JPH0620434A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve degree of freedom in designing a presser spring and to simplify the assembly of the tape cassette and also to reduce the manufacturing cost by eliminating the problem of deviation of a tape reel from a specified position in an assembly process of the tape cassette. CONSTITUTION:The tape cassette has a cassette case 3 composed by coupling and integrating an upper half 1 and a lower half 2, molded with synthetic resins. The presser spring 21 having an approximately L-shaped cross section is provided in the tape cassette where one pair of right and left tape reels 6 and (5) wound with a magnetic tape are freely turnably housed in this cassette case 3. A turn-back part 21c of this presser spring 21 is press-fitted into an engagement groove 22 provided in a central part of a back label side of the lower half 2, and the turning center of the tape reel 6 is touched and pressed by a tongue piece 21a of one part of the presser spring 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette used in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as shown in FIG. 10, a tape cassette used in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder is constructed by winding a magnetic tape in a cassette housing 103 composed of an upper half 101 and a lower half 102. It is constructed by rotatably housing a pair of mounted tape reels 104 and 105.

When this tape cassette is mounted in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce an information signal on or from the magnetic tape, a reel base fitting hole (not shown) for each of the tape reels 104 and 105 is provided. The reel stand on the apparatus side is inserted into and fitted to the device, and the reel stand is rotatably driven by a motor or the like to rotate the tape reels 104 and 105, thereby feeding or winding the magnetic tape.

In this case, in order to ensure stable running of the magnetic tape, the reel stand is surely fitted into the reel stand fitting holes of the tape reels 104 and 105 even when the tape cassette is used in a vertical state. It is necessary to be doing. Therefore, conventionally, the reel pressing spring 106 is attached to the upper half 101, and the reel pressing spring 10
6 is used to press the tape reels 104 and 105, in particular, the center of rotation thereof toward the reel stand side.

[0005]

By the way, in the assembly process of the tape cassette, first, a pair of tape reels 104 and 105 on which a magnetic tape is wound are placed on the lower half 102, and in that state, the upper half is placed. The lower half 102 is covered with 101. After that, the upper half 101 and the lower half 102 are joined and assembled by screwing screws into the upper half 101 through a plurality of (usually four) screw holes (not shown) provided in the lower half 102. Is completed.

However, since the tape reels 104 and 105 are simply placed on the lower half 102, vibration in the step of covering the lower half 102 with the upper half 101 and the step of joining the upper half 101 and the lower half 102 together. Etc., the tape reels 104 and 105 are displaced from the prescribed positions, and the tape reels 104 and 1
There was an inconvenience that the magnetic tape wound around 05 was broken. This leads to defective assembly of the tape cassette, which is one of the causes of a decrease in the yield of the tape cassette.

The height of the tape cassette is usually set with reference to the lower half 102. However, in the conventional tape cassette, since the reel pressing spring 106 is attached to the upper half 101, the upper half 10 may be affected by, for example, manufacturing variations or temperature changes.
If the tape 1 is deformed such as warped, the height of the pressing spring 106 varies after the tape cassette is assembled, and the pressing force applied to each tape reel 104 and 105 is between the left and right tape reels 104 and 105 and the tape cassette. There is an inconvenience that the tape reels 104 and 105 may not rotate properly depending on the product due to variations between the lots (lots).

Therefore, when designing the pressing spring 106, the spring coefficient is set in consideration of the deformation of the upper half 101 and the like.
That is, there is a problem in that the degree of freedom in design is reduced because the material and dimensions must be determined. This becomes remarkable as the tape cassette becomes thinner, which causes an increase in the manufacturing cost of the tape cassette.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to eliminate the problem that the tape reel is displaced from the specified position in the process of assembling the tape cassette. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape cassette that can design a pressing spring without being affected by deformation of the upper half, simplify the assembly of the tape cassette, and effectively reduce the manufacturing cost. .

[0010]

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, a pair of tape reels are attached to a support base (lower half) 2 which rotatably supports a pair of tape reels 5 and 6. A pressing spring 21 that supports 5 and 6 on the side of the support base 2 is attached and configured.

