JPH11339432A - Magnetic tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable simplified mounting structure by providing, on wall surface in the side wall of a cartridge case, a spring member which is elastically placed with at least one side surface of the upper and lower end portions of a leader pin to hold the leader pin to assure free loading or unloading. SOLUTION: When a leader pin 21 is inserted into an opening 26 from the upper side, flanges 21c, 21c are inserted to recessed surfaces 28 formed respectively on the lower surface of an upper case near the opening 26 and the upper surface of the lower case 3, and each flange 21c is placed in contact with the front sloping surface of a holding portion 30a of the spring member 30. Therefore, each spring member 30 is elastically wraped to allow each flange 21c to pass through. When each flange 21c is placed in contact with the deep surface 28a of the recessed portion 28, the spring member 30 is elastically recovered. Each flange 21c is held in the condition being sandwiched by the deep surface 28a of the recessed portion 28 and the rear sloping surface of the holding portion 30a of the spring member 30 and thereby the leader pin 21 is fixed to the predetermined position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, and more particularly to a cartridge case in which a single reel on which a magnetic tape is wound is rotatably accommodated in a cartridge case, and the magnetic tape is drawn out to the end of the magnetic tape. In the magnetic tape cartridge to which the leader pin is fixed, the present invention relates to a holding structure for detachably holding the leader pin in the cartridge case, and particularly to a mounting structure for a spring member for detachably holding the leader pin. These magnetic tape cartridges are mainly used as a backup for a computer memory, and their storage capacities are about 10 GB to 100 GB, and further studies are being made toward practical use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge used as a recording medium used for an external storage device such as a computer has a magnetic tape wound around a single reel.
A type in which this reel is rotatably housed in a cartridge case is known. Since this magnetic tape is used for data storage of a computer or the like and stores important information, it is configured so that troubles such as tape jamming do not occur and the magnetic tape is not pulled out carelessly. I have.

[0003] A leader member (leader pin in the present invention) is fixed to the leading end of the magnetic tape, and a drive device is configured so that the leader member is pulled out on the computer side to take up or rewind. The leader member is detachably held in the cartridge case, and using a spring member for holding the leader member is advantageous in terms of structural simplification and the like.

[0004]

However, when a spring member for detachably holding the leader pin is attached to the cartridge case, a part of the plastic case is generally melted and fixed. ,
Such fixing of the spring member complicates the assembling process and hinders improvement in productivity.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a magnetic tape cartridge having a very simple mounting structure of a spring member for detachably holding a leader pin in a cartridge case. .

[0006]

According to the present invention, a single reel on which a magnetic tape is wound is rotatably accommodated in a cartridge case, and a leader pin for pulling out the magnetic tape is fixed to a leading end of the magnetic tape. In the magnetic tape cartridge described above, a spring member that elastically abuts at least one of the side surfaces of the upper and lower ends of the leader pin and detachably holds the leader pin is provided on the inner wall surface of the side wall of the cartridge case. It is assumed that.

The spring member may be formed integrally with the cartridge case, or may be a leaf spring whose root is fitted into a notch formed on the inner wall surface of the cartridge case. Further, a leaf spring having a root portion elastically fitted between a pair of projecting walls formed at predetermined intervals on the inner wall surface of the cartridge case may be used. Furthermore, these are not limited to leaf springs, and may be wire springs or torsion coil springs. In addition, a root portion is clamped between a wire spring or a torsion coil spring locked on protrusions formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the cartridge case, and protruding walls formed at predetermined intervals on the inner wall surface of the cartridge case. It may be a wire spring.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the spring member for detachably holding the leader pin in the cartridge case can be very easily attached to the cartridge case.

In particular, when the spring member is formed integrally with the cartridge case, there is an advantage that the thickness of the spring member, the tip shape, and the like can be freely set.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

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

The magnetic tape cartridge 1 includes a lower reel 5
A magnetic tape 20 is wound around a single reel 4 in which the upper case 2 and the upper reel 6 are joined by ultrasonic welding, and a plastic cartridge case 7 formed by fastening the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 with screws or the like. The reel 4 is rotatably accommodated therein.

The lower reel 5 has a cylindrical reel hub 23 around which the magnetic tape 20 is wound, and a reel hub 2 around which the magnetic tape 20 is wound.
3 is formed integrally with a flange portion 24 projecting radially from the outer periphery of the lower end of the reel hub 23 using a synthetic resin.
A reel plate 8 is attached to an outer surface of a bottom portion of the base plate for joining a magnetic rotary drive unit for driving the reel 4 to rotate. A stopping gear 23A that engages with a stopping gear 9A formed on the brake button 9 and restricts rotation of the reel 4 when not in use is engraved on the bottom inner surface of the reel hub 23. Further, an opening 23B through which a drive release spindle provided in a recording / reproducing device such as an external storage device using the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is inserted through the reel hub 23 to move the brake button 9 upward.
Are formed.

