Tape cassette

A tape cassette housing a cassette main body unit a pair of tape reels. The cassette main body unit is made up of an upper cassette half and a lower cassette half, and a tape-shaped recording medium is placed between the tape reels. One of the cassette halves constituting the cassette main body unit has a reel unlock unit engaged by engagement members of various portions of other mechanical units excluding a tape driving unit on the recording and/or reproducing apparatus and a frame unit of a synthetic resin having an integrally formed design statement detection unit or a loading reference used for loading the tape cassette on a recording and/or reproducing apparatus. The frame unit also has, as an aperture, a portion registering with a tape reel rotation area on its bottom side, and a metallic plate integrated into the aperture for forming a portion of the tape reel rotation area on the bottom of the frame unit. The metallic plate has a pair of reel bearing holes into which is intruded the tape driving unit. The metallic plate is integrated by insertion molding into the aperture of the frame unit. The main body unit of the tape cassette is made up of the frame unit of synthetic resin and the metallic plate for realizing sufficient mechanical strength against warping or distortion and maintaining the overall weight of the tape cassette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a tape cassette and a metal mold device for 
molding tape cassette halves designed for housing therein a tape-shaped 
recording medium, such as a magnetic tape. More particularly, it relates 
to a tape cassette made up of a pair of cassette halves part of which is 
formed by a metallic plate, and to a metal mold device for molding the 
cassette halves of the metal mold. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Up to now, a tape cassette housing therein a magnetic tape having a tape 
width of 8 mm has been used for recording data processed by a video tape 
recorder recording video signals or a computer. 
A tape cassette used as a recording medium for a video tape recorder is 
configured as shown for example in FIG. 1. Such a video tape cassette 100, 
abbreviated herein to a tape cassette, is comprised of a rectangular main 
cassette portion 101 made up of a pair of cassette halves, namely an upper 
cassette half 102 and a lower cassette half 103, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 
2. On a front side of a front surface 105 of the main cassette portion 
101, via which a magnetic tape 107 is pulled outside, is rotatably mounted 
a lid member 104. The front surface 105, via which the magnetic tape 107 
is pulled out, delimits a spacing for loading 105 into which is intruded a 
tape loading unit on the video tape recorder on which is loaded the tape 
cassette 100, as shown in FIG. 3. The spacing for loading 105 is usually 
closed by the lid member 104. 
The tape cassette 100 includes the main cassette portion 101 within which 
are rotatably mounted a pair of tape reels 106A, 106B about which is 
placed the magnetic tape 107 having a width of 8 mm. 
The magnetic tape 107 is pulled out from a tape reel 106A and guided by a 
tape guide unit, not shown, along the spacing for loading 105 by a guide 
mechanism, not shown, so as to be taken up on the opposite side tape reel 
106B. The state of winding of the magnetic tape 107 on the tape reel 106 
in the tape cassette 100 can be checked from outside via a reel window 108 
provided in the upper cassette half 102, as shown in FIG. 1. 
The lower cassette half 103 is provided with a pair of reel bearing holes 
109A, 109B for causing hubs of the tape reels 106 housed therein to face 
outwards, as shown in FIG. 3. On the back surface of the lower cassette 
half 103 is formed a reel lock guide portion 110 intermediate between the 
reel bearing holes 109A, 109B, while an end detector 111 is provided on 
the front side of the lower cassette half 103, as shown in FIG. 3. On both 
corner portions on the back surface of the lower cassette half 103 are 
provided plural design statement detection portions 112A, 112B constituted 
by plural detection holes opened at pre-set positions in association with 
tape design statements, such as type, length or recording density of the 
magnetic tape 107. 
Although not shown in detail, the reel lock guide portion 110 is made up of 
a reel lock guide grooves formed in the lower cassette half 103, a reel 
lock member movably housed within the reel lock guide groove in the inside 
of the lower cassette half 103 for movement in the fore-and-aft direction, 
a pairs of reel lock levers mounted integrally with or for rotation in 
unison with the reel lock member, and a reel lock spring. When the tape 
cassette is not in use, the reel lock guide portion 110 retains the tape 
reels 106A, 106B against idle rotation by the foremost part of the reel 
lock lever meshing with an outer peripheral tooth formed on the pouter 
periphery of flange portions of the tape reels 106A, 106B. 
With the above-described structure of the tape cassette 100, when the 
cassette main portion 100 is loaded in the video tape recorder, with the 
bottom surface and both lateral sides of the cassette main portion 101 as 
reference surfaces, the reel lock member is moved against the elastic 
force of the reel lock spring by a reel unlocking member intruded from the 
reel lock guide groove. The tape reels 106A, 106B of the tape cassette 100 
are released from the retained state by the reel lock lever and become 
rotatable. 
On the other hand, the lid 104 od the tape cassette 100 is rotated by the 
lid opening mechanism provided on the video tape recorder for opening the 
spacing for loading 106. In the above-mentioned unlocked state of the tape 
reels 106A, 106B, the magnetic tape 107 of the tape cassette 100 is pulled 
out by the loading unit provided in the video tape recorder intruded via 
the loading for spacing 105 for defining a pre-set tape running path by 
way of effecting a loading operation. 
A reel driving shaft 120 of the video tape recorder is intruded into reel 
bearing holes 109A, 109B for being engaged with hub openings formed in the 
tape reel 106. With reel driving shafts 120A, 120B being run in rotation 
by the recording or reproducing operation, the tape reels 106A, 106B of 
the tape cassette 100 are run in rotation for reeling out or taking up the 
magnetic tape 107. When the tape cassette 100 is loaded on the video tape 
recorder, the design statement portions 112A, 112B formed on both corer 
portion of the lower cassette half 103 are detected by a detection 
mechanism, not shown. 
In general, the upper cassette half 102a and the lower cassette half 102b 
of the tape cassette are molded of a synthetic resin material for reducing 
the weight. Therefore, if the small-sized tape cassette 100 having housed 
therein the magnetic tape 107 having a tape width of 8 mm is loaded on the 
video tape recorder for driving the tape, the tape cassette in its 
entirety is oscillated by the operation of the tape driving mechanism to 
render the running performance of the magnetic tape 107 instable. Since 
the recording/reproducing characteristics of the information signals 
recorded to a high recording density on the magnetic tape 107 are 
deteriorated by this phenomenon, the tape cassette 100 needs to be 
constructed to have a constant weight to eliminate adverse effects such as 
oscillations transmitted from the tape recording mechanism of the video 
tape recorder. 
For overcoming such inconvenience, there is proposed a in JP Utility Model 
Kokai JP-A-63-38460 a tape cassette in which a cassette main body portion 
is constructed by securing a pre-molded synthetic resin member by an 
adhesive to a frame-shaped metallic member exposed to a lower cassette 
half by reel bearing holes. This tape cassette has such features that the 
overall mechanical strength is maintained against torsion or warping and 
that, since a portion of the cassette main body portion is formed of a 
metallic material, the overall weight is increased and the reel holes are 
improved in accuracy. 
