Cassette tape-strengthening patch and optical opening

Claim 2

A combination of a cassette recording tape and strengthening patch therefor to be used with an apparatus including a rotating capstan and idler for applying force to and moving the recording medium, comprising: a. a portion of magnetic recording tape adapted to be supported at ends thereof; b. a strip of patching means for patching said magnetic recording tape; and c. adhesive means for connecting said patching means to said portion of said magnetic recording tape, said adhesive means disposed between said strip of patching means and said portion of said magnetic recording tape in all but an area a predetermined distance from ends of said strip of patching means, said area being substantially between the capstan and idler when an end of said portion of recording tape is reached.

Claim 3

A combination of a recording device and an apparatus including a rotating capstan for applying a force to and moving the recording device, said recording device comprising: a. recording means for retaining recorded information and adapted to be supported at ends thereof; b. patching means for patching said recording means; and c. adhesive means for connecting said patching means to said recording means, said adhesive means being disposed between said patching means and said recording means in all but an area a predetermined distance from ends of said strip of patching means, said area being contacted by the rotating capstan when said recording means has been moved to an end thereof.

Claim 4

A combination of a recording device and an apparatus including a rotating capstan for applying a force to and moving the recording device, said recording device comprising: a. recording means for retaining recorded information and adapted to be supported at ends thereof; b. patching means for patching said recording means; and c. adhesive means for connecting said patching means to said recording means, said adhesive means being disposed between said patching means and said recording means in all but an area a predetermined distance from ends of said strip of patching means, said area being contacted by the rotating capstan when said recording means has been moved to an end thereof.

Claim 5

A combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said recording means is magnetic recording tape adapted to be mounted in a tape cassette.

Claim 6

A combination of a recording medium and a strengthening patch therefor to be used with an apparatus including a rotating capstan for applying force to and moving the recording medium and a detector for detecting an end portion of the recording medium, comprising: a. a portion of magnetic recording tape having top, bottom and side surfaces, said portion of magnetic recording tape having an opening from the top to the bottom surface at a given distance from an end thereof substantially aligning said opening with the detector; b. a strip of patching means having top, bottom, and side surfaces for patching a predetermined area of said portion of magnetic tape apt to be worn by the rotating capstan, said strip of patching means having an opening from the top to the bottom surface thereof; and, c. adhesive means for connecting said top surface of said patching means to said bottom surface of said portion of magnetic recording tape aligning the centers of the openings in said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape, said adhesive means disposed between said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape in all but an area a predetermined distance from ends of said strip of patching means, said area being contacted by the capstan when the end portion of said recording tape is reached.

Claim 7

A combination of a recording medium and a strengthening patch therefor to be used with an apparatus including a rotating capstan for applying force to and moving the recording medium and a detector for detecting an end portion of the recording medium, comprising: a. a portion of magnetic recording tape having top, bottom and side surfaces, said portion of magnetic recording tape having an opening from the top to the bottom surface at a given distance from an end thereof substantially aligning said opening with the detector; b. a strip of patching means having top, bottom, and side surfaces for patching a predetermined area of said portion of magnetic tape apt to be worn by the rotating capstan, said strip of patching means having an opening from the top to the bottom surface thereof; and, c. adhesive means for connecting said top surface of said patching means to said bottom surface of said portion of magnetic recording tape aligning the centers of the openings in said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape, said adhesive means disposed between said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape in all but an area a predetermined distance from ends of said strip of patching means, said area being contacted by the capstan when the end portion of said recording tape is reached.

Claim 8

The combination as in claim 4 wherein the distance between the side surfaces of said strip of patching means is equal to or less than the distance between the side surfaces of said portion of magnetic recording tape.

Claim 9

A combination as in claim 4 wherein said openings in said strip of patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape have diameters which are no greater than one-half the distance between the side surfaces of said portion of magnetic recording tape and said strip of patching means.

Claim 10

A combination as in claim 4 wherein said strip of patching means is mylar tape.

Claim 11

A combination of a recording medium and a strengthening patch therefor to be used with a recording/playback apparatus including a rotating capstan for applying force to and moving the recording medium and an optical detector for detecting an end portion of the recording medium, comprising: a. a portion of magnetic recording tape having top, bottom, and side surfaces, said portion of magnetic recording tape having an opening therethrough from the top to the bottom surface thereof at a distance from an end thereof adapting said opening to be substantially aligned with the optical detector; b. a strip of patching means having a top, bottom, and side surfaces strengthening a predetermined area of said portion of magnetic recording tape apt to be worn by the rotating capstan, said strip of patching means having an opening from the top to the bottom surface thereof; and, c. adhesive means for connecting said top surface of said patching means to said bottom surface of said portion of magnetic recording tape aligning the centers of said opening in said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape, said adhesive means disposed between said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape from ends of said strip of patching means leaving an area between said portion of magnetic recording tape and said strip of patching means which is devoid of said adhesive means, said area being in contact with the rotating capstan when an end portion of the recording tape is reached.

Claim 12

A combination of a recording medium and a strengthening patch therefor to be used with a recording/playback apparatus including a rotating capstan for applying force to and moving the recording medium and an optical detector for detecting an end portion of the recording medium, comprising: a. a portion of magnetic recording tape having top, bottom, and side surfaces, said portion of magnetic recording tape having an opening therethrough from the top to the bottom surface thereof at a distance from an end thereof adapting said opening to be substantially aligned with the optical detector; b. a strip of patching means having a top, bottom, and side surfaces strengthening a predetermined area of said portion of magnetic recording tape apt to be worn by the rotating capstan, said strip of patching means having an opening from the top to the bottom surface thereof; and, c. adhesive means for connecting said top surface of said patching means to said bottom surface of said portion of magnetic recording tape aligning the centers of said opening in said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape, said adhesive means disposed between said patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape from ends of said strip of patching means leaving an area between said portion of magnetic recording tape and said strip of patching means which is devoid of said adhesive means, said area being in contact with the rotating capstan when an end portion of the recording tape is reached.

Claim 13

A combination as in claim 8 wherein said patching means is mylar tape.

Claim 14

A combination as in claim 8 wherein the distance between said side surfaces of said patching means is equal to the distance between said side surfaces of said magnetic recording tape.

Claim 15

A combination as in claim 8 wherein said magnetic recording tape is adapted to be mounted in a cassette.

Claim 16

A combination as in claim 8 wherein said openings in said strip of patching means and said portion of magnetic recording tape have diameters which are no greater than one-half the distance between the side surfaces of said portion of magnetic recording tape and said strip of patching means.