JPS61210578A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain ease of assembling for the entire lock mechanism by inserting and holding one end of a compression spring for depressing and energizing a lock member between a couple of projections provided integrally in a lower half. CONSTITUTION:The compression spring 26 is inserted and locked between a spring lock 24 of a slide cover 18 and a spring lock 25 of the lower half 3 while being compressed slightly in advance, the slide cover 18 is slid and energized forward to close always a notch 13. The lock 25 is of channel shape and has a gap at a corner of a botton wall 3a and a bottom wall 3b of the lower half 3 and is provided with a couple of projections 25a provided integrally. Then the other end 26b of the spring 26 is inserted from the upside and held between both the projections 25a and the other end 26b is retained from the upper side by a spring retaining projection 27 provided integrally with an upper half 2. Thus, the assembling of the lock mechanism is attained very easily and the spring after assembling is held very stably and surely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tape cassette that is most suitable for application to recording and reproducing devices such as video tape recorders and other five types of information processing devices.

Conventionally, tape cassettes for video tape recorders, etc., have a tape reel inside a housing consisting of an upper and lower half.
There is a tape cassette that has a built-in locking mechanism that locks the tape reel to prevent rotation when not in use. The locking mechanism usually includes a locking member that can be engaged with and detached from the tape reel, and a spring that presses and urges the locking member toward the tape reel.

However, in many conventional locking mechanisms, a torsion spring is used as the spring, making assembly very troublesome.

That is, in the case of a teardrop spring, the central coil portion is inserted into the locking pin provided in the lower half, and then both ends are bent in a direction toward each other while being locked to the locking member and the lower half. Assemble it as follows. However, it is difficult to automate this assembly work, and it is usually performed manually using tweezers, making the assembly work extremely troublesome. Furthermore, after assembly, the torsion spring could easily cause bullets to fly off and fall off due to vibrations, etc., making it very difficult to dispose of the torsion spring.

The present invention has been devised to correct the above-mentioned defects, and to make it possible to assemble the locking mechanism extremely easily and to hold the assembled spring extremely stably and reliably. The aim is to provide a tape cassette that is

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tape cassette for a video tape recorder will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, in FIGS. 1 to 10, a tape cassette 1 is composed of an upper half 2 and a lower half 3 made of synthetic resin, which are fitted into each other from above and below and secured with a plurality of setscrews 4. and is constructed into an integrated housing 1a. A pair of tape reels 5.6 are rotatably housed in this tape cassette l, and a magnetic tape (hereinafter simply referred to as tape) 7 is attached to both tape reels 5.6.
It is wrapped and stored. In addition, both tape reels 5.
6 is placed on the bottom wall 3a of the lower half 3, and its lower end is positioned by fitting into a pair of glue fitting holes 8.9 provided in the bottom wall 3a. An opening 12 is provided on the front surface of the tape cassette 1 over approximately the front width of the tape cassette 1. Further, a notch 13 is provided in the bottom wall 3a so as to communicate with the opening 12. The tape 7 is guided along the opening 12 by a pair of tape guide pins 14 and 15 formed integrally with the upper half 2 at both left and right ends of the opening 12.

Incidentally, a rotating lid 17 is provided on the front surface of the opening 12, and a sliding lid 18 is provided on the notch 13. Note that these lids 17 and 18 are both molded from synthetic resin. The rotating lid 17 has a substantially U-shape, and a pair of fulcrum pins 19 are integrally provided at both left and right ends 17a, and the lower ends provided at both left and right side walls 2a of the upper half 2 are open. It is fitted into the support hole 20 and pivotably supported in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 6, this rotary lid 17 is biased to rotate downward (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) by a torsion spring 21 fitted to one of the fulcrum pins 19, so that the opening 12 is kept closed at all times.

On the other hand, the sliding lid 18 has a flat plate shape, is placed on the bottom wall 3a of the lower half 3, and is configured to be slidable horizontally in the front-rear direction. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each pair of small protrusions (or protrusions) 22 integrally formed on the lower surface of both left and right ends of the slide 1118 are provided on the bottom wall 3a. By engaging and sliding in the guide groove 23 of the sliding lid 18, the sliding lid 18 is slid on the bottom wall 3a in a slightly floating state.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a spring locking portion 24 is formed integrally with the rear end of the sliding lid 18 at the center in the left-right direction, and the center of the rear wall 3b of the lower half 3. A compression spring 26 is inserted and locked in a slightly compressed state in advance between a spring locking part 25 integrally molded on the inner side of the part, and this compression spring 26 causes the sliding lid 18 to move forward. It is slidably biased toward the side (leftward in FIG. 5) so that the notch 13 is always closed.

