JPH0745036A - Coupling structure of upper and lower halves on tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the structure of the upper and lower halves simply breakable in view of recyling the tape cassette constituted by coupling the upper half and the lower half. CONSTITUTION:The coupling structure is such a fashion that a coupling pin 17 is fitted into coupling hole parts 16 provided in the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 respectively so as to couple the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 together. This coupling pin 17 has a columnar part 17a to be fitted into the coupling holes 16, both upper and lower ends of which are formed integrally with one pair of flange parts 17b and 17c for fixing the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 under the coupling state. When the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 should be separated from each other, the coupling pin 17 is pressed by strong force from the side of the lower flange part 17c, so that a groove part 18 formed in a notched shape from the end surface of the lower flange part 17 over to the columnar part 17a is narrowed to deform the flange part 17c in diameter to be able to pass through the coupling hole parts 16, and hence the coupling pin 17 is pushed out of the coupling hole parts 16 to fall off, and the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 are separated from each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connecting structure of upper and lower halves constituting a box body of a tape cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, tape cassettes such as audio compact cassettes and video cassettes are formed by combining a resin upper half and a lower half, which are formed in a substantially symmetrical shape, to form a cassette housing, and a magnetic field is formed inside the cassette housing. A hub around which the tape is wound is rotatably housed.

Conventionally, screwing or ultrasonic welding has been widely used as a means for connecting the upper and lower halves in this tape cassette.

[0004]

By the way, in recent years, recycling of this tape cassette has also been promoted for the purpose of protecting the global environment. That is, dismantle the old tape cassette, take out the magnetic tape, replace it with a new magnetic tape and store it again in the cassette housing to make a new tape cassette, or melt the disassembled upper and lower half resin. It is remolded again to make a new tape cassette.

When separating the upper and lower halves when disassembling the tape cassette in the recycling of this tape cassette, it is time-consuming to loosen the screw if it is a conventional connecting means by screwing, and if it is a connecting means by ultrasonic welding. It is difficult to completely separate the upper and lower halves, and it is difficult to adapt to automation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting structure that can easily separate the upper and lower halves when recycling the tape cassette.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tape cassette in which an upper half and a lower half are united to form a cassette case, and holes provided in the upper and lower halves respectively. The upper and lower halves are joined by fitting a resin-made connecting pin having the required toughness into the portion, and the connecting pin is formed integrally with the pillar portion fitted in the hole and both ends of this pillar portion. And a pair of flange portions that stop the upper and lower halves in a coupled state, and a notch formed from at least one end surface of the pair of flange portions to the column portion, and the deformation of the coupling pin so that the flange portion can pass through the hole portion. And a groove section that allows In the above structure, a stepwise stopper portion is provided at the opening of the hole on at least one side of the upper and lower halves,
The flange portion of the connecting pin is set so as to cut into the stepped stopper portion.

[0008]

In the tape cassette in which the upper and lower halves are connected by the connecting pin constructed as described above, the connecting pin is strongly pressed when it is disassembled, so that the connecting pin has a narrow groove so that the flange can pass through the hole. It deforms to a diameter, which causes the connecting pin to fall out of the hole and separate the upper and lower halves. Also, when the upper and lower halves are joined by the connecting pin, the flange part bites into the stepped stopper part of the hole, so that the connecting pin is securely fitted in the hole and the upper and lower halves are joined, It does not easily fall off even if the impact of is applied.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a tape cassette (compact cassette for audio) as a whole, and reference numeral 2 denotes its casing, and this cassette casing 2 is made of a resin-made upper half 3 and lower half. 4 and the upper half 3 and the lower half 4 are joined and fixed by joining pins 17 at five points of the four corner portions and the portion near the center front.

Each of the upper half 3 and the lower half 4 has a pair of hub drive shaft insertion holes 5 and 6 on the left and right, and a magnetic field is provided in the cassette housing 2 in correspondence with the hub drive shaft insertion holes 5 and 6. A pair of hubs 8 around which the tape 7 is wound are rotatably housed.

The magnetic tape 7 wound around the hub 8 is
Recording / reproduction is carried out by being exposed to the opening 12 on the front surface of the cassette housing 2 via guide pins 9 and guide rollers 11 which are rotatably supported by a shaft 10 on the left and right sides in the lower half 4. Sometimes, the opening 12 is brought into contact with a magnetic head, a pinch roller, or the like on the cassette tape recorder side. Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote a magnetic shield plate and a magnetic head pressure-bonding pad arranged in the magnetic head insertion portion of the opening 12. Reference numeral 15 is a slippery sheet disposed between the inner surface side of the upper half 3 and the hub 8 and between the inner surface side of the lower half 4 and the hub 8.

Next, the structure of the connecting portion of the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 in the tape cassette 1 constructed as described above is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. At the connecting portions of the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 (the above-mentioned five places), as shown in FIG.
A connecting hole 16 is formed so as to communicate with the upper and lower parts 4 and 4, and the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 are connected and fixed by fitting a connecting pin 17 into the connecting hole 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting pin 17 is formed with a pillar portion 17a fitted in the connecting hole 16 and a diameter larger than the pillar portion 17a, which is continuous with the upper and lower ends of the pillar portion 17a. Is integrally formed with a pair of flange portions 17b and 17c, and a resin material having required toughness such as nylon, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), POM (polyoxymethylene) is used as the material. To be

Further, in particular, the lower flange portion 17c of the connecting pin 17 is formed in a shape having a reverse taper-like inclination such that the diameter gradually increases from the column portion 17a, and further, the end face of the lower flange portion 17c is A cross-shaped groove portion 18 as shown in FIG. 5 is formed so as to be cut from the lower flange portion 17c to the column portion 17a.

