JPH05290444A - Tape cassette misinsertion preventing mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent misinsertion of a tape cassette by preventing a cassette holder from advancing by utilizing a lever of a slider opening mechanism when a DCC tape cassette is put inadvertently in its wrong way into the cassette holder. CONSTITUTION:When the DCC tape cassette 8 is put into a tray 3 of the cassette holder 2 to commence its loading, an abutting piece 53 of the tip of the slider opening lever 51 arranged in a pressing plate 63 is brought into contact with a slant surface part of a cassette shell in the midst of sliding the holder 2 as shown by an arrow C. Then, the cassette 8 is mounted onto a reel base. When the cassette 8 is put into the tray 3 in the reverse direction of the front and rear of the cassette 8, the abutting piece 53 is brought into contact with a back surface of the cassette 8, and the lever 51 is guided to the back surface of the cassette 8 and is rotated clockwise. Then, the lever 51 is propped up under the state of turning the lever 51 in the direction as shown by an arrow C, so that the cassette 8 is prevented from farther advancing, thus preventing misinsertion of the cassette 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette erroneous insertion preventing mechanism in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for a DCC tape cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Tape cassettes for recording audio include tape cassettes for recording analog signals (hereinafter referred to as CC tape cassettes) and tape cassettes for recording digital signals (hereinafter referred to as DCC tape cassettes). ..

The CC tape cassette (9) shown in FIG. 13 is
Three window holes (92), (93) and (93) through which a magnetic head and the like enter are formed in the front surface (91) of the rectangular cassette shell (90), and the tape T is exposed from each window hole. On the upper surface and the lower surface of the cassette shell (90), a stepped portion (94) is formed on the front side in the range between the window holes (93) (93). A ridge (95) is formed. As described above, the CC tape cassette (9) is different in the shape of the front part and the rear part.

On the other hand, the DCC tape cassette (8) shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a slider (87) having three window holes (82) (83) (84) formed on the front surface of a rectangular cassette shell (81). There is no step (94) (94) on the upper and lower surfaces and ridges (95) on both end surfaces like the CC tape cassette (9), there is no dimensional difference between the front and rear, and the front and rear are distinguished. It is hard to get on.

The slider (87) is formed by bending a thin metal plate and is constantly urged by a spring (not shown) in the closing direction indicated by arrow B. The slider (87) has two windows (8
8) (89) is opened and when the slider (87) is opened in the direction of arrow A, the window hole (84) on the right side of the cassette shell (81) is opened and the remaining two window holes of the cassette shell (81) are opened. (82) (83) and the two window parts (88) (89) of the slider (87) are aligned, and the tape T is inserted from the three window holes (82) (83) (84) of the cassette shell (81).
Is exposed.

Behind the window hole (84) on the right side of the cassette shell (81), there is a sloped portion (85) with a lower inside, and the depth of the cassette shell (81) continuous with the end of the sloped portion (85). Direction groove (8
6) is formed, and even if the slider (87) is closed, part of the sloped surface (85) is exposed.

D in the cassette holder of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus
By inserting the CC tape cassette (8), the slider (87) is automatically opened by the slider opening mechanism provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus during the cassette loading.

[0008] Incidentally, DCC tape cassette standard, the recording and reproducing apparatus, DCC has been determined so as impart compatibility of the tape cassette (8) and CC tape cassette (9), the vertical length L ₁ of the two cassettes, L ₂ and lateral lengths L ₃ and L ₄ are equal, and the thickness L ₅ of the DCC tape cassette (8) is CC
It is about 1 mm thicker than the thickness L ₆ of the rear portion of the tape cassette (9) and about 2.4 mm smaller than the thickness L ₇ between the steps (94) (94).

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] CC tape cassette
In (9), the front and rear shapes are different, so it is unlikely that the front and back will be inserted into the cassette holder of the magnetic recording / reproducing device, and a means for preventing the cassette from being inserted in the reverse direction should be provided in the cassette holder. Was easy.

On the other hand, as described above, the DCC tape cassette (8) is difficult to distinguish between the front and back, and the tape cassette
There is a high possibility that (8) will be loaded in the tray backwards and forwards, in which case problems such as damage to the slider open mechanism and collision of the back surface of the DCC tape cassette with the magnetic head occur. The present invention clarifies a mechanism for preventing the advance of the cassette holder by using the lever of the slider open mechanism when the DCC tape cassette is inserted into the cassette holder in the wrong direction, thereby preventing the wrong insertion of the tape cassette. Is to

[0011]

The present invention relates to a tape cassette erroneous insertion preventing mechanism in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a DCC tape cassette equipped with a tape protection slider (87). (1) A cassette holder (2) slidably disposed on the cassette mounting tray (3) which is vertically movable in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, and a base.
(1) A holding plate (63) which is arranged above the transition path of the cassette holder (2) so as to be able to move up and down and presses the tape cassette on the cassette holder (2), and is arranged on the inner surface of the holding plate (63). It is composed of a slider opening lever (51) which projects a hitting piece (53) at the tip thereof to an insertion transition path of the cassette and is always biased in the cassette ejection direction.

