JPH04366479A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate removal of locking reels by maintaining the locking of the reels to supply and takeup side reels by the use of lock pieces directly abutting on a control member for controlling locking positions. CONSTITUTION:At the time of locking reels, right and left sides of a lock member 17 are made to abut on inner sidewall faces of brake pieces 16a, 16b and so controlled that the pieces 16a, 16b are not closed more than predetermined. And, engaging pawls 16a-2, 16b-2 are effectively engaged with peripheral edge teeth 2a-1, 2b-1 of lower flanges of the supply and takeup side reels. The locked reels are released by lifting the member 17 by a reel lock releasing member invaded from a hole 15 and engaging the sides of the member 17 within cutouts 16a-3, 16b-3, and hence the pieces 16a, 16b are closed. As a result, the pawls 16a-2, 16b-2 are separated from the teeth 2a-1 and 2b-1 and disengaged.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette used in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder.

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.

By the way, when the tape cassette is not being recorded or reproduced, for example, when it is being stored or transported, especially during transportation where vibrations are applied, the supply reel and If the take-up reel is not locked (fixed) to prevent fluctuations, the magnetic tape in the specified path between the supply reel and take-up reel will become loose, damaging the magnetic tape. It becomes like this.

For this reason, reel lock mechanisms have been conventionally provided for the supply reel and the take-up reel. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, left and right pawls 24a, 24b are biased by torsion springs 23a, 23b to the peripheral teeth 22a of the lower flange of the supply reel and the peripheral teeth 22b of the lower flange of the take-up reel. It has been proposed that a reel locking mechanism 25 configured to engage with the reel locking mechanism 25 is disposed within the guide portion of the lower half 26 of the tape cassette.

By the way, in this proposed case, if the case body is accidentally dropped and an impact force is applied to the case body, the torsion spring that biases the claws 24a and 24b to engage with the peripheral teeth 22a and 22b is activated. 23a and 23b are likely to fall off, and as a result, the reel lock will no longer function, causing the magnetic tape to become slack, potentially causing damage to the magnetic tape, poor running, dropouts, and other troubles.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The first object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette in which the reel locking function of the supply side reel and take-up side reel is reliable, that is, an accident such as the reel lock coming off due to some kind of momentum does not occur. That's true. A second object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette in which the reel lock does not come off even if the biasing force against the lock piece of the supply reel or take-up reel becomes weak.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette in which the reel lock mechanisms of the supply reel and take-up reel are compact and can be adapted to miniaturization. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette in which the supply reel and take-up reel are not damaged even if the biasing force applied to the lock piece of the supply reel and take-up reel is too strong.

The object of the present invention is to provide a case main body, a supply reel and a take-up reel disposed within the case main body, and a predetermined path between the supply reel and the take-up reel. and a reel locking mechanism for the supply reel and take-up reel, the reel locking mechanism including a locking piece and a locking mechanism that directly contacts the locking piece. This is achieved by a tape cassette characterized in that the tape cassette includes a regulating member that regulates the strip to a locked position, and the locking strip is operated by movement of the regulating member in the tape width direction to release the reel lock.

[0009] Furthermore, a case body, a supply reel and a take-up reel disposed within the case body, and a reel disposed in a predetermined path between the supply reel and the take-up reel. A tape cassette comprising a tape and a reel lock mechanism for the supply reel and take-up reel, the reel lock mechanism including a lock piece and a lock piece that directly contacts the lock piece to move the lock piece to a locked position. A regulating member for regulating, a release mechanism for releasing the lock piece from the locked position, and a moving mechanism for moving the regulating member in the tape width direction, and the lock piece is released by movement of the regulating member in the tape width direction. This is achieved by a tape cassette characterized in that the reel is unlocked by operating a mechanism.

[0010] With the above structure, the reel locks for the supply reel and take-up reel are reliably maintained by the lock pieces that are in direct contact with the regulating member that regulates them to the locked position, thereby preventing vibrations, drops, etc. Accidents such as the lock coming off will not occur even if an impact force or the like is applied. In other words, the reel locking function of the supply reel and take-up reel is reliable, the reel locks will not come off due to some kind of momentum, and the biasing force against the lock pieces of the supply reel and take-up reel is weak. Even if this happens, accidents such as the reel lock coming off will not occur.

