JPH0676530A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a tape cassette provided with a tape protecting cover to contrive an earth environmental protection by eliminating the need to put the tape cassette in a housing case at the time of keeping or carrying it and making the reduction of a dust of plastic possible. CONSTITUTION:Side wall plates 11, 14 are arranged at the left/right of a main body 2 of cassette, and engaging means 12a, 15b are provided at the tip parts of each side wall plate and flexible members 11d, 14d are provided at the terminal parts, then they are formed integrally with the main body 2 of tape cassette. At the time of keeping or carrying the tape cassette, each of side wall plates 11, 14 is arranged on the front opening part 7 of the main body 2 to form them into a protecting cover preventing a scratch, stain, etc., on the surface of magnetic tape T by engaging the engaging means 12a, 15b at the tips.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette suitable for application to, for example, a compact tape cassette for audio equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of conventional tape cassettes have been proposed, one example of which will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 2 denotes a tape cassette main body, which is a combination of a pair of upper and lower cassette halves 3 and 4, and has hub drive shaft insertion holes (hereinafter referred to as hub holes) 5a, 5b and 8a, 8b in the cassette halves 3 and 4, respectively. Hubs 9a and 9b around which the magnetic tape T is wound are rotatably housed in the tape cassette body 2 in correspondence with the hub holes 5a, 8b, 5b and 8a, respectively.

The magnetic tape T wound around the hubs 9a and 9b is supported by guide pins and guide rollers provided on the left and right sides of the tape cassette body 2, respectively. The large window 7a into which the recording / playback head on the front is inserted, and the small windows 7b and 7c of the guide posts to the left and right, and the front window 7 of the middle windows 7d and 7e into which pinch rollers are inserted at both ends. Has been done.

Store the tape cassette when it is not in use
A plastic cassette case for accommodating the entire tape cassette is generally used for the purpose of protecting the magnetic tape T exposed at the front opening 7 when carrying the tape cassette,
Further, the volume of the upper and lower face plates 31 and 3 is reduced as shown in FIG. 8 for the purpose of further reducing the volume.
2 is provided with notches 33 and 34 into which the cassette half trapezoidal bulges 6a and 6b are inserted, and the thickness of the case 30 is kept close to the thickness of the tape cassette body 2 for practical use. .

[0005]

However, the cassette case is still larger than the size of the main body of the tape cassette, and when the tape cassette is inserted into the tape recorder, it becomes a problem to store and process the cases that are empty. was there.

In view of the above, the present invention proposes a tape cassette capable of protecting a magnetic tape without using a conventional storage case when not in use.

[0007]

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one example of the tape cassette of the present invention is that one end of the tape cassette body 2 has one and the other side surfaces 10 and 13. Flexible members 11d and 14d on the front opening 7 side
And a first side wall plate 11 and a second side wall plate 14 that form a part of the side wall of the tape cassette body 2 and that have engaging means 12a and 15b at the other end, respectively.
The first and second side wall plates 11 and 14 are arranged in the front opening 7 of the tape cassette body 2 when not in use, and the other ends 12a and 15b are engaged with each other to form a protective cover. Is.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the first and second side faces 10 and 13 of the one and the other sides of the tape cassette body 2 are arranged.
The side wall plates 11 and 14 respectively constitute a part of the side wall of the tape cassette body 2, and fast-forwarding, rewinding and recording / reproducing are performed without changing from the conventional general tape cassette. When not in use, the first and second side wall plates 11 and 14
From the side surfaces 10 and 13 and the flexible member 11 at one end
The front cover 7 of the tape cassette body 2 is rotated by 270 ° by d and 14d, and the other ends 12a and 15b of the tape cassette body 2 are engaged with each other to form a protective cover.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6
In the above description, the parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 7 and 8 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette half on one surface (hereinafter referred to as surface A) when the tape cassette is used. Although the external dimensions are not different from those of the normal standard cassette half shown in FIG. 7, in appearance, the first side wall plate (hereinafter referred to as the left side wall plate) 11 has one side surface (hereinafter, referred to as the left side wall plate). Left side) 10 and second short and small
Since the side wall plate (hereinafter, referred to as the right side wall plate) 14 of FIG. 1 is arranged almost in the middle of the other side surface (hereinafter, referred to as the right side surface) 13 of the tape cassette body 2, this portion has a different appearance. .

As shown in the perspective view of the left side wall plate of FIG. 3A, the left side wall plate 11 has a substantially rectangular shape, and forms a left side surface 10 of the tape cassette body 2 and a left inner frame 10a of the tape cassette body 2. Consists of a back surface which contacts and a convex engaging means 1 at the tip.
2a.

Detachment claw contact portions 11a and 11b are provided on the back side of the upper and lower side surfaces near the convex engaging means 12a of the left side wall plate 11, and the other side portion is mounted on the left side of the tape cassette body 2.
Hole 11 for small piece for discharge (hereinafter referred to as left half ear) 16a
There is c.

