JPH0696552A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To drill a reel drive hole of loading and take-up reels where a magnetic tape is rolled at the rear-surface side of a cassette enclosure or an R part which is formed at the corner of the rear-surface side. CONSTITUTION:Supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 where a magnetic tape T is rolled are supported inside a cassette enclosure 2 so that they can be rotated freely. A pair of corners 3r1 and 3r2 at the side of a rear surface 3b of a lower half member of the cassette enclosure 2 are rounded and reel drive holes 3e1 and 3e2 are drilled inside the corners 3r1 and 3r2. These reel drive holes 3e1 and 3e2 are switched by rotation of screening parts 11b1 and 11b2 which are formed at first magnetic tape leading arms 11A and 11B constituting magnetic tape leading means 10A and 10B for drawing a magnetic tape T from the inside of the cassette enclosure 2 to the outside of the cassette enclosure 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to miniaturization of a tape cassette used in a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional tape cassette used in a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder is shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining a conventional tape cassette, (A),
(B) is a diagram showing the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the tape cassette.

The tape cassette 100 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B has a supply reel 102 in a cassette housing 101.
And a take-up reel 103, and a magnetic tape 104 is wound between the supply and take-up reels 102 and 103. A magnetic tape 104 is stretched on the front side of the cassette housing 101, and the magnetic tape 104 is protected by a front lid 105 that can be opened and closed. In addition, two reel drive holes 101 formed on the lower surface side of the cassette housing 101.
The center holes 102a and 103a of the supply and take-up reels 102 and 103 are exposed from a and 101b, and when the tape cassette 100 is mounted, the reel driving member (reel base) on the apparatus side is the center holes 102a of both reels 102 and 103. , 10
The magnetic tape 104 can be run by engaging with 3a and rotating and driving both reels 102 and 103.

Further, an opening 101c is provided on the front side of the lower surface of the cassette housing 101 and on the rear side of the front lid 105, and when the tape cassette 100 is mounted, the loading member on the apparatus side enters into the opening 101c. The magnetic tape 104 is pulled out from here, and a predetermined tape path is formed in the apparatus.

[0005]

[0005]

[0006]

However, when the above-described conventional tape cassette 100 is mounted on the apparatus, in this tape cassette 100, the reel drive member (reel base) on the apparatus side that has entered from below the cassette housing 101. Is a central hole 102a of the supply and take-up reels 102, 103,
Since the reels 102, 103 are engaged with 103a and driven to rotate, the diameters of the reel bosses 102b, 103b of the reels 102, 103 become large, and accordingly, the reel bosses 102, 103 have a large diameter. The reel flange diameter and the distance between the centers of the reels are increased, and the width of the tape cassette 100 is increased, which makes it difficult to downsize the tape cassette 100. Further, when the tape cassette 100 is mounted on the device, a reel stand and its drive mechanism are required from below to above the tape cassette mounting portion, and the height dimension of the device cannot be suppressed, which hinders downsizing of the device. Met. Further, there is a problem in that dust, manpower, etc. easily enter through the reel drive holes 101a, 101b for entering the reel stand formed on the lower surface of the tape cassette 100, and the magnetic tape 104 cannot be completely protected. .

[0007]

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The first invention is magnetic recording and / or
Alternatively, it is applied to a reproducing apparatus, and a magnetic tape wound between a supply reel and a take-up reel is housed in a cassette housing and is stretched on the front side of the cassette housing to form a front tape path. In the tape cassette, the supply and take-up reels are rotatably supported in the cassette housing, and are engaged with the engaging portions formed on the reel flanges of the supply and take-up reels on the rear surface side of the cassette housing. The tape cassette is characterized in that a reel drive hole for allowing the reel drive member on the device side to enter is formed.

A second aspect of the present invention is the tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein when the reel drive hole is formed on the rear surface side of the cassette housing, the rear surface of the cassette housing and the rear surface are paired with each other. A pair of corners where the sides of
The tape cassette is characterized in that the reel drive holes are formed in the pair of corners, respectively.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention is the tape cassette according to the first and second aspects, wherein the front lid that can be opened and closed covers the front side of the magnetic tape passed on the front side of the cassette housing. A reel drive hole that is provided on the front surface of the cassette housing and closes the reel drive hole when the tape cassette is not mounted, and opens the reel drive hole in association with the mounting operation of the tape cassette when the tape cassette is mounted. The tape cassette is characterized in that opening / closing means is provided inside the cassette housing.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the tape cassette according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of a tape cassette according to the present invention, and shows a state in which a magnetic tape is pulled out to the front side of a cassette housing, and FIG. 2 is shown. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a magnetic tape pulling-out operation in the tape cassette, and (A) and (B) show a state where the magnetic tape is stored in the cassette housing by the magnetic tape pulling-out means held at the first position. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view, and FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the magnetic tape drawing operation in the tape cassette,
FIG. 4B is a plan view and a side view showing a state in which the magnetic tape has been pulled out of the cassette housing by the magnetic tape pull-out means that has reached the second position. FIG. 4 shows the vicinity of the supply and take-up reels shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the magnetic tape pull-out means shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the magnetic tape pull-out drive means shown in FIG. 7 and 7 are plan views showing a state in which the tape cassette according to the present invention is mounted on the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

First, the components of the tape cassette 1 according to the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

The cassette housing 2 for determining the external dimensions and the external shape of the tape cassette 1 is formed by molding the lower half member 3 and the upper half member 4 into approximately two parts using a resin material or the like. 3 and the upper half member 4 are superposed and assembled into a box.

