Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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BACKGROUND OF T~IE ~NVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to tape cassettes
and more particularly is direc-ted to improvements in tape
cassettes for protecting the tape contents thereoE, when not in
use, and for facilitating the accurate positioning of the tape
cassettes on magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus.
The use of tape cassettes in magnetic recording and/or
reproducing apparatus has been expanding steadily as a result
10 of the protection afforded to the tape and the ease with which ~--
the tape can be loaded on the apparatus for a recording or
reproducing operation. Initially~ tape cassettes were used in
connection with magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
of the type having a fixed magnetic head projected into the
cassette housing through a relatively small window. However,
it has recently been proposed to employ tape cassettes in
apparatus of the type having one or more rotary magnetic heads,
for example, as in magnetic tape apparatus for recording and
,
reproducing video signals. Par-ticularly in the latter case,
it is necessary that the tape cassette be easily and accurately
po:itioned on the apparatus in order to ensure the reliable
operation of an associated tape loading device by which the
tape is withdrawn from the cassette housing and wrapped about
a cylindrical guide drum for scanning in oblique tracks by the
rotary magnetic head or heads associated with such drum.
When the recording and reproducing of signals on the
tape is effected by a rotary magnetic head or heads, as above,
~it is necessary to provide the cassette housing with an open-
ing through which the tape can be withdrawn for engagement with
such head or heads. However, if the cassette housing is pro-
vided with an opening of sufficient size to permit the with~
drawal of the tape from the cassette through such opening,
~064005
there is the danger that the tape may be accidentally or
carelessly damaged through the opening when the cassette is
not in use.
The foregoing danger may be avoided by the cassette
disclosed in U. S. Patent 3,735,939, issued May 29, 1973, and
having a common assignee herewith. The cassette disclosed in
that patent is provided with a lid which is normally spring
biased to cover the tape extending across the opening of the
cassette housing when the cassette is not in use. However, in
this previously proposed tape cassette, the opening extends
along only a part of a side wall of the cassette housing 50 ~ .
that the size of the opening is restricted, particularly when
it is desired to minimize the overall dimensions of the tape
cassette. Such restriction of the size of the cassette open-
ing is disadvantageous in that it imposes severe limitations
on the design and reliability of the tape loading device,~ which
is to be provided for withdrawing the tape from the cassette
and wrapping the tape about the previously mentioned guide
drum.
U. SO Patent 2,941,741 discloses a similar tape
; cassette in which an opening extends along the entire length
of one side of the cassette housing and a lid is provided for
normally covering all of such opening. Although the foregoing
arrangement ensures that the size of the opening will be
adequate even when the overall dimensions of the cassette are
minimized; other difficulties are encountered, particularly
n~respect to the loading of the cassette on the magnetic
tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus. In general, in
~ . ~ . . . order to simplify the loading of the tape cassette on the
30~ apparatus, the latter ls~provided with a cassette loading
mechanism that includes a holder for receiving the tape cas- ;
sette in a convenient or accessible posi-tion and for carrying
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the cassette to an operative position at whi.ch the hubs oE
take-up and supply reels within the cassette housing are en-
gaged by respective reel drive shafts or spindles of a tape
transport assembly. When the cassette load:ing mechanism
includes a holder, as aforesaid, it is necessary to accura-tely
position the cassette in respect to the holder when received
in the latter so as to ensure that, in the operative position
of the holder, the tape supply and take-up reels will be
properly engaged by the respective reel drive shafts and the
run of the tape extending across the opening of the cassette
housing will be properly positioned in respect to a tape
engaging pin or member of the tape loading device by which the
tape is to be withdrawn from the cassette housing and wrapped
about the guide drum.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned correct
positioning of the cassette housing in respect to the casse~te ..
holder, it is necessary that the holder have abutments thereon
engageable by respective locating elements provided on the
cassette housing preferably adjacent the opening of the latter.
However, when the opening extends along an entire side of the
cassette housing and the lld is formed to close the entire
opening, as in U. S.Patent 2,941,741, the lid stands in the
way of the engagement of abutments on the holder with position- .
ing elements formed on the cassette housing:adjacent to the :: -
opening. Accordingly, with the described arrangement, the ..
abutments on the holder have to be engageable with the lid
:: .
~ itself in the closed position of the latter. The engagement
: . . -
of the abutments with the lid cannot ensure the reliable :: ~-
accurate positioninq of the cassette housing by reason of the
~: 30 necessar~ clearances that have to be provided between the lid
.
::~ and cassette housing for permitting the free movement of the
lid between its opened and closed positions. Further, such
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106401~)5
clearance tends to increase with long continued use of the
cassette and may even vary from cassette to cassetteO Even if
it is assumed that the engagement of the abutments on the
holder with the lid of the tape cassette can achieve the
accurate positioning of the cassette housing relative to the
holder, it will be apparent that, after such positioning has
been effected, the abutments on the holder have to be moved
away from the lid to permit the openin~ of the latter and,
therefore, the construction of the holder is unduly complicated.