A flexible string-shaped left side flexible member (hereinafter referred to as a left connecting band) 11d is joined to a rear edge portion of the left side wall plate 11, and a left connecting band 11d is provided at a final end of the left connecting band 11d. A stopper 11e protruding in a direction orthogonal to the is provided.

As shown in the perspective view of the right side wall plate of FIG. 3B, the right side wall plate 14 has a substantially rectangular shape, but the length thereof is about 2/3 of the left side wall plate 11. The tape cassette main body 2 has a front surface that constitutes the right side surface 13 and a back surface that contacts the right inner frame 13a of the tape cassette main body 2, and has a concave engaging means 15b at its tip.

Near the engaging means 15b of the right side wall plate 14,
Detachment claw rests 14a and 14b are provided on the back side of the upper and lower side surfaces, and a hole 14c for a right side mounting and discharging piece (hereinafter referred to as a right half ear) 16b of the tape cassette body 2 is provided on the other side. A right side flexible member (hereinafter referred to as a right connecting band) 14d having a stopper 14e at its final end is joined to the rear surface edge of the right side wall plate 14.

The left and right side wall plates 11 and 14 are made of a material such as ABS having a high strength, and the left and right connecting belts 11 are
The materials d and 14d and the stoppers 11e and 14e are made of POM (polyacetal) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) as a material having excellent bending strength and slidability.

The tape cassette body 2 has a left side surface 10 having a left half ear 16a, as shown in the internal structure diagram of FIG.
With the thickness of the left side wall plate 11 left inside, the left inner frame 10a that is approximately the length of the left side wall plate 11 is placed inside the tape cassette body 2 by the thickness of the left side wall plate 11. Is provided with a concave engagement member 12b that forms a first engagement member 12 by forming a pair with a convex engagement means 12a provided at the tip of the left side wall plate 11, and the left inner frame 10a and the tape. The cassette main body 2 has a first insertion opening 10b into which the left front surface 17a is in contact, the left front tapping screw pedestal 18a, and the left connecting band 11d is inserted.

The right side surface 13 leaves the right half ear 16b,
The right side wall plate 14 is substantially the same as the left side face 10 and the left inner frame 10a except that it is short. That is, the right inner frame 13a is provided, but the stepped surfaces of the right side surface 13 and the right inner frame 13a are paired with the concave engagement means 15b provided at the tip of the right side wall plate 14 to form a second engagement member. Convex engagement member 15a constituting the joining member 15
And a second insertion opening 13b into which the right connecting band 14d is inserted in contact with the right inner frame 13a and the right front surface 17b of the tape cassette body 2 and the right front tapping screw pedestal 18b.

A series of operations of this embodiment will be described with reference to the perspective view of the tape cassette in the storage / carrying state of FIG. 1, the partially enlarged view of the left connecting band of FIG. 4 and the tape cassette operation illustration of FIG. . When the tape cassette is used, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, the left side wall plate 11 has a first engaging member 12 at its tip, and the left half front ear 17a of the tape cassette body 2 has a left half ear 16a. Ear hole 11c of the left side wall plate 11
The left side surface 10 of the tape cassette main body 2 is formed by fitting with.

The right side plate 14 has its distal end at the second engaging member 1
5 and the right front surface 17b of the tape cassette body 2 are
The right side 13 of the tape cassette body 2 is formed by fitting the right half ear 16b and the ear hole 14c of the right side wall plate 11. Since the side walls 11 and 14 are arranged on the left and right in appearance, this part has a different appearance, but the dimensions are no different from those of a normal standard cassette half, and they are mounted on a tape recorder and played. I can.

A protective cover is used in order to prevent accidents such as damage and dirt on the surface magnetic surface of the magnetic tape T exposed at the front opening 7 of the tape cassette when the tape cassette is taken out of the tape recorder and left as it is.

As shown in FIG. 5, the detachable claw contact portions 11a and 11b on the upper and lower side surfaces near the tip of the left side wall plate 11 are provided.
The left side wall plate 11 is raised by separating the convex engagement means 12a at the tip of the left side wall plate 11 from the concave engagement member 12b of the first engagement member 12, and further the left side wall plate 11 is attached to the tape cassette. It is separated from the left inner frame 10a of the main body 2 and the ear hole 11c of the left side wall plate 11 is pulled out from the left half ear 16a. The back surface edge of the left side wall plate 11 is the left front surface 17 of the left inner frame 10a.
The left side wall plate 11 is formed until the stopper 11e at the final end of the left connecting band 11d that comes out of the first insertion opening 10b provided at the corner that contacts a is in contact with the left front tapping cradle 18a.
Moves away from the left inner frame 10a.

