JPH09231715A - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a tape cartridge whose erroneous insertion to a housing part is discriminated easily and surely visually and it which the cartridge body can be made smaller and thinner. SOLUTION: The tape cartridge is constituted by being provided with a cartridge body 2 which is constituted by combining one pair of an upper half 4 and a lower half 3, one pair of tape reels which are arranged and installed so as to be freely rotatable at the inside of the tape cartridge body 2, and a magnetic tape which is wound so as to be stretched on the tape reels. Then, erroneous-insertion-discrimination recessed parts 38A, 38B which are coupled to erroneous-insertion-discrimination protrusion parts formed at a magazine-rack housing part into and in which the cartridge body 2 is inserted and housed are formed in the lower half 3 in such a way that they cross over an outer circumferential wall 11 on the rear side and a bottom face part 3A and that they are situated nearly in the central part in the length direction of the outer circumferential wall 11 on the rear side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cartridge in which a pair of tape reels around which a tape-shaped medium such as a magnetic tape is wound are rotatably housed inside a cartridge body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tape cartridge such as a tape cartridge for a video tape recorder or a tape cartridge for a DAT has a cartridge main body formed by combining a lower half and an upper half of a rectangular approximately shallow dish whose front portions are opened. Composed. In this cartridge body,
A pair of tape reels around which a magnetic tape is wound are rotatably housed, and a loading space is formed in the open front part. When the tape cartridge is loaded into the loading section of the recording / reproducing apparatus, the tape loading means on the recording / reproducing apparatus side enters the loading space. The loading space is opened and closed by a lid rotatably supported by the cartridge body.

A lower half of the cartridge body is provided with a pair of tape guides located on both sides of the loading space. The magnetic tape is unwound from one tape reel and guided to the front surface of the cartridge body, and is wound between the tape guides so as to cross the loading space and wound on the other tape reel.

When the tape cartridge is loaded in the loading section of the recording / reproducing apparatus, the magnetic tape is pulled out from the inside of the cartridge body to the recording / reproducing section by the tape loading means which enters the loading space. The loading operation is performed. Further, the tape cartridges ejected from the loading section of the recording / reproducing apparatus are respectively stored in a storage body such as a magazine rack having a plurality of storage sections.

The tape cartridge is required to be inserted in a predetermined orientation into a loading section of the recording / reproducing apparatus or a storage section of a magazine rack in which a plurality of tape cartridges are stored. There is.

Therefore, the tape cartridge is inserted into a recording / reproducing device, a magazine rack or the like in a predetermined direction, and a tape cartridge of other specifications having the same outer dimensions and different uses is not accidentally inserted. As described above, the erroneous insertion identification concave portion is provided.

As shown in FIG. 18, the tape cartridge 120 for a so-called VHS specification video recorder has:
Wrong insertion identification concave portion 1 cut relatively large in the central portion of the outer peripheral wall on the front side of the lower half which constitutes the cartridge main body
20A is provided. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Tape cartridge 121 for digital video recorder
Is located on the outer peripheral wall on the front side.
1B and 121C are provided, respectively.

Then, these tape cartridges 12
Nos. 0 and 121 correspond to the incorrect insertion identification concave portion 120A and the incorrect insertion identification concave portions 121A to 121C, respectively, by engaging with the incorrect insertion identification convex portion provided in the loading portion of the recording / reproducing apparatus or the storage portion of the magazine rack. The insertion direction and the like with respect to the loading section and the storage section are regulated.

[0009]

By the way, when the above-mentioned tape cartridges 120 and 121 are erroneously inserted into the storage portion of the magazine rack, for example, the amount of protrusion of the cartridge main body from the storage portion is small, and the tape cartridges are stored. It was difficult to visually identify that a wrong insertion was made from outside the part.

Therefore, the tape cartridge 120,
When the cartridge 121 is erroneously inserted into the storage portion, the amount of protrusion of the cartridge main body from the insertion port with respect to the storage portion and the placement of the storage portion are provided so as to easily visually identify the erroneous insertion. It is necessary to increase the amount of rotation of the cartridge body on the placement surface.

Therefore, in order to increase the protrusion amount of the cartridge body with respect to the accommodating portion, the erroneous insertion identifying concave portion is
It is necessary to increase the depth dimension cut out in the insertion direction of the cartridge body. However, in a thin and miniaturized tape cartridge, it is difficult to form a large erroneous insertion identification recess in the cartridge body, and it is inconvenient to miniaturize the erroneous insertion identification recess.

Therefore, the present invention provides a tape cartridge which enables easy and reliable visual identification of an erroneous insertion of a tape cartridge into a storage portion and which realizes a small and thin cartridge body. To aim.

[0013]

The tape cartridge according to the present invention which has achieved this object is provided with an erroneous insertion identification projection provided on one of the halves on the side of the storage portion where the cartridge body is inserted and stored. An erroneous insertion identification concave portion that engages with the portion is provided so as to straddle the outer peripheral wall on the rear side and the bottom surface portion, and is located at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral wall on the rear side.

Further, a metal plate is insert-molded on the lower half, and an erroneous insertion identifying recess is provided at a position facing the outer peripheral edge of the metal plate.

According to the tape cartridge configured as described above, the cartridge body is erroneously inserted into the storage portion by providing the erroneous insertion identification concave portion at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral wall on the rear side. At this time, since the erroneous insertion identification concave portion is largely shaken and rotated about the rotation fulcrum, the rotation amount of the cartridge main body with respect to the storage portion becomes large. Therefore, since the tape cartridge is largely projected from the insertion opening into which the cartridge body is inserted, the erroneously inserted state can be easily and reliably identified by visual inspection. Further, according to this tape cartridge, since the notch area of the erroneous insertion identification recess is relatively small, the cartridge body can be made smaller and thinner.

Further, the tape cartridge is provided with an erroneous insertion identification concave portion at a position facing the outer peripheral edge portion of the metal plate insert-molded in the lower half, so that the tape cartridge is cut across the rear outer peripheral wall and the bottom surface portion. The mechanical rigidity of the missing erroneous insertion identification recess is ensured. Therefore, in this tape cartridge, the wrong insertion identification concave portion is prevented from being deformed when the wrong insertion identification concave portion and the wrong insertion identification convex portion are engaged.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A tape cartridge 1 shown as an embodiment of the present invention in FIGS. 1 to 17 is a tape cartridge for recording data, and includes a lower half 3 and an upper half 4 which are formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular substantially shallow dish shape. The thin box-shaped cartridge body 2 is formed by abutting and coupling with each other. The tape cartridge 1 includes a cartridge body 2, a front lid 6 and a back lid 7 for opening and closing the loading space 10.
And a pair of tape reels 9A and 9B around which the magnetic tape 8 is wound are rotatably housed.

In the present specification, in the state of the tape cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 1, the front side on which the front lid 6 is disposed is defined as "front", and with this as a reference, "front and rear" and "left and right", respectively. ”And“ up and down ”. In addition, the tape reels 9A and 9 described above
For the sake of convenience of description, a member constituted by a pair such as B is first referred to as a tape reel 9 (9A, 9B), and is simply referred to as the tape reel 9 unless one side is described below. It should be written.

