JPH0424790B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tape cassette (hereinafter referred to as a first tape cassette) which is a conventional tape cassette (hereinafter referred to as a first tape cassette) with a smaller external shape by narrowing the distance between the reels.
The present invention relates to a cassette adapter for making it possible to use a second tape cassette (referred to as a second tape cassette) in a device in which a first tape cassette is used.

Compared to compact tape cassettes for audio, tape cassettes used in video tape recorders and the like are considerably larger due to standards such as tape width and distance between reels, and even in portable equipment. Since the tape cassette is large, there is a limit to miniaturization, which is a major problem.

Also, with the current technology, there are problems with image quality.
It is also difficult to make small tape cassettes with narrow tape widths.

For this reason, as a means to downsize tape cassettes and equipment, the tape width is the same as that of the conventional first tape cassette, and the distance between the reels is set to approximately the same as that of the first tape cassette. In addition to reducing the amount to about 1/2, the amount of tape is also reduced to 1/2 compared to the full size of the first tape cassette.
A second, smaller tape cassette with a capacity of about 4 to 1/6 of the capacity was considered.

With such a small second tape cassette, it is possible to obtain the same image quality as the current first tape cassette, and not only can the tape cassette itself be made smaller, but also the equipment that uses the tape cassette can be made smaller. However, since the amount of tape will be reduced, the recording time will be shorter than that of the current first tape cassette. When considering recording time and miniaturization, it is desirable to change the tape cassette used depending on the application, etc., and it is desirable to use a small second tape cassette that is compatible with the first tape cassette. In other words, it is required that the first tape cassette can also be used in equipment that uses the first tape cassette, and a cassette adapter that satisfies this requirement becomes necessary.

In such a cassette adapter, the present invention enables the guide rollers for guiding the running of the magnetic tape to be reliably fixed with a constant force, so that external equipment can be connected stably from the cassette adapter at all times. The purpose is to supply magnetic tape to

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the cassette adapter of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

In the figure, 1 is a second tape cassette, and this second tape cassette 1 rotatably supports and stores reels 4 and 5 on which a magnetic tape 3 is wound in a half case 2. It is constructed by forming a predetermined running path such that the magnetic tape 3 is exposed to the outside on the side. In this second tape cassette 1, the reel 4 on one supply side can be operated from the bottom side of the half case 2 through a window provided at the bottom of the half case 2, and the tip of the reel stand of the device is inserted into the hollow inside. The reel 5 on the other take-up side is rotatably supported by a reel shaft (not shown) implanted in the half case 2, and a gear portion 5a is formed on the outer periphery. and
The gear part 5 is inserted through the window on the side of the half case 2.
It is rotated by a gear on the drive source side that meshes with a.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a main body case of the adapter. This main body case 6 has the same external dimensions as the first tape cassette, and the second tape cassette 1 is loaded into this main body case 6. This main case 6
At a position corresponding to the reel stand of the video tape recorder, a reel gear 7 which can be attached to the tip of one of the reel stands is rotatably supported, and the reel gear 7 is rotatably supported at the tip of the other reel stand. A window (not shown) is provided to allow the reel 4 of the second tape cassette 1 to be attached. One gear of an idler gear 8 having a two-stage gear structure meshes with the reel gear 7.
The gear portion 5a of the reel 5 of the second tape cassette 1 meshes with the other gear, and the rotation of the reel gear 7 rotates the reel 5 of the second tape cassette 1, causing the magnetic tape 3 to run.

A take-up side pull-out arm 9 in the shape of a fishing needle is arranged in the main body case 6 so as to rotate around a shaft 9a, and a second tape cassette is attached to one end of the take-up side pull-out arm 9. A guide roller 10 is attached for hooking one magnetic tape 3 and pulling it out to a predetermined position. This guide roller 10 is rotatable around a shaft 10a.

