Cassette storage container

Abstract

A container for storing a tape cassette of the type having a pair of spaced tape reel hubs. Each hub has a cylindrical sidewall which defines a recess in the hub. The storage container includes enclosure means for receiving and enclosing a cassette in the container. Diametrically opposed pairs of fingers are molded integrally with a bottom wall of the container and project into the hub recesses through an aligned access opening formed in a bottom wall of the tape cassette upon placing the cassette into the container. The fingers are formed with a concave inner edge, and a convex outer edge having an elongated straight portion and an undercut formed thereon adjacent to the container bottom wall. The convex outer edge of the fingers are engaged by the hub sidewall, whereby the combination of the undercut and curved inner edge enables the fingers to flex inwardly upon initial placement of a cassette into the storage container. The fingers urge toward a normal biased position and the elongated straight portion moves into engagement with the hub sidewall upon full insertion of the cassette into the storage container to form an axially extending frictional line contact therebetween, for preventing rotation of the hubs and resultant unwinding of and possible damage to the tape contained thereon. An angular relationship between the undercut and the concave inner edge provides for integral one-piece molding of the container in a relatively simple mold. Spaced annular members limit lateral movement of the cassette within the container.