In existing tape cassettes of the described type,
for example, as specifically disclosed in U. S. Patent 3,735,939,
the opening in a side wall of the cassette housing communicates
with a cutout in the adjacent portion of the bottom wall so --
that the tape engaging pin or pins of a tape loading device
provided for extracting the tape from the cassette can extend
upwardly in such cutout for disposition in back of the run of
the tape extending across the opening through which the tape
~ .
is to be withdrawn or extracted. With the foregoing arrange-
ment~ the lid, in its closed position, merely covers the
opening ln the side wall of the cassette housing and the cut-
out in the bottom wall remains exposed. Therefore, there is
the possibility that, when the cassette is not in use, the
tape lying in back of the closed lid may be contacted through
the cutout and either loosened or damaged.
Cassette loading mechanisms provided for receiving
~a tape cassette and moving~the latter to an operative position
on a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus are
. .
variously arranged for receiving the tape cassette in the -
holder by sliding of the cassette either in the direction ~ -
parallel to the side of the cassette housing having the open-
ing therein or in the direction perpendicular to that side of ~ -
the housing. However, existing tape cassettes are provided -~
:
.
.
106~5
with guiding means Eor guiding the cassette housing into the
holder in only one of the described directions, Eor example,
in the direction perpendicular to the side of the cassette
housing having an opening therein, as in U. S. Patent 3,735,939.
The aforesaid tape cassettes are also provided with a latching
mechanism for locking the lid in its closed position when the
cassette is not in use, and such latching mechanism is adapted
to be released in response to the sliding movement of the
cassette into the respective holder. However, such release of
the locking mechanism requires the insertion of the tape cas-
sette in a single direction into the holder. Thus, the exist-
ing tape cassettes are not suitable for use in connection with
the various available cassette loading mechanisms having hol-
ders adapted to receive the cassettes in either of the
described directions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an o~ject of this invention to
provide a tape cassette which avoids the above-mentioned dis-
advantages of tape cassettes of the described type.
More specifically, it is an object of this invention
to provide a tape cassette of the described type with means
, . .
~ by which the cassette housing can be reliably and accurately
.
located in respect to a holder therefor without interfering
`~ with opening of the lid.
Another object is to provide a tape cassette, as
aforesaid, in which the bottom wall of the cassette housing is
formed with a cutout`co~lmunicating with the opening e~tending
: ~ .
~ ~ along a side of the housing for the purposes previously
.
described, and in which the lid is formed so that, in its -
closed position, the run of the -tape extending along the open-
ing of the cassette housing is substantially protected from
damage thereto through the cutout in the bottom wall.
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. .
~L~64~VS
Still another ohject is to provid~ ~ -tape cassett~,
as aEoresaid, which is s~litable for use in connection with
cassette loading mechanisms having holders adapted to receive
the cassette either in the direct.ion parallel to the open side ~
o~ the cassette housing or in the direction at ri.ght angles
thereto.
A further object is to provide a tape cassette, as
aforesaid, in which the latch mechanism for locking the lid in
its closed position is releasable in response to the movement
of the cassette into a holder in either of the described
directions.
In accordance with an aspect of this in~ention, the :
cassette housing is provided with integral locating elements
which extend through notches or cutouts in the lid so as to
be engageable with abutments on the holder of a cassette ~. .
loading mechanism for accurately and reliably locating the . -
cassette housing while avoiding interference with opening of . .:
the lid in the holder. . .
In order to protect the run of the tape extending -
20 along the open side of the cassette housing, it is a feature ..
of this invention to provide the lid with one or more parti-
tions depending from the top of the lid parallel to the front
wall:of the latter so as to define a channel accommodating : :.
the run of the tape in the closed position of the lid, whereby
:to prevent contact with the tape through the cutout portion of . :
the bottom wall of the cassette housing. ::.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the -.::
:: .
invention, the cassette housing is provided with guides, for . ~:
~ example, in the form of grooves in exterior wall surfaces of ~ :
::: 30 the housing, which extend at right angles to each other, :
that is, in the two directions of possible insertion of the
cassette into a holder, and which are asy~metrically located
: '
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iL~6~!~)05
in respect of the respective wall sur:Eaces to ensure the proper
orientation of the cassette when inserted in a holder.
In accordance with another feature of this invention,
the cassette housing is provided with openi.ngs in right-
angularly related side walls adjacent a corner of the cassette
housing and communicating or registering wi.th respective cut
outs of the lid, in the closed position of the latter, and the
latch mechanism for locking the lid in its closed position is
releasable by an actuating element extending into the cassette
housing through either of such openings and the registered
cutout, whereby to permit the release of the latch mechanism
in response to movement of the tape cassette into a holder in ~-
either of the described directions. .. .
More particularly, there is provided a combination ..
of a tape cassette comprising a housing of generally rectangu-
lar configuration containing a supply of tape and having top .
and bottom walls and a peripheral wall extending between said
., .
: top and bottom walls along three of the sides of the latter so ::
as to leave an opening along the fourth side of the housing
20 ; ~through which the tape can be withdrawn, said tape cassette
being insertable into a cassette holder in a selected one of : :
: at least two directions parallel to said fourth side and at ` :
.
rlght angles to the:latter, respectively, a lid including an ~:.
elongated front portion substantially coextensive in length
with said fourth side of:the housing and ears directed rear- ;
wardIy from said:front portion at:the opposite ends of the
latter, said.ears.being pivoted on said peripheral wall of the . :.
hous]ng at;the sides of the~latter which extend at right
angles to said fourth-side~for movement of said lid between a . ~.
