Tape cassette storage rack

Abstract: A tape cassette storage rack which can accommodate tape cassettes of different sizes at a predetermined posi­ tion, and in which the accommodated tape cassette may be directly taken out manually without employment of a jig or the like, while a high area efficiency is available for the storing of tape cassettes.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a storing unit, and more particularly, to a tape cassette storage rack for use, for example, in a video tape recorder (VTR) automatic tape feeding apparatus which is arranged to automatically feed the tape cassettes accommodated in tape cassette storage racks by a robot equipment. Recently, the VTR automatic tape feeding apparatus as referred to above, and capable of accommodating a large member of tape cassettes therein has come to be widely utilized for automatic broadcasting of news, commercial or regular programs in a broadcasting station, and also, an automatic video image servicing machine in a cultural center, museum, library or the like. Conventionally, the VTR automatic tape feeding apparatuses of the above described type are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,839,197 and 3,938,190, etc., and various methods for storing tape cassettes have also been proposed. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, one example of the conventional tape cassette storage racks will be described hereinbelow. In Fig. 1, the known tape cassette storage rack includes a rack main body 10 having an elongated opening 11 at its front portion for allowing a tape cassette (Figs. 2 and 3) to be mounted or dismounted therethrough, side walls 12 extending upwardly from opposite sides of the rack main body 10, with a distance therebetween corresponding to a width of a tape cassette in a standard size (a standard-sized tape cassette 1a in Fig. 2, which will be referred to as a standard tape cassette), a bottom plate 13 for the rack main body 10, formed with a protrusion 14 having, for example, a rectangular cross section to be fitted into a groove of a similar cross section provided at the bottom face of the tape cassette and a rear wall 15 of said rack main body 10. The bottom plate 13, side walls 12 and rear wall 15 for the rack main body 10 are integrally formed by a resin material so as to define a space for accommodating the tape cassette therein. Moreover, on the side walls 12, there are fixedly attached plate springs 16 each projecting into the tape cassette accommodating space referred to above by 2 to 3 mm and having a shape engageable with recesses, or grooves 2 (Figs. 2 and 3) in a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section formed in corresponding side walls of the tape cassette to be stored therein. In Fig. 2, showing the state where the standard tape cassette 1a is inserted in the storage rack, said tape cassette 1a is guided by the protrusion 14 formed on the bottom plate 13 of the rack main body 10, and also by the side walls 12 of said main body, while being restricted for its back and forth movement (i.e. movement in a direction to insert or withdraw the tape cassette) by the plate springs 16 on the opposite side walls 12 which engage the grooves 2 formed on the side faces of said tape cassette 1a. Fig. 3 shows the state where a small-sized tape cassette 1b is inserted in the storage rack of Fig. 1. On the bottom face of the small-sized tape cassette 1b also, a groove having a rectangular cross section (not particularly shown) is formed for the engagement with the protrusion 14 on the bottom plate 13 of the storage rack, in a position at the same distance from its one side wall as in the standard tape cassette 1a, and thus, the small-sized tape cassette 1b is guided by the protrusion 14 and one side wall 12 of the storage rack, with the plate spring 16 at one side being engaged with the groove 2 formed on the side face of the cassette 1b for restricting the back and forth movement of said tape cassette 1b in the similar manner as in the tape cassette 1a. Fig. 4 shows the state where a large number of storage rack main bodies 10 as described above are piled up in many stages, in which the tape cassettes 1a may be restricted for movement in an upward direction. In the above arrangement, the tape cassettes 1a may be selectively drawn out from or inserted into the storage racks from the front side, and for withdrawal of the tape cassette 1a, the plate springs 16 of the storage rack are to be pushed open, while for insertion thereof, the tape cassette 1a goes inside as it pushes open the plate springs 16, with said plate springs 16 ultimately engaged with the grooves 2 of the tape cassette 1a as described earlier. The withdrawal and insertion of the small-sized tape cassette 1b can be effected in the similar manner by utilizing the protrusion 14 and the plate spring 16 at one side wall 12, and thus, the storage rack is capable of positioning two kinds of tape cassettes of different sizes at the predetermined position. However, the known arrangement as described so far has such disadvantages as follows. Namely, in cases where the tape cassettes are to be manually (i.e. by human hand ) exchanged with those outside the VTR automatic tape feeding apparatus due to expiration of the tape life or alteration of contents to be supplied, or where they are to be manually replaced due to urgent requirements in a broadcasting station, when such tape cassettes are to be taken out from the state in which they are accommodated in the piled up storage racks, it is required to provide gaps for inserting fingers between the described tape cassette to be taken out and the tape cassettes accommodated in positions above and below said desired tape cassette, thus resulting in reduction of area efficiency. Meanwhile, it becomes very inconvenient if it is intended to deal with the problem through reduction of the gaps or by employing a tape withdrawal jig or the like. It is noted that EP-A-0 253 102 reflecting the precharacterising portion of claim 1 discloses a tape cassette storage rack having a space at the rear of the cassettes. The bottom wall of this space is slanted. A cassette can be gripped easily by pushing its two neighbouring cassettes rearwards, whereby repositioning of the neighbouring cassettes is carried out by the slanted wall. It is further noted that US-A-4 235 490 discloses a tape cassette storage rack in which a cassette can be removed by pushing it against a spring force. