Abstract: In the magnetic recording medium, a number distribution A of a plurality of bright regions, based on equivalent circle diameters thereof, in a binarized image of a secondary electron image obtained by imaging a surface of the magnetic layer by a scanning electron microscope at an acceleration voltage of 5 kV and a number distribution B of a plurality of dark regions, based on equivalent circle diameters thereof, in a binarized image of a secondary electron image obtained by imaging a surface of the magnetic layer by a scanning electron microscope at an acceleration voltage of 2 kV respectively satisfy a predetermined number distribution.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a drive gear that is rotatably driven by a driving device, a first reel that winds a first tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, a second reel that winds a second tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, and a blocking unit that blocks transmission of the driving force from the drive gear to the first or second reel.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a housing and a tape reel that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The tape reel is adapted to cooperably engage a reel drive member of a data transfer apparatus that, in use, applies a drive torque to the tape reel to rotate the tape reel about the axis of rotation. The cooperable engagement of the tape reel and reel drive member is such as to secure the tape reel to the reel drive member to at least substantially prevent tipping of the tape reel with respect to the reel drive member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an idler for a tape recorder that can selectively transmit a driving force from a capstan motor to a take-up reel or a supply reel depending upon a rotational direction of the capstan motor. The idler includes an idler gear connected to either of the take-up reel and the supply reel, and a gear supporting plate, provided with a ?-shaped portion or U-shaped portion, for rotatably supporting the idle gear. The idler gear is provided with a convex portion or a concave portion formed at both ends of a rotary center thereof, and the gear supporting plate is provided with a convex portion or a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion or concave portion of the idler gear.

Abstract: A capstan motor connection structure of a tape recorder comprising a first connector disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) to be electrically connected to the main PCB, a second connector disposed at an end of the main base corresponding to the first connector to be electrically connected to the first connector, and a cable penetratingly supported in a supporting hole formed in the main base, for electrically connecting the sub PCB of the capstan motor to the second connector. The capstan motor is arranged with its body being placed in a hole formed in the main PCB, to thus reduce a distance between the main base and the main PCB. Accordingly, the overall height of the tape recorder can be reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a sub chassis unit on which a cassette is mountable and having first and second reel stands respectively engageable with first reel and second reels of the cassette; a main chassis unit combined with the sub chassis unit and including a rotatable head cylinder used for information recording to, and/or information reproduction from, a magnetic tape; and an idler mounted on the main chassis unit for driving the first and second reel stands. The sub chassis unit further includes a reel lock release member for unlocking a reel lock member of the cassette; a light emitting device for emitting light for detecting a leading end and a trailing end of the magnetic tape; and a section for allowing the idler to be mounted on the main chassis unit after the sub chassis unit is combined with the main chassis unit.

Abstract: A drive device to which a recording tape cartridge is loaded, and which can record information in a recording tape and playback information recorded in the recording tape, the drive device includes: a rotating shaft having a drive gear which meshes with the reel gear of the cartridge and rotates the reel of the cartridge; an operating member which pushes up the brake member of the cartridge to the reel rotation permitted position; and an adjusting mechanism which adjusts a projecting height of the operating member.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus or an electric apparatus includes a reel gear, an intermediate gear, a swing arm, an idler gear and an input gear. The swing arm, idler gear and input gear constitute an idler mechanism. The intermediate gear is arranged apart from the reel gear. The swing arm is arranged between the reel gear and the intermediate gear. The swing arm is swingable between the reel gear and the intermediate gear around a center axis. The idler gear is attached to the swing arm. The idler gear is continuously kept in contact with at least one of the reel gear and the intermediate gear. The input gear is rotatable about the center axis, and is brought into contact with the idler gear.

Abstract: A braking device for an magnetic tape apparatus includes a switching unit for selectively transmitting the rotation of a capstan motor to a take-up reel table or to a supply reel table, a clutch for changing the switching unit to a slide rotation mode or to a direct-coupled rotation mode, a brake, a loading motor for driving the brake, and an end sensor. Based on a tape end detection signal produced during an operation in a fast forward mode, the capstan motor is rotated in reverse to permit the switching unit to select a second path, while the switching unit is maintained in the direct-coupled mode. Thereafter, the capstan motor is halted, and the loading motor is rotated to use the brake to halt the take-up reel table.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge in which feeding out and rewinding of a recording tape can preferably performed and a positioning of a reel in a height direction can be accurately performed. The recording tape cartridge having a case in which a single reel including a hub which has upper and lower flange portions and on which a recording tape is wound is accommodated, a gear for rotating the reel, which is provided at a central portion of a lower surface of the reel and meshed with a driving gear of a drive device at only planes substantially orthogonal to radial directions of the reel, and a reference portion, which is provided at the lower surface of the reel, for positioning the reel in an axial direction of the reel by abutting on a portion for positioning of the drive device, is provided.

