JPH11213487A - Unlocking mechanism of cassette front cover for cassette loading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an unlocking mechanism of a cassette front cover for a cassette loading device capable of surely unlocking the front cover of a tape cassette and also capable of further making the whole device light in weight by allowing the height of the side plate parts of a chassis to be low. SOLUTION: In the unlocking mechanism 1 of a cassette front cover for a cassette loading device, a release button pressurizing means 30 for pressurizing a front cover unlocking button 3 of a tape cassette 2 is provided on one side plate part 21 of a cassette holder 20, also an unlocking lever 40 to operate the release button pressurizing means 30 in the pressurizing direction of the front cover unlocking button 3 is freely turnably provided on the side plate part 21, this unlocking lever 40 is made freely rotatble in the direction pressurizing the front cover unlocking button 3 by the pressurization to the front surface 2a of the tape cassette 2 when the tape cassette 2 is inserted into and held in the inside of the cassette holder 20 and then, a front cover 6 of the tape cassette 2 is made freely unlockable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of a cassette loading device used in a video tape recorder (VTR) or the like as a magnetic recording / reproducing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 10 and 11 show a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of a conventional cassette loading apparatus. The cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1 ″ of this cassette loading device is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11B and FIGS. 11A and 11B, the VTR
Both side plates 11 "of the main body (only the right side plate is shown in the figure)
And a metal chassis 10 having a plurality of inverted L-shaped guide grooves 12 formed therein, and a synthetic resin side plate 21 (only the right side plate is shown in the figure) along each guide groove 12. A cassette insertion position (cassette unloading position) and a cassette mounting position below the cassette insertion position (cassette loading completion position) via the projecting guide pins 21a.
The tape holder 2 is formed integrally with the cassette holder 20 which can be moved up and down and substantially at the center of the right side (one side) of the side plate portion 21 of the cassette holder 20. The tape cassette 2 is held in the cassette holder 20 and moved horizontally. A release pin 31 for pressing the front cover lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 to release the lock of the front cover 6 of the tape cassette 2 when the tape cassette 2 is pressed, and a pressing pin 32 interlocked with the release pin 31. A flexible spring piece (release button pressing means) 30.

When the front cover 6 of the tape cassette 2 is opened during the loading of the tape cassette 2, the cassette shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B holding the tape cassette 2 in the cassette holder 20. From the insertion position, the cassette holder 20 is horizontally moved through predetermined driving means as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, and during the movement, the cassette holder 20 is moved to the upper side of the inner surface center of the right side plate 11 ″ of the chassis 10. The flexible spring piece 3 is attached by the attached cam 13.
As shown in FIG. 11 (a), the front cover lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 is pressed by the release pin 31 interlocking with the press pin 32, and the front cover 6 is pressed.
You are trying to unlock.

[0004]

However, in the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1 "of the conventional cassette loading apparatus, the side plate 21 of the cassette holder 20 for holding the tape cassette 2 and the chassis 10 on which the cam 13 is mounted are provided. A play (predetermined clearance) during the operation of the cassette holder 20 is indispensable between the side plate 11 ″ and the side plate 11 ″ between the chassis 10 and the side plate 21 of the cassette holder 20. The play in the direction has an adverse effect when the front cover unlocking button 3 of the tape cassette 2 is pressed by the release pin 31 of the flexible spring piece 30, and the side plate 11 ″ of the chassis 10 and the cassette holder 20
Unless the dimensional accuracy of the gap between the tape cassette 2 and the side plate portion 21 is improved, the release pin portion 31 of the flexible spring piece 30 cannot reliably press the front lid lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2.

