JPH09202381A - Cassette housing case - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a cassette housing case further small and thin in size by providing a structure wherein a back face, protruded parts and expanded parts of a tape cassette are not covered. SOLUTION: This case 11 which houses a tape cassette 100 comprises a body 12 as a case base body arid a lid 13 to be connected to the body 12 in an openable and rotatable manner. Respective both side plate sections 12B and 13B of the body 12 and the lid 13 are respectively provided with hole forming sections 14a and 14b from which guide protruded sections 105 of the tape cassette 100 are to be protruded in a state that the both side plate sections 12B and 13B are butted against each other. At each of a main plate section 12A of the body 12 and a main plate section 13A of the lid 13, a trapezoidal hole section 15 corresponding to an expanded section 107 of the tape cassette 100 is provided. In a state that the tape cassette 100 is housed, the expanded section 107 is protruded to the outside from the hole section 15. Thus, an ultra- compact and ultra-thin cassette housing case whose front and back width, right and left width, and thickness are formed to be almost the same as that of the tape cassette can be formed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cassette case for storing a tape cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The applicant of the present invention first mentioned in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2-860.
6 ”proposed a thin cassette storage case.

The structure of this thin cassette storage case is shown in FIG. The tape cassette 100 accommodated in the case 1 is a so-called audio compact cassette, and the cassette housing 101 is provided with a hub drive shaft insertion hole 102 on the left and right, and the cassette corresponding to the hub drive shaft insertion hole 102. The magnetic tape 10 is provided inside the housing 101.
A pair of left and right hubs 104, around which 3 is wound, are rotatably housed.

Further, the cassette housing 101 of the tape cassette 100 has guide projections 105 on both left and right sides thereof.
Are provided symmetrically. The guide protrusion 105 is formed so as to have a predetermined length along the side surface of the cassette housing 101, and functions as a positioning guide when the tape cassette 100 is attached to a cassette tape recorder. It is a part.

Further, on the front side of the cassette housing 101 of the tape cassette 100, there is provided a front opening 106 for exposing a part of the magnetic tape. Since the magnetic head of the cassette tape recorder is inserted into the cassette housing 101 through the front opening 106, in the front portion of the cassette housing 101 in order to secure a sufficient dimension in the thickness direction of the magnetic head insertion portion. The trapezoidal bulging portions 107 are symmetrically bulged and formed on both front and back surfaces (so-called A surface side and B surface side).

A case 1 for accommodating such a tape cassette 100 is composed of a body 2 as a case base and a lid 3 connected to the body 2 so as to be openable / closable. The body 2 and the lid 3 are made of HIPS (high impact polystyrene).
And the like, which are separately molded by using hard plastics such as
In the case 1, the case 1 is configured by axially connecting so as to be freely opened and closed.

The body 2 includes a main plate portion 2A and left and right side plate portions 2
B and the rear side plate portion 2C, the lid 3 is formed by the main plate portion 3A, the left and right side plate portions 3B and the front side plate portion 3C.

The case 1 has shaft connecting portions 4 for the body 2 and the lid 3 on both left and right sides. Specifically, both side plate portions 2B of the body 2 are provided.
The shaft connecting column 4 is configured by fitting the shaft projecting column protruding on the outer surface side of the both side plate parts 3B of the lid 3 into the shaft hole provided in the shaft connecting part 4 and using this shaft connecting part 4 as a pivotal fulcrum. The body 2 and the lid 3 are opened and closed.

Further, in this case 1, a cassette holding portion 5 for holding the tape cassette 100 is provided on the inner surface side of the lid 3. This cassette holder 5
When the tape cassette 100 is inserted into the cassette holding portion 5 along the inner surface of the lid 3, the tape cassette 100 is guided by the guide protrusions 105 on the left and right sides. Is held by the cassette holding portion 5 while being hooked on the protruding portion 5a.

Since the tape cassette 100 is held by the cassette holding portion 5 of the lid 3 as described above, the tape cassette 100 is rotated integrally with the lid 2 when the lid 2 is opened and closed, and the tape cassette 100 is put into and taken out of the lid 2. Is performed smoothly.

In this case 1, trapezoidal recesses 6 corresponding to the bulging portions 107 of the tape cassette 100 are provided on the inner surface side of the main plate portion 2A of the body 2 and the inner surface side of the main plate portion 3A of the lid 3, respectively. The bulging portion 107 is provided in the recess 6 when the tape cassette 100 is stored.