The outer shape of the cassette housing 2 is such that, when the half members 3 and 4 are superposed, a pair of corners on the front surfaces 3a and 4a are formed in a rectangular shape. On the other hand, the front surfaces 3a, 4
a and rear surfaces 3b and 4b facing each other at a distance, and right side surfaces 3c and 4c and a left side surface 3d facing each other at a distance.
A pair of corners (3r ₁ , 4r ₁ ) intersecting with 4d,
(3r ₂ , 4r ₂ ) is formed in an “R” shape along a reel flange diameter dimension F described later.

When the two half members 3 and 4 are superposed on each other, the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3 and the lower surface 4f of the upper half member 4 face each other with a space therebetween, and the upper surface within this space. The outer circumferences of 3e and the lower surface 4f are covered with walls 3g and 4g having a thickness t, and supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 to be described later are provided inside.
Secures a space to store the front surface 3a, 4
The side a is open. In addition, the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3
On the side, which is the opening 3a ₁ shallow depth is formed, and, FIG. 2, the opening 3a ₁ as shown in FIG. 3
The take-up reels 6 and 7 are partially overlapped with each other in plan view in the upper part, and therefore the opening 3a ₁ is formed without affecting the depth dimension D of the cassette housing 2. Then, as will be described later, when the magnetic tape T is stored in the cassette housing 2, the slidable slide plate 31 slides in the direction of the arrow X1 and the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3 is moved.
Since the slide plate 31 has reached the opening 3a ₁
To protect the magnetic tape T from dust and human hands.

Further, on the front surface 4a of the upper half member 4, a front lid 5 for protecting the magnetic tape T from dust and human hands is supported so as to be opened and closed. This front lid 5 has side surfaces 5a, 5
Support shafts 5a ₁ and 5b ₁ formed integrally with b are rotatably supported on the side surfaces 4c and 4d of the upper half member 4, and are locked by front cover locking means (not shown) when the cover is closed. Further, the front lid 5 is opened in association with the pulling-out operation of the magnetic tape T and is closed in association with the storing operation of the magnetic tape T, as will be described later.

With respect to the external dimensions of the cassette housing 2 configured as described above, the width dimension W and the depth dimension D are determined by the reel flange diameter dimension F of the take-up reels 6 and 7 described below.
The height H is determined by the width of the magnetic tape T,
In the tape cassette 1 of the present invention, in particular, the take-up reels 6 and 7 having the reel flange diameter dimension F are located close to the front surfaces 3a and 4a as shown in FIGS. The depth dimension D is formed to be the minimum dimension capable of accommodating the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 including the walls 3g and 4g having the thickness t formed on the rear surfaces 3b and 4b side, and the size is reduced. As a result, the small tape cassette 1 can be provided to the user, the carrying performance of the tape cassette 1 is improved, and the storage space becomes small.

Returning to FIG. 1 again, the supply and take-up reels 6, 7 and the reel drive holes 3e ₁ , 3e ₂ corresponding to the supply and take-up reels 6, 7 which are a part of the essential part of the present invention will be described. .

The magnetic tape T housed inside the cassette housing 2, that is, between the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3 and the lower surface 4f of the upper half member 4, is composed of a supply reel 6 and a take-up reel 7. The supply and take-up reels 6, 7 wound in between are rotatably attached to a pair of reel shafts 8A, 8B erected on the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3. The reel shafts 8A and 8B are provided with a large diameter portion 8a fixedly supported on the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3, and supply and take-up reels 6 and 7.
And a small diameter portion 8b that fits into the central holes 6a and 7a (only 7a is shown in FIG. 1).