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an essential object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette storage rack which can accommodate tape cassettes of different sizes at a predetermined position, and in which the accommodated tape cassette may be directly taken out manually without employment of a jig or the like, while a high area efficiency is available for the storing of tape cassettes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette storage rack of the above described type which is simple in construction and stable in functioning, and can be readily manufactured at low cost. In accomplishing these and other objects, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tape cassette storage rack which includes a rack main body having side walls and a bottom plate for guiding at least one side face and a bottom face of a tape cassette provided with a first groove means including grooves in a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section and formed at its side faces and a second groove means in a straight shape extending in a direction for attaching or detaching the tape cassette, and an opening portion for allowing the tape cassette to be attached to or detached from said storage rack therethrough, a protrusion provided on the bottom plate of the rack main body for engaging the second groove means formed on the bottom face of the tape cassette, an engaging means provided on at least one of said side walls of said rack main body for retractably engaging said first groove means formed on the side faces of the tape cassette, a space provided at the rear portion of said storage rack in which the tape cassette is accommodated for permitting the tape cassette to be slid back and forth, and a pusher unit disposed in said space for contact with the rear end of the tape cassette. In the arrangement according to the present invention as described above, by providing the first groove means at the predetermined positions on the side faces of the tape cassette, and the second groove means at the predetermined position on the bottom face thereof, the tape cassette is restricted for movement in the lateral direction as it is guided by the protrusion on the bottom plate of the rack main body which engages the second groove means of the tape cassette and also, by the side walls of said rack main body. Moreover, since the engaging means of the storage rack is fitted into the first groove means at the side faces of the tape cassette, said tape cassette is also restricted for movement in the forward and backward directions. Meanwhile, when a desired tape cassette is to be taken out manually (by hand without using any jig or the like) from a stack of storage racks, the tape cassettes stored in the storage racks above and below the desired cassette are slid backward through depression by fingers to form spaces for allowing insertion of the fingers thereat so as to grasp the desired tape cassette by the fingers for drawing out forwardly. Simultaneously when the desired tape cassette is taken out, the tape cassettes located above and below said desired tape cassette and pushed backward by the fingers are each released from the depressing force, and are automatically pushed forward by the pusher units until the first groove means thereof at their side faces engage the engaging means of the storage racks, and thus, the tape cassettes are again restricted for movement in the forward and backward directions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional tape cassette storage rack (already referred to), Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which a standard tape cassette is accommodated in the conventional tape cassette storage rack of Fig. 1 (already referred to), Fig. 3 is also a perspective view showing the state in which a small-sized tape cassette is accommodated in the conventional tape cassette storage rack of Fig. 1 (already referred to), Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the tape cassette storage racks are piled up in many stages, Fig. 5(a) is a schematic top plan view of a VTR automatic tape feeding apparatus to which tape cassette storage racks according to the present invention may be applied, Fig. 5(b) is a front elevational view of the VTR automatic tape feeding apparatus of Fig. 5(a), Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) are a top plan view and a front elevational view of a standard tape cassette to be employed for the tape cassette storage rack of the present invention, Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) are views similar to Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), which particularly show a small-sized tape cassette to be employed for the storage rack of the present invention, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a tape cassette storage rack according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) are a top plan view and a side elevational view, partly in section, of a pusher unit employed in the tape cassette storage rack of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the state in which the standard tape cassette of Fig. 6 is accommodated in the tape cassette storage rack of Fig. 8, Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the state in which the small-sized tape cassette of Fig. 7 is accommodated in the tape cassette storage rack of Fig. 8, and Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the tape cassette is directly taken out manually. