JPS644271B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adapter for a small tape cassette, and in particular, unless the top cover is closed, the tape loading operation within the adapter is not performed, and furthermore, the tape unloading operation within the adapter is not completed. To provide an adapter for a small tape cassette which is configured so that the top cover does not open as long as possible, and which ensures that the top cover is closed whenever tape is being fed out from the small tape cassette, thereby reliably preventing erroneous handling. The purpose is to

The present applicant has previously proposed a tape cassette that is smaller than the standard tape cassette, and an adapter for use in attaching this small tape cassette to a standard recording/reproducing device. This adapter houses a small tape cassette, and uses an internal tape loading/unloading mechanism to load the tape to form a tape path within the adapter that corresponds to the front tape path of a standard tape cassette. It is installed in a recording/reproducing device in the same way as a standard tape cassette.
Some of these adapters are also equipped with a top cover that covers the top of a small tape cassette stored in a closed state.

In the above adapter, the top cover and the tape loading/unloading mechanism are not related in any way, and tape loading is performed even when the top cover is open, and the top cover is not connected even before the tape unloading operation is completed. Mishandling, such as accidentally removing a small tape cassette from the adapter with the tape pulled out (this results in damage to the tape).
There was a problem that there was a risk that this could be done.

The present invention solves the above problems, and one embodiment thereof will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape cassette adapter 1 consists of an adapter housing 2 and a front lid 3.
It has substantially the same external dimensions as a standard tape cassette, and has a small tape cassette storage section 4 inside. This adapter 1 has a small tape cassette 5 which is smaller than a standard tape cassette in a storage part 4.
, close the top cover 6 to cover the small tape cassette 5, and then rotate the operation knob 7 to load the tape within the adapter to form a predetermined tape path and start standard recording. It is inserted into the cassette housing of the playback device and attached to the device.

As shown in Fig. 2, the small tape cassette 5 consists of a cassette housing 8 that houses a magnetic tape, and a lid 9 that is normally closed and is provided on the front side of the cassette housing 8 to protect the magnetic tape inside. Become. This lid 9 has a pin 10 between the closed lid position and the horizontal open position.
It rotates around , and is held in each position by the action of a U-shaped leaf spring and a pressing rod.

When the operating knob 7 is rotated clockwise, the special chain 11 is pulled into the J-shaped guide groove 12a of the fixed guide plate 12, and the loading arm 13 is pulled by the special chain 11 and the pin 14 is pulled in. Rotate clockwise around the center to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. Further, the rotation of the arm 13 is transmitted via the link 15 (moves in the direction of arrow _X1 ) and the gear train 16, and the loading arm 17
rotates counterclockwise about the pin 18 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line.

By the rotation of each loading arm 13, 17, the poles 19, 20 pull out the magnetic tape 21 from the small tape cassette 5 stored in the cassette storage section 4, and a tape loading operation is performed within the adapter 1. A tape path 22 is formed that corresponds to the front side tape path of a standard tape cassette. In this state, the adapter 1 is attached to a standard recording/reproducing apparatus, and recording/reproduction is performed on the magnetic tape 21 of the small tape cassette 5, as in the case of a standard tape cassette.

In addition, when taking out the small tape cassette 5 from the storage section 4 after using the adapter 1, use the operation knob 7.
counterclockwise. By this operation, the special chain 11 is let out from the fixed guide plate 12, the arm 13 is rotated counterclockwise, and the link 15 (moves in the direction of arrow _X2 ) and the gear train 16 are rotated counterclockwise.
The arm 17 rotates clockwise through the cassette 5, and the rotation of the operating knob 7 is further transmitted through the gear train 23 to the take-up reel 24 in the small tape cassette 5, which rotates clockwise to remove the tape. wind up. As a result, the tape 21 is wound and stored in the cassette 5, and tape unloading is performed. After that, the top cover 6 is opened and the small tape cassette 5 is pushed up and taken out from the storage section 4.

Next, the configuration and operation of each part of the adapter 1 will be explained.

