Apparatus for copying magnetic tapes

Claim 1

Apparatus for copying magnetic signals recorded on a master magnetic tape to a copy magnetic tape comprising a first roll; a second roll, at least one of said first and said second rolls having a resilient surface; said second roll being in rolling contact with said first roll whereby a nip is formed between said first and said second rolls; means to draw a master tape over said first roll and through said nip so that said master tape has its magnetic coating facing said second roll; means to pass a copy magnetic tape through said nip disposed so that the magnetic coating of said copy tape is in contact with and in stationary relationship to the magnetic coating of said master tape in said nip; a stationary hEating block having a concave surface generally conforming to a portion of the surface of said first roll and a surface convex perpendicular to the direction of travel of said copy tape opposite said concave surface, arranged so that said concave surface is in spaced relationship from master tape passing over said first roll and said convex surface intersects said concave surface adjacent the said nip; movable roll means adapted and arranged to urge the magnetic coating of the copy tape, in cooperation with said nip, into sliding contact with said heating block, prior to entry into the said nip, whereby the area of said convex surface in contact with said tape can be varied by movement of said movable roll means; and means to supply heat to said heating block in an mount sufficient to heat the magnetic coating of said copy tape to a temperature sufficiently above the Curie temperature so that the temperature of the magnetic coating remains above the Curie temperature until it contacts the master tape but falls below the Curie temperature while the copy tape is in the said nip.