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), general construction of a VTR automatic tape feeding apparatus to which a tape cassette storage rack according to the present invention may be applied. In Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), the VTR automatic tape feeding apparatus is arranged to grasp a desired one of the tape cassettes T accommodated in tape cassette storage racks R by a chuck CK for feeding said desired tape cassette to a video tape recorder VT by an X-Y robot XY which moves the chuck CK as desired. Thus, by supplying and storing the desired tape cassette into the predetermined video tape recorder VT based on an instruction preliminarily programed or requested, the tape in the particular tape cassette T is reproduced for automatic broadcasting. In Figs. 6 and 7, there are shown a standard tape cassette 1a and a small-sized tape cassette 1b which may be applied to the tape cassette storage rack according to the present invention. As shown in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), the standard tape cassette 1a has recesses or grooves 2, for example, of a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section on the opposite side faces and another straight groove 3, for example, of a rectangular cross section in the bottom face threof. In Figs. 7(a) and 7(b), the small-sized tape cassette 1b also has grooves 2, for example, of a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section on the opposite side faces and another straight groove 3, for example, of a rectangular cross section in its bottom face in the similar manner as in the standard tape cassette 1a of Figs. 6(a) and 6(b). In the small-sized tape cassette 1b, the groove 3 is provided in a position at the same distance from the left end face of the tape cassette as in the tape cassette 1a, while the grooves 2 are also formed at the same distance from the front face as in the tape cassette 1a. Referring further to Fig. 8, there is shown a tape cassette storage rack according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, which includes a rack main body 10A having side walls 12A, a bottom plate 13A formed with a protrusion 14A and a rear wall 15A, all of which are generally similar to those in the conventional arrangement shown in Fig. 1. The storage rack of Fig. 8 further includes rollers 26 supported by plate springs 27 and provided on the side walls 12A, a pusher unit 28 provided in a space at the rear portion of the storage rack, and a guide plate 29, with a space 30 as surrounded by one-dotted chain lines being provided within said storage rack for accommodating the tape cassette therein. The side walls 12A, bottom plate 13A and rear wall 15A for the rack main body 10A are integrally molded by a resin material so as to define openings at the front and upper sides, and the space 30 for accommodating a standard tape cassette therein, with another space 31 for allowing the tape cassette to slide back and forth being further provided at the rear portion of said storage rack as illustrated. On the bottom plate 13A, the protrusion 14A which engages a straight groove, for example, of a rectangular cross section formed in the bottom face of the tape cassette, is provided. On the side walls 12A, there are disposed the rollers 26 supported by the plate springs 27, with part of each of the rollers 26 projecting into the accommodating space 30 for the tape cassette within the rack main body 10A by 2 to 3 mm. The pusher unit 28 provided on the guide plate 29 at the rear side of the storage rack is arranged to push the rear side face of the tape cassette when inserted. Reference is also made to Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) showing a detailed construction of the pusher unit 28 referred to above. The pusher unit 28 detachably mounted on the guide plate 29 which serves as a guide member when a large number of the rack main bodies 10A are to be piled up in multi-stages, includes a case 32 having engaging pieces 36 for releasably attaching the case 32 onto the guide plate 29, a stopper 33 retractably provided within the case 32 and normally urged outwardly towards the tape cassette by a compression coil spring 34, and a lid 35 for covering an upper opening of the case 32. The stopper 33 guided by the case 32 and the lid 35 for sliding movement in the forward and backward direction and urged outwardly by the coil spring 34 as described above is restricted in its projecting amount by contact with a stepped portion (not particularly shown) formed in the case 32. Functioning of the tape cassette storage rack of the present invention having the construction as described so far will be described hereinbelow. Fig. 10 shows the state in which a standard tape cassette 1a is accommodated in the tape cassette storage rack of Fig. 8. The tape cassette 1a is guided by the protrusion 14A formed on the bottom plate 13A, and the side walls 12A of the rack main body 10A, while the movement of said tape cassette in the backward and forward directions is restricted by the rollers 26 provided on the side walls 12A through the plate springs 27 and engaged with the grooves 2A formed on the opposite side faces of the tape cassette 1a. Similarly, Fig. 11 shows the state in which a small-sized tape cassette 1b is accommodated in the tape cassette storage rack of Fig. 8. The tape cassette 1b is also guided by the protrusion 14A formed on the bottom plate 13A, and one of the side walls 12A of the rack main body 10A, and thus, the movement of said tape cassette 1b in the backward and forward directions is restricted by the roller 26 provided on one side wall 12A. For the actual use, many tape cassette storage racks as described so far are piled up in multi-stages as shown in Fig. 4. Since the tape cassette storage rack according to the present invention has its upper surface opened, it becomes possible to restrict the tape cassettes 1a or 1b for movement in the upward direction when many tape cassettes are piled up as described above. Each of the tape cassettes 1a or 1b can be drawn out from or inserted into the rack main body 10A through the front face of the storage rack. For manually taking out the desired cassette (without using any jig or the like), the tape cassettes located above and below the desired tape cassette are pushed rearwardly by fingers, thereby to push back the stoppers 