[0011]

For example, when assembling the tape cassette of the present invention, first, the pair of tape reels 5 and 6 on which the magnetic tape 4 is wound are placed on the support base 2. Then, the pressing spring 21 is attached to the support base 2, and the pair of tape reels 5 and 6 mounted on the support base 2 are attached to the support base 2.
The assembly is completed by supporting it on the side.

Since the pair of tape reels 5 and 6 are supported on the side of the support base 2 by the pressing springs 21 attached to the support base 2, even if the support base 2 is inverted in this state, the pair of tapes 5 The reels 5 and 6 do not drop, and the reels 5 and 6 do not shift from the mounted position. Therefore, in this state, that is, in a state where the tape reels 5 and 6 are exposed, it can be used as a tape cassette.

Also, when the upper half 1 and the supporting base body (in this case, the lower half) 2 are joined, as in a tape cassette supplied to the general market, for example,
The pair of tape reels 5 and 6 are supported on the side of the support base 2 by the pressing springs 21 attached to the support base 2, so that the tape reels 5 and 6 are not displaced from the mounted positions. That is, the pressing spring 21 performs a temporary fixing function.

[0014]

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

As shown in FIG. 1, this tape cassette has a cassette housing 3 which is constructed by joining and integrating an upper half 1 and a lower half 2 molded of synthetic resin. Inside the cassette housing 3, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right tape reels 5 on which the magnetic tape 4 is wound.
And 6 are rotatably housed.

As shown in FIG. 3, these tape reels 5 and 6 are cylindrical reel bodies 7 around which the magnetic tape 4 is wound.
And an upper flange 8 and a lower flange 9 for guiding the winding state of the magnetic tape 4 wound around the reel body 7, and the reel body 7 is formed into the lower half 2 on the lower flange 9 side. The reel hole 10 is provided so as to face the outside. A protrusion 11 is provided at the center of rotation of the upper flange 8.

Further, the reel body 7 is provided with a reel stand fitting hole (not shown) having a center hub. For example, it is mounted on a reel stand (not shown) of the video tape recorder main body, and this is mounted by a motor. By rotationally driving, the magnetic tape is fed out or wound up.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical portion 12 for temporarily fixing the upper half 1 is formed in the center portion of the lower half 2 on the spine label side, and between the cylindrical portion 12 and the rib 13. Two
Two reinforcing plates 14 and 15 are formed as a single body symmetrically,
One reinforcing plate 16 is integrally formed between the tubular portion 12 and the inner wall of the lower half 2 on the spine label side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper half 1 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 17 at a position corresponding to the cylindrical portion 12. The outer diameter of the protrusion 17 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the fitting hole 18 of the tubular portion 12.

In this embodiment, the pressing spring 21 is provided in the gap between the tubular portion 12 for temporary fixing and the rib 13.
The two fitting grooves 22 for mounting are respectively formed at symmetrical positions. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing spring 21 has a substantially L-shaped cross section as a whole. This L
One tongue piece 21a extends horizontally with the bent portion of the character shape as a boundary, and the other tongue piece 21b is folded back into a substantially U shape at its lower end.

Then, two pressing springs 21 are prepared, and the folded-back portions 21c of the other tongue pieces 21b are press-fitted into the fitting grooves 22, whereby the two pressing springs 21 are attached to the lower half 2. It is attached. At this time, the lower surface of the tip of one tongue piece 21a of each pressing spring 21 contacts and presses the projection 11 of the upper flange 8 of the corresponding tape reel 5 and 6, and moves upward and laterally of the tape reel 4 and 5. Prevent the movement of. This pressure spring 2
The pressing force of 1 is determined by the height h of the other tongue piece 21b.

Next, a method of assembling the tape cassette according to this embodiment will be described. First, a pair of tape reels 5
After the magnetic tape 4 is wound around the magnetic tapes 6 and 6, the pair of tape reels 5 and 6 is placed at a predetermined position on the inner surface of the lower half 2. After that, the pressing spring 21 is attached to the lower half 2 by press fitting the pressing spring 21 into each fitting groove 22. At this time, the pair of tape reels 5 and 6 are temporarily fixed at a predetermined position (position where they are placed) by the pressing force of the pressing spring 21, and the tape reel 5
And 6 will not be displaced from their predetermined positions.

