Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a tape drive capable of securely pressing and holding a thin-type or a thick-type loaded tape cartridge being different in case thicknesses, so as to be vertically immovable. The tape drive D accommodates within it a loading frame 28 for receiving and supporting each tape cartridge 40A, 40B being different in case thicknesses and a holder 29 for holding the tape cartridge 40A, 40B by pressing the cartridge. The side wall 31 of the loading frame is provided with a pair of upper and lower sensors 34, 35 for identifying the thin-type and the thick-type loaded tape cartridges. The holder 29 is displaced to a height position matching with the loaded tape cartridge 40A, 40B based on the tape cartridge size detected by the sensors 34, 35.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a tape housing, first and second reel member cooperate with each other to constitute a reel around which a tape is wound, a connecting and biasing member connecting between the first and second, and first and second engaging means. The first engaging means is provided on an inner surface of the lower wall. The second engaging means is provided on a lower surface of the second reel member. This arrangement allows that the second engaging means can engage with the first engaging means due to a biasing force caused by the connecting and biasing member to prevent a rotation of the second reel member and can disengage from the first engaging means when the drive shaft accesses the second reel member through the opening and forces the second reel member toward the first reel member against the biasing force of the connecting and biasing member.

Abstract: To provide a tape cartridge capable of preventing an area near the posterior rim a tape winding layer from colliding with a casing wall to cause the tape edge to be damaged upon reception of dropping impact in the state where the upper and lower sides of the tape cartridge are reversed, so that the magnetic tape can constantly be maintained in an appropriate state. A pair of right and left hubs for taking up the magnetic tape, a hub locking structure are provided inside a main casing. The hub locking structure is placed on the anterior side of the inner surface of an upper casing in the main casing. A regulating body for regulating inclination of the tape winding layer is formed so as to bulge on the rear side of the inner surface of the upper casing. The regulating body is formed in an oblong rib shape having a bulge size almost identical to a thickness size of the hub locking structure in the inner surface of the upper casing.

Abstract: A tape cartridge suitable for high density recording of information signals is provided by enhancing the form accuracy and the assembly precision of a flange fixed to a hub to achieve a high-precision tape reel. The tape reel is placed inside a main casing for winding and storing a recording tape. The tape reel is composed of an upper flange and a hub integrally having a lower flange. The upper flange joined to the upper surface of the hub is fastened and fixed with a screw screwed into the hub from the upper side of the upper flange. The upper flange is fastened and fixed to the hub with a plurality of screws provided in positions away from the central axis of rotation of the tape reel.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a reel having an external peripheral surface and a tape wound around the external peripheral surface of the reel. The peripheral surface has a shallow recess defined therein and extending in a peripheral direction of the reel. The recess is extended in a direction opposite a tape winding direction from a first point to a second point away from the first point. The recess is defined by an end wall extending inwardly from the first point to a third point away from the first point and a height substantially the same as a thickness of the tape. The recess also has a bottom wall extending peripherally from the third point to the second point and having a depth decreasing in proportion to a distance from the third point toward the second point. The portion of the tape is positioned in the recess so that the end wall abuts or opposes the end portion of the tape.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a tape housing, first and second reel member cooperate with each other to constitute a reel around which a tape is wound, a connecting and biasing member connecting between the first and second, and first and second engaging means. The first engaging means is provided on an inner surface of the lower wall. The second engaging means is provided on a lower surface of the second reel member. This arrangement allows that the second engaging means can engage with the first engaging means due member to prevent a rotation of the second reel member and can disengage from the first engaging means when the drive shaft accesses the second reel member through the opening and forces the second reel member toward the first reel member against the biasing force of the connecting and biasing member.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a housing having upper and lower walls defining an interior therebetween, a pair of tape winding elements provided on left and right sides of the interior of the housing, the tape winding elements being supported for rotation by the upper and lower walls of the housing, a tape wound around the tape winding elements, a restriction sheet provided between the upper wall of the housing and windings of the tape, and a restriction means made of a lower bouncing material. The restriction means is provided in a region on a rear side of a line connecting centers of the tape winding elements and opposing the windings of the tape and also between the upper wall of the housing and the restriction sheet so that, when the restriction sheet is forced toward the upper wall by an edge of laterally moving tape, the restriction means receives the forced restriction sheet and then resiliently returns the restriction sheet toward the tape winding to prevent a misaligned winding of the tape.

