(12) United States Patent
`Shima et al.
`
`USOO6452748B1
`US 6,452,748 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Sep. 17, 2002
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) TAPE CARTRIDGE WITH MATCHED
`BRAKE LOCK AND BRAKE RELEASE
`PLATE
`
`(75) Inventors: Motohiko Shima; Hiroshi Kaneda;
`Masatoshi Okamura, all of Tokyo (JP)
`(73) Assignee: TDK Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/562,341
`(22) Filed:
`May 1, 2000
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`May 21, 1999
`(JP) ........................................... 11-141.538
`May 25, 1999
`(JP) ........................................... 11-144615
`(51) Int. CI.7.
`... G11B 23/107
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................................... 360/132
`(58) Field of Search .......................... 360/132; 242/343,
`242/338.1; 188/218; 369/268; G 11B 23/07
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1/1976 Serizawa ..................., 242/198
`3,934,839 A
`2/1988 Posso ...................... 242/338.1
`4,723,731. A
`4,896,238 A * 1/1990 Oogi et al. ................. 360/132
`5,027,249 A
`6/1991 Johnson et al. ............. 360/132
`5,366,173 A 11/1994 Lammers et al. ........ 242/338.1
`5,893,527 A * 4/1999 Mizutani et al. ......... 242/338.1
`5,901,916 A 5/1999 McAllister et al. ......... 242/348
`6,113,020 A * 9/2000 Nayak ........................ 360/132
`6,264,126 B1
`7/2001 Shima et al. ............... 242/343
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`
`6/1999
`O 926 676 A1
`10/1988
`63-251983
`O926676 A1 * 6/1999
`411238352
`* 8/1999
`WO 98/44506
`10/1998
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner William Korzuch
`Assistant Examiner-Christopher R. Beacham
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Drinker Biddle & Reath
`LLP
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`In a tape cartridge of the Single-reel type having a hub on
`which a length of tape is wound, a brake mechanism
`contained in the hub is movable up and down to apply and
`release the brake on the tape reel. The brake mechanism and
`a brake lock release member disposed between it and the hub
`remain in Sliding engagement after the release of the brake,
`and the resulting friction hamperS Smooth turning of the hub.
`Moreover, after the brake lock has been released, the center
`of the tape reel can be off the center of a rotating shaft of a
`recorder.
`
`The hub of the tape reel has holes formed in its bottom wall
`for engagement with the brake release plate, the brake
`release plate is mounted in the hub with legs fitted in the
`holes of the latter, the brake lock rests on the brake release
`plate, the brake lock is formed with a dent (or lug) with a
`Spherical end and the brake release plate is formed with a
`corresponding lug (or dent) with a spherical end on its upper
`Surface. A highly Slippery sheet member is interposed
`between the contacting parts of the brake lock and the brake
`release plate.
`
`EP
`
`O 284 687 A2 10/1988
`
`3 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
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`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2002, p. 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 1 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`N
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`N 12
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`FIG.1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 2 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`| N
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`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2002, p. 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 BI
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`FIG.4(a)
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`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2002, p. 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet S of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`FIG.5 Prior Art
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`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2002, p. 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 6,452,748 BI
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 6 of 11
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`PriorArt
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`FIG.6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17
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`2002
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`Sheet 7 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`FIG.7
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`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2002, p. 8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 8 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 9 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`FIG.9(a)
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 10 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`FIG.10(a)
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`9
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`FIG.10(b)
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 17, 2002
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`Sheet 11 of 11
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`US 6,452,748 BI
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`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2002, p. 12
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`

`

`1
`TAPE CARTRIDGE WITH MATCHED
`BRAKE LOCK AND BRAKE RELEASE
`PLATE
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a single-reel type tape cartridge
`for use with magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus
`(hereinafter called a “recorder”).
