Tape cassette storage box

A tape cassette storage box comprises a first click-type engaging means disposed in a first corner region of a first lateral face of the body, a second click-type engaging means disposed in a second corner region of the first lateral face and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of the first click-type engaging means, a third click-type engaging means disposed in a third corner region of said first lateral face and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of the first click-type engaging means, and a fourth click-type engaging means disposed in a fourth corner region of the first lateral face and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of the first click-type engaging means, a first click-type engaging means disposed in a first corner region of a second lateral face, a second click-type engaged means disposed in a second corner region of the second lateral face and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of the first click-type engaged means, a third click-type engaged means disposed in a third corner region of the second lateral face and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of the first click-type means, and a fourth click-type engaged means disposed in a fourth corner region of the second lateral face and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of the first click-type engaged means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a tape cassette storage box, more specifically to 
a tape cassette storage box capable of storing a micro cassette and having 
engaging means for engagement with another tape cassette storage box. 
Conventionally known is a tape cassette storage box which comprises a 
storage box body for holding a micro cassette, a cover coupled with the 
storage box body so as to be able to rotate between a first position in 
which the cover houses, in cooperation with the storage box body, the 
micro cassette held in the storage box body and a second position in which 
the cover allows the micro cassette to be removed from the storage box 
body, a first engaging means formed on a first lateral face out of two 
rectangular lateral faces of the storage box body intersecting the axis of 
rotation of the cover, and a second engaging means formed on a second 
lateral face of the storage box body. 
In engaging or disengaging the first engaging means of one of two 
conventional tape cassette boxes with the above-mentioned construction 
with or from the second engaging means of the other, it is necessary to 
move the second lateral face of the other tape cassette storage box along 
the first lateral face of the one tape cassette storage box through a 
distance equal to the length of one edge of the first lateral face. 
Thus, it is troublesome to engage or disengage the first engaging means of 
one of two conventional tape cassette storage boxes with or from the 
second engaging means of the other. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of this invention is to provide a tape cassette storage box of a 
simple construction capable of facilitating the engagement and 
disengagement between the first engaging means of one of two tape cassette 
storage boxes and the second engaging means of the other.

Now there will be described the preferred embodiments of this invention 
with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawing of FIG. 1, there are shown a tape cassette 
storage box 10 according to a first embodiment of this invention and a 
micro cassette 12. Throughout this specification, the term "engaging 
click" refers to a "click-type engaging means", and the term "engaged 
click" refers to a "click-type engaged means". 
The tape cassette storage box 10 has a storage box body 14 for holding the 
micro cassette 12, and is coupled with a cover 16 by a conventional means, 
such as a combination of pins and holes. The cover 16 can rotate between a 
first position as indicated by the chain line in FIG. 2 and a second 
position as indicated by the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in 
detail in FIG. 2, the cover 16 of this embodiment is provided with a 
kangaroo pocket member 18 for holding the micro cassette 12 and moving it 
between the first and second positions together with the cover 16. The 
micro cassette 12 may be set in the kangaroo pocket member 18 by pushing 
the micro cassette 12 in the direction of arrow A along the inside of the 
cover 16 located in the second position, as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the 
micro cassette 12 may be removed from the kangaroo pocket member 18 by 
moving the micro cassette 12 in the opposite direction to arrow A along 
the inside of the cover 16 located in the second position. 
The micro cassette 12 located together with the cover 16 in the first 
position is housed in a combination of the cover 16 and the storage box 
body 14. As mentioned before, on the other hand, the micro cassette 12 
located together with the cover 16 in the second position can be removed 
from the storage box body 14. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the axis of rotation 20 of the cover 16 of this 
embodiment intersects the rear end portions of the upper edges of first 
and second side walls (left- and right-hand side walls in FIG. 1) 22 and 
24 of the storage box body 14. Accordingly, when the cover 16 is rotated 
between the first and second positions, the locus of rotation of bottom 
and rear walls 26 and 28 of the kangaroo pocket member 18 never project 
into the space outside the region defined between the first and second 
side walls 22 and 24, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the micro cassette 12 may 
be set in or removed from the tape cassette storage box 10 with the 
storage box body 14 of the tape cassette storage box 10 kept in one of a 
plurality of cavities of a book-type binder for holding the storage box 
body 14. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, moreover, a substantially semispherical 
projection 34 projecting outward is formed on the outer surface of each of 
left- and right-hand walls 30 and 32 of the kangaroo pocket member 18 in 
the tape cassette storage box 10 of this embodiment. The locus of rotation 
of the left- and right-hand walls 30 and 32 of the kangaroo pocket member 
18 obtained when the cover 16 rotates between the first and second 
positions are parallel with the inner surfaces of the first and second 
side walls 22 and 24 of the storage box body 14, respectively. When the 
cover 16 is located in the first position of FIG. 2, the projections 34 on 
the left- and right-hand walls 30 and 32 of the kangaroo pocket member 18 
engage cavities 36 formed severally in the inner surfaces of the first and 
second side walls 22 and 24 of the storage box body 14, as shown in FIGS. 