However, with the above tape cassette, since the metallic member and the 
synthetic resin member are secured to each other by the adhesive, the 
frame assembling process is complicated and involves a large number of 
steps, while the adhesive is laborious to handle, thus raising 
difficulties in production. Moreover, since the reference plane is 
constructed towards the metallic member, the cassette loading unit, reel 
unlock member, lid opening mechanism or the detection unit of the video 
tape recorder tend to be worn out by the loading operations of the tape 
cassette on the video tape recorder. 
Moreover, in order for the tape cassette to be loaded correctly on the 
video tape recorder, the shape or interval of the reel holes or the 
above-mentioned various members of the cassette main body portion need to 
be positioned accurately relative to one another. However, since these 
positioning members are formed on the metallic frame to form the lower 
cassette half in the above-described prior-art tape cassette, it is 
difficult to maintain high precision of the component parts as compared to 
a tape cassette employing a frame formed of synthetic resin. 
For overcoming such inconvenience, a tape cassette has been developed in 
which the basic structure of a cassette main body portion combined from a 
metallic member and a synthetic resin member is used, more specifically, 
an outer portion of the lower cassette half is formed of synthetic resin 
and a metallic plate is insertion-molded on the bottom plate portion of 
the lower cassette half. With such tape cassette, since it has a pre-set 
weight, the magnetic tape is allowed to run in stability without being 
affected by vibrations of the tape driving mechanism to permit reliable 
high-density recording and/or reproduction of information signals. 
Moreover, since the positioning portions or sliding portions of the tape 
cassette are formed on the synthetic resin member, there is no risk of 
abrasion of various engagement members of the video tape recorder. 
However, with this tape cassette, because of the large differential thermal 
contraction ratio between the synthetic resin and the metallic plate, the 
force of contraction at the time of curing of the synthetic resin portion 
acts on the metallic plate making up a portion of the bottom plate of the 
lower cassette half, thus severely warping the metallic plate. This 
phenomenon results in a variety of problems such as incapacitated loading 
of the tape cassette on the video tape recorder, rotational troubles of 
the tape reels or inaccurate positioning of various component parts. 
This inconvenience may be dealt with by using a metal plate of increased 
thickness and mechanical strength to prevent deformation due to thermal 
contraction. However, the outer size of a tape cassette is prescribed by 
pertinent standards, so that, if a metallic plate producing a desired 
effect is used, the overall thickness of the tape cassette cannot be 
comprised within a prescribed value. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel tape 
cassette capable of overcoming the above problems inherent in a 
conventional tape cassette. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tape cassette in 
which a tape-shaped recording medium can be run in stability against 
vibrations transmitted from the tape driving mechanism for assuring 
satisfactory recording/reproducing characteristics. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tape 
cassette in which overall mechanical strength may be maintained while 
various reference component parts are formed to high precision and there 
is no risk of abrasion of various engagement members of the 
recording/reproducing apparatus. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tape 
cassette which can be formed to high precision. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a metallic 
mold device for molding cassette halves of a tape cassette whereby 
cassette halves of the tape cassette having an integral metal plate can be 
molded with high accuracy. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a metal mold 
device for molding cassette halves of a tape cassette whereby the cassette 
halves of a tape cassette having an integral metal plate can be molded 
without molding distortion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention 
will be explained in detail. 
A tape cassette, now explained, has housed therein a magnetic tape having a 
tape width of 8 mm. 
Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the tape cassette 1 has an upper cassette 
half 3, molded in rectangular shape from a synthetic resin material, with 
a front side 13 opened, and a lower cassette half 4, together making up a 
cassette main body unit 2. The lower cassette half 4 is made up of a frame 
unit 4A of synthetic resin formed as a thin box having a font side 17 and 
a bottom wall 15 partially opened and a metallic plate 6 integrated to the 
bottom wall 15 by insertion molding, as will be explained in detail 
subsequently. On the front side of the tape cassette 1 is rotatably 
mounted a lid assembly 5 for opening/closing a spacing for loading H 
formed on the front side of the cassette main body unit 2 by opened front 
sides 13, 17, as shown in FIG. 8. 
Within the main cassette body unit 2 are rotatably housed a pair of tape 
reels 7A, 7B around which is placed a magnetic tape 8 having a width of 8 
mm, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The magnetic tape 8 is pulled from the tape 
reel 7A and guided along the spacing for loading H by a tape guide unit as 
later explained so as to be taken up on the opposite side tape reel 7B. 
The state of the magnetic tape 8 is viewed from outside via a reel window 
12 provided on the upper cartridge half 3. 
The upper half 3, formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, such as 
polycarbonate resin or an ABS resin, as described above, is molded in a 
substantially thin box shape with a transverse rectangular main wall 10 
and a peripheral wall 11 formed upright on an outer peripheral portion 
excluding the front side 13. The main wall 10 is provided with the 
above-mentioned reel window 12. This reel window 12 is constituted a 
transparent portion by polycarbonate resin in order to permit the state of 
winding of the magnetic tape 8 around the tape reel 7 to be viewed and to 
inhibit intrusion of dust and dirt into the interior of the cassette main 
body unit 2. 
On the inner surface of the main wall 10 of the upper cassette half 3 is 
integrally formed a guide wall 14 on the inner side of the opened front 
side 13. The guide wall 14 is an arcuate wall extending from a mid portion 
towards both lateral sides in order to provide a guide wall for holding 
the outer peripheral portion of the tape reel 7. Although not shown, a 
plurality of studs for integrally connecting the lower cassette half 4 to 
the inner surface of the main wall 10 by set screws 9 are provided on the 
inner surface of the main wall 10. 
The lower cassette half 43 is made up of the frame unit 4A of synthetic 
resin and a metallic plate 6 integrated to the frame unit 4A of synthetic 
resin by insertion molding to the frame unit 4A of synthetic resin. The 
frame unit 4A of synthetic resin is also formed of, for example, ABS 
resin, in a substantially thin box shape, by the transverse rectangular 
bottom wall 5 and an outer peripheral wall 16 formed upright on an outer 
periphery excluding the front side 17. The frame unit 4A of synthetic 
resin has, on its bottom wall 15, a bottom opening 49 which is widely 
opened except the front and rear mid sides and rear corners and the 
metallic plate 6 is integrated for occupying the bottom opening 49. These 
front and rear mid sides and rear corners represent as a loading reference 
area for the video tape recorder, as will be explained subsequently. 
On the frame unit 4A of synthetic resin is protuberantly formed a guide 
wall 18 which is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall 15 and 
on the inner side of the opened front side 17, as shown in FIG. 9. The 
guide wall 18 is an arcuate wall extending from a mid part towards both 
lateral sides and cooperates with the guide wall 14 of the upper cassette 
half 3 for constituting a portion of a reel guide wall holding the outer 
peripheral part of the tape reel 7. 
