Patent ID: 6264126
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A tape cartridge comprising a housing composed of upper and lower casings, a single tape reel around which a length of tape is wound and which is turnably held within the housing, said lower casing having an opening through which a drive shaft of a recorder is to be inserted, said tape reel being composed of an upper flange, a lower flange, and a hub which is open at top and closed at bottom, said hub having a hole formed at the bottom thereof in engagement with a brake release plate, a metal disk disposed on the outer side of the bottom of said hub, and teeth formed on the bottom around the disk for engagement with the drive shaft of a recorder, said hub having teeth provided on the inner side of the bottom thereof in mesh with a brake lock, a brake release plate mounted in said hub in engagement with the hole of said hub, a brake lock mounted further on said brake release plate, said brake lock having brake teeth on the outer periphery of the bottom thereof and follower projections on the top thereof, said hub teeth and said brake teeth of the brake lock being engageable to prevent turning of said tape reel, said follower projections being adapted to be guided by a guide provided in said upper casing, and a spring member disposed between said brake lock and upper casing to urge said brake lock normally in the braking position, characterized in thatsaid guide of said upper casing and said follower of said brake lock having contours such that the former has guide slopes and positioning points and the latter has projections adapted to be guided by said guide slopes and positioned at said positioning points so that the latter revolves in sliding contact with and fits in the former for positioning.