Abstract: An integral one-piece reel lock located in the base lower wall of a videocassette between two reels includes two locking pawl portions, a release lever portion, and connecting arms. The two locking pawl portions are connected to the release lever portion through the connecting arms. The release lever portion has a base and arms. The arms serve as an axis around which the release lever portion can pivot. Each locking pawl portion is mounted on a post on the lower wall of the base adjacent a respective reel, and each locking pawl portion is biased by the connecting arms to engage its respective reel lower flange teeth to lock the reel.

Abstract: A reel flange for a magnetic tape cassette reel has apertures for viewing the tape on the reel. The apertures provide a system for visually estimating the quantity of tape contained on the reel. The flange provides the combined advantages of greater choice of materials for making the flange and improved accuracy in estimating the quantity of tape contained on the reel.

Abstract: A connector for insulated electrical wires in which a body of insulating material has a wire connection well formed into one surface and receives a slotted, flat plate, electrical contact element. A wire retention well is formed adjacent the wire connection well and is joined to the wire connection well by a passageway aligned with the slot in the contact element. The passageway is constricted to engage the insulation of a wire forced into the slot of the contact element in the wire connection well through the passageway and out of the wire retention well to electrically connect the wire to the contact element while providing strain relief for the wire in the passageway.