JPS642303Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to an adapter for a small tape cassette, and in particular, when the operation of the operation member for operating the tape loading mechanism is stopped at an early stage, the operation member, that is, the tape loading mechanism returns to its original state. To provide an adapter for a small tape cassette having a structure for returning to the position so that the small tape cassette can be removed from the adapter without damaging the tape.

The applicant has previously provided a tape cassette that is smaller than the standard tape cassette, and an adapter for use in attaching this small tape cassette to a standard recording/reproducing device. This adapter accommodates a small tape cassette and performs tape loading to form a tape path in the adapter that corresponds to the front tape path of a standard tape cassette. Similarly,
It is attached to a recording/reproducing device.

With this adapter, if you mistakenly try to remove the small tape cassette from the adapter after the tape loading operation has started, the tape being pulled out from the small tape cassette may get caught on the flange of the loading pole or close. There was a problem that the front cover could be crushed and damaged.

The present invention solves the above problems, and one embodiment thereof will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape cassette adapter 1 consists of an adapter housing 2 and a front lid 3.
It has substantially the same external dimensions as a standard tape cassette, and has a small tape cassette storage section 4 inside. This adapter 1 has a small tape cassette 5 which is smaller than a standard tape cassette in a storage part 4.
, close the top cover 6 to cover the small tape cassette 5, and then rotate the operation knob 7 to load the tape within the adapter to form a predetermined tape path and start standard recording. It is inserted into the cassette housing of the playback device and attached to the device.

As shown in Fig. 2, the small tape cassette 5 consists of a cassette housing 8 that houses a magnetic tape, and a lid 9 that is normally closed and is provided on the front side of the cassette housing 8 to protect the magnetic tape inside. Become. This lid 9 has a pin 10 between the closed lid position and the horizontal open position.
It rotates around , and is held in each position by the action of a U-shaped leaf spring and a pressing rod.

When the operating knob 7 is rotated clockwise, the special chain 11 is pulled into the J-shaped guide groove 12a of the fixed guide plate 12, and the loading arm 13 is pulled by the special chain 11 and the pin 14 is pulled in. Rotate clockwise around the center to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. Further, the rotation of the arm 13 is transmitted via the link 15 (moves in the direction of arrow _X1 ) and the gear train 16, and the loading arm 17
rotates counterclockwise about the pin 18 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line.

By the rotation of each loading arm 13, 17, the poles 19, 20 pull out the magnetic tape 21 from the small tape cassette 5 stored in the cassette storage section 4, and a tape loading operation is performed within the adapter 1. A tape path 22 is formed that corresponds to the front side tape path of a standard tape cassette. In this state, the adapter 1 is attached to a standard recording/reproducing apparatus, and recording/reproduction is performed on the magnetic tape 21 of the small tape cassette 5, as in the case of a standard tape cassette.

In addition, when taking out the small tape cassette 5 from the storage section 4 after using the adapter 1, use the operation knob 7.
counterclockwise. By this operation, the special chain 11 is let out from the fixed guide plate 12, the arm 13 is rotated counterclockwise, and the link 15 (moves in the direction of arrow _X2 ) and the gear train 16 are rotated counterclockwise.
The arm 17 rotates clockwise through the cassette 5, and the rotation of the operating knob 7 is further transmitted through the gear train 23 to the take-up reel 24 in the small tape cassette 5, which rotates clockwise to remove the tape. Wind up. As a result, the tape 21 is wound and stored in the cassette 5, and tape unloading is performed. After that, the top cover 6 is opened and the small tape cassette 5 is pushed up and taken out from the storage section 4.

Next, the configuration and operation of each part of the adapter 1 will be explained.

Structure and operation around the top cover 6 (see FIGS. 3 to 11) The top cover 6 is locked in the closed position, and is configured to control a locking mechanism for the loading mechanism in connection with the opening and closing operations of the top cover 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top cover 6 includes a main body 30 and arms 3 on the left and right sides of the front edge.
1 and 32, and the bearing part 3 at the base of the arm part.
3 and 34 respectively, the pin member 35 of the adapter housing 2,
It is supported by
(Fig.). Further, the top cover 6 is biased in the opening direction by a torsion coil spring 37. Further, the top cover 6 is normally locked in the closed position by having the hook portion 38 locked by the locking arm 40 of the sliding member 39 (see FIGS. 4 and 10).