::
:3:0~ cIosed.positio~ covering said opening and an opened position
exposing said opening, and latching means disposed in said :.
housing adjacent:said.peripheral wall near a corner of the
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005
housing between said .~ourth side and a contiguous side oE said
housing; and in which said latching means is yieldably urged
toward said peripheral wall to engage the adjacent one of said
ears oE khe lid and lock the latter in said closed position
thereof, and said housing has apertures therein adjacent said
corner and respectively opening in said directions parallel to .
said fourth side and at right angles to the latter and through
which said latching means can be selectively released from said
lid to permit movement of the latter to .said opened position
10 upon insertion of the tape cassette into a cassette holder in . .
the respective one of said directions. - .
The above, and othe$:objects,.-:featur.es and:advantages .
of.this invéntion, will be apparent in the following detailed
description of an`illustrative embodiment which is to be read
in conneation with the~accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cassette in .
accordance with an embodiment of this invention, and which is
shown ~ith its lid partially opened;
ao~ Fig. 2 is:a sectional~view taken along the line II
on Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the tape cassette according
to this invention, but with the top wall of the cassette
housing being removed; : .
Fig. 4 is a bottom~plan view of the tape cassette;
: Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V - V on :.
Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
manner in which the tape cassette according to this invention
:30 : 1s engageable with driving and locating elements of a kypical
; magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus:
Fig~ 7 is a side elevational view of a cassette
; : ~ ~ . .'
8-
~06~a005
loading ~echanism adapted to receive a tape cassette according
to this invention and being effective to dispose such tape
cassette in an operative position on the recording and/or
reproducing apparatus;
E~ig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the condi-
tion o~ the tape cassette according to this invention in the
course of its insertion into a holder included in the cassette
loading mechanism of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a perspecti~e view similar to that oE
10 Fig. 8, but showing the tape cassette in the condition thereof ~
when located in its operative position by means of the asso- -
ciated holder; and
Figs. 10 and 11 are schematic perspective views ~-~
illustrating the manner in which the tape cassette according `~
to this invention may be inserted into a holder in two differ-
~nt right-angularly related directions. ~ -
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIM~NT
Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially
to Figs. 1 - 3 thereof, it will be seen that a tape cassette
. ~ ., .
T according to this invention generally comprises a substan-
tially rectangular cassette housing 1 formed of mating upper ~ ;-
and lower sections la and lb which are suitably secured
,.
~ together and which are respectively constituted by top and
~ : .
bottom walls having side wall-defining flanges extending along
~one of the relatively long sides and both relatively short
sides of the rectangular housing 1. Thus, the other relatively
~ long~side of cassette housing 1 is open or without a side wall
;~ and cooperates with a contiguous trap0zoidal cutout in the bot-
~; tom wall to define a recess or opening 10 through which tape
11 contained within the cassette housing can be extracted or
withdrawn there~rom. The tape cassette T further comprises a
.
; lid 12 which is pivoted on cassette housing 1 and which is ` ~
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10~4~05
adapted, in a closed position, to close or cover the openrelatively long side of cassette housing 1.
~ s shown particularly on Figs. 2 and 3, the supply
of tape 11 contained in cassette housing 1 is wound on supply
and take-up reels 2 and 3. The supply reel 2 is shown to : .
include a cylindrical hub 4 which, at its lower end, is loosely ::
and rotatably guided in a circular hole 7 provided in the bot-
tom wall of cassette housing 1. A lower flange 4a extends ;
radially from hub 4 above the bottom wall of cassette housing . ;~.
10 l.and the upper end of cylindrical hub 4 has an end wall 4b .
extending thereacross. The inner surface of hub 4 is formed
with axial projections or splines 5a, 5b spaced apart around -.
the hub, for example, with an angular spacing of 60 between .-
adjacent splines for rotatable coupling of supply reel 2 with . :--
a respective reel drive shaft or spindle, as hereinafter des- .. :
cribed. The supply reel 2 is completed by an outer cylindri -- :~
:::: cal hub 6 which extends downwardly over hub 4 and may be
. .
secured to the latter by a suitable adhesive or binder there~
between, and an upper flange 6a extending radially outward
.
20~from hub 6~to define an annular space between ].anges 4a and ~ . .
6a:in whlch tape ll~may~be~wound about the secured-together .-.
: hubs 4~ and 6. A spring 8 is interposed between the top wall ~:
of:~houslng l and end wall 4b of hub 4 for urging supply reel
2 downwardly agalnst:the bottom wall of cassette housing 1.
.layer ~(not ~shown) of a frictional material is preferably
c~oated~on~the~bottom wall Oe houslng l~under flange 4a to
resist rotation of supply reel 2 when the latter is urged
downwardly thereagainst by spring 8, whereby to avoid in-
advertent loosen m g of:the:tape within housing 1 when the
30~ cassette~T:~is not in use. As shown, the take-up reel 3 may
be ldentlcal in~construa~tion to the supply reel 2 ancl its
s~everal parts are~identified by the same reference numerals ~
,., :~ .'' :. '.
: ~: .
~6~005
but with primes appended thereto.
As shown particularly on Fig. 3, a flange extends
upwardly from the bottom wall of housing 1 along the margin of
the cutout in such bottom wall and cooperates with a mating
flange depending from the top wall of the cassette housing to
define a wall or partition ]Oa which prevents access to the
reels 2 and 3 through the opening or recess 10. Arcuate
partitions 13 are similarly provided within housing 1 adjacent
the pexipheries of the flanges of reels 2 and 3 for preventing
10 the removal from the reels of the turns of tape 11 wound there- -
on in the event that such turns become loosened. Guide pins
14a and 14b and guide pins 14c and 14d extend upwardly from
the bottom wall of cassette housing 1 at opposite sides of the
cutout in such bottom wall for guiding the tape 11 between - -
reels 2 and 3 in a path having a run that extends along the
open, relatively long side of housing 1.
