...Front lid. 12... Left and right side walls of the main case. 15...Pocket. 16...Dust cover. 17...Main plate. 18...Side plate. 19...Engagement piece. 20... slit. 22...Lock means. 23...Lock piece. 25...Engagement part. 26...Pressed part. 27...Engaged part. Patent applicant Hitachi Maxell Ltd. Figure 6 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A tape loading pocket (15) is recessed in the front of the main body case (1);
1) is equipped with a dust cover (16) that opens and closes the bottom surface of the opening of the pocket (15), and this dust cover (16) extends along the outer bottom surface of the bottom wall (4) of the main case (1). The pocket (15) shall be slidably mounted in the front-rear direction between a forward advancing position in which the lower opening surface of the pocket (15) is closed and a rearward retracting position in which the opening lower surface of the pocket (15) is in an open state. , A tape cartridge characterized in that a locking means (22) is provided between the main body case (1) and the dust cover (16) for locking and holding the dust cover (16) in a forwardly extended position. .