This top cover 6 can be removed by sliding the sliding knob 41 on the top surface of the adapter housing 2 in the direction of _arrow
When the lock is released, the torsion coil spring 35 rotates the lid in the direction of arrow _A1 to a vertical position, and the lid opens automatically as shown in FIG. Also top cover 6
By rotating the lid in the direction of arrow _A2 and pushing it down, the lid is locked in the closed state by the action of the inclined surfaces 42 and 43, as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sliding knob 41 and the sliding member 39 are integrally assembled and slidably provided on the top plate 2a of the adapter housing 2, and are supported by a compression coil spring 44. It is biased in _two directions (arrow X).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, lid locking portions 45 and 46 are formed inside each arm portion 31 and 32 of the top cover 6. As shown in FIGS. This lid locking part 45,
Reference numeral 46 serves to actively open the lid 9 of the small tape cassette 5 and maintain it in the open state. As shown in FIG. 5, the lid locking portion 45 has an inclined surface 45a that extends downwardly toward the main body 30 so as to protrude from the back surface of the main body 30 at one end. As shown in FIG. 6, another lid locking portion 46 is a triangular prism with an inclined surface 46a on the main body portion 30 side. Each lid locking portion 45, 46 is formed to extend downward from the upper surface of the arm portions 31, 32 by the thickness of the lid 9 of the small tape cassette 5.

As shown in FIG. 9, the small tape cassette 5 is handled with the lid 9 closed, positioned, and pushed down in the direction of arrow _Z1 into the storage section 4.
stored inside. At this time, the lower edges of the lid 9 on the left and right sides are guided by the inclined surfaces 45a and 46a of the lid locking parts 4 and 46, and the lid 9 rotates in the direction of arrow _B1 . When the small tape cassette 5 is completely stored in the storage section 4, the lid 9 opens slightly and protrudes beyond the lid locking parts 45 and 46, as shown in FIGS. are opposed to the lid locking parts 45 and 46. In response to the subsequent closing operation of the top cover 6, the lid 9 is locked by the lid locking parts 45 and 46, and the lid 9 is locked in the direction indicated by the arrow.
B It is further rotated in _one direction and then clicked to the horizontal position.

When the top cover 6 is closed, the small tape cassette 5 is opened as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.
The upper surface of the cassette housing 8 is covered with a main body part 30,
The lid 9 is opened on the same surface as the upper surfaces of the arms 31, 31. In particular, the lid 9 has lid locking portions 4 on the back side of the left and right ends.
5, 46, it is in a locked state, and arrow Z ₁
Even when a force is applied in this direction, the lid remains in the open position without closing. Therefore, even if the lid 9 is pressed by mistake, it will not close, and the adapter 1 can also be applied without any problem to a front loading type recording/reproducing device in which the lid 9 is pressed by a roller.

Also, when the top cover 6 is opened and the small tape cassette 5 is pushed up in the direction of arrow _Z2 to be removed from the storage section 4, the lid 9 is attached to the main body 3 of the top cover 6.
The lid is locked to the front edge 30a of the lid and rotated in _{the two} directions of arrow B to automatically close the lid. Here, the front edge 3
0a is an inclined surface so as to lock a portion of the lid 9 away from the pin 10. Therefore, the lid 9 closes smoothly in conjunction with the cassette removal operation.

Further, the top cover 6 is configured to control a locking mechanism for the loading mechanism by opening and closing the top cover 6, which will be described later.

The relationship between the top cover 6 and the locking mechanism with respect to the loading mechanism (Figs. 7, 8, and 10)
(See Figures 12 to 12) The locking mechanism for the loading mechanism consists of a stopper 51 pivotally supported on a vertical shaft 50 and a link 1.
It consists of a locking piece 52 fixed in the middle of 5.
The stopper 51 has a shape in which an upper part on the tip side is an inclined surface 51a that cooperates with the hook part 38, a lower part is a hook part 51a that locks a protrusion 52a of the locking piece 52, and a torsion coil spring (see FIG. (not shown) in the clockwise direction in FIG. 12 (that is, the direction in which the hook portion 51b locks the protrusion 52a).

