JPH11297029A - Magnetic tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the unit price of a spring member, eliminate the need for an overhang part at a brake member, and a simplify structure by forming a spring for energizing the brake member and that for energizing a slider with a single spring member. SOLUTION: A lower half 12 is in a rectangular shape, supports a take-up hub 16 where a magnetic tape 14 is wound rotatably, and at the same time is provided with an insertion hole that supports the take-up hub 16 where the magnetic tape 14 is wound rotatably and at the same time that enables the drive shaft of a recording/reproducing device for rotating and driving the take-up hub 16 by inserting the take-up hub 16 when being loaded into the recording/reproducing device. A pair of cylindrical tape guides 12d for forming an overhang part 14a of the magnetic tape that guides the magnetic tape 14 so that it passes a specific path is erected at both the end parts in front of the lower half 12. A slider 20 prevents hands and fingers from touching the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic taper 14 and dust/dirt from adhering from an opening 12a of the lower half 12 and also prevents the magnetic tape from getting caught or being cut by accident even when the magnetic tape 14 sags due to vibration, shock, or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for manufacturing a magnetic tape cassette, and more particularly to an improvement in a brake device and a slider device for protecting a magnetic tape housed in a cassette case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a magnetic tape cassette is
Fix both ends of the long magnetic tape to a pair of winding hubs and wind the magnetic tape from both ends to each winding hub,
A pair of take-up hubs around which the magnetic tape is wound are rotatably housed in a cassette case, and the magnetic tape between the pair of take-up hubs is stretched through a predetermined path to form a tape deck or the like. A magnetic tape at a position corresponding to a magnetic head of a recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a recording / reproducing apparatus) is protruded, and only the magnetic tape at the protruding portion can be exposed to the outside.

The overhanging portion of the magnetic tape that can be exposed from the cassette case swings between a closed position that covers the magnetic tape and an open position that exposes the magnetic tape in order to protect the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape. And a front cover that is spring-biased toward the closed position. Further, a tape loading device of the recording / reproducing apparatus is inserted into the recording / reproducing apparatus when the magnetic tape cassette is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus below the cassette case at the protruding portion of the magnetic tape so that the magnetic tape is brought into contact with the magnetic head. In order to close this opening and keep the slack portion from interfering with other parts even when the magnetic tape sags, a wall is provided along the overhanging portion of the magnetic tape. A slider having an upright rib is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and is spring-biased in a direction (frontward) for closing the opening of the cassette.

When such a magnetic tape cassette is loaded into a recording / reproducing apparatus, the slider slides backward in conjunction with the operation of loading the magnetic tape cassette into the recording / reproducing apparatus, and at the same time the front cover moves to the open position. Then, the overhanging portion of the magnetic tape is brought into contact with the magnetic head by the tape loading device of the recording / reproducing device, and the magnetic tape is arranged at a position where recording or reproduction is possible. Then, the drive shaft of the recording / reproducing apparatus inserted into the take-up hub of the magnetic tape cassette rotates to take up the magnetic tape on one take-up hub, so that the magnetic tape taken out from the other take-up hub becomes magnetic. Moves in contact with the head, records information on magnetic tape,
Alternatively, information is reproduced from a magnetic tape.

By the way, the magnetic tape wound around the take-up hub is taken out of the recording / reproducing apparatus and stored (hereinafter, referred to as “the tape”).
When the magnetic tape cassette is being handled or transported, the take-up hub rotates due to vibration or impact, causing the tape to loosen, causing the magnetic tape to protrude in the cassette case or at the overhanging portion corresponding to the position of the magnetic head. Sagging may occur. If the slacked magnetic tape is loaded into the recording / reproducing device as it is, the slack overhanging portion of the magnetic tape is entangled with the pinch roller or other tape suspension member of the recording / reproducing device, and the recording / reproducing device is damaged. Also, accidents such as elongation and cutting of the magnetic tape may occur.

Accordingly, a magnetic tape cassette provided with a brake device for reliably stopping the rotation of the winding hub when the magnetic tape is not used has been developed. For example, a brake device used for a DDS cassette, a DAT cassette, or the like is configured such that a gear integrally formed on an upper end surface of the take-up hub coaxially with the take-up hub of the magnetic tape is engaged with the gear. A brake member that stops rotation of the take-up hub; the brake member engages with the gear to stop rotation of the take-up hub in the direction in which the take-up is loosened; When the front lid is turned to the open position in conjunction with the loading of the recording / reproducing device, it is movable between a release position allowing free rotation and is spring-biased toward the braking position. Furthermore, a configuration is employed in which the projection is moved to a release position by a projection provided on a part of the inside of the front cover.