Abstract: An idler mechanism for a magnetic tape device. An idler gear is swingingly displaced between first and second positions to selectively transmit rotation to one of a pair of reels. One end of an arm-like swinging member is coupled in a relatively rotatable manner to a center shaft of an input gear which always meshes with the idler gear and which is rotated forwardly and reversely. A shaft which is disposed on the other end of the swinging member is inserted in a relatively rotatable manner into a bearing hole of the idler gear. A surface of a flange which is disposed on the input gear is formed as a friction force applying face which extends radially outwardly so as to be inclined downwardly. An outer peripheral portion of the idler gear slidably comes into contact with the friction force applying face.

Abstract: A torque limiter of the present invention includes: a first rotor and a second rotor; a magnet which is provided so as to be in contact with the first rotor; and a hysteresis board provided so as to be opposed to the magnet with a space therebetween, wherein the hysteresis board is integrally formed with the second rotor, and first and second washers are provided between the first and second rotors so as to be in contact with one another.

Abstract: A pinch roller which includes a cylindrical elastic body formed of a polymer blend including acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer rubber (NBR), and at least one of a highly saturated copolymer rubber containing nitrile group obtained by hydrogenating a butadiene part of said acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, and ethylene-&agr;-olefin type copolymer rubber, and a resin sleeve press-fitted in the elastic body. The elongation of the elastic body is set to be at least 5% and not more than 15%. A pinch roller apparatus includes this pinch roller.

Abstract: A rotational driving apparatus of a magnetic device, a clutch mechanism or a speed change clutch mechanism is provided selectively in a path for transmitting a rotation from a capstan motor to a feed reel or a take-up reel. The clutch mechanism decelerates the rotation of the motor at a first reduction ratio, and transmits the resultant rotation to a change-over gear. The speed change clutch mechanism has a first transmission shaft, a pulley gear, a constant torque transmission member, a speed change output gear, speed change intermediate gear and a speed change movable gear. The speed change intermediate gear and speed change movable gear are mounted on a second transmission shaft provided close to a first transmission shaft, and transmit the rotation of the pulley gear to the speed change output gear via a constant torque transmission member, or directly with the speed of the rotation changed.

Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention is a magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus for pulling out a magnetic tape from a tape cassette and winding the magnetic tape around a rotary head cylinder, having a rotary head, for a predetermined arc, for recording/reproducing the magnetic tape. The magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus includes: a base member on which the tape cassette and the rotary head cylinder are mounted. A first state is defined as a state where the tape cassette has been mounted on the base member by a user. A second state is defined as a state where, after the mounting of the tape cassette, a tape guide member has pulled out the magnetic tape from the tape cassette and wound the magnetic tape around the rotary head cylinder, for the predetermined arc, thereby forming a tape drive system to allow the magnetic tape to be recorded/reproduced. A loading operation is defined as a transition operation from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A cartridge gear having an annular shape around its rotational center and secured to a reel of a tape cartridge loaded in a drive device has a tapered shape having a first inclination angle which is lower in height as the tooth tops thereof approach the innermost peripheral edge. A drive gear having an annular shape around its rotational center and connected to a reel motor of the drive device has a tapered shape having a second inclination angle which is lower in height as the tooth tops thereof approach the outermost peripheral edge, the second angle being smaller than the first angle. The tapered shape of the drive gear is formed in an area which extends outwardly from the radially-innermost position of the drive gear where lock pads abut against the drive gear when the drive gear and the cartridge gear are in proper engagement with each other.

Abstract: A reel mount for taking up/feeding a magnetic tape to/from a reel by rotating the reel includes: a first reel mount member having a portion engaged with the reel; a yoke board for providing a magnetic loop, the yoke board integrally formed with the first reel mount member and made of a ferromagnet; a magnet provided on the yoke board so as to be in contact therewith; a hysteresis board provided so as to be opposed to the yoke board with respect to the magnet, the hysteresis board made of a material having large magnetic hysteresis loss; and a second reel mount member integrally formed with the hysteresis board, wherein the reel is in direct contact with the yoke board when the reel is mounted on the reel mount.