The frame unit 4A of synthetic resin has both rear side corners a reel lock 
unit 21 as later explained and an upstanding wall encircling a rear end 
detector 23 as shown in FIG. 9. The area surrounded by the upstanding wall 
and the guide wall 18 defines a tape reel rotation area R within which the 
tape reel 7 is rotated freely. The bottom opening 49 is formed within this 
tape reel rotation area R. 
A plurality of studs are formed in register with those on the upper half 3 
on the bottom wall 15 of the frame unit 4A. Thus, after the respective 
members as later explained are assembled together, the outer peripheral 
wall section 11 of the upper cassette half 3 and the outer peripheral wall 
section 16 of the lower cassette half 4 are abutted and secured to each 
other by the set screws 9 from the bottom side of the lower cassette half 
4 for constituting the cassette main body unit 2 as shown in FIG. 8. On 
the front side of the cassette main body unit 2 is defined the 
above-mentioned spacing for loading H by cooperation of the opened front 
side 13 of the upper cassette half 3 and the opened front side 17 of the 
lower cassette half 4, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
Turning to the frame unit 4A, both lateral side portions on both sides of 
the opened front side 17 are extended forwards and two opposing tape guide 
portions 19A, 19B are formed in the extended portions. These tape guide 
portions 19 are formed with outer surfaces of arcuate cross-section for 
being engaged by the magnetic tape 8 pulled out from the tape reel 7, as 
will be explained subsequently. On the inner surface of the tape guide 
unit 19 are formed lid guide grooves 20A, 20B. These lid guide grooves 
20A, 20B rotatably and vertically movably support a front lid 25 
constituting the lid assembly 5 as will be explained subsequently. 
The frame unit 4A is integrally formed with a reel lock unit 21 at a mid 
portion on the back surface of the bottom wall 15, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 
10. The reel lock unit 21 is made up of a pair of guide wall sections for 
movably housing a reel lock member 37. The reel lock unit 21 is made up of 
a pair of guide walls extending parallel to each other in the fore-and-aft 
direction. Into the reel lock guide groove 22 is intruded a reel unlock 
member on the video tape recorder when the tape cassette 1 is loaded on 
the video tape recorder. In other terms, the reel lock unit 21 constitutes 
a portion of the loading reference portion at the time of loading of the 
tape cassette 1 on the video tape recorder. 
At a mid portion on the front side of the bottom wall 15 of the frame unit 
4A is integrally formed a terminal end detector 23 in register with the 
reel lock guide unit 21, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This terminal end 
detector 23 is made up of a light source intrusion opening traversing the 
bottom wall 15 and a tubular protrusion formed around the light source 
intrusion opening. With the terminal end detector 23, when the tape 
cassette 1 is loaded on the video tape recorder, a light source 
constituting a terminal end detection mechanism on the video tape recorder 
is intruded into the interior of the cassette main body portion 2. Thus 
the terminal end detector 23 also constitutes a part of the loading 
reference portion at the time of loading of the tape cassette 1 on the 
video tape recorder. 
The light radiated from the light source is conducted from both lateral 
sides of the tubular protrusion towards the lateral side along the inner 
surface of the guide wall 18 to traverse the running path of the magnetic 
tape 8 running between the outer peripheral wall 16 and tape guides 19A, 
19B as later explained so as to be detected by a light receiving element 
of a terminal end detection unit on exiting to outside. 
The frame unit 4A is provided with design statement detection units 24A 24B 
on both corners on the rear side thereof, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. 
These design statement units 24A, 24B are made up of plural detection 
holes opened on the basis of design statements, such as type, length or 
recording density of the magnetic tape 8. Although not shown in detail, 
these detection holes are formed via annular thin-walled portions disposed 
at patterned positions. These thin-walled portions are ruptured to produce 
the detection holes at respective corners of the frame unit 4A of 
synthetic resin. When the tape cassette 1 is loaded on the video tape 
recorder, the presence or absence of the detection holes of the design 
statement detection units 24A, 24B is detected by a detection member of a 
design statement detection mechanism on the video tape recorder for 
detecting the design statements. Therefore, the design statement detection 
unit 24 also constitutes a part of the loading reference portion at the 
time of loading of the tape cassette 1 on the video tape recorder. 
An external memory unit 48 is arranged at a corner of the frame unit 4A of 
synthetic resin. Although not shown in detail, the external memory unit 48 
is made up of a storage element and input/output terminals, as shown in 
FIG. 10. The state of use or the control information, for example, is 
recorded on the memory element. The input/output terminal is arranged 
facing the rear outer peripheral wall of the frame unit 4A of synthetic 
resin. When the tape cassette 1 is loaded on the video tape recorder, a 
connector of the information recording/reproducing mechanism is connected 
to the input/output terminal. The information recorded on the memory 
element of the tape cassette 1 is reproduced by the information 
recording/reproducing apparatus. Alternatively, the pre-set information is 
recorded on the memory element by the information recording/reproducing 
apparatus. 
On the opposite side corner of the frame unit 4A is arranged a mistaken 
recording inhibiting member 39, as shown in FIG. 9. This mistaken 
recording inhibiting member 39 is switched to two positions of opening or 
closing mistaken recording inhibiting holes formed on the corners. If the 
mistaken recording inhibiting member 39 is set to a first position of 
closing the mistaken recording detection opening, the mistaken recording 
inhibiting member 39 inhibits intrusion of the detection member of a 
mistaken recording detection mechanism of the video tape recorder into the 
mistaken recording detection hole for enabling recording of information 
signals on the magnetic tape 8. 
On the other hand, if the mistaken recording inhibiting member 39 is set to 
its second position of opening the mistaken recording detection opening, 
the detection member of the mistaken recording detection mechanism of the 
video tape recorder is intruded into the mistaken recording detection 
opening for disabling recording of information signals on the magnetic 
tape 8. Thus the mistaken recording detection openings also constitute a 
part of the loading reference portion at the time of loading of the tape 
cassette 1 on the video tape recorder. 
The lid assembly 5 mounted on the cassette main body unit 2 is made up of 
the front lid 25, a back lid 28, a lid spring 29 and a lid cam 30, as 
shown in FIG. 5. The front lid 25 is formed as a transversely extending 
substantially U-shaped assembly made up of a major surface portion 26 and 
lateral surface portions 27A, 27B having pivots engaged in pivot holes 
formed on the lateral surfaces of the cassette main body unit 2. The major 
surface portion 26 is of a shape and a size sufficient to close the 
spacing for loading H formed on front side of the cassette main body unit 
2. 
The front lid 25 has its lateral side portions 26 supported for rotation on 
the cassette main body unit 2, with the major surface portion 26 thereof 
being disposed on the front side of the tape guide 1. The front lid 25 is 
biased in a direction of closing the spacing for loading H of the cassette 
main body unit 2 under the elastic force of the lid spring 29 comprised of 
a torsion spring loaded on the pivot. 
