Composite recording/playback head with two trim erase heads oriented at an angle to the record/playback head

Claim 2

A COMPOSITE MAGNETIC HEAD COMPRISING AN EFFECTIVE GAP FOR RECORDING AND/OR PLAYING BACK WITH RESPECT TO A TRACK ON A RECORD CARRIER HAVING MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID HEAD, AND FIRST AND SECOND ERASING GAPS POSITIONED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID EFFECTIVE GAP TO LIMIT SAID TRACK, EACH OF SAID ERASING GAPS ENCLOSING AN ANGLE OF MORE THAN 0 BUT LESS THAN 90 WITH RESPECT TO THE DIRECTION OF SAID RELATIVE MOVEMENT.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said erasing gaps each define a track outside of the track covered by said effective gap.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein said erasing gaps each define a track within the track covered by said effective gap.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1 wherein said erasing gaps each define a track partially within and partially without the track covered by said effective gap.

Claim 6

A composite magnetic recording and/or playback head comprising an effective gap for recording and/or playing back with respect to a track on a record carrier having movement relative to said head, said movement defining a directional axis with respect to said head, and first and second erasing gaps positioned on opposite sides of said effective gap, each of said erasing gaps enclosing an acute angle with respect to said directional axis.

Claim 7

A composite magnetic recording and/or playback head comprising an effective gap for recording and/or playing back with respect to a track on a record carrier having movement relative to said head, said movement defining a directional axis with respect to said head, and first and second erasing gaps positioned on opposite sides of said effective gap, each of said erasing gaps enclosing an acute angle with respect to said directional axis.

Claim 8

A composite magnetic head comprising an effective gap for recording and/or playing back with respect to a track on a record carrier having movement relative to said head, and first and second erasing gaps positioned on opposite sides of said effective gap to limit said track, said erasing gaps each defining a track outside of the track covered by said effective gap, said erasing gaps located respectively before and after said effective gap in the direction of movement of said record carrier relative to said head, said erasing gaps extending in mutually parallel directions, each of said erasing gaps enclosing an angle of more than 0 but less than 90* with respect to the direction of said relative movement.

Claim 9

A composite magnetic head comprising an effective gap for recording and/or playing back with respect to a track on a record carrier having movement relative to said head, and first and second erasing gaps positioned on opposite sides of said effective gap to limit said track, said erasing gaps each defining a track outside of the track covered by said effective gap, said erasing gaps located respectively before and after said effective gap in the direction of movement of said record carrier relative to said head, said erasing gaps extending in mutually parallel directions, each of said erasing gaps enclosing an angle of more than 0 but less than 90* with respect to the direction of said relative movement.