`2. Prior Art
`Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 63-251983 dis
`closes a Single-reel type tape cartridge having a brake lock
`which applies the brake on the tape reel and releases it by
`upward and downward motion within a hub on which the
`tape is wound.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a single-reel type cartridge
`of the prior art and FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing
`essential parts of the cartridge. For easier reference the
`components are shown upside down. The cartridge com
`prises a housing composed of an upper casing 1 and a lower
`casing 2, and a single tape reel 3 on which a length of tape
`14 is wound and which is turnably held within the housing.
`Upper and lower casingS 1, 2 are formed, respectively,
`with cutouts 12, 22 which are joined to provide an opening
`into which a leader block 9 is inserted so as to be drawn out
`by a drive member on the part of a recorder.
`Tape reel 3 consists integrally of a hub 32 formed in one
`piece with a lower flange 33. It is driven for rotation by a
`drive of a recorder that is inserted into the opening 20 of
`lower casing 2.
`Hub 32 has a tooth-like part formed on its inner surface
`to be in mesh with a brake lock 5 so as to prevent unwanted
`turning of tape reel 3 when the latter is not in use.
`Brake lock 5 has teeth 51 formed on its underside in mesh
`with the corresponding part of hub 32. Brake lock 5 is
`normally urged in the braking position by a brake Spring 4.
`A follower projection 52 of brake lock 5 has a recess 73
`which Slidably engages with a guide 13 formed on the inner
`Surface of upper casing 1, allowing brake lock 5 to move up
`and down positively between a lower braking position and
`an upper brake release position.
`A brake release projection 63 formed on the underside of
`brake lock 5 fits in a center hole 43 at the bottom of hub 32,
`and as Soon as the cartridge is loaded in a recorder, brake
`release projection 63 is lifted with an attendant upward
`movement of brake lock 5 out of engagement with tape reel
`3, Setting the reel free to turn.
`The beginning of tape 14 is wound round a pin member
`8, which in turn is fixedly fitted in a pin-receiving groove of
`a leader block 18. When the cartridge is loaded in a recorder,
`leader block 18 is caught by a draw-out member that comes
`out of the recorder into an engaging receSS 19 of the block.
`It is then drawn out, led along the tape path inside the
`recorder up to a takeup reel, and is eventually held within a
`receSS formed in the periphery of the recorder's take-up reel.
`In the cartridge of the prior art, the brake on the hub is
`released as brake lock 5 is lifted with its brake release
`projection 63 pressed by a brake release member of a
`recorder. When the center of either projection 63 or the brake
`release member of a recorder is off the center of the other (a
`Situation that can result from dimensional errors of the
`products), Smooth release of the brake is Sometimes impos
`Sible because the brake lock fails to move Straightly upward
`or because the outer periphery of brake lock 5 catches a
`sloped rib 72 (FIG. 6) that centers brake lock 5 with respect
`to hub 32.
`
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`It might seem possible then to accomplish positive release
`of the brake by the interposition of a brake release plate
`between the brake release member of a recorder and brake
`lock 5 on the part of the cartridge. However, the idea has not
`yet materialized in a perfect Solution.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a Single-reel type tape cartridge capable of releasing the
`brake on the hub reliably and positively.
`In the above case the brake release plate would turn in
`contact with the brake button while the tape reel is turning.
`If the two parts are not in good sliding contact, they would
`hamper Smooth turning of the tape reel.
`It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a
`Single-reel type tape cartridge capable of ensuring Smooth
`turning of the tape reel.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention realizes the above objects by pro
`Viding a tape cartridge wherein a single tape reel on which
`a length of tape is wound is turnably held within a housing
`consisting of an upper casing and a lower casing, the lower
`casing having an opening through which a drive shaft of a
`recorder is to be inserted, the tape reel having a hub which
`is open at top and is closed at the bottom with a wall, the
`bottom wall of the hub having holes for engagement with a
`brake release plate, a metal disk is attached to the outer
`Surface of the underside of said hub and teeth are formed on
`the Outer Surface around the metal disk for engagement with
`the drive shaft of a recorder, teeth to engage a brake lock are
`formed on the inner bottom Surface of the bottom wall of the
`hub, a brake release plate is mounted in the hub with legs
`fitted in the holes of the latter, a brake lock rests on the brake
`release plate, the brake lock having brake teeth formed on
`the periphery of the underside to be in mesh with the teeth
`of the hub and having a follower projection on the upper
`Surface which is adapted to be guided by a guide projection
`formed in the upper casing So as to be movable upward and
`downward but not turnable, and a Spring member is provided
`between the brake lock and upper casing to urge the brake
`lock in the braking position, characterized in that
`said brake lock is formed with a dent (or lug) with a
`Spherical end in the center of its underSide, and the brake
`release plate is formed with a corresponding lug (or dent)
`with a spherical end on its upper Surface.
