EP0051848A1 — Tape cassette storage box

Claim 1

Independent Claim 647 words

A tape- cassette storage box comprising a storage box body (14) for holding a micro cassette (12), a cover (16) coupled with said storage box body (14) so as to be able to rotate between a first position in which said cover (16) houses, in cooperation with said storage box body (14), the micro cassette (12) held in said storage box body (14) and a second position in which said cover (16) allows said micro cassette (12) to be- removed from said storage box body (14), a first engaging means (54) formed on a first lateral face (52) out of two rectangular lateral faces of said storage box body (14) intersecting the axis of rotation (20) of said cover (16), and a second engaging means (58) formed on a second lateral face (56) of said storage box body (14), the improvement in which said first engaging means (54) includes a first engaging click (60.) disposed in a first corner region of said first lateral face (52), a second engaging click (62) disposed isolatedly from said first engaging click (60) in a second corner region of said first lateral face (52) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagemet of said first engaging click (60) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaging click (60), a third engaging click (64) disposed isolatedly from said first engaging click (60) in a third corner region of said first lateral face (52) located in the direction for engagement of said first engaging click (60) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaging click (60), and a fourth engaging click (66) disposed isolatedly from said third and second engaging clicks (64, 62) in a fourth corner region of said first lateral face (52) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of said third engaging click (64) and in the direction for engagement of said second engaging click (62) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaging click (60); and in which said second engaging means (58) includes a first engaged click (80) disposed in a first corner region of said second lateral face (56), a second engaged click (82) disposed isolatedly from said first engaged click (80) in a second corner region of said second lateral face (56) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of said first engaged click (80) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaged click (80), a third engaged click (84) disposed isolatedly from said first engaged click (80) in a third corner region of said second lateral face (56) located in the direction for engagement of. said first engaged click (80) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaged click (80), and a fourth engaged click (86) disposed isolatedly from said third and second engaged clicks (84, 82) in a fourth corner region of said second lateral face (56) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of said third engaged click (84) and in the direction for engagement of said second engaged click (82) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaged click (80), so that the first to fourth engaging clicks of the first engaging means of a first tape cassette storage box engage the first to fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means of a second tape cassette storage box when the first engaging means of said first tape cassette storage box is coupled with the second engaging means of said second tape cassette storage box.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 647 words

A tape- cassette storage box comprising a storage box body (14) for holding a micro cassette (12), a cover (16) coupled with said storage box body (14) so as to be able to rotate between a first position in which said cover (16) houses, in cooperation with said storage box body (14), the micro cassette (12) held in said storage box body (14) and a second position in which said cover (16) allows said micro cassette (12) to be- removed from said storage box body (14), a first engaging means (54) formed on a first lateral face (52) out of two rectangular lateral faces of said storage box body (14) intersecting the axis of rotation (20) of said cover (16), and a second engaging means (58) formed on a second lateral face (56) of said storage box body (14), the improvement in which said first engaging means (54) includes a first engaging click (60.) disposed in a first corner region of said first lateral face (52), a second engaging click (62) disposed isolatedly from said first engaging click (60) in a second corner region of said first lateral face (52) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagemet of said first engaging click (60) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaging click (60), a third engaging click (64) disposed isolatedly from said first engaging click (60) in a third corner region of said first lateral face (52) located in the direction for engagement of said first engaging click (60) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaging click (60), and a fourth engaging click (66) disposed isolatedly from said third and second engaging clicks (64, 62) in a fourth corner region of said first lateral face (52) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of said third engaging click (64) and in the direction for engagement of said second engaging click (62) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaging click (60); and in which said second engaging means (58) includes a first engaged click (80) disposed in a first corner region of said second lateral face (56), a second engaged click (82) disposed isolatedly from said first engaged click (80) in a second corner region of said second lateral face (56) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of said first engaged click (80) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaged click (80), a third engaged click (84) disposed isolatedly from said first engaged click (80) in a third corner region of said second lateral face (56) located in the direction for engagement of. said first engaged click (80) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaged click (80), and a fourth engaged click (86) disposed isolatedly from said third and second engaged clicks (84, 82) in a fourth corner region of said second lateral face (56) located in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction for engagement of said third engaged click (84) and in the direction for engagement of said second engaged click (82) and having the same length and the same direction for engagement as those of said first engaged click (80), so that the first to fourth engaging clicks of the first engaging means of a first tape cassette storage box engage the first to fourth engaged clicks of the second engaging means of a second tape cassette storage box when the first engaging means of said first tape cassette storage box is coupled with the second engaging means of said second tape cassette storage box.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 217 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 1, wherein the first and third engaging clicks (60, 64) of said first engaging means (54) protrude from said first lateral face (52) substantially at right angles thereto with their projected ends bent away from said second and fourth engaging clicks (62, 66) to extend substantially in parallel with said first lateral face (52); the second and fourth engaging clicks (62, 66) of said first engaging means (54) protrude from said first lateral face (52) substantially at right angles thereto with their projected ends bent away from said first and third engaging clicks (60, 64) to extend substantially in parallel with said first lateral face (52); the first and third engaged clicks (80, 84) of said second engaging means (58) protrude from said second lateral face (56) substantially at right angles thereto with their projected ends bent toward said second and fourth engaged clicks (82, 86) to extend substantially in parallel with said second lateral face (56); and the second and fourth engaged clicks (82, 86) of said second engaging means (58) protrude from said second lateral face (56) substantially at right angles thereto with their projected ends bent toward said first and third engaged clicks (80, 84) to extend substantially in parallel with said second lateral face (56).

