Magnetic tape cartridge containing engaging means for rotary head

Claim 2

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having, as integral parts thereof a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means located within saId housing and separable therewith from said device, said tape engaging means being selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum wrapped relation to the latter.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1, in which said tape engaging means forms a loop of said tape within said housing and includes movable hollow means within which said drum extends upon mounting of said cartridge on said device, said hollow means, in said first position, being operative to support and maintain said tape loop and, in said second position, releasing said tape loop for engagement about the drum extending therein.

Claim 4

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means located within said housing and separable with said cartridge from said device, said tape engaging means forming a loop of said tape within said housing and including movable hollow means within which said drum extends upon mounting of said cartridge on said device, said hollow means being selectively disposable in a first position, in which said hollow means is operative to support and maintain said tape loop out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said hollow means releases the tape loop for engagement about the drum extending therein, said hollow means including at least one cylindrical member open at an end to permit said drum to extend therein when said housing is mounted on said device, said cylindrical member being movable between said first and second positions in which said tape loop extends around the outer surface of said cylindrical member and in which said tape loop extends within said cylindrical member, respectively.

Claim 5

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means located within said housing and separable with said cartridge from said device, said tape engaging means forming a loop of said tape within said housing and including movable hollow means within which said drum extends upon mounting of said cartridge on said device, said hollow means being selectively disposable in a first position, in which said hollow means is operative to support and maintain said tape loop out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said hollow means releases the tape loop for engagement about the drum extending therein, said hollow means including at least one cylindrical member open at an end to permit said drum to extend therein when said housing is mounted on said device, said cylindrical member being movable between said first and second positions in which said tape loop extends around the outer surface of said cylindrical member and in which said tape loop extends within said cylindrical member, respectively.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 3, in which said cylindrical member is rotatable between said first and second positions.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 4, in which said hollow means includes another cylindrical member coaxially rotatable in relation to said one cylindrical member between said first and second positions and being spaced axially from said one cylindrical member so that said tape loop also extends around the outer surface of said other cylindrical member in said first position of the latter and extends within said other cylindrical member in said second position of the latter.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 5, in which said one cylindrical member and said other cylindrical member are counterrotatable within a cylindrical wall having axially spaced entrance and exit slots through which the tape passes to cause said tape loop to form a helical turn within said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical members have parallel helical edges at their adjacent ends and axial slots opening at said end edges and each having long and short edges at the opposite sides of the slot so that the long side edges of said slots in the cylindrical members radially strip the tape loop from said drum during movement of said cylindrical members from their second positions to said first positions thereof.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 5, further comprising means to permit mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of said cartridge from the latter only with said cylindrical members in said first positions thereof.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 7, further comprising locking means to prevent rotation of said cylindrical members upon removal of said cartridge from said device, and releasing means on said device operative To release said locking means in response to mounting of said cartridge on said device.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 8, in which said tape extends between rotatable supply and takeup reels, and further comprising brake means to prevent rotation of said reels, and means on said device to release said brake means in response to mounting of said cartridge on said device.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 8, in which said device further includes drive means for said tape and said rotary head, and means to prevent operation of said drive means except when said cylindrical members are disposed in said second positions thereof.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 8, in which said device has an operation selecting control movable to a plurality of positions including a stop position, and means actuable with said control to render said releasing means effective to release said locking means only when said control is in said stop position thereof.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 11, in which said means actuable with said control is further operative to permit mounting of said cartridge on said device only when said control is in said stop position.

Claim 15

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, and means to permit mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of said cartridge from the latter only when said tape engaging means is operative to withdraw the tape from said drum.

Claim 16

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, and means to permit mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of said cartridge from the latter only when said tape engaging means is operative to withdraw the tape from said drum.

Claim 17

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, locking means to prevent change in the position of said tape engaging means upon removal of said cartridge from said device, and releasing means on said device operative to release said locking means in response to mounting of said cartridge on said device.

Claim 18

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, locking means to prevent change in the position of said tape engaging means upon removal of said cartridge from said device, and releasing means on said device operative to release said locking means in response to mounting of said cartridge on said device.

Claim 19

The combination according to claim 14, in which said device has an operation selecting control movable to a plurality of positions including a stop position, and means actuable with said control to render said releasing means effective to release said locking means only when said control is in said stop position thereof.

Claim 20

The combination according to claim 15, in which said means actuable with said control is further operative to permit mounting of said cartridge on said device only when said control is in said stop position.