[0011] Furthermore, the reel lock is released by moving the regulating member in the tape width direction and the locking piece is operated by the release mechanism. Since there is no moving member that moves away from the rear, the reel lock mechanism can be compactly assembled and made small. Furthermore, the force of the release mechanism is always acting on the lock piece to release it from the locked position, so even if this force is too strong, it will not have a negative effect on the supply reel or take-up reel. For example, the supply reel and take-up reel will not be damaged. In other words, in the conventional reel lock mechanism, the underlying technical idea was that the biasing force on the lock piece was applied in the locking direction, but this technical idea was fundamentally changed, and the biasing force on the lock piece was changed. is made to act in the direction of unlocking. Therefore, even if the biasing force applied to the lock piece is too strong, it will not adversely affect the supply reel or the take-up reel.

0012

[Embodiment] Figs. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the tape cassette according to the present invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the whole, and Fig. 2
3 is an exploded perspective view of the reel locking mechanism, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the locked state of the reel locking mechanism, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reel locking mechanism showing the reel unlocked state. be.

The case 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. The half 1b and the half 1b are fitted into each other from above and below, and are screwed together with set screws to form an integral housing shape. Furthermore, upper half 1
The mating surfaces of a and the lower half 1b are configured in a concave-convex or "" shape, and when the two are mated together, the structure makes it difficult for dust and dirt to enter the inside of the case body 1 from the mating surfaces. .

A pair of tape reels, namely a supply reel 2a and a take-up reel 2b, are rotatably housed in the case body 1, and the magnetic tape 3 is connected to the supply reel 2a and take-up reel 2b. It is wrapped and stretched between. Both tape reels 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. In addition, the supply side reel 2a
In order to urge the supply reel 2a and the take-up reel 2b toward the lower half 1b, stainless steel is provided at a predetermined position on the inner surface of the upper half 1a. A presser spring 4 is welded.

On the front surface of the case body 1, a front opening 5 is provided at approximately the center of the front wall 1c of the tape cassette (the front wall of the upper half 1a and the front wall of the lower half 1b). The bottom plate is provided with a bottom opening 6 that is continuous with the front opening 5. And this bottom opening 6
The tape loading member of the recording and reproducing apparatus enters the pocket formed across the front opening 5, pulls out the magnetic tape 3 from the tape cassette A, and loads the recording and reproducing mechanism B of the recording and reproducing apparatus (rotating drum B1, various heads B2).
, various tape guides B3) for recording and playback. The width of the front opening 5 may be as long as it allows the tape loading member of the recording/reproducing device to enter and pull out the tape 3 from the tape cassette A. It doesn't have to be as big as a tape cassette.

A lid 7 is disposed in the pocket formed by the front opening 5 and the bottom opening 6, and the lid 7 is of a sliding type, as shown in FIG. 7
The magnetic tape 3 can be opened by sliding it to the right, and the magnetic tape 3 can be pulled out to the front of the case body 1 when the lid 7 is open. and,
It can be closed by sliding the lid 7 to the left,
Case body 1 of magnetic tape 3 in this lid 7 closed state
When stored inside the magnetic tape 3, the magnetic tape 3 is completely shielded from the outside, and the degree of airtightness is extremely high. Any mechanism may be used for attaching the lid 7 to the case body 1. For example, there is a means for forming a slide groove on the case body 1 side and a convex portion on the lid 7 side that engages with the slide groove. . In addition, the lid 7 and the case body 1 to which the lid 7 corresponds are provided with a click/clock mechanism with projections and recesses depending on the opening/closing position, so that the lid 7 can be held open/closed in each position. ing. Note that the lid 7 is a molded product made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyacetal, ABS resin, or the like. Further, although the lid 7 is arranged inside the front wall 1c of the tape cassette, it may be arranged outside the front wall 1c of the tape cassette.