Further, as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 4, the supply and take-up reels 6, 7 are circular lower reel flanges 6b, 7b formed to have a substantially reel flange diameter dimension F.
A cylindrical reel boss 6c, 7c, and a circular upper reel flange 6d formed to have a reel flange diameter dimension F,
7d and a resin material or the like, which are integrally connected to each other in a "V" shape. In addition, the lower reel flanges 6b, 7
On the outer periphery of b, the reel drive member 4 on the device 40 (FIG. 7) side
Engaging portions 6b ₁ and 7b ₁ engaging with 4A and 44B (FIG. 7)
Are integrally formed to have a substantially reel flange diameter dimension F. In this embodiment, the engaging portions are the gear portions 6b ₁ and 7b.
Are formed in _1, these gear portion 6b _1, 7b ₁ that engage device 40 side of the reel drive member reel drive gear 44A, it is formed in 44B (FIG. 7), both between the gear drive reel 44A and 44B are in a meshing relationship such that they can be brought into and out of contact with each other. In the embodiment, the lower reel flanges 6b and 7b
Engaging portions 6b ₁ and 7b ₁ and reel drive members 44A and 44
B has a gear structure, but the structure is not limited to this, and a friction transmission structure such as an idler is also conceivable. Also,
A pair of "R" -shaped corners 3r formed on the lower half member 3
_1, 3r the ₂ vicinity, reel drive hole _3e 1, 3e ₂ are bored in communication over the upper surface 3e of the inner lower corner _3r 1, 3r _2, these reel drive hole _3e 1,
3e ₂ is a reel drive hole opening / closing means (11b ₁ , 11) to be described later.
b ₂ ) via the reel driving gear 44A on the device 40 side,
44B can enter. In the practical example, the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ are formed near the pair of corners 3r ₁ and 3r ₂ formed in the “R” shape, and the reels 6 and 7 are located at the corners 3r ₁ and 3r _2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, both reels 6, 7 on the rear surface 3b side of the lower half member 3 are driven.
A reel driving hole (not shown) may be formed in the rear portion and reel driving members 44A and 44B may be arranged at the same portion so that the reel is driven on the rear surface side of the lower half member 3.
In addition, in the embodiment, the reel driving holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ are set to 2
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, one reel drive hole is formed between the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 on the rear surface 3b side of the lower half member 3 to form one reel drive member. The supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 may be switched and engaged to drive the reels.

Further, a reel brake 15 provided substantially at the center of the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3 can be brought into contact with and separated from the gear portions 6b ₁ and 7b ₁ of the lower reel flanges 6b and 7b. The reel brake 15 serves as a reel braking means for braking (braking) the supply and take-up reels 6, 7, and is in an operating (braking) state before the tape cassette 1 is mounted in the device 40, and even when mounted. The operation (braking) state is maintained until the pulling-out operation of the magnetic tape T is completed, and after the pulling-out operation of the magnetic tape T is completed, the operation is released by the reel braking releasing means on the device 40 side.

On the other hand, protrusions 6d ₁ and 7d ₁ (only 6d ₁ is shown in FIG. 1) having minute heights are formed in the central portions of the upper surfaces of the upper reel flanges 6d and 7d. When the reel shafts 6 and 7 are rotatably attached to the reel shafts 8A and 8B, the upper half member 4 is attached to the protrusions 6d ₁ and 7d _1.
The leaf spring member 9 attached to the lower surface 4f of the above contacts the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 elastically pressed toward the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3.

By providing the take-up reels 6 and 7 and the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ configured as described above, the magnetic recording and / or engagement with the center holes of the supply and take-up reels as in the prior art is performed. Alternatively, the reel stand on the reproducing apparatus side is not required, so that the reel bosses 6c, 7 of the supply and take-up reels 6, 7 are provided.
Since the diameter of c can be suppressed small, the reel flange diameter dimension F of both reels 6, 7 and the center-to-center distance between both reels 6, 7 can be set small, and the width dimension W of the tape cassette 1 can be made small. Further, since the reel stand is not necessary, the vicinity of the tape cassette mounting portion (not shown) on the device 40 side can be kept low, so that the height dimension H of the device 40 can be reduced. Further, when the device 40 is designed, the arrangement of the reel drive members 44A, 44B can be set without being affected by the magnetic tape guide members (42A, 42B, 43) on the device 40 side that enter from the front side of the tape cassette 1. Therefore, there is an advantage that the device 40 can be easily designed. Further, although the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ may be formed at appropriate positions on the rear surface 3b side of the lower half member 3, particularly, the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ may be formed in the lower half member 3. A pair of formed "R" -shaped corners 3r ₁ and 3r ₂
When the holes are drilled in the vicinity, respectively, the rear surface 3b side as well as the pair of side surfaces 3c and 3d can be effectively used, and the device 40 can be further downsized.

Next, the magnetic tape pull-out means 10 for pulling out the magnetic tape T to the outside of the front surfaces 3a and 4a of the cassette housing 2.
Front lid opening / closing means 20A, 20B for opening / closing the front lid in cooperation with A, 10B and the magnetic tape pulling-out means 10A, 10B.
The magnetic tape pull-out driving means 30 for driving the magnetic tape pull-out means 10A, 10B and the front lid opening / closing means 20A, 20B will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 6.

First, in FIG. 1, a pair of the magnetic tape pull-out means 10A and 10B are provided on the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3 in a substantially symmetrical manner, and the magnetic tape pull-out means 10A is provided on the supply reel 6 side. The magnetic tape pull-out means 10B is provided on the take-up reel 7 side so as to face each other.

These magnetic tape pull-out means 10A, 1
0B, as shown in FIG.
It rotates around A and 8B, and the toothless gear part 11 is provided at one end.
a _1, 11a of a pair _{of 2} was formed first magnetic tape drawer arms 11A, 11B and one end portion (distal end) on the magnetic tape pull-out member 13A, and erected 13B, first magnetic tape pull-out arm and the other end It is composed of a pair of second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A and 12B connected to 11A and 11B. Among the above, the magnetic tape pull-out means 10
First and second magnetic tape pull-out arms 11 constituting A
A and 12A are provided on the supply reel 6 side, while the first and second magnetic tape withdrawing arms 11B and 12B constituting the magnetic tape withdrawing means 10B are provided on the take-up reel 7 side.