33 of the pusher units 28 against the urging force of the coil springs 34 for consequently sliding the tape cassettes backwardly. As a result, the desired tape cassette is to be projected forwardly as compared with the tape cassettes located above and below it relatively, and thus the desired tape cassette is grasped as it is by the fingers inserted thereabove and therebelow and can be readily drawn out forwardly. Upon completion of the withdrawal of the desired tape cassette, the tape cassettes located above and below said desired tape cassette are released from the depression by the fingers, and pushed forwardly by the spring force of the compression coil springs 34 of the respective pusher units 28, and finally, restricted for movement in the forward and backward directions through engagement of the rollers 26 with the V-shaped grooves 2 of the tape cassette 1a or 1b. For the accommodation and withdrawal of the tape cassette, such tape cassette is to be slid as the plate springs 27 supporting the rollers 26 are pushed open, and in this case, it is possible to smoothly slide the tape cassette through rotation of the rollers 26. It should be noted here that, in the foregoing embodiment, although the plate springs 27 and the rollers 26 are disposed on the opposite side walls of the storage rack, it may be modified to provide them only at one side, and that the rack main body described as integrally molded in the foregoing embodiment may be modified to be prepared by a combination of divided parts. Moreover, although the protrusion 14 to be formed on the bottom plate 13A of the rack main body 10A is described as having a rectangular cross section. In the foregoing embodiment, the protrusion 14A is not limited in its cross sectional shape so far as it is formed to be straight. As is clear from the foregoing description, since the tape cassette storage rack according to the present invention includes the rack main body having side walls and the bottom plate for guiding at least one side face and a bottom face of the tape cassette provided with the first groove means at its side faces, and the second groove means at its bottom face and the opening portion for allowing the tape cassette to be attached to or detached from the storage rack therethrough, the protrusion provided on the bottom plate of the rack main body for engaging the second groove means formed on the bottom face of the tape cassette, and the engaging means (i.e. the rollers supported by the plate springs) provided on at least one of said side walls of the rack main body for retractably engaging the first groove means formed on the side faces of the tape cassette, tape cassettes of different sizes can be accommodated at the predetermined position of the same tape cassette storage rack through a simple construction. Furthermore, owing to the provision of the space at the rear portion of the storage rack in which the tape cassette is accommodated for permitting the tape cassette to be slid back and forth, and the pusher unit urged by the spring in said space for contact with the rear end of the tape cassette, the tape cassette storage rack of the present invention is superior in the area efficiency, while the tape cassettes may be directly accommodated or withdrawn manually in a simple procedure without employing any jig or the like, with improved maintenance characteristics. Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted here that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention they should be construed as included therein.

Claims: A tape cassette storage rack which comprises a rack main body (10A) having side walls (12A) and a bottom plate (13A) for guiding at least one side face and a bottom face of a tape cassette (1a, 1b) provided with a first groove means (2) at its side faces and a second groove means (3) at its bottom face, and an opening portion (30) for allowing the tape cassette to be inserted into or removed from said storage rack, a protrusion (14A) provided on the bottom plate (13A) of the rack main body (10A) for engaging the second groove means (3) formed on the bottom face of the tape cassette, an engaging means (26, 27) provided on at least one of said side walls (12A) of said rack main body (10A) for retractably engaging said first groove means (2) formed on the side faces of the tape cassette, characterized by a space (31) being provided at the rear portion of said storage rack for allowing the tape cassette (1a, 1b) to be slid back and forth; and a pusher unit (28) disposed in said space (31) and including a case (32) fixed to a guide plate (29) positioned at the rear portion of said rack main body (10A), said pusher unit having a retractable stopper (33) which is loaded by a spring (34) for normally urging the stopper (33) in a direction for contact with the rear end of the tape cassette (1a, 1b). A tape cassette storage rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engaging means (26, 27) includes plate springs (27) provided on the side walls (12A) of the rack main body (10A), and rollers (26) supported by the plate springs (27), with part of each of said rollers (26) projecting into an accomodating space (30) for the tape cassette (1a, 1b) within said rack main body (10A). A tape cassette storage rack as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said first groove means (2) are grooves of a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section formed on the side faces of the tape cassette. A tape cassette storage rack as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein said protrusion (14A) is of straight form and has a rectangular cross section for engagement with said second groove means (3) extending straight and having similar cross section as said protrusion (14A). A tape cassette storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a large number of said rack main bodies (10A) are arranged to be piled up in multi-stages.

Inventors: MORIMOTO MICHITOSHI, OHZAWA SHOGO, YOKOTA TERUHISA, MORIMOTO, MICHITOSHI, OHZAWA, SHOGO, YOKOTA, TERUHISA
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B23, G11B15