Tape-feeding and storage apparatus with tension-sensing means

Claim 2

A single-bin, random-wind tape storage magazine adapted to store an endless loop of tape therein comprising: opposed plate members, spacer members arranged around the periphery of said plate members and joined to each said plate member to form a tape storage cavity, said plate members being spaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the width of the tape stored therein to define a tape storage cavity which limits the position of the tape to a plurality of random-wound folds thereby to preclude entanglement and snarling of said tape within said magazine, means in at least one of said spacer members adapted to permit passage of a loop of said tape from within said magazine to enable said tape to be operably connected to a plurality of independently and bidirectionally driven tape driving means thereby to draw selected portions of said endless loop of tape out of said magazine and back into saId magazine, and means within said magazine adapted to sense tape tautness between said tape-driving means as said tape is driven out of and into said magazine, said tape tautness-sensing means adapted to be operatively associated with said tape-driving means to disconnect said tape-driving means when said tape tautness-sensing means are actuated.

Claim 3

A tape storage magazine as defined in claim 1 wherein said magazine includes means to confine a portion of said tape to a guided path of tape travel during passage of said tape in said magazine in response to tape movement initiated by at least one of said tape-driving means.

Claim 4

A tape storage magazine as defined in claim 2 wherein said means to confine a portion of said tape to a guided path of tape travel comprises tape guide means positioned between said panels adjacent at least one of said spacer members to define a controlled path of tape travel therebetween.

Claim 5

In a recording and transcribing system utilizing an endless loop of magnetic tape of substantial length, the combination of: a housing member adapted to support recording and transcribing means; a magazine adapted to store the major portion of said endless loop of tape comprising spaced panel members including a peripheral wall member defining a tape storage magazine cavity therein; said magazine adapted to be selectively positioned within said housing in proximity to said recording and transcribing means; means along one wall of said magazine permitting access to said tape stored therein thereby to allow said tape to be withdrawn from said magazine and operatively positioned within said recording and transcribing means when said magazine is positioned within said housing; said means permitting access to said tape comprising a pair of spaced openings in said wall, each said opening including a tape guide member therein which defines on one side thereof a first tape access opening from said magazine and on the other side thereof a second tape access opening from said magazine, said tape being initially positioned in said magazine so as to be looped over each said tape guide member; and reversible tape-driving means in each of said recording and transcribing means to independently draw portions of said tape from said magazine to each of said recording and transcribing means and return said tape to said magazine.

Claim 6

In a recording and transcribing system utilizing an endless loop of magnetic tape of substantial length, the combination of: a housing member adapted to support recording and transcribing means; a magazine adapted to store the major portion of said endless loop of tape comprising spaced panel members including a peripheral wall member defining a tape storage magazine cavity therein; said magazine adapted to be selectively positioned within said housing in proximity to said recording and transcribing means; means along one wall of said magazine permitting access to said tape stored therein thereby to allow said tape to be withdrawn from said magazine and operatively positioned within said recording and transcribing means when said magazine is positioned within said housing; said means permitting access to said tape comprising a pair of spaced openings in said wall, each said opening including a tape guide member therein which defines on one side thereof a first tape access opening from said magazine and on the other side thereof a second tape access opening from said magazine, said tape being initially positioned in said magazine so as to be looped over each said tape guide member; and reversible tape-driving means in each of said recording and transcribing means to independently draw portions of said tape from said magazine to each of said recording and transcribing means and return said tape to said magazine.

Claim 7

A recording and transcribing system as defined in claim 4 including a plurality of tape tautness-sensing means responsive to tape tautness in said magazine which are operably connected to said tape-driving means to disconnect said tape-driving means when said tape is drawn taut between said recording and transcribing means.