That is, the first magnetic tape pull-out arm 11A on the supply side and the first magnetic tape pull-out arm 11 on the winding side.
B is rotatably supported below the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 mounted on the shafts and around the large diameter portions 8a and 8a formed on the reel shafts 8A and 8B, and a toothless gear formed at one end thereof. The parts 11a ₁ and 11a ₂ face each other inside the reel shafts 8A and 8B. These tooth-missing gear parts 11a ₁ and 11
The rack portion 3 formed on a slide plate 31 to be described later is indicated by a _2.
1d ₁ and 31d ₂ are always meshed. The first magnetic tape drawer arm 11A, 11B is a partial gear portion _11a 1 which is formed at one end, 11a ₂ opposite the reel shaft 8A, the shield portion _11b 1 to the other end through 8B, 11b _Two
(Only 11b ₂ is shown in FIG. 1) is formed so as to project upward, and these shielding portions 11b ₁ and 11b ₂ are inside the “R-shaped” corners 3r ₁ and 3r ₂ formed in the lower half member 3. It is formed in "R shape" so as to follow. The shields 11b ₁ and 11b ₂ formed on the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B serve as reel drive hole opening / closing means for opening / closing the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ which are essential parts of the present invention. When storing the magnetic tape described later, the first
Shielding portion 11b of magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B
₁ and 11b ₂ are positioned to close the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ . On the other hand, when pulling out the magnetic tape,
Shielding portion 1 of the first magnetic tape pulling arm 11A, 11B
The rotation of the reels 1b ₁ and 11b ₂ causes the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3 to rotate.
The e ₂ is opened, and is closed as it was when the magnetic tape is stored. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are plan views of the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ when they are closed and when they are opened. The reel driving hole opening / closing means may have any structure as long as it can open and close the reel driving holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ in conjunction with the mounting operation of the tape cassette 1. Therefore, the reel driving holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ can be opened and closed. It is also applicable when the lower half member 3 is formed at an appropriate position on the rear surface 3b side. As a result, when the magnetic tape T is housed in the cassette housing 2, dust and manpower from the outside cannot enter the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ , so that the magnetic tape T can be completely protected.

On the other hand, the second magnetic tape pull-out arm 12A on the supply side and the second magnetic tape pull-out arm 12 on the winding side.
In B, magnetic tape pull-out members 13A and 13B for guiding the running of the magnetic tape T at one end (front end) and for pulling the magnetic tape T out of the cassette housing 2 are provided upright.
In these magnetic tape pull-out members 13A and 13B, the portion where the magnetic tape T contacts is formed on the guide roller, but the guide pole is not limited to this and may be a fixed guide pole. In addition, the second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A and 12B
The other end of the first magnetic tape pull-out arm 11A, 11
A concave portion 11c formed in a concave shape on the back surface of the other end (shielding portion) of B
₁ and 11c ₂ (only 11c ₂ is shown in FIG. 1) supports 14
It is rotatably supported via A and 14B. As a result, the second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A and 12B are connected to the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B. In addition, the second magnetic tape pull-out arm 12
Pins 22A and 22B (only 22B is shown in FIG. 1) are erected in a protruding state on the upper surface side and the back surface side by press fitting or the like in the middle portion of A and 12B, and the back surface side is the lower half member 3
Are fitted in concave guide grooves 3e ₃ and 3e ₄ (only 3e ₄ is shown in FIG. 1) formed in the upper surface 3e of the above. The guide grooves 3e ₃ and 3e ₄ are formed in a substantially symmetrical shape so that the tape path is always constant when the magnetic tape is pulled out, when the magnetic tape is pulled out, and when the magnetic tape is stored. The shapes of the guide grooves 3e ₃ and 3e ₄ are such that the magnetic tape pull-out members 13A,
It has an important function of determining a movement locus for moving 13B outside the cassette housing 2. As a result, the second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A and 12B connected to the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B interlock with the sliding operation of the slide plate 31 to be described later in the directions of arrows X1 and X2.