One of the spring locking portions 24 is formed as a rod-shaped portion 24a that projects rearward, and one end 26a of the compression spring 26 is inserted into the outer periphery of the rod-shaped portion 24a and is locked (held) therein. The other spring locking portion 25 has a U-shape,
A pair of protrusions 25a integrally formed with a gap between the bottom wall 3a and the rear wall 3b of the lower half 3 at the corners thereof.
have. The other end 26b of the compression spring 26 is inserted from above between both protrusions 25a and held, and the other end 26b is held by a spring holding protrusion 27 integrally molded on the upper half 2 as shown in FIG. Being pressed down from above. Further, a long hole 28 provided approximately at the center in the left-right direction of the sliding lid 18 is inserted into a cylindrical boss portion 29 for screwing that is integrally provided on the lower half 3. 29 is the sliding guide of the sliding lid 18 and the compression spring 2
It also serves as a stopper for sliding forward by 6.

Incidentally, a plurality of ribs 31 projecting downward are integrally provided on the inside portions of both left and right side walls 2a of the upper half 2. When the upper half 2 is fitted into the lower half 3, the lower end surfaces of these ribs 31 are brought close to the left and right edges 18a of the sliding lid 18 as shown in FIGS. A pair of left and right grooves 32 are formed between the lower end surface, the bottom wall 3a of the lower half 3, and the left and right side walls 3C of the lower half 3. Therefore, the sliding lid 18 has both end edges 18a guided by both grooves 32, and the lower half 3
It is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction on the bottom wall 3a.

A pair of left and right slits 33 are formed at the lower edge of both left and right ends of the front wall 17b of the rotating lid 17, and the front end of the bottom wall 3a of the lower half 3 is opposite to these slits 33. A pair of left and right slits 34 are also formed at both left and right ends of the edge. Note that 35 is a partition wall provided integrally with the upper half 2.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9, both tape reels 5.6 are molded from synthetic resin, and each has a cylindrical hub 41 and a hub 41. 4
A flange portion 42 is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the hub 41 at a position slightly biased upward from the lower end 41a of the flange portion 1, and the flange portion 42 is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the hub 41 on the lower surface of the flange portion 42. It has an annular locking portion 43 provided therein.

The annular locking portion 43 has a similar shape to a gear, and a large number of small protrusions 44 are provided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the hub 41. and both tape reels 5.
The lower ends 41a of these hubs are fitted into both reel fitting holes 8.9 of the lower half 3, and the lower surfaces of these annular lock parts 43 are placed on the bottom wall 3a of the lower half 3 and rotated. It is configured to

Further, a locking mechanism 48 is built in the housing la consisting of the upper and lower halves 2.3 to prevent rotation of both tape reels 5.6 when not in use.
18 is constructed on the rear end side of the opening and opening member 49.

That is, a pair of left and right reel lock pieces 45 extending rearward from the rear ends of both left and right ends of the sliding lid 18 are integrally molded. Note that both of these hook pieces 45 have a laterally symmetrical shape and are elastic. The locking claws 45a integrally provided at the ends of both of these loop hook pieces 45 have opposite directions, and the annular locking portions 45 of both tape reels 5.6
It is configured to selectively engage between the small protrusions 44 of the tape reels 5.6 to prevent rotation of both tape reels 5.6.

Therefore, the rod-shaped portion 24a is integrally formed with the locking member 49, and the compression spring 26 also serves as a spring that presses and biases the locking member 49 toward both tape reels 5 and 6. It is configured.

The tape cassette 1 is constructed as described above, and normally both the opening 12 and the notch 13 are closed by the rotating lid 17 and the sliding lid 18, forming a so-called closed-type housing. ing. Therefore, in this sealed state, dust and the like are prevented from entering the tape cassette 1.

In addition, in the sealed state, the lock member 49 is connected to the compression spring 26.
4, and the lock pawls 45a of both reel lock pieces 45 are inserted between the small protrusions 44 of the annular openings and hooks 43 of both tape reels 5.6. The tape reels 5.6 are engaged and rotation of both tape reels 5.6 is prevented. At this time, the above tape reel 5.6 is
When the tape is rotated in the tape winding direction shown by the arrow a in the figure, both the lock claws 45a bend slightly against elasticity as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. The tape reel 5.6 moves over the protrusions 44 one after another, allowing both tape reels 5.6 to rotate in the tape winding direction.

However, when both tape reels 5.6 are rotated in the tape feeding direction shown by the arrows in FIG. Rotation of the tape reel 5.6 in the tape feeding direction is prevented.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, when this tape cassette 1 is attached to the video tape recorder main body, the sliding lid 18 and the rotating lid 17 are opened, and both tape reels 5.6 are unlocked. , the tape 7 can be pulled out of the tape cassette 1 through the opening 12.

