JP2002304865A - Magnetic tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic tape cartridge that is provided with a pin support section not removed from a cartridge main body while having a function of elastically attaching/detaching a leader pin. SOLUTION: The pin support section 30 freely removably supporting the leader pin 31 is configured with an inlet-shaped rib 32 that is integrally formed with the cartridge main body 21 and has a recessed part 32a, to which an end 31a of the reader pin 31 is intruded, at its front and with an elastic support 33 of nearly a channel-shape that is fitted to the rear side of the inlet-shaped rib 32 and in which a couple of arms 33a elastically clamping the leader pin 31 are projected into the recessed part 32a. Thus, the inlet-shaped rib 32 can support the tilt of the leader pin 31 so as to avoid an elastic support 33 from being escaped from the cartridge main body 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge represented by a magnetic recording medium of a data recorder for a computer, and more particularly, to a tape pull-out reader fixed to an end of a magnetic tape. The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge provided with a pin holder capable of elastically attaching and detaching a pin within a cartridge body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a magnetic tape cartridge used as a recording medium used in an external storage device such as a computer, a magnetic tape is wound around a single reel, and this reel is rotatable in a cartridge body. There is known a type housed in a container. In the magnetic tape cartridge loaded in the external storage device, a leader pin fixed to one end of the magnetic tape is drawn into a predetermined position on the tape running path, and data can be read from and written to the magnetic tape.

Incidentally, the leader pin is detachably held in a pin holding portion in the cartridge body, and it is advantageous to use a spring member for holding the leader pin in terms of structural simplification and the like. is there.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-273308 discloses that a lower half (and an upper half) 2 constituting a cartridge body 1 is provided with a leader pin 3 as shown in FIG.
Is formed, and the recess 4 is formed therein.
The configuration of a pin holding portion 7 in which a narrow portion 5 is continuously provided at the back of the pin, and an elastic holding member 6 that allows the leader pin 3 to be elastically attached to and detached from the recess 4 and the narrow portion 5 is described. Have been.
The elastic holder 6 includes a holding portion 6a which is located in the recess 4 and holds the leader pin 3, and an elastic contact portion 6b which elastically contacts both side walls of the narrow portion 5; By the action, integration with the cartridge body 1 is achieved.

[0005]

However, in the elastic holder 6 having the above structure, the leader pin 3 is tilted while holding the leader pin 3 against the leader pin 3 with its end as a fulcrum for some reason such as dropping. When the force to add
The holding portion 6 a rises from the recess 4, and in the worst case, the elastic contacting action of the elastic contact portion 6 b with respect to the narrow portion 5 may be released, and the holding portion 6 a may be detached from the cartridge body 1. In such a case, an appropriate holding mechanism of the leader pin in the cartridge main body 1 disappears, which causes a serious defect in the function of the magnetic tape cartridge.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a magnetic tape cartridge having a pin holding portion capable of preventing detachment from a cartridge body while maintaining a function of elastically attaching and detaching a leader pin. The task is to

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, in the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, a pin holding portion for detachably holding a leader pin is formed integrally with the cartridge body. A bay-shaped rib having a recess on the front side into which an end portion enters, and an elastic holder attached to the back side of the bay-shaped rib and having a pair of arms elastically holding the leader pin projecting into the recess. And characterized in that:

In the present invention, a configuration is employed in which the end of the leader pin located in the recess is elastically narrowed between the pair of arms of the elastic holder and the front side of the bay-shaped rib. Therefore, even if an external force that inclines the leader pin is applied, the end of the leader pin is supported by the bay-shaped rib integral with the cartridge body, so that the elastic holder does not come off from the cartridge body. Therefore, it is possible to always support the leader pin in the cartridge body in an appropriate state.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a magnetic tape cartridge 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The whole is shown.

The cartridge body 21 of the magnetic tape cartridge 20 has an upper half 21a and a lower half 21b.
A single reel 23 having a magnetic tape 22 wound therein is accommodated by being connected by a screw member 43.
In the reel 23, the upper reel flange 44 and the lower reel flange 45 integral with the hub 51 are integrated by ultrasonic bonding.

Between the upper half 21a and the reel 23,
The leg 46a is inserted into the insertion hole 51b formed inside the hub 51.
, A reel lock 47 rotatably attached to a shaft portion 46 b of the spider 46 via a bearing 50, and a reel lock spring 48 for urging the reel lock 47 toward the reel 23.
Are provided. The reel lock 47 receives the urging force of the reel lock spring 48, and the gear portion 47 a formed on the bottom surface of the reel lock 47 meshes with a plurality of arc-shaped gear portions 51 a erected inside the hub 51, thereby forming the reel 23. Regulate rotation.