Also, since the cam 13 is provided on the side plate 11 "of the chassis 10, the side plate 11" of the chassis 10 is provided.
When the height of the cassette loading device is reduced, the height of the front lid lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 is limited, and the weight of the cassette loading device cannot be reduced. Also, the chassis 10
If the side plate portion 11 ″ is high, there is a problem that the assembling workability is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to reliably release the lock of the front cover of the tape cassette by a simple structure, and to increase the height of the side plate of the chassis. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of a cassette loading device which can reduce the weight of the entire device and further improve the workability of assembling the device into a chassis.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chassis having an inverted L-shaped guide groove formed on both side plates, a cassette insertion position along the guide groove, and a cassette mounting position below the cassette insertion position. A cassette holder that can be moved up and down between
When the tape cassette is held in the cassette holder, the front lid lock release button of the tape cassette is pressed to release the lock of the front lid when the tape cassette is held in the cassette holder. And a release button pressing means, wherein the release button pressing means is operated on the one side plate of the cassette holder in a pressing direction of the front lid lock release button. A lock release lever is rotatably provided, and the lock release lever is rotatable in a direction in which the front lid lock release button is pressed by pressing the tape cassette when the tape cassette is inserted and held in the cassette holder. It is characterized by having done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a chassis having inverted L-shaped guide grooves formed on both side plates, and a vertically movable guide along the guide grooves between a cassette insertion position and a cassette mounting position below the cassette insertion position. A cassette holder provided on one side plate of both side plates of the cassette holder. When the tape cassette is held in the cassette holder, the front cover lock release button of the tape cassette is pressed to release the front cover. Release button pressing means for releasing the lock of, in the cassette front lid lock release mechanism of the cassette loading device, wherein the one side plate portion of the cassette holder,
A lock release lever for operating the release button pressing means in the pressing direction of the front lid lock release button is rotatably provided, and when the tape release cassette is inserted and held in the cassette holder, the tape is released. The front lid unlock button is rotatable in the direction of pressing the cassette by pressing the cassette, and the unlock lever is formed on one of the side plates of the chassis when the cassette holder is horizontally moved. The front lid lock release button is further rotatable in a direction in which the front lid lock release button is pressed via a cam.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of a cassette loading device used in a VTR or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).
FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are a plan view and a side view showing the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism, respectively.

In the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1 of the cassette loading apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of inverted L-shaped guide grooves 12 are formed in both side plates 11 (only the right side plate is shown in the figure) of the VTR main body. A formed metal chassis 10,
Along both sides of the guide groove 12, both side plates 21 made of synthetic resin
(Only the right side plate portion is shown in the drawing) between the cassette insertion position (cassette unloading position) and the cassette mounting position (cassette loading completion position) below it via each guide pin 21a integrally formed and protruding. The cassette holder 20 is formed integrally with the cassette holder 20 which can be moved up and down, and substantially at the center of the side plate 21 on the right side (one side) of the cassette holder 20. When the tape cassette 2 is inserted into and held in the cassette holder 20, Release pin 31 for pressing the front lid lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 to release the lock of the front lid 6 of the tape cassette 2, and the release pin 3
A flexible spring piece (release button pressing means) 30 having a pressing pin portion 32 interlocked with the cassette holder 20;
Is rotatably supported by a cylindrical support shaft portion 21b integrally formed at a position adjacent to the flexible spring piece 30 on the outer surface of the right side plate portion 21 of the right side plate portion 21. Part 3
2 is provided with a metal lock release lever 40 for operating the release pin 31 interlocked with this by pressing the front cover lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 in the pressing direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), on both sides of a metal chassis 10, both side plate portions 11 are vertically bent and formed. A plurality of inverted L-shaped guide grooves 12 are formed at opposing positions of the both side plate portions 11, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2B, each of the guide grooves 12 has an inverted L-shape between a horizontal portion 12a and a vertical portion 12b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette holder 20
Are two side plate portions 21 made of synthetic resin, and a bottom plate portion 22 of a rectangular plate shape made of metal which is bridged between lower ends of the two side plate portions 21.
And a ceiling plate 23 made of a metal and a rectangular plate which is stretched between the upper ends of the both side plate portions 21 to form a substantially rectangular tube into which the tape cassette 2 is inserted and held. And both side plate part 2
A cylindrical guide pin 21a to be inserted into each guide groove 12 of the chassis 10 is integrally formed on the outer surface of the chassis 1 so as to protrude. Further, a part of the front surface 2a of the cassette housing 2A of the inserted tape cassette 2 is in contact with the front edge side of the bottom plate portion 22 on the inner surface of the both side plate portions 21 to hold the tape cassette 2 in the cassette holder 20. An L-shaped stopper 21c is integrally formed to protrude.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (b), the flexible spring piece 30 has a horizontal H-shape in a U-shaped notch 24 formed substantially at the center of the right side plate 21. It is formed integrally. The flexible spring piece 30 includes a lower release pin 31 and an upper pressing pin 3 partitioned by a slit 33.
2 is provided. The lower release pin 31 of the tape cassette 2 on the side of the front lid lock release button 3 protrudes in a triangular prism shape so that the front lid lock release button 3 can be easily pressed. Further, the lock release lever 40 side of the upper pressing pin portion 32 protrudes in a conical shape, and is easily pressed by the lock release lever 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, a metal plate-shaped lock release lever 40 has a cylindrical portion (rotating) which is rotatably fitted to the support shaft portion 21b of the right side plate portion 21 of the cassette holder 20 at substantially the center thereof. ) 41, and is supported by a pair of claw portions 21d, 21d of the side plate portion 21 so as to prevent the side plate portion 21 from coming off. The lock release lever 40 is located at a position facing the L-shaped stopper 21c of the right side plate portion 21.
The stopper 21 c is inserted through the rectangular opening 25 of the side plate 21.
The cassette abutting portion 42 extending to the side is bent and formed, and an operating portion 43 having a tip end side inclined integrally formed at a position facing the pressing pin portion 32 and the releasing pin portion 31 of the flexible spring piece 30. I have. Further, between the lock release lever 40 and the right side plate portion 21, a torsion coil spring 50 that constantly urges the lock release lever 40 clockwise in the figure is interposed. As a result, the lock release lever 40 moves the tape cassette 2 into the cassette holder 20.
When the tape cassette 20 is inserted and held.
Is pressed against the cassette abutting portion 42 to rotate against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 50 in the direction in which the front lid lock release button 3 is pressed (ie, counterclockwise in the drawing). ing.