The side or peripheral walls 15a and 15b of housing
1 which extend along the opposite relatively short sides of
the rectangular cassette housing are formed with inwardly off-
.
set end portions 15a' and 15b' adjacent the open relativelylong side of the cassètte housing (Fig. 3). The lid 12 is
shown to include a front portion 27 (Fig. 9) depending from
an edge of an elongated top portion 32 (Fig. 1) and ears 12a
and 12b directed rearwardly from the opposite ends of front
portion 27 to fit into the recesses defined outside of end
portions 15a' and 15b' of side walls 15a and 15b and thus lie
. . .
~ ~ flush with the outer surfaces of such side walls, as shown
.: . .:
particularly on Fig. 8. The offset end portion 15b' of side
::
wall 15b has two spaced apart apertures 16a and 16b e~tending
therethrough, and a latching element, for example, of a
resilient plasticj is disposed at the inside of end wall por-
tion 15b'. The latching element 17 is shown to include a
- ~ ,, . . , : :
1C~6~0C35
relatively thin mounting portion 17a of generally F-shaped
configuration, as viewed from above, ancl a latching pin or
projection 17b which extends outwardly through aperture 16a
from a relatively thick end portion 17c of the latching ele-
ment (Fig. 3). A groove 18 is defined between the step formed
by inwardly offset end portion 15b' and an adjacent inward ~ :
projection 20, and a gap 22 is defined between such projection
20 and an adjacent abutment 21 extending up~ardly from the ;
bottom wall of housing 1. The F-shaped mounting portion 17a
10 of latching element 17 is received in the gap 22, and abutment ::
21 urges the end flange of F-shaped mounting portion 17a :
against projection 20 while the other flange of such mounting
portion is urged into recess 18~ Thus, the relatively thick
end portion 17c of latching element 17 is normally resiliently -:
held against end portion 15b' of side wall 15b to e~tend the
latching pin or projection 17b through aperture 16a beyond the
outer surface of end portion 15b'. However, as hereinafter
described, a latch releasing element can be extended inwardly
:~ through aperture 16b to act against end portion 17c of the -
20 latching element for urging the same away from the adjacent ::
; ~ ~ wall end portion l5b', and thereby retract the locking projec-
tion 17b into aperture 16a. Wall end portion 15b' has an
inwardly directed end 25b (Flg. 3) which extends in front of
the thick end portion 17c of the latching element and which is
formed:with an aperture 16c (Figs. 1 and 3) that is aligned
: with:an obliqu~ or beveled end surface (not shown) provided ;
at the bottom part of thick end portion 17c. Thus, a latch
releasing element can be extended through aperture 16c to act : .
~ :.. .. -
: against the described oblique or beveled end surface as an -
: 30 : alternative means for displacing the thick end portion 17c of ~-~
: ~ the latchlng element away from the adjacent wall end portion
15b', as hereinafter described in detail.
: ~ ,:
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:~64005
The ears 12a and 12b at the opposite ends of lid ].2
are formed with inwardly directly pins 28 ~Figs. 1, 8 and 9)
engageable in respective apertures or recesses (not shown~ in
wall end portions lSa' and 15b' so as to mount lid 12 pivotally
on cassette housing 1 for movement between a closed position
(Fig. 8) and an opened position (Fig. 9). The ear 12b of lid
12 which is adjacent wall end portion 15b' is formed with an
aperture 23 which, in the closed position of the lid, is
adapted to receive the latching pin or projection 17b -for
locking the lid in its closed position. However, when the
thick end portion 17c of latching element 17 is displaced away
from the adjacent wall end portion 15b', as described above,
latching pin or projection 17b is withdrawn from aperture 23 :
and thereby releases the lid for moveme~t to its opened posi-
tion, as hereinafter described, against the force of a suitable
spring ~not shown) which normally urges the lid to its closed
position. The wall end portion 15a' is shown to have an ;.
inwardly directed, right-angled end 25a for defining a recess
80 in the respective corner of cassette housing 1 (Fig. 3) for
' . '
~; ~ 20~: a purpose herelnafter described in detail. As shown on Fig. 1, .~.
a tab or claw 19 may be formed on side wall 15b, with the .: ..
: presence or absence of such tab 19 being detected by a conven-
..
tional.device of the magnetic recording and/or reproducing
apparatus when the cassette is in an operative position on such
....
: apparatus to:prevent inadvertent erasing o signals recorded
: on tape ll.
,: : :
: In accordance with this invention, the side edge of ::
the bottom wall of cassette housing 1 at opposite ends of the
: cutout portion of such bottom wall define locating elements 26a
30~ :and 26b which project beyond ends 25a and 25b of wall portions . .
lSa' and.15b' (Fig.~3) so that~ in the closed position of lid ...
12 (Flgs. 4 and 8), such locating elements 26a and 26b extend .::-
:: . .