The same applies to the right side wall plate 14. That is, the claws are hooked on the removable claw pads 14a and 14b, the right side wall plate 14 is raised, the convex engaging means 15b of the second engaging member 15 is released, and the right half ear 16b is further released.
Then, the ear hole 14c of the right side wall plate 14 is pulled out. Right side wall plate 14
The rear edge portion of the right connecting band 14 protruding from the second insertion opening 13b provided at the corner in contact with the right front surface 17b of the right inner frame 13a.
The right side wall plate 14 separates from the right inner frame 13a until a stopper 14e joined to the right connecting strip 14d at the final end of the right connecting band 14d contacts the right front tapping cradle 18b.

Next, the left side wall plate 11 rotates about 270 ° after the left connecting band 11d is fully pulled out. As shown in the enlarged view of the operation part of the left connecting belt in FIG. 4, the left connecting belt 11d is moved in parallel from the first insertion opening 10b, and the stopper 11e is moved.
Are pulled out until they are locked by the left front tapping screw holder 18a, and then the left front surface 1 of the tape cassette body 2 is pulled out.
It is bent so that it contacts 7a. When viewed from the first use, the left side wall plate 11 has rotated 270 °. And
The pinch roller insertion middle window 7d, the guide post small window 7b, and the head insertion large window 7a are covered.

The right side wall plate 14 also sufficiently pulls out the right connecting band 14d from the second insertion opening 13b, and the stopper 14e is locked by the right front tapping screw receiving base 18b. The back side of the right side wall plate 14 which is rotated by about 270 ° in the right connecting band covers the right front surface 17b of the tape cassette body 2, the pinch roller insertion window 7e and the guide post small window 7c.

A large window 7a for inserting the central head in the front opening 7 of the tape cassette body 2 and a small window 7c for the guide post on the right side.
The left side wall plate 11 and the right side wall plate 14 are integrally formed by engaging the convex engaging means 12a and the concave engaging means 15b installed at the respective tips at substantially the center of the boundary plate 7f. The front opening 7 of the tape cassette body 2 is completely covered, and the tape cassette is in a storage / carrying state, as shown in the perspective view of FIG.

When the tape cassette is in use, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the perspective view of FIG.
Since 1 and 14 are arranged on the left side surface 10 and the right side surface 13 of the tape cassette main body 2, they have different appearances, but the dimensions of the tape cassette recorder are the same as those of a standard cassette half. You can wear it and play.

When the tape cassette is stored or carried, the left
Each of the right and left side wall plates 11 and 14 has a detachable claw pad portion 11
Put your nails on a, 11b and 14a, 14b,
The respective tips are disengaged from the engaging members 12b and 15a,
Further, the ear holes 11c and 14c of the respective side wall plates are removed from the respective half ears 16a and 16b, and then the respective side wall plates 11 and 14 are provided with the respective connecting bands 11d and 14d joined at the respective rear surface edges. The respective side wall plates 11 and 14 are rotated by 270 °, and the respective side wall plates 11 and 14 are attached to the front surface 1 of the tape cassette body 2.
By turning to the 7a and 17b sides and fitting the convex engagement means 12a and the concave engagement means 15b at the tip end thereof,
The front opening 7 of the tape cassette body 2 is entirely covered to form an integrated protective cover.

In this example, in order to avoid fitting the tips of the left and right side wall plates 11 and 14 at the front of the large window 7a of the head insertion opening of the front opening 7 of the tape cassette body 2,
Although the lengths of the left and right side wall plates 11 and 14 are changed, it is also possible to use side wall plates having the same left and right lengths in terms of design.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0031]

As described above, in the tape cassette of the present invention, side wall plates are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the tape cassette body, and the tip ends of the side wall plates are connected by respective engaging means.
Protect the magnetic tape without using a storage case etc. because the side wall plate is detached from the side surface of the tape cassette body to cover the front opening when used as it is, and when carrying it for storage. There is a profit that can Therefore, according to the present invention, since a conventional plastic case or the like is not required, it is possible to reduce the amount of plastic dust and to protect the global environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tape cassette of the present invention in a stored / carried state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a side wall plate of an embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view for explaining the operation of the left side flexible member (left connecting band) of the embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of one embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an internal structural diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the tape cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional tape cassette.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional tape stopper.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 tape cassette body 10 left side surface 11 left side wall plate 11d left side flexible member (left connecting band) 12a convex engaging means 13 right side surface 14 right side wall plate 14d right side flexible member (right connecting band) 15b concave engaging means T magnetic tape

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. One end of a tape cassette body is connected to one or the other side surface of the tape cassette body via a front opening side, and the other end has an engaging means. The first and second side wall plates constituting the above are provided, and when not in use, the first and second side wall plates are arranged in the front opening of the tape cassette body, and the other ends of the side wall plates are connected through the engaging means. A tape cassette characterized in that it is further engaged to form a protective cover.