Thereafter, the cylindrical projection 17 of the upper half 1 is press-fitted into the fitting hole 18 of the cylindrical portion 12 of the lower half 2 to temporarily fix the upper half 1 to the lower half 2. After that, the upper half 1 and the lower half 2 are joined by screwing a screw from below the lower half 2 into the upper half 1 through a plurality of (usually four) screw holes 23 provided in the lower half 2. Then the assembly is completed.

As described above, according to the tape cassette of this embodiment, the pair of tape reels 5 and 6 is attached to the lower half 2 which rotatably supports the pair of tape reels 5 and 6. Since the pressing spring 21 for supporting the upper half 1 is attached to the lower half 2 in the step of temporarily fixing the upper half 1 to the lower half 2 and the step of joining the upper half 1 and the lower half 2 together, the pressing spring 21 is used for so-called temporary fixing. Since the tape reels 5 and 6 function as a jig, the tape reels 5 and 6 will not be displaced from the specified positions, and the magnetic tape 4 wound around the tape reels 5 and 6 will not be broken. Therefore, it is possible to easily assemble the tape cassette, eliminate defective assembly of the tape cassette, and improve the yield of the tape cassette.

Further, since the pressing spring 21 is attached to the lower half 2 in the above example, the height and the pressing force thereof are not influenced by the deformation of the upper half 1. Therefore, after the tape cassette is assembled, even if the upper half 1 is deformed, the height h of the pressing spring 21 does not vary, and the pressing force applied to the tape reels 5 and 6 is left and right. 6 reels and tape cassettes (lots) no longer vary, and tape reel 5
Also, there is no possibility of causing the rotation failure of 6 and 6. Therefore, it is not necessary to design the pressing spring 21 in consideration of the deformation of the upper half 1, and the degree of freedom in designing the pressing spring 21 can be improved.

As a result, the manufacturing cost of the tape cassette can be reduced, and the tape cassette can be made thinner.

Further, in this embodiment, the tape cassette can be used while the tape reels 5 and 6 are placed on the lower half 2 and the number of parts can be reduced (upper half 1, for joining). The number of screws, the tubular portion 11 for temporarily fixing the upper half 1 and the fitting hole 18) can be reduced). In this case, in order to prevent dust or the like from entering the tape reels 5 and 6 and the magnetic tape 4, for example, a film-like sheet (corresponding to the upper half 1) may be covered on the lower half 2. .

Next, FIG. 5 shows some modified examples of this embodiment.
~ It demonstrates based on FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is described about what corresponds to FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows a first modified example, in which the other tongue 21b of the pressing spring 21 is folded back to the folded portion 21c.
Is formed with a fitting groove 31 extending continuously in the vertical direction, and the folded-back portion 21c is formed to have a curvature along the outer shape of the tubular portion 12. And the pressing spring 2
When attaching 1 to the lower half 2, by inserting the presser spring 21 into the gap between the cylindrical portion 12 and the rib 13 while fitting the reinforcing plate (for example, 14) in the fitting groove 31 of the presser spring 21. Be seen.

FIG. 6 shows a second modification, and the pressing spring 21 according to the second modification has substantially the same shape as that of the first modification. Then, in the second modified example, the pressing spring 21 is inserted into the rib 32 at the corner portion on the spine label side of the lower half 2 as illustrated. Therefore, the folded-back portion 21 of the pressing spring 21
The c is formed to have a curvature along the outer shape of the screw hole 23 provided in the lower half 2.