`Here even more accurate reel centering is made possible
`by increasing the radius of curvature R of the dent to a value
`greater than the radius of curvature r of the end of the lug.
`The invention also provides a tape cartridge wherein a
`Single tape reel on which a length of tape is wound is
`turnably held within a housing consisting of an upper casing
`and a lower casing, the lower casing having an opening
`through which a drive shaft of a recorder is to be inserted,
`the tape reel having a hub which is open at top and is closed
`at the bottom with a wall, the inner bottom wall of the hub
`having holes for engagement with a brake release plate, a
`metal disk is attached to the outer Surface of the underside
`of Said hub and teeth are formed on the outer Surface around
`the metal disk for engagement with the drive shaft of a
`recorder, teeth to engage a brake lock are formed on the
`inner bottom Surface of the hub, a brake release plate is
`mounted in the hub with legs fitted in the holes of the latter,
`a brake lock rests on the brake release plate, the brake lock
`having brake teeth formed on the periphery of the underside
`to be in mesh with the teeth of the hub and having a follower
`projection on the upper Surface which is adapted to be
`guided by a guide projection formed in the upper casing So
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`US 6,452,748 B1
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`3
`as to be movable upward and downward but not turnable,
`and a Spring member is provided between the brake lock and
`upper casing to urge the brake lock in the braking position,
`characterized in that
`a highly Slippery sheet member is interposed between the
`contacting parts of the brake lock and the brake release plate.
`Preferably, the brake lock is formed with a dent (or lug)
`with a spherical end in the center of its underSide, and the
`brake release plate is formed with a corresponding lug (or
`dent) with a spherical end on its upper side.
`Also preferably, reinforcing ribs are provided on the
`underSide of the brake release plate.
`According to the invention, a dent (or lug) with a concave
`or convex Surface is formed in the center of a brake lock and
`a corresponding lug (or dent) with a convex or concave
`Surface is formed on the upper Surface of a brake release
`plate. Thus, even if the brake lock and brake release plate are
`out of center alignment upon release of the brake, the
`concave and convex of the two centers remain aligned,
`performing automatic centering of the tape reel and ensuring
`Stable turning of the reel.
`Also, under the invention, the friction between the con
`tacting rake has been released is decreased by the interpo
`Sition of a highly slippery sheet material, and the turning of
`the tape reel is made Smooth.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tape cartridge as a first
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 gives Sectional views of a cartridge illustrating its
`brake release mechanism, (a) when the brake is locked and
`(b) when the brake is released;
`FIG. 3 gives sectional views of the first embodiment of
`cartridge, (a) when the brake is locked, (b) when the brake
`is released, and (c) a fragmentary enlarged view of (a);
`FIG. 4 gives sectional views of a second embodiment of
`cartridge, (a) when the brake is locked, (b) when the brake
`is released, and (c) a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG.
`3(a);
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a conventional cartridge;
`FIG. 6 is a fragmentary Sectional view of the cartridge
`shown in FIG. 5;
`FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the
`cartridge of the invention;
`FIG. 8 shows in perspective a hub in the above
`embodiment, (a) as seen from above and (b) from below;
`FIG. 9 shows in perspective a brake lock in the above
`embodiment, (a) as seen from below and (b) from above;
`FIG. 10 shows in perspective a brake release plate, (a) as
`seen from above and (b) from below; and
`FIG. 11 gives sectional views of the tape cartridge of the
`above embodiment, (a) when the cartridge is not in use (with
`the brake applied), (b) when the cartridge is in use (with the
`brake released), and (c) essential parts on an enlarged scale.