Further, on the inner surface side of the main plate portion 2A of the body 2, a rotation preventing projection 7 which is inserted into the hub drive shaft insertion hole 102 of the tape cassette 100 and prevents unnecessary rotation of the hub 104 is provided upright. ing.

Further, the case 1 is provided with engaging means for locking the body 2 and the lid 3 in a closed state.

The engaging means is a concave portion 8 provided on the inner surface side of the both side plate portions 2B of the body 2, and a corresponding convex portion 9 protruding on the outer surface side of the both side plate portions 3B of the lid 3 corresponding thereto. When the body 2 and the lid 3 are closed, the body 2 and the lid 3 are locked by engaging the concave portion 8 and the convex portion 9. By thus locking the body 2 and the lid 3 in the closed state, the tape cassette 100 is securely held in the state of being housed in the case 1.

[0015]

Since the conventional cassette storage case 1 constructed as described above has a structure for covering the entire tape cassette 100 to be stored, the size of the entire case is larger than that of the tape cassette 100. It was one size larger.

In recent years, cassette storage cases have been desired to be further reduced in size and thickness in view of storage space and portability, but the conventional cases have limitations.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a cassette storage case which can be further reduced in size and thickness.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a case for accommodating a tape cassette having protrusions on both left and right sides and bulging portions on both front and back sides. The lid and the lid are separately molded, and the body and the lid are axially connected to each other so that the lid and the lid can be opened and closed, and the back surface, the protrusion, and the bulge of the tape cassette are not covered. The front-rear width, the left-right width, and the thickness are formed to have substantially the same dimensions as the tape cassette.

As a result, the ultimate ultra-compact and thin cassette storage case can be realized.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a cassette storage case according to the present invention.

The tape cassette 100 housed in the case 11 of this example is a so-called audio compact cassette, and a hub housing 101 is provided with hub drive shaft insertion holes 102 on the left and right, and the hub drive shaft insertion hole 102 is provided. Corresponding to the
A pair of left and right hubs 104 around which 03 is wound are rotatably housed.

The cassette housing 101 of the tape cassette 100 has guide projections 105 on both left and right sides thereof.
Are provided symmetrically. The guide protrusion 105 is formed so as to have a predetermined length along the side surface of the cassette housing 101, and functions as a positioning guide when the tape cassette 100 is attached to a cassette tape recorder. It is a part.

Further, on the front side of the cassette housing 101 of the tape cassette 100, a front opening 106 for exposing a part of the magnetic tape is provided. Since the magnetic head of the cassette tape recorder is inserted into the cassette housing 101 through the front opening 106, in the front portion of the cassette housing 101 in order to secure a sufficient dimension in the thickness direction of the magnetic head insertion portion. The trapezoidal bulging portions 107 are symmetrically bulged and formed on both front and back surfaces (so-called A surface side and B surface side).

A case 11 of the present example for accommodating such a tape cassette 100 includes a body 12 as a case base,
A lid 13 is connected to the body 12 so as to be openable and closable. The body 12 and the lid 13 are molded separately from each other using a hard plastic such as HIPS (high impact polystyrene).
A case 11 is formed by axially connecting 3 and 3 at a front end shaft connecting portion 16 so as to be openable and closable.

The body 12 is formed of a main plate portion 12A, left and right side plate portions 12B and a front side plate portion 12C, and the lid 1
3 is formed by a main plate portion 13A and left and right side plate portions 13B. By placing the tape cassette 100 on the main plate portion 12A of the body 12 and closing the body 12 and the lid 13, the tape cassette 100 is separated from the body 12. Each main plate portion 1 of the lid 13
It is housed in the case 11 in a state of being sandwiched between 2A and 13A. Also, in this cassette storage state, the body 12 and the lid 1
The three side plate portions 12B and 13B are abutted against each other to cover both side surfaces of the tape cassette 100.

The guide projections 10 of the tape cassette 100 are secured to the side plate portions 12B and 13B of the body 12 and the lid 13, respectively.
Hole forming portions 14a and 14b forming hole portions where 5 is exposed
Are provided respectively.

The main plate portion 12A of the body 12 and the main plate portion 13A of the lid 13 are provided with trapezoidal holes 15 corresponding to the bulging portions 107 of the tape cassette 100, and the tape cassette 100 is stored therein. In this state, the bulging portion 107 is exposed to the outside through the hole 15.

The case 11 of this example has shaft connecting portions 16 of the body 12 and the lid 13 on both left and right sides.