Abstract: To provide a tape cartridge capable of preventing an area near the posterior rim a tape winding layer from colliding with a casing wall to cause the tape edge to be damaged upon reception of dropping impact in the state where the upper and lower sides of the tape cartridge are reversed, so that the magnetic tape can constantly be maintained in an appropriate state. A pair of right and left hubs for taking up the magnetic tape, a hub locking structure are provided inside a main casing. The hub locking structure is placed on the anterior side of the inner surface of an upper casing in the main casing. A regulating body for regulating inclination of the tape winding layer is formed so as to bulge on the rear side of the inner surface of the upper casing. The regulating body is formed in an oblong rib shape having a bulge size almost identical to a thickness size of the hub locking structure in the inner surface of the upper casing.

Abstract: A tape cartridge suitable for high density recording of information signals is provided by enhancing the form accuracy and the assembly precision of a flange fixed to a hub to achieve a high-precision tape reel. The tape reel is placed inside a main casing for winding and storing a recording tape. The tape reel is composed of an upper flange and a hub integrally having a lower flange. The upper flange joined to the upper surface of the hub is fastened and fixed with a screw screwed into the hub from the upper side of the upper flange. The upper flange is fastened and fixed to the hub with a plurality of screws provided in positions away from the central axis of rotation of the tape reel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a tape drive capable of securely pressing and holding a thin-type or a thick-type loaded tape cartridge being different in case thicknesses, so as to be vertically immovable. The tape drive D accommodates within it a loading frame 28 for receiving and supporting each tape cartridge 40A, 40B being different in case thicknesses and a holder 29 for holding the tape cartridge 40A, 40B by pressing the cartridge. The side wall 31 of the loading frame is provided with a pair of upper and lower sensors 34, 35 for identifying the thin-type and the thick-type loaded tape cartridges. The holder 29 is displaced to a height position matching with the loaded tape cartridge 40A, 40B based on the tape cartridge size detected by the sensors 34, 35.

Abstract: A tape cartridge capable of reliably identifying difference in type among tape cartridges without causing a tape drive side to have increased costs is provided. On the outer surface of a main case, an identification indicator is formed in a stripe shape having a grain printed portion and a mirror surface portion arranged alternately toward a loading direction of a magnetic tape cartridge onto a tape drive. An indicator format of the identification indicator on the magnetic tape cartridge, which is displaced and moved in the loading direction when loading operation of the magnetic tape cartridge onto the tape drive is conducted, is read by an optical reader mounted on the tape drive. This makes it possible to obtain type information on the magnetic tape cartridge on the tape drive side.

Abstract: A tape cartridge according to the invention includes: a main case; a display window opened on a part of an outer circumferential wall of the main case; and a selection piece placed inside the display window for preventing erroneous erase, wherein the selection piece integrally has a cylindrical section and an operation dial each provided in such a way as to face the display window, and rotation shafts provided upper and lower sides thereof, wherein the cylindrical section has a major arc-shaped cylindrical wall formed concentrically around the rotation shafts and a planar wall which connects end sections of the cylindrical wall, and wherein an outer surface of the planar wall and an outer surface of the cylindrical wall opposing the planar wall have a prohibition display signifying an unrecordable state and an admission display signifying a recordable state, respectively.

Abstract: A tape cartridge capable of reliably identifying difference in type among tape cartridges without causing a tape drive side to have increased costs is provided. On the outer surface of a main case, an identification indicator is formed in a stripe shape having a grain printed portion and a mirror surface portion arranged alternately toward a loading direction of a magnetic tape cartridge onto a tape drive. An indicator format of the identification indicator on the magnetic tape cartridge, which is displaced and moved in the loading direction when loading operation of the magnetic tape cartridge onto the tape drive is conducted, is read by an optical reader mounted on the tape drive. This makes it possible to obtain type information on the magnetic tape cartridge on the tape drive side.