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 243 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 2, wherein the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) are formed integrally with said first lateral face (52) out of a plastic material with elasticity; each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaging cl.icks (60, 62, 64, 66) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof; the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) are formed integrally with said second lateral. face (56) out of a plastic material with elasticity; and each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box is brought into contact with said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of said first - engaging means - (54).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 166 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim.2, wherein said. first engaging means (54) includes a holding device (72); and said second engaging means (58) includes a held device (92), so that the holding device (72) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box. holds the held device (92) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box to maintain the engagement between said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box and said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box until an external force exceeding a given level is applied to said first and second tape cassette storage boxes when the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box get engaged with the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 241 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 4, wherein the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) are formed integrally with said first lateral face (52) out of a plastic material with elasticity; each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaging clicks 60, 62, 64, 66) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof; the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) are formed integrally with said second lateral face (56) out of a plastic material with elasticity; and each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82., 84, 86) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box is brought into contact with said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of said first engaging means (54).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 132 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 2, wherein said first engaging means (54) includes first and second guide members (68, 70) disposed between said first and third engaging clicks (60, 64) and between said second and fourth engaging clicks (62, 66), respectively, so that said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box and said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are coupled with each other as the first and third engaged clicks (80, 84) and the second and fourth engaged clicks (82., 86) of said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box are guided by the first and second guide members (68, 70) of said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box, respectively.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 265 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 6, wherein said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) and said first and second guide members (68, 70) are isolated from one another; said first to fourth engaging means (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) are formed integrally with said first lateral face (52) out of a plastic material with elasticity; each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for - engagement thereof; said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) are formed integrally with said second lateral face (56) out of a plastic material with elasticity; and each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box is brought into contact with said first engaging means (54),of said first tape cassette storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of said first engaging means (54).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 206 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 6, wherein said first guide member (68) is in the form of a band plate extending along an imaginary straight line connecting said first and third engaging clicks (60, 64) and protruding substantially at right angles to said first lateral face (52); and said second guide member (70) is in the form of a band plate extending along an imaginary straight line connecting said second and fourth engaging clicks (62, 66) and protruding substantially at right angles to said first lateral face (52), so that the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are coupled with the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when the projected end faces of the first and second engaged clicks (80, 82) or the third and fourth engaged clicks (84, 86) of said second engaging- means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box are brought slidingly into contact with the first and second guide members (68, 70') of said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box, respectively.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 265 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 8, wherein said first to fourth engaging clicks (.60, 62, 64, 66) and said first and second guide members (68, 70) are isolated from one another; said first to fourth engaging means (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) are formed integrally with said first lateral face (52) out of a plastic material with elasticity; each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof; said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) are formed integrally with said second lateral face (56) out of a plastic material with elasticity; and each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box is brought into contact with said first engaging means (54) of said. first tape cassette storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of said first engaging means (54).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 168 words