Abstract: A reel braking apparatus for a tape recorder selectively brakes a reel disk assembly, which includes a reel disk and a reel gear installed on a deck, according to an operational mode. The apparatus includes a clutch member supported by a rotation shaft installed on the deck, a gear member installed coaxially relative to the clutch member so as to rotate by being engaged with the reel gear, and a clutch spring installed between the gear member and the clutch member for restricting rotation of the gear member so that the gear member can rotate in one direction according to a rotational direction of the reel gear. The clutch member and the clutch spring are coupled to each other, and this allows the gear member installed for engagement with the reel gear of the reel disk assembly to rotate in one direction only.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus has an intermediate gear (19) meshed with an idler gear (22) which is releasably meshed with both a pay-off reel table (2) and a roll-up reel table (3), a drive gear (31) rotatably driven by a capstan motor (10), a driven gear (32) releasably meshed with the drive gear (31) by way of a friction plate, a clutch mechanism (20), and a speed increasing mechanism (27). The speed increasing mechanism (27) has a movable rotary body (37) rotatably mounted around a support shaft (36) and adapted to reciprocate along an axis of the support shaft (36) by means of the clutch mechanism (20). The movable rotary body (37) is provided with a small diametered gear (38) and a large diametered gear (39). In a fast feed mode and a rewind mode, the small diametered gear (38) is meshed with the drive gear (31) while the large diametered gear (39) is meshed with the intermediate gear (19).

Abstract: A tape transport system includes two hubs within an enclosure having smooth interior surfaces. A tape head is positioned between the tape hubs so that the magnetic tape travels between the tape hubs and over a tape head contact surface. The tape head moves laterally in a direction parallel to the direction of tape travel based on the amount of magnetic tape held on at least one of the hubs.

Abstract: An improved clutch device for transmitting the motive power from an associated follower pulley to a selected reel support via an associated idler gear in a videotape recorder. It comprises a top clutch fixed to the top of the axle of the follower pulley, and a coupling gear urged by an associated coiled spring apart from the top clutch and fitted around the top clutch. The top. clutch has a plurality of nail pieces integrally connected to and descending from its circumference. Each nail piece has two ramp-shaped indents formed on its opposite sides. The coupling gear has rib pieces integrally connected to and descending from its circumference. Each rib piece has a counter ramp-shaped indent inside, thereby allowing one or the other ramp-shaped indent of each nail piece to engage with the counter ramp-shaped indent of each rib piece while the top clutch is made to descend in the annular space of the coupling gear, thus preventing further descent of said top clutch.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge incorporating a belt-driven design with improved performance characteristics. The tape cartridge includes a housing, first and second tape hubs, a storage tape, a drive roller, first and second corner rollers, and a drive belt. The housing defines a head access window. The first and second tape hubs are rotatably mounted within the housing. The storage tape is wound about the first and second hubs to form first and second tape packs thereabout. The drive roller is also rotatably mounted within the housing. Similarly, the first and second corner rollers are rotatably mounted within the housing. The drive belt is stretched about the drive roller, the first and second tape packs, and the first and second corner rollers. Finally, the first and second hubs are symmetrically arranged relative to the head access window. This symmetrical arrangement optimizes cartridge performance.

Abstract: A pair of reels of a magnetic cassette tape and a pair of reel supports of a magnetic tape drive comprise a conductive material as an antistatic treatment. Further, a head substrate and a projection substrate of a head drum comprise a conductive material having a resistance of 1×1010 &OHgr; or less and are connected to a metal base so as to be at the ground potential via the metal base and a rotating drum. These antistatic treatments allow static electricity charged on a magnetic tape to be discharged to the head substrate and the protection substrate without flowing to a magneto-resistive (MR) element, thereby preventing the electrostatic discharge breakdown of the MR element.