FIGS. 9 (a), 9 (b), 9 (c), 9 (d)
As shown in the figure, the front cover unlocking button 3 of the tape cassette 2 is integrated with a lock button 5 for locking the front cover 6 via the support shaft 4, and the front side of one side surface of the box-shaped cassette housing 2A. And a predetermined length protrudes outward from the rectangular hole 2b formed in the hole. When the front lid lock release button 3 is pushed into the cassette housing 2A by the release pin 31 below the flexible spring piece 30, the front lid lock release button 3 is urged to protrude outward. The support shaft 4 is rotated in a predetermined direction against the urging force of a spring (not shown), and the lock button 5 unlocks the front cover 6. When the cassette holder 20 comes to the lower end of the vertical portion 12b of the guide groove 12 of the chassis 10 (the cassette loading completion position), the unlocked front lid 6 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
The lid is fully opened by a lid opener (front lid opening member) 7 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular notch 6a is formed at the lower left side of the front of the front lid 6, and the notch 6a allows the front 2a of the cassette housing 2A of the tape cassette 2 to be formed. Some are exposed. Then, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, a part of the front surface 2 a exposed from the notch 6 a of the front cover 6 of the cassette housing 2 A first strikes the cassette contact portion 42 of the lock release lever 40. Thereafter, the stopper 21c of the cassette holder 20 is hit.
Further, a metal plate-like lever (not shown) having substantially the same shape as the above-mentioned lock release lever 40 having a cassette contact portion is also rotatably supported on a side plate (not shown) on the left side (the other side) of the cassette holder 20.

According to the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1 of the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG.
When the tape cassette 2 is inserted and held in the tape holder 2, a part of the front surface 2 a exposed from the notch 6 a of the front cover 6 of the tape cassette 2
1 and pushes the cassette contact portion 42 against the cassette contact portion 42 of the lock release lever 40 rotatably supported via the support shaft portion 21b. As a result, FIG.
4 (b) and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the lock release lever 40 rotates counterclockwise against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 50, and the operating portion 4 of the lock release lever 40 is rotated.
3, the pressing pin portion 32 of the flexible spring piece 30 integrally formed on the right side plate portion 21 of the cassette holder 20 is pressed, and the release cover 31 interlocked with the pressing pin portion 32 locks the front lid of the tape cassette 2. When the release button 3 is pressed, the lock on the front lid 6 is released.

