A locking device for a cover of magnetic tape cartridge

Claim 1

In a tape cartridge comprising a supply reel (5) having a magnetic tape (7) wound thereon, a takeup reel (6) for winding thereon said magnetic tape payed out of said supply reel, a magnetic tape cartridge case (3) containing said supply reel and takeup reel built therein, magnetic tape inlet and outlet ports (16 and 17) for withdrawing said magentic tape from said magnetic tape cartridge to outside, a pivotable cover (4) pivotally connected to said magnetic tape cartridge case for covering said magnetic tape inlet and outlet ports, and locking means (73) for keeping said pivotable cover in a position in which it covers the magnetic tape inlet and outlet ports, a locking device for said pivotable cover of said magnetic tape cartridge comprising: a projection (70) formed on one of a left arm (67) and a right arm (68) of said pivotable cover, said pivotable cover further comprising a front surface portion (65) for covering said magnetic tape inlet and outlet ports, and said left arm and right arm having a pivot axis for said pivotable cover; an engaging claw section (74) of said locking means engageable with said projection formed on one of said arms; resilient means (74) of said locking means for urging said engaging claw section to move to a position in which it is brought into engagement with said projection; a release operation section (75) of said locking means for releasing said engaging claw section from engagement with said projection; and a rotary shaft (78) connected to said locking means; wherein said locking means is mounted on a side of said magnetic tape cartridge case with which said arm provided with said projection is brought into engagement and movable about said rotary shaft for pivotal movement, and said release operation section of said locking means is located substantially on a bottom surface of said magnetic tape cartridge case.