Abstract: A tape guide is provided for use with a tape drive that is configured to receive a length of tape having a tape width. The tape guide includes a body having an outer surface for receiving the tape thereon, and flanges on opposite ends of the body. The flanges may be spaced apart by a distance that is 125 to 500 microns greater than the tape width.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge housing defining an internal chamber. At least one rotatable spool is housed in the internal chamber. In the wall of the cartridge housing, a ribbon lock is formed. The ribbon lock has an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the ribbon lock is biased into engagement with the rotatable spool(s) to inhibit rotation of the rotatable spool(s). In the disengaged position, the ribbon lock is urged away from the rotatable spool(s) to disengage the ribbon lock from the rotatable spool(s) to permit rotation of the spool(s).

Abstract: An information recording medium of the present invention includes a pair of tape reels around which a magnetic tape is wound, a case main body having first windows and second windows formed to the side walls thereof and rotatably accommodating the pair of tape reels, wherein the first windows cause detection light to enter the inside of the case main body to detect the tape ends of the magnetic tape and the second windows cause the detection light to outgo to the outside of the case main body, a front cover turnably attached to the case main body to open and close a drawing-out port of the magnetic tape; and a reel brake, and the reel brake includes a main body disposed to the case main body so as to slide along a direction in which the main body comes into contact with and separates from the tape reels, and arms formed to the main body as well as slinging the main portion by moving along the direction in which they come into contact with and separate from the tape reels between the first windows and the seco

Abstract: A hub lock releasing structure for a tape recorder has a releasing pin for releasing a hub from a locked state by pressing a hub locking member installed on a tape cassette in one direction as the tape cassette settles on a deck. The releasing pin is integrally formed with the deck. In the hub lock releasing structure, since the releasing pin is integrally formed with the deck, the number of necessary components can be reduced and the assembly process can be simplified. A method of fabricating a releasing pin for the hub lock releasing structure comprises providing a deck in the tape recorder for receiving a tape cassette, partially cutting a portion of the deck, and bending the cut portion of the deck upward to form the releasing pin.

Abstract: A hub lock releasing structure for a tape recorder has a releasing pin for releasing a hub from a locked state by pressing a hub locking member installed on a tape cassette in one direction as the tape cassette settles on a deck. The releasing pin is integrally formed with the deck. In the hub lock releasing structure, since the releasing pin is integrally formed with the deck, the number of necessary components can be reduced and the assembly process can be simplified. A method of fabricating a releasing pin for the hub lock releasing structure comprises providing a deck in the tape recorder for receiving a tape cassette, partially cutting a portion of the deck, and bending the cut portion of the deck upward to form the releasing pin.

Abstract: In a tape cassette, a reel brake member has an opening hole portion for insertion of a brake release member on a device side, and a guide recessed portion for guiding the brake release member is formed in a central portion of an abutment side wall portion of the brake release member in the opening hole portion. This guide recessed portion is formed in the abutment side wall portion of the brake release member in a vertical direction in a central portion of the opening hole portion, and an internal surface of the guide recessed portion is formed into a U-shaped groove having a curved surface. Arms are provided on sides of a main body of a reel brake member via hinge portions, and a brake pawl is provided at a distal end of the respective brake pawls. An opening hole is formed for insertion of a brake release operation member provided on a device side.

Abstract: A hub lock releasing structure for a tape recorder has a releasing pin for releasing a hub from a locked state by pressing a hub locking member installed on a tape cassette in one direction as the tape cassette settles on a deck. The releasing pin is integrally formed with the deck. In the hub lock releasing structure, since the releasing pin is integrally formed with the deck, the number of necessary components can be reduced and the assembly process can be simplified. A method of fabricating a releasing pin for the hub lock releasing structure comprises providing a deck in the tape recorder for receiving a tape cassette, partially cutting a portion of the deck, and bending the cut portion of the deck upward to form the releasing pin.

Abstract: An ink ribbon is formed form a belt shaped sheet body, and is wound around a pair of tubes. Spools are detachably mounted at each end of the tube bodies. An ink ribbon cartridge includes side plates formed with supporting openings for supporting corresponding spools. Each supporting opening is formed with a cutout portion defined by edges. When the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted in a facsimile machine, the spools are freely rotatable within the supporting openings. On the other hand, when the ink ribbon cartridge is dismounted from the facsimile machine, engagement protrusions formed to the spools catch on the edges defining the cutout portions, thereby preventing the spools form rotating. As a result, the ink ribbon will not unintentionally greatly loosen.

Abstract: A problem with the assembling of tape cassettes has been the possibility of erroneous fitting of the upper end of a coil spring that presses a release lever onto one of cylindrical bosses that cover reel brake posts.