Erasure prevention control for magnetic tape reels having a safety ring to prevent insertion of a file protect ring

Claim 2

In a magnetic tape reel of the type comprising a central opening for receiving a spindle, an annular channel defined by smooth generally circular sidewalls concentric with the opening and a smooth bottom wall generally perpendicular to the sidewalls for receiving a switch actuator having a path of movement betweeN a switch actuating position generally flush with the reel side and a switch non-actuating position in the channel and for gripping a file protect ring for positioning the switch actuator in the switch actuating position, the improvement comprising means, gripped by the smooth channel walls and positioned in the channel for preventing insertion of the file protect ring in the channel and providing an annular groove for receiving the switch actuator in the switch non-actuating position.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein the receiving means defines an annular recess for accommodating the switch actuator.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein the preventing means comprises an annular ring removably received in the channel.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 3 wherein the ring includes means for wedging the ring in the channel.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 wherein the ring, in the thickness direction, is rigid.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 3 wherein the ring is of a first thickness adjacent one diameter thereof and a lesser thickness adjacent the other diameter thereof.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 6 wherein the first thickness is adjacent the inner diameter.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 7 wherein the ring is generally L-shaped in cross section.

Claim 10

An arrangement for preventing erasure of information encoded on magnetic tape stored on a reel of the type having an opening therethrough for receiving a spindle, an annular channel defined by smooth generally circular sidewalls concentric with the opening and a smooth bottom wall generally perpendicular to the sidewalls for receiving a switch actuator having a path of movement between a switch non-actuating position in the channel and a switch actuating position and for gripping a readily removable file protect ring filling a substantial part of the channel for positioning the actuator in the switch actuating position, the arrangement comprising an annular safety ring, grippable by the smooth channel walls and positioned in the channel, having a maximum thickness adjacent the inner diameter thereof for preventing insertion of the file protect ring in the channel and of a lesser thickness adjacent the outer diameter thereof for accommodating the switch actuator in the switch non-actuating position, the portion of lesser thickness comprising a major part of the radial dimension of the ring.

Claim 11

An arrangement for preventing erasure of information encoded on magnetic tape stored on a reel of the type having an opening therethrough for receiving a spindle, an annular channel defined by smooth generally circular sidewalls concentric with the opening and a smooth bottom wall generally perpendicular to the sidewalls for receiving a switch actuator having a path of movement between a switch non-actuating position in the channel and a switch actuating position and for gripping a readily removable file protect ring filling a substantial part of the channel for positioning the actuator in the switch actuating position, the arrangement comprising an annular safety ring, grippable by the smooth channel walls and positioned in the channel, having a maximum thickness adjacent the inner diameter thereof for preventing insertion of the file protect ring in the channel and of a lesser thickness adjacent the outer diameter thereof for accommodating the switch actuator in the switch non-actuating position, the portion of lesser thickness comprising a major part of the radial dimension of the ring.

Claim 12

In combination, a magnetic tape reel comprising a central opening for receiving a spindle, an annular channel defined by smooth generally circular sidewalls concentric with the opening and a smooth bottom wall generally perpendicular to the sidewalls for receiving a switch actuator having a path of movement between a switch actuating position generally flush with the reel side and a switch non-actuating position in the channel and for receiving a file protect ring for positioning the switch actuator in the switch actuating position; a magnetic tape encoding device including a spindle for receiving a magnetic tape reel, means for erasing and/or recording information on a magnetic tape, switch means for energizing the erasing and/or recording means including a switch actuator having a path of movement between the switch actuating position and the switch non-actuating position; the improvement comprising means, gripped by the smooth channel walls and positioned in the channel, for preventing insertion of the file protect ring in the channel and providing an annular groove for receiving the switch actuator in the switch non-actuating position.

Claim 13

In combination, a magnetic tape reel comprising a central opening for receiving a spindle, an annular channel defined by smooth generally circular sidewalls concentric with the opening and a smooth bottom wall generally perpendicular to the sidewalls for receiving a switch actuator having a path of movement between a switch actuating position generally flush with the reel side and a switch non-actuating position in the channel and for receiving a file protect ring for positioning the switch actuator in the switch actuating position; a magnetic tape encoding device including a spindle for receiving a magnetic tape reel, means for erasing and/or recording information on a magnetic tape, switch means for energizing the erasing and/or recording means including a switch actuator having a path of movement between the switch actuating position and the switch non-actuating position; the improvement comprising means, gripped by the smooth channel walls and positioned in the channel, for preventing insertion of the file protect ring in the channel and providing an annular groove for receiving the switch actuator in the switch non-actuating position.