Structure and operation of the surroundings of the top cover 6 (see FIGS. 3 to 11) The top cover 6 is locked in the closed position, and is configured to control the locking mechanism for the loading mechanism in connection with the opening and closing operations of the top cover 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top cover 6 is made up of a main body 30 and arms 31 and 32 on the left and right sides of the front edge, and bearings 33 and 34 at the bases of the arms are connected to adapters, respectively. It is supported by pin members 35 and 36 of the housing 2, and rotates between a closed position (Fig. 7) that covers the top surface of the storage section 4 and an open position (Fig. 8) in a vertical state. . Further, the top cover 6 is biased in the opening direction by a torsion coil spring 37. Furthermore, the top cover 6 normally has its hook portion 38 locked by a locking arm 40 of a sliding member 39 (see FIGS. 4 and 10).
(see illustration), the lid is locked in the closed position.

By sliding the sliding knob 41 on the top surface of the adapter housing 2 in the direction of _arrow
The lid is rotated to the vertical position in the direction of arrow _A1 , and the lid is automatically opened as shown in FIG. Further, by rotating the top cover 6 in the direction of arrow _A2 and pushing it down, the inclined surfaces 42 and 43 work together to lock the top cover 6 in the closed state as shown in FIG.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,
The sliding knob 41 and the sliding member 39 are integrally assembled and slidably provided on the top plate 2a of the adapter housing 2, and are supported by a compression coil spring 44 in the direction of arrow _X2.
biased in the direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, lid locking portions 45 and 46 are formed inside each arm portion 31 and 32 of the top cover 6. As shown in FIGS. The lid locking portions 45 and 46 function to automatically open the lid 9 of the small tape cassette 5 and maintain it in the open state. As shown in FIG. 5, the lid locking portion 45 has an inclined surface 45a that extends downwardly toward the main body 30 so as to protrude from the back surface of the main body 30 at one end. Another lid locking portion 46 is attached to the main body portion 30 as shown in FIG.
It is a triangular prism with an inclined surface 46a on the side. Each lid locking portion 45, 46 is formed to extend downward from the upper surface of the arm portions 31, 32 by the thickness of the lid 9 of the small tape cassette 5.

As shown in FIG. 9, the small tape cassette 5 is handled with the lid 9 closed, positioned, and pushed down in the direction of arrow _Z1 to be stored in the storage section 4. At this time, the lower edges of the lid 9 on the left and right sides are connected to the inclined surfaces 45a of the lid locking parts 45, 46,
46a and rotates in the direction of arrow _B1 .
When the small tape cassette 5 is completely stored in the storage section 4, the lid 9 is slightly opened and the lid locking parts 45, 46 are opened, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
protrudes to the other side, and the back side is the lid locking part 45, 4
Opposed to 6. In response to the subsequent closing operation of the top cover 6, the lid 9 engages the lid locking portions 45, 46.
is locked and further rotated in the direction of arrow _B1 ,
Click to rotate to horizontal position.

When the top cover 6 is closed, the fifth
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 7, the upper surface of the cassette housing 8 of the small tape cassette is covered with a main body portion 30, and the lid 9 is flush with the upper surfaces of the arm portions 31 and 31 when opened. In particular, the lid 9 is in a locked state on the back side at the left and right ends by the lid locking parts 45 and 46, and is kept in the open position without closing even when a force is applied in the direction of arrow _Z1 . . For this reason,
Even if the lid 9 is pressed by mistake, it will not close, and furthermore, the adapter 1 can be applied without any problem to a frent loading type recording/reproducing device in which the lid 9 is pressed by a roller.

Furthermore, when the top cover 6 is opened and the small tape cassette 5 is pushed up in the direction of arrow Z ₂ to be removed from the storage section 4, the lid 9 is locked to the front edge 30a of the main body 30 of the top cover 6 and moved in the direction of arrow B _2.
The lid is automatically closed when rotated in this direction. Here, the front edge portion 30 is formed as an inclined surface so as to lock a portion of the lid 9 away from the pin 10. Therefore, the lid 9 closes smoothly in conjunction with the cassette removal operation.

Further, the top cover 6 is configured to control a locking mechanism for the loading mechanism by opening and closing the top cover 6, which will be described later.

Relationship between the top cover and the locking mechanism for the loading mechanism (see FIGS. 7, 8, and 10 to 12) It consists of a locking piece 52 fixed in the middle. The stopper 51 has a shape in which an upper part on the distal end side is an inclined surface 51a that cooperates with the above-mentioned hook part 38, a lower part is a hook part 51b that locks the protrusion 52a of the locking piece 52, and a torsion coil spring (Fig. (not shown) rotates in the timekeeping direction in FIG. 12 (that is, the direction in which the hook portion 51b locks the protrusion 52b).

