Collapsing pin roller for tape cassette

Claim 2

In a tape cartridge, the combination comprising: a case with resilient, spaced apart sidewalls; a bearing at an inner surface of one of said sidewalls; a first journaling means associated with the inner surface of the opposed sidewall; at least one rotatable tape guide roller having: an exterior cylindrical surface; a bore; a second journaling means for cooperating with said first journaling means to rotatably connect said roller to said opposed sidewall; and a spindle partially inserted into an end of the bore in an interference fit and protruding therefrom for cooperating with said bearing to rotatably connect said roller to said one of said sidewalls; which cylindrical surface, spindle, bearing and first and second journaling means are all coaxial; and said spindle contacting said one of said sidewalls of said case when the cartridge is initially assembled, and being adapted for further insertion into said bore by the application of pressure on said sidewalls to provide optimum end play for the spindle.

Claim 3

In a tape cartridge as recited in claim 1 wherein said first journaling means is in the form of an axle pin protruding from the inner surface of the other of said sidewalls and said second journaling means is comprised of an opposite end of the bore into which the axle pin loosely fits.

Claim 4

In a tape cartridge as recited in claim 1 wherein said roller is further comprised of a hub in which the bore is formed and a rim that includes said cylindrical surface, which hub and rim are joined by an annular web.

Claim 5

In a tape cartridge as recited in claim 3 wherein said cylindrical surface of said rim is convex shaped to assure substantial surface contact between the roller and tape that is advanced therearound.

Claim 6

In a tape cartridge as recited in claim 3 wherein said hub has a thin sidewall that facilitates expansion of said bore as said spindle is inserted therein.

Claim 7

In a tape cartridge, the combination comprising: a case with resilient, spaced apart sidewalls; a bearing formed in an inner surface of one of said sidewalls; a first journaling means associated with the inner surface of the opposed sidewall; at least one tape guide roller about which tape can be advanced and including: a rim with an exterior cylindrical surface; a hub in which a bore is formed coaxially with said cylindrical surface; an annular web joining said rim and said hub together; a spindle having one end inserted into said bore to mate therewith in an interference fit and the opposed end that protrudes therefrom to fit into said bEaring; and a second journaling means that is coaxial with said spindle for cooperating with said first journaling means to rotatably connect said roller to the opposed sidewall and serving together with said spindle and bearing as rotatable supports for the roller; and said spindle bears against said one of said sidewalls when the cartridge is initially assembled, and is adapted for further insertion into said bore by the application of a clamping pressure on said sidewalls to provide optimum end play for the spindle.

Claim 8

In a tape cartridge, the combination comprising: a case with resilient, spaced apart sidewalls; a bearing formed in an inner surface of one of said sidewalls; a first journaling means associated with the inner surface of the opposed sidewall; at least one tape guide roller about which tape can be advanced and including: a rim with an exterior cylindrical surface; a hub in which a bore is formed coaxially with said cylindrical surface; an annular web joining said rim and said hub together; a spindle having one end inserted into said bore to mate therewith in an interference fit and the opposed end that protrudes therefrom to fit into said bEaring; and a second journaling means that is coaxial with said spindle for cooperating with said first journaling means to rotatably connect said roller to the opposed sidewall and serving together with said spindle and bearing as rotatable supports for the roller; and said spindle bears against said one of said sidewalls when the cartridge is initially assembled, and is adapted for further insertion into said bore by the application of a clamping pressure on said sidewalls to provide optimum end play for the spindle.

Claim 9

In a tape cartridge, the combination comprising: a case with resilient, spaced apart sidewalls; a first journaling means associated with one of said sidewalls; a second journaling means associated with the opposed sidewall; at least one tape guide roller about which tape can be advanced and including: an exterior cylindrical surface; a hub in which a bore is formed coaxially with said cylindrical surface; a spindle having one end inserted into said bore to mate therewith in an interference fit; and a third journalling means that forms a portion of said spindle and protrudes from said bore for cooperating with said first journaling means to rotatably connect said roller to said one of said sidewalls; a fourth journaling means for cooperating with said second journaling means to rotatably connect said roller to said opposed sidewall; and said third journaling means bearing against said one of said sidewalls when the cartridge is initially assembled, and said third means is adapted to produce further insertion of the spindle into said bore by the application of a clamping pressure on said sidewalls to provide an optimum dimensional roller tolerance.

Claim 10

In a tape cartridge, the combination comprising: a case with resilient, spaced apart sidewalls; a first journaling means associated with one of said sidewalls; a second journaling means associated with the opposed sidewall; at least one tape guide roller about which tape can be advanced and including: an exterior cylindrical surface; a hub in which a bore is formed coaxially with said cylindrical surface; a spindle having one end inserted into said bore to mate therewith in an interference fit; and a third journalling means that forms a portion of said spindle and protrudes from said bore for cooperating with said first journaling means to rotatably connect said roller to said one of said sidewalls; a fourth journaling means for cooperating with said second journaling means to rotatably connect said roller to said opposed sidewall; and said third journaling means bearing against said one of said sidewalls when the cartridge is initially assembled, and said third means is adapted to produce further insertion of the spindle into said bore by the application of a clamping pressure on said sidewalls to provide an optimum dimensional roller tolerance.