The structure of the shaft connecting portion 16 will be described in more detail. As is apparent from FIG. 3, a shaft hole 17 is formed in the front end portion of both side plate portions 12B on the body 12 side, and the lid is correspondingly formed. On the 13 side, on the left and right sides of the front end of the main plate portion 13A,
A projecting piece 19 having a shaft projecting pillar 18 is projectingly provided on the inner surface side.

The shaft projecting pillars 18 of the projecting pieces 19 on both sides of the lid 13 are fitted into the shaft holes 17 on both sides of the body 12 to form a shaft connecting portion 16, and the shaft connecting portion 16 is a fulcrum of rotation. As a result, the body 12 and the lid 13 are opened and closed.

In the case 11 of this example, the body 12 and the lid 13 are provided on both the left and right sides only in the portion forming the shaft connecting portion 16.
Has a structure overlapping in the left-right width direction of the case 11.

Here, the front end portions of the both side plate portions 12B of the body 12 to which the lid 13 is connected are formed as concave step portions 20 which are recessed by the thickness of the projecting piece 19. For this reason, the portion where the shaft hole 17 is formed is thin, but in order to secure the strength in this portion as much as possible, the case 11 of this example adopts a structure using the R shape of the corner portion of the tape cassette 100. ing.

That is, as clearly shown in FIG.
The inner surface of the corner portion between the side plate portion 12B and the front plate portion 12C corresponding to is formed in an R shape that follows the corner portion of the tape cassette 100, and thereby the wall thickness in the portion where the shaft hole 17 is formed is reduced. It has a structure that is as profitable as possible and strong enough.

Further, in the case 11 of this embodiment, the rotation preventing projections 21 which are inserted into the hub drive shaft insertion holes 102 of the tape cassette 100 and prevent the hub 104 from rotating unnecessarily are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides. An engaging means for locking the body 12 and the lid 13 is provided at the portion of the detent 21.

That is, the anti-rotation protrusion 21 is composed of a semi-cylindrical column 21A standing on the inner surface side of the main plate portion 12A of the body 12 and a semi-cylindrical column 21B standing on the inner surface side of the main plate portion 13A of the lid 13, With the body 12 and the lid 13 closed, this semi-cylindrical 2
1A and 21B have a structure in which they overlap each other as shown in FIG. A claw piece 21a is integrally formed on the semi-cylindrical 21A on the body 12 side, and the claw piece 21a engages with the hub 104 of the tape cassette 100 to prevent the hub 104 from rotating.

Engaging means is provided between the facing surfaces of the semi-cylindrical columns 21A and 21B forming the anti-rotation projection 21, that is, in this example, the convex portion 2 is formed on the semi-cylindrical column 21A on the body 12 side.
2 is projected, and corresponding to this, a semi-cylindrical 21B on the lid 13 side
A recess 23 is provided in the body 12, and when the body 12 and the lid 13 are closed, the body 12 and the lid 13 are locked by engaging the protrusion 22 and the recess 23 as shown in FIG. . By thus locking the body 12 and the lid 13 in the closed state, the tape cassette 100 is securely held in the state of being housed in the case 11.

In the engaging means for locking the body 12 and the lid 13, the convex portion 22 and the concave portion 23 are engaged and released by bending the semi-cylindrical 21B on the lid 13 side without the claw piece 21a. This semi-cylinder 21 is used in this example.
The concave portion 23 is provided at a position near the tip of the semi-cylindrical 21B so that B can be easily bent, and correspondingly, the convex portion 22 is provided at a position near the root of the semi-cylindrical 21A.

Further, in the above-mentioned engaging means, the convex portion 22 and the concave portion 23 may be provided in reverse, that is, the concave portion 23 is provided in the semi-cylindrical 21A on the body 12 side and the convex portion is provided in the semi-cylindrical 21B on the lid 13 side. 22 may be provided.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the tape cassette 100 is housed in the case 11 of the present example configured as described above.

In this state, the body 12 and the lid 13 are closed and the main plate portions 12A and 13A are respectively attached to the tape cassette 100.
Both sides of the body 12 and the lid 13 are covered with both sides of the body 12 and the lid 13 except for the bulge 107.
Butt against each other to cover both side surfaces of the tape cassette 100 excluding the guide projection 105, and the front plate 12 of the body 12
C covers the front opening 106 of the tape cassette 100.