Abstract: There are provided a mode switching member (1)movable between a stop mode position in which a brake for braking rotation of a reel table is operated and a quick forward/rewind mode position; an energizing mechanism (3) for elastically energizing, when the mode switching member (1) is in the quick forward/rewind mode, the mode switching member (1) toward the stop mode position; a holding mechanism (6) for holding the mode switching member (1) in the quick forward/rewind mode position against energizing of the energizing mechanism (3) and a hold releasing mechanism (7) for releasing the holding state of the mode switching member (1) by the holding mechanism (6) according to a stop instruction for operating the brake.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus has an intermediate gear 19 meshed with an idler gear 22 which is releasably meshed with both a pay-off reel table 2 and a roll-up reel table 3, a drive gear 31 rotatably driven by a capstan motor 10, a driven gear 32 releasably meshed with the drive gear 31 by way of a friction plate, a clutch mechanism 20, and a speed increasing mechanism 27. The speed increasing mechanism 27 has a movable rotary body 37 rotatably mounted around a support shaft 36 and adapted to reciprocate along an axis of the support shaft 36 by means of the clutch mechanism 20. The movable rotary body 37 is provided with a small diametered gear 38 and a large diametered gear 39. In a fast feed mode and a rewind mode, the small diametered gear 38 is meshed with the drive gear 31 while the large diametered gear 39 is meshed with the intermediate gear 19.

Abstract: A cassette tape deck having a detection gear switching device of a simple structure which alternately switch the detection gear for detecting rotations of reel gears.

Abstract: The magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus of the present invention records/reproduces information on/from a magnetic tape by drawing out the magnetic tape from a tape cassette and allowing the magnetic tape to pass around a rotary head cylinder, having a rotary head, for a predetermined arc. The tape cassette is drawn by moving tape guide members located at an opening of the tape cassette. The recording/reproduction apparatus includes: a first chassis on which the tape cassette is placed; and a second chassis having thereon the rotary head cylinder. The magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus includes: a first state in which the tape cassette is placed on the first chassis by a user; and a second state in which a tape running path enabling recording/reproduction of the magnetic tape is established.

Abstract: A performance optimization magnetic tape assembly includes a plurality of data tape cartridges each having a data tape therein with each data tape cartridge having first and second spools upon with the data tape is wound and with each spool having a hole therethrough. The data tape cartridges are arranged in a stacked relationship with the respective holes of each of said first and second spools co-aligned with one another. A tape transport mechanism for driving selected ones of the first and/or second spools of a particular tape cartridge includes a motor-driven shaft extending through the co-aligned holes of the first spools and/or co-aligned second spools. Clutch assemblies are carried on each shaft and are dynamically re-positionable on said shaft to drive at least a selected one of said spools to move the tape thereon.

Abstract: A mechanism for retaining one tape deck (12), of a double cassette tape player (14), into a temporal inoperative position, which comprises a trigger arm (40) rotatable about a first pivot (41) on a chassis (15) of the tape deck; a first spring (42) for biasing the trigger arm to rotate in a predetermined direction; a pause lever (50) slideable on the chassis of the tape deck; a second spring (54) for urging the pause lever to move in a predetermined direction; and actuating structure or a push lever (38) that is made operative in response to rotation of the motor to urge the trigger arm to rotate in an opposite direction against the first spring. The pause lever is allowed to be slid in the predetermined direction by the second spring when the trigger arm is caused by the push lever to rotate in the opposite direction.

Abstract: To reduce the number of parts and simplify the structure by permitting the forward-rotation components and the reverse-rotation components to share a mechanism of transmitting the driving force to a pair of reel blocks 42F,42R. A pair of capstans 41F,41R respectively serving for forward rotation and reverse rotation and a pair of reel blocks 42F,42R respectively serving for forward rotation and reverse rotation are provided. One of the capstans, i. e. the capstan 41F, is provided with a low-speed gear 48, while the other capstan 41R is provided with a high-speed gear 49. The reel blocks 42F,42R are respectively provided with reel gears 50F,50R.

Abstract: A tape player is provided to simplify a mechanical part, eliminate parts, and provide efficient assembly of the mechanical part and a more compact apparatus. The tape player includes pins respectively moving in four different grooves provided in one disk-like cam, and a lever in conjunction with the movement of the pins to use movement of the lever so as to perform a cassette tape carry in/out operation, a head base moving operation, a playback running direction switching operation, and a selective operation to transfer driving force to a reel rest during fast forward.

Abstract: The tape drive unit of the present invention is constructed such that the reverse rotation of a motor (16) causes a mode cam (32) to drive for setting any mode of normal play, reverse play, fast forward and rewinding. Thereafter the forward rotation of the motor (16) causes a reel shaft (3) or a real shaft (4) to rotationally drive according to the mode and a head base (51) is slid in normal play or reverse play modes, to set up a magnetic head and pinch rollers. With such construction, each operation of normal play, reverse play, fast forward and rewinding can be performed without using a plunger or microcomputer, thereby eliminating the fear of troubles due to the plunger malfunction or a microcomputer bug.