The brake button 9 has the above-described stopping gear 9A formed on the side facing the reel hub 23.
On the opposite side, a fitting groove 9B is formed in which the brake guide projection formed on the upper case 2 is fitted. The brake button 9 is mounted inside the reel hub 23 in a state where the brake button 9 is urged downward in the figure by the coil spring 10, and the braking gears 9A, 23A between the brake button 9 and the reel hub 23 are engaged with each other so that the reel is not used. 4 is prevented from rotating. On the other hand, when the cartridge is used, when the drive release spindle of the magnetic tape device presses the brake button 9, the brake button 9 moves upward in the drawing against the urging force of the coil spring 10, whereby the stopping gears 9A, 23A Is released, and the reel 4 becomes rotatable.

An opening 26 for drawing out the magnetic tape 20 is formed on one side wall of the cartridge case 7. A slide door 27 that is movable in the direction of arrow A parallel to the side wall of the cartridge case 7 is attached to the opening 26. The slide door 27 is urged by a spring (not shown) in a direction to close the opening 26.

When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is not in use, the leader pin 21 attached to the end of the magnetic tape 20 is attached to the upper case near the opening 26 with the magnetic tape 20 completely wound around the reel 4. 2 are detachably engaged with recesses 28 formed on the lower surface of the lower case 3 and the upper surface of the lower case 3, respectively.

When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is set in a corresponding recording / reproducing device such as an external recording device,
As described above, the locking of the braking gears 9A, 23A between the brake button 9 and the reel hub 23 is released, and the reel 4
Are rotatable, and the magnetic rotary drive means is driven by a magnetic force via the reel plate 8 to the reel 4.
Is rotated in a non-contact manner. At the same time, the sliding door 27
Is opened, the leader pin 21 is pulled into a predetermined position on the tape traveling path, and data can be read from and written to the magnetic tape 20.

The leader pin 21 is held and pulled in by a recording / reproducing apparatus using the magnetic tape cartridge 1 so as to introduce the magnetic tape 20 into a tape running path in the apparatus. 28
A pair of upper and lower spring members 30 for detachably holding the
30 are provided in the upper case 2 and the lower case 3, respectively.

2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a holding structure for holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view.

As shown in FIG. 2, the leader pin 21 has a thin shaft portion 21b engaged with and held from both sides of a central shaft portion 21a to which the leading end of the magnetic tape 20 is fixed from the recording / reproducing apparatus side.
Flanges 21b are formed at both ends thereof for engaging and holding the leader pin 21 with the cartridge case 7.
c, 21c are formed. These flanges 21c,
21c is the upper case 2 near the opening 26 as described above.
Of the upper case 2 and the recesses 28 formed in the upper surface of the lower case 3, respectively.
And flanges 2 on inner wall surfaces 2a, 3a of side walls of lower case 3
A pair of upper and lower spring members 30, 30 respectively attached to portions corresponding to 1c, 21c
c and 21c are detachably held.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spring member 30 includes an inner wall surface 2a of the upper case 2 and an inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3.
And cantilever (cantilever) type leaf springs projecting obliquely toward the opening portion 26 from each other. In the present embodiment, these spring members 30 and 30 are made of plastic upper case 2 and lower case 3. Are formed integrally with them at the time of molding. The distal end of each spring member 30 is bent to the side opposite to the passage side of the leader pin 21 to form a holding portion 30a having a mountain-shaped slope.

In the above configuration, when the leader pin 21 is inserted into the opening 26 from above in FIG. 3, the lower case 3 and the lower case 3 near the opening 26 as described above.
Flanges 21 are formed in recesses 28 formed on the upper surface of the
c, 21c are inserted, and each flange 21c is
By contacting the front slope (the slope on the side of the opening 26) of the zero holding portion 30a, each spring member 30 is elastically bent to allow passage of each flange 21c. Then, when each flange 21c comes into contact with the inner surface 28a of the concave portion 28, the spring member 30 is elastically restored.

Therefore, each flange 21c is provided
8 and the rear slope of the holding portion 30a of the spring member 30, the leader pin 21 is fixed at a predetermined position.