The back lid 28 is formed as a substantially U-shaped member having an 
outer size sufficient to close the opened front side 13 of the upper 
cassette half 3, and is rotatably supported by the upper cassette half 3 
so as to be disposed inwardly of the major surface portion of the front 
lid 25. The back lid 28 has on its lateral side edges cam protrusions 
engaged with the lid guide 20, while having, on its lateral side, a cam 
engaged with the lateral side 27A of the front lid 25. This back lid 28 is 
assembled in the cassette main body unit 2 so that the major surface of 
the back lid is disposed at a distance from the major surface portion of 
the front lid 25 for defining a space in which to extend the magnetic tape 
8 as will be explained subsequently. 
The lid cam 30 is rotatably assembled on a cam mounting portion integrally 
formed with the outer peripheral wall of the lower cassette half 4. 
Although not shown, the lid cam 30 has its one end engaged with a cam 
portion formed on the inner surface of the foremost part of the lateral 
surface portion 27A of the front lid 25, with its other end facing a lid 
opening groove formed on the frame 4A formed of synthetic resin. 
The lid assembly 5, arranged as described above, closes the front side of 
the cassette main body unit 2 under the elastic force of the lid spring 
29, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. When the tape cassette 1 is loaded on 
the video tape recorder, the lid cam 30 of the lid assembly 5 is turned by 
a lid opening member provided on the video tape recorder. By the operation 
of the lid cam 30, the front lid 25 is turned against the spring force of 
the lid spring 29 for opening the front side of the cassette main body 
portion 2. Also, by the operation of the front lid 25, the back lid 28 of 
the lid assembly 5 is turned in unison along the lid guide 20. By the 
rotation of the lid assembly 5, the spacing for loading H, formed on the 
front side of the cassette main body unit 2 of the tape cassette 1 is 
opened. 
Left-side and right-side tape reels 7 are biased towards the lower cassette 
half 4 by a pair of reel springs 31A, 31B mounted on the inner surface of 
the upper cassette half 3, as shown in FIG. 5. The tape reels 7A, 7B are 
prohibited by these reel springs 31A, 31B against performing vertical idle 
movement within the interior of the cassette main body unit 2. These tape 
reels 7 include tubular hubs 32A, 32B around which the magnetic tape 8 is 
wound, dampers 33A, 33B for securing the end of the magnetic tape 8 to 
these hubs 32A, 32B, lower flanges 34A, 34B formed as one with the hubs 
32A, 32B, and upper flanges 35A, 35B facing the lower flanges 34A, 34B and 
associated with the hubs 32A, 32B, respectively. 
The hubs 32A, 32B are provided with hub holes, not shown, engaged by reel 
driving shafts 120A, 120B of the video tape recorder, respectively, for 
facing reel bearing holes 41 provided in the metal plate 6, as will be 
explained subsequently. On outer peripheral portions of the hubs 32A, 32B 
are formed engagement grooves engaged by the dampers 33A, 33B designed for 
clamping and securing a leader tape 36 connected to the distal end of the 
magnetic tape 8. 
The entire outer periphery of each of the lower flanges 34A, 34b is formed 
with peripheral teeth. The tape reels 7A, 7B are usually prohibited from 
performing rotational idle movement by a lock lever of the reel lock 
member 37 housed within the reel lock unit 21 being engaged with the outer 
peripheral teeth of the lower flanges 34A, 34B. When the tape cassette 1 
is loaded on the video tape recorder, the reel unlock members, intruded 
from the reel lock guide groove 22, move the reel lock members 37 to 
release the locked state and hence permit rotation of the tape reels 7A, 
7B. 
The leader tape 36 is constituted by a transparent tape to permit 
transmission of the light radiated from the light source of the video tape 
recorder and entering the terminal end detector 23. Of course, the 
magnetic tape 8 has a recording layer and hence is rendered 
non-transparent so that it interrupts light radiated from the light source 
of the terminal end detecting unit. Thus, with the tape cassette 1, the 
possible presence of light transmitted through the leader tape 36 and 
leaking out from the lateral surface of the main cassette body unit 2 is 
detected by the video tape recorder for detecting the terminal end of the 
magnetic tape. 
The magnetic tape is reeled out forwards from the outer periphery of the 
tape reel 7A for engagement with the tape guide 19A so as to be supplied 
into the spacing for loading H. The magnetic tape 8 traverses this spacing 
for loading H and is engaged with the opposite side tape guide 19B so as 
to be then supplied inwards and taken up on the periphery of the opposite 
side tape reel 7B. When traversing the spacing for loading H, the magnetic 
tape 8 is extended in a space defined between the front lid 25 and the 
back lid 28 of the lid assembly 5 for prohibiting its contamination or 
destruction. 
When the tape cassette 1 is loaded on the video tape recorder, the lid 
assembly 5 is turned as described above for opening the spacing for 
loading H, so that the magnetic tape 8 is exposed to outside at a position 
ahead of the cassette main body unit 2. In this state, the magnetic tape 8 
is reeled out from the unlocked tape reel 7 by a tape loading member 
intruded into the spacing for loading H in order to effect loading in a 
pre-set manner. 
The metallic plate 6 constituting the lower cassette half 4 has the 
operation of imparting pre-set weight to the tape cassette 1 and of 
holding mechanical strength against torsion or warping, and is formed by 
punching an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate. The metal plate 6 
is basically of a transversely elongated rectangle having a proximal 
portion 40 of a longitudinal length substantially equal to that of the 
frame unit 4A of synthetic resin and a width slightly smaller than the 
diameter of the tape reel rotation area R, as shown in FIG. 13. The 
proximal portion 40 of the metallic plate 6 has a pair of longitudinally 
spaced apart reel bearing holes 41A, 41B. These reel bearing holes 41A, 
41B expose the hub holes of the tape reels 7 accommodated within the 
cassette main body unit 2, as explained previously. Thus, when the tape 
cassette 1 is loaded on the video tape recorder, the tape driving shafts 
120, engaged in the hub holes for rotating the tape reels 7, are intruded 
into these reel bearing holes 41. 
The metal plate 6 is formed with a reel lock clearance 42 and a terminal 
end detection clearance 43 for extending from both transverse ends of the 
proximal portion 40 to an area intermediate between the reel bearing holes 
41A, 41B. The metal plate 6 is also formed with design statement detection 
clearances 44A, 44B at both side corners of the proximal portion 40. The 
metal plate 6 is also formed with protruding edges 45A, 45B on both 
longitudinal ends of the proximal end 40 and an allowance for insertion 46 
is integrally formed on substantially the entire area of the outer 
peripheral edge excluding the protruding edges 45A, 45B. 