1, 2 and 3. As shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cavities 36 of this 
embodiment are in the shape of ellipses with their major axes along the 
longitudinal direction of the first and second side walls 22 and 24, 
severally. Accordingly, dimensional errors of the cavities 36, which may 
be caused by thermal contraction of the storage box body 14 when it is 
formed out of a plastic material by injection molding, will never 
constitute any hindrance to the engagement between the projections 34 and 
the cavities 36. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pair of reel hub stopper members 40 and 42 are 
formed on the inner surface of a bottom wall 38 of the storage box body 
14. The pair of reel hub stopper members 40 and 42 engage radial 
projections (not shown) on the inner peripheral surfaces of a pair of reel 
hubs 44 and 46 of the micro cassette 12 held by the kangaroo pocket member 
18 and located together with the cover 16 in the first position, thereby 
preventing the reel hubs 44 and 46 from rotating. Thus, the micro cassette 
12 contained in the tape cassette storage box 10 can prevent a magnetic 
recording tape 48 wound round the pair of reel hubs 44 and 46 from being 
slacked by vibration externally applied to the cassette storage box 10 
being carried. As a result, one of the causes of wow or flutter can be 
removed, and the magnetic recording tape 48 can be prevented from being 
exposed from a pinch roller-magnetic head insertion window 50 of the micro 
cassette 12 to the outside space to be damaged. 
As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the outer surface of the first side wall 22 
of the storage box body 14, i.e. a first lateral face 52, is rectangular, 
having a first engaging means 54 formed thereon. Likewise, as shown in 
detail in FIG. 5, the outer surface of the second side wall 24 of the 
storage box body 14, i.e. a second lateral face 56, is rectangular, having 
a second engaging means 58 formed thereon. 
The first engaging means 54 includes first and third engaging clicks 60 and 
64 formed at the right and left end portions near the upper edge 
(hereinafter referred to as first and third corner regions, respectively) 
of the first lateral face 52, respectively, and second and fourth engaging 
clicks 62 and 66 formed at the right and left portions near the lower edge 
(hereinafter referred to as second and fourth corner regions, 
respectively) of the first lateral face 52, respectively, as shown in 
detail in FIG. 4. 
The first and third engaging clicks 60 and 64 protrude from the first 
lateral face 52 substantially at right angles thereto with their projected 
end portions bent upward or away from the second and fourth engaging 
clicks 62 and 66, as shown in FIG. 4. The first and third engaging clicks 
60 and 64 are of a size and of the same shape. 
Likewise, the second and fourth engaging clicks 62 and 66 protrude from the 
first lateral face 52 substantially at right angles thereto with their 
projected end portions bent downward or away from the first and third 
engaging clicks 60 and 64, as shown in FIG. 4. The second and fourth 
engaging clicks 62 and 66 are exactly like the first engaging click 60 
except that the projected end portions of the second and fourth engaging 
clicks 62 and 66 are bent in the opposite direction to that of the first 
engaging click 60. 
As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the first engaging means 54 further includes 
first and second guide members 68 and 70 formed between the first and 
third engaging clicks 60 and 64 and between the second and fourth engaging 
clicks 62 and 66 on the first lateral face 52, respectively. 
The first guide member 68 is in the form of a band plate which extends 
along an imaginary straight line connecting the first and third engaging 
clicks 60 and 64, and protrudes substantially at right angles to the first 
lateral face 52. 
Likewise, the second guide member 70 is in the form of a band plate which 
extends along an imaginary straight line connecting the second and fourth 
engaging clicks 62 and 66, and protrudes substantially at right angles to 
the first lateral face 52. 
As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the first and second guide members 68 and 70 
are parallel with each other. Further, the first and third engaging clicks 
60 and 64 are parallel with the second and fourth engaging clicks 62 and 
66, respectively. 