When the top cover 6 is open as shown in FIG. 8, the stopper 51 is rotated clockwise without being locked by the hook 38, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. is the protrusion 52
A is locked. Therefore, the link 15 is locked and restricted from moving in the direction of arrow _X1 , and even if an attempt is made to rotate the operating knob 7, it cannot be rotated. This prevents an erroneous operation in which the tape loading operation is performed by operating the operation knob 7 while the top cover 6 remains open.

Note that when the top cover 6 is closed, the stopper 51 is pushed against the inclined surface 51a by the hook portion 38 and rotated counterclockwise, and the hook portion 51b is pushed against the protrusion 52a.
The lock on the loading record is released and the loading operation becomes possible.

The relationship between the loading mechanism and the top cover opening sliding knob mechanism (Figures 10, 11, 13)
(See figure) The lock lever 55 has one end attached to the bracket 56.
It is supported by a horizontal shaft 57, is disposed above the locking piece 52, and is urged to rotate clockwise by a torsion coil spring (not shown). Further, a protrusion 55a that is locked by the locking piece 52 on the lower surface in the middle of the lock lever 55, and a hook portion 55b that locks the hanging piece 58 of the sliding member 39 on the upper surface of the tip.
is formed.

Before the loading operation, the lock lever 55 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 11, and the hook portion 55b is located below the hanging piece 58.
The sliding knob 41 can be operated in the direction of arrow _X1 .

After closing the top cover 6, the operation knob 7 is operated to operate the loading mechanism, and the link 15 is activated.
moves in the direction of arrow _X1 . When the link 15 moves, the locking piece 52 locks on the protrusion 55a and pushes it upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the lock lever 55 rotates counterclockwise, the hook portion 55b moves upward and locks the hanging piece 58, and the sliding knob 41 moves in the direction of arrow _X1. Operation becomes impossible. Therefore, after the loading operation is started, even if an attempt is made to operate the sliding knob 41, the operation becomes impossible.

Regarding the unloading operation, the lock lever 55 is kept in the above-mentioned locked state while the unloading operation is in progress, and returns to the original unlocked state shown in FIG. 12 at the end of the unloading operation. As a result, while the unloading operation is in progress, even if an attempt is made to operate the sliding operation knob 41, the operation becomes impossible.

Therefore, after the loading operation is started,
Also, the malfunction of detaching the small tape cassette 5 from the adapter 1 while the unloading operation is still progressing and before it is completed is reliably prevented.

Tape Loading/Unloading Operation Knob Mechanism (See FIGS. 14 to 17) As shown in FIGS. It is arranged so as to protrude from the window 61 of the window 61.

The operator places his or her fingertip on the operating section 60 and operates it by pulling or pushing.
Rotates around.

The counterclockwise end of the arc-shaped operating portion 60 is a recessed portion 63
The vicinity of the clockwise end is a thin flange portion 64 as shown in FIG. 16'. The concave portion 63 and the thin flange portion 64 each provide the operator with a change in the tactile sensation of the fingertips, thereby allowing the operator to sense that the end of the loading and unloading operations is near.

Further, the lower surface of the operating knob 7 is a recess 65, and the inner peripheral wall surface thereof is a camera surface 67 that cooperates with a cam roller 66. The cam surface 67 has V-shaped grooves 68 and 69 at both ends of an arcuate surface. The cam roller 66 is supported on a lever 72 which is pivotally supported by a pin 70 and biased clockwise by a spring 71. The operation knob 7 is set before loading starts (after unloading is completed).
As shown in FIG. 14, the cam roller 66 is fitted into the V-shaped groove 68 and click-locked, and after loading is completed, the cam roller 66 is inserted into another V-shaped groove 68 as shown in FIG. 69 and similarly click-locked. Especially after the loading is completed, the recess 65 and the flat surface 7
3 are lined up in the window 61, and the operating section 60 does not protrude from the adapter housing 2.

Here, the V-shaped groove 68 is larger than the cam roller 66, and the cam roller 66 is larger than the operating knob 7.
After being rotated by a relatively large angle from the position shown in FIG. 14, it comes out of the V-shaped groove 68. For this reason,
After a slight loading operation, the cam roller 66 is still attached to the inclined surface 68 of the V-shaped groove 68.
a is pressed, and when the fingertip is released from the operating portion 60 at this stage, the operating knob 7 does not remain in its rotational position, but rotates back to its original position by the action of the cam roller 66. As a result, the loading mechanism, which has started to move somewhat, returns to its original state. Furthermore, when the unloading operation is nearly completed, the cam roller 66 partially enters the V-shaped groove 68.
Thereafter, even if the fingertip is removed from the operation knob 7, the operation knob 7 will automatically rotate to the unloading completion position by the action of the cam roller 66, and the loading mechanism will surely be in the unloading completion state.