The lower half 3 is a metal base plate 5
Is formed by subjecting a synthetic resin material or the like to injection molding such as insert. This base plate 5 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, it is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape with a metal material such as an aluminum plate or an alloy plate.

Further, the base plate 5 exerts a function of imparting a predetermined weight to the tape cartridge 1 and maintaining mechanical rigidity against twisting and bending. The base plate 5 is provided with a large number of warp correction recesses 5A over the entire surface of both sides. This prevents the base plate 5 from warping in the vertical direction.

The base plate 5 has a circular reel hole 14 (1) located at the center of the tape reel housing portion 13.
4A, 14B) are opened respectively. The outer peripheral portion of the reel hole 14 is a flat surface 5B that prevents the lower flange portion 64 (64A, 64B) of the tape reel 9 described later from being worn.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower half 3 has an outer peripheral wall 11 integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion excluding the front surface portion 15, and the bottom portion 3A is divided into two regions from the center to the left and right. Is configured. The tape reel storage portion 13 (13A, 13A, 13A, 13A, 13A) in which the tape reels 9 are rotatably stored in the divided right and left areas on the bottom surface portion 3A,
13B) arc-shaped tape reel storage wall 12
(12A, 12B) are located on the same circumference and are erected integrally.

The lower half 3 is provided with a notched portion 16 in the central region of the open front surface portion 15, the central portion of which is located slightly inside the bottom surface portion 3A and which is cut out into a substantially rectangular shape. In the lower half 3, a pair of side surface guide ribs 17 is formed so as to form both rising side wall surfaces of the cutout portion 16.
(17A, 17B) are opposed to each other and are erected integrally on the bottom surface portion 3A. The side guide ribs 17 have a height dimension slightly larger than the height dimension of the internal space of the cartridge body 2, and tape guides 18 (18A, 18B) are formed on the outer surfaces of the tip end portions thereof. ing.

The tape guide 18 has a smooth arcuate outer peripheral surface and is integrally formed on the outer surface of the tip of the side guide rib 17 so as to bulge out. Also, these tape guides 1
The outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 8 is located slightly inside the front lid 15 with respect to the thickness dimension of the front lid 6, which will be described later.

In the tape cartridge 1 of the embodiment, as described above, the tape guide 18 is integrally formed on the outer surface of the tip of the side guide rib 17 so as to have an arcuate cross section. It is not something that will be done. The tape guide is, for example, the bottom surface 3A of the lower half 3.
In addition, it may be configured by a pair of shaft-like convex portions that are located on both sides of the cutout portion 16 and integrally project. Further, the tape guide is provided, for example, on the bottom surface 3A of the lower half 3 with the cutout 1
It may be configured by a pair of support shafts located on both sides of 6 and integrally projecting, and sleeves respectively combined with the support shafts.

Lid guide grooves 19 (19A, 19B) having the same shape are provided in the inner surfaces of the side guide ribs 17 facing each other. These lid guide grooves 19 are
A cam groove is formed as a front-down cam groove over the entire area in the height direction and the front-rear direction starting from the inner tip of the side guide rib 17 to the end of the outer surface. In addition, the lid guide grooves 19 are substantially S-shaped as a whole in which convex arcuate grooves and concave arcuate grooves are combined.

An outer peripheral rib 20 is formed on the lower half 3 so as to form a rising peripheral wall inside the cutout portion 16 and a bottom surface portion 3.
It stands upright at A. The outer peripheral rib 20 has a height dimension that is approximately ½ of the height dimension of the side guide rib 17, and both ends thereof are integrally connected to the inner edge of the side guide rib 17, as shown in FIG. Has been done. The outer peripheral rib 20 is integrally formed with a light source entrance portion 21 for detecting the tape end, which is located inside the central portion.

The light source entrance portion 21 for detecting the tape end is
It is composed of an inward U-shaped standing wall projectingly provided in the center of the outer peripheral rib 20, an arc-shaped standing wall facing the standing wall, and a light source entrance hole penetrating the bottom surface 3A of the lower half 3. ing. In the tape end detection light source entry part 21, between the U-shaped standing wall and the arc-shaped standing wall, the openings serving as emission openings for the detection light of the tape end detection light source 69, which will be described later, are located on the respective sides. Is configured. The outer peripheral rib 20 is located on the inner surface side and has an arc-shaped tape reel storage wall 2.
2 (22A, 22B) are integrally formed by connecting one ends thereof. Therefore, the tape end detection light source entrance portion 21 is provided in a substantially equilateral triangular space surrounded by the outer peripheral rib 20 and the tape reel housing wall 22.

The reel accommodating wall 22 is located on the same circumference as the tape reel accommodating wall 12 and is integrally projectingly provided on the bottom surface 3A of the lower half 3 and cooperates with each other to form the lower half 3 side. The tape reel storage section 13 of FIG. At the other end of the tape reel storage wall 22, the fitting cylinder 3 is attached.
One of 0 is integrally formed. Further, in the lower half 3, tubular fitting tubular portions 30 are integrally provided at appropriate positions on the bottom surface portion 3A.

The lower half 3 is provided with tape end detection holes 23 (23A, 23B) located on the front sides of both side surfaces. These tape end detection holes 23 are
A light source 6 for detecting the tape end along the inner surface of the outer peripheral rib 20
The outer peripheral walls 11 are located on the extension lines of the optical paths 9 respectively.

As described above, the tape end detection light source entry portion 21 is formed in a tubular shape as a whole, and the light source cover 70 having a U-shaped cross section is fixed to the open upper end portion thereof. The light source cover 70 is disposed on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side in the state where the tape cartridge 1 is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus 101, as will be described later, and detects the tape end detection which has entered the tape end detection light source entrance section 21. The detection light emitted from the light source 69 for use in light is prevented from diffusing and dust and the like are prevented from entering the tape cartridge 1.

The lower half 3 has an outer peripheral wall 11 on the right side surface.
The inner wall 11A and the outer wall 11
A lid opening guide groove 24 in the front-rear direction that opens to the front face portion 15 side is provided between the lid opening guide groove 24 and the front end portion B. The tape cartridge 1 is recorded in the lid opening guide groove 24 by the recording / reproducing apparatus 101.
When it is loaded in, the lid drive member on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side enters and drives the lid lock mechanism that holds the lid structure described later in a locked state.

The lid lock mechanism is composed of a lid lock lever 71, and is arranged on the lower half 3 side along the lid opening guide groove 24. That is, the lid lock lever mounting portion 25 is integrally formed at the upper edge portion of the outer peripheral wall 11 forming the lid opening guide groove 24.