The first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64 and 66 and the first and 
second guide members 68 and 70 are formed integrally with the first side 
wall 22 by injection molding using a plastic material with elasticity, and 
are isolated from one another. 
As shown in FIG. 4, a holding device 72 is also formed on the first lateral 
face 52. 
The holding device 72 has openings 74 defined severally in the central 
regions of the first and second guide members 68 and 70 along the 
longitudinal direction thereof. By these openings 74, the respective 
central regions of the first and second guide members 68 and 70 are 
separated from the first lateral face 52. Thus, these central regions can 
be elastically bent in the vertical direction along the first lateral face 
52. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the holding device 72 has a first stopper 76 
protruding upward from the central portion of the upper surface of the 
first guide member 68. The first stopper 76 is formed on the first 
engaging click side of the middle position between the front and rear ends 
of the first lateral face 52. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the upper 
surface of the first stopper 76 is composed of a gentle slope located on 
the front end side of the first lateral face 52, i.e. on the side of the 
first engaging click 60, and gradually ascending toward the rear end of 
the first lateral face 52, and a concave surface located on the rear end 
side of the lateral face 52, i.e. on the side of the third engaging click 
64, and connecting the gentle slope and the upper surface of the first 
guide member 68. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, moreover, the holding device 72 has a second 
stopper 78 protruding downward from the central portion of the lower 
surface of the second guide member 70. The second stopper 78 is formed on 
the fourth engaging click side of the middle position between the front 
and rear ends of the first lateral face 52. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, 
the lower surface of the second stopper 78 is composed of a gentle slope 
located on the rear end side of the first lateral face 52, i.e. on the 
side of the fourth engaging click 66, and gradually descending toward the 
front end of the first lateral face 52, and a concave surface located on 
the front end side of the first lateral face 52, i.e. on the side of the 
second engaging click 62, and conneting the gentle slope and the lower 
surface of the second guide member 70. 
As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the second engaging means 58 formed on the 
second lateral face 56 of the storage box body 14 includes first and third 
engaged clicks 80 and 84 formed at the left and right end portions of the 
upper edge (hereinafter referred to as first and third corner regions, 
respectively) of the second lateral face 56, respectively, and second and 
fourth engaged clicks 82 and 86 formed at the left and right end portions 
of the lower edge (hereinafter referred to as second and fourth corner 
regions, respectively) of the second lateral face 56, respectively. 
The first and third engaged clicks 80 and 84 protrude from the second 
lateral face 56 substantially at right angles thereto with their projected 
end portions bent downward or toward the second and fourth engaged clicks 
82 and 86, as shown in FIG. 5. The first and third engaged clicks 80 and 
84 are of a size and of the same shape. 
Likewise, the second and fourth engaged clicks 82 and 86 protrude from the 
second lateral face 56 substantially at right angles thereto with their 
projected end portions bent upward or toward the first and third engaged 
clicks 80 and 84, as shown in FIG. 5. The second and fourth engaged clicks 
82 and 86 and exactly like the first engaged click 80 except that the 
projected end portions of the second and fourth engaged clicks 82 and 86 
are bent in the opposite direction to that of the second engaged click 80. 
As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the second engaging means 58 further includes 
third and fourth guide members 88 and 90 formed between the first and 
third engaged clicks 80 and 84 and between the second and fourth engaged 
clicks 82 and 86 on the second lateral face 56, respectively. 
The third guide member 88 is in the form of a band plate which extends 
along an imaginary straight line connecting the first and third engaged 
clicks 80 and 84, i.e. along the upper edge of the second lateral face 56 
in this embodiment, and protrudes substantially at right agles to the 
second lateral face 56. 
Likewise, the fourth guide member 90 is in the form of a band plate which 
extends along an imaginary straight line connecting the second and fourth 
engaged clicks 82 and 86, i.e. along the lower edge of the second lateral 
face 56 in this embodiment, and protrudes substantially at right angles to 
the second lateral face 56. 
As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the third and fourth guide members 88 and 90 
are parallel with each other. Further, the first and third engaged clicks 
80 and 84 are parallel with the second and fourth engaged clicks 82 and 
86, respectively. 
The first to fourth engaged clicks 80, 82, 84 and 86 and the third and 
fourth guide members 88 and 90 are formed integrally with the second side 
wall 24 by injection molding using a plastic material with elasticity. 