Abstract: A single-reel tape cartridge includes a casing having a drive access hole defined therein, and a single tape reel rotatably accommodated within the casing and having a length of tape wound therearound. The tape reel includes a first flange having an opening defined therein, and a second flange with a hollow reel hub intervening therebetween. The tape cartridge includes a reel locking mechanism for preventing the tape reel from undergoing any arbitrary motion within the casing and a reel restraint mechanism for preventing the reel from undergoing an arbitrary motion in a direction laterally within the casing.

Abstract: A single-reel tape cartridge includes a casing having a drive access hole defined therein, and a single tape reel rotatably accommodated within the casing and having a length of tape wound therearound. The tape reel includes a first flange having an opening defined therein, and a second flange with a hollow reel hub intervening therebetween. The tape cartridge includes a reel locking mechanism for preventing the tape reel from undergoing any arbitrary motion within the casing and a reel restraint mechanism for preventing the reel from undergoing an arbitrary motion in a direction laterally within the casing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus for recording an image on recording paper. The apparatus has a main base frame internally provided with an imaging unit for recording an image on recording paper, an upper frame disposed on-the main base frame and pivotally movable about an axis of a pivot provided on one end of the upper frame corresponding to a rear side of the apparatus to open a front side of the apparatus, a document feeder unit disposed on the upper frame for feeding an original document set thereon toward the front side, a document discharge tray attached to the main base frame for receiving the document fed by the document feeder unit, and a recording paper discharge tray attached to the main base frame beneath the document discharge tray for receiving the recording paper carrying the recorded image. The document discharge tray and the recording paper discharge tray are integrally attached to the main base frame via a tray frame to form a one piece unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of this invention is constructed such that a main base frame constituting the apparatus is formed with a pair of first positioning pins. An attachment member is formed with a pair of second positioning pins and positioning holes for fittingly receiving the first positioning pins therein to position the attachment member relative to the main base frame. A brake force supplier formed with mounting holes is attached to the attachment member while positioned relative thereto by fitting insertion of the second positioning pins in the mounting holes. When the attachment member is not used, another brake force supplier can be directly mounted on the main base frame and positioned relative thereto by fitting insertion of the first positioning pins in mounting holes of the brake force supplier.

Abstract: A helical gear connected to a lower discharge roller is made movable in its axial direction toward a bracket when a stepping motor is activated. A friction pad formed from felt or sponge rubber, for example, is attached to a side surface of the helical gear that is located face to face with the bracket. When the stepping motor is energized, the helical gear shifts toward the friction pad and the side surface of the helical gear comes in sliding contact with the friction pad. Resultant frictional resistance produces a braking force which acts on the rotating lower discharge roller. An overrun of the lower discharge roller due to a backlash between engaging gears is prevented even when an upper transfer roller exerts a forward-pushing force on a rear end of a sheet of an original document.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus constructed such that an upper frame is openably mounted on a main base frame and a pivotal movement transmitter (gear) is rotatably mounted on the upper frame about an axis of a rotation of the upper frame, i.e., in association with the rotation of the upper frame. The gear has a cam portion. One end of a lever comes into contact with part of the cam portion of the gear, while the opposite end of the lever comes into contact with a coil spring. Further, a distance from the pivotal axis of the gear to the contact position of the lever with the cam portion decreases in accordance with a proceeding of the closing operation. Accordingly, as the lever (cam follower) follows the cam portion in accordance with the closing operation of the upper frame, a compression force to compress the coil spring increases. Thereby, a brake force applied to the upper frame on the way of closing also increases.

Abstract: A sheet member conveying mechanism, including a conveying guide for guiding a sheet member from a paper feed port to a paper discharge tray, a forwarding roller disposed on the most upstream side of the conveying guide, and a paper feed roller disposed on the downstream side of the forwarding roller to convey sheet members, forwarded by the forwarding roller, downstream one by one. An upper part of the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the forwarding roller and the paper feed roller is exposed above the upper surface of the conveying guide. The uppermost site of the paper feed roller is located at a lower position than the uppermost site of the forwarding roller.