[0012]

[Operation and effect] When the DCC tape cassette (8) is loaded into the tray (3) of the cassette holder (2) and loading is started, as shown by an arrow C in FIG.
During the slide of (2), the contact piece (53) at the tip of the slider open lever (51) provided on the pressing plate (63) comes into contact with the inclined surface portion (85) of the cassette shell (81).

When the cassette holder (2) further advances,
The lever (51) is guided by the slope portion (85) and rotates clockwise. At this time, the slider (87) makes contact with the lever (51) (53).
The window holes (82), (83) and (84) are gradually opened by being pushed by and moved to the right.

The pressing plate (63) is moved to D
The CC tape cassette (8) is pressed, the tray (3) shown in FIG. 7 is lowered in this state, and the DCC tape cassette (8) is loaded on the reel stand (not shown).

When the front and rear of the DCC tape cassette (8) is reversed and loaded into the tray (3), the contact piece (53) of the slider open lever (51) is turned into the DCC tape cassette (8).
8, the lever (51) is guided by the back surface (80) of the DCC tape cassette (8) and rotates clockwise, as shown in FIG. The cassette and the lever (51) are stretched in the state of being directed in the traveling direction of the cassette, and further advancement of the DCC tape cassette (8) is prevented, that is, erroneous insertion of the DCC tape cassette (8) is prevented.

[0016]

EXAMPLE As shown in FIG. 1, a cassette holder (2) is slidably arranged on a base (1) in directions indicated by arrows C and D, and a rectangular opening (2) is formed at the front of the cassette holder.
Place the tray (3) in 1) so that it can be moved up and down. At the front of the base (1), below the transfer path of the cassette holder (2), there is a reel stand.
(Not shown) has been deployed.

Slide plates (4) (only the front slider is shown in FIG. 1 and the other side is omitted) are slidably arranged on both sides of the cassette holder (2) along the sliding direction. The slide plate (4) is provided with parallel inclined elongated holes (41) (41), and the shafts (31) (31) projecting from the side surface of the tray (3) are inclined elongated holes (41) (41). The tray (3) is moved up and down by sliding the slide plate (4).

Cassette holder (2) and slide plate (4)
A slide driving device (not shown) is connected to the slide plate, and the slide plate (4) is attached to the cassette holder when storing the cassette.
After the cassette holder (2) has reached the slide end by sliding in the direction indicated by arrow C together with (2), slide the slide plate.
Only (4) slides for the stroke for lowering the tray (3), and when ejecting the cassette, first, only the slide plate (4) slides for the stroke for raising the tray (3), and then Slide plate (4) and cassette holder
(2) slides integrally in the cassette ejection direction indicated by arrow D.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the DCC tape cassette (8) is placed on the tray (3) with the cassette holder (2) opened, the slide drive device is automatically detected by the cassette operation and the button operation. Is operated, the cassette holder (2) slides in the cassette housing direction, the tray (3) descends at the slide end, and the DCC tape cassette (8) on the tray (3) is loaded on the reel stand.

The mechanism of the slide driving device is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.
The tray (3) on which the DCC tape cassette is placed is slid horizontally and lowered at the inner end of the slide, and a mechanism that satisfies this is known, that is, a known magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR or a car stereo. It is possible to adopt the mechanism of the front loading method. A cassette holding mechanism (6) is provided on the base (1) above the transfer path of the cassette holder (2).

In the cassette pressing mechanism (6), a pressing lever (61) is provided at the rear end of the base (1) so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane by a pivot (62), and the cassette of the lever (61). At the free end facing the discharge side, attach the holding plate (63) to the lever (6
It is pivotally supported in the same vertical plane as 1).

The presser plate (63) is located below the presser lever (61) and has rounded contact portions (65) at the four corners of the lower surface that contact the upper surface of the cassette. The presser plate (63) has a front part that is heavier than the rear part around the pivot (64), the upper surface of the presser plate (63) contacts the lower surface of the presser lever (61), and is indicated by an arrow E in FIG. Clockwise rotation is blocked.

A support shaft (67) is provided on the base (1) below the base end portion of the presser lever (61) so as to be able to move up and down, and the base end portion of the lever (61) is located at the lifted position. The lever (61) is urged downward by a spring (68) while being supported by the spring (67).

The support shaft 67 is connected to an elevating and lowering drive device (not shown) using a cam, and gradually descends as the cassette is loaded and gradually ascends as it unloads.

DCC tape cassette on the lower surface of the holding plate (63)
An open mechanism (5) for opening the slider (87) of (8) is provided. The open mechanism (5) pivotally supports the slider open lever (51) by pivotally supporting the base end of a pivot (52) projecting from the lower surface of the holding plate (63), and the torsion spring (54). Urging the lever (51) counterclockwise.

The lever (51) has round shaft-shaped hitting pieces (55) (53) projecting from the upper and lower ends at the free end, and as shown in FIG. 3, the free end is on the left side of the cassette insertion direction shown by arrow C. Defeat on the top
(55) is applied to the notch edge (69) of the holding plate (63), and the lower hitting piece (53) is made to stand by facing the exposed portion of the sloped portion (85) of the DCC tape cassette (8).