-13
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~06~0~5
through respective notches or cutouts 30a and 30b formed ln the
lower edge of front portion 27 of the lid and are substantially
flush with the outer surface of front portion 27. The cutouts
30a and 30b are shown to be substantially fîlled by locating
elements 26a and 26b in the closed position of the lid. The
lid 12 is further formed with recesses or ClltOutS 29 and 31
(Fig. 1) in the ear 12b and in the front portion 27 so that,
in the closed position of lid 12, cutouts 29 and 31 will be
substantially aligned with the previously mentioned apertures -~
16b and 16c, respectively, for permitting access to such aper-
tures for the purpose described above.
It will be apparent that, when lid 12 is in its
closed position, the run of tape 11 extending along opening 10
between guide pins 14b and 14c is shielded or protected, at -
the outside, by front portion 27 of the lid and, from above,
by top portion 32 of the lid. However, even with lid 12 in
its closed position, the cutout in the bottom wall of cassette
housing 1 remains open and could be contacted or damaged by a
finger or instrument inserted through such cutout. In order
~20 to avoid the possibility of such damagel the tape cassette T
according to this invention has partitions 33a and 33b (Fig. 4)
depending from top portion 32 of lid 12, which partitions ` -
extend~parallel to, and are spaced from, front portion 27 of
~the lid so as to define a channel therebetween in which the run
of the tape between~guide pins 14b and 14c is accommodated
when lid 12 is in its~closed position. The partitions 33a and
33b have a depth at least equal to the width of tape 11 so
~: : ''. ,-
that, with the lid in its closed position, partitions 33a and
33b substantially prevent contact with the tape run through
.
~` ~ 30 ~the cutout portion of the bottom wall of cassette housing 1.
Further, in accordance with this invention, a substantially
L-shaped tape locating member 34 extends outwardly and down-
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~640~5
wardly from the top wall of cassette housing l (Fig. 9~ so ~s
to be located in the gap batween partitions 33a and 33b in the
closed position of lid 12 (Fig. 4). The tape locating member
3~ ensures that, even if the tape between reels 2 and 3 becomes
substantially loosened, the run of the tape extending between
guide pins 14b and 14c will be properly positioned in respect
to a tape engaging pin or member of a tape loading device by
which the tape is to be withdrawn from the cassette housing.
In order to guide the cassette T in accordance with
this invention during its insertion into the holder of a
cassette loading mechanism, as hereinafter described, the
cassette T is provided with guiding means extending at right
angles to each other, that is, perpendicular to the open
relatively long side of cassette housing 1 and parallel to
such long side, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment ;
of the invention, such guiding means are constituted by
grooves 36 (Figs. 1, 9, lQ and 11) formed in the outer surfaces
35a and 35b of the relatively short side walls 15a and 15b
and aligned with groove extensions 36c in the adjacent ears
12a and 12b of lid 12 when the latter is in its closed position.
The groove extensions 36c have diverging open ends 36a by
which respective guiding ridges 36a" and 36b" of a casse-tte
holder 50 are led into grooves 36 when cassette T is inserted
into such holder 50 in the direction perpendicular to the
open relatively long side of the cassette housing (Fig. 10).
Further, the undersurface of the bottom wall of cassette
housing 1 is ormed with a guiding groove 36' (Fig. 4) extend-
ing parallel to the long open side of the cassette housing,
and having enlarged or diverging open ends 36a' so that, when
30 ~tape cassette T is lnserted into a holder 50 in the direction -
parallel to the relatively long open side of the cassette
.
~ ~ housing, one or the other of the diverging or enlarged ends
.
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lL06~L0(~5
36a' of groove 36' will initiate or facilitate the entry of a
guiding ridge 36b' (Fig. ll) of holder 50 into groove 36'.
Thus, it will be seen that tape cassette T according to this
invention can be used in various types of magnetic tape
recording and/or reproducing apparatus having holders which are
adapted to receive the tape cassette in diferent directions.
The grooves 36 and 36' are preferably asymmetrically located
relative to the surfaces of the cassette housing in which they
are formed. Thus, the grooves 36 in side wall surfaces 35a
and 35b are located closer to the top than to the bottom of the
cassette housing, while the groove 36' in the bottom wall sur-
face of the cassette housing is located closer to one rela- -
tively long side of the cassette housing than to the other
relatively long side thereof. By reason of such asymmetrical ~-
positioning of grooves 36 and 36' and of the respective guid-
ing ridges in the holders 50, the cassette T is insertable in ; ~-
each holder 50 in only a single proper orientation relative
; to the latter.
As shown on Fig. 4, the bottom surface of cassette
housing l is further preferably formed with longitudinally
grooved surface portions 37 extending along the opposite
relatively short sides of the cassette housing and along the
closed relatively long side of the housing so that the
cassette housing can be conveniently gripped at the resulting
:~ :
~ roughened surface portions when inserting the tape cassette
:: :: : ~
into a holder in either of the directions illustrated on
Figs. lO and 11.