The brake member has a horizontally elongated brake arm at each of the left and right ends of the cassette case. The brake arm moves inside the front cover when the front cover is turned to the open position. Move the brake member to the release position by engaging with the protrusion of
The front cover is moved to the open position in conjunction with the operation of loading the magnetic tape cassette into the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the brake member is moved to the release position so that the magnetic tape can be rotated.

Since high-density recording is performed on the magnetic tape, it is necessary to prevent a finger from coming into contact with the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape from the opening on the lower side of the cassette case and to prevent dust from adhering. , Even if the magnetic tape sags,
In order to prevent the slack part from getting entangled with the pinch roller and other tape suspension members of the recording / reproducing device and causing trouble such as failure of the recording / reproducing device, elongation or cutting of the magnetic tape, the On the lower surface side, a slider having an opening of the cassette case closed and a wall-shaped rib erected along the overhanging portion of the magnetic tape is slidably provided in the front-rear direction. An insertion hole of a drive shaft that is connected to the hub and rotationally drives the winding hub is opened when the magnetic tape is used, and closed when not used.

The prior art, in particular, a brake member, a slider and a spring member for urging them will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional magnetic tape cassette, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a spring for biasing a brake member and a slider is assembled. Is removed and drawn.

Referring to FIG. 1, a magnetic tape cassette has a pair of winding hubs 116,
The magnetic tape 114 is wound around the respective winding hubs 116 and 116 from both ends while being fixed to the pair of winding hubs 116 and 116. The pair of winding hubs 116 and 116 around which the magnetic tape 114 is wound are rotatably mounted on the upper half 110 and the lower half 110. 112 and housed in a cassette case composed of a pair of winding hubs 116,
The magnetic tape 114 between the magnetic tapes 116 is stretched through a predetermined path so that only the overhanging portion 114a of the magnetic tape corresponding to the position of the magnetic head of the recording / reproducing apparatus can be exposed to the outside.

In order to protect the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape 114a at the projecting portion that can be exposed from the cassette case, the upper half 110 is supported by a pin 118a and pivoted in the direction of the arrow K to rotate the projecting portion. The front cover 118 swings from a closed position covering the magnetic tape 114a to an open position to be exposed, and is spring-biased toward the closed position.

The overhanging portion 114a of the magnetic tape 114 closes an opening 112a provided below the lower half 112, and the magnetic tape 114
In order to keep the slack portion from interfering with other components even if it sags, the slider 120 having a wall-shaped rib 120a erected along the overhanging portion 114a of the magnetic tape 114 can slide in the front-rear direction. It is provided in,
An opening 1 of the lower half 112 is formed on the bottom surface of the slider 120 by a leaf spring 128 mounted on a spring mounting portion 112c which is provided upright on an intermediate wall 112b provided as a storage space for the magnetic tape 114 in the lower half 112.
12a is closed, and the projecting portion 11 of the magnetic tape 114 is interposed between the front lid 118 and the rib 120a of the slider 120.
The slider 120 is spring-biased forward so as to hold the slider 4a.

The take-up hub 116 is provided with a gear 116a integrally formed on the upper end surface thereof. The gear 116a engages with the brake piece 122a of the brake member 122 incorporated in the upper half 110 to stop the rotation in the winding loosening direction, and the magnetic tape 114 is slackened by vibration or impact when not in use. In this case, a pair of braking pieces 122a are engaged with the gears 116a of the respective winding hubs 116, and the lower half 112
Of the upper half 110 at substantially the same position as the spring mounting portion 112c of
The brake member 122 is spring-biased rearward toward the take-up hub 116 by a torsion coil spring 130 fitted to a pin 110a (see FIG. 5) provided at the rear side.

At the time of non-use, the braking piece 122a is in the stop position for engaging the gear 116a to stop the rotation of the take-up hub 116. When the brake lid 122a is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus, the front cover 118 is moved by an arrow by the recording / reproducing apparatus. The hook portion 122c provided at the tip of a brake arm 122b that is elongated in the horizontal direction forward from both left and right ends of the brake member 122 by being rotated in the K direction is attached to the side plate 118 of the front cover 118.
c is engaged with the projection 118d provided on c and pulled forward,
The braking piece 122a is disengaged from the gear 116a and moves to a release position where the winding hub 116 can rotate.