The first and third engaged clicks 80 and 84 and the third guide member 88 
are coupled with one another to form a continuous structure. Likewise, the 
second and fourth engaged clicks 82 and 86 and the fourth guide member 90 
are coupled with one another to form another continuous structure which is 
isolated from the aforesaid continuous structure including the first and 
third engaged clicks 80 and 84 and the third guide member 88. 
As shown in FIG. 5, moreover, a held device 92 is also formed on the second 
lateral face 56. 
The held device 92 is provided with a first engaged projection 94 
protruding downward from the center of the lower surface of the third 
guide member 88 between the front and rear ends thereof. The under surface 
of the first engaged projection 94 is formed of a convex surface. A 
depression with its bottom face formed of a concave surface is formed in 
the center of the upper surface of the third guide member 88 between the 
front and rear ends thereof. This depression makes the first engaged 
projection 94 hollow. Thus, the first engaged projection 94 can be 
elastically bent with ease in the vertical direction along the second 
lateral face 56. 
Also, the held device 92 is provided with a second engaged projection 96 
protruding upward from the center of the upper surface of the fourth guide 
member 90 between the front and rear ends thereof. The upper surface of 
the second engaged projection 96 is formed of a convex surface. A 
depression with its bottom face formed of a concave surface is formed in 
the center of the lower surface of the fourth guide member 90 between the 
front and rear ends thereof. This depression makes the second engaged 
projection 96 hollow. Thus, the second engaged projection 96 can be 
elastically bent with ease in the vertical direction along the second 
lateral face 56. 
Hereupon, the second lateral face 56 of one of two cassette tape storage 
boxes 10 is opposed to the first lateral face 52 of the other, and the 
first engaged click 80 of the second engaging means 58 of the one tape 
cassette storage box 10 (hereinafter referred to as first tape cassette 
storage box) is put on the upper surface of the first guide member 68 of 
the other tape cassette storage box 10 (hereinafter referred to as second 
tape cassette storage box) right behind the first engaging click 60, as 
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. At the same time, the second engaged click 82 of 
the second engaging means 58 of the first tape cassette storage box 10 is 
applied to the lower surface of the second guide member 70 of the second 
tape cassette storage box 10 right behind the second engaging click 62. 
Then, the first tape cassette storage box 10 is moved foward along the 
first lateral face 52 of the second tape cassette storage box 10, as 
indicated by arrow B in FIG. 6. At this time, the first and second engaged 
clicks 80 and 82 of the second engaging means 58 of the first tape 
cassette storage box 10 slide on the upper surface of the first guide 
member 68 and the lower surface of the second guide member 70 of the 
second tape cassette storage box 10, respectively, thereby guiding the 
first tape cassette storage box 10 in its movement relative to the second 
tape cassette storage box 10. 
As shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface of the second engaged projection 96 
of the held device 92 of the first tape cassette storage box 10 being 
moved abuts against the gentle slope portion on the lower surface of the 
second stopper 78 of the holding device 72 of the second tape cassette 
storage box 10 to bend the second stopper 78 upward. At the same time, the 
projected end portions of the first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64 
and 66 of the first engaging means 54 of the first tape cassette storage 
box 10 engage the projected end portions of the first to fourth engaged 
clicks 80, 82, 84 and 86 of the second engaging means 58 of the second 
tape cassette storage box 10, respectively. 
When the respective front end faces of the first and second tape cassette 
storage boxes 10 are made flush with each other, as shown in FIG. 9, the 
first and second engaged projections 94 and 96 of the held device 92 of 
the first tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the 
curved surfaces of the first and second stoppers 76 and 78 of the holding 
device 72 of the second tape cassette storage box 10, respectively, as 
shown in FIG. 10. 
When one of the first and second tape cassette storage boxes 10 coupled as 
shown in FIG. 9 is subjected to an external force exceeding a given level 
which is applied in the direction of arrow C of FIG. 9 or oppositely 
thereto, the first or second engaged projection 94 or 96 of the held 
device 92 of the first tape cassette storage box 10 elastically deforms 
the first or second stopper 76 or 78 of the holding device 72 of the 
second tape cassette storage box 10 in the downward or upward direction. 
Thus, the held device 92 of the second tape cassette storage box 10 is 
disengaged from the holding device 72 of the first tape cassette storage 
box 10. At this time, the first tape cassette storage box 10 can be moved 
forward or backward along the first lateral face 52 of the second tape 
cassette storage box 10. The first tape cassette storage box 10 moving 
relatively to the second tape cassette storage box 10 is released from the 
coupling with the second tape cassette storage box 10, as shown in FIG. 6, 
by moving through a distance equal to the longitudinal length or the 
length for engagement of the first engaging click 60, following the steps 
shown in FIGS. 10, 8 and 7 in order. 
