US3754723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-threading means for tape
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-12
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1991-07-12
Abstract
Abstract Magnetic recording tape is stored on a reel coaxial with a takeup reel both of which are canted at a small angle relative to a work plane in which a magnetic recording transducer is arranged. The tape passes through vacuum storage columns, over air bearings, past the recording transducer and over a drive capstan between the storage reel and the takeup reel. The twist of the tape between the plane of the reels and the work plane is accomplished in the vacuum columns. In order to self-thread the leading end of a tape through such a path, jets of air guide the tape. At a sharp turn and location of tape twist during selfthreading, a plurality of spaced apart gas jets are focused at a point near the end of the turn for guiding the tape.
Inventors
- 👤 J Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:39
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/60; G11B15/66; G11B15/67; G11B15/671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Means for guiding a compliant tape around a turn comprising: means for forming a first gas jet directed from a region adjacent the beginning of the turn towards a region adjacent the end of the turn; and means for forming a second gas jet spaced apart from the means for forming the first gas jet substantially within the plane including the direction of tape travel in the region adjacent the beginning of the turn and for directing the second gas jet towards the region adjacent the end of the turn so as to converge with the first gas get in the region adjacent the end of the turn, both of said means for forming gas jets being directed towards the same face of a tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Means for guiding a compliant tape around a turn comprising: means for forming a first gas jet directed from a region adjacent the beginning of the turn towards a region adjacent the end of the turn; and means for forming a second gas jet spaced apart from the means for forming the first gas jet substantially within the plane including the direction of tape travel in the region adjacent the beginning of the turn and for directing the second gas jet towards the region adjacent the end of the turn so as to converge with the first gas get in the region adjacent the end of the turn, both of said means for forming gas jets being directed towards the same face of a tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 further comprising: means for forming a third gas jet spaced apart from the means for forming the first and second gas jets respectively, substantially in the plane including the path of travel of the tape and for directing the third gas jet from a region adjacent the beginning of the turn towards a region adjacent the end of the turn and converging with the first and second gas jets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the means for forming a gas jet comprises means for forming a pair of parallel gas streams, one on each side of the centerline of the tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
In an apparatus for pneumatically threading a compliant tape having a plurality of gas jets for directing an end of the tape along a desired path, improved means for directing the leading end of the tape around a turn comprising: a plurality of spaced apart gas holes on one side of the tape path at least a portion of the holes having their respective axes converging from a region adjacent the beginning of the turn towards a region adjacent the end of the turn so that gas jets therefrom converge; and means for applying gas pressure to said gas holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
In an apparatus for pneumatically threading a compliant tape having a plurality of gas jets for directing an end of the tape along a desired path, improved means for directing the leading end of the tape around a turn comprising: a plurality of spaced apart gas holes on one side of the tape path at least a portion of the holes having their respective axes converging from a region adjacent the beginning of the turn towards a region adjacent the end of the turn so that gas jets therefrom converge; and means for applying gas pressure to said gas holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
In an improved apparatus as defined in claim 4 a combination having at least three gas holes haVing their respective axes converging towards a substantially common focus and wherein at least some of the holes are directed upwardly so that gas jets therefrom lift the leading end of the tape against gravity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 5 wherein the gas holes are in parallel pairs for forming a pair of parallel gas streams from each pair of gas holes, one of said parallel gas streams being on each side of the centerline of the tape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a magnetic tape transport having a magnetic transducer, means for transporting magnetic tape adjacent the transducer in a work plane, and a pair of coaxial tape reels parallel to a plane canted relative to the work plane by a small angle, an improved means for pneumatically threading a tape end from the plane of one of the reels to the work plane comprising: a plurality of spaced apart gas holes on one side of the tape path having their respective axes parallel to the work plane and converging from a region adjacent the beginning of the transition from the tape reel plane to the work plane towards a region adjacent the end of the transition; and means for applying gas pressure to the gas holes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a magnetic tape transport having a magnetic transducer, means for transporting magnetic tape adjacent the transducer in a work plane, and a pair of coaxial tape reels parallel to a plane canted relative to the work plane by a small angle, an improved means for pneumatically threading a tape end from the plane of one of the reels to the work plane comprising: a plurality of spaced apart gas holes on one side of the tape path having their respective axes parallel to the work plane and converging from a region adjacent the beginning of the transition from the tape reel plane to the work plane towards a region adjacent the end of the transition; and means for applying gas pressure to the gas holes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an improved magnetic tape transport as defined in Claim 7 a combination having at least three gas holes having their respective axes converging towards a substantially common focus and wherein at least some of the holes are directed upwardly so that gas gas jets therefrom lift the leading end of the tape against gravity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in Claim 8 wherein the gas holes are in parallel pairs for forming a pair of parallel gas streams from each pair of gas holes, one of said parallel gas streams being on each side of the centerline of the tape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |