Magnetic tape reel, tape cartridge using the same, recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing information in the tape cartridge, information recording and reproducing method thereof, and positioning mechanism

Abstract

A magnetic tape reel that has a plurality of gear teeth capable of engaging with a plurality of engagement gear teeth provided with a reel engaging portion of a recording and reproducing apparatus and upon which magnetic tape can be wound, comprising: a hub portion including a cylindrical portion upon which the magnetic tape can be wound and the plurality of gear teeth; and a positioning portion composed of at least one of a recess and a protrusion and provided for aligning a specific gear tooth from the plurality of gear teeth with a specific engagement gear tooth from the plurality of engagement gear teeth.

1 . A magnetic tape reel that has a plurality of gear teeth capable of engaging with a plurality of engagement gear teeth provided with a reel engaging portion of a recording and reproducing apparatus and upon which magnetic tape can be wound, the reel comprising:
 a hub portion including a cylindrical portion upon which the magnetic tape can be wound and the plurality of gear teeth; and   a positioning portion composed of at least one of a recess and a protrusion and provided for aligning a specific gear tooth from the plurality of gear teeth with a specific engagement gear tooth from the plurality of engagement gear teeth.   
   
   
       2 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the hub portion is a substantially cylindrical closed-end body that has a base portion provided on one end of the cylindrical portion; and   the plurality of gear teeth is formed on the outer surface of the base portion.   
   
   
       3 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the positioning portion is a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the base portion and whose height is higher than the plurality of gear teeth.   
   
   
       4 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the positioning portion is configured of a plurality of the protrusions, and the protrusions are disposed irregularly.   
   
   
       5 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the positioning portion is configured of a plurality of the protrusions, and the protrusions have shapes that are different from one another.   
   
   
       6 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the protrusion is formed so as not to fall on a straight line that passes through the center of the outer surface of the base portion of the hub portion and the gear teeth as seen when the outer surface of the base portion of the hub portion is viewed from above.   
   
   
       7 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 1 , including a plurality of the positioning portions. 
   
   
       8 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the positioning portion is formed so as not to fall on a straight line that passes through the center of the outer surface of the base portion of the hub portion and the gear teeth as seen when the outer surface of the base portion of the hub portion is viewed from above.   
   
   
       9 . The magnetic tape reel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flange extending in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the hub portion,   wherein the positioning portion is provided with the flange.   
   
   
       10 . A tape cartridge comprising:
 the magnetic tape reel according to  claim 1 ;   magnetic tape wound upon the magnetic tape reel; and   a case that has a space for housing the magnetic tape reel and the magnetic tape and that has an opening portion that enables the plurality of gear teeth of the magnetic tape reel to be exposed to the exterior of the case.   
   
   
       11 . The tape cartridge according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the hub portion is a substantially cylindrical closed-end body that has a base portion provided on one end of the cylindrical portion;   the plurality of gear teeth is formed on the outer surface of the base portion; and   the positioning portion is a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the base portion and whose height is higher than the plurality of gear teeth, and is formed so as not to be visible when the tape cartridge is viewed from the direction parallel to the outer surface of the wall in which the opening portion of the case is formed.   
   
   
       12 . A recording and reproducing apparatus for recording information onto and reproducing information from the tape cartridge according to  claim 10 , the device comprising:
 a receiving portion that allows the tape cartridge to be housed;   a magnetic head unit capable of recording information onto the magnetic tape and reproducing information that has been recorded onto the magnetic tape;   a reel engaging portion that has a plurality of engagement gear teeth capable of engaging with the plurality of gear teeth provided with the magnetic tape reel;   a corresponding positioning portion provided with the reel engaging portion and capable of fitting or coupling with the positioning portion of the magnetic tape reel;   a rotary machine capable of rotating the reel engaging portion;   a rotational shaft disposed between the reel engaging portion and the rotary machine, capable of transmitting rotational movement caused by the rotary machine to the reel engaging portion, and supported by the rotary machine so as to be capable of elevating and descending; and   a biasing portion that biases the reel engaging portion toward the reel,   wherein the corresponding positioning portion is provided with the reel engaging portion such that the specific gear tooth and the specific engagement gear tooth engage when the corresponding positioning portion and the positioning portion are fitted or coupled to each other.   
   
   
       13 . An information recording and reproducing method for recording information onto and reproducing information from the tape cartridge according to  claim 10 , the method comprising the steps of:
 engaging the specific gear tooth with the specific engagement gear tooth by fitting or coupling the positioning portion with the corresponding positioning portion; and   recording information onto the magnetic tape or reproducing information that has been recorded onto the magnetic tape.   
   
   
       14 . A positioning mechanism for engaging a specific engagement gear tooth from a plurality of engagement gear teeth provided with a reel engaging portion of a recording and reproducing apparatus with a specific gear tooth from a plurality of gear teeth provided with a magnetic tape reel upon which magnetic tape can be wound,
 wherein the magnetic tape reel includes a positioning portion composed of at least one of a recess and a protrusion;   the reel engaging portion includes a corresponding positioning portion composed of at least one of a recess and a protrusion that can fit or couple with the positioning portion; and   the specific engagement gear tooth and the specific gear tooth engage by the positioning portion and the corresponding positioning portion fitting or coupling with each other.