JPH04214277A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To assure the locking of a closed cap and to improve the protection and safety to a tape by providing a detaining part on the turning opening and closing type cap of the tape cassette and providing a lock member which locks the closed cap by the lock function to be detained thereto. CONSTITUTION:The lock member 10 is insert molded by using a leaf spring and a suitable resin material. This member is formed of the pawl-shaped detaining part 10a fixed to a lower case 1b, a detaining arm 10b made of an elastic material resin, a resin base plate part 10c to constitute the base of the lower arm 10b, the leaf spring 10d made of a metal, a releasing end 10e provided at the bottom end of the leaf spring 10d, a lock pawl 10f, and a lock part 10g. The lock pawl 10f is detained to the detaining part 13 to close and lock the front cap. The member 10 receives the repetitive deformation effect as the front cap opens and closes and this part is molded of the leaf spring 10d having high durability to prevent the degradation in the lock function and to improve the protection and safety to the tape.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a tape cassette used in a recording and/or reproducing device, particularly a lid that operates in the thickness direction of a case body, such as an 8 mm video tape cassette or an HDTV tape cassette. The present invention relates to a tape cassette equipped with a locking member for locking the lid closed.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known that tape cassettes have been used in recording and/or reproducing devices (hereinafter simply referred to as recording and reproducing devices) such as video tape recorders. An overview of such tape cassettes is as follows:
Generally, a supply reel and a take-up reel are disposed within a case main body formed by combining an upper half and a lower half made of plastic, and between the supply reel and the take-up reel. A magnetic tape is stretched over a predetermined path of the case body, and a front cover is provided to protect the magnetic tape located outside the case body.

[0003] It is also well known that a locking means is provided for maintaining the front cover in a closed state. For example, as proposed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-12455, a rotating lid that covers the front surface of a tape cassette to protect the tape stretched over the front surface of the tape cassette, two side walls separated from each other, and the side wall and an extension of one of the side walls and an inner surface of the side plate of the rotary lid, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tape stretched over the front surface of the tape cassette, so as to be separated from each other. a groove formed in the tape cassette; a notch provided in the lower front surface of the rotating lid corresponding to the groove position to allow the lock release member to enter the groove from the front surface of the tape cassette; and a cutout in the side wall. The tape cassette is pivotably supported and rotates in the thickness direction of the tape cassette within the groove, and has an engagement end with the rotation lid and a release end facing the front surface of the tape cassette via the notch. The unlocking member, which passes through the notch and the groove and enters from the front side of the tape cassette, normally engages with the rotating lid at the engaging end to prevent its rotation. a lid lock that rotates by moving its end into contact with the rotating lid, and releases the engagement with the rotating lid and allows the rotation;
A tape cassette has been proposed having a biasing spring biasing the lid lock into engagement with the pivoting lid.

By the way, in this tape cassette, the lid lock and the biasing spring that biases the lid lock to engage with the rotary lid are constructed as separate members, and the number of parts is large and component management is troublesome. Moreover, it is troublesome to assemble. In order to solve these problems, the applicant proposed a tape cassette in which a locking member, which has a locking function using a resilient member such as a leaf spring, is fixed to the case body. .

However, even with this proposal, problems remain. In other words, if a large force is applied to the front lid in the direction of opening the front lid when the locking member is not unlocked, that is, when it is in the locked state, the elastic member of the locking member will be plastically deformed. It has been found that there are problems such as a decrease in the locking function and a correspondingly poor durability.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette in which the locking member for the lid has excellent durability. The object of the present invention is to provide a case body, a rotatable lid attached to the case body, a locking portion provided on the lid, and a locking portion that locks to the locking portion. A tape cassette comprising a locking member that locks the lid closed by a locking function using elastic force, wherein a force in an opening direction acts on the lid before unlocking the locking member, and the locking portion This is achieved by a tape cassette characterized in that it is provided with a prohibition mechanism that prohibits displacement of the lock member beyond a predetermined value when a forced displacement force is applied to the lock member via the tape cassette.

That is, when a large force in the opening direction is applied to the lid before the lock member is unlocked, and a forced displacement force is applied to the lock member through the locking portion, the lock member is prohibited from being displaced beyond a predetermined value. When the inhibiting mechanism is provided, the locking member maintains its position before plastic deformation occurs in the elastic part of the locking member, and plastic deformation does not occur, and as a result, the locking function is not inhibited and durability is improved. That's how rich it is.

[0008] Such a prohibition mechanism can be constituted by a rib provided on the case main body.