Next, the front lid opening / closing means 20A, 20B
Is a pair of L-shaped brackets 21A and 21B facing each other and formed in a substantially symmetrical shape, and is arranged inside the side surfaces 3c and 3d of the lower half member 3, and the L-shaped bracket 21A is on the supply side. Second magnetic tape pull-out arm 12
On the other hand, the L-shaped bracket 21B is connected to the second magnetic tape pull-out arm 12B on the winding side.
For convenience of illustration, in the following description, the L-shaped bracket 21B on the winding side will be described, and the L-side bracket 21B on the supply side that is substantially symmetrical to this will be described.
Since the description of the character bracket 21A is omitted, refer to the illustrations of FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, the L-shaped bracket 21B
Is a horizontal surface 21a and a vertical surface 21b using a sheet metal member or the like.
And are formed into a "substantially L shape". Further, an elliptical hole 21a ₁ is bored in the horizontal surface 21a of the L-shaped bracket 21B, and a protruding pin 22B on the second magnetic tape pulling arm 12B is fitted into this elliptic hole 21a ₁ . on the other hand,
The vertical surface 21b of the L-shaped bracket 21B is provided with a pin 23B protruding toward the side surface 4d of the upper half member 4. The pin 23B is a concave guide groove 5b ₂ formed inside the side surface 5b of the front lid 5. Is fitted to. With these,
The L-shaped bracket 21B is the second magnetic tape extraction arm 1
2B and the front lid 5, and as will be described later, the front lid 5 is opened in conjunction with the magnetic tape pulling operation, and the magnetic tape T
The front lid 5 is adapted to be closed in conjunction with the storing operation of.

Next, the magnetic tape pull-out means 10A, 10
The magnetic tape pull-out driving means 30 for driving B and the front lid opening / closing means 20A, 20B will be described.

The magnetic tape pull-out driving means 30 is interlocked with the operation of inserting or removing the tape cassette 1 into or from the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus 40 (FIG. 7), as shown in FIG. 6 in an enlarged manner. Then, the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3 is constituted by a slide plate 31 which is slidable in the arrow X ₂ direction or the arrow X ₁ direction. The slide plate 31 is
It goes without saying that it is provided below the supply and take-up reels 6, 7.

In the slide plate 31, the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3 is formed to be wide and the back is formed to be narrow to form an "inverted T shape". It is slidably provided between the tape pull-out arm 11A and the first magnetic tape pull-out arm 11B on the winding side.
This slide plate 31 has two guide grooves 3 symmetrically at the center.
1c is formed and is guided by the guide pins 32 provided upright on the upper surface 3e of the lower half member 3 so that the arrows X ₁ , X are formed on the upper surface 3e.
_It is slidable in _two directions. Further, in the rear of the slide plate 31, the rack portions 31d ₁ , 3 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central portion.
1d ₂ is formed, and these rack portions 31d ₁ ,
31d ₂ is the first magnetic tape pull-out arm 11A, 11B
The toothless gear portions 11a ₁ and 11a ₂ formed in ₁ are constantly meshed. In addition, the wide front surface 31a of the slide plate 31 is
As will be described later, when the magnetic tape T is housed in the cassette housing 2, as shown in FIG.
3 is located on the same line as the front surface 3a of the disk and covers the opening 3a ₁ while the magnetic tape T is being pulled out.
As shown in FIG. 3, the opening 3a ₁ is opened by sliding in the direction of the arrow X ₂ .

Next, the magnetic tape pulling-out operation and the magnetic tape housing operation of the tape cassette 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7 used previously.

In the states shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the tape cassette 1 is in a non-mounted state (initial state). In this state, the magnetic tape pull-out means 10A and 10B are held at the first position inside the cassette housing 2, and the magnetic tape T is stored inside the cassette housing 2.

That is, the front lid 5 is closed by the front lid locking means (not shown) on the front surface side (the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3 and the front surface 4a of the upper half member 4) of the cassette housing 2. Further, the magnetic tape T wound around the supply reel 6 is stretched between the magnetic tape pull-out members 13A and 13B, and while passing through the magnetic tape pull-out member 13B along the front lid 5 in the meantime, the take-up reel 7 is used. And a front tape path Ta is formed when the magnetic tape is stored. still,
As described above, the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 occupy an installation area up to the vicinity of the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3, and are provided close to the inside of the front lid 5. At this time, a brake (reel braking means) 15 provided between the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7
Is a gear part 6 formed on the supply and take-up reels 6, 7.
b ₁ and 7 b ₁ are in an operating state by meshing with each other, the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 are braked (brake) by the action of both, and the front tape path T when the magnetic tape is stored
The magnetic tape T is prevented from sagging while holding a.

A slide plate 31 slidably provided below the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 slides in the direction of arrow X _1, and the wide front surface 31 a side of the slide plate 31 is a lower half member. The opening 3a ₁ of 3 is covered and hidden. Therefore,
The magnetic tape T is protected from dust and manpower by the front lid 5 and the slide plate 31 around the front tape path Ta when the magnetic tape is stored. The rack portions 31d ₁ and 31d ₂ formed on the slide plate 31 are meshed with the tooth-chipped gear portions 11a ₁ and 11a ₂ formed on the supply-side and take-up-side first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B. . At this time,
The first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A, 11B are rotated about the reel shafts 8A, 8B to the inner positions of the corners 3r ₁ , 3r ₂ formed in the "R shape" of the lower half member 3, and the racks The parts 31d ₁ and 31d ₂ and the partly tooth-missing gear part 1
The first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B are held at the above positions by the meshing state with 1a ₁ and 11a ₂ . Further, a shield portion (reel drive hole opening / closing means) 11 formed on the other end of the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B.
b ₁ and 11 b ₂ close the reel driving holes 3 e ₁ and 3 e ₂ formed in the lower half member 3. As a result, dust and manpower from the outside cannot enter the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ , so that the magnetic tape T in the cassette housing 2 is completely protected.