As shown in FIG. 11, a pair of chamfer portions 98 are formed on each of 
the projected ends of the first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64 and 
66 of the first engaging means 54 and the first to fourth engaged clicks 
80, 82, 84 and 86 of the second engaging means 58 along the longitudinal 
direction or the engaging direction thereof. 
Accordingly, when the first and second tape cassette storage boxes 10 are 
pressed against each other after bringing the outside chamfer portions 98 
of the projected ends of the first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64 
and 66 of the first engaging means 54 of the second tape cassette storage 
box 10 into contact with the outside chamfer portions 98 of the projected 
ends of the first to fourth engaged clicks 80, 82, 84 and 86 of the second 
engaging means 58 of the first tape cassette storage box 10, as shown in 
FIG. 12, the first and second engaged clicks 80 and 82 of the second 
engaging means 58 are bent away from each other, as shown in FIG. 13. 
Likewise, the third and fourth engaged clicks 84 and 86 of the second 
engaging means 58 of the first tape cassette storage box 10 are bent away 
from each other. 
Further, the first and second engaging clicks 60 and 62 of the first 
engaging means 54 of the second tape cassette storage box 10 are bent 
toward each other, as shown in FIG. 13. 
Likewise, the third and fourth engaging clicks 64 and 66 of the first 
engaging means 54 of the second tape cassette storage box 10 are bent 
toward each other. 
When the distance between the first and second tape cassette storage boxes 
10 is further narrowed, the first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64 and 
66 of the first engaging means 54 of the second tape cassette storage box 
10 engage the first to fourth engaged clicks 80, 82, 84 and 86 of the 
second engaging means 58 of the first tape cassette storage box 10 to 
couple the first and second tape cassette storage boxes 10 with each 
other, as shown in FIG. 14. 
At this time, the chamfer portions 98 of the first to fourth engaged clicks 
80, 82, 84 and 86 of the second engaging means 58 of the first tape 
cassette storage box 10 are in contact with the chamfer portions 98 of the 
first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64 and 66 of the first engaging 
means 54 of the second tape cassette storage box 10, respectively, as 
shown in FIG. 14. 
The first and second tape cassette storage boxes 10 coupled with each other 
may be disengaged from each other by being moved away from each other, 
following the steps shown in FIGS. 14, 13, 12 and 11 in order. 
Referring now to FIGS. 15 to 22, there will be described a second 
embodiment of this invention. In the description to follow, like reference 
numerals used in the description of the first embodiment refer to like 
portions throughout the drawings. 
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a first guide member 
68 of a first engaging means 54 is connected with first and third engaging 
clicks 60 and 64, and a second guide member 70 is connected with second 
and fourth engaging clicks 62 and 66. 
Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a holding device 72 of the second 
embodiment includes a pair of projections 100 and 102 protruding downward 
from the central region of the lower surface of the second guide member 70 
between the front and rear ends thereof and arranged along the 
longitudinal direction of the second guide member 70. 
As shown in FIG. 17, a held device 92 of the second embodiment includes a 
projection 104 protruding downward from the central region of the lower 
surface of a third guide member 88 between the front and rear ends 
thereof, and a projection 106 protruding upward from the central region of 
the upper surface of a fourth guide member 90 between the front and rear 
ends thereof. 
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, a pair of reel hub stopper members 40 and 42 
of the second embodiment are different in height. Namely, the height of 
the one reel hub stopper member 40 located on the side of the axis of 
rotation 20 of a cover 16 above a bottom wall 38 is lower than the height 
of the other stopper member 42 above the bottom wall 38. The height of the 
one reel hub stopper member 40 is the minimum height to allow the stopper 
member 40 to reach and circumferentially engage a plurality of engaging 
projections formed on the inner peripheral surface of the reel hub 44 of 
the micro cassette 12 located together with the cover 16 in the first 
position. 
Such arrangement may facilitate the loading and removal of the micro 
cassette 12 into and from the tape cassette storage box 10. 
Hereupon, a second lateral face 56 of a first tape cassette storage box 10 
is opposed to a first lateral face 52 of a second tape cassette storage 
box 10, and a first engaged click 80 of a second engaging means 58 of the 
first tape cassette storage box 10 is put on the upper surface of the 
first guide member 68 of the second tape cassette storage box 10 right 
behind the first engaging click 60, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. At the 
same time, a second engaged click 82 of the second engaging means 58 of 
the first tape cassette storage box 10 is applied to the lower surface of 
the second guide member 70 of the second tape cassette storage box 10 
right behind the second engaging click 62. 