As described above, the lock release lever 40 rotatably supported by the right side plate 21 of the cassette holder 20 allows the front cover lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 to be released.
When the front cover lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 is pressed by the release pin 31 of the flexible spring piece 30, the side between the side plate 11 of the chassis 10 and the side plate 21 of the cassette holder 20 is pressed. Through the lock release lever 40 without being affected by the play in the direction, and without requiring the dimensional accuracy of the gap between the side plate 11 of the chassis 10 and the side plate 21 of the cassette holder 20. The front cover 6 can be unlocked by reliably pressing the front cover lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 by the release pin 31 of the elastic spring piece 30. Further, since the release pin 31 of the flexible spring piece 30 integrally formed on the side plate 21 is operated via the lock release lever 40, the chassis 1
The height of the side plate portion 11 can be made lower than that of the conventional one, and the weight of the cassette loading device can be further reduced. Also, the side plate portion 11 of the chassis 10
, The workability of assembling with the chassis 10 can be improved.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of a cassette loading device used in a VTR or the like according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7 (b), 7 (a) and 7 (b) and FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are a plan view and a side view showing the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism, respectively.

In the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1 'of the cassette loading device, the right side (one side) 11' of the same height as the side plate 11 of the chassis 10 of the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1 of the above embodiment. A plate-like cam 15 bent inward at the upper edge so that the front and rear sides are inclined.
Is different from the configuration of the above-described embodiment in that a cam guide portion 44 and a cam follower 45 are bent at front and rear portions of a lock release lever 40 ′ facing the cam 15. Since other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In the case of the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1 ', as in the case of the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism 1, when the tape cassette 2 is inserted and held in the cassette holder 20, the tape cassette 2 is unlocked. A part of the front surface 2a exposed from the notch 6a of the front lid 6 abuts on the cassette abutting portion 42 of the lock release lever 40 'rotatably supported by the right side plate 21 of the cassette holder 20, and the cassette abuts. Press the part 42. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (b), the lock release lever 40 'rotates counterclockwise against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 50, and the right side plate of the cassette holder 20 is operated by the operating portion 43 of the lock release lever 40'. The pressing pin portion 32 of the flexible spring piece 30 formed integrally with the pressing member 21 is pressed.
The lock release button 3 of the tape cassette 2 is pressed about half of the lock release mechanism 1 of the above-described embodiment by the release pin portion 31 interlocking with the lock lever 3.

Then, the cassette holder 20 is moved from the cassette insertion position via a predetermined driving means as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the cam is horizontally moved, and during the movement, the cam follower 45 of the lock release lever 40 'slides on the lower surface of the cam 15 integrally formed on the upper end of the right side plate 11' of the chassis 10. The lock release lever 4
0 'further rotates counterclockwise against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 50, and the operating portion 43 of the unlock lever 40'
The pressing pin portion 32 of the flexible spring piece 30 integrally formed on the right side plate portion 21 of the cassette holder 20 is further pressed by the release pin portion 31 interlocked with the pressing pin portion 32 to lock the front lid of the tape cassette 2. The release button 3 is completely pushed into the cassette housing 2A, and the lock of the front cover 6 is released. Accordingly, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

According to each of the above-described embodiments, the flexible spring piece as the release button pressing means is integrally formed on one side plate of the cassette holder. It may be attached to one side plate.

[0025]

As described above, according to the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of the cassette loading device of the present invention, the release button pressing means is provided on one of the side plates of the cassette holder. When the tape cassette is inserted and held in the cassette holder, the lock release lever is operated in the direction in which the tape cassette is inserted into and held in the cassette holder. Because it is rotatable, the front lid of the tape cassette can be securely unlocked with a simple structure, and the height of the side plate of the chassis can be reduced, thus reducing the weight of the entire apparatus and reducing the weight of the chassis. The assembly workability can be further improved.