Although not shown in detail, the lid lock lever 71 is formed in a generally wedge shape having a thickness substantially equal to the width of the lid opening guide groove 24, as shown in FIG. Each of the lid lock levers 71 has a shaft-shaped fulcrum portion formed at an upper end portion thereof, and a cam portion integrally protrudingly provided on a front side surface portion thereof. Lid lock lever 71
The lower end portion is exposed to the lid opening guide groove 24 by relatively engaging the fulcrum portion with the lid lock lever mounting portion 25, and is swingably supported on the lower half 3 side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower half 3 is provided with a rear tape reel accommodating portion 13 facing the outer peripheral rib 20.
A reel lock attachment portion 27 is provided in a space of a substantially equilateral triangle formed between A and 13B. The reel lock attachment portion 27 is composed of a pair of guide walls that are arranged upright on the bottom surface portion 3A so as to face each other in parallel with each other in the front-rear direction, and a reel lock mechanism to be described later is arranged. A recording / reproducing device 101 that drives a reel lock mechanism is provided between the guide walls that form the reel lock mounting portion 27.
A lock release guide groove 28 into which the reel lock release member on the side enters is formed.

The reel lock mechanism, as shown in FIG.
The reel lock member 73 and the pair of reel lock levers 7
4 (74A, 74B) and members such as a lock spring 75. The reel lock member 73 is
The reel lock mounting portion 27 is slidably incorporated between the guide walls, and an engaging recess facing the unlock guide groove 28 is provided on the bottom surface. The reel lock member 73 includes a lock spring 75 inserted between the reel lock member 73 and the rising peripheral wall 11.
Is urged toward the front side by the elastic force of.

The reel lock lever 74 is flexible and has one end rotatably provided on the front surface of the reel lock member 73 via a hinge portion. These reel lock levers 74 are integrally formed with engaging claws at their tips and are urged in the left-right direction.

The reel lock mechanism includes a reel lock member 7
When 3 is moved to the front side by the elastic force of the lock spring 75, the engaging claw of the reel lock lever 74 is caused by the elastic force of the lock lever spring 75 so that the outer peripheral teeth 65 ( 6
5A, 65B) are engaged with each other. Therefore, in the normal state, the reel lock mechanism holds one tape reel 9A in a locked state with respect to the clockwise direction and holds the other tape reel 9B in a locked state with respect to the counterclockwise direction.

In the reel lock mechanism, when the tape cartridge 1 is loaded in the recording / reproducing device 101, the recording / reproducing device 1 enters the unlock guide groove 28.
It is driven by the reel lock release member on the 01 side. In the reel lock mechanism, the reel lock release member causes the reel lock member 73 to move rearward against the elastic force of the lock spring 75, thereby releasing the locked state of the tape reel 9 by the reel lock lever 74.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower half 3 has a tape specification identifying hole 77 (77A, 77) on the rear bottom surface 3A.
B, 77C), erroneous erasure prevention hole 78, positioning hole 79, etc. are provided. This tape specification identification hole 77 is used for the signal format of the magnetic tape 8 housed in the cartridge main body 2 by the specification identification mechanism on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side.
Identify tape specifications such as recording density. Accidental erasure prevention hole 7
Reference numeral 8 identifies whether the recorded contents are good or bad by visual inspection or a specification identifying mechanism on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side. In addition, the positioning hole 79 is inserted by the positioning member on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side, so that the tape cartridge 1
Make sure that is loaded in place.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the lower half 3 is provided with erroneous insertion identifying recesses 38A, 38B, which are essential parts of the present embodiment, on the outer peripheral wall 11 on the rear side and the bottom surface. Part 3
It is located at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral wall 11 on the rear side across A and is cut out into a substantially rectangular shape.

Further, these erroneous insertion identification recesses 38A, 38
B is provided at a symmetrical position with respect to the longitudinal center of the outer peripheral wall 11 on the rear side of the lower half 3. further,
These erroneous insertion identification recesses 38A and 38B are provided at positions facing the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 5 insert-molded on the bottom surface 3A.

Then, these erroneous insertion identification recesses 38A, 3
8B regulates the direction in which the tape cartridge 1 is inserted into the recording / reproducing device 101 and the magazine rack 102 which will be described later.

Further, in the lower half 3, as shown in FIG. 5, a substantially rectangular label area L is formed on the outer peripheral wall 11 on the rear side.
Is recessed. Display labels such as recorded contents recorded in the tape cartridge 1 are attached to the label area L.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower half 3 is located at the rear right corner, and the wiring board mounting portion 9 is provided.
0 is provided. The wiring board mounting portion 90 has an insertion groove formed along the inner peripheral surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, an auxiliary storage device 91 is attached to the wiring board attachment portion 90.

The auxiliary storage device 91, as shown in FIG.
At least a wiring board 92, a memory IC 93 mounted on the wiring board 92, and a plurality of contact terminals 94 printed and formed on the wiring board 92 to be input / output terminals of the memory IC 93. In the memory IC 93, for example, identification information such as the content of the information signal recorded on the magnetic tape 2, the magnetic tape specifications or the usage status is recorded.
The contact terminal 94, as shown in FIG.
The contact terminal opening 90A opened at 0 is exposed to the outside.

This auxiliary storage device 91 is a memory IC 93.
The identification information recorded on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 is read by the auxiliary recording / reproducing apparatus 101 provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 or an auxiliary recording / reproducing apparatus as another apparatus, and the updated identification information is recorded in the memory IC 93.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower half 3 is provided with an erroneous erasure prevention member mounting opening 29 located at the rear left corner. An erroneous erasure prevention member 76 is movably attached to the erroneous erasure prevention member mounting opening 29. The erasure prevention member 76 is the lower half 5
Position 29A for opening the erroneous erasure detection hole formed in
Is moved to the closed second position 29B.

When the tape cartridge 1 is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 with the erroneous erasure prevention member 76 set to the first position 29A in which the erroneous erasure detection hole 78 is opened,
Recording of an information signal on the magnetic tape 8 is prohibited by the erroneous erasure detection mechanism on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side detecting the erroneous erasure detection hole 78. This prevents the tape cartridge 1 from accidentally erasing the information signal recorded on the magnetic tape 8.

The tape cartridge 1 has the second position 2 in which the erroneous erasure prevention member 76 closes the erroneous erasure detection hole 78.
When the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 is loaded in the state of being set to 9B, the erroneous erasure detection mechanism does not detect the erroneous erasure detection hole 78, and thus the recording of the information signal on the magnetic tape 8 is permitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower half 3 is located on the outer peripheral wall 11 in the vicinity of the tape specification identifying hole 77A, and the pair of arm members 103A, 103 of the changer device 103 are provided.
A pair of arm engaging recesses 81 (81
A, 81B). The pair of arm engaging recesses 81 are provided with substantially recessed engaging grooves starting from the base end of the outer peripheral wall 11 to the tip of the outer peripheral wall 11. Also,
The pair of arm engaging recesses 81 are provided with a front inclined surface 81a and a rear inclined surface 81b so that the inner dimension of the opening side is larger than the inner dimension of the groove bottom 81c side. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lower half 3 is injection-molded by a molding die (not shown), the rear inclined surface 81b is placed at a position corresponding to the gate portion of the molding die into which the synthetic resin material or the like is poured. The gate mark 99 remains.

