Abstract A self-threading magnetic tape transport and dust-tight tape magazine for use therewith. When the magazine is in place on the transport, a locking hub/turntable breaks the dust seal and permits the enclosed tape reel to rotate freely within the magazine. Upon giving the load command, an automatic threading procedure is initiated that opens an access door in the magazine, inserts a puck drive wheel to drive the stiff leader on the end of the tape past a stripper arm into a threading path. A spirally grooved sleeve threads the leader around the helical scan assembly. After passing the scanner, the puck is withdrawn and the leader is driven by the capstan. A set of guide arms directs the leader around the slowly rotating take up reel where it is cinched up by friction to complete the automatic threading. Tape cannot leave the magazine if the magazine is improperly installed by the operator due to the configuration of the magazine and transport top cover in conjunction with guide finders and interlocks.
A self-threading tape transport comprising a locking hub/turntable assembly for holding a removable tape magazine, means for confirming the presence and proper locking of a tape magazine, means for leading out the tape leader from a tape magazine held by said locking hub/turntable assembly, a helical scanner assembly, means for guiding said tape leader to said helical scanner assembly, a tape guiding sleeve encircling said scanner assembly for guiding said tape leader in a predetermined path around said assembly, a take-up tape reel, means for guiding the tape leader from said scanner assembly to said take-up reel, and wherein said locking hub/turntable assembly comprises a base member having a flared turntable portion for fitting within and engaging one side of a tape reel, a sliding member slidably held by said base member, spring means for biasing said members apart, a slightly deformable spring member held by said base member, a locking lever mechanism including a lever pivoted from said base member and having a cam operating against said deformable spring member for forcing said sliding member toward said base member and for locking said sliding member and base member together, a pair of laterally extending fingers slidably held in said sliding member and spring biased inward, and a camming surface in contact with said fingers for extending said fingers when said sliding member is forced toward said base member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A self-threading tape transport comprising a locking hub/turntable assembly for holding a removable tape magazine, means for confirming the presence and proper locking of a tape magazine, means for leading out the tape leader from a tape magazine held by said locking hub/turntable assembly, a helical scanner assembly, means for guiding said tape leader to said helical scanner assembly, a tape guiding sleeve encircling said scanner assembly for guiding said tape leader in a predetermined path around said assembly, a take-up tape reel, means for guiding the tape leader from said scanner assembly to said take-up reel, and wherein said locking hub/turntable assembly comprises a base member having a flared turntable portion for fitting within and engaging one side of a tape reel, a sliding member slidably held by said base member, spring means for biasing said members apart, a slightly deformable spring member held by said base member, a locking lever mechanism including a lever pivoted from said base member and having a cam operating against said deformable spring member for forcing said sliding member toward said base member and for locking said sliding member and base member together, a pair of laterally extending fingers slidably held in said sliding member and spring biased inward, and a camming surface in contact with said fingers for extending said fingers when said sliding member is forced toward said base member.