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`The invention will now be described more concretely. The
`cartridge according to the invention comprises a housing and
`a single tape reel on which a length of tape is wound and
`which is turnably contained in the housing, a lower half
`casing of the housing having an opening through which a
`drive Shaft of a recorder is inserted into the housing.
`
`4
`The tape reel consists of an upper flange, a lower flange,
`and a hub which is open at top and is closed at bottom with
`a bottom wall. The bottom wall of the hub is formed with
`engaging holes into which a brake release plate partly
`passes.
`A magnetic metal disk is fixed to the underSide of the
`bottom wall of the hub, and the underside has teeth to engage
`a drive shaft of a recorder. The inner bottom Surface of the
`bottom wall of the hub is formed with teeth to engage a
`brake lock.
`Inside the hub is mounted the brake release plate having
`legs adapted to fit in the engaging holes in Such a manner not
`to interfere with the teeth of the hub and the teeth of the
`brake lock.
`The brake lock rests on the brake release plate. On the
`periphery of its underside are formed brake teeth adapted to
`mesh with the teeth of the hub, and a follower projection is
`formed on the upper Surface. While the tape cartridge is not
`in use, the hub teeth and the brake teeth of the brake lock are
`in mesh to hold the tape reel against turning.
`The follower projection of the brake lock is formed with
`a groove to engage a guide projection formed in the upper
`casing to move freely upward and downward together. The
`brake lock is not turnable because the guide projection of the
`upper casing and the groove of the brake lock are both
`irregularly shaped.
`Between the brake lock and the upper casing is disposed
`a Spring member that urges the brake lock in the braking
`position.
`In the center of the underside of the brake lock is formed
`a lug (or dent) with a spherical end (having a radius of
`curvature R), and on the upper Surface of the brake release
`plate is formed a corresponding dent (or lug) with a spherical
`end (having a radius of curvature r), preferably R being
`greater than r.
`FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a cartridge embodying the
`present invention.
`The cartridge comprises a housing composed of upper and
`lower casingS 1, 2 and a single tape reel3 on which a length
`of tape 14 is wound and which is turnably held within the
`housing.
`Lower casing 2 has a hole 21 to receive a drive shaft of
`a recorder. Upper and lower casingS 1, 2 are formed,
`respectively, with cutouts 12, 22 which are joined to provide
`an opening through which tape is to be pulled out.
`Tape reel3 consists integrally of an upper flange 31, a hub
`32 formed in one piece with a lower flange 33, and a metal
`disk 7 of a magnetic material that fits to the underside of hub
`32. Metal disk 7 has teeth (not shown) formed on the
`underSide along its periphery and adapted to engage with a
`drive Shaft of a recorder, whereby the disk is magnetically
`attracted to turn tape reel 3. There is no member to fix the
`tape in place, because the tape is directly affixed to the outer
`periphery of the hub with water or the like.
`Hub 32 has a tooth-like part 35 formed on its inner surface
`to be in mesh with a brake lock 5 to prevent unwanted
`turning of tape reel 3 when the latter is not in use.
`Brake lock 5 has a tooth-like part 51 formed on its
`underside in mesh with the corresponding part 35 of hub 32.
`Brake lock 5 is normally urged in the braking position by
`brake Spring 4. Brake lock 5 can be positively moved up and
`down between the braking position and a brake release
`position as its upward projection 52 has a receSS adapted to
`engage a positioning projection (indicated at 13 in FIG. 2)
`formed on the inner Surface of upper casing 1. The receSS is
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`S
`cruciform in horizontal croSS Section and is engaged with the
`positioning projection of a Similar contour, preventing the
`two components from turning in any direction.