The slider 120 and the brake member 122 are urged in opposite directions by different spring members 128 and 130, respectively, as shown in FIG. That is, the slider 120 is moved forward by the leaf spring 128 assembled to the spring mounting portion 112c of the lower half 112, and the brake member 122 is moved to the pin 110 of the upper half 110.
It is urged rearward by a torsion coil spring 130 fitted to a.

[0016]

However, in the prior art, the brake member 122 is assembled to the upper half 110, and the torsion coil spring 130 is connected to the pin 110a of the upper half 110 and the brake member so as to urge the brake member 122 backward. 122 and the upper half 11
Since 0 is inverted and assembled to the lower half 112, it is necessary to lock the brake member 122 to the upper half 110 so that the brake member 122 does not drop even if inverted, and the configuration of the upper half 110 is complicated. Was. Also, the brake member 122 has a groove 122d for assembling the torsion coil spring 130 and an eave portion 1 for preventing disengagement.
It is necessary to provide the groove 122d and the eaves 122e.
This requires a slide core or the like for forming the components, and is expensive.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and enables a brake member to be manufactured at low cost and easily. The step of assembling the brake member 122 to the upper half 110 and further reversing the upper half 110 eliminates the need for the step of assembling to the lower half 112, and facilitates the assembling process by sequentially assembling parts such as the brake member 122 to the lower half 112. At the same time, a spring member is finally assembled to urge the brake member 122,
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a magnetic tape cassette in which assembled parts do not move or come off due to vibration or the like during transportation in an assembly process.

[0018]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a long magnetic tape in which both ends are wound around a pair of winding hubs, and the magnetic tape is wound. A pair of take-up hubs are rotatably housed in a cassette case, and the magnetic tape between the pair of take-up hubs is stretched through a predetermined path, and only the magnetic tape at a position corresponding to a magnetic head is provided. Is a magnetic tape cassette configured to be exposed to the outside, and a cassette case for rotatably storing the pair of winding hubs, and the magnetic tape provided in the cassette case and positioned at a position corresponding to the magnetic head. A front cover that can be opened and closed to cover the pair of take-up hubs around which the magnetic tape is wound in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover to prohibit the take-up hub from rotating in the loosening direction. Braking position and the Moved between a release position allowing rotation of the take-up hub, a brake member spring-biased toward the braking position, and a lower opening of the magnetic tape cassette that is openably and closably covered from the lower surface side, A slider biased toward a closing direction, wherein a spring for biasing the brake member and a spring for biasing the slider are formed by a single spring member. Provide a tape cassette. It is preferable that the single spring member for urging the brake member and the slider is a leaf spring formed substantially in an X shape and supported at a central portion.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a magnetic tape cassette of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a magnetic tape cassette according to the present invention, and FIG.
3 is an exploded perspective view showing the upper half and the front lid of the magnetic tape cassette shown in FIG. 3 in an inverted manner, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a spring for biasing a brake member and a slider is assembled. The top is removed and drawn.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic tape cassette has a long magnetic tape 14 having both ends fixed to a pair of take-up hubs 16 and 16 and winding the magnetic tape 14 from both ends. The magnetic tape 14 is wound around the take-up hubs 16, and the pair of take-up hubs 16, 16 around which the magnetic tape 14 is wound, are rotatably housed in a cassette case composed of the upper half 10 and the lower half 12. The magnetic tape 14 between the winding hubs 16 and 16 is stretched through a predetermined path so that only the overhang portion 14a of the magnetic tape corresponding to the position of the magnetic head of the recording / reproducing apparatus can be exposed to the outside. Have been.

In order to protect the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape 14a at the projecting portion that can be exposed from the cassette case, the upper half 10 is supported by a pin 18a and pivoted in the direction of arrow K to project the projecting portion. The front cover 18 swings from the closed position that covers the magnetic tape 14a to the open position that is exposed, and is spring-biased toward the closed position by the torsion coil spring 18b.