The second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A, 12B on the supply side and the wind-up side, which are connected to the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A, 11B on the supply side and the wind-up side via the support shafts 14A, 14B, The side surface 3c of the lower half member 3,
The magnetic tape pull-out members 13A and 13B located near the inner side of 3d and provided upright at the tip end of the magnetic tape T.
Is located inside the front lid 5 near the corner of the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3 in a stretched state. Therefore, the magnetic tape pull-out means 10A, 10B held at the first position form the front tape path Ta when the magnetic tape is stored.

The second magnetic tape on the supply side and the winding side
Via drawer arms 12A, 12B and pins 22A, 22B
L-shaped brackets 21A and 21B connected by connecting
Pins 22A and 22B connecting (12, 21) are lower
Guide groove 3e formed in the frame member 3 _Three, 3e_FourBe guided to
Has reached almost the center of the lower half member 3, and
Pins 22A, 22B are L-shaped brackets 21A, 21
Oval holes 21a formed on the horizontal surfaces 21a, 21a of B₁，
21a in the side surfaces 3c and 3d of the lower half member 3 with respect to each other.
To the vertical direction of the L-shaped brackets 21A and 21B.
Pins 23A and 23B provided on the surfaces 21b and 21b, and a front lid
Concave guide groove 5a formed inside the side surfaces 5a and 5b
_Two, 5b_Two, And the front lid 5 are closed.

Next, the state shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a state in which the tape cassette 1 is mounted in the apparatus 40 (FIG. 7) and the pulling out of the magnetic tape T is completed. In this state, the magnetic tape pull-out means 10A and 10B have reached the second position outside the cassette housing 2, and the magnetic tape T has been pulled out to the cassette housing 2. Here, the process up to the illustrated state will be described with reference to FIGS.

That is, when the tape cassette 1 is mounted on the device 40, the front lid locking means (not shown) of the front lid 5 is moved to the device 4 by the front lid locking means.
The front lid 5 can be opened by engaging with the front lid lock releasing means (not shown) on the 0 side.

Thereafter, as the tape cassette 1 is inserted in the direction of the arrow X ₁ , the slide plate 31 engages with the slide plate engaging contact member (not shown) on the side of the device 40 and the arrow X.
It slides in _two directions (backward of the lower half member 3). When the slide plate 31 slides in the arrow X ₂ direction, the opening 3a ₁ of the lower half member 3 is opened.

Further, the supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 are in a state of being braked by the brake 15 during the magnetic tape pull-out operation described below and until the magnetic tape pull-out operation is completed. The brake 15 is released by the brake release means (not shown) on the side of the device 40 (FIG. 7) after the magnetic tape drawing operation is completed.

When the slide plate 31 slides in the direction of the arrow X ₂ , the rack portions 31d ₁ and 31d ₂ and the tooth-chipped gear portion 1
Due to the meshing relationship of 1a ₁ and 11a ₂ , the supply-side and take-up-side first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B rotate around the reel shafts 8A and 8B in the front surface 3a direction (arrow direction) of the lower half member 3, respectively. Move. At this time, the shield portions (reel drive hole opening / closing means) 11b ₁ and 11b ₂ formed at the other ends of the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B are reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ formed in the lower half member 3. To open. In addition, the first magnetic tape pull-out arm 11A,
The first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11A are rotated by the rotation of 11B in the front surface 3a direction (arrow direction).
The second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A and 12B on the supply side and the winding side, which are connected to B via the support shafts 14A and 14B,
The second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A, 12 are pushed out in the front surface 3a direction by the transmission force from the support shafts 14A, 14B.
Pins 22A provided upright on the B, 22B is guided by the guide groove _3e 3, 3e ₄ formed in the lower half member 3 moves in the front surface 3a direction. Therefore, the second magnetic tape pull-out arm 1
2A and 12B move in the direction of the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3, but during this process, the second magnetic tape pull-out arm 12
The L-shaped brackets 21A and 21B connected to A and 12B via the pins 22A and 22B are linked with the L-shaped brackets 21A and 21B described above in association with the movement of the pins 22A and 22B connecting the both (12, 21). Due to the connection relationship with the front lid 5, the front lid 5 is opened.

