JPH06259917A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form such a spacing in which a magnetic tape is not clamped between tape guides and a front surface cap in the state of closing the front surface cap. CONSTITUTION:The front end edges of both halves 2 and 3 are projectingly provided with butt parts 12a, 12b and 11a, 11b so as to exist at both top and bottom ends of the tape guides 7a, 7b disposed in both side parts in the front surface aperture of a cartridge casing 1. The front surface cap 8 is so formed as to be butted against these butt parts 12a, 12b and 11a, 11b in the closed state. Slopes 12a1, 12b1 are formed on the front surface sides of the butt parts 12a, 12b on the side where the front surface cap 8 turn to open and close.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

This invention relates to digital signals such as P
The present invention relates to a tape cassette suitable for use in recording / reproducing CM signals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a PCM recording / reproducing apparatus has been proposed which converts an analog signal such as an acoustic signal into a digital signal such as a PCM signal and records (or reproduces) it on a magnetic tape. As this PCM recording / reproducing apparatus, there is one that uses a rotary head so as to obtain a relatively high recording density. In a PCM recording / reproducing apparatus using this rotary head, reproduction (or recording) is performed in a state where a magnetic tape is loaded on a rotary drum provided with the rotary head during reproduction (or recording).

In a tape cassette loaded with this magnetic tape, when a finger touches the magnetic tape and oil and fat components adhere to it, or dust is attached to the magnetic tape, a dropout occurs in a reproduced signal, so that the magnetic tape is touched by the finger. It is necessary to seal the magnetic tape as much as possible so that it does not get dusty. Also, a space is required for inserting a guide system so that the magnetic tape can be loaded from the tape cassette during reproduction (or recording).

Therefore, a tape cassette as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 59-43574).
issue). That is, in FIGS. 4 and 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a cassette housing, and this cassette housing 1 is composed of a pair of upper half 2 and lower half 3 which are united by screwing.
2a is a transparent window plate provided on the upper surface of the upper half 2. 4a and 4b are a pair of reel shaft insertion holes 5a housed in the cassette housing 1 and provided at predetermined positions of the lower half 3.
And 5b, which are a pair of reel hubs that are loosely fitted to each other, and the magnetic tape 6 is wound around the pair of reel hubs 4a and 4b. Reference numerals 7a and 7b denote tape guide columns provided on the left and right side wall portions facing the front surface portion,
The magnetic tape 6 is stretched between the tape guide columns 7a and 7b so that the magnetic tape 6 can run at a predetermined position on the front surface. Reference numeral 3a is a recess formed in the lower half 3 on the back side of the magnetic tape 6 stretched between the tape guide columns 7a and 7b and formed in a substantially rectangular shape over a predetermined width. A guide system for loading is inserted from the recording / reproducing device.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a front lid which is rotatably supported on the front side of the cassette housing 1 by arm portions 8a and 8b provided on both right and left sides. The front lid 8 serves to cover the cassette housing 1. The front part is opened and closed.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a substantially U-shaped slider which is engaged with the left and right side wall portions of the lower half 3 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction so as to correspond to the lower surface portion. Reference numerals 9a and 9b are reel shaft insertion corresponding holes formed in the slider 9 corresponding to the reel shaft insertion holes 5a and 5b in a state where the slider 9 is slid backward so as to open the recess 3a. 10a and 10b are tape guide columns 7a and 7 respectively.
It is a positioning hole provided on the lower surface side corresponding to b.
When storing such a tape cassette, the front part of the cassette housing 1 is closed by the front cover 8 and the slider 9 is slid forward as shown in FIG. 4 when the tape cassette is stored, the recess 3a, the reel shaft insertion holes 5a, 5b and the positioning holes. 10a and 10b are closed by the slider 9, and the magnetic tape 6 is attached to the cassette housing 1.
Sealed inside. The magnetic tape 6 housed in the cassette housing 1 is visible through the transparent window plate 2a of the upper half 2. In use, the slider 9 is slid backward as shown in FIG.
Reel shaft insertion holes 5a, 5b and positioning holes 10a, 10
When b is opened and the front lid 8 is rotated upward, the magnetic tape 6 is exposed on the front surface of the cassette housing 1, and the recess 3
a, reel shaft insertion holes 5a, 5b and positioning holes 10a,
A guide system, a reel shaft, and a positioning pin are inserted into the respective 10b, and the magnetic tape 6 is loaded onto the rotary drum from the front portion of the cassette housing 1 by the guide system, and predetermined reproduction (or recording) is performed.