Then, the first tape cassette storage box 10 is moved forward along the 
first lateral face 52 of the second tape cassette storage box 10, as 
indicated by arrow D in FIG. 19. At this time, the first and second 
engaged clicks 80 and 82 of the second engaging means 58 of the first tape 
cassette storage box 10 slide on the upper surface of the first guide 
member 68 and the lower surface of the second guide member 70 of the 
second tape cassette storage box 10, respectively, thereby guiding the 
first tape cassette storage box 10 in its movement relative to the second 
tape cassette storage box 10. 
The upper surface of the second projection 106 of the held device 92 of the 
first tape cassette storage box 10 being moved abuts against the one 
projection 100 of the holding device 72 of the second tape cassette 
storage box 10 to bend the projection 100 upward. At the same time, the 
projected end portions of the first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64 
and 66 of the first engaging means 54 of the first tape cassette storage 
box 10 engage the projected end portions of first to fourth engaged clicks 
80, 82, 84 and 86 of the second engaging means 58 of the second tape 
cassette storage box 10, respectively. 
When the respective front end faces of the first and second tape cassette 
storage boxes 10 are made flush with each other, as shown in FIG. 21, the 
projection 106 of the held device 92 of the first tape cassette storage 
box 10 formed on the fourth guide member 90 is held between the pair of 
projections 100 and 102 of the holding device 72 of the second tape 
cassette storage box 10, as shown in FIG. 22. 
When one of the first and second tape cassette storage boxes 10 coupled as 
shown in FIG. 21 is subjected to an external force exceeding a given level 
which is applied in the direction of arrow E of FIG. 21 or oppositely 
thereto, the projection 106 of the held device 92 of the first tape 
cassette storage box 10 abuts against one of the pair of projections 100 
and 102 of the holding device 72 of the second tape cassette storage box 
10, thereby elastically deforming the projection 100 or 102 upward. Thus, 
the held device 92 of the second tape cassette storage box 10 is 
disengaged from the holding device 72 of the first tape cassette storage 
box 10. At this time, the first tape cassette storage box 10 can be moved 
forward or backward along the first lateral face 52 of the second tape 
cassette storage box 10. The first tape cassette storage box 10 moving 
relatively to the second tape cassette storage box 10 is released from the 
coupling with the second tape cassette storage box 10, as shown in FIG. 
19, by moving through a distance equal to the longitudinal length or the 
length for engagement of the first engaging click 60, following the steps 
shown in FIGS. 22 and 20 in order. 
According to this invention, there is provided a tape cassette storage box 
which comprises a storage box body for holding a micro cassette, a cover 
coupled with the storage box body so as to be able to rotate between a 
first position in which the cover houses, in cooperation with the storage 
box body, the micro cassette held in the storage box body and a second 
position in which the cover allows the micro cassette to be removed from 
the storage box body, a first engaging means formed on a first lateral 
face out of two rectangular lateral faces of the storage box body 
intersecting the axis of rotation of the cover, and a second engaging 
means formed on a second lateral face of the storage box body, the 
improvement in which the first engaging means includes a first engaging 
click disposed in a first corner region of the first lateral face, a 
second engaging click disposed isolatedly from the first engaging click in 
a second corner region of the first lateral face located in a direction 
substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of the first 
engaging click and having the same length and the same direction for 
engagement as those of the first engaging click, a third engaging click 
disposed isolatedly from the first engaging click in a third corner region 
of the first lateral face located in the direction for engagement of the 
first engaging click and having the same length and the same direction for 
engagement as those of the first engaging click, and a fourth engaging 
click disposed isolatedly from the third and second engaging clicks in a 
fourth corner region of the first lateral face located in a direction 
substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of the third 
engaging click and in the direction for engagement of the second engaging 
click and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as 
those of the first engaging click, and in which the second engaging means 
includes a first engaged click disposed in a first corner region of the 
second lateral face, a second engaged click disposed isolatedly from the 
first engaged click in a second corner region of the second lateral face 
located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for 
engagement of the first engaged click and having the same length and the 
same direction for engagement as those of the first engaged click, a third 
engaged click disposed isolatedly from the first engaged click in a third 
corner region of the second lateral face located in the direction for 
engagement of the first engaged click and having the same length and the 
same direction for engagement as those of the first engaged click, and a 
fourth engaged click disposed isolatedly from the third and second engaged 
clicks in a fourth corner region of the second lateral face located in a 
direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of 
the third engaged click and in the direction for engagement of the second 
engaged click and having the same length and the same direction for 
engagement as those of the first engaged click, so that the first to 
fourth engaging clicks of the first engaging means of a first tape 
cassette storage box engage the first to fourth engaged clicks of the 
second engaging means of a second tape cassette storage box when the first 
engaging means of the first tape cassette storage box is coupled with the 
second engaging means of the second tape cassette storage box. 