When the top cover 6 is open as shown in FIG. 8, the stopper 51 is rotated clockwise without being locked by the hook 38, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. is locking the protrusion 52a. Therefore, the link 15 is locked and restricted from moving in the direction of arrow _X1 , and the operation knob 7
Even if you try to rotate it, it cannot be rotated. This prevents an erroneous operation in which the tape loading operation is performed by operating the operation knob 7 while the top cover 6 remains open.

Note that when the top cover 6 is closed, the stopper 5
1 is pushed on the inclined surface 51a by the hook portion 38 and rotates counterclockwise, and the hook portion 51b is disengaged from the protrusion 52a, and the loading mechanism is unlocked and becomes ready for loading operation.

Relationship between the loading mechanism and the top cover opening sliding knob mechanism (Figures 10, 11, 13)
(See figure) The lock lever 55 has one end supported by the horizontal shaft 57 of the bracket 56, is disposed above the locking piece 52, and is prevented from rotating clockwise by a torsion coil spring (not shown). There is. Further, a protrusion 55a that is locked by the locking piece 52 is formed on the lower surface of the lock lever 55, and a hook portion 55b that locks the hanging piece 58 of the sliding member 39 is formed on the upper surface of the tip.

Before the loading operation, the lock lever 55 is rotating clockwise as shown in FIG.
The hook portion 55b is located below the hanging piece 58, and the sliding knob 41 can be operated in the direction of arrow _X1 .

After the top cover 6 is closed, the operating knob 7 is operated to operate the loading mechanism, and the link 15 moves in the direction of arrow _X1 . When link 15 moves,
The locking piece 52 locks onto the protrusion 55a and pushes it upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the lock lever 55 rotates counterclockwise, the hook portion 55b moves upward and locks the hanging piece 58, and the sliding knob 41 moves in the direction of arrow _X1. Operation becomes impossible. Therefore, after the loading operation starts, even if an attempt is made to operate the sliding knob 41, the operation becomes impossible.

Also, when looking at the unloading operation,
The lock lever 55 is kept in the above-mentioned locked state while the unloading operation is in progress, and returns to the original unlocked state shown in FIG. 12 at the end of the unloading operation. As a result, while the unloading operation is in progress, even if an attempt is made to operate the sliding knob 41, the operation becomes impossible.

Therefore, an erroneous operation of removing the small tape cassette 5 from the adapter 1 after the loading operation has started and at a stage where the unloading operation is still in progress and before it is finished is reliably prevented.

Tape Loading/Unloading Operation Knob Mechanism (See FIGS. 14 to 17) As shown in FIGS. It is arranged so as to protrude from the window 61 of the window 61.

The operator places his fingertip on the operating section 60 and operates it by pulling or pushing, and the operating knob 7 rotates around the shaft 62.

The counterclockwise end of the arcuate operating portion 60 is a recess 63, and the vicinity of the clockwise end is a thin flange 64, as shown in FIG. The concave portion 63 and the thin flange portion 64 each provide the operator with a change in the tactile sensation of the fingertips, thereby allowing the operator to sense that the end of the loading and unloading operations is near.

Further, the lower surface of the operating knob 7 is a recess 65, and the inner circumferential wall surface thereof is a cam surface 67 that cooperates with a cam roller 66. The cam surface 67 has V-shaped grooves 68 and 69, which are fitting recesses, at both ends of the circular arc surface. The cam roller 66 is supported on a lever 72 which is pivotally supported by a pin 70 and is prevented from rotating clockwise by a spring 71. The operation knob 7 is set before loading starts (after unloading is completed).
As shown in FIG.
Fitted into the groove 68 and locked by a click,
After loading is completed, as shown in Figure 15,
A cam roller 66 fits into another V-shaped groove 69 and is likewise click-locked. Especially after the loading is completed, the recess 63 and the flat surface 73 are connected to the window 61.
The operating section 60 is lined up inside the adapter housing 2, so that the operating section 60 does not protrude from the adapter housing 2.