Note that the mechanism for locking the sliding knob 41 (lock lever 55, locking piece 52) is configured to operate after the loading operation has started, taking into account assembly errors, etc. The cam roller 66 and V-shaped groove 68 are used to return the operation knob 7, that is, the loading mechanism, to its original state in the loading operation stage before the sliding knob lock mechanism becomes lockable, and the sliding knob lock mechanism returns to the lockable state. The roller 66 is configured to come out of the V-shaped groove 68 in the subsequent loading operation stage. Therefore, if you take your finger off the operation knob 7 at the initial stage of the loading operation and the sliding knob lock mechanism is in a state where it cannot be locked, the loading mechanism will automatically return to its original state and the small tape cassette 5 will be loaded. The tape can be removed from the adapter without damaging it. Furthermore, if the loading mechanism does not return to its original position even after releasing the fingertip from the operating knob 7, the sliding knob 41 is always in the locked state, and the loading mechanism is maintained in the operating position. The sliding knob 41 is no longer unlocked and can be operated, and it is possible to prevent an accident in which the small tape cassette 5 is accidentally removed from the adapter 1 and the tape is damaged while the loading mechanism is operating.

Furthermore, when the operating knob 7 is operated to the position where the cam roller 66 has just come out of the V-shaped groove 68, the poles 19 and 20 are in the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Even if an attempt is made to take it out, the opened lid 9 will be pinched by the poles 19, 20 and the front edge 30a of the top cover 6, and the closing of the lid will be restricted, thereby preventing the tape from being damaged. Also, taking out the small tape cassette 5 is restricted in this state. This provides a measure against the case where the locking mechanism for the sliding knob 41 is not yet activated at the stage where the operating knob 7 has been operated to the above-mentioned position.

In addition, at a predetermined position on the top surface of the operation knob 7,
A "START" character 74 and an "END" character 75 are marked. Characters 74 look out from the window 76 before loading starts and when unloading is completed to indicate that the adapter 1 is in a state before loading starts or when unloading is completed.
Another character 75 appears through the window 76 upon completion of loading to indicate that the adapter 1 is in the completed loading state.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, in addition to letters 74 and 75 on the top surface of the operation knob, a matte pattern 77 is also provided.
You can also mark it. This satin pattern 77 is formed in an arc shape with varying width between both characters.
In the case of this operating knob 7A, in addition to the before loading start (unloading completion) and the completion of loading, the progress state of the loading operation can also be displayed from the change state of the width of the satin pattern 77.

Display Panel Structure (See Figures 18 and 19) The display panel 80 is marked with usage instructions, precautions, trademarks, etc., and is located on the top plate 2a above the operation knob 7 in the adapter housing 2. It is attached to close the opening 81 and forms a part of the top plate 2a. This display panel 80 has the above-mentioned window 76.
is formed.

This display panel 80 is attached at the end of the adapter assembly process, and the adapter assembly is performed using the opening 81 with good workability.

Note that several types of display panels 80 are prepared for different orientation points, and the adapter 1 is assembled in common regardless of the orientation location, and in the final step, the display panel 80 corresponding to the orientation location of the adapter 1 is attached to complete the process.

As mentioned above, the small tape cassette adapter according to the present invention is used when a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette is attached to a standard tape cassette recording/reproducing device, and is accommodated by moving in one direction. Tape loading involves pulling out the tape from a small tape cassette to form a tape path corresponding to the front tape path of the standard tape cassette, and then moving in the opposite direction to return the tape forming the tape path into the small tape cassette. - An adapter for a small tape cassette that has an unloading mechanism, and unless the cover member that covers the top surface of the small tape cassette stored with the lid closed is closed, the tape loading/unloading mechanism will not perform the loading operation. Since the structure includes a locking means for keeping the tape in the position before starting, the tape loading operation is prevented when the cover member is not closed, and therefore the small tape cassette can be detached from the adapter. It is possible to reliably prevent tape loading operation under
Furthermore, since the structure is provided with means for preventing the cover member from opening until the tape loading/unloading mechanism completes the unloading operation, it is possible to prevent the cover member from opening until the tape loading/unloading mechanism completes the unloading operation. It has the advantage of preventing the erroneous operation of attempting to take out the small tape cassette from the adapter before it has been returned to the tape cassette, and is convenient for protecting the tape.