With such arrangement, the first engaging means of the first tape cassette 
storage box may be engaged with and disengaged from the second engaging 
means of the second tape cassette storage box by only moving the first 
tape cassette storage box along the second lateral face of the second tape 
cassette storage box through a distance equal to the length for engagement 
of the first engaging click of the first engaging means. 
Preferably, in the tape cassette storage box of the invention, the first 
and third engaging clicks of the first engaging means protrude from the 
first lateral face substantially at right angles thereto with their 
projected ends bent away from the second and fourth engaging clicks to 
extend substantially in parallel with the first lateral face, the second 
and fourth engaging clicks of the first engaging means protrude from the 
first lateral face substantially at right angles thereto with their 
projected ends bent away from the first and third engaging clicks to 
extend substantially in parallel with the first lateral face, the first 
and third engaged clicks of the second engaging means protrude from the 
second lateral face substantially at right angles thereto with their 
projected ends bent toward the second and fourth engaged clicks to extend 
substantially in parallel with the second lateral face, and the second and 
fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means protrude from the 
second lateral face substantially at right angles thereto with their 
projected ends bent toward the first and third engaged clicks to extend 
substantially in parallel with the second lateral face. 
With such arrangement, the first to fourth engaging clicks of the first 
engaging means and the first to fourth engaged clicks of the second 
engaging means may be simplified in construction, and hence reduced in 
manufacturing cost. 
Preferably, in the tape cassette storage box of the invention, the first to 
fourth engaging clicks of the first engaging means are formed integrally 
with the first lateral face out of a plastic material having elasticity, 
each of the projected ends of the first to fourth engaging clicks has 
chamfer portions formed thereon along the direction for engagement 
thereof, the first to fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means 
are formed integrally with the second lateral face out of a plastic 
material having elasticity, and each of the projected ends of the first to 
fourth engaged clicks has chamfer portions formed thereon along the 
direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions 
of the first to fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means of the 
second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the 
respective chamfer portions of the first to fourth engaging clicks of the 
first engaging means of the first tape cassette storage box when the 
second engaging means of the second tape cassette storage box is brought 
into contact with the first engaging means of the first tape cassette 
storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of the 
first engaging means. 
With such arrangement, the first engaging means of the first tape cassette 
storage box and the second engaging means of the second tape cassette 
storage box may be engaged with or disengaged from each other also by 
bringing them close to or separating them from each other in a direction 
to cross their direction for engagement. 
Preferably, in the tape cassette storage box of the invention, the first 
engaging means includes a holding device, and the second engaging means 
includes a held device, so that the holding device of the first engaging 
means of the first tape cassette storage box holds the held device of the 
second engaging means of the second tape cassette storage box to maintain 
the engagement between the first engaging means of the first tape cassette 
storage box and the second engaging means of the second tape cassette 
storage box until an external force extending a given level is applied to 
the first and second tape cassette storage boxes when the first to fourth 
engaged clicks of the second engaging means of the second tape cassette 
storage box get engaged with the first to fourth engaging clicks of the 
first engaging means of the first tape cassette storage box. 
With such arrangement, there is hardly any fear of the engagement between 
the first engaging means of the first tape cassette storage box and the 
second engaging means of the second tape cassette storage box being 
removed due to an error or accident. 
Preferably, in the tape cassette storage box of the invention, the first 
engaging means includes first and second guide members disposed between 
the first and third engaging clicks and between the second and fourth 
engaging clicks, respectively, so that the first engaging means of the 
first tape cassette storage box and the second engaging means of the 
second tape cassette storage box are coupled with each other as the first 
and third engaged clicks and the second and fourth engaged clicks of the 
second engaging means of the second tape cassette storage box are guided 
by the first and second guide members of the first engaging means of the 
first tape cassette storage box, respectively. 