[0009]

[Embodiment] Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the tape cassette according to the present invention, with Figure 1 being a perspective view of the whole, and Figure 2 being a side view of the main parts in a normal closed state. 3 is a side view of the main parts when the lid is closed and the opening force is applied, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main parts of the prohibition mechanism that prohibits displacement of the lock member beyond a predetermined value, and FIG. 5 is the installation of the lock member. FIG.

The case main body 1 constituting the tape cassette A is composed of a rectangular upper half 1a and a lower half 1b made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS resin, etc. 1
b are fitted into each other from above and below and fixed with set screws to form an integral housing shape. A pair of tape reels, that is, a supply reel 2a and a take-up reel 2b, are rotatably housed inside the case body 1.
A tape (hereinafter simply referred to as tape) 3 is wound and stretched between the supply reel 2a and the take-up reel 2b. Both tape reels 2a and 2b are placed on the bottom plate of the lower half 1b, and their lower ends are positioned by fitting into reel fitting holes provided in the bottom plate.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a presser spring for the pair of tape reels 2a and 2b. As shown in FIG. 1, a front opening 5 is provided on the front surface of the case main body 1 and extends over approximately the entire width of the tape cassette.
A bottom opening (a tape loading member of the recording/reproducing apparatus enters the pocket formed by the front opening 5 and the bottom opening to pull out the tape 3 from the tape cassette A) is provided. A front wall is integrally formed on the bottom plate of the lower half 1b along the edge of the bottom opening, and this front wall allows the interior of the case body 1 to be spaced between the bottom opening side and both tape reels 2a and 2b. It is divided by. A pair of tape guides 6a, 6b are integrally formed on the bottom plate of the lower half 1b at both left and right ends of the front wall, and the tape 3 is guided by these tape guides 6a, 6b, It runs along the opening.

The front opening 5 is covered by a front lid 7 formed in a substantially U-shape. That is, the front lid 7 includes a front plate 7a that closes the front surface of the case body 1, connecting pieces 7b extending rearward from both left and right ends of the front plate 7a, and opposing inner surfaces of both connecting pieces 7b. It is a molded product made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS resin, etc., and has a protruding rotation shaft 7c, and the left and right connecting pieces 7b are externally formed in the front end recesses 8a and 8b of the left and right side walls of the case body 1. The rotation shafts 7c are fitted into rotation holes provided in the recesses 8a and 8b, respectively. The front lid 7 is rotatable around the rotation axis 7c between a posture in which the front surface of the case body 1 is closed and an upwardly opened posture. It is rotated and biased to the normally closed position by an elastic means such as a torsion spring 9 mounted on the body.

[0013] In the location where the pocket exists, the front lid 7
A dust cover is pivotally connected to the inside of the tape cassette A via a shaft, and the dust cover seals the inside including the lower side of the tape 3 and the top surface of the opening of the pocket when the tape cassette A is not in use. Dust is prevented from entering from the upper and lower opening surfaces of the pocket and adhering to the tape 3. This dust cover is connected to cam grooves provided on the left and right sides facing the pocket (these sides are connected to the tape guides 6a and 6b), and when the front lid 7 is opened, the dust cover also connects to the tape 3. It moves upward together with the front lid 7 without any interference. That is, dust cover mounting pieces are integrally hung from the upper end side of the front plate 7a at locations near both left and right ends of the front plate 7a of the front lid 7, and dust cover mounting pieces are attached to both left and right ends of the upper and lower intermediate portions of the dust cover. The protruding shaft is pivotably supported. Pin-shaped cam followers are protruded from the left and right sides near the lower end of the dust cover, and these cam followers are engaged and connected to the cam grooves, respectively.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a locking member, and this locking member 10 is constructed by insert molding means using a plate spring or a suitable resin material such as polyacetal, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The main part is an elastic body which is configured with a claw-like locking part 10a (the inclination angle θ of the locking part 10a is an acute angle, for example, 30°) that is fixed to the case body 1 (lower case 1b in this embodiment). A pair of resin locking arms 10b, a resin base portion 10c serving as the base of the locking arms 10b, and a metal such as stainless steel that is suspended downward from the tip of the base portion 10c. A leaf spring 10d made of an elastic material made of
It has a resin lock portion 10g having a structure f.