Next, the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is set in a corresponding recording / reproducing device such as an external recording device, the thin shaft portions 21b, 21b of the leader pin 21 are engaged and held from the recording / reproducing device side, and the leader pin 21 is set in the cartridge case. 7
When pulled out from inside with the magnetic tape 20,
Since the spring member 30 is elastically bent by each flange 21c, the passage of the flange 21c is allowed,
The leader pin 21 is pulled into the recording / reproducing device.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the spring members 30, 30 are connected to the upper case 2 of the cartridge case 7.
Since it is formed integrally with the lower case 3 and the lower case 3, it is not necessary to attach a separate spring member to the upper case 2 and the lower case 3, and the leader pin 21 is detachably held in the cartridge case 7 by an extremely simple configuration. can do. Further, a change in the thickness of the spring member 30, a change in the tip shape, and the like can be freely set.

The spring members 30, 30 project obliquely from the inner wall surface 2a of the upper case 2 and the inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3 toward the opening 26, as indicated by solid lines in FIG. In addition to those having a shape, for example, as shown by a virtual line 30 ′ in FIG. It may be bent to form a mountain-shaped holding portion 30a.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a holding structure for holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7, and FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of a main part, and FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). 6 is a perspective view of the spring member 40, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing a mounting structure of the spring member 40 in the lower case 3. FIG.

The spring member 40 is made of a leaf spring made of metal or hard plastic having a shape as shown in FIG. 5, and has a holding portion 40a similar to that of the spring member 30 in the first embodiment described above at the tip. The root portion 40b is fitted into notches 31 formed on the inner wall surface 2a of the upper case 2 and the inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3 respectively.

The notch 31 formed on the side wall 3a of the lower case 3 extends downward from the joint surface 3b with the upper case 2 as shown in FIG. 3
The base 40b of the spring member 40 is press-fitted into the lower end 31a of the first member 1 from above. In this case, in order to facilitate the fitting of the root portion 40b of the spring member 40, the notch 31 is formed to be slightly wider at the entrance at the joint surface 3b, and has a shape tapered toward the lower end portion 31a. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B, the spring member 40 is so formed that the base 40b of the spring member 40 is elastically fitted to the lower end 31a of the notch 31.
It is preferable to form a kerf 40c at the root portion 40b of the groove. The upper case 2 also has a similar mounting structure for the spring member 40.

In the present embodiment, the spring members 40, 40 formed of leaf springs can be attached to the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 very easily.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a holding structure for holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7. FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of a spring member 50 in the lower case 3.

The spring member 50 according to the present embodiment is a leaf spring having a holding portion 50a at the tip similar to the spring member 40 according to the above-described second embodiment, but the root portion 50b has a C-shape. And the base 50b
The spring member 50 is attached to the lower case 3 by being elastically fitted in a gap between a pair of protruding walls 32 and 33 formed at predetermined intervals on the inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3. ing.

In this embodiment, the spring members 50,
50 can be firmly and stably attached to the upper case 2 and the lower case 3.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment of the holding structure for holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7. FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view corresponding to FIG.
Is a longitudinal sectional view.

The spring member 60 is formed of a metal wire spring having a shape as shown in FIG. 9, and is formed at its tip by bending the leader pin 21 on the side opposite to the passage side of the leader pin 21 and the lower surface of the upper case 2 and the lower case. Abutting portion 60d which abuts on a rib-shaped projecting wall 35 projecting from the upper surface of the upper case 3; And a holding portion 60a formed by bending toward the leader pin 21 side between the contact portion 60d and the root portion 60b. As shown in FIG. 10, a flange 34a for engaging and holding the root 60b of the spring member 60 with the projection member 34 is formed at the distal end of the projection member 34, as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the spring members 60, 60 formed of wire springs can be easily attached to the upper case 2 and the lower case 3.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the spring member may be a torsion coil spring 60 'having a holding portion 60a' formed in a coil shape.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fifth embodiment of a holding structure for holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7. FIG. 13 is a sectional plan view corresponding to FIG. It is a perspective view.

As shown in FIG. 14, the spring member 70 is a spring member 6 according to a modification of the above-described fourth embodiment.
Contact portion 70d and coil-shaped holding portion 70 similar to 0 '
a of a torsion coil spring made of metal, the root portion 70b of which is formed in a zigzag shape, and this root portion 70b is compressed against its elastic force, and the upper case 2
The inner wall surface 2a of the lower case 3 and the inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3 are respectively fitted into cutouts 31 formed in protruding portions 36 protruding therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 13, the convex portion 36 projecting from the inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3 faces the opening 36 formed in the cartridge case 7 and the upper case 2. The notch 31 has a surface 36b.
It consists of a triangular groove engraved on the surface 36a and extending downward from the surface 36b. Then, the base member 70b compressed against the elastic force is inserted from the surface 36b, and the spring member 70 is attached to the lower case 3 by being elastically fitted. In this case, the bottom of the notch 31 is formed to be slightly wider than the width of the bent portion of the root portion 70b formed in a zigzag shape, and has a shape tapering toward the surface 36a. The upper case 2 also has a similar mounting structure for the spring member 70.