`A brake release plate 9 is interposed between hub 32 and
`brake lock 5. Brake release plate 9 consists of a main plate
`91 and legs 92. Legs 92 fit in small holes 34 in the under
`Surface of hub 32. Once the cartridge is loaded in a recorder,
`a brake release member of the recorder lifts the legs 92 of
`brake release plate 9 and hence the brake release plate itself
`while metal disk 7 is magnetically attracted by a shaft of the
`recorder, with a consequent lift of brake lock 5 out of
`engagement with tape reel 3, Setting the reel free to turn.
`The leader end of tape is fixed to a leader 8, which
`consists of a pin member 81 and a C-shaped clamp 82. Tape
`6 is partly wound round pin member 81 and is secured in
`place as C-shaped clamp 82 is fitted over that member. When
`the cartridge is inserted into a recorder, leader 8 is held in
`position by a holder of the recorder so that tape 6 can be
`pulled out.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a cartridge in croSS Sections to show, by
`way of reference, a brake release mechanism before incor
`porating the structure according to the invention, (a) when
`the cartridge is not in use and (b) when it is loaded in a
`recorder.
`To prevent unwanted rotation of tape reel 3, teeth 35
`formed on the inner Surface of hub 32 are engaged with teeth
`51 of brake lock. A follower projection 52 of brake lock 5
`fits on a projection 13 formed in upper casing 1 to holdbrake
`lock 5 from turning.
`Between hub 32 and brake lock 5 is disposed a brake
`release plate 9, which is in contact with a center lug 53 of
`brake lock 5 and is thereby urged downward.
`Brake release plate 9 has a plurality of (e.g., three)
`equidistantly spaced legs 92 fitted in small holes 34 corre
`spondingly formed in hub 32. The ends of legs 92 extend
`beyond hub 32 but not beyond the outer surface of lower
`casing 2.
`When the cartridge is loaded in a recorder, tape reel 3
`(with the aid of magnetic metal disk 7) is Sucked up by a
`drive shaft of the recorder from the state shown in FIG.2(a).
`At the same time, the drive shaft pushes legs 92 upwardly
`with a concomitant lift of brake lock 5, disengaging its teeth
`51 from teeth 35 of hub 32 and setting tape reel3 free to turn.
`Legs 92 of brake release plate 9 remain fitted in holes 34 of
`hub 32, and the brake release plate turns together with tape
`reel 3 (as in FIG. 2(b)).
`Center lug 53 of brake lock 5 and brake release plate 9 are
`Simply in contact, and looseness of engagement between the
`upper casing and brake lock or between brake lock and hub
`can sometimes bring the center of brake lock 5 out of
`alignment with that of brake release plate 9. In that case
`brake lock 5 upon its release might fail to press the center of
`tape reel 3 exactly enough to turn it stably.
`First embodiment
`Under the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, a lug 54 is
`formed in the center of brake lock 5 and a dent 93 in the
`center of the main plate 91 of brake release plate 9. Thus,
`even if brake lock 5 and brake release plate 9 are out of
`center alignment upon release of the brake, the concave and
`convex of the two centerS remain aligned, ensuring Stable
`turning of the tape reel. The alignment is made more certain
`by forming a dent 93 with a radius of curvature R greater
`than the radius r of the convex surface of lug 53.
`Second embodiment
`FIG. 4 illustrates reversal of the concavo-convex relation
`ship. Lug 54 of the first embodiment is replaced by a dent
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
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`US 6,452,748 B1
`
`6
`55 and dent 93 replaced by a lug 94, and a similar favorable
`effect is achieved. Dent 55 with a radius of curvature R
`greater than the radius 5 of the head of lug 94 enhances the
`alignment.
`Even when the center of either brake release plate or brake
`lock is off the center of the other, the two centers can be
`aligned and Stable tape running is ensured.
`FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a tape cartridge as another
`embodiment of the invention.
`The cartridge comprises a housing consisting of upper and
`lower casingS 1, 2 and a single tape reel3 on which a length
`of tape is wound and which is turnably contained in the
`housing.
`Lower casing 2 has an opening 21 through which a drive
`shaft of a recorder is inserted into the housing. Upper and
`lower casingS 1, 2 have cutouts 12, 22, respectively, which
`are joined to form an opening through which tape is to be
`pulled out.
