Patent ID: 6113020
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A tape cartridge comprising:a tape reel having a reel coupling engageable with a motor coupling for rotation of the tape reel;a cartridge shell for housing the tape reel;a locking device coupled to the cartridge shell and engageable with the tape reel to lock the tape reel against rotation relative to the cartridge shell;a first biasing device that biases the locking device towards locking engagement with the tape reel;a second biasing device that biases the tape reel towards engagement with the motor coupling; anda disengagement device coupled to the locking device and engageable with a motor coupling to disengage the locking device from the tape reel upon engagement of the tape reel with a motor coupling;wherein the first biasing device is a helical lock spring, the second biasing device is a helical engagement spring, and the lock spring, engagement spring and locking device are coaxial;wherein the locking device comprises a hollow central hub, a plurality of arms radiating from the hub, and a continuous annular ring supported by the plurality of arms engageable with the tape reel for locking the tape reel; andwherein the disengagement device comprises a disengagement protrusion, extending downward from a bottom surface of the hub, which abuts an upwardly protruding post of a motor coupling when the motor coupling and the reel coupling are engaged;further comprising a cylindrical lock spring guide downwardly protruding from a top surface of the cartridge shell for supporting the lock spring, wherein one end of the lock spring abuts the cartridge shell and the other end of the lock spring abuts the bottom surface of the hub of the locking device;wherein the lock spring guide is hollow, the lock spring is disposed inside an inner diameter thereof, and the hub of the locking device is slidably supported on an outer diameter thereof for motion in an axial direction.