Here, the V-shaped groove 68 is larger than the cam roller 66, and the cam roller 66 comes out of the V-shaped groove 68 after rotating the operating knob 7 by a relatively large angle from the position shown in FIG. For this reason, when the cam roller 6 is slightly loaded,
6 is still pressing the inclined surface 68a of the V-shaped groove 68, and when the fingertip is released from the operating part 60 at the stiff stage,
The operation knob 7 does not remain in its rotational position, but rotates back to its original position by the action of the cam roller 66. As a result, the loading mechanism, which has started to move somewhat, returns to its original state. Furthermore, when the unloading operation is nearly completed, the cam roller 66 moves into the V-shaped groove 68.
Even if the fingertip is removed from the operating knob 7, the operating knob 7 will automatically rotate to the unloading completion position by the action of the cam roller 66.
The loading mechanism reliably reaches the unloading completion state.

Note that the mechanism for locking the sliding knob 41 (lock lever 55, locking piece 52) is configured to operate after the loading operation has started, taking into account assembly errors, etc. The cam roller 66 and V-shaped groove 68 are used to return the operation knob 7, that is, the loading mechanism, to its original state in the loading operation stage before the sliding knob lock mechanism becomes lockable, and the sliding knob lock mechanism returns to the lockable state. The cam roller 66 is configured to come out of the V-shaped groove 68 in the subsequent loading operation stage. If you release your fingertips from the operation knob 7 at the initial stage of the loading operation to knead, and the sliding knob lock mechanism is in a state where it cannot be locked, the loading mechanism will automatically return to its original state and the small tape cassette 5 will be loaded. The tape can be removed from the adapter without damaging it. Furthermore, if the loading mechanism does not return to its original position even after releasing the fingertip from the operation knob 7, the sliding knob 41 is always in the locked state, and the loading mechanism is maintained in the operating position. The sliding knob 41 is no longer unlocked and can be operated, and an accident in which the small tape cassette 5 is accidentally removed from the adapter 1 and the tape is damaged while the loading mechanism is operating can be prevented.

Also, the cam roller 66 connects the operation knob 7 to the V-shaped groove 6.
8, the poles 19 and 20 are in the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9, and the small tape cassette 5 is connected to the adapter 1
Even if you try to take it out further, the opened lid 9 will damage the poles 19, 20 and the front edge 30a of the top cover 6.
This will restrict the ability to close the lid due to
Prevents tape damage. Further, taking out the small tape cassette 5 is also restricted in this state. This provides a measure against the case where the locking mechanism for the sliding knob 41 is not yet activated at the stage where the operating knob 7 has been operated to the above-mentioned position.

Furthermore, the characters "START" 74 and "END" 75 are marked at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the operation knob 7. Characters 74 look out from the window 76 before loading starts and when unloading is completed to indicate that the adapter 1 is in the state before loading starts or when unloading is completed. Another character 75 appears through the window 76 upon completion of loading to indicate that the adapter 1 is in the completed loading state.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, in addition to the letters 74 and 75, a satin pattern 77 can also be printed on the upper surface of the operating knob. This satin pattern 77 is formed in an arc shape with varying width between both characters. In the case of this operating knob 7A, in addition to the before loading start (unloading completion) and loading completion status, the progress status of the loading operation can also be displayed based on the changing status of the width of the satin pattern 77.

Display panel structure (see FIGS. 18 and 19) The display panel 80 is marked with usage instructions, precautions, trademarks, etc. It is attached to close the opening 81 and forms a part of the top plate 2a.
The above-mentioned window 76 is formed in this display panel 80.

This display panel 80 is attached at the end of the adapter assembly process, and the adapter assembly is carried out using the opening 81 with good workability.

Note that several types of display panels 80 are prepared for different orientation points, and the adapter 1 is assembled in common regardless of the orientation location, and in the final step, the display panel 80 corresponding to the orientation location of the adapter 1 is attached to complete the process.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the operation of the operating member is stopped at an early stage, the tape loading mechanism does not remain in the operating state at that time, but returns to the original unloading completion state or loading completion state. Because of this structure, the small tape cassette can be removed from the adapter without damaging the tape with the tape loading mechanism always returning to its original position. Also,
The force upon return is weak and does not damage the tape.