When the tape cartridge 1 is loaded in the changer device 103, the pair of arm members 103A and 103B of the changer device 103 engages the pair of arm engaging recesses 81, whereby the recording / reproducing device 101. The inserting operation or the removing operation is performed with respect to.

The lower half 3 is, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of substantially concave and convex arm extraction concave and convex portions 95 (95A, 95B) are provided on the rear side of the pair of arm engaging concave portions 81 provided on both side surface portions.

Further, as described above, the flow mark 100 is generated around the gate mark 99. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower half 3 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 95a of the pair of arm pulling concave-convex portions 95, so that the flow mark 100 is inconspicuous in appearance.

The lower half 3 is located on the front side of the pair of arm engaging recesses 81 provided on both side surfaces thereof, and is provided with a plurality of substantially uneven slip prevention uneven portions 84 (84A, 84B). There is. In the tape cartridge 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is configured so that the user holds the non-slip uneven portion 84 by the user.
Insertion operation or removal operation is performed on 01.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the upper half 4, an outer peripheral wall 31 is integrally formed upright on the outer peripheral portion other than the front surface portion 36, and the bottom portion 4A is divided into two regions from the center to the left and right. Is configured. On the inner surface of the bottom surface portion 4A, in the divided left and right regions, in cooperation with the tape reel storage portion 13 of the lower half 3 described above, the reel storage portion on the upper half 4 side that stores the tape reel 9 rotatably, respectively. Three
A plurality of arc-shaped tape reel storage walls 32 (32A, 32B) forming the three (33A, 33B) are located on the same circumference and are integrally erected. The bottom portion 4A is provided with a substantially horizontally elongated rectangular window 34 that allows a partial area of the tape reel storage portion 33 to be seen through.

The upper half 4 has a substantially rectangular notch 3 in the central region of the open front face 36 and a central portion on the bottom face 4A.
7 is provided, and the front end portions 35 (35A, 35B) of both side portions of the cutout portion 37 are configured to project like eaves.

An outer peripheral rib 39 is formed on the upper half 4 so as to form a rising peripheral wall inside the cutout portion 37.
It stands upright at A. The outer peripheral rib 39 has a height dimension substantially equal to that of the outer peripheral wall 31, but the center portion thereof has a slightly lower height corresponding to the tape end detection light source entrance portion 21 formed on the lower half 3 side. .

The outer peripheral ribs 39 are located inside the side surface guide ribs 17 on the lower half 3 side when the upper half 4 is combined with the lower half 3 as will be described later. Therefore, both end portions of the outer peripheral rib 39 and the side surface guide rib 17 are first abutted when the lower half 3 and the upper half 4 are combined. Then, the outer peripheral rib 39
In the state in which the lower half 3 and the upper half 4 are combined, is positioned close to the inner edge of the side surface guide rib 17 and is opposed thereto.

The outer peripheral rib 39 is integrally formed with a light source cover pressing portion 41 which is located inside the central portion and corresponds to the tape end detecting light source entrance portion 21 on the lower half 3 side. The light source cover pressing portion 41 locks the light source cover 70 combined with the tape end detection light source entrance portion 21 in a state where the upper half 4 is combined with the lower half 3. Inside the light source cover pressing portion 41, the fitting tubular portion 4 is provided.
One of 7 is integrally formed. Further, in the upper half 4, tubular fitting tubular portions 47 are integrally projected at appropriate positions on the bottom surface portion 4A.

The upper half 4 is provided with front lid engaging recesses 44 (44A, 44B) having U-shaped cross sections with their axes aligned with each other at the front portions of the outer peripheral walls 31 on both sides.

Further, the upper half 4 is provided with a lid lock guide recess 45 in the front-rear direction which is located on the rear side of the front lid engagement recess 44B. These lid lock guide recesses 45 are positioned corresponding to the above-mentioned lid lock lever mounting portions 25 on the lower half 3 side when the upper half 4 is combined with the lower half 3.

The upper half 4 is provided with reel pressing spring mounting portions 46 (46A, 46B) on the inner surface of the bottom surface portion 4A. These reel pressing spring mounting portions 46 are formed on the front side of the window 34 and on the center line of the reel housing portion 33. Reel holding spring mounting part 46
The reel pressing springs 68 (68A, 68B), which are fixed by heat-welding one ends, are fixed to the respective. The reel pressing springs 68 prevent the tape reels 9 from floating in the height direction inside the cartridge body 2 by abutting the tip ends of the reel pressing springs 68 against the tape reels 9 and pressing them toward the lower half 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, the upper half 4 corresponds to the pair of arm engaging recesses 81 of the lower half 3 and is paired with a pair of arm members 103A and 103B of the changer device 103. Mating recess 85 (85A,
85B) is provided. A pair of arm engaging recesses 85
Has a substantially concave engaging groove extending from the base end of the outer peripheral wall 11 to the front end of the outer peripheral wall 11. Further, the pair of arm engaging recesses 85 has the front inclined surface 8 so that the inner dimension of the opening side is larger than the inner dimension of the groove bottom 85c side.
5a and a rear inclined surface 85b are provided respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, a position corresponding to the gate portion of the molding die into which the synthetic resin material or the like is poured when the upper half 4 is injection-molded by the molding die (not shown) on the rear inclined surface 81b. At the end, the gate mark 99 remains.
When the tape cartridge 1 is loaded into the changer device 103, the pair of arm members 103A and 103B of the changer device 103 engages the pair of arm engaging recesses 85, thereby the recording / reproducing device 101.
The inserting operation or the removing operation is performed with respect to.

The upper half 4 is, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of paired substantially concave-convex arm extraction concave-convex portions 97 (97A, 97B) are provided on the rear side of the pair of arm-engaging concave portions 85 provided on both side surface portions.

Further, as described above, the flow mark 100 is generated around the gate mark 99. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper half 4 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 95a of the pair of arm pulling concave-convex portions 95, so that the flow mark 100 is inconspicuous in appearance.

The upper half 4 is provided with a plurality of substantially concave and convex non-slip concave and convex portions 86 (86A, 86B) located in front of the pair of arm engaging concave portions 85 provided on both side surfaces. ing. The user inserts or removes the tape cartridge 1 into / from the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 by the user holding the non-slip concavo-convex portion 86.

The upper half 4 and the lower half 3 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral wall 11 and the outer peripheral wall 31, the tape reel storage wall 12, the reel storage wall 32, the outer peripheral rib 20, the outer peripheral rib 39, the fitting cylinder portion 30, and the fitting cylinder portion 47, which are opposed to each other, respectively, are shown in FIG. In a state where they are butted and combined,
The thin cylinder-shaped cartridge main body 2 is configured by being integrally coupled by the set screw 26 screwed into the fitting tubular portion 30 and the fitting tubular portion 47.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge body 2 is closed at its outer peripheral portion except the front surface by the outer peripheral wall 11 and the outer peripheral wall 31, and the outer peripheral ribs 20 and the outer peripheral ribs 39, and the inside of the lower half 3 side. Tape reel storage parts 13A, 13B
And the tape reel accommodating portions 33A and 33B on the upper half 4 side cooperate to form a tape reel accommodating portion that is two circular spaces adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge main body 2 configured as described above is combined with a lid structure composed of a front lid 6 and a back lid 7 on the open front surface portion. As shown in FIG. 2, the front lid 6 has a rectangular plate-shaped main surface portion 48 having a length and a height sufficient to close the front surface portion of the cartridge main body 2, and a rear side at each end of the main surface portion 48. And a side surface portion 49 (49A, 49B) integrally projecting toward the front side, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. Front lid 6
Are connected to the inner surface of the main surface portion 48 so as to be connected to the back lid 7 which will be described later.
A, 50B) are integrally formed.