Tape guides 8a and 8b are constructed on both sides of the front opening 5 to prevent the magnetic tape 3 from coming into contact with the front wall 1c and being damaged when the magnetic tape 3 is pulled out. Also, tape guides 9a, 9b are provided on both sides of the bottom opening 6 at a position rearward of the tape guides 8a, 8b and forward of the innermost end 6a of the bottom opening 6.
is provided.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a light emitting element, and when the tape cassette A is loaded into the recording/reproducing apparatus, a cylindrical part provided at the bottom of the tape cassette (the entrance of this cylindrical part is made of a split elastic member) A dustproof member is installed to prevent dust from entering the tape cassette A.)
The light emitting element 10 enters the interior of the cylindrical part, and the supply reel 2a and the take-up reel 2b are exposed through a window made of a transparent material in the cylindrical part.
The light emitting element 10 is configured to emit light from the tape winding surface of the light emitting element 10. Reference numeral 11 denotes a light reflecting section formed on the tape winding surface of the supply reel 2a (take-up reel 2b), and is configured to reflect light from the light emitting element 10 when it hits it. 12a and 12b are light receiving elements, and the light receiving element 12a detects the reflected light when the light from the light emitting element 10 hits the light reflecting part 11 of the supply side reel 2a, and the light receiving element 12b detects the reflected light from the light emitting element 10. The light from the winding reel 2b hits the light reflecting portion 11 of the take-up reel 2b and is reflected, and the reflected light is detected. Furthermore, when the tape cassette A is loaded into the recording/reproducing apparatus, these light receiving elements 12a and 12b are also connected to a cylindrical part provided on the bottom of the tape cassette (a split-type elastic member is provided at the entrance of this cylindrical part). The tape cassette A is equipped with a dust-proof member, which makes it difficult for dust to enter the tape cassette A), and the supply side reel 2a enters the tape cassette A through a window made of a transparent material in the cylindrical part. The tape winding surface of the take-up reel 2b is configured to be illuminated by light from the light reflecting section 11.

Reference numeral 13 is a reel lock mechanism disposed approximately in the center of the rear side of the lower half 1b, and 14 is a reel lock mechanism disposed approximately in the center of the rear side of the lower half 1b.
A fixed shaft erected on the bottom plate of b, 15 is this fixed shaft 1
When the tape cassette A is loaded into the recording/reproducing apparatus, the reel lock release member of the recording/reproducing apparatus enters through the hole 15.

16a is a brake piece for the supply reel 2a, 16b is a brake piece for the take-up reel 2b, and insertion holes 16a-1 and 16b-1 are formed on the base side. -1, 16b-1 are inserted through the fixed shaft 14, and the brake pieces 16a, 16b are configured to be rotatable. Brake pieces 16a, 16
Engagement claws 16a-2, 16b-2 are formed at the tips of b, respectively, and these engagement claws 16a-2, 16b-2 engage the peripheral teeth 2a of the lower flanges of the supply reel 2a and the take-up reel 2b. -1 and the peripheral tooth portion 2b-1 to lock the reel. Furthermore, a notch 16a-3 is provided on the central upright surface of the brake pieces 16a, 16b.
, 16b-3 are formed, and the left and right end portions of a locking member 17 of a brake piece, which will be described later, are fitted into the reel when the reel lock is released.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a spring member disposed on the top of the fixed shaft 14, and this spring member 18 is attached to the brake pieces 16a, 1
6b is biased to close inward. Reference numeral 17 denotes a locking member for the brake pieces 16a, 16b (a regulating member for regulating the brake pieces to the locked position). A shaft 17a is erected at the top, and a coil spring 19 is attached to this shaft 17a.
is inserted, one end of the coil spring 19 comes into contact with the upper half 1a side, and the brake piece locking member 17 itself is configured to be biased downward. When the reel is locked, the left and right sides 17b and 17c of the locking member 17 abut against the inner wall surfaces of the brake pieces 16a and 16b, and the brake pieces 16a and 16b are restricted from closing beyond a certain level.
The engaging claws 16a-2, 16b-2 are configured to reliably engage with the peripheral teeth 2a-1 of the lower flange of the supply reel 2a and the peripheral teeth 2b-1 of the lower flange of the take-up reel 2b. It is composed of

In order to release the reel lock, the brake piece locking member 17 is pushed upward against the elastic force of the coil spring 19 by the reel lock release member C on the recording and reproducing apparatus side that enters through the hole 15. The left and right sides 17b, 17c of the locking member 17 have cutout portions 16a-3, 16b-
3, the restriction on the brake pieces 16a, 16b is released, and the brake pieces 16a, 16b are closed by the urging force of the spring member 18, so that the engaging claws 16a-2, 1
6b-2 is separated from the peripheral tooth portion 2a-1 and the peripheral tooth portion 2b-1, and the engagement is released.

When the recording and reproducing operation is completed and the reel lock release member C is retracted from the tape cassette A, the elastic force of the coil spring 19 causes the brake piece locking member 17 to push the brake pieces 16a and 16b apart. However, in order to facilitate this operation, the lower end sides of the left and right sides 17b, 17c of the brake piece locking member 17 are tapered as shown, and the notches 16a-3 of the brake pieces 16a, 16b are , 16b-3 are also formed into a tapered shape.