Claim 21

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing rotatable supply and takeup reels between which a magnetic tape extends, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drUm during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, brake means to prevent rotation of said reels, and means on said device to release said brake means in response to mounting of said cartridge on said device.

Claim 22

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing rotatable supply and takeup reels between which a magnetic tape extends, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drUm during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, brake means to prevent rotation of said reels, and means on said device to release said brake means in response to mounting of said cartridge on said device.

Claim 23

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, drive means for said tape and said rotary head, and means to prevent operation of said drive means except when said tape engaging means is in said second position thereof.

Claim 24

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, drive means for said tape and said rotary head, and means to prevent operation of said drive means except when said tape engaging means is in said second position thereof.

Claim 25

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, drive means for said tape and rotary head, latching means for securing said cartridge on said device, and means to permit operation of said drive means only when said latching means secures said cartridge on said device.

Claim 26

In combination with a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device having a tape guide drum and a rotary magnetic head for recording and reproducing signals on a tape wrapped about said drum, a magnetic tape cartridge separable from said device and including a housing containing a magnetic tape, and tape engaging means selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape out of contact with said drum during mounting of said cartridge on said device and removal of the cartridge therefrom, and a second position, in which said means are operative to engage said tape with said drum in wrapped relation to the latter, drive means for said tape and rotary head, latching means for securing said cartridge on said device, and means to permit operation of said drive means only when said latching means secures said cartridge on said device.

Claim 27

A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a housing containing rotatable reel means, a magnetic tape wound on said reel means and having a run free of said reel means, tape engaging means within said housing defining a cavity therein opening from said housing and adapted to receive a rotary magnetic head, said tape engaging means forming a loop in said run of the tape and including means within said cavity selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape loop against the surface of said cavity, and in a second position, in which said means release said tape loop to free the latter from said surface of the cavity and permit engagement of the tape loop by a rotary magnetic head extending into said cavity.

Claim 28

A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a housing containing rotatable reel means, a magnetic tape wound on said reel means and having a run free of said reel means, tape engaging means within said housing defining a cavity therein opening from said housing and adapted to receive a rotary magnetic head, said tape engaging means forming a loop in said run of the tape and including means within said cavity selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape loop against the surface of said cavity, and in a second position, in which said means release said tape loop to free the latter from said surface of the cavity and permit engagement of the tape loop by a rotary magnetic head extending into said cavity.

Claim 29

A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a housing containing rotatable reel means, a magnetic tape wound on said reel means and having a run free of said reel means, tape engaging means defining a cavity opening from said housing and adapted to receive a rotary magnetic head, said tape engaging means forming a loop in said run of the tape and including means within said cavity selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape loop against the surface of said cavity, and in a second position, in which said means release said tape loop so as to be engageable by a rotary magnetic head extending into said cavity, said tape engaging means including a cylindrical wall defining said cavity and having axially spaced slots through which said tape run enters and leaves said cavity so that said tape loop constitutes a helical turn, and said selectively disposable means including at least one cylindrical member turnable within said cylindrical wall with clearance therebetween, said cylindrical member having an open end with a helical edge and an axial slot opening at said edge, said tape loop extending around said cylIndrical member in said first position and being released by said cylindrical member to extend within the latter in said second position of the cylindrical member.

Claim 30

A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a housing containing rotatable reel means, a magnetic tape wound on said reel means and having a run free of said reel means, tape engaging means defining a cavity opening from said housing and adapted to receive a rotary magnetic head, said tape engaging means forming a loop in said run of the tape and including means within said cavity selectively disposable in a first position, in which said means are operative to hold said tape loop against the surface of said cavity, and in a second position, in which said means release said tape loop so as to be engageable by a rotary magnetic head extending into said cavity, said tape engaging means including a cylindrical wall defining said cavity and having axially spaced slots through which said tape run enters and leaves said cavity so that said tape loop constitutes a helical turn, and said selectively disposable means including at least one cylindrical member turnable within said cylindrical wall with clearance therebetween, said cylindrical member having an open end with a helical edge and an axial slot opening at said edge, said tape loop extending around said cylIndrical member in said first position and being released by said cylindrical member to extend within the latter in said second position of the cylindrical member.

Claim 31

A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 21, in which said tape engaging means further includes another cylindrical member coaxially rotatable in relation to said one cylindrical member between said first and second positions and being spaced axially from said one cylindrical member so that said tape loop also extends around the outer surface of said other cylindrical member in said first position of the latter and extends within said other cylindrical member in said second position of the latter.