The locking member 10 is constructed by insert molding using a plate spring such as stainless steel and a suitable resin material such as polyacetal, and the plate is formed by insert molding by using a plate spring such as stainless steel or an appropriate resin material such as polyacetal. Spring 10d
In order to prevent deformation, recesses 10h and 10i are formed in the base portion 10c and the lock portion 10g. That is, convex portions are formed on the mold side corresponding to these concave portions 10h and 10i, and the plate spring 10d is supported by the presence of these convex portions, so that the plate spring 10d is supported during injection of a resin material such as polyacetal. This prevents the leaf spring 10d from being deformed due to the pressure.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an opening formed in the case body 1 (in this embodiment, the horizontal flat plate 12 of the lower case 1b), and the locking arm 10 of the locking member 10 is inserted into this opening 11.
When b is fitted, the locking arm 10b is elastically deformed, and the locking arm 10b enters from the opening 11 below, and the claw-shaped locking portion 10a locks on the lower surface of the flat plate portion 12, and the locking arm 10b deforms elastically. The ten base parts 10c are configured to be attached to the case main body part 1 in a so-called snap-type manner. Incidentally, the entrance side of this opening 11 is formed with a tapered portion, as shown in FIG. 5, so that attachment of the locking member 10 is made easier.

As can be understood from the structure and mounting structure of the locking member 10, the locking member 10 does not rotate like locking members of conventional tape cassettes. Reference numeral 13 denotes a locking portion formed at a predetermined position of the connecting piece 7b of the front lid 7, and a locking portion 10f of the locking member 10.
This is to lock the front lid 7 in closing by locking it with the locking portion 13.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a semicircular columnar rib (with a radius of about 0.7 mm) having a height of about 0.9 mm and formed on the side plate portion 15 of the lower half 1b. The configuration position of this rib 14 is a position surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 2, and this position is as shown in FIG.
When the leaf spring 10d is deflected and displaced (unlocked) due to a force in the right direction, the locking portion 10g collides with the rib 14 and the unlocking operation of the locking member 10 is hindered. 2 and when a clockwise opening force is forcibly applied to the front lid 7 in the state shown in FIG. 2, that is, when the front lid 7 is closed, the lock member 10 A retracting force is applied to the lock claw 10f, but as shown in FIG.
This is the position where the locking portion 10g and the rib 14 abut against each other, preventing further displacement.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base side of the rib 14 has a shape that spreads out like a mountain, making it difficult to break even if a large force is applied to the rib 14. Of course, the rib 14 may be integrally formed of the same resin as the lower half 1b, but may also be made of a metal material. When the ribs 14 are made of a metal material, they are often simply columnar, or may be formed by insert molding, press-fitting, or other methods such as press-fitting after heating.
It can be constructed by means of ultrasonic welding. Furthermore, although the ribs 14 are drawn in the shape of a semi-cylindrical column in the figure, they may be shaped like a triangular column, for example, and are not limited to these shapes.

Reference numeral 16 indicates a base portion 1 corresponding to the leaf spring 10d of the locking member 10 in the attached state of the locking member 10.
This is a rib configured on the upper half 1a so as to be located above the 0c position. That is, after the locking member 10 is assembled to the lower half 1b and after the upper half 1a and the lower half 1b are combined, the rib 16 is placed on the base portion 10c of the locking member 10, so that the locking member 10 In addition, even if a pushing force is applied from below in FIG. 2, the locking member 10 will not come off.

Note that the rib 16 may be configured to abut against the base portion 10c, but in this case, the accuracy of the component must be extremely high. However, if a gap is formed between the rib 16 and the base portion 10c as shown, it is not necessary to make the precision of the parts unnecessarily high, and productivity is improved accordingly. Therefore, when a gap having such a dimension m is configured, this dimension m is the thickness dimension n of the non-tapered portion of the flat plate portion 12 that constitutes the opening 11.
If it is made smaller, the lock member 1
The assembling workability of 0 is good, there is no need to make the precision of the parts unnecessarily high, and furthermore, the locking member 10 is difficult to remove.

Tape cassette A constructed as described above
, the front cover 7 is closed when not in use, and the tape 3
When the tape cassette A is loaded into the recording and reproducing device, the front cover 7 opens and a large recess is formed in the left and right center of the front edge of the case body 1. A tape loading member (not shown) on the recording/reproducing apparatus side enters the formed pocket and draws out the tape 3 to the front of the tape cassette.