According to the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of the cassette loading device of the second aspect of the present invention, a lock release mechanism is provided on one of the side plates of the cassette holder, the release button pressing means being operated in the pressing direction of the front lid lock releasing button. A lever is provided rotatably, and when the tape cassette is inserted and held in the cassette holder, the lock release lever is made rotatable in a direction in which the front lid lock release button is pressed by pressing the tape cassette. The release lever is further made rotatable in the direction of pressing the front lid lock release button via a cam formed on one of the side plates of the chassis when the cassette holder moves horizontally, so that it has a simple structure. The front lid of the tape cassette can be securely unlocked and the height of the side plate of the chassis is reduced. Bets can be in can be achieved more further weight reduction and assembling operability to the chassis of the entire device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of a cassette loading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a state before the lock of the front lid of the tape cassette of the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism is released, and FIG. 2B is a side view showing the same state.

3A is a plan view showing a state in which the front lid of the tape cassette of the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism is unlocked, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the same state.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a state where the front cover of the tape cassette of the cassette front cover unlocking mechanism is unlocked and the front cover is further opened, and FIG. 4B is a side view showing the same state. .

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of a cassette loading device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a state before unlocking of a front lid of a tape cassette of a cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of another embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the same state.

FIG. 7A is a plan view showing a state where the front lid of the tape cassette is unlocked by the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of the other embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a side view showing the same state.

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state in which the front lid of the tape cassette of the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of the other embodiment is unlocked and the front lid is further opened, and FIG. FIG.

9A is a partial side view showing a locked state of a front lid of the tape cassette, FIG. 9B is a partial explanatory view of the locked state,
(C) is a partial side view showing a state where the lock of the front cover of the tape cassette is released, and (d) is a partial explanatory view showing a state where the lock is released.

FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a state before the lock of the front lid of the tape cassette of the cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of the conventional cassette loading device, and FIG. 10B is a side view of the same state.

FIG. 11A is a plan view showing a state where the front lid of the tape cassette of the conventional cassette front lid unlocking mechanism is unlocked, and FIG. 11B is a side view showing the same state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1 'cassette front lid lock release mechanism 2 tape cassette 3 front lid lock release button 6 front lid 10 chassis 11, 11' side plate 12 guide groove 15 cam 20 cassette holder 21 side plate 30 flexible spring piece (release button) Pressing means) 40, 40 'Lock release lever

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A chassis having an inverted L-shaped guide groove formed on both side plate portions, a cassette holder which can be moved up and down along the guide groove between a cassette insertion position and a cassette mounting position below the cassette insertion position. When the tape cassette is held in the cassette holder, the front lid lock release button of the tape cassette is pressed to release the lock of the front lid when the tape cassette is held in the cassette holder. A cassette front lid lock release mechanism of a cassette loading device comprising: a release button pressing means; and operating the release button pressing means on the one side plate of the cassette holder in a pressing direction of the front lid lock release button. An unlock lever is provided rotatably, and the unlock lever is used to insert and hold the tape cassette in the cassette holder. Cassette front lid unlocking mechanism of the cassette loading device being characterized in that the rotatable in a direction for pressing the front cover release button by pressing of the tape cassette when the. 2. A chassis having an inverted L-shaped guide groove formed on both side plate portions, a cassette holder which can be moved up and down along the guide groove between a cassette insertion position and a cassette mounting position below the cassette insertion position. When the tape cassette is held in the cassette holder, the front lid lock release button of the tape cassette is pressed to release the lock of the front lid when the tape cassette is held in the cassette holder. A cassette front lid lock release mechanism of a cassette loading device comprising: a release button pressing means; and operating the release button pressing means on the one side plate of the cassette holder in a pressing direction of the front lid lock release button. An unlock lever is provided rotatably, and the unlock lever is used to insert and hold the tape cassette in the cassette holder. When the cassette is pressed, the front lid unlock button is rotated in the direction in which the front lid unlock button is pressed, and the lock release lever is moved to one of the side plates of the chassis when the cassette holder is moved horizontally. A cassette front lid unlocking mechanism for a cassette loading device, wherein the mechanism is further rotatable in a direction in which the front lid unlock button is pressed via a cam formed in the cassette loading apparatus.