In a state in which the metallic plate 6 is insertion-molded into a bottom 
aperture 49 of the frame 4A of synthetic resin, the outer extreme ends of 
the protruding edges 45A, 45B are flush with the outer peripheral wall 11 
of the frame unit 4A formed of synthetic resin, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 
12. The above-described metallic plate 6 is placed within a cavity of a 
metal mold registering with the bottom aperture 49 during the step of 
molding of the frame 4A, and the synthetic resin is injected thereon for 
insertion molding the metallic plate in the frame unit 4 for forming the 
lower cassette half 4. By injecting the resin on both the upper and lower 
surfaces of the insertion allowance 46, this insertion allowance 46 
performs the role of a mortise and tenon for the opening edge of the 
bottom aperture 49, so that the metallic plate 6 is positively integrated 
to the frame unit 4A, as shown in FIG. 12. By virtue of the insertion 
allowance 46, there is produced no gap between the bottom aperture 49 and 
the metal plate 6 despite a larger difference of the thermal contraction 
ratio between the frame unit 4A and the metallic plate 6. In addition, 
insertion allowance 46 protuberantly formed on the entire periphery of the 
metallic plate 6 is vertically symmetrical with respect to the centerline 
in the direction of thickness to permit charging of the resin material 
uniformly on both the upper and lower sides of the metallic plate. The 
result is that molding distortion for the frame unit 4A or extraneous 
pressure acts on the metallic plate 6 thus assuring uniform mechanical 
strength at the opening edge of the bottom aperture 49. 
The metallic plate 6 is integrated with the frame unit 4A with the 
clearances 42, 43 in register with associated portions of the frame unit 
4A, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. That is, the reel lock clearance 42 is 
positioned in register with the reel lock unit 21, while the terminal end 
detection clearance 43 is positioned in register with the terminal end 
detection unit 23 and the design statement detection clearances 44A, 44B 
are positioned in register with the design statement detection units 24A, 
24B, respectively. The protruding edge 45 nips into the peripheral wall 16 
of the frame unit 4A. 
The thickness of the bottom wall 15 of the frame unit 4A is substantially 
equal to the thickness L of the metallic late 6 at it the opening edge of 
the bottom aperture 49. However, the other portions of the tape reel 
rotation area R shown shaded in FIG. 11 are formed as thin-waled portions 
having a slightly smaller thickness M as shown in FIG. 12. Meanwhile, the 
tape guide 19 on the front side of the frame unit 4A has a thickness N 
substantially equal to the thickness L of the metallic plate 6 for 
assuring mechanical strength. Due to the significant difference in thermal 
contraction ratio between the metallic plate 6 and the frame unit 4A of 
the lower cassette half 4, the force of thermal contraction of the lower 
cassette half 4 acts strongly on the metallic plate 6. 
However, since the opening edge of the bottom aperture 49 of the frame unit 
4A of the lower cassette half 4 is reduced in wall thickness as described 
above, the effect of the force of thermal contraction of the frame unit 4A 
is reduced to maintain dimensional accuracy. In addition, the lower 
cassette half 4 has the protruding edge 45 of the metallic late 6 extended 
as far as the outer peripheral wall 11 of the frame unit 4A for assuring 
mechanical strength. 
When the above-described tape cassette 1 is loaded on the video tape 
recorder, with the outer periphery and the bottom surface of the main 
cassette body unit 2 as the reference surfaces, the lid assembly 5 is 
turned by the lid opening member of the video tape recorder for opening 
the spacing for loading H on the front side of the tape cassette 1. The 
reel lock members 37 are moved by the reel unlock members intruded from 
the reel lock guide groove 14, against the elasticity of the reel lock 
spring 38, for unlocking the tape reel 7. By the loading unit of the video 
tape recorder intruded from the spacing for loading H, the magnetic tape 8 
of the tape cassette 1 is pulled out to constitute a pre-set tape running 
path by way of performing a loading operation. 
The reel driving shafts are intruded into the reel bearing holes 41 in the 
tape cassette 1 into engagement with reel bearing shafts of the tape 
reels. The tape reels 7A, 7B of the tape cassette 7 are run in rotation by 
the driving operation of the reel driving shafts as a result of tape 
driving operation such as recording/reproduction for reeling out or taking 
up the magnetic tape 8. Moreover, the detection holes of the design 
statement selectors 21A, 21B of the tape cassette 1 are detected by a 
detection mechanism for reading out the information recorded on the memory 
unit 48. 
With the tape cassette 1, the lower cassette half 4 constituting the 
cassette main body unit 2 is constituted by the frame unit 4A of synthetic 
resin and the metallic plate 6 insertion-molded integrally on the bottom 
wall 15 thereof. Thus the tape cassette 1 is improved in mechanical 
strength against warping or distortion, while being increased in 
thickness. Thus, even if the tape cassette is subjected to vibrations 
emanating from the tape driving mechanism driving the tape reel, it is not 
oscillated to affect the running of the magnetic tape 8 thus assuring high 
precision recording/reproduction of information signals. 
Moreover, with the present tape cassette 1, the mounting portion for 
movable members, such as reel lock member 37, engagement portions with 
such as reel unlock member or design statement detection members on the 
video tape recorder or loading reference surfaces for the vide tape 
recorder are formed on the frame unit 4A formed of synthetic resin. The 
result is that there is no risk of the operating members of the video tape 
recorder being abraded by the tape cassette 1 and hence the video cassette 
can be loaded in a correctly positioned state without producing mistaken 
operations. 
In addition, since the bottom wall 15 of the frame unit 4A of the tape 
cassette 1 is reduced in thickness, the force of thermal contraction of 
the resin portion is significantly reduced to prevent warping or the like 
deformation of the metallic plate 6. Moreover, since the metallic plate 6 
is strongly integrated to the opening edge of the bottom aperture 49 of 
the bottom wall 15 via the insertion allowance 46, and the frame unit 4A 
is improved in mechanical strength by the protruding edges 45 formed on 
the outer peripheral wall 15, it becomes possible to maintain the 
mechanical strength of the lower cassette half 4 of the tape cassette 1. 
Since the frame unit 4A and the metallic plate 6 are joined together via 
the insertion allowance 46, there is no possibility of the gap being 
formed at the junction due to differential thermal contraction ratio or 
the junction being fractured due to the pressure applied from outside, 
thus improving mechanical strength against tension, warping or shearing. 
Besides, since no gap is produced between the opening edge of the bottom 
aperture 49 of the frame unit 4A and the outer peripheral edge of the 
metallic plate 6 by virtue of the insertion allowance 46, the outer 
appearance of the tape cassette 1 may be maintained, while there is caused 
no inconvenience such as intrusion of dust and dirt into the inside of the 
tape cassette 1 or deposition thereof on the magnetic tape. 
With the above-described tape cassette 1, the insertion allowance 46 formed 
integrally with the outer periphery of the metallic late 6 is of a 
rectangular cross-section, with a uniform thickness A, as shown in FIG. 