Further, a supply side pullout arm 11 is arranged at a position facing the take-up side pullout arm 9 of the main body case 6 so as to rotate around a shaft 11a, and also at one end of this supply side pullout arm 11. Similar to the take-up side pull-out arm 9, a guide roller 12 is attached which is rotatable around a shaft 12a for hooking the magnetic tape 3 of the second tape cassette 1 and pulling it out to a predetermined position. A knob 11b is provided at the other end of the supply side drawer arm 11, and the knob 11b is
The connecting arm 13 is fitted into a long hole 13b of a dog-shaped connecting arm 13 which is arranged to rotate around a shaft 13a. Further, a knob 13c is provided at the other end of the connecting arm 13, and the knob 13c is attached to the shaft 14.
The connecting arm 14 is fitted into a long hole 14b of a connecting arm 14 that is arranged to rotate around a. The other end of the connecting arm 14 engages with a knob 9b provided at the other end of the take-up side pull-out arm 9.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a drive rack in which a pinion gear 16 that is rotated by a drive source such as a motor or manually engages, and a cam groove 15a into which the knob 9b of the take-up side pull-out arm 9 is fitted is provided on the lower surface of the drive rack 15. It is being This drive rack 15
The cam groove 15a has a part that is parallel to the moving direction of the drive rack 15 and a part that is inclined.As shown in FIG. When it is in the part,
The take-up side pull-out arm 9 and the supply-side pull-out arm 11 are spread outward and are in the tape guide position of the first tape cassette, and as shown in FIG. When it is on the sloping part of
The take-up side pull-out arm 9 and the supply-side pull-out arm 11 move inward and are in a state before tape pull-out.

Further, a groove 15 is provided on the upper surface of the drive rack 15.
A cam surface 15c having a diameter b is provided, and the shaft 1
The tip 17b of the arm 17 is rotatable around 7a.
are in contact with each other, and when the drive rack 15 moves to a predetermined position, the tip 17b of the arm 17 is in the groove 1.
5b, thereby causing the arm 17 to be attached to the shaft 1.
It rotates around 7a. Tip 1 of this arm 17
One end of an L-shaped connecting angle 18 that is rotatable about a shaft 18a is connected to 7b via a connecting arm 19, and displacement of the arm 17 is transmitted to the connecting angle 18. In addition, a guide shaft 20 is provided in the elongated hole 18b at the other end of the connecting angle 18.
A guard panel opening/closing rod 2 that slides in the width direction of the main case 6 while being guided by a and 20b.
No. 1 knob 21a is fitted. That is, the arm 1 is inserted into the groove 15b of the cam surface 15c of the drive rack 15.
By fitting the tip 17b of the arm 17 into the groove 15b, the guard panel opening/closing road 21 slides toward the rear side of the main case 6.
When the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 is not inserted, the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 slides toward the front side of the main body case 6.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a guard panel that is openable and closable at the front opening of the main body case 6 of the adapter, and shafts 22a at both ends of the guard panel 22
22b is a bearing hole 23 provided in the side plate of the main body case 6.
a, 23b and is rotatably supported. Of the bearing holes 23a and 23b that rotatably support the shafts 22a and 22b of the guard panel 22, the bearing hole 23a is a long hole.
The second shaft 22a is movable within the bearing hole 23a in a direction in which the guard panel 22 protrudes toward the front side. Further, the other end of a spring 25 whose one end is locked to the protrusion 24 of the main body case 6 is locked to the shaft 22a of the guard panel 22. It is attracted to the inside of 6. Further, the tip of the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 is in contact with the shaft 22a of the guard panel 22.

26 is a lock member on the take-up side that is rotatably supported by a shaft 27;
The shaft 10a of the guide roller 10 on the take-up side is held between the two lock claws 26a, 26b by the cutout groove 28a of the lock portion 28 of the main body case 6. Notch grooves 29a and 29b are provided. This locking member 26 has one end attached to a protrusion 3.
The main body case 6 is constantly biased in the direction away from the locking member 28 by the spring 26c which is locked at zero. The lock pawl 26 of this lock member 26
The protrusion 21b of the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 is engaged with the rear end of the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 via a leaf spring 31, and when the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 slides toward the rear side of the main case 6, the lock is opened. The rear ends of the claws 26a, 26b are pushed by the protrusion 21b, whereby the locking claws 26a, 26b rotate around the shaft 27, and together with the lock portion 28, grip the shaft 10a of the guide roller 10. . Further, the return to the original position is performed by the spring 26c.