[0007]

In the tape cassette thus constructed, the front portion of the cassette housing 1 is the front lid 8.
The inner surface of the front lid 8 comes into contact with the front sides of the tape guide columns 7a and 7b in the state of being closed by, and the magnetic tape 6 stretched between the tape guide columns 7a and 7b is attached to the tape guide columns. It will be sandwiched by 7a and 7b. Therefore, when the tape cassette is dropped or an impact is applied, the front cover 8 strongly abuts the tape guide columns 7a and 7b, and the magnetic tape 6 is rubbed between the tape guide columns and the front cover, and the tape surface is rubbed. Is damaged, causing a problem such as a dropout in the reproduced signal.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a tape cassette which eliminates the tape damage when the front lid is closed when the magnetic tape stored in the cassette housing is not used.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a guide system insertion concave portion at a front portion, and a tape guide is provided at both side portions of the concave portion. A magnetic tape is housed in a cassette housing made up of one half and the other half that is joined to this one half, and the magnetic tape is stretched between the tape guides, and the front side of the guide system insertion recess is opened and closed in the cassette housing. In a tape cassette equipped with a front lid, abutting portions are provided near the front end portions of the tape guide at the front end edges of both halves, and the front lid is closed at both abutting portions. The inner surface side of the tape guide is configured to form a required gap with the front surface of the tape guide.

Further, according to the present invention, the upper surface side of the abutting portion projectingly provided on the upper half of the cassette housing is formed into an inclined surface which inclines toward the front surface side.

[0011]

In this way, the abutting portions are provided on the front end edges of both halves so that they are abutted when the front lid is closed to form a required gap with the front surface of the tape guide. Therefore, even if the front lid receives an impact due to a drop of the tape cassette or the like, it does not come into contact with the tape guides, and there is no possibility of strongly pinching the magnetic tape stretched between the tape guides.

Further, by forming the upper surface side of the abutment portion on the upper half side into an inclined surface which inclines toward the front surface side, the opening / closing rotation operation of the front surface lid can be smoothly performed without any trouble.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a tape cassette according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The same reference numerals are given to members corresponding to those of FIGS. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, 1 is a cassette housing, 2 and 3 are upper half and lower half, respectively. The upper half 2 and the lower half 3 are made of synthetic resin such as ABS.
A tape cassette is obtained by molding with resin and disposing the front lid 8 and the slider 9 formed of synthetic resin at predetermined positions.

Here, in this embodiment, the lower half 3 is located at the lower surface side front edge portion, that is, at the lower end portions of the tape guide columns 7a and 7b provided on both sides of the guide system insertion concave portion 3a, and has a required height h. The abutting portions 11a and 11b are provided in a protruding manner, and the abutting portions 12a and 12b are provided on the front edge side of the upper half 2 in correspondence with the upper end portions of the tape guide columns 7a and 7b. 11b is provided so as to be substantially the same as the front end surface of 11b.
The upper surface side of b is formed into inclined surfaces 12a ₁ and 12b ₁ which incline lower toward the front surface side. Further, the front end surfaces 2a and 2b adjacent to the outer sides of the abutting portions 12a and 12b on the front edge side of the upper half 2 are formed one step lower than the abutting portions 12a and 12b, so that the front end surfaces 2a and 2b are injection molded. It is possible to dispose the gate portion at the time. The abutting portions 11a and 11b on the lower half 3 side are horizontally long along the front edge portion, and the abutting portions 12a and 1b on the upper half 2 side.
Although 2b has a narrow protruding piece shape, the upper and lower abutting portions may have the same symmetrical shape or an inversely related shape to that shown in the drawing.

By thus projecting the abutting portions 12a, 12b and 11a, 11b on the front edge portions of the upper half 2 and the lower half 3, when the front lid 8 is closed, the inner surface of the abutting portion 12a, 12b and 11a, 11b are abutted, so that a gap a having a height h of the abutting portion is formed between the inner surface of the front lid 8 and the tape guide columns 7a and 7b. Since the upper surfaces of the abutting portions 12a and 12b on the upper half 2 side are formed as inclined surfaces 12a ₁ and 12b ₁ that are inclined lower toward the front side, the front lid 8 is opened / closed, that is, from the front side to the upper half 2 side. The inclined surface 12 when rotating toward the upper surface side of the
a ₁ and 12 b ₁ serve as relief portions, and the front lid 8 has the abutting portion 1
2a, 12b can be opened and closed without any hindrance.