In the present embodiment, the spring members 70, 70 formed of torsion coil springs can be very firmly and stably attached to the upper case 2 and the lower case 3.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a sixth embodiment of the holding structure for holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7. FIG. 15 is a sectional plan view corresponding to FIG. It is a perspective view.

The spring member 80 is made of a metal or hard plastic leaf spring having a shape as shown in FIG.
The contact portions 80 are formed at the distal ends thereof by being bent to the side opposite to the passage side of the leader pin 21 and abut against the side wall inner wall surface 2a of the upper case 2 and the side wall inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3, respectively.
d, elastically fitted into gaps between a pair of protruding walls 42 and 43 formed at predetermined intervals on corners of the upper inner wall surface 2a of the upper case 2 and the lower inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3; And a holding portion 80a formed by bending toward the leader pin 21 side between the abutting portion 80d and the root portion 80b. And the projecting walls 42, 43
Are formed so that the voids formed by them are directed toward the concave portions 28 formed in the upper case 2 and the lower case 3, and the zigzag base portion 80 b is
The spring member 80 is attached to the lower case 3 by being elastically fitted in the gap between the lower case 3 and the second case 43.

In the present embodiment, the spring members 80, 80 formed of leaf springs can be easily and stably attached to the upper case 2 and the lower case 3.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a seventh embodiment of the holding structure for holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7, FIG. 17 is a sectional plan view corresponding to FIG. 3, and FIG. It is a longitudinal section in the -B line.

The spring member 90 is substantially U-shaped as shown in FIG.
A holding portion 90a similar to the spring member 50 according to the third embodiment described above is provided at the tip end of a linear spring 9 made of a letter-shaped metal or hard plastic wire spring.
The lower case 3 is attached to the lower case 3 by being sandwiched in a space between the protruding walls 52 and 53 formed on the inner wall surface 3a of the lower case 3 at a predetermined interval. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the cross section of the spring member 90 is formed not in a circular shape but in a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners.

In the present embodiment, the spring members 90, 90 made of linear springs can be attached to the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 very easily, and the lengths and widths of the cross sections of the spring members 90 are different. Therefore, the spring member 90 does not rotate between the protruding walls 52 and 53 after the attachment, so that the spring members 90 and 90 can be stably held. Furthermore, since the plane which becomes a plane in the section of spring member 90 contacts flange 21c of leader pin 21, the contact area of leader pin 21 and spring member 90 becomes large, and leader pin 21 can be held stably.

Such a spring member 90 can be easily formed by pressing a spring member having a circular cross section in the cross-sectional direction. Further, the cross section of the spring member 90 may be elliptical.

In the above-described embodiment, a pair of spring members are provided to support the upper and lower flanges 21c, 21c of the leader pin 21, respectively. If possible, the upper and lower flanges 21c, 2c of the leader pin 21
Only one of 1c may be held by a spring member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment showing a holding structure of a leader pin.

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of a main part of a second embodiment showing a holding structure for holding a leader pin in a cartridge case;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the spring member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a mounting structure of a spring member.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of a third embodiment showing a holding structure of a leader pin.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of the spring member.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view of a fourth embodiment showing a leader pin holding structure.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view of a modified example of the fourth embodiment showing a leader pin holding structure.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view of a fifth embodiment showing a holding structure of a leader pin.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the spring member of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional plan view of a sixth embodiment illustrating a leader pin holding structure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the spring member of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional plan view of a seventh embodiment showing a leader pin holding structure.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of a seventh embodiment showing a holding structure of a leader pin.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic tape cartridge 2 Upper case 2a Inner side wall of upper case 3 Lower case 3a Inner side wall of lower case 4 Reel 7 Cartridge case 20 Magnetic tape 21 Leader pin 21c Flange 26 Opening 27 Slide door 28 Depression 30, 40, 50, 60, 60 ', 70, 80, 90
Spring members 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 60a ', 70a,
80a, 90a Spring member holding portions 40b, 50b, 60b, 60b ', 70b, 80b,
90b Spring member root portion 40c Cut groove 60d, 60d ', 70d, 80d Spring member contact portion 31 Notch 32, 33, 35, 42, 43, 52, 53 Projecting wall 34 Projecting member

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic tape cartridge in which a single reel on which a magnetic tape is wound is rotatably housed in a cartridge case, and a leader pin for pulling out the magnetic tape is fixed to a tip of the magnetic tape. A magnetic tape cartridge, wherein a spring member elastically abutting at least one of the side surfaces of the upper and lower ends of the leader pin and detachably holding the leader pin is provided on an inner wall surface of a side wall of the cartridge case. .