Such arrangement may facilitate the operation to engage the first engaging 
means of the first tape cassette storage box with the second engaging 
means of the second tape cassette storage box. 
Preferably, in the tape cassette storage box of the invention, the first 
guide member is in the form of a band plate extending along an imaginary 
straight line connecting the first and third engaging clicks and 
protruding substantially at right angles to the first lateral face, and 
the second guide member is in the form of a band plate extending along an 
imaginary straight line connecting the second and fourth engaging clicks 
and protruding substantially at right angles to the first lateral face, so 
that the first to fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means of 
the second tape cassette storage box are coupled with the first to fourth 
engaging clicks of the first engaging means of the first tape cassette 
storage box when the projected end faces of the first and second engaged 
clicks or the third and fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means 
of the second tape cassette storage box are brought slidingly into contact 
with the first and second guide members of the first engaging means of the 
first tape cassette storage box, respectively. 
With such arrangement, the first and second guide members may be simplified 
in construction to facilitate the manufacture thereof. 
Preferably, in the tape cassette storage box of the invention, the second 
engaging means includes a third guide member in the form of a band plate 
formed on the second lateral face along an imaginary straight line 
connecting the first and third engaged clicks and protruding substantially 
at right angles to the second lateral face, and a fourth guide member in 
the form of a band plate formed on the second lateral face along an 
imaginary straight line connecting the second and fourth engaged clicks 
and protruding substantially at right angles to the second lateral face, 
the holding device of the first engaging means includes openings formed in 
the respective central regions of the first and second guide members along 
the direction for guidance thereof, whereby the central regions are 
separated from the first lateral face, a first stopper formed on the first 
engaging click side of the first guide member in the central region 
thereof and projecting in the same direction as the projected end portions 
of the first and third engaging clicks, and a second stopper formed on the 
fourth engaging click side of the second guide member in the central 
region thereof and projecting in the same direction as the projected end 
portions of the second and fourth engaging clicks, and the held device of 
the second engaging means includes a first engaged projection formed in 
the central region of the third guide member along the direction for 
guidance thereof and projecting in the same direction as the projected end 
portions of the first and third engaged clicks, and a second engaged 
projection formed in the central region of the fourth guide member along 
the direction for guidance thereof and projecting in the same direction as 
the projected end portions of the second and fourth engaged clicks, so 
that the first and second engaged projections of the second engaging means 
of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the 
first and second stoppers of the first engaging means of the first tape 
cassette storage box to maintain the engagement between the first engaging 
means of the first tape cassette storage box and the second engaging means 
of the second tape cassette storage box until an external force exceeding 
a given level is applied to the first and second tape cassette storage 
boxes when the first to fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means 
of the second tape cassette storage box get engaged with the first to 
fourth engaging clicks of the first engaging means of the first tape 
cassette storage box. 
With such arrangement, the holding and held devices may be simplified in 
construction. 
Preferably, in the tape cassette storage box of the invention, the first 
and second engaged projections of the engaged device of the second 
engaging means are hollow. 
With such arrangement, the holding and held devices may work smoothly. 
Alternatively, the tape cassette storage box of the invention may be so 
constructed that the second engaging means includes a third guide member 
in the form of a band plate formed on the second lateral face along an 
imaginary straight line connecting the first and third engaged clicks and 
protruding substantially at right angles to the second lateral face, and a 
fourth guide member in the form of a band plate formed on the second 
lateral face along an imaginary straight line connecting the second and 
fourth engaged clicks and protruding substantially at right angles to the 
second lateral face, the holding device of the first engaging means 
includes a pair of projections arranged on the central region of at least 
one of the first and second guide members along the direction for guidance 
thereof, and the held device of the second engaging means includes a 
projection formed on the central region of each of the third and fourth 
guide members along the direction for guidance thereof, so that at least 
one of the pair of projections of the holding device of the first engaging 
means of the first tape cassette storage box holds at least one of the 
projections of the third and fourth guide members of the second engaging 
means of the second tape cassette storage box to maintain the engagement 
between the first engaging means of the first tape cassette storage box 
and the second engaging means of the second tape cassette storage box 
until an external force exceeding a given level is applied to the first 
and second tape cassette storage boxes when the first to fourth engaged 
clicks of the second engaging means of the second tape cassette storage 
box get engaged with the first to fourth engaging clicks of the first 
engaging means of the first tape cassette storage box. 
Although illustrative embodiments of this invention have been described in 
detail herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to 
those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may 
be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the 
scope or spirit of the invention.