Web handling apparatus

Claim 2

In a recorder-reproducer system including a base member with a surface on which is mounted transport means for providing guided movement of a flexible recording web past a signal transducer to define an operating path for said web, said transport means being disposed on one side of a given plane, with said system further including means coupled to said base member adapted for holding a storage means which includes said flexible recording web, a device for automatically disposing said recording web for operation along said operating path comprising: web engaging means arranged to engage said web in said storage means, means coupled to said web engaging means for movement of said engaging means to withdraw a portion of said web from said storage means and to form said withdrawn portion into a shape on a second side of said given plane which approximates the shape of said operating path, and means for relatively moving said shape web toward said base surface to place said transport means and said web in cooperating relation on the same side of said given plane.

Claim 3

In a recorder-reproducer system, a device for automatically disposing a recording web for operating along a given operating path, comprising: a base member having a surface with a plurality of web transport means secured to said base surface in spaced relation to define said given operating path; first means mounted on said base member adapted for holding a storage means which includes a recording web; web engaging means mounted on said base member for movement between a first position in which said web engaging means is adjacent said first means and a second position in which said web engaging means is adjacent the limits of said given operating path; means for moving said web engaging means and said first means relative to each other to a position where said web engaging means, when in said first position is disposed to engage said web when present on said first mean; means for moving said web engaging means to said second position so that a web when present on said first means is extended to be adjacent said operating path; and means for relatively moving at least one of said web engaging means and said first means and said first means with respect to said web transport means to bring a web when present in said extended condition toward said base surface into cooperating relationship with said transport means.

Claim 4

In a recorder-reproducer system, a device for automatically disposing a recording web for operating along a given operating path, comprising: a base member having a surface with a plurality of web transport means secured to said base surface in spaced relation to define said given operating path; first means mounted on said base member adapted for holding a storage means which includes a recording web; web engaging means mounted on said base member for movement between a first position in which said web engaging means is adjacent said first means and a second position in which said web engaging means is adjacent the limits of said given operating path; means for moving said web engaging means and said first means relative to each other to a position where said web engaging means, when in said first position is disposed to engage said web when present on said first mean; means for moving said web engaging means to said second position so that a web when present on said first means is extended to be adjacent said operating path; and means for relatively moving at least one of said web engaging means and said first means and said first means with respect to said web transport means to bring a web when present in said extended condition toward said base surface into cooperating relationship with said transport means.

Claim 5

In a system as claimed in claim 2, and further including means for opposing pay out of a web from said web storage means, thereby maintaining tension on said web as it is extended.

Claim 6

In a system claimed in claim 2, and wherein said web is a magnetic tape, said transport means including a quadruplex magnetic headwheel assembly including a headwheel and a guide shoe, said last-mentioned moving means operating to insert said tape toward said base member between said headwheel and said shoe, and a control unit operatively coupled to said moving means for the operation thereof in a controlled sequence.

Claim 7

In a recorder-reproducer system, a device for automatically disposing a recording web for operating along a given operating path, comprising: a base member having a surface with a plurality of web transport means secured to said base surface in spaced relation to define said given operating path; a frame member mounted on said base member, said frame member having a pair of reels rotatably mounted thereon, with said recording web wound between said reels; at least two pins adapted to engage said web, said pins being mounted on said base member for movement between a first position in which said pins are close together and adjacent said web and a second position in which said pins are located adjacent the limits of said given operating path; means for moving said pins and said frame member relative to each other to a position where said pins, when in their first position are between said web and said reels; means for moving said pins to the second position thereof whereby said web is extended to be adjacent said operating path; and means for relatively moving at least one of said frame member and toward said base surface to bring said web when in said extended condition into cooperating relationship with said transport means.

Claim 8

In a recorder-reproducer system, a device for automatically disposing a recording web for operating along a given operating path, comprising: a base member having a surface with a plurality of web transport means secured to said base surface in spaced relation to define said given operating path; a frame member mounted on said base member, said frame member having a pair of reels rotatably mounted thereon, with said recording web wound between said reels; at least two pins adapted to engage said web, said pins being mounted on said base member for movement between a first position in which said pins are close together and adjacent said web and a second position in which said pins are located adjacent the limits of said given operating path; means for moving said pins and said frame member relative to each other to a position where said pins, when in their first position are between said web and said reels; means for moving said pins to the second position thereof whereby said web is extended to be adjacent said operating path; and means for relatively moving at least one of said frame member and toward said base surface to bring said web when in said extended condition into cooperating relationship with said transport means.

Claim 9

In a system as claimed in claim 5, wherein; at least some of said web transport means include a portion shaped for directing said web toward said base surface to a working surface of said transport means which is adapted to cooperate with said recording web.

Claim 10

In a system as claimed in claim 5, and further including; means coupled to said pair of reels for opposing payout of said web from one of said reels and for preventing pay of said web from the other of said reels.

Claim 11

In a system as claimed in claim 5, and wherein said web is a magnetic tape and said web transport means includes a quadruplex magnetic headwheel assembly including a magnetic headwheel and a guide shoe, said last-mentioned moving means operating to move said tape toward said base member and between said headwheel and said guide shoe.

Claim 12

In a system as claimed in claim 5, and wherein said moving means are all operated from a common control sequence.