FIG. 7 shows a third modified example. The pressing spring 21 according to the third modified example can be fitted into the fitting hole 18 of the cylindrical portion 12 and penetrates in the axial direction. It has a cylindrical portion 34 in which a hole 33 is formed. A ring-shaped flange 35 is integrally formed on the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 34,
The flange 35 is integrally formed with a tongue piece 36 extending in the direction of the left and right tape reels 5 and 6. Also,
In the third modification, the fitting hole 18 of the lower half 2 is used.
A protrusion 37 protruding inward is provided inside. The protrusion 3 is provided below the cylindrical portion 34 of the pressing spring 21.
A recess 38 corresponding to No. 7 is formed.

When the pressing spring 21 is attached to the lower half 2, the cylindrical portion 34 of the pressing spring 21 is attached to the lower half 2.
It is performed by press-fitting and fitting into the fitting hole 18 of the cylindrical portion 12. At this time, the concave portion 38 below the cylindrical portion 34
The projection 37 in the fitting hole 18 engages with the pressing spring 21.
Unnecessary rotation is prevented. Regarding the positional relationship between the concave portion 38 and the projection 37, the cylindrical portion 34 is press-fitted into the fitting hole 18, and the two tongue pieces 36 correspond to each other.
The positional relationship is such that the concave portion 38 and the protrusion 37 are just engaged when the rotation centers (projection 11: see FIG. 3) of 6 and 6 are contacted and pressed.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth modified example. The pressing spring 21 according to the fourth modified example has substantially the same structure as the pressing spring 21 according to the third modified example, but it has a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the portion 34 is formed to be relatively large so that the tubular portion 12 of the lower half 2 can be fitted therein. Further, the cylindrical portion 34 is formed with three fitting grooves 39 extending upward from the lower end thereof.

The pressing spring 21 is attached to the lower half 2
In the case of attaching to, the cylindrical portion 12 of the lower spring 2 is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion 34 of the pressing spring 21. At this time, the reinforcing plates 14, 15 and 16 are inserted into the three fitting grooves 39 formed in the cylindrical portion 34, respectively, and unnecessary rotation of the pressing spring 21 is prevented. As for the formation position of each fitting groove 39, the cylindrical portion 12 is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion 34 and the two tongues 36 respectively correspond to the rotation centers of the tape reels 5 and 6 (projection 11: see FIG. ), The reinforcing plates 14, 15 and 16 are just inserted into the corresponding fitting grooves 39 when they are pressed and contacted.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth modified example. The presser spring 21 according to the fifth modified example includes a reinforcing plate 14,
It has a ring portion 41 placed so as to bridge the upper ends of 15 and 16. The inner diameter of the ring portion 41 is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the fitting hole 18 of the tubular portion 12. And
Holes 42, 43 and 44 for caulking are provided in the ring portion 41 at positions corresponding to the reinforcing plates 14, 15 and 16, respectively. Two holes 42 and 43 in the periphery of the ring portion 34
The rising pieces 45 and 46 rising upward and the tongue pieces 47 and 48 extending in the horizontal direction from the upper ends of the rising pieces 45 and 46 are integrally formed on the periphery of the portion corresponding to. In the illustrated example, a recess 49 is formed between the two rising pieces 45 and 48 in the peripheral edge of the ring portion 41 so that the rising pieces 45 and 46 themselves have a spring property. On the other hand, each reinforcing plate 1 of the lower half 2
At the upper ends of 4, 15 and 16, the holes 44, 45 are provided.
Protrusions 51, 52, and 53 for caulking are integrally formed at the locations corresponding to 46 and 46.

The pressing spring 21 is attached to the lower half 2
In the case of mounting on the reinforcing plates 14, 15 and 16, first, the corresponding protrusions 51, 52 and 53 are inserted into the holes 42, 43 and 44 formed in the pressing spring 2, respectively. Place on. After that, protrusion 5
1, 52 and 53 are heat-melted, for example, and the tip end portions thereof are crushed, so that the presser spring 21 is reinforced.
The pressing spring 21 is attached to the lower half 2 by caulking on 5 and 16.

Also in the above-mentioned various modified examples, since the pressing spring 21 functions as a so-called temporary fixing jig as in the above-described embodiment, the tape reels 5 and 6 will not be displaced from the prescribed positions. Further, the magnetic tape 4 wound around the tape reels 5 and 6 does not collapse. Therefore, it is possible to easily assemble the tape cassette, eliminate defective assembly of the tape cassette, and improve the yield of the tape cassette.