That is, for example, when a tape cassette 1 is inserted into a cassette holder of a video tape recorder main body from the direction of arrow C in FIG.
6 are relatively inserted into one of the slits 33, 34, the sliding lid 18 and the locking member 49 are first slid backwards against the compression spring 26, and the notch 13 is opened. Next, when the tape cassette 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow d in FIG.
3.34, the rotating lid 17 is pushed up, and the rotating lid 17 resists the torsion spring 21 to open the first
It is rotated in the direction of arrow e in Figure 0, and the opening 12 is opened. At this time, tape loading guide (not shown)
is inserted into the inside of the tape 7 in the tape cassette l through the notch 13.

Therefore, when the sliding lid 18 and the locking member 49 are slid backward against the compression spring 26 and the notch 13 is opened as described above, the locking member 49 is moved as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. be moved to a position. At this time, the lock claws 45a of both reel lock pieces 45 are pulled out from between the small protrusions 44 of the annular lock portions 43 of both tape reels 5.6, and both tape reels 5.6 are unlocked. Therefore, at this moment both tape reels 5.6 become rotatable.

Note that FIG. 11 shows a modified example, in which both the reel lock pieces 45 are integrally provided to the lock member 49 with both ends supported (both supported). In this case, the lock claws 45a of both reel lock pieces 45
the small protrusion 4 of the annular lock part 43 of both tape reels 5.6
In the locked state in which the tape reels 5 and 4 are engaged, rotation of both tape reels 5 and 6 in both the tape winding direction and the tape feeding direction is prevented. In addition, 47 is a double peak lock part 43
These are a pair of left and right openings provided in the sliding IE 18 and the locking member 49 to escape from the object.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is applicable to tape cassettes for various recording and reproducing devices other than video tape recorders and various other information processing devices.

Further, the locking member of the locking mechanism of the present invention is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and various effective structures can be adopted.

As described above, the present invention uses a compression spring as the spring for pressing the locking member in the locking mechanism that locks the tape reel so as to prevent rotation in at least the tape feeding direction when not in use, and particularly, This tape cassette is configured so that the other end of the compression spring (the end opposite to the locking member side) is inserted and held between a pair of protrusions integrally molded inside the lower half. When assembling, it is necessary to simply insert the other end of the compression spring between a pair of protrusions from above, which is extremely easy compared to assembling conventional torsion springs, and by extension, it is extremely easy to assemble the entire locking mechanism. In addition, it is easy to automate assembly work, and productivity can be significantly improved.

Moreover, in particular, the other end of the compression spring is inserted and held between a pair of protrusions on the lower half, and the pair of protrusions accurately determines the direction (expansion/contraction direction) of the compression spring. The expansion and contraction operations can always be performed accurately, and the engagement and disengagement operations of the locking member with respect to the tape reel can always be performed reliably. In addition, the pair of protrusions on the lower half hold the compression spring stably and reliably from both sides, so the bullet will not fly off and fall off due to vibration of the compression spring after assembly, unlike conventional torsion springs. (This is extremely convenient for later assembly work of other parts.

As shown in the embodiment, if the pair of protrusions 25a are integrally formed at the corner portions of the bottom wall 3a and rear wall 3b of the lower half 3, the pair of protrusions 25a can be used to reinforce the corner portions. It can also be used as a lip, and the strength of the lower half 3 can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tape cassette for a video tape recorder, in which Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view, Figure 2 is a side view, and Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 2. ■A cross-sectional view taken along the line arrows in Figure 4, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-mV in Figure 2, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 4, and Figure 6
The figure is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line arrows in Figure 4. Figure 9 is an annular lock section at the lower end of the tape reel and the reel lock piece on the sliding lid. FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the main parts explaining the opening operation of the rotating lid and sliding lid, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing a modified example. It is. In addition, in the symbols used in the drawings, 1----------1--1-- Tape cassette 1a.・Housing 2・-----1----------------Top half 3-
-1----------Lower half 5.6-
・-1------------ Tape reel 24.25
・-----1---- Spring locking part 25a ------
−・−−−−−−−One protrusion 26・−・−・−・−−−
------1 compression spring 26a.--1---------
−・−−One end 26b・−・−−−−−−−・・−Other end 4
8---------・--1---------・-Lock mechanism 4
9-------------------Lock member.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a tape cassette that includes a tape reel and a locking mechanism that locks the tape reel to prevent rotation of the tape reel at least in the tape feeding direction when not in use, the locking mechanism locks the tape reel in a housing consisting of an upper and a lower half. A locking member that can be engaged with and detached from the tape reel, and a compression spring that presses the locking member to engage the tape reel, one end of the compression spring is locked to the locking member, and the other end of the compression spring is A tape cassette characterized in that the tape cassette is inserted and held between a pair of protrusions integrally molded within the lower half.