On the other hand, one side wall 26 of the cartridge body 21
Is provided with an opening 27 for drawing out one end of the magnetic tape 22 to the outside. Inside the side wall 26, a wall portion 39 is formed at a predetermined interval from the side wall 26, and the opening portion 27 is formed by the side wall 26 and the wall portion 39.
A guide groove 41 for guiding and supporting the movement of the opening / closing slide door 29 is formed. A torsion spring 57 for urging the slide door 29 to the closed position is accommodated in the guide groove 41. The guide groove 41 is provided in the lower half 21b.
It is assumed that the same configuration is provided not only on the side but also on the upper half 21a side (not shown).

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 24 denotes a reel 2
A hole 49 formed on the lower surface of the reel 3 and exposing the reel rotation driving gear 25 (FIG. 2) connected to the rotation driving means in the external storage device to the outside of the lower half 21b. A metal plate 29a mounted on the inner side of the driving gear 25 and magnetically attracting the reel 23 to the rotary drive means is engaged with a tape transport mechanism in the external storage device to open the slide door 29. An engaging portion 53 is provided with a write protect 53 for preventing erroneous erasure supported by the upper half 21a, and a display portion 60 provided on the upper front side of the upper half 21a and indicating the direction of insertion into the external storage device. Reference numeral 54 denotes a substrate mounted with a non-contact type IC memory which is arranged to be inclined at approximately 45 ° with respect to the back side of the lower half 21b and is capable of reading and writing directory information of the magnetic tape 22. That.

A leader pin 31 is fixed to one end of the magnetic tape 22 by a clamper 52. The leader pin 31 is detachable from a pin holding section 30 provided inside the opening 27. You.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the pin holding portion 30 is provided with the upper and lower halves 21 just inside the opening 27.
a, 21b (only the lower half 21b side is shown in the figure) is provided integrally with the bottom wall, and the end 31a of the leader pin 31 is provided.
A bay-shaped rib 32 that forms a recess 32a into which the groove 31 enters on the front side (front side in the figure), and a pair of arms 33a, 33 that elastically hold the end 31a of the leader pin 31 in the recess 32a.
and a substantially U-shaped elastic holder 33 provided with a.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the bay-shaped rib 32 has a substantially inverted U-shape provided in the middle of a linear wall 39 forming the guide groove 41, and the leader pin 31 is inserted into the cartridge body 21. 38 that guides the pull-in
Are formed to face the formation position of. The recess 32a
It is formed inside the curved portion of the bay-shaped rib 32 and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the end 31 a of the leader pin 31. In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a boss for forming a screw hole through which a screw member 43 for integrating the lower half 21b and the upper half 21a is inserted.

The bay-shaped rib 32 is formed with a pair of linear grooves 35, 35 so as to connect the back side (the upper side in FIG. 5A) and the front side (the same, the lower side).
The width of the grooves 35, 35 is slightly larger than the thickness of the pair of arms 33a, 33a of the elastic holder 33. On the back side of the bay-shaped rib 32, a pair of positioning projections 34, 34 are provided upright at a predetermined interval, and the bay-shaped rib 32 is protruded between the positioning projections 34, 34. A raised portion 32b is integrally formed on the back side. On the other hand, on the front side (entrance side) of the bay-shaped rib 32, a guide portion 3 for guiding the leader pin 31 to enter.
2G and 32G are formed in a tapered shape.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the elastic holder 33 is a substantially U-shaped metal leaf spring having a pair of arms 33a, 33a integral with the base 33b. At the tip of 33a, the opposite arm 33a,
Holders 33c, 33c protruding toward 33a are provided. The holding units 33c, 33c shown in FIG.
The distal ends of the arms 33a, 33a are bent into a substantially V-shape over the entire width thereof. Instead, for example, the distal ends of the arms 33a, 33a are press-drawn as shown in FIG. 7B. By the circular holding part 33
c ′ and 33c ′ may be configured.

Now, the elastic retainer 33 configured as described above is assembled to the bay-shaped rib 32 as follows. That is, the base 33b of the elastic holder 33 is press-fitted between the raised part 32b of the bay-shaped rib 32 and the positioning protrusions 34, 34, and at the same time, the pair of arms 3 of the elastic holder 33 is pressed.
The 3a and 33a are fitted into the pair of grooves 35 and 35 of the bay-shaped rib 32 (FIGS. 5B, 6A and 6B). Accordingly, the base 33b of the elastic holder 33 is curved along the outer shape of the bay-shaped rib 32 between the raised portion 32b and the positioning projections 34, 34, thereby being integrated with the lower half 21b,
The pair of arms 33a, 33a is projected into the recess 32a. The arms 33a, 33a are elastically deformed with the steps 32S, 32S formed between the grooves 35, 35 and the bay-shaped rib 32 as fulcrums. The pin holding unit 30 is configured as described above.

Although not shown, the pin holding portion provided on the upper half 21a is also configured in the same manner as described above.

