Abstract: The recording medium cartridge includes a cartridge case containing a recording medium and a noncontact-type memory having an IC section for storing information and performing signal processing and an antenna section for transmitting and receiving signals. In one cartridge, the antenna section of the memory is placed in a region furtherest from metallic parts. In other cartridge, the memory is mounted in an accommodation portion recessed one step relative to a surrounding portion, in such a way that a portion of an inner wall of a real area for accommodating a magnetic tape corresponding to the recording medium is formed, in such a position as to be exposed when the cartridge is loaded into a drive, or in recess formed in an outer surface of a case. The cartridge label is attached to the cartridge and contains the noncontact-type memory.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves connected together, and a single reel around which a magnetic tape with a leader pin fixed to the leading end of the magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. The leader pin is removably held in a tape draw-out opening with its axial direction directed in the vertical direction under urging force of a spring member acting on its upper and lower end portions sideways with the upper and lower end portions received in recesses respectively formed in the upper and lower casing halves. An inclined surface directed obliquely downward is formed at least a part of the side wall of the recess formed in the upper casing half opposed to the direction in which the spring member urges the leader pin.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a housing which contains at least one magnetic tape wound on a tape hub, and a semiconductor memory which contains memory data. The tape cassette also includes at least an optical transmitter, and a circuit which has access to the memory contents and which can read out the memory contents from the memory and embody the memory contents in an optical signal, which is transmitted out of the housing by the optical transmitter. The memory data may characterize data stored on the magnetic tape. The cassette can include a further memory which contains data uniquely identifying the cassette, and this data can also be read out and embodied in optical signals which are transmitted out of the housing.

Abstract: A tape reel in which molding quality of a flange unit is improved so as to improve reliability at the time when a magnetic tape runs at high speed, and a tape cartridge having the same. A plurality of reference planes (152v) formed between a chucking gear (152b) and an outer peripheral rib (152r2) formed at an outer peripheral side of this chucking gear (152b) are provided separately from the outer peripheral rib (152r2). And the reference plane (152v) is formed with edge planes of each of a first rib (152v1) extending toward a circumference and a second rib (152v2) extending toward a direction crossing the first rib (152v1). According to this arrangement, a volume at a portion constituting the reference plane (152v) is made smaller, occurrence of a sink after a resin is hardened is suppressed, and molding quality of the flange unit (152) is improved so that straight runnability of the magnetic tape at high speed running and reliability in recording/reproducing operation are improved.

Abstract: A case of a recording tape cartridge, which accommodates a reel on which a recording tape is wound, has a substantially rectangular opening at a rear end wall which is at a rear side in a direction of loading the recording tape cartridge into a drive device. A block, which is equipped with a memory on which various types of information such as a recording capacity and the like are stored, is fit into and mounted to the opening. The memory is mounted to the block so as to be inclined at substantially 45° with respect to a rear surface and a bottom surface of the case. The block can be attached to and removed from the case. Access to the memory in order to read and write information from and onto the memory is possible from the rear and from beneath.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus is provided in which recording and reproducing are performed with respect to an existing format cassette having an existing erroneous erasure prevention switch for preventing erroneous erasure of data recorded with the existing format and a new format cassette having a first erroneous erasure prevention switch located at a position corresponding to the position of the existing erroneous erasure prevention switch and having a second erroneous erasure prevention switch for preventing erroneous erasure of data recorded with a new format; wherein at the time of reproduction whether it is the existing format cassette or the new format cassette is judged based on data obtained from the reproduction of the existing format and new format cassettes to reproduce the cassette. Hereupon, in the new format cassette, the first erroneous erasure prevention means is always kept in a state of preventing the erroneous erasure.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge which includes a single tape reel on which magnetic tape is wound on the outer peripheral surface of a reel hub thereof, rotatably housed in the inside of a cartridge case; and a reel lock member for inhibiting the rotation of the tape reel, provided movably in an axial direction of the tape reel between a lock position and a lock release position, in the inside of the reel hub; wherein a position restriction rib opposed to the outer periphery of the reel lock member for restricting an axial deviation of the reel lock member from the axial position of the tape reel is formed discontinuously with the inner peripheral surface of the reel hub on the top surface of the bottom of the reel hub in the inside of the reel hub.