The front lid 6 has the support shaft portions 51 (51A, 5A, 5A, 5A, 5A, 5A, 5A, 5A, 5A, 5A, 5B, 5A, 5B, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5C, 5D, 5A, 5B, 5A, 5B, 5A and 5B, on the inner surfaces of the side surface portions 49, with their axes aligned.
1B) are integrally projected. Further, the one side surface portion 49A has a shaft-shaped cam convex portion 52 on the inner surface side of the tip portion.
Are protruded integrally. On the other hand, the support shaft portion 51B has a front lid spring 5 composed of a torsion spring.
3 is attached.

The back lid 7 is substantially equal to the rectangular plate-shaped first main surface portion 54 having a length and height sufficient to close the loading space portion 10 of the cartridge body 2 and the front end portion 35 of the upper half 4. It is configured by integrally forming a rectangular plate-shaped second main surface portion 57 having a length and a width.
The back lid 7 has shaft-like fulcrum portions 55 (55A, 55B) integrally projecting at both upper edge portions of both sides of the first main surface portion 54, and is provided at both lower edge portions of the first main surface portion 54. The shaft-shaped cam projections 56 (56A, 56B) are integrally projected. The back lid 7 is configured as an inclined surface in which the lower portion of the first main surface portion 54 gradually inclines toward the front surface side.

The front lid 6 is rotatably combined with the front portion of the back lid 7 as shown in FIG. 2 by the engagement of the connecting portions 50 with the fulcrum portions 55 of the back lid 7, respectively. In this way, the front lid 6 and the back lid 7 are combined with each other to form a lid structure. In the state where the lid structure is assembled to the cartridge body 2, the magnetic tape 8 extends between the front lid 6 and the back lid 7 which face each other in parallel at a predetermined interval.

In the lid structure, the cam projections 56 relatively engage with the lid guide grooves 19 formed in the side surface guide ribs 17 on the lower half 3 side, whereby the back lid 7 is formed.
Are combined with the cartridge body 2. The back lid 7 is located inside the front lid 6 and closes the front portion of the loading space 10. In the lid structure, the support shaft portion 51 is engaged with the front lid engagement concave portion 44 on the upper half 4 side, so that the front lid 6 is combined with the cartridge body 2.

The front lid 6 is the cartridge body 2
In the state of being combined with, the opened front surface portion is closed over the entire area. Support shaft portion 51 of the front lid 6
Is rotatably retained in the front lid engagement recess 44 by both outer peripheral walls 11 on the lower half 3 side that are abutted against the outer peripheral wall 31 of the upper half 4. The front lid 6 is urged in a direction of closing the front surface portion of the cartridge body 2 by the elastic force of the front lid spring 53 attached to the one support shaft portion 51B.

Further, when the front lid 6 is assembled to the cartridge body 2, the lock cam portion 5
2 are respectively exposed to the lid opening guide grooves 24 on the lower half 3 side. As described above, the lock cam portion 52 is engaged with the cam portion of the lid lock lever 71, which constitutes the lid lock mechanism assembled on the lower half 3 side by facing the lid opening guide groove 24. The cartridge main body 2 is held in a closed state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic tape 8 has a transparent leading tape 61 connected to the front end thereof via a sensing tape. The magnetic tape 8 is wound with the leading tapes 61 at both ends fixed to the tape reel 9. The tape reels 9 have the same left and right configurations, and the configuration of one tape reel 9A will be described below as a representative.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape reel 9 has a magnetic tape 8 wound around the outer periphery thereof, and a reel drive shaft fitting hole 63 into which the reel drive shaft of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 is fitted in the center thereof. The tubular core portion 62 (62A, 62B) provided with (63A, 63B), the lower flange portion 64 integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of the lower side surface of the core portion 62, and the core portion 62 are joined together. And an upper flange member 66 and a clamper 67 for fixing the magnetic tape 8. Although the details of the core portion 62 are omitted,
It is composed of an outer peripheral core that is concentrically connected through a plurality of radial ribs and has a magnetic tape 8 wound around the outer peripheral portion. The reel drive shaft fitting hole 63 is constituted by the central core and the outer peripheral core, and is also constituted by an annular space portion divided by radial ribs.

The core portion 62 is provided with a positioning dowel when the upper flange member 66 is assembled on the upper end surface of the central core. In the core portion 62, a part of the outer peripheral core is axially cut out in order to fit the clamper 67. The radial rib relatively engages with a detent rib formed on the outer peripheral portion of the reel drive shaft on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side fitted into the reel drive shaft fitting hole 63, whereby the tape reel 9 is rotated in the rotation direction. It acts so as to be integrated with each other.

The lower flange portion 64 formed integrally with the above-mentioned core portion 62 has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the reel accommodating portion of the cartridge body 2, and the reel lock mechanism described above is provided over the entire outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral teeth 65 with which the reel lock lever 74 is relatively engaged are integrally formed. The outer peripheral teeth 65 are constituted by, for example, unidirectional ratchet teeth or the like, and are engaged with the reel lock lever 74.
Thus, the tape reel 9 is locked in the feeding direction of the magnetic tape 8.

The upper flange member 66 is assembled on the upper surface side of the core portion 62 in a state where a positioning hole formed at the center is relatively engaged with the positioning dowel and aligned. The core portion 62 and the upper flange member 66 are integrated with each other by ultrasonic welding or the like in a state of being combined with each other. The upper flange member 66 is formed of, for example, a transparent synthetic resin material so that the state of the magnetic tape 8 wound around the core portion 62 is changed to the window 34 of the upper half 4.
It is possible to see through.

Tape reel 9 constructed as described above
The reel drive shaft fitting hole 63 to the reel hole 1 of the lower half 3
Four of them are faced to each other and are rotatably housed in the tape reel housing portion of the cartridge body 2. Tape reel 9
As described above, the reel lock mechanism regulates the rotation of the magnetic tape 8 in the feeding direction. As described above, the tape reel 9 is restricted from moving in the height direction by the reel pressing spring 68.

The magnetic tape 8 is unwound from the outer peripheral wall 11 side of the right tape reel 9A and is fed to the right tape guide 18A.
Is multiplied by. The magnetic tape 8 is guided along the front surface of the cartridge main body 2, traverses the loading space 10, is hung on the left tape guide 18B, and is wound onto the left tape reel 18B from the outer peripheral wall 11 side.
The magnetic tape 8 is protected by a portion that crosses the loading space 10 extending between the front lid 6 and the back lid 7.