Tape cassette A constructed as described above
In the reel lock state, the left and right sides 17b, 17c of the brake piece locking member 17 and the brake piece 16
Since the reel lock is in contact with the inner walls of a and 16b, that is, the reel lock is physically in contact with the inner walls.
The reel lock is reliable, and even if the tape cassette A is subjected to impact force due to vibration or dropping during transportation, the reel lock will not come off, and the reel lock function will not be degraded or defects will not occur. As a result, the tape 3 does not loosen, thereby preventing damage to the tape 3 or deterioration of quality such as dropouts.

Furthermore, since the force from the spring member 18 always acts on the brake pieces 16a and 16b in the closing direction,
Even if the force of the spring member 18 is too strong, it will not adversely affect the supply reel 2a or the take-up reel 2b, and will not damage the supply reel 2a or the take-up reel 2b, for example. Furthermore, even if a slight force is applied due to some kind of momentum during recording and reproduction, unless this force is greater than the force of the spring member 18, the supply reel 2a and take-up reel 2b will be locked. Therefore, there is much less risk of problems in recording and reproducing than in the past. In other words, in the previous models, the biasing force applied to the lock piece was applied in the locking direction, so there was a risk that the lock would become engaged during recording and playback, but there is no risk of this happening. be.

Further, the reel lock is released by pushing the brake piece locking member 17 upwardly against the elastic force of the coil spring 19 by the reel lock releasing member C on the recording and reproducing apparatus side that enters through the hole 15, and moves from side to side. side part 17b,1
7c fits into the notches 16a-3, 16b-3, the restriction on the brake pieces 16a, 16b is released, and the spring member 1
Since this is performed by closing the brake pieces 16a and 16b by the urging force of 8, this is different from the conventional movement of moving away from the supply side reel or take-up side reel, and therefore the reel lock mechanism can be made more compact. It can be grouped together and made into a small size.

[0027]

[Effects] ■ The reel lock for the supply side reel and take-up side reel is reliably maintained by the lock piece that is in direct contact with the regulating member that regulates the lock position, even if impact force due to vibration or falling is applied. Accidents such as the lock coming off will not occur. In other words, the reel locking function of the supply reel and take-up reel is reliable, the reel locks will not come off due to some kind of momentum, and the biasing force against the lock pieces of the supply reel and take-up reel is weak. Even if this happens, accidents such as the reel lock coming off and the tape becoming loose will not occur.

[0028] The reel lock is released by moving the regulating member in the tape width direction and the lock piece is activated by the release mechanism. Since there are no moving members that move away from each other, the reel lock mechanism can be compactly assembled and made small. ■ The force of the release mechanism always acts on the lock piece to release it from the locked position, so even if this force is too strong, it will not have a negative effect on the supply reel or take-up reel. There is no damage to the side reel or take-up reel. In other words, in the conventional reel lock mechanism, the underlying technical idea was that the biasing force on the lock piece was applied in the locking direction, but this technical idea was fundamentally changed, and the biasing force on the lock piece was changed. is made to act in the lock release direction, so even if the biasing force against the lock piece is too strong, it will not adversely affect the supply reel or the take-up reel.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the entire tape cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the tape cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the reel lock mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a locked state by the reel locking mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the reel locking mechanism according to the present invention is unlocked.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a reel locking mechanism of a conventional tape cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

A tape cassette 1
Case body part 1a
Upper half 1b
Lower half 2a Supply side reel 2
b Take-up reel 3
magnetic tape 13
Reel lock mechanism 15
Holes 16a, 16b Brake piece

Claims (2)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A case main body, a supply reel and a take-up reel disposed within the case main body, and a reel disposed in a predetermined path between the supply reel and the take-up reel. A tape cassette comprising a tape and a reel lock mechanism for the supply reel and take-up reel, the reel lock mechanism including a lock piece and a lock piece that directly contacts the lock piece to move the lock piece to a locked position. What is claimed is: 1. A tape cassette comprising a regulating member for regulating the tape, and movement of the regulating member in the tape width direction operates a locking piece to release the reel lock. [Claim 2] A case main body, a supply reel and a take-up reel disposed within the case main body, and a reel disposed in a predetermined path between the supply reel and the take-up reel. A tape cassette comprising a tape and a reel lock mechanism for the supply reel and take-up reel, the reel lock mechanism including a lock piece and a lock piece that directly contacts the lock piece to move the lock piece to a locked position. A regulating member for regulating, a release mechanism for releasing the lock piece from the locked position, and a moving mechanism for moving the regulating member in the tape width direction, and the lock piece is released by movement of the regulating member in the tape width direction. A tape cassette characterized in that the reel is unlocked by operating a mechanism.