Abstract: A tape cassette includes a base and a cover. A supply reel and a take-up reel are rotatably mounted in the base, and tape is wound around the reels and extends around a guide pin and across a tape path. A slack limiter includes a post mounted in the housing spaced from the guide pin. The post creates a gap through which the tape passes. When the supply reel is not driven, the post prevents the tape from spilling out of the cassette.

Abstract: Spring mechanism for biasing a visor-type lid of a cassette includes a coil spring which fits around a pin that journals the lid to the cassette. One end of the spring has a bent portion which is compressed into a well formed in the cassette such that the tip of the bent portion digs into a surface portion of the well and thus resists removal.

Abstract: One broad wall of a recording cassette has a recognition hole which is covered by a breakout tab (here called a "removable piece"), and there is a chamber projecting from the other broad wall of the cassette such that a punch which dislodges the removable piece permanently wedges it into the chamber.

Abstract: A cassette includes a slack limiter which engages tape extending from reels within the cassette and prevents the tape from unwinding from the reels and developing slack or looseness. In one embodiment, the slack limiter is formed from a thin, flexible, resilient strip of material which includes a mounting portion formed by folding the strip to produce a compression member extending at an acute angle to the slack limiter. In a second embodiment, the slack limiter includes two oppositely extending strips and a mounting portion formed by two folds and an interconnecting compression member. In either embodiment, the mounting portion of the slack limiter is retained in the housing by a receptacle which compressively engages and bows the compression member.

Abstract: An improved cassette having a flexible resilient slack limiter tab installed in a housing of the cassette without the use of adhesive. The slack limiter tab includes a tape contact end portion and a tapered projection. The housing of the cassette comprises rigid walls defining a receptacle which frictionally receives and compressively holds the tapered projection with the contact end portion biased into engagement with tape of the cassette to press the tape against a support surface of the housing to limit slack in the tape.

Abstract: A latch assembly for the access door of a video tape cassette. The latch assembly includes an integral member of a polymeric material including a generally rigid body portion slidably mounted in a housing of the cassette and having a projection adapted to engage and hold the access door in a closed position, and a flexible resilient spring portion adapted for biasing the body portion to a position at which the projection can engage the door.

Abstract: Improved tape guide assemblies for a video tape cassette of the type having two reels between which a length of tape is wound, with each of the reels having only one tape guide flange and the reels being positioned axially parallel with their flanges overlapping and along opposite edges of the tape. One improved tape guide assembly is positioned adjacent each reel to guide at least one side surface and the edge opposite the flange of the tape being wound on or removed from the reel. Each tape guide assembly has an arcuate side guide portion of a smooth low friction polymeric material for guiding the side surface of the tape, and a metal washer at its end opposite the flange of the adjacent reel for guiding the edge of the tape. The tape guide assemblies are attached by screws adapted to be pressed into the side guide portions to facilitate assembly of the cassette, and engage the housing to restrict rotation relative thereto which facilitates removal of the screws to disassemble the cartridge.