The overhanging portion 14a of the magnetic tape 14 closes an opening 12a provided on the lower side of the lower half 12, and when the magnetic tape 14 slacks, the slack portion is formed by another slack. The overhanging portion 14 of the magnetic tape 14 is
slider 20 having wall-shaped ribs 20a erected along line a.
Are provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. As will be described later, a spring is mounted on a spring mounting portion 12c which stands upright on an intermediate wall 12b provided as a storage space for the magnetic tape 14 in the lower half 12. The spring piece 24a on the lower side of the member 24 biases the spring forward.

The take-up hub 16 is provided with a gear 16a integrally formed on the upper end surface thereof. This gear 16
a engages with the braking piece 22a of the brake member 22 incorporated in the upper half 10 to lock the rotation in the loosening direction,
Due to vibration or shock when not in use, magnetic tape 14
And a pair of brake pieces 22a are provided on each of the gears 1 of the corresponding winding hub 16.
6a, and is spring-biased rearward toward the winding hub 16 by the spring piece 24b on the upper side of the spring member 24.

When not in use, the braking piece 22a is in a restraining position for engaging the gear 16a to restrain the rotation of the take-up hub 16. When the brake piece 22a is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus, the front cover 18
Is rotated in the direction of arrow K by the recording / reproducing device,
A brake arm 22b, which extends horizontally in the horizontal direction from both left and right ends of the brake member 22, is guided by a slide guide portion 26c projecting upward (downward in FIG. 1) from a base portion 26a of the prism member 26 and slides. , Brake arm 22
The hook portion 22c provided at the front end of the front cover 18 engages with the projection 18d provided on the side plate 18c of the front cover 18 and is pulled forward, so that the braking piece 22a is separated from the gear 16a and the rotation of the winding hub 16 is performed. Move to the release position where is possible.

The upper half 10 has a magnetic tape 14
A prism 26b for optically detecting the start and end of the prism member 26 is installed upright in a rod shape from the base 26a of the prism member 26.
8, the optical path of the optical detection device is opened by rotating in the direction of arrow K as depicted by an imaginary line,
The start and end of the magnetic tape 14 are detected by light projected from an optical detection device provided in the recording / reproducing device.

More specifically, the lower half 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a rectangular shape, which rotatably supports the take-up hub 16 around which the magnetic tape 14 is wound, and inserts the take-up hub 16 into the recording / reproducing apparatus by inserting the take-up hub 16 into the recording / reproducing apparatus. It has an insertion hole (not shown) for inserting a drive shaft of a recording / reproducing apparatus which is driven to rotate. And lower half 1
A pair of cylindrical tape guides 12d which guide the magnetic tape 14 so as to pass through a predetermined path and form a protruding portion 14a of the magnetic tape are provided upright at both front ends of the pair. Inside the pair of tape guides 12d, when a magnetic tape cassette is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus, a mechanical part of a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a tape loading apparatus is inserted, and the magnetic tape 14 is applied to a magnetic head of the recording / reproducing apparatus. An opening 12a for contact is provided.

As described above, the slider 20 prevents the finger from coming into contact with the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape 14 or the attachment of dust from the opening 12a of the lower half 12, and the magnetic tape 14 In order to prevent the slack portion from getting entangled with the pinch roller or other tape suspension member of the recording / reproducing device even if it is loose, causing troubles such as failure of the recording / reproducing device, stretching or cutting of the magnetic tape, etc. And is slidably fitted in the front-rear direction along guide grooves 12e provided on both side surfaces of the lower half 12, and the lower surface of the lower half 12 is formed in a thin flat plate shape. When the magnetic tape cassette is not used, the opening 12a of the cassette case and the insertion hole for inserting the drive shaft are closed to prevent dust.

As described above, the slider 20 has a wall-shaped rib 20a provided along the inside of the overhang portion 14a of the magnetic tape 14, and has a front surface attached to the upper half 10. Even if the take-up hub 16 rotates in the loosening direction due to vibration, impact, or the like, and the magnetic tape 14 sags with the projecting portion 14a of the magnetic tape 14 sandwiched between the cover 18 and the cover 18, the projecting portion of the magnetic tape 14 14a is held so as not to be affected by the slack portion.

According to the present invention, the opening 12 of the cassette case is provided.
and the insertion hole of the drive shaft is closed, and the slider 20 is urged by the spring member 24 forward in the direction in which the projecting portion 14a of the magnetic tape 14 is sandwiched. The spring member 24 is formed in a substantially X-shape as shown in FIG. 1, and is a leaf spring which is attached to the lower half 12 by supporting a central portion thereof by a spring attachment portion 12c provided in the lower half 12, as shown in FIG. Then, the back surface of the rib 20a of the slider 20 is pressed by the pair of spring pieces 24a on the lower side of the spring member 24, and the slider 20 is urged forward.