In~order to accurately locate the tape cassette T in
its opera~ive position on a magnetic tape recording and/or
reproducing apparatus, the latter is provided with a pair of
locating pins 42 and 43 (Figs. 5 and 6) projecting upwardly
from a suitable baseplate or ohassis 57 (Fig. 7) and each
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having a relatively large diameter base portion 41a and a
relatively small diameter end portion 41b extending upwardly
from the base portion 41a to define a shoulder at the top of
the latter. An additional locating pin 39 (Fig. 6) extends
upwardly from the baseplate or chassis 57 and has its upper end
surface at the same level as the shoulders provided at the top
of base portions 41a of locating pins 42 an~ 43. The locating
pins 42 and 43 are disposed so that, when tape cassette T is
in its proper operative position, the small diameter end por-
tions 41b of locating pins 42 and 43 are respectively engaged
in sockets 44 and 45, respectively, which are formed in the
lower section lb of housing 1 and open downwardly at the bottom
wall surface of the latter. The socket 44 is diametrically
dimensioned to closely receive end portion 41b of locating
pin 42, while the other socket 45 is laterally elongated, that
is, elongated in the direction parallel to a line connecting
the edge surfaces of locating elements 26a and 26b. Thus,
even if there is some variation in the distance between the
centers of locating pins 42 and 43, no difficulty will be
experienced in obtaining the engagement of pins 42 and 43
with the respective sockets 44 and 45 when the tape cassette ~ -
is pxoperly located by means of its locating elements 26a and
26b, as hereinafter described. It will be noted that the -
sockets 44 and 45 are disposed adjacent the open relatively
long side of the cassette housing 1, and the locatin~ pin 39 ~ ;~
is posi-tioned relative to locating pins 42 and 43 so that,
; ~ when sockets 44 and 45 receive the small diameter end portions
41b of locating pins 42 and~43, the bottom surface of cassette
~; ~ housing 1 will rest on theshoulders at the top of base por-
30 tions 41a of pins 42 and 43 adjacent the opposite sides of the
cutout in the bottom wall of the cassette housing and on the
upper end of locating pin 39 at a single point ad~acent: the !~ .. ''
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~L~)6~5
closed relatively long side oE the cassette housing. The reel
drive shafts or spindles 40a and 40b (Fig. 6) of the recording
and/or reproducing apparatus are of course located relative
to the locating pins 39, 42 and 43 so that, when the tape
cassette T is positioned by such locating pins, the drive shafts
40a and 40b will extend into the hubs of reels 2 and 3 and be
rotatably coupled with the latter.
Since the end portion 41b of locating pin 42 is
intended to engage closely in the respective socket 44, the
top wall 44a of such soc~et may be formed with a vent hole 46
(Fig. 5) through which air may enter and leave the socket to
avoid any interference with the easy insertion and removal of
the end portion 41b of pin 42.
Referring now to Fig. 7, it will be seen that the
tape cassette T in accordance with this invention may be con- ;
veniently used in connection with a magnetic tape recording
and/or reproducing apparatus having a cassette loading
~;~ mechanism including a holder 50 which receives the cassette in
a convenient elevated posi-tion shown in full lines and is then
~ : :
~ 20 movable downwardly to the position shown in broken lines at ~
: .
~ ~ which the received cassette is disposed in its operative posi- ~ -
::
~ion on the previously described locating pins 39, 42 and 43
for rotatabIe coupling of its reels 2 and 3 with drive shafts
40a and 40b and further for proper positioning of the tape
:
within the cassette housing in respect to the tape loading
device (not shown) by which the tape may be extracted or with-
drawn from the cassette housing for a recording or reproducing
: : : : .
operation. The holder 50 is generally of box-like configura-
:~ tion and includes top and bottom walls 52 and 53 which are
connected at their adjacent ends by opposed end walls 54a and
54b so as to be open at the other opposed sides of holder 50.
The holder 50 of the cassette loading mechanism shown on
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Fig. 7 is intended to have the tape cassette T inserted therein
in the direction perpendicular to the open relatively long
side of the cassette housing, for example, as on Fig. 10, and
thus the distance between walls 54a and 5~b is selected to be
slightly larger than the larger dimension of the cassette
housing and such end walls 54a and 54b are provided with the
guide ridges 36a" and 36b" or entry into the widened ends
36a of grooves 36 when the tape cassette is inserted with lid
12 at the leading side thereof. As shown on Fig. 7, the top
wall 52 of holder 50 is at a relatively small distance from
bottom wall 53 at the open side of the holder through which -~
tape cassette T is inserted, while the top wall 52 is stepped
upwardly, as at 52b ad~acent the opposite side of holder 50 so
that the top wall will not there interfere with the opening of
lid 12 within the cassette holder. It will further be under-
stood that bottom wall 53 of the cassette holder has openings
(not shown) formed therein and being located to permit the
- ~ .
upward passage therethrough, when holder 50 is in the opera-
tive position, of the reel drive shafts 40a and 40b and of the
~; 20 cassette locating pins 39, 42 and 43. Leaf springs 55 are
provided at the underside of top wall 52 to bear downwardly on
the top wall of the cassette housing and thereby hold the
latter downwardly against bottom wall 53 when tape cassette T
is inseLted in holder 50.
The illustrated cassette loading mechanism is further
:
shown to comprise a shifting mechanism 51 by which holder 50 !r.: ,.. ..
may be moved between the positions shown in full and broken
. .
Iines on Fig. 7. Such shifting mechanism 51 includes a cradle
56 to which holder 50 is secured, brackets 58 and 59 fixed to
baseplate or chassis 57 and supporting respective shaEts 58a
and 59a which extend parallel to the plane of baseplate 57.