14. However, the insertion allowance 46 is not limited to this specific 
shape and may be designed as insertion allowances 51, 53, 55 or 59 shaped 
as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18. 
In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to 
depict components which are the same or equivalent components to those of 
the tape cassette 1, and the corresponding operation is omitted for 
simplicity. 
FIG. 15 shows a metallic plate 50 integrally formed with the insertion 
allowance 51 having a thickness gradually reduced from the thickness B1 at 
the proximal end towards the distal end having a smaller thickness B2 in 
the from of a frustum of a cone. Of course, the thickness B1 of the 
insertion allowance 51 at the proximal end is smaller than the thickness L 
of the proximal end 40 of the metallic plate 50. In addition, the 
insertion allowance 51 is designed to be symmetrical in an up-and-down 
direction relative to the centerline in the direction of thickness of the 
proximal portion 40. Since the metallic plate 50 has the insertion 
allowance o a simpler shape, it may be produced easily by, for example, 
press working. 
Similarly to the metallic plate 6 of the tape cassette 1, the metallic 
plate 50 having the above-described insertion allowance 51 is strongly 
integrated to the frame unit 4A of synthetic resin, with the insertion 
allowance 51 operating as a wedge with respect to the opening edge of the 
bottom aperture 49. 
FIG. 16 shows a metallic plate 52 having the insertion allowance 53 formed 
integrally with the outer periphery thereof. The insertion allowance 53 
has the proximal end of a thickness C1 and a distal end of a thickness C2, 
with the thickness value increasing gradually from the thickness C1 to the 
thickness C2 such that the insertion allowance presents a inverted frustum 
in cross-section. Of course, the thickness C2 of the insertion allowance 
51 at the distal end is smaller than the thickness L of the proximal end 
40 of the metallic plate 50, while the insertion allowance 53 is designed 
to be symmetrical in an up-and-down direction relative to the centerline 
in the direction of thickness of the proximal portion 40. 
Similarly to the above-described metallic plate 6, the metallic plate 52 
having the insertion allowance 53 as described above is strongly 
integrated to the frame unit 4A of synthetic resin, with the insertion 
allowance 53 operating as a wedge relative to the opening edge of the 
bottom aperture 49. Since the insertion allowance 53 is of an inverted 
frustum in cross-section, the insertion allowance 53 produces a wedging 
action more effective than that produced by the insertion allowance 46 of 
the metallic plate 6, thus strongly bonding the metallic plate 52 to the 
cassette main body unit 4A. 
FIG. 17 shows a metallic plate 54 having the insertion allowance 55 
protuberantly formed on the outer periphery thereof. The insertion 
allowance 55 is made up of a connecting portion 56 integrally protruded 
from the outer peripheral edge of the proximal portion 40 and a retention 
portion 57 formed as one with the distal end of the connecting portion 56. 
The retention portion 57 has a thickness D2 slightly larger than the 
thickness D1 of the connecting portion 56 and hence the insertion 
allowance 55 generally has a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
Of course, the thickness D2 of the insertion allowance 55 is smaller than 
the thickness L of the proximal end 40 of the metallic plate 54, while the 
insertion allowance 55 is designed to be symmetrical in an up-and-down 
direction relative to the centerline in the direction of thickness of the 
proximal portion 40. 
Similarly to the above-described metallic plate 6, the metallic plate 54 
having the insertion allowance 55 as described above is strongly 
integrated to the frame unit 4A of synthetic resin, with the insertion 
allowance 55 operating as a wedge relative to the opening edge of the 
bottom aperture 49. Since the insertion allowance 53 is formed with the 
retention portion 57 extended in the direction of thickness, the insertion 
allowance 53 produces a wedging action more effective than that produced 
by the insertion allowance 52 of the metallic plate 53, thus strongly 
bonding the metallic plate 52 to the frame unit 4A. 
FIG. 18 shows a metallic plate 58 in which the insertion allowance 59 is 
protuberantly formed as one on the outer periphery thereof and a retention 
portion 61 is formed as one on the distal end of the connecting portion 
60. The retention portion 61 is circular in cross-section and has a 
diameter E2 slightly larger than a diameter El of the connecting portion 
60 so that the retention portion is protruded in an up-and-down direction 
on the distal end of the connecting portion 60. Of course, the insertion 
allowance 59 has the diameter E2 of the retention portion 61 smaller than 
the thickness L of the proximal portion 40 of the metal plate 40, and is 
designed to be symmetrical in an up-and-down direction relative to the 
direction of thickness of the proximal portion 40. 
Similarly to the above-described metallic plate 54, the metallic plate 58 
having the insertion allowance 59 has the retention portion 61 protruded 
in an up-and down direction in the direction of thickness of the metallic 
plate 58, so that the insertion allowance 59 is strongly integrated to the 
frame unit 4A of synthetic resin with a wedging action exerted on the 
opening edge of the bottom aperture 49. Moreover, since the insertion 
allowance 59 has a circular cross-sectional shape devoid of corners, the 
resin material is charged uniformly on its periphery to prevent cracking 
or the like due to distortion. 
FIG. 19 shows a tape cassette according to the present invention in which a 
thin-walled resin layer 71 is formed on the surface of the metallic plate 
6 integrally insertion-molded on the frame unit 4A to form the lower 
cassette half 4. 
In FIG. 19, the same numerals are used to depict the components previously 
described and the corresponding description is omitted for simplicity. 
In molding the lower cassette half 4 of the tape cassette 70, the metallic 
plate 6 is loaded in the cavity of a metal die registering with the bottom 
wall 15 of the frame unit 4A for injecting the resin material for molding 
the lower cassette half 4. The metal plate 6 is set on plural holding 
protrusions formed on a mold surface so as to be held in a slightly 
floated condition. These holding protrusions are formed upright on the 
mold surface with a height sufficient to permit the injected resin 
material to flow into a space defined between the mold surface and the 
metal plate 6. 
With the resin material charged into the spacing defined between these 
holding protrusions, the surface of the proximal portion 40 is coated in 
its entirety with a thin-walled resin layer 51 for insertion molding the 
metal plate 6 in the frame unit 4A. Of course, the bottom wall 15 of the 
frame unit 4A is reduced in thickness for prohibiting the frame unit from 
being warped or otherwise deformed relative to the metallic plate 6. 
Since the lower cassette half 4 of the tape cassette 70 is made up of the 
frame unit 4A of synthetic resin and the metallic plate 6 buried in the 
bottom wall 15 and coated with the resin layer 71, the tape cassette 70 
may be improved in mechanical strength against warping or distortion while 
remaining unaffected by oscillations of the tape driving unit. The 
magnetic tape 8 is run in stability to permit high-precision 
recording/reproduction of information signals. 
By virtue of the resin layer 71, the tape cassette 70 is loaded reliably in 
position on the video tape recorder without causing abrasion of various 
engagement members, while the frame unit 4A and the metallic plate 6 are 
positively integrated to each other for preventing accidental detachment 
of the metallic plate 6. 