A pair of spring pieces 24b on the upper side of the spring member 24
Presses the rear surface 22d of the brake member 22, and urges the brake piece 22a of the brake member 22 rearward, which is the direction in which the rotation of the winding hub 16 is stopped by engaging with the gear 16a.
Here, the pair of spring pieces 24b are leaf springs having a sufficient width, so that the rear surface 22d of the brake member 22 is stably pressed, and like a torsion coil spring made of a wire rod, a groove to be fitted or an eave for preventing disengagement. The portion is not required, and can be more reliably brought into contact with the rear surface 22d of the brake member 22. Further, when necessary, a bent portion 24c for sandwiching the back surface 22d of the brake member 22 is provided at the distal end of the spring piece 24b.
The spring member 24 can be prevented from coming off by sandwiching the rear surface 22d of the second member 22.

Although the magnetic tape cassette of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you can do it.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, by using a single spring member for biasing the slider and the brake member, not only the unit price of the spring member is reduced, but also the brake member is reduced. In addition, a groove for assembling the torsion coil spring and an eaves portion for preventing disengagement are unnecessary, the shape of the brake member can be greatly simplified, and the mold for manufacturing the brake member has no slide core or the like. The brake member has a simple shape and can be manufactured at lower cost. As is well known, magnetic tape cassettes are mass-produced products that have been supplied at very low prices, and even if the cost is reduced slightly, multiplying the production volume can be unexpectedly expensive. However, even such a small cost reduction has a very great effect.

Further, the assembling process of the magnetic tape cassette can be greatly changed, and a great effect on cost reduction can be obtained. That is, when assembling the brake member to the upper half, after assembling the brake member to the upper half, it is necessary to invert the upper half and assemble it to the lower half. Although the brake member must be locked to the upper half so that the brake member does not fall, if it becomes possible to directly attach the brake member and the spring member to the lower half,
The structure for locking the brake member to the upper half is not required, and the assembling process of the torsion coil spring is not required in the assembling process. Therefore, components such as the brake member can be sequentially assembled to the lower half. In addition, by assembling and biasing the spring member at the end, it is possible to obtain an effect that the assembled parts do not move or come off due to vibration or the like during the transportation in the assembly process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a magnetic tape cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view in which an upper half and a front cover of the magnetic tape cassette of the present invention are inverted.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a spring for biasing a brake member and a slider of the present invention is assembled.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional magnetic tape cassette.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a spring for biasing a brake member and a slider according to the related art is assembled.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Upper half 12 Lower half 12a Opening 12b Intermediate wall 12c Spring mounting part 12d Tape guide 12e Guide groove 14 Magnetic tape 14a Overhanging part 16 Winding hub 16a Gear 18 Front cover 18a Pin 18b Torsion coil spring 18c Side plate 18d protrusion 20 Slider 20a Rib 22 Brake member 22a Brake piece 22b Brake arm 22c Hook 22d Back 24 Spring member 24a, 24b Spring piece 24c Bend 26 Prism member 26a Base 26b Prism 26c Sliding guide

Claims (1)

[Claims] An end of a long magnetic tape is wound around a pair of winding hubs and fixed, and the pair of winding hubs wound with the magnetic tape are rotatably stored in a cassette case.
A magnetic tape cassette in which the magnetic tape between the pair of winding hubs is stretched through a predetermined path, and only the magnetic tape at a position corresponding to a magnetic head is configured to be exposed to the outside, A cassette case that rotatably houses the pair of winding hubs; a front cover that is provided in the cassette case and that can open and close the magnetic tape at a position corresponding to the magnetic head; A braking position for engaging and disengaging the pair of take-up hubs around which the magnetic tape is wound to prevent the rotation of the take-up hub in a loosening direction, and a release position for allowing the take-up hub to rotate. And a brake member that is spring-biased toward the braking position, and covers a lower opening of the magnetic tape cassette so as to be openable and closable from a lower surface side, and is spring-biased in a closing direction. S A magnetic tape cassette comprising a rider, wherein a spring for urging the brake member and a spring for urging the slider are formed by a single spring member.