Next, the operation of the magnetic tape cartridge 20 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When the magnetic tape cartridge 20 is loaded into an external storage device (not shown), the hole 24 of the lower half 21b is opened.
The rotation drive means on the external storage device side is coupled to the reel rotation drive gear 25 (FIG. 2) on the lower surface of the reel 23 exposed through the. The rotation drive means includes a gear and a magnet that mesh with the reel rotation drive gear 25, and is coupled to the reel 23 by magnetic attraction generated between the rotation drive means 25 and a metal plate 49 mounted inside the reel rotation drive gear 25. You. When the leg 46a of the spider 46 is lifted, the reel lock 47 moves toward the upper half 21a against the urging force of the reel lock spring 48, whereby the gear 51a of the hub 51 and the gear of the reel lock 47 are moved. The engagement with 47a is released, and the reel 23 is rotatable inside the cartridge main body 21. At the same time, by the tape transport mechanism in the external storage device,
The sliding door 29 is opened via the engaging portion 29a, and the magnetic tape 22 is pulled out via the leader pin 31 and is conveyed to the tape loading mechanism.

Here, the removal of the leader pin 31 from the pin holding portion 30 is performed by using a tape transport mechanism (not shown) with respect to engagement grooves 31b and 31b (FIGS. 4A and 4B) formed on the upper and lower portions of the leader pin 31. After the tape withdrawing claw is engaged, the end portion 31a of the leader pin 31 elastically deforms the pair of arms 33a, 33a of the elastic holder 33 by the pulling action of the tape withdrawing claw, and the pair of holding portions 33
c, 33c.

On the other hand, the mounting of the leader pin 31 to the pin holding portion 30 is automatically performed by rotating the reel 23 in the tape winding direction in the cartridge main body 21 (FIGS. 4A and 4B). At this time, the end portion 31a of the leader pin 31 is connected to the tapered portion 3 formed on the side wall 26.
Under the guide action of No. 8, it enters the inside recess 32a. Then, a pair of arms 33a, 33 of the elastic holder 33 are provided.
a by elastically deforming the holding portions 33c, 33c
Is passed over, the elastic holding members 33a, 33a are elastically clamped (FIGS. 4B and 5C). In this state, the pair of holding portions 33c, 33c performs a function of preventing the leader pin 31 from falling out of the recess 32a.

According to the present embodiment, in a state where the leader pin 31 is fixed in the pin holding portion 30, the leader pin 31 is dropped for some reason such as dropping.
Even when an external force acts in the direction of tilting, the end 31a of the leader pin 31 abuts and is supported by the bay-shaped rib 32 integral with the lower half 21b or the upper half 21a. Is not separated from the lower half 21b or the upper half 21a.

The base 33b of the elastic holder 33 is formed by a protrusion 32b on the back surface of the bay-shaped rib 32 and a pair of positioning projections 3b.
4 and 34, the elastic holder 33 is disengaged by an external force acting to lift the arms 33a, 33a via the end 31a of the leader pin 31. Can be prevented.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 8 and 9 show the configuration of the elastic holder 33A in the present embodiment. Note that the basic configuration of the entire magnetic tape cartridge is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and portions corresponding to those of the first embodiment in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and details thereof are described. Detailed description is omitted.

The elastic holder 33A according to the present embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 9, an engagement hole 33 d that engages with an engagement protrusion 32 d formed on the back side of the bay-shaped rib 32 is formed on the base 3.
3b is formed in a substantially central portion. An engagement mechanism is constituted by the engagement hole 33d and the engagement protrusion 32d, and the engagement between the engagement hole 33d and the engagement protrusion 32d at the time of press-fitting between the bay-shaped rib 32 and the positioning protrusion 34. Thereby, the retaining effect of the elastic holder 33A can be obtained.

Contrary to the above configuration, a configuration in which an engagement projection is provided on the elastic holder side is also possible. For example, the elastic holder 33B shown in FIG. 10 has a configuration in which an engaging projection 33e projecting toward a positioning projection (not shown) is formed substantially at the center of the base 33b. In this case, the engagement protrusion 33e
By increasing the press-fitting effect of the elastic holder 33B, or by forming an engaging hole 34a 'in which the engaging protrusion 33e engages on the positioning protrusion 34' side as shown in FIG. It is possible to configure. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a base 33b of the elastic holder 33C is provided.
In contrast, a recess 32c formed on the back side of the bay-shaped rib 32
The engagement protrusion 33f that can be engaged with the projection may be formed to project.