FIG. 20 shows a tape cassette 75 according to the present invention in 
which annular resin parts 76A, 76B are formed on the entire inner 
periphery of the reel bearing holes 41A, 41B of the metallic plate 6 which 
is then insertion-molded on the frame unit 4A for forming the lower 
cassette half 4. In FIG. 20, the same numerals are used to depict the 
components previously described and the corresponding description is 
omitted for simplicity. 
In the molding step for the lower cassette half 4 of the tape cassette 75, 
the resin material is injected after loading the metallic plate 6 in a 
cavity of the mold registering with the bottom wall 15 of the frame unit 
4A for forming the lower cassette half 4. The reel bearing holes 41 formed 
in the proximal portion 40 of the metal plate 6 are of inner diameter 
slightly larger than the outer diameter of the associated reel bearing 
holes in the mold. Although not shown in detail, the mold has annular 
holding protrusions slightly larger than the inside diameter of the reel 
bearing holes 41 of the metallic plate 6 at the outer rim of the 
associated protrusions. 
The metallic plate 6 has the rim of the reel bearing holes 41 supported by 
the holding protrusions of the mold with the holding protrusions 
supporting the rim of the reel bearing holes 41, with the protrusions 
facing the reel bearing holes 41. 
Thus, a spacing surrounded by the holding protrusions and the protrusions 
associated with the reel bearing holes is defined in the metal mold around 
the reel bearing holes of the metallic plate 6. The resin material 
injected into the cavity is also charged into this spacing. 
The lower cassette half 4 is made up of the frame unit 4A of synthetic 
resin and the metallic plate 6 insertion-molded on the bottom wall 15 
thereof. On the metallic plate 6 are formed resin layers 76A, 76B around 
the reel bearing holes 41. Thus, similarly to the tape cassette 1, the 
tape cassette 75 provided with the lower cassette half 4 may be improved 
in mechanical strength against warping or distortion by the metallic plate 
6, while remaining unaffected by oscillations of the tape driving unit. 
The magnetic tape 8 is run in stability to permit high-precision 
recording/reproduction of information signals. 
With the tape cassette 75, shown in FIG. 20, the resin layers 75, 75 
operate for preventing the abrasion of the tape reels 7 of the reel 
driving shafts of the video tape recorder. In addition, the tape cassette 
75 can be loaded in position by the various component parts formed 
precisely on the frame unit 4A formed of resin in order to perform pre-set 
operations. 
Meanwhile, the outer periphery of the proximal portion of the metal plate 6 
forming the lower cassette half 4 of the tape cassette 1 according to the 
present invention is formed with the reel lock clearance 42, terminal end 
detection clearance 43 and the design statement clearances 44A, 44B. In 
addition, the protruding edges 45 are integrally formed on both 
longitudinal edges of the metal plate 6. Thus the metal plate 6 has many 
arcuate corners by chamfering with, for example, 0.3R. 
The corners of the insertion allowance 46 protuberantly formed on the outer 
rim of the metallic plate 6 are also rounded by chamfering with, for 
example. 0.3R, as shown in FIG. 13. Consequently, the insertion allowance 
46 similarly have rounded corners. The insertion allowance 46 has corners 
Q at respective left and right longitudinal side edges. These corners Q 
are protuberantly formed at the outer periphery of the allowance slightly 
inwardly of both side edges of the proximal portion 40, as shown in FIG. 
21. The remaining corners Q of the insertion allowance 46 are continuously 
formed along the outer rim of the proximal portion 40 for assuring 
mechanical strength. 
By the above construction of the corners of the metallic plate 6 and the 
corners Q of the insertion allowance 46 for the lower cassette half 4, it 
is possible to assure precision and mechanical strength of the reel lock 
unit 21, terminal end detector 23 or the design statement detector 24 
operating as the reference for the video tape recorder. 
The corners P of the metallic plate 6 and the corners Q of the insertion 
allowance 46 are chamfered with 0.3R, as explained above, for increasing 
the mechanical strength of the lower cassette half 4 by a factor of 
approximately 1.3 as compared to that formed without chamfering. The 
larger the value of R, the higher becomes the effect of chamfering, such 
that, by setting the value to, for example, 0.5R to 1.0R, the mechanical 
strength can be increased by a factor of 1.5 to 2.0. 
Since the frame unit 4A and the metallic plate 4 have different values of 
thermal contraction ratio, so that a difference in release resistance is 
produced at the time of ejection during insertion molding. However, since 
the corners P and Q are chamfered and rounded in shape, stress 
concentration may be evaded for preventing the phenomenon of whiting and 
cracking. By evading stress concentration at the corners of the lower 
cassette half 4A and the metallic plate 6, it becomes possible to improve 
mechanical strength of the lower cassette half 4 against warping or 
distortion. 
For realizing stronger connection between the frame unit 4A and the 
metallic plate 6 making up the lower cassette half 4 of the tape cassette 
1 of the present invention, the metal plate 6 is formed with plural 
through-holes 81, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. These through-holes 81 are 
formed for partially affecting the insertion allowance 56. Into these 
through-holes 81 is also charged the synthetic resin constituting the 
frame unit 4A, as shown in FIG. 25. By this arrangement, the synthetic 
resin of the frame unit 4A is charged on the upper and lower surfaces of 
the insertion allowance 46 of the metallic plate 6 in continuation along 
the direction of thickness for assuring a stronger coupling between the 
metallic plate 6 and the frame unit 4A. 
The lower cassette half 4 of the tape cassette 1 of the present invention, 
made up of the metallic plate 6 and the frame unit 4A, is formed using a 
metal mold device for molding 250. 
That is, the lower cassette half 4 is formed by previously inserting the 
metallic plate 6 in a mold cavity of the metal mold device 250 and by 
charging the synthetic resin constituting the frame unit 4A. 
Such metal mold device 250 has a stationary metal mold 251 in which the 
metallic plate 251 is loaded and a movable metal mold 252 placed facing 
the stationary mold 251 so as to be moved towards and away from the mold 
251 for defining a cavity 256 for molding the lower cassette half 4 in 
cooperation with the stationary mold 251, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. It 
is noted that FIGS. 26 and 27 show the metal mold device 250 in the mold 
closing state and in the mold opening state, respectively. 
On a cavity forming surface 255A of the stationary mold 251 are formed a 
pair of holding protrusions 253 for holding the metallic plate 6 in 
position. These holding protrusions 253 are spaced apart from each other 
by a distance registering with the reel bearing hole 41 of the metallic 
plate 6. The distance between these holding protrusions 253 is equal to 
the diameter of the reel bearing hole 41 of the metallic plate 6. 
The holding protrusion 253 has, at its distal portion, a holding force 
adjustment portion 254 for adjusting the holding force exerted on the 
metallic plate. The holding force adjustment portion 254 is formed by 
chamfering for reducing the outer size of the protrusion 263 towards its 
distal end. 