Abstract: A tape cartridge having dual cartridge memory modules to provide memory redundancy, and a method and apparatus for providing redundancy of cartridge memory information within a tape cartridge. The tape cartridge comprises at least first and second cartridge memory modules, each of which stores an identical set of critical information. Each of the first and second cartridge memory modules includes enough critical information to recover from a failure of either of the cartridge memory modules. The method comprises the steps of providing at least two cartridge memory modules in the tape cartridge, and storing an identical set of critical information in each of the two cartridge memory modules. Each of the two cartridge memory modules includes enough critical information to recover from a failure of either cartridge memory module. In a preferred embodiment, the CM modules are stacked one on top of another and increase the amount of space available for tape directory storage.

Abstract: A gripped part structure of recording tape cartridges of different types housed in a same library, with each recording tape cartridge including a case housing therein recording tape, and two gripped parts that are gripped by a gripping mechanism of the library, wherein the gripped parts are formed in the case, and a distance from a side wall of the case facing the gripping mechanism of the library to the gripped parts, a height of the gripped parts in a thickness direction of the recording tape cartridge is identical for each recording tape cartridge regardless of the type of recording tape cartridge, and a distance between the gripped parts cartridge is identical for each recording tape cartridge regardless of the type of recording tape cartridge.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has a reel at whose axially central portion is provided a reel hub which is shaped as a cylindrical tube having a bottom and around whose outer peripheral surface a recording tape is wound; an engaging gear provided within the reel hub; a case rotatably accommodating the reel; and a braking member having a braking gear which can mesh with the engaging gear. The engaging gear is formed in a form of internal teeth or in a form of external teeth. A tooth surface of each tooth is substantially parallel to an axis of the reel hub. The braking member is supported so as to be unable to rotate with respect to the case, and moves along an axis of the reel, and can be disposed at a rotation locking position, at which the braking gear meshes with the engaging gear, and a released position at which meshing is released.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge which can be assuredly positioned in a drive device. A positioning cover bridges across and parallel to a mounting portion of a bucket of the drive device. Stoppers are provided at corner portions of the positioning cover that are positioned at a deeper side of the bucket. Angled surfaces, which are surface-contactable with the stoppers, are provided at a magnetic tape cartridge. The magnetic tape cartridge can be positioned in horizontal directions in the drive device by surface-contacting the angled surfaces with the stoppers. Consequently, reference holes for positioning the magnetic tape cartridge in horizontal directions in the bucket are not required.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge with high strength and resistance to deformation around an opening aperture of a case, which opening aperture is for drawing out recording tape. The recording tape cartridge is provided with a leader block at a distal end of a magnetic tape. Left and right peripheral portions of this leader block are defined by wall portions. The leader block is mounted and removed at a leader block-retaining portion, which is an opening portion which penetrates through the case vertically. An opening aperture for drawing out the magnetic tape from the case is formed at a base portion of the leader block-retaining portion. Because the wall portions are provided, the leader block-retaining portion does not have free-standing end portions at any of a front wall at a front wall side thereof, a ceiling plate and a floor plate, and strength of the leader block-retaining portion is high.

Abstract: The self-centering tape reel for a single reel tape cartridge provides a magnetic tape reel that is equipped with one or more features to center the tape reel with respect to a rotatably driven feature, such as a drive chuck, in the tape drive that rotates the tape reel. The self-centering tape reel uses a chamfered ring that encircles the drive teeth formed on the tape reel that engage the drive chuck. The chamfered ring fits into a chamfer that is formed in the circumference of the spline access hole located in the bottom of the tape cartridge housing.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has a reel accommodated within a case, an engaging portion provided at a floor portion of a reel hub; a braking member provided so as to be unable to rotate within the case, and approaching and moving away from the floor portion of the reel hub, and able to assume a rotation locked position at which the braking member engages with the engaging portion, and a rotation permitted position at which a state of engagement with the engaging portion is cancelled; and a releasing member disposed at an inner side of a guide wall portion provided at the floor portion of the reel hub, and when the reel is rotated, the releasing member holds the braking member at the rotation permitted position while abutting the braking member. The braking member has a tubular wall portion which overlaps with an outer side of the guide wall portion.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has: a case rotatably accommodating a reel on which a recording tape is wound; a reel area rib provided at an inner surface of the case, and defining a range in which the reel is accommodated; and a contact preventing mechanism which is provided at an inner surface of the case, is positioned in a reel hub forming the reel, and prevents contact between the reel area rib and the reel.

