MY103680A - Adapter for use with small-size tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

A SMALL- SIZE TAPE CASSETTE, WHICH IS SMALLER IN SIZE THAN A STANDARD- SIZE TAPE CASSETTE, IS HOUSED IN AN ADAPTER, AND THE ADAPTER IS PLACED IN A MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS WHICH IS DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE STANDARD- SIZE TAPE CASSETTE. THE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS HAS A PAIR OF FIRST AND SECOND REEL SHAFTS, AND THE SMALL- SIZE TAPE CASSETTE HAS A PAIR OF FIRST AND SECOND REELS AND TAPE WOUND THREAROUND, THE SECOND REEL SHAFT BEING FITTABLE INTO THE SECOND REEL. THE ADAPTER INCLUDES AN INTERMEDIATE ROTATABLE MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE FITTED OVER THE FIRST REEL SHAFT FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION OF THE FIRST REEL SHAFT TO THE FIRST REEL, THE INTERMEDIATE ROTATABLE MEMBER BEING SUPPORTED AT AN UPPER END THEREOF ON THE FIXED MEMBER AND SWINGABLE ABOUT THE UPPER END THEREOF. THE FIRST REEL HAS A GEAR ADAPTED TO MESH WITH AN END GEAR OF A GEAR TRAIN OF THE ADAPTER, THE GEAR TRAIN INCLUDING AN INTERMEDIATE GEAR SERVING AS THE INTERMEDIATE ROTATABLE MEMBER AND HELD IN MESH WITH THE END GEAR. THE INTERMEDIATE GEAR INCLUDES A SOCKET FITTABLE OVER THE FIRST REEL SHAFT AND ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON THE FIXED MEMBER THROUGH A BALL BEARING. THE INTERMEDIATE GEAR HAS GEAR TEETH HAVING ARCUATE TIP SURFACES. (FIG. 1)