On the other hand, the back surface (rear surface) 108 of the tape cassette 100 is exposed on the rear surface of the case 11, and the hole forming portions 14a and 14b of the side plate portions 12B and 13B of the body 12 and the lid 13 are formed. The guide protrusion 105 of the tape cassette 100 is exposed from the hole formed between the
Further, the bulging portion 107 of the tape cassette 100 is exposed from the holes 15 of the main plate portions 12A and 13A of the body 12 and the lid 13, respectively.

That is, the case 11 of this example has a structure in which the back surface portion 108, the guide projection portion 105 and the bulging portion 107 of the tape cassette 100 are not covered.

By adopting the above-mentioned structure, the case 11 of the present embodiment realizes an ultra-compact and thin shape in which the front-rear width a, the left-right width b and the thickness c are substantially the same as the tape cassette 100. It is a thing.

That is, in the case 11 of the present embodiment, the front and rear width a of the case is slightly larger than the front and rear width of the tape cassette 100 (tape cassette 100) by adopting a structure in which the back surface 108 of the tape cassette 100 is not covered. 100
The front and rear width of the body plus the wall thickness of the front plate 12C of the body 12)
Can be formed to a minimum size of.

Further, in the case 11 of the present example, the guide protrusion 105 of the tape cassette 100 is not covered so that the width b of the case is almost the same as the width of the tape cassette 100 including the guide protrusion 105. They can be formed to the same minimum dimensions.

Particularly, in the case 11 of this example, the shaft connecting portion 16
Body 12 and lid 1 on both left and right sides
Since 3 has a structure overlapping in the left-right width direction, the left-right width b can be formed to a minimum dimension.

Further, in the case 11 of the present example, the thickness c of the case is set to the thickness dimension of the tape cassette 100 including the bulging portion 107 by adopting a structure in which the bulging portion 107 of the tape cassette 100 is not covered. It can be formed to almost the same minimum size.

As described above, the case 11 of the present embodiment realizes an ultimate ultra-compact and thin shape which is almost the same as the size of the tape cassette 100. For reference, case 1 of this example
The size of the prototype No. 1 is the front-rear width a of 65.3m.
m, the lateral width b is 104.8 mm, and the thickness c is 12 mm. Comparing this with the case 1 of the conventional example of FIG. 10 described above, in the case 1 of the conventional example, the front-rear width is 69.6 m.
Since the width m is 109.4 mm, the width is 109.4 mm, and the thickness is 14 mm, it can be seen that the case of this example is made smaller and thinner than the case of the conventional example.

Therefore, the case 11 of this example is more portable and requires less space for storage, and is particularly advantageous for storage in an automobile where space is limited.

The case 11 of this example includes a body 12 and a lid 13.
Since it is a structure that is assembled by connecting the shafts with each other, it is stronger and more durable than a body and lid integrally molded through a thin hinge.

6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the cassette storage case according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, the parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The case 11 shown in this example includes a body 12 and a lid 13.
The engaging means for locking the body is provided between the side plate portions 12B and 13B of the body 12 and the lid 13, respectively.

That is, the case 11 of this example is similar to the above-described first example in that both side plate portions 12 of the body 12 and the lid 13 are provided.
B and 13B are abutted against each other to cover both side surfaces of the tape cassette except for the guide protrusions. Particularly, in this example, the body 12 and the lid are provided on a part of each of the side plate portions 12B and 13B. Thin projecting pieces 24 and 25 are provided which overlap each other when 13 is closed.

An engaging means is provided between the facing surfaces of the protrusions 24 and 25, that is, the body 12 in this example.
The protruding portion 24 on the side of the lid 13 is provided with the protruding portion 26, and the protruding portion 25 on the side of the lid 13 is provided with the recessed portion 27 correspondingly.
When the lid 2 and the lid 13 are closed, the convex portion 26 and the concave portion 27 are engaged with each other as shown in FIG.
3 is locked.

In the above-mentioned engaging means, the convex portion 26 and the concave portion 27 can be provided in reverse, that is, the protruding piece 24 on the body 12 side.
It is also possible to provide a structure in which a concave portion 27 is provided in the convex portion 26 and a convex portion 26 is provided in the protrusion 25 on the lid 13 side.

Further, as described above, in the case 11 of this embodiment, the hub of the tape cassette is rotated because the engaging means for locking the body 12 and the lid 13 is provided between the side plate portions 12B and 13B. The anti-rotation protrusion 21 for preventing the above is formed in a general shape, that is, the column-shaped anti-rotation protrusion 21 integrally provided with the claw piece 21a is provided on the inner surface side of the main plate portion 12A of the body 12 symmetrically to the left and right. When the tape cassette is stored, the claw pieces 21 of the rotation stopping protrusion 21 are
a engages with the hub of the tape cassette to prevent unnecessary rotation of the hub.