When the tape cartridge 1 of the embodiment configured as described above is inserted from the insertion opening 101A of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101, which will be described later, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 will be described.
No. 1 loading section. Tape cartridge 1
When loaded in the recording / reproducing device 101, the reel drive shafts on the recording / reproducing device 101 side enter through the reel holes 14 of the cartridge body 2 and engage with the reel drive shaft fitting holes 63 of the tape reel 9, respectively.

The tape cartridge 1 is the recording / reproducing apparatus 1
The lid lock release member on the 01 side is the lid opening guide groove 2
Enter 4 and drive the lid lock mechanism. The lid lock lever 71 that constitutes the lid lock mechanism is rotated by the lid lock release member to release the locked state of the front lid 6 that constitutes the lid structure.

In the lid structure, with the front lid 6 released from the locked state by the lid lock mechanism described above, the lid drive member entering the lid opening guide groove 24 resists the elastic force of the front lid spring 53. It is rotated. The front lid 6 has a support shaft portion 51.
With this as a fulcrum, the back lid 7 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

The back lid 7 is movable from the front portion to the rear portion of the lid guide groove 19 with which the guide cam 59 is engaged, while the fulcrum portion 55 is rotatably supported by the connecting portion 50 of the front lid 6. Thus, the sliding operation is performed while slightly rotating to the rear side of the upper half 4.

The back lid 7 rotates so as to be superposed on the back lid 7 from the state of facing the front lid 6. In the front lid 6, the tape end detection holes 49a and 49b provided in the side surface portion 49 are located opposite the tape end detection hole 23 of the cartridge body 2 in a state where the front surface of the cartridge body 2 is opened.

In the tape cartridge 1, the front lid 6 closes the front surface of the cartridge body 2 and the back lid 7 closes the loading space 10 by the operation of the lid structure described above, respectively. . Opened loading space 10
The magnetic tape 8 is exposed to the outside.

The tape cartridge 1 is the recording / reproducing apparatus 1
The reel lock release member on the 01 side enters the lock release guide groove 28 to drive the reel lock mechanism.
The reel lock release member is a lock lever spring 75.
The reel lock member 73 is moved rearward against the elastic force of. The reel lock lever 74 releases the engagement state with the outer peripheral teeth 65 of the tape reel 9 by the operation of the reel lock member 73, and brings the tape reel 9 into a rotatable state.

The loading mechanism on the side of the recording / reproducing device 101 enters the opened loading space 10, pulls out the magnetic tape 8 from the tape reel 9, and loads it on the recording / reproducing unit. In the tape cartridge 1, the light source 69 for detecting the tape end of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 enters the light source entrance portion 21 for detecting the tape end.

When the tape cartridge 1 is subjected to a recording operation, a reproducing operation, a fast-forwarding operation, a rewinding operation, etc., the reel drive shaft is driven and the tape reel 9 is rotationally driven. The light source 69 for detecting the tape end is supplied with power by the driving operation of the magnetic tape 8 and emits detection light. The detection light is guided along the outer peripheral rib 20 of the lower half 3 and the outer peripheral rib 39 of the upper half 4 across the tape running path to the tape end detection hole 23 provided in the outer peripheral wall 11.

When the magnetic tape 8 exists in the tape running path, the detection light is reflected by the magnetic tape 8 and is not exposed to the outside of the cartridge body 2 through the tape end detection hole 23. On the other hand, when the transparent leader tape 61 exists in the tape running path, the detection light passes through the leader tape 61 and is exposed to the outside of the cartridge main body 2 through the tape end detection hole 23, and the recording / reproducing apparatus is performed. It is detected by the tape end detection sensor on the 101 side. The recording / reproducing apparatus 101 stops the reel drive shaft by the output of the tape end detection sensor to stop the feeding operation of the magnetic tape 8.

In the tape cartridge 1, when the recording operation, the reproducing operation, the fast-forwarding operation, the rewinding operation, or the like is completed, the reel lock releasing member on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side is withdrawn from the lock releasing guide groove 28, so that the lock lever spring Due to the elastic force of 75, the reel lock member 73
Is moved to the front side. Reel lock lever 74
The operation of the reel lock member 73 reengages the outer peripheral teeth 65 of the tape reel 9 to lock the tape reel 9 in the feeding direction of the magnetic tape 8.

In the tape cartridge 1, the lid driving member and the lid lock releasing member on the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side are withdrawn from the lid opening guide groove 24, whereby the lid structure returns to the initial state. Due to the elastic force of the front lid spring 53, the front lid 6 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 by the elastic force of the front lid spring 53 to return to the direction in which the front portion of the cartridge body 2 is closed. Move. The front lid 6 restores the back lid 7 via the connecting portion 50.

The back lid 7 slides forward along the upper half 4 by moving from the rear portion to the front portion of the lid guide groove 19 with which the guide cam 59 is engaged, and at the same time, the back lid 7 is moved. To drive. The back lid 7 is a side guide rib 1 with which the cam protrusion 56 is engaged.
By moving from the upper part to the lower part of the lid guide groove 19 of No. 7, it is returned to the initial position where the loading space 10 is closed.

The lid lock mechanism holds the lid structure in a locked state by the cam portion of the lid lock lever 71 relatively engaging with the lock cam portion 52 of the front lid 6 which has returned to the initial position by the above-described operation.
In the tape cartridge 1, with the front surface of the cartridge body 2 and the loading space 10 closed by the lid structure, the reel drive shaft of the recording / reproducing device 101 side is withdrawn from the reel hole 14, and the insertion port of the recording / reproducing device 101 is inserted. It is discharged from 101A.

The tape cartridge 1 constructed as described above is used in an automatic recording / reproducing apparatus 100 for a tape cartridge as shown in FIG. 8, for example. The automatic recording / reproducing apparatus 100 for this tape cartridge is roughly
As shown in FIG. 8, a recording / reproducing apparatus 101 for recording / reproducing a tape cartridge, a magazine rack 102 for accommodating a plurality of tape cartridges 1 recorded / reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus 101, and this magazine rack 1
02 and the recording / reproducing apparatus 101, and a changer apparatus 103 for conveying the tape cartridge 1.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 101 is arranged adjacent to the magazine rack 102 as shown in FIG.
Insertion slot 1 into which the tape cartridge 1 is loaded and ejected
01A has been opened. Also, this recording / reproducing apparatus 10
1, in the loading section in which the tape cartridge 1 is loaded,
Wrong insertion identification recesses 38A, 38B of the tape cartridge 1
Corresponding to, an erroneous insertion identification convex portion (not shown) is provided upright.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the magazine rack 102 is formed with a plurality of storage portions for storing the tape cartridges 1. In this magazine rack 102, the insertion opening of each storage section is opened in the same direction as the insertion opening 101A of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101. In each of these accommodating parts, the erroneous insertion identification recess 38 of the tape cartridge 1 is placed on the mounting surface on which the tape cartridge 1 is mounted.
Corresponding to A and 38B, a cylindrical misinsertion identification convex portion 102
A and 102B are respectively provided upright.