Furthermore, if the tape loading/unloading mechanism is canceled during the initial stage of the loading operation, or if the unloading operation is nearing the end, the tape loading/unloading mechanism is forced to perform the tape loading/unloading operation. Since the structure includes a means for returning the unloading mechanism to the unloading completion position, the tape loading/unloading mechanism does not reach the unloading completion position and remains at this position. Not,
It is not always necessary to operate the loading/unloading mechanism reliably until it returns to the unloading completion position.
It has the advantage of improved operability and the ability to remove a small tape cassette using an adapter without damaging the tape.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a small tape cassette adapter according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a small tape cassette housed in the adapter of FIG. 1, and FIGS. The figures are a plan view and a front view of the top cover, respectively, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along lines - and - in FIG. , Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are diagrams showing the states of the locking mechanism for the lid and loading mechanism of the small tape cassette when the top cover is closed and opened, respectively, and Fig. 9 shows the state of the locking mechanism for the small tape cassette when the small tape cassette is stored. Figure 10 shows the mechanism for locking the top cover in the closed position, and Figures 11 and 13 show the sliding knob, respectively. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the state of the locking mechanism for the loading mechanism when the top cover is open, and FIG.
15 and 15 are partially sectional plan views showing the state of the operation knob mechanism before loading operation and after the adapter operation is completed, respectively, and FIG. 16 is a plan view taken along the - line in FIG. 14 showing the shape of the operation knob. 17 is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a modified example of the operation knob.
The figure is a plan view showing the display panel section, and FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 8; FIG. 1... Tape cassette adapter, 2... Adapter housing, 2a... Top plate, 2b... Right side, 3...
...Front lid, 4...Small tape cassette storage section, 5
...Small tape cassette, 6...Top cover,
7...Operation knob, 8...Cassette housing, 9...
Lid, 10...Pin, 11...Special chain, 12
...Solid guide plate, 13,17...Loading arm, 14,18...Pin, 15...Link,
16, 23...gear train, 19,20...pole,
21...magnetic tape, 22...tape path, 24
...Take-up reel, 30...Main body, 31, 32...
...Arm part, 33, 34...Bearing part, 35, 36...
Pin member, 37... Torsion coil spring, 38... Hook portion, 39... Sliding member, 40... Locking arm portion, 41
...Sliding knob, 42, 43...Slanted surface, 44...
Coil spring, 45, 46... Lid locking part, 45a,
46a... Inclined surface, 50... Vertical axis, 51... Stopper, 51a... Inclined surface, 5b... Hook portion, 52
... Locking piece, 52a ... Protrusion, 55 ... Lock lever, 55a ... Protrusion, 55b ... Hook portion, 56 ...
...Bracket, 57...Horizontal axis, 58...Descent piece, 60...Operation unit, 61...Window, 62...Shaft,
63... Recess, 64... Thin flange, 65... Recess, 66... Cam roller, 67... Cam surface, 6
8, 69...V-shaped groove, 70...pin, 71...spring, 72...lever, 73...flat surface, 74...
"START" character, 75..."END" character, 76
... window, 77 ... satin pattern, 80 ... display panel, 81 ... opening.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1 Used when a tape cassette smaller than a standard tape cassette is attached to a recording/playback device for standard tape cassettes, and is operated in one direction to pull out the tape from the stored small tape cassette. to form a tape path corresponding to the front side tape path of the standard tape cassette, and operate in the opposite direction to return the tape forming the tape path into the small tape cassette. An adapter for a small tape cassette having a mechanism, wherein the tape loading/unloading mechanism starts the loading operation unless a cover member covering the upper surface of the small tape cassette stored with the lid closed is closed. locking means for remaining locked in the previous position; means for preventing the cover member from opening until the tape loading/unloading mechanism completes an unloading operation; and the tape loading/unloading mechanism. If the tape loading/unloading mechanism is canceled at the initial stage of the loading operation, or if the unloading operation is nearing the end, the tape loading/unloading mechanism is forcibly moved to the unloading position. An adapter for a small tape cassette, characterized in that it is provided with a means for returning the tape cassette.