32 is a locking member on the supply side, and this locking member 32 is composed of two locking claws 34a, 34b that can be rotated separately around shafts 33a, 33b.
There are notch grooves 36a, 36 which hold the shaft 12a of the guide roller 12 on the supply side by the notch groove 35a of the locking member 35 of the main body case 6.
b is provided. These lock claws 34a, 34
b is constantly urged by a spring 37 in a direction away from the lock portion 35 of the main body case 6. The tip of a slide arm 39 that is guided by a guide plate 38 and slides in the width direction of the main body case 6 is in contact with the rear end of the lock claws 34a, 34b. 34b rotates around the shafts 33a, 33b, and locks the guide roller 1 together with the lock portion 35.
The second shaft 12a is held between the two shafts 12a.

Further, a leaf spring 40 is attached to the rear end of the slide arm 39, and a cam plate 41 rotatably attached to the shaft 13a of the connecting arm 13 is in contact with the leaf spring 40. This cam plate 4
1 is an operating arm 1 provided on the drive rack 15;
5d is in contact with the operating arm 1.
5d to rotate the cam plate 41, the slide arm 39 is pushed by the cam plate 41 via the leaf spring 40, and the slide arm 39 slides toward the front side of the main body case 6.

42 is a planetary gear device, and this planetary gear device 4
2 are shafts 44a, 4 attached to the gear frame 43;
4b, gears 45 and 46 that mesh with each other are rotatably supported and arranged.
A ratchet gear 47 is rotatably supported on the shaft 44a and meshes with a gear 16b that rotates around the shaft 16a together with the pinion gear 16.
, only rotation in one direction is transmitted. Further, a gear 48 coupled to the gear 46 via a friction transmission member such as felt is rotatably supported on the shaft 44b, and the gear 48 is connected only when the torque is below a certain level. Rotation of gear 46 is transmitted. Furthermore, the planetary gear system 42 has a shaft 44
By pushing the protruding piece 43a of the gear frame 43 by the connecting angle 18 and rotating the planetary gear device 42 about the shaft 44a, the gear 48 can be rotated about one gear of the reel gear 7. mesh with. This planetary gear device 42 rotates the reel gear 7 during the tape storage operation and winds the drawn-out magnetic tape 3 onto the reel 5.

In such a configuration, when the drive rack 15 starts to move rightward from the state shown in FIG. Because of the position, the take-up side drawer arm 9
does not rotate.

On the other hand, since the tip of the arm 17 is located in the groove 15b of the cam surface 15c of the drive rack 15, the arm 17 rotates the connecting angle 18.
As a result, the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 slides toward the front side of the main body case 6, and the guard panel 2
2, the guard panel 22 resists the tensile force of the spring 25 and rotates around 22b to open. At this time, since the connecting angle 18 pushes the protrusion 43a of the gear frame 43 of the planetary gear device 42, the gear 48 of the planetary gear device 42
mesh with.

Also, at this time, the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 slides toward the front side of the main body case 6, and
Operating arm 15d of drive rack 15 and cam plate 41
The guard panel opening/closing rod 21 and the slide arm 39 are disengaged from each other and the slide arm 39 slides toward the rear side of the main body case 6.
The biasing of the locking members 26, 32 by
The locked state of the guide rollers 10 and 12 will be released.

