Magnetic tape cassette with a plurality of independently movable protective plate members

A magnetic tape cassette according to claim 9 wherein said locking step is tapered toward said front end.

A magnetic tape cassette of a type having an upper shell and a lower shell assembled together to hold therein a magnetic tape wound on a pair of tape reels, and a guard panel provided on a front side of the tape cassette for enclosing a segment of the tape extending along the front side of the tape cassette, the guard panel being pivotally movable between an open position in which the tape segment is exposed, and a closed position in which the tape segment is enclosed in said tape cassette between the front side and said guard panel, said guard panel being normally disposed in the closed position, wherein the improvement comprises:

• (a) an elongate mouth provided in said lower shell along said front side of said tape cassette for receiving therein a loading pole for withdrawing the segment of the magnetic tape from said tape cassette;
• and
• (b) a protective plate pivotally mounted on said lower shell behind said guard panel to extend longitudinally along the mouth and being arranged to lockingly engage with the guard panel to hold the same in the closed position against displacement to protect the segment of the magnetic tape, wherein said protective plate is composed of a plurality of protective plate members disposed in juxtaposition along said mouth and movable independently from one another.