The slider 9 has both side surface portions 9c and 9d slidably contacting both side wall portions of the lower half 3 and both upper edge portions thereof are engaged between end edges of both side wall portions of the upper and lower halves 2 and 3. It is slidable in the front-back direction with respect to the box 1,
The lower half 3 opens and closes the lower surface side of the guide system insertion concave portion 3a, and the shallow groove 9e is formed on both sides of the flat surface on the half front side so that the slider 9 is properly regulated at a predetermined opening and closing position.
And 9f are formed, and locking holes 9g, 9h and 9i, 9j are formed in the front and rear portions thereof. Further, elastic engaging pieces 3b and 3c are provided on the lower surface of the lower half 3 and the elastic engaging pieces 3 are provided.
b and 3c are locking holes 9g and 9i or 9h of the slider 9
And 9j so that the position of the slider 9 can be properly regulated when the slider 9 is opened or closed.

Elastic engaging pieces 3b and 3c of the lower half 3
.. 9j of the slider 9 is disengaged, that is, the slider 9 is unlocked, the push-up pin provided in the tape cassette loading portion of the PCM recording / reproducing apparatus slides the elastic engaging pieces 3b and 3c. It is carried out by pushing up from the engaging hole side through the shallow grooves 9e and 9f of 9. The slider 9 is provided with a shaft pin 1 projecting from the front end of the upper surface of the flat surface.
3, the central coil portion is fitted in, and the other end of the torsion spring 14 whose one end is locked to the flat portion is brought into contact with the front partition wall of the lower half 3 to be always slid and biased forward, that is, in the closing direction. There is.

According to this embodiment constructed as described above, both tape guide columns 7a and 7 are provided at the front edges of the upper and lower halves 2 and 3.
b located at the upper and lower ends, the abutting portions 12a, 12b and 1
1a and 11b are provided in a projecting manner, and the front cover 8 is abutted against the abutting portion to form a required gap a between the tape guide columns 7a and 7b.
Even when the front lid 8 is closed, it is not contacted with the magnetic tape 6 that is housed in the tape and is stretched between the tape guide columns 7a and 7b. Therefore, the front lid 8 is pressed by dropping the tape cassette or the like. Even if the front lid 8 is used, the magnetic tape 6
The tape can be prevented from being damaged without being strongly pressed against the tape guide columns 7a and 7b.

Further, the abutting portions 12a, 1 on the upper half 2 side
In 2b, the inclined surfaces 12a ₁ and 12b ₁ serve as relief portions and do not hinder the rotation of the front lid 8, and the front lid 8 can be smoothly opened and closed and rotated so that the front surface of the guide system insertion concave portion of the cassette housing 1 is fixed. It can be opened and closed reliably.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, the abutting portions are provided on the front end edges of both halves forming the cassette housing, and the abutting portions are abutted on the cassette housing with the front lid closed. Since the required space is formed between the stored magnetic tape and the tape guide on which it is stretched, the front lid hardly contacts the magnetic tape, and the front lid is pressed when the tape cassette falls or the like. Even if this happens, the magnetic tape is not pressed against the tape guide unnecessarily, so there is no risk of scratching or other damage to the magnetic tape, and the magnetic tape can be safely and reliably stored when not in use.
Also, the opening and closing of the front lid can be performed smoothly and surely without any trouble.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an example of a tape cassette according to the present invention in a state where a front lid is opened.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the tape cassette with a front cover closed.

3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional tape cassette.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the tape cassette with the front cover opened.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cassette housing 2 upper half 3 lower half 3a guide system insertion recess 6 magnetic tape 7a, 7b tape guide pillar 8 front lid 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b abutting portion 12a ₁ , 12b ₁ inclined surface

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. One half provided with a guide system insertion recess at the front and having tape guides located on both sides of the recess, and the other half joined to the one half. A tape cassette in which a magnetic tape is housed in a cassette housing and is stretched between the tape guides, and the cassette housing includes a front lid that opens and closes the front side of the recess. Abutment portions are provided in the vicinity of both end portions on the front end edges of the both halves, and bottom surfaces of the abutment portions abut against the both abutment portions when the front lid is closed, and the abutting portions are provided between the abutment portions and the tape guides. A tape cassette, characterized in that it forms a required gap so that the magnetic tape is not pinched by the tape guide and the front lid. 2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface side of the abutting portion projecting on the upper half of the cassette housing is formed as an inclined surface which is inclined lower toward the front surface side.