That is, when the tape cassette A is loaded into the recording and reproducing apparatus, a lock release member (not shown) on the recording and reproducing apparatus side enters and releases the lock against the elastic force of the leaf spring 10d of the locking member 10. Since the member displaces the release end 10e of the lock member 10 to the right in FIG. 2, the lock claw 10f moves away from the locking part 13 of the front cover 7,
The front lid 7 is placed in a state where it can be opened, and the front lid 7 opens as shown in FIG.
It opens by rotating clockwise, and a tape loading member (not shown) on the recording/reproducing device side enters a pocket formed in the left and right center of the front edge of the case body 1. Tape 3 is now pulled out to the front of the tape cassette.

In the tape cassette A having the above structure, the locking arm 10 of the locking member 10 is attached to the opening 11.
Since the installation is completed by the simple operation of simply fitting the front cover 7, the workability of assembling the locking mechanism of the front cover 7 is extremely high. In addition, since the locking member 10 is attached with a snap type,
Good installation workability. Even if a pushing force is applied from below, the ribs 16 will cause the base portion 10 of the locking member 10 to
Since the lock member 10 is located on the top c, the lock member 10 cannot be removed.

Furthermore, since a gap is formed between the rib 16 and the base portion 10c of the locking member 10, it is not necessary to make the precision of the parts higher than necessary, which improves productivity. Incidentally, since this gap dimension m is smaller than the thickness dimension n of the non-tapered part of the flat plate part 12 constituting the opening 11, the locking member 10 will not be removed even if there is a gap.

Note that the locking member 10 has a claw-like locking portion 10.
Since the tape cassette a is fixed by being engaged with the flat plate portion 12 of the lower case 1b, there is no accident of the tape cassette being removed when the tape cassette is assembled, and the workability of assembling the tape cassette is extremely high. Further, although the locking member 10 is repeatedly deformed as the front cover 7 is opened and closed, the portion that is subjected to this deformation is composed of a highly durable plate spring 10d, so that the locking member 10 is highly durable. This makes the tape cassette highly durable as it is not easily damaged.

In particular, when a large force is applied to the front lid 7 in the opening direction when the locking member 10 is not being acted upon by the unlocking member, that is, when it is in the locked state, the leaf spring 10d of the locking member 10 and the lock A large force acts on the leaf spring 10d at the joint with the portion 10g, and the leaf spring 10
Whereas plastic deformation sometimes occurred in d,
In the above embodiment, since the rib 14 is configured,
The lock portion 10g abuts against the rib 14, the lock member 10 is maintained in that state, and no deformation force greater than plastic deformation is applied to the leaf spring 10d, so no plastic deformation occurs and the locking function does not deteriorate. , it is extremely durable.

Furthermore, as a result, the front cover 7 is securely locked, and accidents such as the front cover 7 being accidentally opened by mistake do not occur, and the safety of the tape 3 is high.

[0029]

[Effects] The tape cassette according to the present invention includes a case body, a rotatable lid attached to the case body, a locking portion provided on the lid, and a locking portion provided on the lid. A tape cassette comprising a locking member that engages and locks the lid closed by a locking function using an elastic force, wherein a force in an opening direction acts on the lid before the locking member is released, A prohibition mechanism is provided that prohibits displacement of the lock member beyond a predetermined value when a forced displacement force is applied to the lock member through the locking portion, so that when the lock member is not being acted upon by the lock release member. In other words, if a large force was accidentally applied to the lid in the direction of opening the lid while it was in the locked state, a large force would have been applied to the locking member, but due to the prohibition mechanism, the locking member would not be displaced beyond the specified level. Since plastic deformation does not occur, the locking member will not be damaged, the locking function will not deteriorate, and it is highly durable.Also, the lid closes and locks reliably, so the lid can be accidentally opened by mistake. Such accidents do not occur, and the tape has the characteristics of high protection and safety.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire tape cassette.

FIG. 2 is a side view of main parts in a normal closed state.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the main parts in a state where the lid is closed and an opening force is applied.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of a prohibition mechanism that prohibits displacement of the lock member beyond a predetermined value.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the attachment portion of the locking member.

[Explanation of symbols]

A...Tape cassette 1...Case body part 7...Front lid 10...Lock member 10d...plate spring 13...Locking part 14...Rib

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A case main body, a rotatable lid attached to the case main body, a locking part provided on the lid, and a locking part that locks into the locking part to prevent elasticity. A tape cassette comprising a locking member that locks the lid closed by a force-based locking function, wherein a force in an opening direction is applied to the lid before the locking member is released, and the lid is closed via the locking portion. 1. A tape cassette comprising a prohibition mechanism that prohibits displacement of the lock member beyond a predetermined value when a forced displacement force is applied to the lock member.