EP0143598A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Magnetic tape recording and reproducing system with automatic tape threading
Assignee: ELECTRONIC PROCESSORS Inc
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Filing: 1984-11-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-11-20
Abstract
Abstract (57) The present invention provides a small, high performance magnetic tape transport system for use in recording and reproducing data. In preferred embodiments, the supply reel for the magnetic tape medium and the tape is carried in a pack or cartridge which is capable of being easily loaded into the transport system for recording (writing) and reproducing (reading), and which cartridge is also easily removed from the system for storage. A take-up reel or hub is permanently carried by the transport, In the embodiment disclosed, means are included for loading, automatically positioning and seating a cartridge in contact with a drive mechanism in the transport, and for ejecting a cartridge therefrom. The separate cartridge drive and take-up hub are each driven by their own separate motor system in either a counter-clockwise or clockwise direction, as required, with the direction and speed of each motor being interrelated, as set forth in greater detail herein.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D. Durand
- 👤 Larry Robert Gadsby
- 👤 Robert Thompson Heath
- 👤 Sanford Platter
- 👤 Donald F. Lynch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:24
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/6751; G11B15/60; G11B15/66; G11B15/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A tape transport system characterized by a supply hub, a take-up hub, a transducer intermediate said supply and said take-up hub, and bearing-guide members bracketing said transducer, wherein the improvement includes: a semi-flexible Leader fixed on said take-up hub; a threading path from said take-up hub to said supply hub, said threading path avoiding contact with said transducer and said bearing-guide members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tape transport system characterized by a supply hub, a take-up hub, a transducer intermediate said supply and said take-up hub, and bearing-guide members bracketing said transducer, wherein the improvement includes: a semi-flexible Leader fixed on said take-up hub; a threading path from said take-up hub to said supply hub, said threading path avoiding contact with said transducer and said bearing-guide members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The transport system of claim 1, characterized in that said supply hub is a given distance from said take-up hub, that distance is a multiple of the circumference of said take-up hub, and said Leader is substantially equal to that distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that the to-be-threaded tape has a coupling portion and wherein said Leader has a mating coupling portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 3, characterized in that said tape is of Lesser width than said Leader and said threading path, and wherein said tape, when threaded, foLLows a path different from said threading path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that said bearing-guide members provide a hydrodynamic bearing to said tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 5, characterized in that said bearing-guide members are Located on a reference surface and carry resilient edge guides opposed to said reference surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 6, characterized in that said guide narrows as it approaches said transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 5, characterized in that said bearing-guides are composed of hard, smooth, wear resistant material capable of a static charge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that the Length and speed of the tape in the system is selected to avoid LateraL and torsional resonance between the various sections of the tape and with the drive motors.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
52 words
A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized by a magnetic head Locating and positioning system wherein said head is mounted on a carriage, said carriage is mounted on a support structure, and said head and carriage are moved in response to a threaded nut and Lead screw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 10, characterized in that said carriage and said support structure carry a detent and a rack, and movement and final positioning of said carriage is controlled by the interaction between said detent and said rack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11, characterized in that LongitudinaL movement of said carriage is Limited by said detent and said rack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 10, characterized in that said carriage is secured to a pivotable shaft, and wherein azimuth of said carriage is controLLed by the positioning of said shaft.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
98 words
A system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterized by a mechanism for Loading and removing a tape cartridge from said tape transport system including: a sleeve 17 to receive and carry a cartridge 4, said sleeve being in a first position and having an open portion to receive a driving mechanism; guide means 18 adjacent opposed sides of said sleeve; means connected to said sleeve and positioned to ride on said guide means; and means 28 to bias said sleeve to a second position such that its open portion wiLL receive a driving mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The Loading mechanism of claim 14, wherein said bias means includes a spring and a portion of said spring is positioned to urge a cartridge from the sleeve when said sleeve moves from its second biased position to its first position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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