Further, as in the above embodiment, it is not necessary to design the pressing spring 21 in consideration of the deformation of the upper half 1, etc., so that the degree of freedom in designing the pressing spring 21 can be improved. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the tape cassette can be reduced, and the tape cassette can be made thinner.

[0038]

As described above, according to the tape cassette of the present invention, the pressing base for supporting the pair of tape reels on the supporting base side is provided on the supporting base for rotatably supporting the pair of tape reels. Since I decided to attach
The tape cassette can be used while the tape reel is placed on the supporting base. In order to prevent dust and the like from entering the tape reel and the magnetic tape, a film-like sheet (corresponding to the upper half) may be covered on the support base.

When the tape cassette is composed of a cassette housing composed of an upper half and a lower half, in the step of covering the lower half with the upper half and the step of joining the upper half and the lower half, the pressing spring is so-called temporary. Since it functions as a fixing jig, the tape reel will not be displaced from the specified position, and the magnetic tape wound around the tape reel will not be destroyed. Therefore, it is possible to easily assemble the tape cassette, eliminate defective assembly of the tape cassette, and improve the yield of the tape cassette.

Further, in the case of the pressing spring in the above example,
Since it is attached to the lower half, its height and pressing force do not depend on the deformation of the upper half. Therefore, even after the tape cassette is assembled, even if the upper half is deformed, the height of the pressing spring does not vary, and the pressing force applied to the tape reels is high between the left and right tape reels and between the tape cassettes (between lots). ) Does not cause fluctuations in the tape reel, and it does not lead to defective rotation of the tape reel. Therefore,
It is not necessary to design the pressing spring in consideration of deformation of the upper half, and the degree of freedom in designing the pressing spring can be improved.

As a result, the manufacturing cost of the tape cassette can be reduced, and the tape cassette can be made thinner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a tape cassette according to the present invention (hereinafter,
It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tape cassette according to the example).

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part showing a positional relationship between a tape reel and a pressing spring in a lower half.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration of a pressing spring according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a first modified example of the tape cassette according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a second modification of the tape cassette according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a third modification of the tape cassette according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part showing a fourth modified example of the tape cassette according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a fifth modified example of the tape cassette according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a tape cassette according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Upper half 2 Lower half 3 Cassette housing 4 Magnetic tape 5,6 Tape reel 12 Cylindrical part 17 Cylindrical protrusion 18 Fitting hole 21 Holding spring 22 Fitting groove

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A tape cassette comprising: a support base that rotatably supports a pair of tape reels; and a holding spring that supports the pair of tape reels on the support base side. 2. The support base has a fitting groove on its upper surface, and the pressing spring includes a first tongue piece fitted in the fitting groove and a first tongue extending toward the pair of tape reels. The tape cassette according to claim 1, which has two tongue pieces. 3. The support base has a fitting hole in an upper surface thereof, and the pressing spring has a cylindrical portion press-fitted into the fitting hole, and the pair of tape reels is provided on an upper portion of the cylindrical portion. The tape cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a tongue piece extending to the side. 4. The fitting hole has a protrusion projecting inwardly on the inner surface thereof, and the cylindrical portion has a recessed portion at a position corresponding to the protrusion on the lower portion thereof.
The described tape cassette. 5. The support base has a cylindrical portion having a fitting hole on an upper surface thereof, and the pressing spring has a cylindrical portion into which the cylindrical portion is press-fitted, and the upper portion of the cylindrical portion has the cylindrical portion. The tape cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of tongue pieces extending toward the tape reel side. 6. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein when the tape cassette is composed of a cassette housing in which an upper half and a lower half are joined and integrated, the supporting base is a lower half. Any one of the tape cassettes. 7. The tape cassette according to claim 6, wherein the fitting hole is a hole into which a protrusion formed on the upper half is fitted to temporarily fix the upper half to the lower half.