Further, escape grooves 105A and 105B are provided in the side portions corresponding to both side surfaces of the accommodated tape cartridge 1 in each of the accommodating portions, and the outer peripheral wall 11 on the rear side of the tape cartridge 1 is formed. An escape groove 105C is provided on the abutting surface corresponding to. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, these escape grooves 105A, 105B and 105C rotate the tape cartridge 1 etc. on the mounting surface of the accommodating part when the tape cartridge 1 etc. is erroneously inserted into the accommodating part. It is possible. In addition, the escape groove 10
5C is a display label attached to the back surface of the tape cartridge 1 stored in the storage unit, the magazine rack 1
It is visible from the outside of No. 02.

The changer device 103 includes a pair of arm members 103A and 103B for holding the tape cartridge 1 therebetween.
And the arm supporting member 103C that swingably supports the base end portions of the arm members 103A and 103B, and the arm members 103A and 103B, and the moving operation between the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 and the magazine rack 102. And a drive device (not shown).

In the tape cartridge automatic recording / reproducing apparatus 100 configured as described above, the operation of loading the tape cartridge 1 stored in the magazine rack 102 into the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 via the changer device 103, and the tape cartridge 1 Is magazine rack 102
The state of being stored in will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the changer device 103 holds the arm engaging recesses 81 and 85 of the tape cartridge 1 by the arm members 103A and 103B, and takes out the tape cartridge 1 stored in the storage portion 105 of the magazine rack 102. The changer device 103 includes an arm member 1
The tape cartridge 1 is conveyed to the insertion port 101A of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 by moving the arm members 103A, 103B in parallel to the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 side while the tape cartridge 1 is sandwiched by 03A and 103B. Then, the changer device 103 loads the tape cartridge 1 into the loading section from the insertion opening 101A of the recording / reproducing device 101.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus 101, when the tape cartridge 1 is loaded in the loading portion in a predetermined direction, the erroneous insertion identification concave portions 38A and 38B of the tape cartridge 1 and the erroneous insertion identification convex portion provided in the loading portion. While engaging with
The tape cartridge 1 is recorded and reproduced.

Next, the automatic recording / reproducing apparatus 100 for this tape cartridge, when replacing the tape cartridge 1 for recording / reproducing, inserts 101A of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101.
The tape cartridge 1 ejected from the device is clamped by the arm members 103A and 103B of the changer device 103.

The changer device 103 includes the arm member 10
The tape cartridge 1 is conveyed to the storage section 105 of the magazine rack 102 by moving the arm members 103A and 103B in parallel to the magazine rack 102 side while the tape cartridge 1 is sandwiched by 3A and 103B.

The tape cartridge 1 clamped by the arm members 103A and 103B of the changer device 103 is, with the front lid 6 facing the insertion opening side of the storage section 105, as shown in FIGS. The magazine rack 102 is inserted into the storage section 105 in the direction of arrow M. As shown in FIG. 11, when the tape cartridge 1 is stored in the storage section 105, the wrong insertion identification convex sections 102A and 102 are inserted into the incorrect insertion identification concave sections 38A and 38B.
B is inserted and engaged.

The erroneous insertion identification recesses 38A and 38B are
As shown in FIG. 11, since it is provided so as to face the metal base plate 5 and the distance N from the outer peripheral edge portion of the base plate 5 is relatively small, the erroneous insertion identification convex portions 102A, 102B due to the rigidity of the base plate 5. It is prevented from being deformed when engaged with.

Then, the changer device 103 takes out the other tape cartridge 1 from the other storage portion 105 of the magazine rack 102 and conveys and loads the other tape cartridge 1 to the recording / reproducing device 101.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the tape cartridge 1 is inserted in the storage portion 105 of the magazine rack 102 in the wrong direction,
The front lid 6 is provided on the incorrect insertion identification convex portions 102A and 102B.
And the erroneous insertion identification convex portion 10
2A and 102B rotate on the mounting surface of the storage unit 105 with the rotation fulcrum.

Further, this tape cartridge 1 has the erroneous insertion identifying convex portion 1 at the substantially central portion of the front lid 6 in the longitudinal direction.
Since 02A and 102B are in contact with each other, both side ends are largely shaken as the wrong insertion identification convex portions 102A and 102B are rotated about the rotation fulcrum.

Therefore, this tape cartridge 1
Indicates that the cartridge body 2 has a wrong insertion identification convex portion 102A,
Since a large amount of rotation with 102B as the fulcrum of rotation is obtained and the protrusion largely protrudes from the insertion opening of the storage section 105 of the magazine rack 102, it is easy and sure to visually confirm that the magazine rack 102 is erroneously inserted from the outside. To be identified.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the magazine rack 102 has a lid and an outer circumference of the tape cartridge 100 even when the tape cartridge 110 having the same outer shape and different specifications and different uses is loaded. Since the erroneous insertion identification convex portions 102A and 102B abut on the portion, the erroneous insertion identification convex portions 102A and 102B largely protrude from the insertion port of the storage portion 105, so that the erroneous insertion state from the outside of the storage portion 105 can be visually and easily identified. It

Next, the positions of the erroneous insertion identifying recesses provided in the lower half 3 and the depth dimension of these erroneous insertion identifying recesses will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16. First, when provided in the areas A and B of the lower half 3 shown in FIG. 14, the erroneous insertion identification recess 107 is surrounded by the tape reel storage walls 12A and 12B and the outer peripheral wall 11 as shown in FIG. Since it is located in a different area, it is not necessary to consider interference with the tape reels 9A and 9B, so that there is relatively freedom in setting and the depth dimension h ₁ can be set. Therefore, this erroneous insertion identification concave portion 1
No. 07 ensures a good engagement state with respect to the erroneous insertion identification convex portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the erroneous insertion identifying recess is a region a facing the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 5,
Since it is provided in b, the distance to the base plate 5 is short, so that the rigidity of the base plate 5 improves the mechanical rigidity.

When the lower half 3 is provided in the areas C and D outside the areas A and B shown in FIG. 14 of the lower half 3, the erroneous insertion identifying concave portion 108, as shown in FIG. In order to avoid interference with 9B, it is necessary to provide it within the thickness of the bottom surface of the lower half 3, and the depth dimension h ₂ becomes smaller than the depth dimension h ₁ . Therefore, the incorrect insertion identification concave portion 108 may not be properly engaged with the incorrect insertion identification convex portion.

Therefore, in the lower half 3, it is possible to set the position of the erroneous insertion identification concave portion in the areas A and B, straddling the outer peripheral wall 11 and the bottom portion on the rear side, and particularly It is more effective to set it in the regions a and b. It should be noted that the position and height of the erroneous insertion identification convex portion provided upright in the loading portion of the recording / reproducing device 101 and the storage portion 105 of the magazine rack 102 are the position and depth of the erroneous insertion identification concave portion provided in the lower half 3. Of course, it is set according to the size.

