JPH11273308A - Magnetic tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a leader pin to be attachably and detachably held onto a cartridge case with a simple structure by providing an elastic structure capable of attachably and detachably holding the leader pin either at upper and lower ends of the leader pin to be engaged with the cartridge case or at engaging portions of the cartridge case facing the upper and lower ends of the leader pin. SOLUTION: Flange-shaped heads 21c of a leader pin 21 are respectively inserted into recesses 28 formed on the lower face of an upper case and the upper face of a lower case 3, and attachably and detachably held by spring members 30 provided in the recesses 28. The spring members 30, which comprises a holding portion 30a for receiving and elastically holding the flange- shaped head 21c, and a two-finger shaped engaging portion 30b, are attached to the recess 28 which has a wide portion 28a having a predetermined clearance with respect to the outer periphery of the holding portion 30a and a narrow portion 28b for holding the engaging portion 30b in a compressed state. Thus, the leader pin 21 is surely, and attachably and detachably, held at a predetermined position in the cartridge case 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge mainly used as a backup for a computer memory, and more particularly to a cartridge case in which a single reel wound with a magnetic tape is rotatably accommodated. The present invention relates to a structure for holding the leader pin in the cartridge case, in a magnetic tape cartridge having a leader pin for pulling out the magnetic tape attached to the end.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge used as a recording medium used for an external storage device such as a computer has a magnetic tape wound around a single reel.
This type of magnetic tape in which this reel is rotatably accommodated in a cartridge case is known. This magnetic tape is used for data storage of a computer or the like, and since important information is stored, trouble such as tape jamming occurs. The magnetic tape is configured so as not to be generated and the magnetic tape is not inadvertently pulled out.

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

[0004]

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

An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape cartridge capable of detachably holding a leader pin in a cartridge case with a simple structure.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a single reel on which a magnetic tape is wound is rotatably accommodated in a cartridge case, and a leader pin for pulling out the magnetic tape is fixed to a leading end of the magnetic tape. In the magnetic tape cartridge, the upper and lower ends of the leader pin engaging with the cartridge case or the engaging portions of the cartridge case with the upper and lower ends of the leader pin hold detachably the leader pin in the cartridge case. It is characterized in that an elastic structure is provided to enable this.

The leader pin is provided at its upper and lower ends with a flange-like head for engaging and holding the leader pin with the cartridge case. When the above-mentioned elastic structure is provided on the leader pin side, the flange-like head is attached to the leader pin. The flange-shaped head may be elastically fitted in grooves formed in the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the cartridge case with elasticity in the radial direction.

When the elastic structure is provided on the cartridge case side, a disc spring is press-fitted into a recess formed in at least one of the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the cartridge case, and the disc spring is attached to the flange-like head of the leader pin. What is necessary is just to elastically contact at least one of the upper and lower end surfaces. Or,
One end may have a leader pin holding portion elastically contacting at least one of the upper and lower end surfaces of the leader pin, and the other end may have a leaf spring having a locked portion inserted into a locking groove formed in the cartridge case. Good.

Further, when the elastic structure is provided on the cartridge case side, a spring member capable of elastically holding the flange-shaped head is elastically fitted in a groove formed on the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the cartridge case. do it.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the leader pin can be detachably held in the cartridge case with a very simple structure, and the productivity in assembling the cartridge case is improved.

[0011]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is set in a corresponding recording / reproducing device such as an external recording device,
As described above, the locking of the braking gears 9A, 23A between the brake button 9 and the reel hub 23 is released, so that the reel 4 is rotatable, and the magnetic rotary drive means is driven by the magnetic force via the reel plate 8. The reel 4 rotates without contact. At the same time, the slide door 27 is opened, the leader pin 21 is pulled into a predetermined position on the tape traveling path, and data can be read from and written to the magnetic tape 20.

The leader pin 21 is held and pulled in by a recording / reproducing apparatus using the magnetic tape cartridge 1 to introduce the magnetic tape 20 into a tape running path in the apparatus. 28
An elastic structure for detachably holding the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 or the leader pin 21 itself is provided.

2 to 6 show a first embodiment showing a structure for holding the leader pin 21, FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view, and FIG.
2 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, and FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an assembling structure of the spring member in the lower case 3, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state of being inserted into the inside.