Abstract: A single reel with magnetic tape wound thereon is housed in a case. A restraining member, for restricting rotation of the reel by moving toward or away from the reel, is urged in a restraining direction by an urging member. The pushing-up portions of a releasing member are inserted into the through holes bored in the reel gear of the reel 2 so that the lower ends can abut a driving gear. The releasing member moves the restraining member in a releasing direction by moving according to the chucking operation of drive-side rotation drive means. In this manner, reel-rotation restraining means allows rotation of the reel when being used and restricts the rotation when not being used. In this construction, each of the through holes is bored between the tooth edges of the reel gear so that the releasing member can perform a reliable releasing operation.

Abstract: A disc braking device is utilized in an optical disc drive. The disc braking device is installed on a disc tray of an optical disc drive. Without being affected by an covering component or the location of the disc braking device, the disc braking device makes a disc stop rotating in a more direct and efficient way. The disc braking device contains a structure portion; a braking rod installed and not fixed on the structure portion; and a braking component installed on the braking rod and utilized for making the disc stop rotating.

Abstract: The recording tape cartridge includes a case body formed by joining together an upper half and a lower half and a tape reel around which a recording tape is wound. The cartridge further includes a lid covering a front side of the case body, and a reel lock member which has a braking claw to be engaged with an engagement tooth provided on a flange of the tape reel and which is adapted to slide with rotation of the lid. Ribs nip the reel lock member so as to perform positional regulation, and a sliding reel lock member urging device urges the reel lock member so as to engage the braking claw with the engagement tooth. A reel lock releasing member urges the reel lock member with rotation of the lid so as to release the engagement.

Abstract: A leader tape having: a support; an upper layer containing a powder, a binder, and a lubricant; and a lower layer containing a powder, a binder, and a lubricant which is at least 1.12 times as much as the lubricant of the upper layer; wherein the support, the lower layer, and the upper layer is in this order.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing and a single reel which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A brake member of the magnetic cartridge is provided with a brake gear and is movable up and down between an operative position and a retracted position. The reel is provided with a reel gear which is brought into mesh with a drive gear of a tape drive mechanism and a through hole through which a push rod extending from a brake release member projects to be brought into abutment against the drive gear of the tape drive mechanism so that the brake release member moves the brake member to the retracted position. The through hole opens in an area which is slightly wider than tips of teeth of the reel gear, wherein the area includes a pair of opposed flanks of the reel gear which form a valley.

Abstract: The recording media cartridge includes a case body formed from an upper half and a lower half, a recording medium which is rotatably accommodated in the case body, an upper engagement portion arranged in the upper half, a lower engagement portion arranged in the lower half in correspondence with the upper engagement portion and a locking member which engages the upper engagement portion with the lower engagement portion. The lower engagement portion and the upper engagement portion are engaged with each other by the locking member whereby the upper half and the lower half are coupled with each other.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing and a single reel which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. The reel has a reel hub in the form of a cylindrical member which has a bottom wall and is provided with an opening and a stopper gear formed on the bottom wall. A brake member is provided with a brake gear and is movable up and down between an operative position where the brake gear is brought into engagement with the stopper gear to prevent rotation of the reel and a retracted position where the brake gear is disengaged from the stopper gear to permit rotation of the reel. The brake member is normally urged toward the operative position and moved to the retracted position by a pusher member of a tape drive system which acts on the brake member through the opening in the reel hub when the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the tape drive system.

Abstract: An upper half 11 of a tape cassette BB is made by at least a material having high transparency. Right and left holes 18a and 18b for light path are formed on side surfaces of the upper half 11. Further, roughened surfaces 10a and 10b in a prismatic shape are formed on outer right and left sides 11A1 and 11B1 or inner right and left sides 11A2 and 11B2 of the upper half 11 in neighboring areas of or adjacent to the right and left holes 18a and 18b.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge with an improved reel-rotation restraining mechanism is disclosed. The reel-rotation restraining mechanism has a reel locking member, which is movable toward and away from the reel, for restricting rotation thereof; an urging member for urging the reel locking member in a restraining direction; and an releasing member, which is rotatable integrally with the reel, for moving the reel locking member in an unlocking direction by moving according to a chucking operation of a rotation drive mechanism of a drive unit. The releasing member has three leg portions on the vertexes of a triangular plate portion insertable into through holes in the reel. The releasing member is sized so that with part of the releasing member inserted into a center opening of the reel, and two of the three leg portions positioned near the through holes, the remaining one leg portion can be dropped and inserted within the center opening.