After the front lid 5 is opened, the second magnetic tape is pulled.
The take-out arms 12A and 12B are further in front of the lower half member 3.
Since it moves in the direction of surface 3a, the second magnetic tape is pulled out.
The arms 12A and 12B are centered around the support shafts 14A and 14B.
The front surface 3 of the lower half member 3 which is erected at the tip while rotating.
It projects outside from a (the front surface of the cassette housing 2). Obey
By moving the magnetic tape pullout members 13A, 13B.
The magnetic tape T is attached to the front surface 3a (cassette) of the lower half member 3.
(The front surface of the housing 2) and the magnetic tape
Magnetic tape stretched between the pull-out members 13A and 13B
The front tape path Ts at the time of pulling out is formed. That is,
Magnetic tape pull-out means 10A, 10B which have reached position 2
The front tape path Ts when the magnetic tape is pulled out
It has been made. At this time, the tape when pulling out the magnetic tape
As described above, the length of the loop path is the guide groove 3e. _Three, 3e
_FourIt is always kept constant by the shape of. The above magnetic
When the front tape path Ts is formed at the time of pulling out the loop
Then, the magnetic tape pull-out operation is completed.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, in the apparatus 40, the magnetic tape pull-out means 10 that has reached the second position.
Since a large mouse space M is formed between the front tape path Ts formed by A and 10B when the magnetic tape is pulled out and the front surface 3a of the lower half member 3 (the front surface of the cassette housing 2), The magnetic tape loading members 42A and 42B on the device 40 side, the rotating drum 43, and the like can be inserted into the mouse space M. Since the large mouse space M is formed by the drawing operation of the magnetic tape T, the depth dimension D of the cassette housing 2 can be set small as described above. At this time, the brake 15 that has braked the take-up reels 6 and 7 is released by the brake release means (not shown) on the device 40 side after the magnetic tape drawing operation is completed. Further, the magnetic tape loading members 42A and 42B on the device 40 side are configured to be movable along the chassis base 41 in the direction of the rotary drum 43 (arrow direction), and the magnetic tape loading members 42A and 42B are moved to the mouse space M. Of the magnetic tape T, while moving in the direction of the rotary drum 43 while being attached from the inside of the magnetic tape T, the rotary drum 43 is moved to the outside (magnetic surface side) of the magnetic tape T.
And the magnetic tape T is wound around the rotating drum 43 at a predetermined angle. Further, the reel driving gear 44
A and 44B are reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e from below the "R-shaped" corners 3r ₁ and 3r ₂ formed in the lower half member 3.
₂ and feed and take-up reels 6, 7 gears 6
The supply and take-up reels 6 and 7 are rotationally driven by meshing with b ₁ and 7b ₁ .

Next, the operation of accommodating the magnetic tape T pulled out of the front surfaces 3a, 4a of the cassette housing 2 in the cassette housing 2 is the reverse operation of the magnetic tape drawing operation described above. That is, as the tape cassette 1 is detached from the device 40, the slide plate 31 slides in the direction of the arrow X ₁ and, in conjunction with this slide plate 31, the supply connected to the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B. The second magnetic tape pull-out arms 12A and 12B on the winding side and the winding side return to the magnetic tape storage state shown in FIG. At this time, the shield portions (reel drive hole opening / closing means) 11b ₁ and 11b ₂ formed on the first magnetic tape pull-out arms 11A and 11B close the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e ₂ formed in the lower half member 3. Therefore, as described above, the reel drive hole opening / closing means (11b ₁ , 11b) that interlocks with the mounting operation of the tape cassette 1.
b ₂ ) surely opens and closes the reel drive holes 3e ₁ and 3e _2, which can contribute to the quality and reliability of the tape cassette 1 and the device 40, and particularly when the tape cassette 1 is not mounted, inside the cassette housing. The magnetic tape T of 2 is the front lid 5 and the reel drive hole opening / closing means (11b ₁ , 11b
b ₂ ) is completely protected from invasion of dust, human hands, etc., which brings about advantages such as further improvement in quality and reliability of the tape cassette 1. Also at this time, the brake 15 maintains the operating state, and the tape path length when the magnetic tape is pulled out is kept substantially constant as described above. Therefore, the second magnetic tape pulling arms 12A and 12A.
Even when B returns to the magnetic tape storage state shown in FIG. 2, the tape path length during storage of the magnetic tape is substantially the same as the tape path length when the magnetic tape is pulled out. Therefore, in the embodiment, the operation of winding the magnetic tape T at the time of housing the magnetic tape is not necessary, which allows the inside of the cassette housing 2 or the device 4 to be wound.
Since it is not necessary to provide the magnetic tape winding drive means on the 0 (FIG. 7) side, the number of parts is reduced, the assembling performance is improved, and the inexpensive tape cassette 1 can be provided. Further, since abnormal tension or the like that occurs when the magnetic tape T is wound is not applied to the magnetic tape T, it can contribute to the quality and reliability of the tape cassette 1.

In the above embodiment, the front lid 5 is provided for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a tape cassette which does not require the front lid 5. Further, the mouse space M formed by the magnetic tape pull-out means (10A, 10B) can receive the magnetic tape loading members 42A, 42B, the rotary drum 43, etc. on the magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus 40 side. The present invention is not limited to this, and any member such as a capstan, a pinch roller, or a fixed head may be used as long as it is a tape guide member on the device side. Further, magnetic tape pulling means (10A, 10
Although B) has been described as being provided on each of the supply side and the winding side, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is clear that only one structure may be provided. Further, in the tape cassette of the embodiment, since the tape path length is kept constant when the magnetic tape is pulled out and when the magnetic tape is stored, the magnetic tape winding drive means is not needed when the magnetic tape is stored in the cassette housing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a configuration in which the magnetic tape winding drive means is provided in the tape cassette or on the apparatus side.