Although not shown, a sprue bushing having a gate for injecting molten 
synthetic resin into the inside of the cavity 256 is provided on the 
stationary metal mold 251. 
The movable mold 252 is moved, by a driving unit, not shown, into and out 
of contact with the stationary metal mold 251. On the surface of the 
movable metal mold 252 facing the stationary metal mold 251 is formed a 
cavity forming surface 255B forming a cavity 256 for molding the frame 
unit 4A in cooperation with a cavity forming surface 255A of the 
stationary metal mold 251. The movable metal mold 252 is provided with 
plural ejection pins 257 adapted for being protruded into the cavity 256 
by the driving unit, not shown. 
These ejection pins 257 traverse the guide holes 258 formed in the movable 
metal mold 252 so that the distal ends 257A thereof face the cavity 256 
flush with the cavity forming surface 252B. These ejection pins 257 are 
protruded into the cavity 256 by the driving unit in the mold opening 
state in which the movable metal mold is spaced apart from the stationary 
metal mold 251, as will be explained subsequently. 
The ejection pins 257 are arranged within the movable metal mold 252 along 
connecting portions 259a to 259l between the metal plate 6 and the frame 
unit 4A including the corners of the metallic plate 6 where stress 
concentration occurs, as shown in FIG. 28. The distal ends 257A of the 
ejection pins 257 are sized to lie astride the frame unit 4A and the 
metallic plate 6, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. Each ejection pin 257 is 
arranged within the movable metal mold 252 so that centerline L thereof 
will be aligned with the junction between the frame unit 4A and the 
metallic plate 6, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. Thus, when ejecting the 
lower cassette half 4, the ejection pins 257 impinge equally on the frame 
unit 4A and on the metallic plate 6. 
With the above-described metal mold device 250 for molding the cassette 
half, the metallic plate 6 is loaded in position by having the holding 
protrusion 253 of the stationary metal mold 251 in the mold opening state 
of the movable metal mold 252 fitted into the reel bearing hole 41 of the 
metal plate 6. The holding force adjustment portion 254 on the distal end 
of the holding protrusion 253 operates for adjusting the holding force for 
the metallic plate 6. Such holding force positively holds the metallic 
plate 6 in the stationary metal mold 251 while allowing the metallic plate 
6 to be detached easily from the stationary metal mold 251 during metal 
mold opening as later explained. 
With the metal mold device 250, the movable metal mold 252 is approached to 
the stationary metal mold 251 for mold clamping for defining the cavity 
256 for forming the lower cassette half 4 between the stationary metal 
mold 251 and the movable metal mold 252. The synthetic resin material in 
the molten state is injected and charged via a gate, not shown, into the 
cavity 256, as described above, for insertion-molding the metallic plate 6 
on the frame unit 4A of synthetic resin for molding the lower cassette 
half 4. 
After lapse of a pre-set cooling time, the synthetic resin material charged 
into the cavity 256 of the metal mold device 250 is cured to form the 
lower cassette half 4. The movable metal a mold 252 is then moved away 
from the stationary metal mold 251 by way of performing the mold opening 
operation. At this time, the molded lower cassette half 4 is affixed to 
the movable metal mold 252. The movable metal mold 252b is provided with 
plural ejection pins 257, as described previously. These ejection pins 257 
eject the lower cassette half 4 for releasing from the movable metal mold 
252. 
Meanwhile, since the lower cassette half 4 is constituted by the frame unit 
4A and the metallic plate 6 having significantly different values of the 
thermal contraction coefficients. Thus, during the insertion molding, the 
lower cassette half is cured during insertion molding under such a 
condition in which the frame unit 4A is attached to the cavity forming 
surface 255B of the movable metal mold 252. The metallic plate 6 is held 
by the holding protrusion 253. Therefore, the frame unit 4A and the 
metallic plate 6 of the lower cassette half exhibit differential mold 
release resistance with respect to the stationary metal mold 251. 
Since the holding force adjustment means 254 is formed at the distal end of 
the holding protrusion 253 holding the metallic plate 6 as described 
above, the holding force of the metallic plate 6 remains adjusted, so 
that, with the metal mold device 250, the metal plate 6 may be easily 
detached from the holding protrusion 253 at the time of mold opening so as 
to be attached to the movable metal mold 252. This suppresses stress 
concentration at the respective corners of the metallic plate 6 of the 
lower cassette half 4 for preventing whiting or cracking in these corners 
of the metallic plate 6. 
In addition, in the metal mold device 250, the mold release resistance is 
produced between the frame unit 4A and the metallic plate 6 nipping the 
cavity forming surface 252B during mole releasing. That is, in the lower 
cassette half 4, the center points of the ejection pins 257 are positioned 
on the junction portions 259a to 259l, inclusive of corners, between the 
lower cassette half 4A and the metallic plate 6, for impinging equally on 
the two members, as shown in FIG. 28. Thus the two members are ejected 
with an equal force despite the difference in the mold release resistance 
between the frame unit 4A and the metal plate 6. In addition, the ejection 
pins 257 eject the corners of the frame unit 4 and the metallic plate 6 
where stress concentration tends to occur by the above-mentioned 
difference in the mold release pressure. Thus the lower cassette half 4 
may be easily released in an optimum state by the ejection pin 257 without 
producing whiting or cracking at the junction portions between the frame 
unit 4A and the metallic plate 6. 
Meanwhile, the ejection pin 257 has the gas discharging function during 
molding. That is, there is formed a tiny gap between the ejection pin 257 
and the guide hole 258 provided in the movable metal mold 252 designed for 
slidably guiding the ejection pin 257. The gas evolved during molding may 
be discharged via this gap to outside of the metal mold during molding. 
The gap formed between the guide hole 258 and the ejection pin 257 is as 
small as 1/1000 mm and hence does not permit leakage of the synthetic 
resin used for molding, although it allows passage of the gas as described 
above. 
Since the gas during molding can be discharged via the gap generated in 
view of allowing the sliding of the ejection pin 257, the synthetic resin 
can be smoothly charged into the through-hole 81 provided for allowing the 
synthetic resin to be charged on the insertion allowance 46 of the 
metallic plate 6, thus positively preventing molding troubles. 
Thus, with the use of the metal mold device of the present invention, 
sufficient bonding strength may be maintained between the frame unit 4A 
and the metal plate 4 thus enabling the sturdy lower cassette half 4 to be 
produced by molding. 
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned tape cassette, 
but may also be applied to a tape cassette designed for housing a 
tape-shaped recording medium. In addition, the present invention may be 
applied to a tape cassette for cleaning having a common cassette main body 
unit and housing therein a cleaning tape in place of the tape-shaped 
recording medium. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a 
tape cassette for audio equipment or a tape cassette for a recording 
medium used for a computer or the like equipment without being limited to 
the tape cassette for a video tape recorder.