As shown in FIG. 3, the leader pin 21 has a thin shaft portion 21b, which is engaged and held from the recording / reproducing apparatus side on both sides of a central shaft portion 21a to which the leading end of the magnetic tape 20 is fixed.
A flange-like head 21c is formed on each end of the cartridge case 7 for engaging and holding the leader pin 21 with the cartridge case 7. As described above, each flange-shaped head 21c is connected to the upper case 2 near the opening 26.
Are inserted into recesses 28 respectively formed on the lower surface of the lower case 3 and the upper surface of the lower case 3, and the two flanged heads 2 are mounted by spring members 30 mounted in the respective recesses 28.
1c and 21c are detachably held.

As is apparent from FIG. 5, the spring member 30 has a C-shaped holding portion 30a for receiving the flange-shaped head 21c of the leader pin 21 from the opening 30c side and holding it elastically, And a bifurcated engaging portion 30b connected to the side of the portion 30a opposite to the opening 30c side. The opening 30c is formed narrower than the diameter of the flange-shaped head 21 of the leader pin 21.

On the other hand, the concave portion 28 has a wide portion 28a having a predetermined clearance with respect to the outer edge of the holding portion 30a so as to displaceably hold the holding portion 30a of the spring member 30, and is connected to the deep portion of the wide portion 28a. And a narrow portion 28b for holding the bifurcated engaging portion 30b of the spring member 30 in a compressed state from both sides in a direction approaching each other.
Numeral 0 is attached to the concave portion 28 in a state where the engaging portion 30b is elastically fitted to the narrow portion 28b.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG.
When the leader pin 21 is inserted into the recess 28 from the opening 26 of the cartridge case 7, the holding portion 30 of the spring member 30 is moved by the flange-like head 21c of the leader pin 21.
a elastically deforms in a direction in which the opening 30c opens,
The flange-shaped head 21c is allowed to pass through the opening 30c, and as shown in FIG. 2, the flange-shaped head 21c is elastically held by the holding portion 30a, and the leader pin 21 is fixed at a predetermined position.

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

As described above, in the present embodiment, the spring member 30 is elastically fitted into the narrow portion 28b of the recess 28 by merely elastically fitting the forked engaging portion 30b of the spring member 30 to the upper case 2. Can be attached to the lower surface of the lower case 3 and the upper surface of the lower case 3. Therefore, the attachment of the spring member 30 to the cartridge case 7 is extremely easy, and the leader pin 21 is located at a predetermined position in the cartridge case 7 while having a very simple configuration. It can be securely and detachably held.

FIGS. 7 and 8 (a) and 8 (b) show a second embodiment of the structure for holding the leader pin 21, FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part, and FIG. FIG. 8B is a plan view of the spring, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the disc spring.

The disc spring 31 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B
A circular plate portion 31a having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the flange-shaped head 21c of the leader pin 21, and an annular leg portion 31b having a predetermined height and extending integrally around the periphery of the plate portion 31a. The plate 31a has a center hole 31c and eight grooves 31d extending radially from the center hole 31c to provide a spring between the grooves 31d. The disc spring 31 having such a configuration press-fits its annular leg portion 31b into a concave portion 32 formed on at least one of the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the cartridge case 7 (the inner wall surface of the lower case 3 in FIG. 7). Then, it is mounted on the cartridge case 7.

On the other hand, the end surface 21d of the flange-shaped head 21c of the leader pin 21 is formed in a convex spherical shape, and when the leader pin 21 is mounted on the cartridge case 7, as shown in FIG. Is bent along the end face 21d of the flanged head 21c, and the end face 21d
It resiliently contacts upward, thereby holding the leader pin 21 elastically. Even if the disc spring 31 is provided on both the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 of the cartridge case 7,
You may provide in either one.

Also in this embodiment, since the disc spring 31 can be attached to the cartridge case 7 simply by pressing the disc spring 31 into the recess 32 of the cartridge case 7, the attachment of the disc spring 31 to the cartridge case 7 is extremely easy. In addition, the leader pin 21 can be reliably and detachably held at a predetermined position in the cartridge case 7 with a very simple configuration.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a partial side view and a partial cross-sectional plan view, respectively, showing a third embodiment of the leader pin holding structure according to the third embodiment. FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the leaf spring.

The leaf spring 33 has a U-shaped curved spring portion 3.
At one end of 3a, there is provided a flat-plate-shaped leader pin holding portion 33b bent substantially at right angles from the spring portion 33a. A receiving recess 33b or hole is formed.

The other end of the spring portion 33a is also bent to form a locked end portion 33d for attaching the leaf spring 33 to the cartridge case 7.