[0048]

According to the tape cassette of the present invention described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the supply and take-up reels are rotatably supported in the cassette housing, and are provided on the rear surface side of the cassette housing. Since the reel drive hole for the supply and take-up reel is formed, the reel stand on the magnetic recording and / or reproducing device side that engages with the center hole of the supply and take-up reel is not required, and thus the supply is possible. Since the reel boss diameter of the take-up reel can be kept small, the reel flange diameter dimension of both reels and the center-to-center distance between both reels can be set small, and the tape cassette width dimension can be made small. Further, since the reel stand is not required, the vicinity of the tape cassette mounting portion on the device side can be held low, and the height dimension of the device can be reduced. Further, at the time of designing the device, the arrangement of the reel drive member can be set without being affected by the magnetic tape guide member on the device side that enters from the front side of the tape cassette, which has the advantage of facilitating the design of the device. Occurs.

In the second aspect, the first aspect
In addition to having the effect described above, a pair of corners where the rear surface of the cassette housing and the pair of side surfaces intersect are formed in an R shape, and reel drive holes are formed in these pair of corners. Therefore, the pair of side surfaces can also be effectively used, and the size of the device can be further reduced.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the front lid for protecting the magnetic tape and the reel drive hole are closed when the tape cassette is not mounted, while the reel is driven in association with the mounting operation of the tape cassette when the tape cassette is mounted. Since the reel drive hole opening / closing means for opening the drive hole is provided in the cassette housing, the reel drive hole is reliably opened / closed by the reel drive hole opening / closing means interlocking with the mounting operation of the tape cassette. In addition to contributing to reliability, especially when the tape cassette is not mounted, the magnetic tape inside the cassette housing is completely protected from invasion of dust, human hands, etc. by the front lid and reel drive hole opening / closing means, and thus the tape cassette There are advantages such as further improvement in quality and reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of a tape cassette according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing a state in which a magnetic tape is pulled out to the front side of a cassette housing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a magnetic tape drawing operation in the same tape cassette, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing that the magnetic tape is stored in the cassette housing by the magnetic tape drawing means held at the first position. It is the top view and side view which showed the state where it was.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a magnetic tape pull-out operation in the same tape cassette, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are magnetic tape pull-out means pulled out of the cassette housing by the magnetic tape pull-out means that has reached the second position. It is the top view and side view which showed the state.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the vicinity of the supply and take-up reel shown in FIG.

5 is an enlarged plan view showing the magnetic tape pulling-out means shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the magnetic tape pull-out driving means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the tape cassette according to the present invention is mounted on a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining a conventional tape cassette, and FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the tape cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Tape cassette, 2 ... Cassette housing, 3 ... Lower half member, 3a ... Front surface, 3b ... Rear surface, 3c ... Right side surface, 3d ...
Left side surface 3e ₁ , 3e ₂ ... Reel drive hole 3r ₁ , 3r
₂ ... corner, 4 ... upper half member, 4a ... front, 4b ... rear face, 4c ... right side, 4d ... left side, _4r 1, 4r 2 _... corner, 5 ... front lid, 6 ... supply reel, 6b ... (lower ) Reel flange, 6b ₁ ... Engaging portion (gear portion), 7 ... Take-up reel, 6b ... (Lower) reel flange, 7b ₁ ... Engaging portion (gear portion), 8A, 8B ... Reel shaft, 11A, 11B … First
Magnetic tape pull-out arm, 11b ₁ , 11b ₂ ... Reel drive hole opening / closing means (shielding part), 40 ... Magnetic recording and / or reproducing device, 44A, 44B ... Reel drive member (reel drive gear), T ... Magnetic tape, Ta ... Front tape path when storing the magnetic tape, Ts ... Front tape path when pulling out the magnetic tape.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus,
Further, in a tape cassette in which a magnetic tape wound between a supply reel and a take-up reel is housed in a cassette housing and is stretched over a front surface side of the cassette housing to form a front tape path. And a reel drive on the device side that rotatably supports the take-up reel in the cassette housing and engages with an engaging portion formed on the reel flange of the supply and take-up reel on the rear surface side of the cassette housing. A tape cassette characterized in that a reel drive hole for allowing a member to enter therein is provided. 2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein, when the reel drive hole is formed on the rear surface side of the cassette housing, the rear surface of the cassette housing intersects with the rear surface and a pair of side surfaces. A tape cassette, characterized in that a pair of corners are formed in an R shape, and the reel drive holes are formed in the pair of corners. 3. The tape cassette according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an openable front lid is provided on the front surface of the cassette housing to cover the front side of the magnetic tape passed on the front surface of the cassette housing. At the same time, when the tape cassette is not mounted, the reel drive hole is closed, and when the tape cassette is mounted, the reel drive hole opening / closing means that opens the reel drive hole in association with the mounting operation of the tape cassette is provided in the cassette housing. A tape cassette characterized by being installed inside.