Next, FIGS. 13A and 13B show a third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the basic configuration of the entire magnetic tape cartridge is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and portions corresponding to those of the first embodiment in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and details thereof are described. Detailed description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, positioning projections 34A higher than the bay-shaped ribs 32 are formed on the back side (left side in the figure) of the bay-shaped ribs 32, and these bay-shaped ribs 32 and the positioning projections 34A are formed. An elastic holder 33 is incorporated between them (FIG. 1
3A). Then, the heater block 36 heated to a predetermined temperature is pressed against the upper end of the positioning protrusion 34A, and the heat deforming portion 34a having the upper end thermally melted is formed as a closing portion that covers the base 33b of the elastic holder 33, and the elastic deformation is performed. Holder 3
3 is prevented (FIG. 13B). Thereby, the elastic holder 33 can be reliably prevented from coming off.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is, of course, not limited to these embodiments.
Various modifications are possible based on the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the elastic holders 33, 33A, 33B, 33C are made of a metal leaf spring material, but are made of, for example, a synthetic resin material having a certain elastic force. It is also possible.

The bay-shaped rib 32 'shown in FIG. 14 has projections 32S', 32S 'formed in guide grooves 35', 35 'into which the arms 33a, 33a of the elastic holder 33 fit. The arm portions 33a, 33 at 32S ', 32S'
The example which comprised the fulcrum of elastic deformation of a is shown. Also,
Guide portion 32 on the front side (entrance side) of bay-shaped rib 32
G 'and 32G' assist the approach of the leader pin 31,
The protrusions 32P 'and 32P' assist the leader pin 31 from entering the elastic holder 33. In addition, FIG. 5A
Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the pin holding portion 30 having the above-described elastic holding member 33 is connected to the upper half 2.
Although the case where it is provided in both 1a and the lower half 21b has been described, it may be provided in only one of them.

[0036]

As described above, according to the magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention, even if an external force for inclining the leader pin is applied, the elastic holding member is always kept in a proper state without being detached from the cartridge body. The leader pin can be supported in the cartridge body.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an effect of preventing the leader pin from coming off from the pin holding portion can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the elastic holder can be integrated with the cartridge body with a simple configuration.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of preventing the elastic holder from coming off the cartridge body.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a reliable retaining effect of the elastic holder with respect to the cartridge body can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a magnetic tape cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention from above.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention from below.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a lower half side of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein A shows a state in which a leader pin is removed from a pin holding part, and B shows Indicates a state in which the leader pin is fixed by the pin holding portion.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a configuration of a main part of a lower half side of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein A shows a form of a bay-shaped rib, and B shows a configuration of the bay-shaped rib; C shows a state in which the elastic holder is assembled, and C shows a state in which the leader pin is fixed thereto.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a lower half side of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein A shows a state before the elastic holder is attached to the bay-shaped rib;
B shows the state after the assembly.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the entire elastic holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein A is a plan view and B is a plan view showing a modification thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of an elastic holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein A is a side view as viewed from a base side, and B is a partially broken plan view.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a magnetic tape cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the configuration of the elastic holder according to the second embodiment of the present invention, where A is a side view as viewed from the base side,
B is a partially broken plan view.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a magnetic tape cartridge when the elastic holder of FIG. 10 is used.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a magnetic tape cartridge according to another modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a magnetic tape cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein A shows a state immediately after the elastic holder is assembled, and B shows the state of the elastic holder. 3 shows a step of forming a retaining blockage.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a modification of the configuration of the main part of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a configuration of a main part of a conventional magnetic tape cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 20: magnetic tape cartridge, 21: cartridge body, 22: magnetic tape, 23: reel, 30: pin holder, 31: leader pin, 32: bay-shaped rib, 32a: recess, 32d: engaging projection Joint mechanism), 33, 33A, 3
3B, 33C: elastic holding member, 33a: arm portion, 33c: holding portion, 33d: engaging hole (engaging mechanism), 34: positioning projection, 34a: closing portion, 35: groove portion.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A single reel on which a magnetic tape is wound;
A cartridge body that rotatably houses the reel,
A magnetic tape cartridge comprising: a leader pin fixed to one end of the magnetic tape for pulling out the magnetic tape; and a pin holding portion provided on the cartridge main body for detachably holding the leader pin. A bay-shaped rib formed integrally with the cartridge main body and having a recess on the front side into which the end of the leader pin enters, and attached to the back side of the bay-shaped rib, elastically holding the leader pin A magnetic tape cartridge, comprising: a pair of arms to be clamped; and an elastic holder which is arranged to protrude into the recess. 2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a holding portion protruding toward the opposing arm is formed at a tip portion of the pair of arms. 3. The elastic retainer is press-fitted between the bay-shaped rib and a positioning projection erected on the back side of the bay-shaped rib, and the pair of arms are connected to the bay-shaped rib. 2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic tape cartridge is inserted and arranged in a pair of grooves formed in the magnetic tape cartridge. 4. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 3, further comprising an engagement mechanism for fixing the elastic holder between the bay-shaped rib and the positioning projection. 5. A closing part covering an upper part of the elastic holder,
4. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic tape cartridge comprises a thermal deformation portion at an upper end of the positioning projection.