Magnetic tape apparatus

Claim 1

Magnetic tape apparatus comprising, a magnetic tape magazine having takeup and supply reels engaged by the tape, guide means included in said magazine for the length of the tape extending between the reels, first and second tape driving means disposed adjacent said magazine for selectively driving said tape in respectively forward and reverse directions, means for selectively causing said first and second dirving means to actively engage said tape, third driving means for said takeup reel, fourth driving means for said supply reel, said third and fourth driving means having concurrent frictional driving engagement with said respective reels the frictional forces of said third and fourth driving means being substantially equal and opposite whereby tension is continuously maintained in said length of tape extending between said reels, said means for engaging said first and second tape driving means including shuttle bar means, movement of said shuttle bar means in one direction causing the concurrent engagement of one of said first and second driving means with said tape and the disengagement of the other driving means and movement of said shuttle bar means in the other direction causing engagement of the other driving means and disengagement of the one driving means from said tape.