JPH0438073B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a parallel two-reel type tape cassette that stores tape such as magnetic tape, and in particular, when the magnetic tape is used for recording, playback, etc., the magnetic tape is pulled out to the outside of the tape cassette. The present invention relates to a tape cassette that is most suitable for use as a tape cassette.

Conventional configurations and their problems Rotary head type video tape recorders have been used as home video tape recorders for a long time.
(hereinafter referred to as "tape") is a tape cassette containing magnetic tape (hereinafter referred to as "tape"). The tape is pulled out from a tape cassette, and the tape is wound around a guide drum that rotates at high speed and has a built-in video head to guide its travel. This is a device that performs recording and playback.

For example, tape cassettes for VHS and β systems consist of a flat housing in which two reels of tape are housed in parallel on the same plane, with an opening on one side. , the tape can be pulled out to the outside. When the tape is stored in the cassette, a rotating plate with a rotating fulcrum is opened at a predetermined position in the tape cassette case to prevent dust from adhering to the surface of the tape or from touching it. The tape is used as a lid to protect the area.

By the way, the type of tape used in the VHS and β formats is a tape using iron oxide mainly composed of γ-Fe ₂ O ₃ and is resistant to humidity and rust. However, with the spread of VTRs, the need for smaller, higher-performance devices has prompted the development of tapes.Recently, so-called metal tapes coated with pure iron powder, and so-called evaporation tapes coated with Ni-Co, have been developed. Tape is about to become the mainstream next generation tape.

Although VTRs using metal tape or vapor-deposited tape are compact and offer high image quality, they require greater care in handling and protecting the tape than with conventional iron oxide tape. In particular, care should be taken to protect the tape when handling the tape cassette alone when it is not in use, such as when the tape gets dusty or comes into contact with human hands.

As is well known, in VHS and β-type cassettes, a rotary plate was provided as a cover over the tape drawer opening of the tape cassette to protect the tape cassette from the outside. However, with VHS and β-type cassettes, there is a mark on the bottom of the cassette when it is set in a VCR.
There was an opening (notch) into which the tape drawing member was inserted, and it was possible to intentionally touch the tape through this opening. For 8mm video, which has recently been announced as a standard and uses metal tape and vapor-deposited tape, we have taken into consideration the problems with conventional tape cassettes. In particular, as a cover for the tape cassette opening, as shown in principle in FIGS. In addition to the rotating plate 2, a second rotating plate 3 is provided. Then, the tape 4 in areas that are easily touched by hands is moved between the first rotating plate 2 and the second rotating plate 3 from when the tape cassette shown in FIG. 1a is used to as shown in FIG. 1b.
When the tape cassette shown in the figure is not in use, it is rotated in the direction of arrow A and inserted between the tape cassettes to protect the tape 4 from being touched.

Therefore, the opening 5 at the bottom of the tape cassette is blocked by the second rotary plate 3, and the tape 4 cannot be directly touched by human hands.

However, the drawbacks of this method are as follows. That is, the first rotating plate 2 and the second
When the rotating plate 3 rotates with the tape 4 in between to protect the tape, there will be no problem if the tape 4 is stretched in a straight line with a predetermined tension. If the tape 4 becomes loose and curls in the longitudinal direction due to an accident, please follow step 2 above.
The tip of the two rotary plates 2 and 3 crushes the tape 4, resulting in a disadvantage that it may not be possible to insert the tape between the tapes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an advantageous tape cassette using metal tape, vapor-deposited tape, etc.

Structure of the Invention In the tape cassette of the present invention, an opening is formed in one side of the cassette containing a tape reel, and a cutout continuous with the opening is formed in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the cassette. a first rotatable lid that is rotatable to cover the front surface of the tape stretched along the opening; a second rotatable lid that is rotatable to cover the rear surface of the tape; The engaging member formed on the first rotating lid engages with the engaging member so that the second rotating lid opens and closes in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the first rotating lid. A guide groove is formed in the second rotating lid, and a notch is formed in the second rotating lid, and when the first rotating lid and the second rotating lid are closed, By providing a covering means on the first rotating lid so as to cover the notch formed in the second rotating lid, dust will not stick to the tape when the first and second rotating lids are closed. It is possible to securely protect the tape without touching it with human hands, and when the first and second rotating lids are opened, the opening area into which a tape pull-out member or the like can be inserted can be made large. A tape cassette is constructed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the tape cassette 6 has a flat external appearance (cassette), and inside the tape cassette 6, the starting end and the ending end of the magnetic tape 7 are respectively placed. Fix it and
A pair of tape reels 8 and 9 around which tape is wound are housed side by side on the same plane. Three side surfaces 10, 11, and 12 in the thickness direction of the flat tape cassette 6 are formed with wall surfaces to protect the tape 7 from the outside world, but one side surface 13 is an opening without a wall surface. The tape 7 can be pulled out from this side part 13. By the way, normally when the tape cassette 6 is not used, that is, when the tape 7 is not pulled out, the tape 7
For protection, the side surface 13 covers the opening of the side surface 13 with a first rotating lid 14.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line X-Y in FIG. 2, showing the inside of the tape cassette 6 when it is not in use. FIG. 5 is also a sectional view taken along the line X--Y in FIG. 2, showing the inside of the tape cassette 6 when it is in use. 6 is a perspective view of the cassette main body in this embodiment, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first rotating lid 14 from the back, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second rotating lid 26. . Tape cassette 6 according to this embodiment
is a pair of tape reels 8 and 9 (see Fig. 4,
(Tape cassette 8 is not shown in Figure 5)
This is a so-called flangeless reel, which does not have a flange. That is, the tape reel 9 merely has the tape 7 wound around the outer periphery of the winding drum 15 of the tape reel 9. Further, the tape reel 9 has boss portions 16 and 17 having a smaller diameter than the winding drum 15 at both ends in the axial direction. The boss portions 16 and 17 are recessed portions 1 provided in the upper and lower inner flat surfaces of the cassette housing.
8 and 19, the tape reel 9 inside the tape cassette 6
The position in the plane direction is loosely regulated. The end surfaces of the boss portions 16 and 17 and the recess 1 of the cassette
Lubricating thrust receiving sheets 20 and 21, such as sheets made of fluoride resin, are interposed between 8 and 19 to ensure smooth rotation of the tape reel 9. Further, on both end surfaces of the winding drum 15, the winding drum 1
Two rectangular sheets 22 with lubricating properties, such as sheets made of fluoride resin, are placed in a position where they are in light contact with each other so as to sandwich 5.
23 is disposed, and serves as a means for regulating irregular winding when the tape 7 is wound on the tape reel, or when the winding is irregular due to drop-off of a paragraph.