Then, when the drive rack 15 further moves to the right and the knob 9b of the take-up side pull-out arm 9 comes to the part inclined with respect to the moving direction of the cam groove 15a, the take-up side pull-out arm 9 rotates inward. do. As a result, the connecting arm 14 engaged with the knob 9b also rotates around the shaft 14a, and the connecting arm 13 connected to the connecting arm 14 also rotates around the shaft 13a. As a result, the supply side pull-out arm 11 rotates inward about the shaft 11a.

By rotating the reel 5 by the reel gear 7 when the take-up side draw-out arm 9 and the supply-side draw-out arm 11 rotate inward in this way, the take-up side draw-out arm 9 and the supply-side draw-out arm 11 rotate the reel 5 in half. Case 2
The magnetic tape 3 that had been pulled out of the case is now housed inside the half case 2. As shown in FIG. 2, by housing the magnetic tape 3 in the half case 2, the second tape cut 1 can be taken out from inside the adapter.

Furthermore, when pulling out the tape, by moving the drive rack 15 to the left from the state shown in FIG. withdrawal operation, locking members 26, 32
Shafts 10a, 12 of guide rollers 10, 12 by
The clamping operation a and the closing operation of the guard panel 22 can be performed as a series of operations.

Here, in the present invention, the lock member 26 is connected via a leaf spring 31 to the guard panel opening/closing rod 21 which slides in conjunction with the drive rack 15, and the lock member 32 is connected by the operating arm 15d of the drive rack 15. The locking members 26 and 32 are connected to a rotating cam plate 41 via a leaf spring 40 and a slide arm 39, and even if the movement of the drive rack 15 varies, the locking members 26 and 32 apply a substantially constant biasing force to the main body case 6. The guide roller 1 can be pressed against the locking portions 28 and 35.
0 and 12 can be reliably fixed. In particular, when the drive rack 15 is driven by a motor powered by dry batteries, the force with which the drive rack 15 is driven changes depending on whether the amount of electricity in the dry batteries is large or small.
If there is no zero, the locking force by the locking members 26, 32 will change, but in the present invention, a constant locking force can always be obtained.

As described above, according to the cassette adapter of the present invention, the guide roller can be fixed with a substantially constant locking force regardless of variations in the movement of the tape drawer storage means, thereby stably guiding the running of the magnetic tape. This can be done by doing this.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cassette adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the state when the tape is pulled out, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the state of the cassette adapter when the tape is stored, and FIGS. Each figure is a perspective view showing the main structure of the cassette adapter, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing only the locking means extracted from the main part shown in FIG. 3. 1... Second tape cassette, 2... Half case, 3... Magnetic tape, 4, 5... Reel, 6
... Main body case, 7 ... Reel gear, 8 ... Idler gear, 9 ... Take-up side drawer arm, 1
0, 12... Guide roller, 10a, 12a...
Shaft, 11... Supply side drawer arm, 13, 14
...Connection arm, 15...Drive rack, 26,3
2...Lock member, 28, 35...Lock portion, 3
1,40...plate spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A second tape cassette 1 having a shorter inter-reel distance than the first tape cassette is stored, and
a main body case 6 having the same dimensions as the tape cassette;
A pull-out operation for pulling out the magnetic tape 3 from the second tape cassette 1 to the tape guide position of the first tape cassette and a storage for storing the magnetic tape 3 in the second tape cassette 1 are disposed within the main body case 6. tape drawer storage means 9 for performing the operation;
11, and locking means 26, 28 for fixing the guide rollers 10, 12 provided in the tape drawer/accommodating means for guiding the running of the magnetic tape 3 at the tape guide position of the first tape cassette.
32, 35, and the locking means has grooves 28 fixed in the main body case 6 and having the same shape on the upper and lower sides.
a, 35a, and a locking member rotatably disposed in the main body case 6 and which presses and clamps the upper and lower parts of the shafts 10a, 12a of the guide rollers against the grooves 28a, 35a. 2
6, 32, and an operating section 21b that moves in conjunction with the tape drawer storage means 9, 11 to rotate the locking members 26, 32;
41, and its operating section and the locking member 2
6 and 32 are connected via elastic members 31 and 40.