Further, the lower half 3 is provided with an erroneous insertion identification concave portion 3
8A and 38B are configured to be provided in the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the rear side outer peripheral wall 11 while straddling the rear side outer peripheral wall 11 and the bottom portion, but the erroneous insertion identification concave portion has the rear side outer peripheral wall. The structure may be provided only at one place in the central portion of 11. The tape cartridge 1 is configured such that the lower half 3 is provided with the erroneous insertion identification recesses 38A and 38B. The erroneous insertion identification concave portion may be provided at a substantially central portion of the wall 31 in the longitudinal direction.

As described above, the tape cartridge 1 of the embodiment straddles the rear side outer peripheral wall 11 of the lower half 3 and the bottom surface portion 3A, and is provided at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the rear side outer peripheral wall 11. By providing the incorrect insertion identification concave portions 38A and 38B, the incorrect insertion identification convex portions 102A and 102B are rotated when the incorrect insertion is made from the front lid 6 side, for example, into the storage portion 105 of the magazine rack 102. Since a large amount of rotation about the dynamic fulcrum is secured, a large amount of protrusion is made from the insertion port of the storage unit 105. Therefore, the tape cartridge 1 is stored in the storage unit 1 of the magazine rack 102.
It is possible to easily and surely visually identify the state of being incorrectly inserted into 05.

Further, according to the tape cartridge 1, the erroneous insertion identifying concave portions 38A, 38B cut out in the lower half 3 are formed.
The cartridge body 2 has a relatively small notch area.
It is suitable for being applied to a small tape cartridge because it can be made smaller and thinner.

Further, the magazine rack 102 for accommodating the tape cartridge 1 is erroneously positioned in the accommodating portion 105 at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the abutting surface facing the outer peripheral wall 11 on the rear side of the lower half 3. Insertion identification convex portions 102A, 10
Since the 2B is erected, it is possible to easily and surely visually identify a state in which the tape cartridge 110 of another specification having a different purpose is erroneously inserted into the storage portion 105.

Further, the tape cartridge 1 is provided with erroneous insertion identifying recesses 38A and 38B at positions facing the outer peripheral edge of the insert plate 5 insert-molded in the lower half 3, so that the erroneous insertion identifying recesses 38 are formed.
Since the mechanical rigidity of A and 38B is improved, the erroneous insertion identification concave portions 38A and 38B and the erroneous insertion identification convex portions 102A and 102 are formed.
When B and B are engaged, erroneous insertion identification recesses 102A, 102
It is possible to prevent B from being deformed.

Further, the tape cartridge 1 described above is
Although the lower half 3 in which the base plate 5 is insert-molded is adopted, the lower half 3 is molded only by the resin material.
The lower half 109 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17, the lower half 109 has a circular reel hole 111 (111) on the bottom surface 109A, which is located at the center of a tape reel accommodating portion (not shown).
A, 111B) have been opened respectively. In addition, in the lower half 109, a bottom surface portion 109A on the rear side is provided with
As shown in FIG. 7, the tape specification identification hole 113 (113A,
113B), an erroneous erasure prevention hole 114, a positioning hole 115 and the like are provided.

Then, the lower half 109 is cut out in a substantially rectangular shape at a substantially central portion of the rear side outer peripheral wall in the longitudinal direction across the rear side outer peripheral wall and the bottom surface portion 109A. False insertion identification recesses 112A and 112B are provided, respectively.

The tape cartridge according to the present invention is, in addition to the data recording tape cartridge 1, a tape cartridge having no lid structure, an 8 mm width or a 1/4 width.
It is also applied to tape cartridges containing magnetic tapes of various tape widths such as inch width. Further, the tape cartridge is also applied to a cleaning tape cartridge in which the cartridge main body 2 is shared and a cleaning tape is stored instead of the magnetic tape 8.

Further, in the tape cartridge according to the present invention, in addition to the tape cartridge 1 of the embodiment in which the lid structure is composed of the two lids of the front lid 6 and the back lid 7, for example, the back lid 7 is divided into two and connected. Also, the present invention can be applied to a tape cartridge configured to operate while being regulated by the lid guide groove 19 formed in the side guide rib 17.

[0130]

As described above, according to the tape cartridge of the present invention, an erroneous insertion identifying recess is formed in one of the halves constituting the cartridge main body so as to extend over the outer peripheral wall and the bottom surface on the rear side. By being provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral wall on the rear side, the amount of rotation of the cartridge main body with respect to the storage portion is large when the cartridge main body is erroneously inserted into the storage portion. The erroneous insertion of the tape cartridge into the can be visually and easily identified.

According to this tape cartridge,
Since the notch area of the erroneous insertion identification recess is relatively small, the cartridge body can be made compact and thin.

Further, in the tape cartridge, the erroneous insertion identifying recess is provided at a position facing the outer peripheral edge of the metal plate insert-molded in the lower half, whereby the mechanical rigidity of the erroneous insertion identifying recess is improved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the erroneous insertion identification concave portion from being deformed when the erroneous insertion identification concave portion and the erroneous insertion identification convex portion are engaged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the tape cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a lower half which constitutes a cartridge body of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the lower half.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the tape cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a right side view showing the tape cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the upper half of the cartridge body of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an automatic recording / reproducing apparatus for a tape cartridge in which the tape cartridge is used.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view for explaining a state where the tape cartridge is stored in the magazine rack.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a state in which the tape cartridge is stored in a magazine rack.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view shown for explaining a state where the tape cartridge is stored in a magazine rack.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view shown for explaining a state in which the tape cartridge is stored in a magazine rack.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view for explaining a state where the tape cartridge is stored in the magazine rack.

FIG. 14 is a plan view shown for explaining the position of an erroneous insertion identifying portion provided in the lower half.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE for explaining the depth dimension of the erroneous insertion identification recess provided in the lower half.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF for explaining the depth dimension of the erroneous insertion identification recess provided in the lower half.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view showing an example of another lower half which constitutes the cartridge body of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view showing the lower half of the cartridge body of the conventional tape cartridge.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view showing the lower half of the cartridge body of the conventional tape cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 tape cartridge, 2 cartridge body, 3 lower half, 4 upper half, 5 base plate (metal plate), 11 outer peripheral wall, 38A, 38B wrong insertion identification concave part, 102A, 102B wrong insertion identification convex part, 105 storage part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge body formed by combining a pair of upper and lower halves, a pair of tape reels rotatably disposed inside the cartridge body, and a tape wound around these tape reels. In a tape cartridge having a tape-shaped medium, one of the halves has an erroneous insertion identification concave portion that engages with an erroneous insertion identification convex portion provided on the accommodation portion side where the cartridge body is inserted and accommodated. A tape cartridge provided so as to straddle an outer peripheral wall and a bottom surface of the outer peripheral wall, and to be provided at a substantially central portion in a longitudinal direction of the rear outer peripheral wall. 2. The tape according to claim 1, wherein a metal plate is insert-molded on the lower half, and the erroneous insertion identification recess is provided at a position facing an outer peripheral edge of the metal plate. cartridge.