`Tape reel 3 consists of an upper flange 31, a hub 32
`formed in one piece with a lower flange 33, and a metal disk
`7 that fits integrally to the underside of hub 32. Metal disk
`7 has drive teeth 39 (FIG. 8(b)) formed along its periphery
`and adapted to engage a drive Shaft of a recorder, whereby
`the disk is magnetically attracted to turn tape reel 3. There
`is no member to fix the tape in place, because the tape is
`directly affixed to the outer periphery of the hub with water
`or the like.
`Hub 32 has teeth 35 formed on its inner Surface to be in
`mesh with a brake lock 5 to prevent unwanted turning of
`tape reel 3 when the latter is not in use.
`As shown in FIG. 9, brake lock 5 has teeth 51 formed on
`its underside in mesh with the teeth 35 of hub 32. Brake lock
`5 is normally urged in the braking position by brake Spring
`4. Brake lock 5 is not turnable but can be positively moved
`up and down between the braking position and brake release
`position as its follower projection 52 with a receSS of an
`irregular shape Slides in engagement with a positioning
`projection (indicated at 13 in FIG. 11) formed on the inner
`Surface of upper casing 1.
`A brake release plate 9 is interposed between hub 32 and
`brake lock 5. Brake release plate 9 consists of a main plate
`91 and a plurality of legs 92. Legs 92 fit in small through
`holes 36 formed in the under Surface of hub 32. Once the
`cartridge is loaded in a recorder, a brake release member of
`the recorder lifts the legs 92 of brake release plate 9 and
`hence the brake release plate itself while metal disk 7 is
`magnetically attracted by a shaft of the recorder, with a
`consequent lift of brake lock 5 out of engagement with tape
`reel 3, Setting the reel free to turn.
`FIG. 8 shows hub 32 in perspective. The lower surface of
`hub 32 has teeth 35 formed in portions away from through
`holes 36, to be in mesh with brake lock 5. In the center of
`the hub is formed a dent 38, which is connected with the
`throughholes with radial grooves 37.
`On the outer side of the lower Surface of hub 32 is formed
`drive teeth 39 adapted to engage a corresponding part of a
`recorder, and in the center is formed a projection 40 to fit in
`a center hole 71 of metal disk 7.
`The beginning of tape 14 is partly wound round a pin
`member 81, which in turn is fitted Securely in a pin-receiving
`groove of a leader block 18. When the cartridge is inserted
`into a recorder, leader block 18 is gripped at its engaging
`recess 19 by a draw-out member of the recorder. It is thus
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2002, p. 15
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`US 6,452,748 B1
`
`7
`pulled out, led along a tape path to a take-up reel inside the
`recorder and is eventually held in a receSS formed on the
`outer periphery of the take-up reel.
`FIG. 9 illustrates brake lock 5 in perspective, (a) as seen
`from above and (b) from below. Brake lock 5 has brake teeth
`51 formed on the underside and adapted to engage teeth 35
`of hub 32 so as to prevent unwanted turning of tape reel 3
`and also has a lug 53 formed in the center which comes in
`contact with a brake release plate 9.
`FIG. 10 shows brake release plate 9 in perspective, (a) as
`seen from above and (b) from below. Brake release plate 9
`consists of three legs 92 and a generally triangular main
`plate 91. A dent 93 is formed in the center of main plate 91.
`Dent 93 is located where it comes in contact with lug 53 of
`brake lock 5, and its concavity helps prevent off-center
`alignment of the two parts and ensure Smooth turning of the
`reel. Asheet member 28 of highly slippery material is affixed
`to dent 93. On the underside of brake release plate 9 there
`are formed first reinforcing ribs 94 between its center and
`legs 92. The reinforcing ribs improve the dimensional accu
`racy of the brake release plate and permit positive brake
`release. Legs 92 extend into throughholes 36 and beyond the
`underside of hub 32. Reinforcing ribs 94 fit in grooves 37 of
`hub 32.