A tape cassette storage box according to - claim 8,. wherein said first engaging means (54) includes a holding device (72); and said second engaging means (58) includes a held device (92), so that the holding device (72) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette, storage box holds the held device (92) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box to maintain the engagement between said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box and said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box until an external force exceeding a given level is applied to said first and second tape cassette storage boxes when the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box get engaged with the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 264 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 10, wherein said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) and said first and second guide members (68, 70) are isolated from one another; said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) are formed integrally with said first lateral face (52) out of a plastic material with elasticity; each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along.the direction for engagement thereof; said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) are formed integrally with said second lateral face (56) out of a plastic material with elasticity; and each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) has chamfer. portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box is brought into contact with said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of said first engaging means (54).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 482 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 10, wherein said second engaging means (58) includes a third guide member (88) in the form of a band plate formed on said second lateral face (56) along an imaginary straight line connecting said first and third engaged clicks (80, 84) and protruding substantially at right angles to said second lateral face (56), and a fourth guide member (90) in the form of a band plate formed on said second lateral face (56) along an imaginary straight line connecting said second and fourth engaged clicks (82, 86) and protruding substantially at right angles to said second lateral face (56); the holding device (72) of said first engaging means (54) includes openings (74) formed in the respective central regions of said first and second guide members (68, 70) along the direction for guidance thereof, whereby said central regions are separated from said first lateral face (52), a first stopper (76) formed on the first engaging click side of said first guide member (68) in the central region thereof and projecting in the same direction as the projected end portions of said first and third engaging clicks (60, 64), and a second stopper (78) formed on the fourth engaging click side of said second guide member (70) in the central region thereof and projecting in the same direction as the. projected end portions of said second and fourth engaging clicks (62, 66); and the held device (92) of said second engaging means (58) includes a first engaged projection (94) formed in the central region of said third guide member (88) along the direction for guidance thereof and projecting in the same direction as the projected end portions of said first and third engaged clicks (80, 84), and a second engaged projection (96) formed in the central region of said fourth guide member (90) along the direction for guidance thereof and projecting in the same direction as the projected end portions of said second and fourth engaged clicks (82, 86), so that the first and second engaged projections (94, 96) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the first and second stoppers (76, 78) of said first engaging means (54') of the first tape cassette storage box to maintain the engagement between said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box and said second engaging means (58) of said second. tape cassette storage box until an external force exceeding a given level is applied to said first and second tape cassette storage boxes when the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box get engaged with the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 265 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 12, wherein said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) and said first and second guide members (68, 70) are isolated from one another;. said first to fourth engaging means (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) are formed integrally with said first lateral face (52) out of a plastic material with elasticity; each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64,- 66) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof; said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) are formed integrally with said second lateral face (56) out of a plastic material with elasticity; and each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when said second engaging means (58) of said second tape casette storage box is brought into contact with said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of. said first engaging means (54).

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 32 words

. A tape cassette storage box according to claim 12, wherein the first and second engaged projections (94, 96) of the engaged device (92) of said second engaging means (58) are hollow.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 265 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 14-, wherein said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) and said first and second guide members (68, 70) are isolated from one another; said first to fourth engaging means (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) are formed integrally with said first lateral face (52) out of a plastic material with elasticity; each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof; said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) are formed integrally with said second lateral face (56) out of a plastic material with elasticity; and each of the projected ends of said first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) has chamfer portions (98) formed thereon along the direction for engagement thereof, so that the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box are brought into contact with the respective chamfer portions (98) of the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box when said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box is brought into contact with said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box along a direction to cross the direction for engagement of said first engaging means (54).

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 346 words

A tape cassette storage box according to claim 10, wherein said second engaging means (58) includes a third guide member (88) in the form of a band plate formed on said second lateral face (56) along an imaginary straight line connecting said first and third engaged clicks (80, 84) and protruding substantially at right angles to said second lateral face (56), and a fourth guide member (90) in the form of a band plate formed on said second lateral face (56) along an imaginary straight line connecting said second and fourth engaged clicks (82, 86) and protruding substantially at right angles to said second lateral face (56); the holding device (72) of said first engaging means (54) includes a pair of projections (100, 102) arranged on the central region of at least one of said first and second guide members (68, 70) along the direction for guidance thereof; and the held device (92) of said second engaging means (58) includes a projection (104, 106) formed on the: central region of each of said third and fourth guide members (88, 90) along the direction for guidance thereof, so that at least one of the pair of projections (100, 102) of the holding device (72) of said first engaging means (54) of the first tape cassette storage box holds at least one of the projections (104, 106) of the third and fourth guide members (88, 90) of said second engaging means (58) of the second tape cassette storage box to maintain the engagement between said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box and said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box until an external force exceeding a given level is applied to said first and second tape cassette storage boxes when the first to fourth engaged clicks (80, 82, 84, 86) of said second engaging means (58) of said second tape cassette storage box get engaged with the first to fourth engaging clicks (60, 62, 64, 66) of said first engaging means (54) of said first tape cassette storage box.

Tape cassette storage box

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