Further, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the cassette storage case according to the present invention. In the third embodiment, parts corresponding to those in the first and second embodiments described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the case 11 shown in this example, both side plate portions 12B of the body 12 are formed to be twice as high as those of the first and second embodiments. The structure is such that almost all sides of the tape cassette are covered except for the guide protrusions. On the other hand, the lid 13 is mostly the main plate portion 13A.
The both side plate portions 13B are slightly formed only in the portion forming the hole forming portion 14b.

When the body 12 and the lid 13 are closed, both end surface portions of the main plate portion 13A of the lid 13 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the both side plate portions 12B of the body 12, and the pair of both is in contact with each other. Engaging means for locking the body 12 and the lid 13 are provided between the contact surfaces.

That is, in this example, both side plate portions 12 of the body 12 are
A concave portion 28 is provided on the inner surface side of B, and the lid 1 is correspondingly formed.
A convex portion 29 is provided on both end surface portions of the main plate portion 13A of No. 3, and the concave portion 28 is formed when the body 12 and the lid 13 are closed.
The convex portion 29 is engaged as shown in FIG. 9 to lock the body 12 and the lid 13.

In the above-mentioned engaging means, the concave portion 28 and the convex portion 29 can be provided in reverse, that is, the both side plate portions 1 of the body 12.
The convex portion 29 is provided on the inner surface side of 2B, and the main plate portion 13A of the lid 13 is provided.
It is also possible to have a structure in which the concave portions 28 are provided on both side end surface portions.

Although the embodiments of the cassette storage case according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and various other embodiments can be adopted. Needless to say.

[0064]

As is apparent from the above description, the cassette storage case of the present invention has a structure that does not cover the back surface portion, the projection portion, and the bulging portion of the tape cassette.
The width and thickness of the tape cassette are approximately the same as those of the tape cassette. This makes it possible to realize the ultimate ultra-compact and thin cassette storage case. As a result, the portability of the case is further improved, and the storage space is small, especially for storage in automobiles. It is valid.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette storage case according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a state in which the tape cassette is stored.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part (a part where a shaft hole is formed in the body) of the same.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the main part (engagement means for locking the body and the lid).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cassette storage case according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the main part (engagement means for locking the body and the lid).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cassette storage case according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the main part (engagement means for locking the body and the lid).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional cassette storage case.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Case 12 Body 12A Main plate part 12B Side plate part 12C Front side plate part 13 Lid 13A Main plate part 13B Side plate part 14a, 14b Hole forming part 15 Hole part 16 Shaft connecting part 17 Shaft hole 18 Shaft projecting pillar 19 Projecting piece 21 Rotation preventing projection 21A , 21B Semi-cylindrical 21a Claw pieces 22, 26, 29 Convex part (engaging means) 23, 27, 28 Recessed part (engaging means) 100 Tape cassette 105 Guide projection part 107 Swelling part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A case for accommodating a tape cassette having protrusions on both left and right side surfaces and bulging portions on both front and back sides, wherein the body and the lid are separately molded, and the body and the lid are opened and closed. The tape cassette is configured to be freely axially connected, and the front, rear, left and right widths and the thickness of the tape cassette are almost the same as those of the tape cassette because the tape cassette does not cover the back surface, protrusions, and bulges. Cassette storage case characterized by being formed to dimensions. 2. A structure in which the body and the lid have a shaft connecting portion on both left and right sides, and the body and the lid are overlapped in the left and right width direction only on the left and right side portions only in the portion forming the shaft connecting portion. The cassette storage case according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 3. A detent for preventing rotation of a hub built into the tape cassette, and an engaging means for locking the body and the lid is provided at the detent protrusion. The cassette storage case according to claim 1 or 2, wherein. 4. The side plate portion formed on each of the body and the lid is abutted against each other to cover the side surface of the tape cassette excluding the protruding portion, and the side plate portion of the body and the side plate portion of the lid are provided. The cassette storage case according to claim 1, wherein a part overlapping with each other is formed, and an engaging means for locking the body and the lid is provided in this part. 5. The side plate portion formed on the body has a structure in which substantially the entire side surface of the tape cassette except the protruding portion is covered, and the inner surface side of the body side plate portion and the side end surface portion of the lid are formed. The cassette storage case according to claim 1, wherein an engagement means for locking the body and the lid is provided between the two.