Abstract: A tape-cartridge case comprises a lower plate, an upper plate and side walls projecting from the respective lower and upper plates, and when a tape cartridge is accommodated in the case, side surfaces of the tape cartridge are surrounded by the two side walls. However, only one of the two side walls opposes to a bar code that is provided on the side surface of the tape cartridge, so that the bar code can quickly and accurately be read by a bar-code reader through the single side wall.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette comprises a compact reel lock mechanism which includes a pair of reel lock arms engaging with outer peripheries of a pair of tape reels, a sliding member serving as a cover for a single opening through which an end of an optical tape end detecting element is inserted into the cassette casing, a cam member which provided on the sliding member for rotating the pair of reel lock arms, and a guide member guiding said sliding member. When the tape cassette is out of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the single opening is closed by the sliding member and the reel lock arms restrict rotation of reels. Conversely, when the tape cassette is inserted into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the sliding member is pushed up by the end of the optical detecting element and as a result the cam member moves upward along with said sliding member.

Abstract: A reel presser for pressing a reel within a cassette casing which has an upper half and a lower half comprises a holder which abuts the reel and a cap engaged with the holder. The holder and the cap are arranged on opposite sides of the upper half, and a spring is provided between the upper half and the holder. When a tape cassette containing the reel presser is loaded in a cassette mounting device, a reel pressing member provided in the cassette mounting device depresses a continuous surface disposed at the top of the cap so as to depress the reel toward the lower half of the cassette casing.

Abstract: A tape cassette has indicating means for indicating various information about the tape cassette itself, and the indicating means is so disposed as to be interposed between a pair of reels which are arranged within the cassette casing.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a cassette casing in which reels and a tape wound thereon are accommodated, a lid for closing a front opening of the casing, a lid-locking member pivoted on a mounting pin which projects from a pedestal on the bottom of the cassette casing, and detecting holes in the casing bottom with respective obstruction or indicating members for providing information as to the cassette, with one of the detecting holes being arranged substantially under the pedestal in alignment with the mounting pin without interfering with the mounting pin, so that the full area of the bottom of the casing is effectively utilized.

Abstract: A tape cassette for use with a video tape recorder has conventional tape guiding and braking elements within its housing, including a pair of spaced guide pins for the tape adjacent each reel and a resilient strip that acts on the tape between the spaced guide pins and normally tends to deflect the tape from a straight path between the spaced guide pins for braking the tape when the cassette is not in use. A drag member is provided that contacts the tape when it is deflected to provide a tortuous path for the tape and thereby increase the resistance to tape movement.