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the slider open lever (51) is fitted on the pivot shaft (52) with a little margin, and the torsion spring (54) for biasing the lever is fitted on the pivot shaft (52). Therefore, the lever (51) can be tilted in the direction of arrow E when an external force acts.

Therefore, the tray of the cassette holder (2)
When the DCC tape cassette (8) is loaded into (3) and loading is started, as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 3, the slider open lever ( 51) The contact piece (53) at the tip end abuts on the inclined surface portion (85) of the cassette shell (81). When the cassette holder (2) further moves forward, the lever (51) is guided by the inclined surface portion (85) to rotate clockwise. Slider (87) at this time
Is pushed by the hitting piece (53) of the lever (51) and moves to the right,
The windows (82) (83) (84) gradually open.

Immediately before the insertion of the DCC tape cassette (8) is completed, the slider (87) is fully opened, and when the DCC tape cassette (8) is further advanced, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact piece () of the slider open lever (51) ( 53) fits in the groove (86) of the cassette shell (81) and holds the slider (87) in the open state.

Along with the above loading, the contact portion (65) of the holding plate (63) presses the DCC tape cassette (8), and in this state, the tray (3) descends as shown in FIG.
(8) is loaded on a reel stand (not shown).

When the DCC tape cassette (8) is inserted into the tray (3) with its front and back reversed, the contact piece (53) of the slider open lever (51) is turned into the DCC tape cassette (8).
The lever (51) is guided by the back surface (80) of the DCC tape cassette (8) to rotate clockwise as shown in FIG. With the lever (51) oriented in the direction of advance of the cassette indicated by the arrow C, the cassette and the lever (51) are pressed against each other to prevent the DCC tape cassette (8) from further advancing, that is, the DCC tape cassette (8). ) Is prevented from being inserted incorrectly.

The driving device for the cassette holder (2) is provided with a sliding means in the power transmission system so that the mechanism will not be damaged even if the advance of the cassette is stopped midway. In addition, the timer is used to detect that the loading is not completed within a certain period of time from the start of loading, and the cassette holder (2) can be slid in the cassette ejection direction if the advance of the cassette is stopped midway as described above. It is possible.

9 and 10 show the CC tape cassette (9).
An embodiment in which the slider open mechanism (5) is not operated when the CC tape cassette (9) is inserted into the cassette holder (2) by utilizing the fact that the front center of the is larger than the thickness of the DCC tape cassette (8). Is shown. When the CC tape cassette (9) is loaded into the cassette holder (2), the lever (51) is located at the high step (94) of the CC tape cassette (9).
The leading edge is lifted by hitting the rear end, and the hitting piece (53) escapes above the transfer path of the cassette, opening the transfer path of the CC tape cassette (9) and obstructing the loading of the CC tape cassette (9). And does not impair the compatibility with the CC tape cassette (9).

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part of a cassette pressing mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the relationship between the cassette and the opening mechanism at the start of insertion of the DCC tape cassette.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the relationship between the cassette and the open mechanism when the DCC tape cassette reaches the insertion end.

FIG. 5 is a cassette in the middle of insertion of a DCC tape cassette,
It is a side view which shows the relationship of an open mechanism and a cassette pressing mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the relationship between the cassette, the opening mechanism, and the cassette pressing mechanism at the insertion end of the DCC tape cassette.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the relationship between the cassette, the opening mechanism, and the cassette pressing mechanism when the DCC tape cassette is loaded on the reel stand.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the relationship between the cassette, the opening mechanism, and the cassette pressing mechanism when the DCC tape cassette is inserted with its front and back reversed.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the relationship between the cassette, the opening mechanism, and the cassette pressing mechanism when the CC tape cassette is inserted.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the relationship between the cassette, the opening mechanism, and the cassette pressing mechanism when the CC tape cassette reaches the insertion end.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the DCC tape cassette with the slider closed.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the DCC tape cassette with a slider open.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a CC tape cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Base (2) Cassette holder (3) Tray (4) Slide plate (5) Open mechanism (51) Open lever (53) Hit piece (6) Presser lever (63) Presser plate (8) DCC tape cassette (9) CC tape cassette

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A mechanism for preventing erroneous insertion of a tape cassette in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a DCC tape cassette equipped with a tape protection slider (87), which slides on a base (1). A cassette holder (2), which is arranged so that the tray (3) for loading cassettes can be raised and lowered in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction, and on the base (1) above the transfer path of the cassette holder (2). A holding plate (63) that is arranged so that it can be moved up and down and presses the tape cassette on the cassette holder (2), and a contact piece (53) at the tip that is provided on the inner surface of the holding plate (63) protrudes into the cassette insertion transfer path and is always A tape cassette erroneous insertion prevention mechanism consisting of a slider opening lever (51) that is biased in the cassette ejection direction. 2. The slider opening lever (51) is attached to the holding plate (63) so that the tip side thereof can be lifted, and when the CC tape cassette (9) is loaded into the tray (3), the C
2. The tape cassette erroneous insertion preventing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lever (51) hits the high step portion (94) of the C tape cassette (9) and the lever tip is lifted to open the cassette transfer path.