Further, if the tip of the finger slips after the operation of the operating member has exceeded the initial stage, the tape loading mechanism remains in that state and the operation can be continued from that position, which is convenient.

In addition, the present invention is a mechanism for locking the top cover opening operation knob particularly in connection with the operation of the tape loading mechanism, and due to design and assembly considerations, the timing of the locking operation is somewhat delayed from the start of operation of the tape loading mechanism. This is effective when applied to adapters that have a built-in mechanism that causes the lock to become non-locked during a short period at the beginning of loading, and also prevents the user from forcing the operation knob when the lock mechanism is incomplete. It has features such as being able to prevent accidents that could damage the lock mechanism.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the adapter for a small tape cassette according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a small tape cassette housed in the adapter of FIG. 1, and FIGS. The figures are a plan view and a front view of the top cover, respectively, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along lines - and - in FIG. , Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are diagrams showing the states of the locking mechanism for the lid and loading mechanism of the small tape cassette when the top cover is closed and opened, respectively, and Fig. 9 shows the state of the locking mechanism for the small tape cassette when the small tape cassette is stored. Figure 10 shows the mechanism for locking the top cover in the closed position, and Figures 11 and 13 show the sliding knob, respectively. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the state of the locking mechanism for the loading mechanism when the top cover is open, and FIG.
15 and 15 are partially sectional plan views showing the state of the operation knob mechanism before loading operation and after the adapter operation is completed, respectively, and FIG. 16 is a plan view taken along the - line in FIG. 14 showing the shape of the operation knob. 17 is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a modified example of the operation knob.
The figure is a plan view showing the display panel section, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line - in FIG. 8; 1... Tape cassette adapter, 2... Adapter housing, 2a... Top plate, 2b... Right side, 3...
...Front lid, 4...Small tape cassette storage section, 5
...Small tape cassette, 6...Top cover,
7...Operation knob, 8...Cassette housing, 9...
Lid, 10...Pin, 11...Special chain, 12
... Fixed guide plate, 13, 17 ... Loading arm, 14, 18 ... Pin, 15 ... Link,
16, 23...gear train, 19,20...pole,
21...magnetic tape, 22...tape path, 24
...Take-up reel, 30...Main body, 31, 32...
...Arm part, 33, 34...Bearing part, 35, 36...
Pin member, 37... Torsion coil spring, 38... Hook portion, 39... Sliding member, 40... Locking arm portion, 41
...Sliding knob, 42, 43...Slanted surface, 44...
Coil spring, 45, 46... Lid locking part, 45a,
46a... Inclined surface, 50... Vertical axis, 51... Stopper, 51a... Inclined surface, 5b... Hook portion, 52
... Locking piece, 52a ... Protrusion, 55 ... Lock lever, 55a ... Protrusion, 55b ... Hook portion, 56 ...
...Bracket, 57...Horizontal axis, 58...Descent piece, 60...Operation unit, 61...Window, 62...Shaft,
63... Recess, 64... Thin flange, 65... Recess, 66... Cam roller, 67... Cam surface, 6
8, 69...V-shaped groove, 70...pin, 71...spring, 72...lever, 73...flat surface, 74...
"START" character, 75..."END" character, 76
... window, 77 ... satin pattern, 80 ... display panel, 81 ... opening.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A small tape cassette adapter used when a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette is attached to a standard tape cassette recording/playback device, comprising: an operating member that is rotatably driven; A tape loading arm with a tape loading pole attached to the tip thereof is connected to the operating member, and the tape loading pole of the tape loading arm is moved by rotation of the operating member. a tape loading mechanism comprising a link that pulls out the tape from the small tape cassette; a cam portion having fitting recesses formed at loading completion positions and unloading completion positions of the operating member; and a fitting recess of the cam portion; a return mechanism consisting of a cam roller that is pressed into contact with the recess, and the tape loading mechanism stops when the rotation operation of the operating member is stopped at an initial stage and the cam roller has not come out of the fitting recess of the cam portion. This adapter for a small tape cassette is configured to forcibly return to the original loading completion position or unloading completion position without remaining in the operating state at that time.