Abstract: Tape is spooled onto a hub by receiving the tape between guide members. The guide members guide one or both edges of the tape as the tape begins to wrap around the hub and floats on a layer of air formed between the tape and a previously wound layer of the tape.

Abstract: A take-up or supply reel for aligning and stacking storage tape. The tape reel may include a hub, where tape wraps around the hub and two flanges. The flanges are spaced apart on the hub, where surfaces of the flanges face each other at a distance such that the tape may pass therebetween. At least one of the opposing surfaces includes a guiding portion where a separation distance between the opposing surfaces of the flanges corresponding to the guiding portion decreases as tape is wound to the hub. The guiding portion guides the tape as it passes therebetween to stack more uniformly on the hub.

Abstract: The present invention aim at providing a magnetic tape cartridge, which can be assembled using an automated products line by enabling the assembling operation of a spring member and a slide door with ease. For attaining these problems, there is provided a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape cartridge comprising; an opening provided on one side wall of a cartridge case, and is used for tape drawing; a slide door slidably supported by a guide part disposed along said one side wall, and said slide door is used for achieving the shutting-and-opening operation of said opening; a spring member for impelling said slide door to the shutting direction side, and is placed on said guide part; and a leading part for leading one end part of said spring member to a spring engaging part provided on said slide door, and is provided at one end part of said spring member.

Abstract: At both sides of an opening of a cassette case, there are formed tape guides having guide faces, and a magnetic tape is stretched between the guide faces. First and second cam grooves for guiding an open/close lid which covers the stretched magnetic tape are provided at opposite sides of the cassette case so as to guide first and second slide pins projected from opposite sides of the open/close lid. A biasing member is provided near one of the cam grooves for urging the open/close lid in a closing direction. A gap between an inner face of a curved portion of one of the first cam groove and an outer peripheral face of the first slide pin is different from a gap between an inner face of the curved portion of the second cam groove and the outer peripheral face of the second slide pin.

Abstract: A normal tape reel is disclosed, comprising a tape reel portion and a magnetic tape wound on the reel core of the tape reel portion, wherein the ratio of the winding radius R of the magnetic tape to the radius r of the reel core (R/r) is not smaller than 3.5 and the winding hardness of the magnetic tape is adjusted to a range of from 1.9 to 11.5 N.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge is disclosed wherein when in non-use, a reel accommodated in a case and having a recording tape wound thereon is prevented from rotating by being meshed with a braking member which is non-rotatble with reference to the case; and when in use, in response to the braking member being pushed up by a release pad or a clutch member, the reel is released from the meshed state and allowed to rotate together with the release pad or the clutch member. With the rotation of the reel, the braking member has its pivot portion disposed in sliding contact with a sliding contact portion formed at a portion corresponding to an axial center of the release pad or the clutch member while being pressed against the sliding contact portion by a biasing force of a compression coil spring. The recording tape cartridge is designed such that a relation ?×L?0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic tape cartridge including a cartridge case. In the cartridge case, a single reel with magnetic tape wound thereon is rotatably housed, and a leader pin coupled with a leading end of the magnetic tape is caught by a pin catching member of a recording-reproducing unit and is inserted into a tape leader opening formed in the cartridge case. The magnetic tape cartridge also includes a pin retaining spring member which elastically engages the leader pin so that the leader pin is detachably retained at a predetermined position within the cartridge case. Furthermore, a wall surface is provided in the cartridge case so that when the leader pin is inserted into the cartridge case, displacement of the pin retaining member due to the engagement of the pin retaining member with the leader pin is regulated within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A threading mechanism in a magnetic writing/reading apparatus wherein a leader block for taking a magnetic tape out of a tape cartridge is stabilized in motion and ensured to operate reliably even in a state of not holding the tape is to be provided. In the mechanism for threading the magnetic tape to a reel within the apparatus, the leader block for taking out a leader pin out of the tape cartridge is rotatably fitted to the arm shaft of a movable arm, and the leader block moves along guides at the time of loading the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge case 1 for a magnetic tape cartridge comprises a cartridge case 1 consisting of a lower half 2 and an upper half 3. The lower half 2 is provided with retaining ribs 71 each having a retaining slanted surface 71a such that a plate-like cartridge memory 7 is positioned on the retaining slanted surfaces 71a with its one side 7d lowered and is obliquely supported with respect to a bottom plate 28 of the lower half 2. The upper half 3 is provided with supporting members for supporting various non-resilient constituent parts positioned on the lower half 2 and including the cartridge memory 7. The upper half 2 is provided with a stopper rod 77 such that when the upper half 3 is assembled with the lower half 2, the stopper rod 77 reaches a cartridge memory-rising region before the supporting members contact with the non-resilient constituent parts on the lower half 2.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge in which a reel includes a reel gear and an engaging gear. The reel gear is formed in an annular shape at an outer face of a base portion of a reel hub. The engaging gear is formed in an annular shape at an inner face of the base portion. Magnetic tape is wound onto an outer periphery of the reel hub. A braking member is engaged with the engaging gear by an urging force and prevents the reel from rotating. A clutch member opposes a gear aperture at a radial direction inner side relative to the reel gear. An operationally pushed surface of the clutch member is pushed by a releasing surface of a drive device and the brake member is lifted, whereby rotation of the reel is enabled.