Shaft 59a is disposed at a relatively small distance hl above
'~: : ' ' :'
1~64~S
baseplate 57, while shaft 58a is disposed at a relatively large
distance h2 above the baseplate. A pair o:E levers 60 o:f a
relatively long length 12 are pivotally supported, at one end,
on shaft 58a, and the other ends of lever 60 are pivotally
connected to cradle 56. A pair of leuers 61 of a relatively ..
short length 11 are pivotally mounted, at one end, on the shaft
59a and have their other ends pivotally connected to cradle S6 ; : .
at a distance 13 from the pivotal connections of lever 60 to
the cradle. Each of the levers 61 has an arm 61a extending
therefrom and connected to a tension spring 62 by which the
respective lever 61 is urged in a counterclockwise direction to
the position illustrated in full lines.
Preferably, the various elements of shifting mecha-
nism 51 are dimensioned as follows~
1l is approximately equal to 2/5 12 .
13 is approximately e~ual to 3/5 14 (that is, the
distance between the axes of shafts 58a and 59a?
~ .
hl is approximately equal to 2/7 h2
(that is, the angle between the center line of
20~ ~each~lever 61 in its raised position and the horiæontal): is
approximately equal to 60
2 (that~is, the angle between the center line of
each lever 60 in its raised position and the horizontal) is
approximately equal to 25. ..
When the above~dlmensional relationships are pro-
vided, cassette holder 50.is inclined from the horizontal at -~
: a convenient angle ~3 for receiving the tape cassette T when
; in ltS raised position and, when holder 50 is moved downwardly
to lts operative:position illustrated in broken lines, the
:final:downward movement of the holder is effected in a verti-
: cal direction for permitting the proper enyagement of :reel
:;drive shàfts 40a and 40b and of locating pins 39, 42 and 43
;~ ~ : : : -
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3~64005
with the respective parts of the tape cassette.
In order to lock holder S0 in its lowered operative
position against the force of spring 62, the cassette loading
mechanism is Eurther shown to include a locking mechanism 63
that includes a locking pawl 64 depending from bottom wall 53
of holder 50, and a retainer 65 which is pivoted at 67 on
baseplate 57 and has a locking portion 65a at its upper end
engageable with a nose 64a on pawl 64 when holder 50 is in its
lowered operative position. A spring 67 acts on retainer 65 ~ ~-
10 to pivot the latter in the clockwise direction into engagement
with pawl 64, and the lower end portion of retainer 65 is
engageable by an operating rod 68 for rocking of retainer 65
in the counterclockwise direction, that is, in the direction
for releasing the pawl 64. The rod 68 may be actuable by an
ejection button (not shown) when it is desired to release pawl
64 and thereby permit spring 62 to return holder 50 to its
; elevated inclined position at which the tape cassette T is
conveniently removed therefrom.
: . .
As shown particularly on Fig. 8, bottom wall 53 of
20~ ~holder 50 has a pair of abutments 70a and 70b directed upwardly h .
from the edge of bottom wall 53 remote from the open side of
:
holder 50 at which tape cassette T is introduced. The abut-
ments 70a and 70b are spaced apart at locations along the
respective edge of bottom wall 53 that correspond to the loca-
; tions of locating elements 2~6a and 26b on the bottom wall of
.
cas;sette housing 1, and abutments 70a and 70b project above
the top surface of bottom wall 53 by a dlstance substantially
equal to the thickness of locating elements 26a and 26b.
Thus, when tape cassette T is inserted into holder 50, the
30 movement of the tape cassette in -the direction of its inser~ -
tLon is limited by the engagement of locating elements 26a
and 26b with the~respective abutments 70a and 70b. Thus, the
. -
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lQ64~1D05
inal position of cassette housing 1 relative to holder 50 is
pxecisely determined without the possibility of error resulting
from any clearance or looseness of lid 12 relative to the
cassette housing. By reason of such precise determination of
the position of cassette housing 1 in respect to holder 50,
proper engagement of the tape cassette with reel drive shafts
4~a and 40b and wi-th locating pins 39, 42 and ~3 is ensured
when holder 50 is lowered to its operative position. Since
abutments 70a and 70b on holder 50 are engaged only with locat- ~-
10 ing elements 26a and 26b projecting through cutouts 30a and 30b
in lid 12, such engagement for determining the final position
of cassette housing 1 in holder 50 does not interfere with
the opening of lid 12, as on Fig. ~
An L-shaped latch releasing member 71 (Figs. 8 and
9) which is suitably attached to the side wall 5~a (not shown
on Figs. 8 and 9) of hoIder 50 or to the adjacent side of car-
riage 56 has an end portion 71a extending in the direction
opposed to the direction of insertion of tape cassette T in the
cassette holder and is located to extend into notch or cutout
20 31 of lid 12 and aperture 16c of cassette housing 1 as the tape
cassette nears its final position in holder 50. Thus, during
the final portion of the inserting movement of the tape cas-
sette to its predetermined position in holder 50, end portion
71a of latch reIeasing member 71 acts against the previously
described oblique or be~eled end surface of the thick end por-
tion 17c of latching element 17 for displacing such thick end
portion 17c laterally away from the adjacent wall end portion
15b', and thereby releasing the latching pin or projection 17b ~ ~ -
' :
from the opening 23 of lid 12 so that the latter is then free
~30 to be opened.