By the way, when the cassette is not in use, the tape 7 is placed at a position 24 rearward of the side surface 13 where the opening is located.
The first rotary lid 14 is pivotably supported at a position 25 near the cassette opening, and the second rotary lid 26 is pivotably supported at a position 25 near the cassette opening. ing. Further, the inner surface of the first rotating lid 14 has protruding shafts 27, 28 as shown in FIG.
(However, only the shaft 27 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.) Two engaging members 29, 30 are formed, and the protruding shafts 27, 28 are connected to the second rotating lid. It engages with two elongated guide grooves 31 and 32 formed in the rear part of 26.

When using the cassette, as shown in FIG.
The rotary lid 14 rotates, and in conjunction with this, the second rotary lid 26 is rotated rearward and upward about the position 25, and a known suitable tape drawer member (not shown) is rotated. By inserting the tape into the space area 33 behind the tape 7, the tape 7 can be pulled out. Conversely, when the cassette is no longer used, the tape pull-out member (not shown) is taken out of the cassette from the space area 33, and the lid lifting means (not shown) is lowered to complete the first cycle. The movable lid 14 rotates to cover the front surface of the tape 7, and in conjunction with this, the second rotary lid 26 rotates to cover the rear surface of the tape 7, resulting in a state as shown in FIG. becomes. By the way, when the cassette is used, that is, when the lid is opened, the second rotary lid 26 is formed with a notch 34, so that a space area 33 for inserting a tape pull-out member or the like (not shown) is provided.
can be made larger without being obstructed by a portion of the second rotating lid 26. Further, when the cassette is not in use, that is, when the lid is closed, the notch 34 formed in the second rotating lid 26 is
Since the tape 7 is covered by the covering means 35 provided on the rotary lid 14, dust does not enter through the cutout 34 and adhere to the tape 7.

Furthermore, even if the tape 7 is slightly slack when changing from a cassette-using state to a cassette-not-using state,
The first rotating lid 14 and the second rotating lid 26 will not damage the tape.

Note that when a part of the covering means 35 hits a part of the second rotating lid 26 during the opening/closing operation of the first rotating lid 14 and the second rotating lid 26,
A part of the rectangular plate 36 of the covering means 35 may be made flexible.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the tape cassette of the present invention has an opening formed in one side of the cassette containing the tape reel, and the opening is formed in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the cassette. a rotatable first rotary plate that forms a notch continuous with the opening and covers the front side of the tape stretched along the opening; and a second rotatable plate that covers the rear side of the tape. and an engaging member formed on the first rotating lid so as to open and close the second rotating lid in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the first rotating lid. A guide groove is formed in the second rotating lid to engage with the engagement member, a notch is formed in the second rotating lid, and the first rotating lid and the second rotating lid are provided with a guide groove formed in the second rotating lid to engage with the engaging member. By providing a covering means on the first rotating lid so as to cover the notch formed in the second rotating lid when the rotating lid is closed, the tape can be removed manually with a simple lid structure. Furthermore, when the rotary lid is opened, a large opening area can be provided in which a tape pull-out member or the like can be inserted into the cassette. Furthermore, when the rotating lid is open, the opening of the space formed by the first rotating lid and the second rotating lid is configured to be large, so that when the rotating lid is closed, Even if the tape in the notch is slightly slack, an excellent effect can be obtained in that the rotating lid will not catch the tape and damage it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1a and 1b are schematic sectional views of main parts of a conventional tape cassette in an open state, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 5 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken along the line X-Y in FIG. 2 in a closed state and an open state, respectively, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cassette main body in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first rotating lid and a second rotating lid in the embodiment of the present invention. 6... tape cassette, 7 tape, 8, 9... tape reel, 14... first rotating lid, 26... second rotating lid, 29, 30... engaging member, 31, 32... guide groove, 34... Notch portion, 35...covering means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An opening 13 is formed in one side of the cassette 6 containing the tape reels 8 and 9, and a cutout continuous with the opening is formed in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the cassette. 34, and a rotatable first rotary lid 14 that covers the front side of the tape 7 stretched along the opening, and a rotatable second rotary lid 14 that covers the rear surface of the tape. 26, and engaging members 29, 30 formed on the first rotating lid 14 so as to open and close the second rotating lid in conjunction with the opening and closing operations of the first rotating lid. guide grooves 31 and 32 formed in the second rotating lid 26 to engage with the engaging member, and a notch 34 formed in the second rotating lid 26; When the rotating lid 14 and the second rotating lid 26 are closed, the first rotating lid 1 is closed so as to cover the notch 34 formed in the second rotating lid 26.
A tape cassette characterized in that 4 is provided with a covering means 35.