On the other hand, at least one of the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the cartridge case 7 (the inner wall surface of the lower case 3 in FIG. 7).
As shown in FIG. 10, a wall 3 for locking the leaf spring 33 is provided.
4 is provided, for example, close to the side wall surface of the case 3. The locking projection 3 protruding from the side wall surface of the case 3
a, and locking projections 34a, 34 protrudingly provided on both sides of the locking projection 3a on the surface of the wall 34 facing the case 3.
b, a locking groove 35 capable of locking the locked end 33d of the leaf spring 33 is formed.

With such a configuration, the leaf spring 33
The locked end portion 33d is attached to the cartridge case 7 simply by inserting it into the locking groove 35, and has elasticity in the vertical direction in FIG. Therefore, when the leader pin 21 is mounted on the cartridge case 7, as shown in FIG. 9, the leader pin holding portion 33b of the leaf spring 33 resiliently contacts the end surface 21d of the flange-shaped head 21c. At a predetermined position.
The leaf spring 33 may be provided on both the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 of the cartridge case 7, or may be provided on either one of them.

Also in this embodiment, since the locked end portion 33d of the leaf spring 33 can be attached to the cartridge case 7 simply by inserting it into the locking groove 35 of the cartridge case 7, the leaf spring 33 3
3 is very easy to mount, and the leader pin 21 is attached to the cartridge case 7 while having a very simple configuration.
It can be securely and detachably held at a predetermined position in the inside.

Next, FIG. 13 and FIG.
13 shows a fourth embodiment of the holding structure of FIG. 1, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the leader pin 21.

The leader pin 21 in the present embodiment also
As with the leader pin 21 shown in FIG.
Are provided on both sides of a central shaft portion 21a to which the leading end portion is fixed. The thin shaft portions 21b, 21b are engaged and held from the recording / reproducing apparatus side. Flanged head 21c, 2
1c is formed, but in the present embodiment, the flange-shaped heads 21c, 21c themselves are provided with an elastic structure. That is, as is clear from FIG. 14, concentric grooves 21d, 21d opening in the direction of insertion into the cartridge case 7 are formed in the flange-like head 21c, and a pair of elastic beams 21e, 21e are provided.

On the other hand, the side walls 28c, 28c of the recess 28 formed on the lower surface of the upper case 2 near the opening 26 of the cartridge case 7 and the upper surface of the lower case 3, respectively.
Are tapered from the opening 26 side toward the back, and as the leader pin 21 is inserted toward the back of the recess 28, the flange-shaped heads 21c,
The elastic beams 21e, 21e of FIG.
The diameter is reduced by being pressed by c and 28c, whereby the leader pin 21 is elastically held by the recess 28.

In this embodiment, since the flange-like heads 21c of the leader pin 21 have an elastic structure, a spring member for detachably holding the leader pin 21 in the cartridge case 7 is provided on the cartridge case 7 side. There is no need to provide them, and the structure can be further simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a first embodiment of a leader pin holding structure.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view showing an assembly structure of the spring member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which a leader pin is inserted from an opening of a cartridge case into a recess.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a second embodiment of a leader pin holding structure.

8 is a plan view and a sectional view of the disc spring shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial side view showing a third embodiment of a holding structure for a leader pin, with a part in section.

FIG. 10 is a plan view, partially in section, showing a third embodiment of a holding structure for a leader pin;

FIG. 11 is a development view of the leaf spring shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the leaf spring shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional plan view showing a fourth embodiment of a leader pin holding structure.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the leader pin of FIG. 13;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic tape cartridge 2 Upper case 3 Lower case 4 Reel 7 Cartridge case 20 Magnetic tape 21 Leader pin 21c Flange-like head 26 Opening 27 Slide door 28 Depression 30 Spring member 31 Disc spring 33 Plate spring

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic tape cartridge comprising: a single reel on which a magnetic tape is wound; a single reel rotatably housed in a cartridge case; and a leader pin for pulling out the magnetic tape is attached to a tip of the magnetic tape. Either the upper or lower end of the leader pin engaging with the cartridge case or the engaging portion of the cartridge case with the upper or lower end of the leader pin enables elastic holding of the leader pin in the cartridge case in a detachable manner. A magnetic tape cartridge having a structure. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic structure comprises a disc spring which is press-fitted into a recess formed in at least one of the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the cartridge case and elastically contacts at least one of the upper and lower end surfaces of the leader pin. Claim 1
The magnetic tape cartridge as described in the above. 3. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said elastic structure has a leader pin holding portion elastically contacting at least one of upper and lower end surfaces of said leader pin, and a second end inserted into a locking groove formed in said cartridge case. 2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, comprising a leaf spring having a locking portion.