Of course, if the tape cassette T is inserted in the -
lengthwise direction into the holder 50, for example, as
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~0640i~)5 ~:
illustrated on Fig. 11, a latch releasing member similar to the
member 71 on Figs. 8 and 9 would be provided at the side of the
holder toward which the tape cassette is moved so that, as the
tape cassette nears its inal position in the cassette holder,
such latch releasing member extends through cutout 29 of lid
12 and aperture 16b of cassette housing l to act against the
adjacent side of thick end portion 17c o latching element 17
for similarly releasing the latching element and freeing the
lid 12 or movement to its opened position.
In either case, that is, whether the tape cassette is
inserted into the cassette holder in the lengthwise direction
of thP cassette or at right an~les thereto, the opening of lid
12 is effected in response to the downward movement of cassette
holder 50 from its raised cassette receiving position to its
lowered operative position. In order to effect such opening
of lid 12, the magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing
apparatus is provided with a lid opening member 73 (Figs. 8 and
9) which extends upwardly, for example, from the baseplate 57
on Fig. 7, and is fixedly pos1tioned so that, as holder 50 is
~20 moved downwardly to its operàtive position, the bent upper end
of member 73 will en~age the lower edge of front portion 27 of
d 12 adjacent the end of such front portion 27 from which
ear 12a extends. As shown particularly on Fig. 9, bottom wall
53 of holder 50 is formed with a cutout 74 adjacent abutment
26a so as to substantia1ly register with the corner recess 80
of cassette housing 1. Such cutout 74 and corner recess 80
are provided for the movement of lid opening member 73 there-
into as~the holder 50 and tape cassette T move forwardly in
the course of the downward movement of holder 50 from its
~; 30 ralsed inclined position to its lowered operative position ; -
parallel:to baseplate 57. By reason of the engagement of
member 73 with the lower edga of front portion 27-o~ lid 12, the
~ 23
: ~ ,~"' -
~ . . ... , . ., . ~ . , . - : ., ., . , . . , .~ . . .. .. . . . .
4~5
latter is pivoted to its open position during the Einal move-
ment of holder 50 to its lowered operative position.
It will be apparent from the Eoregoing that, when
holder 50 reaches its lowered operative position, the cassette
housing accurately located in the cassette holder is,
accordingly, accurately positioned for engagement by the locat-
ing pins 39, 42 and 43 and the lid 12 of ~he tape cassette is
fully opened so that the tape 11 can be withdrawn or extracted
from the cassette housing, as by a conventional tape loading
device (not shown). When cassette housing l is positioned by
locating pins 39, 42 and 43, reel drive shafts 40a and 40b
engaging within the hubs of reels 2 and 3 preferably act against
the end walls 4b and 4b' of such reels so as to raise the lat-
ter away from the frictional material on the bottom ~all of
cassette housing 1 against the force of springs 8 and 8',
whereby to make the tape supply and take-up reels freely
rotatable.
Tt will be further apparent that, since the locating
elements 26a and 26b of the tape cassette according to this
~2Q~ invention are formed on the cassette housing itself, the
: ~ engagement of such locating elements with abutments 70a and
7Qb on the cassette holder ensures the accurate locating of the :~ :
cassette housing relative to the holder irrespective of the . : .
position of front portion 27 of lid 12, in its closed position,
relative to the cassette housing. By reason of such accurate
locating of the cassette housing relative to the cassette
older, the proper engagement of the cassette housing with ..
locating ~ins 39, 42 and 43 and with reel drive shafts 40a and ;~
40b is assured at all times. Since the locating elements 26a -. ;
~30 and~26b extend through and substantially fill the respective ~:
:
~cutouts:30a and 30b in lid~12, the lid can extend along the ~ .
entire op~n side of the cassette housing to fully protect the ~.
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~6401)S
tape therein without any obstruction by reason oE the locating
elements 26a and 26b to the movement of the lid between its
opened and closed positions. The disposition of locating
elements 26a and 26b on an edge of the bottom wall oE cassette
housing 1 ensures that the described function of such locating
elements can be achieved without restricting the extent of the . .
opening of the cassette housing at the relatively long side
of the latter. Thusl the overall dimensions of a tape cassette
according to this invention can be minimized without undesir-
10 ably restricting the size of the opening at the relatively ~:
long side of the cassette housing, and hence without giving
rise to problems in connection with the tape loading device
for withdrawing or extracting the tape from the cassette. Since
the cassette locating elements 26a and 26b are substantially
flush with the outer surface of front portion 27 of~lid 1.2 in
the:closed position of the latter, such locating elements do .. .
not interfere with the insertion of the cassette into a cas-
sette holder, when such insertion is effected on the longi-
tudinal direction of the cassette, as on Fig. 11. Finally, it ..
:: ......
20 is to be noted that tape cassette T according to this inven- . .
tion is provided with guiding means, for example, the pre- .
viously described grooves 36 andsroove 36' for guiding the : :
cassette into a holder either in the direction perpendicular
or the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cas-
sette, and that the latching element 17 for locking lid 12 in
, ~ , .. .
its closed position is arranged for release during the inser-
tion of the tape cassette into a holder in either of the
:described directions. ~. .-
lthough~an illustrative embodiment of this inven- :: :
tlon has been described in~detail herein with reference to
the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that the i.nven- : ;:
tion is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that
::
~ -25~
" '
~06~1)05
various changes and modi~ications may be e:E~ected therein by
one skilled in the art without departing from the saope or
spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
. , ' . ': . .
,
~ 20~
: -
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- :
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