On the other hand, the coupling hole 16 into which the coupling pin 17 is fitted has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the column portion 17a of the coupling pin 17, and the opening of the coupling hole 16 on the upper half 3 side is the upper flange of the coupling pin 17. The portion 17b is formed in a stepped shape (counterbore shape) so as not to project from the surface of the upper half 3, and the lower flange portion 17c of the coupling pin 17 is inclined at the opening of the coupling hole 16 on the lower half 4 side. A step-like stopper portion 19 corresponding to the surface is formed.

When the coupling pin 17 is fitted into the coupling hole 16 with the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 aligned, the pillar portion 17a is tightly fitted in the coupling hole 16 as shown in FIG. 4 is clamped by the upper and lower flange portions 17b and 17c so as to be fixed in a coupled state and securely fixed.

At this time, the lower flange portion 1 of the connecting pin 17
7c bites into the step-like stopper portion 19 of the lower half 4, and therefore the coupling pin 17 is reliably locked in the coupling hole 16 and the fitted state is maintained, so that some impact may occur. Even if added, it does not fall out from the coupling hole 16, and a stronger and fixedly coupled state of the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 is obtained.

When the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 are separated from the connected state of the upper and lower halves 3 and 4, a strong force is applied to the connecting pin 17 from the side of the lower flange portion 17c having the groove portion 18 to press it, whereby the groove portion 18 is formed. By narrowing, the lower flange portion 17c is deformed to a diameter capable of passing through the coupling hole 16, and therefore the coupling pin 17 is pushed out of the coupling hole 16 and slips out, so that the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 are separated.

As described above, in the tape cassette 1 of this embodiment, the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 can be easily separated, which is advantageous in recycling the tape cassette, and the pushing operation of the connecting pin 17 is performed by a machine (press machine). Etc.) makes it possible to automate the separation process of upper and lower halves, and the equipment can be easily realized.

The structure of the connecting portions of the upper and lower halves as described above is not limited to the above embodiment, but various other structures are conceivable. An example is shown below.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the structure shown in FIGS.
The lower flange portion 17c of the connecting pin 17 is provided with a protrusion 20 that meshes with the step-like stopper portion 19 so that the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 can be firmly connected. Further, the protrusion 20 may be formed in two steps as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a structure in which a step-like stopper portion 19 is provided at both openings of the coupling hole 16 of the upper half 3 and the coupling hole 16 of the lower half 4. In this case, the coupling pin 17 has an inversely tapered shape with the upper and lower flange portions 17b and 17c as shown in FIG. 10, and when fitted into the coupling hole 16, the upper and lower flange portions 17b and 17c respectively correspond to the upper and lower halves 3 and 4. The structure is such that it bites into the step-like stopper portion 19, and the groove portion 18 having a notch shape extends from the respective end surfaces of the upper and lower flange portions 17b and 17c to the pillar portion 17a.
To form. This structural example has an advantage that the connecting pin 17 can be pushed out from either side of the upper and lower flange portions 17b and 17c when the upper and lower halves 3 and 4 are separated.

FIG. 11 is a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 10 and has a structure in which a lower flange portion 17c of the connecting pin 17 is provided with a projection portion 20 which meshes with a stepped stopper portion 19. Further, the protrusion 20 may be formed in two stages as shown in FIG. 12, and the protrusion 20 may be provided on both the upper and lower flanges 3 and 4.

[0024]

As described above, according to the upper and lower half coupling structure of the tape cassette of the present invention, the upper and lower halves can be easily separated and the separation work of the upper and lower halves can be automated. Since the equipment can be simplified, it has a great effect on promoting the recycling of the tape cassette.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of upper and lower halves in the embodiment (1).

FIG. 4 is a side view of a connecting pin according to an embodiment (1).

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a connecting pin in the embodiment (1).

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a coupling portion of upper and lower halves showing an embodiment (1).

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connecting portion of upper and lower halves showing an embodiment (2).

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a coupling portion of upper and lower halves showing an embodiment (3).

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts of the upper and lower halves in Example (4).

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the upper and lower half coupling portions showing the embodiment (4).

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a coupling portion of upper and lower halves showing an embodiment (5).

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a coupling portion of upper and lower halves showing an embodiment (6).

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Cassette 2 Cassette Housing 3 Upper Half 4 Lower Half 16 Coupling Hole (Hole) 17 Coupling Pin 17a Column 17b Upper Flange 17c Lower Flange 18 Groove 19 Stepped Stopper 20 Projection

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A tape cassette in which an upper half and a lower half are united to form a cassette case, and a resin-made connecting pin having a required toughness is fitted into holes provided in the upper and lower halves, respectively. The upper and lower halves are joined together by means of a pair of flanges, which are integrally formed on both ends of the column portion and the column portion fitted into the hole, and which stop the upper and lower halves in a joined state. And a groove portion that is formed in a cut shape from at least one end surface of the pair of flange portions to the pillar portion and allows the coupling pin to be deformed so that the flange portion can pass through the hole portion. The upper and lower halves of the combined tape cassette. 2. A stepped stopper portion is provided at an opening of a hole on at least one side of the upper and lower halves, and a flange portion of the coupling pin bites into the stepped stopper portion. The upper and lower halves of the tape cassette described in 1.