`FIG. 11 gives sectional views of the cartridge. As indi
`cated in FIG.11(a), brake release plate 9 is constantly urged
`downward from above by brake lock 5. When the cartridge
`is used, legs 92 are forced upward as in FIG. 11(b), against
`the downward urging, by a brake release member (not
`shown) of a recorder, with consequent upward movement of
`brake release plate 9 and application of reversely directed
`forces to the center and legs 92 on the Outer edges of brake
`release plate 9. For this reason first reinforcing ribs 94 are
`provided to add strength to brake release plate 9 as in FIG.
`10(b).
`Turning of tape reel 3, accompanied with the turning of
`brake release plate 9, brings brake lock 5 and brake release
`plate 9 into frictional contact. However, highly slippery
`sheet member 28 interposed between the two parts produces
`good sliding contact between them, ensuring stable tape reel
`turning.
`Suitable material for slippery sheet member 28 is Teflon
`sheet or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene sheet.
`Sheet member 28 is affixed to brake release plate 9 with
`adhesive.
`Although sheet member 28 is affixed to brake release plate
`9 in the illustrated embodiment, the sheet may be affixed to
`lug 53 of brake lock 5 instead. It is further possible to reverse
`the concavo-convex relationship of lug 53 of brake lock 5
`and dent 93 of brake release plate 9.
`The interposition of a highly slippery sheet member
`according to the invention improves the Sliding contact
`between the brake lock and brake release plate and permits
`the tape reel to turn Stably.
`Also, because the brake lock and brake release plate are
`in contact through their lug and dent, the center of rotation
`can be properly maintained and more Smooth turning of the
`tape reel is ensured.
`
`8
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A tape cartridge wherein a single tape reel on which a
`length of tape is wound is turnably held within a housing
`comprising an upper casing and a lower casing, the lower
`casing having an opening through which a drive shaft of a
`recorder is to be inserted, Said tape reel having a hub which
`is open at top and is closed at the bottom with a wall, the
`inner bottom wall of Said hub having holes for engagement
`with a brake release plate, a metal disk is attached to the
`outer Surface of the underside of Said hub and teeth are
`formed on the outer Surface around the metal disk for
`engagement with the drive shaft of a recorder, teeth to
`engage a brake lock are formed on the inner bottom Surface
`of the bottom wall of said hub, a brake release plate is
`mounted in said hub with legs fitted in the holes of the latter,
`a brake lock rests on Said brake release plate, Said brake lock
`having brake teeth formed on the periphery of the underside
`to be in mesh with the teeth of said hub and having a
`follower projection on the upper Surface which is adapted to
`be guided by a guide projection formed in the upper casing
`so as to be movable upward and downward but not turnable,
`and a Spring member is provided between said brake lock
`and upper casing to urge Said brake lock in the braking
`position, characterized in that Said brake lock is formed with
`a dent or lug with a spherical end in the center of the
`underSide thereof, and Said brake release plate is formed
`with a corresponding lug or dent with a spherical end on the
`upper Surface thereof.
`2. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, characterized
`in that the radius of curvature R of Said dent is greater than
`the radius of curvature r of Said lug.
`3. A tape cartridge wherein a Single tape reel on which a
`length of tape is wound is turnably held within a housing
`comprising an upper casing and a lower casing, the lower
`casing having an opening through which a drive shaft of a
`recorder is to be inserted, Said tape reel having a hub which
`is open at top and is closed at the bottom with a wall, the
`inner bottom wall of Said hub having holes for engagement
`with a brake release plate, a metal disk is attached to the
`outer Surface of the underside of Said hub and teeth are
`formed on the outer Surface around the metal disk for
`engagement with the drive shaft of a recorder, teeth to
`engage a brake lock are formed on the inner bottom Surface
`of the bottom wall of said hub, a brake release plate is
`mounted in said hub with legs fitted in the holes of the latter,
`a brake lock rests on Said brake release plate, Said brake lock
`having brake teeth formed on the periphery of the underside
`to be in mesh with the teeth of said hub and having a
`follower projection on the upp