Abstract: A tape reel assembly for a data storage tape cartridge is described. The tape reel assembly has a hub. The hub includes a cylindrical core, an annular arm, and a web. The cylindrical core defines a drive side and a top side. The annular arm is co-axially disposed exterior to and separated from the cylindrical core. Additionally, the annular arm defines a tape winding surface bisected by a center line into a top half opposite the drive side and a bottom half adjacent the drive side. The web extends from the top side of the core, and a web center connects to the annular arm at a point in the top half.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge which can lead to smaller drive devices. The recording tape cartridge includes a case, an opening, a covering member and guide grooves. The case is substantially rectangular and rotatably accommodates a single reel on which recording tape is wound. The opening is provided by cutting away a corner portion at a drive device loading side of the case. The opening is for drawing out a leader member to which an end portion of the tape is attached. The covering member is provided inside the case and is formed in a substantially circular arc shape in plan view. The covering member moves along a predetermined circular circumference to open and close the opening. The guide grooves are provided at inner faces of the case and guide the covering member. End portions of groove walls of the guide grooves that face leader member exit/entry openings are chamfered.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge comprises: a case which is substantially rectangular, and at which an upper case and a lower case are joined together with peripheral walls thereof abutting one another, and which rotatably accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound; and an opening formed at a corner portion of the case at a side of loading the case into a drive device, the opening being for pulling out of a leader member attached to an end portion of the recording tape. Concave portions, which extend over the upper case and the lower case and which are isosceles trapezoidal in plan view, are formed at a peripheral wall of the case at the side of loading the case into the drive device. In accordance with this structure, a peripheral wall, whose end portion is a free end due to an opening being formed, can be reinforced, and thereby a deterioration in strength of the peripheral wall can be prevented.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge comprising: a rectangular case having, at a corner portion, an opening for pulling-out of one end of a recording tape, and accommodating the recording tape; and a cover member which opens and closes the opening. The opening is formed by cutting-off the corner portion of the rectangular case, and when the cover member at least opens the opening, the cover member is accommodated within the case.

Abstract: Stackable rotary devices form a multi-position mechanical indicator for a portable data storage cartridge. Each rotary device is a right cylindrical section, and is separately rotatable in a chamber of the cartridge. A peripheral surface of the rotary device has an encoded pattern of 1) at least one cylindrical surface and at least one facet interrupting the cylindrical surface, or of 2) readable indicia, located at various angularly spaced rotational positions. At differing rotational positions of the rotary devices, at least one or none of the facets or readable indicia are positioned at an exterior wall opening of the cartridge chamber.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge for a high speed tape drive. The tape cartridge encloses the tape reel having a drive hub that defines a reel lock. A ring of beveled gear teeth on the tape reel engage a ring of beveled gear teeth affixed to the tape cartridge for locking the reel to the cartridge. A spring biases the teeth into engagement. When the data storage tape cartridge is inserted into a data storage system, a drive hub engages the tape reel to shift the tape reel relative to the tape cartridge and disengage the rings of beveled gear teeth. In the same motion, the tape reel is centered within the data storage tape cartridge and a hub engagement member is lifted off of a flange of the tape reel.

Abstract: A tape cartridge enabling a leader member fixing a leading edge of a tape-shaped recording medium led outside to acquire sufficient clamping force acting on the leading edge of the tape. The tape cartridge accommodates a reel hub unit rotatably, for winding a tape on its periphery, and includes a leader member for holding and fixing a leading edge of the tape. The leader member has a pin member having a pair of collar portions between which the tape-shaped recording medium is positioned, and a clamp member fitted in between the collar portions from through a longitudinal opening formed in a cylindrical body, and clamping the leading edge of the recording medium between the pin member and the clamp member. A diameter of the pin member is about 1.2 to 1.8 mm, and an inside diameter of the clamp member is about 90 to 96.6% of the diameter.

