Magnetic tape cassette with improved hub locking means

#1. Field of Industrial Application

#This invention relates to magnetic tape cassettes, and more specifically to a novel compact magnetic tape cassette or audio device or the like which is equal to or smaller than the "Phillips" type magnetic tape cassette in size.

#2. Conventional Magnetic Tape Cassettes

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a locking member combined with the upper half case in a magnetic tape cassette according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing parts of the locking member and the upper half case; and

#FIG. 3 is a sectional side view showing a part of the cassette according to the invention.

#An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a locking member 1 which is combined with an upper half case 2 of a magnetic tape cassette according to the invention. A window member 3 is fixedly secured to the upper half case 2, for instance, by ultrasonic welding. The window member 3 has receiving parts 4 adapted to hold the upper edges of hubs 13, and has a pair of window member protrusions 5 extended from its front towards a front wall 10 of the cassette.

#The locking member 1 has a pair of locking member protrusions 6 which are adapted to abut against the peripheries of the hubs to lock the hubs 13. The locking member 1 also has a pair of recesses 7, formed in an end portion facing towards the rear of the cassette, for receiving the protrusions 5 of the window member 3. The locking member 1 has a pin 8 formed at the center. A spring 9 is mounted on the pin 8 such that the spring 9 is abutted against the front wall 10 of the upper half case 2, thereby urging the locking member 1 towards the rear of the cassette.