Patent ID: 6929205

Claim:
A tape cartridge which can be inserted into a tape drive having an opening member which can operatively engage with the tape cartridge at time when the tape cartridge is inserted, the tape cartridge comprising: a reel on which a tape is wound; a leader pin attached to a free end of the tape; a case which is hollow, which accommodates the reel, and which has a ceiling plate and a floor plate which oppose one another with a predetermined interval therebetween; a tape access opening provided at the case; pin holding structures for releasably holding the leader pin at a predetermined holding position within the case, such that the leader pin spans between the ceiling plate and the floor plates; a shielding member which can move reciprocatingly along an arc-shaped path of movement between a closing position for closing the tape access opening and an opening position for opening the tape access opening, wherein a thickness of a portion of the ceiling plate and a portion of the floor plate which each may be contacted by an end surface of the leader pin which is positioned at the holding position, is thicker than an average thickness of the ceiling plate and the floor plate.