Abstract: The magnetic tape cassette has a base with an opening for forming a transparent window and a transparent resin-made window member to be installed in said opening. The window member is provided with an engaging unit which is to be fitted into the base at an angle and the base is provided with an engaging portion that is formed at an angle in correspondence to the engaging unit and the window member is installed in the opening by being fitted in at an angle.

Abstract: In a recording tape cartridge, at a reel which is accommodated within a case, a magnetic tape is wound around an outer peripheral portion of a reel hub, and a reel gear is provided coaxially and annularly at an end surface of the reel hub. An annular convex portion projects coaxially from the end surface of the reel hub. An end surface of the annular convex portion is a reference surface which is orthogonal to an axis of the reel. When the magnetic tape is used, the reference surface abuts a positioning surface of a drive device, the reel is positioned in an axial direction, and the reel rises up within the case. The reel rotates around the axis due to driving force of a driving gear which meshes with the reel gear.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has: a case which is substantially rectangular and which rotatably accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound; an opening for pulling-out of the recording tape, the opening being formed in a wall surface of the case at a side of loading into a drive device other than at a corner portion of the case; a leader block fixed to an end portion of the recording tape, and pulled-out by a pull-out member of the drive device, and able to close the opening; and a position restricting portion disposing the leader block at an inner side of the wall surface and parallel to the wall surface.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge, in which a cartridge memory including a semiconductor memory device is detachably attached. This semiconductor memory device holds the data, such as information, which denotes a unique identification data that is endemic to the cartridge memory, therein. This data is read and written by an external device in a contactless manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording tape cartridge having: a case which accommodates a single reel, on which a recording tape is wound, such that the reel is rotatable; an opening formed by cutting off a portion of a front wall of the case which front wall faces a drive device at a time when the recording tape cartridge is loaded into the drive device, the opening being for pulling-out of a leader member which is attached to an end portion of the recording tape; and a door formed in a substantial arc shape as seen in plan view, and moving along a predetermined circumference, and opening and closing the opening.

Abstract: In a recording tape cartridge, an opening is formed at a corner portion between wall portions which are at a front and a side with respect to a direction of loading, into a drive device, a substantially rectangular case accommodating a reel on which a recording tape is wound. The opening is inclined with respect to the direction of loading. A leader member attached to an end portion of the recording tape is pulled-out from the opening. A door, which is formed in an arc-shape and opens and closes the opening, is disposed at the opening so as to be slidable along a predetermined, arc-shaped guide groove. A width of the groove is formed so as to narrow along a direction in which the door closes the opening. Opening and closing operations of the door are thereby stabilized.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge in which melting, abrasion or the like does not occur at a portion of abutting of a brake member with a release member, or with a release portion of a drive device, during rotation of a reel. In this recording tape cartridge, a magnetic tape is wound onto the reel at a reel hub inside a case. A brake member is non-rotatably provided inside the case. The reel is rotation-locked when the brake member is disposed at a rotation-locking position, at which the brake member engages with an engaging protrusion of a bottom portion. A release pad is disposed between the bottom portion and the brake member and abuts against both thereof. When the release pad holds the brake member at a rotation-enabling position, the reel is rotatable.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has: a case accommodating a single reel, on which a recording tape is wound, such that the reel is rotatable; an opening which is formed in the case and which is for pulling-out of a leader pin attached to an end portion of the recording tape; a pin holding portion holding the leader pin in a vicinity of the opening; and an anchor spring whose proximal portion is fixed to the case, and, at a free end of the anchor spring, the anchor spring pushes the leader pin and holds the leader pin at the pin holding portion. In the cartridge, a projection, which is a fulcrum of the anchor spring and which is positioned between the proximal portion and the free end of the anchor spring, is provided at the case.

Abstract: A tape cassette of this invention is equipped with a memory capable of accommodating management information. The memory retains an MIC logical format type designating a format state, either formatted or unformatted, of the magnetic tape. A check is made on the consistency between the format state designated by the MIC logical format type and the format state estimated by reading data from the magnetic tape. If an inconsistency is detected, that is interpreted to mean that the tape cassette has been tampered with, and read and write operations on the cassette are controlled accordingly. This enhances security against fraudulent uses of a tape drive system loaded with the tape cassette.