Patent ID: 6452748
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
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.