Means for recording multi-bit character data

Claim 1

A recording means for recording multi-bit character data on tape at a given character-per-second rate and playing back such data at the same or a different character-per-second rate comprising: a write head and a read head; a rotatable capstan shaft against which tape is pressed, the rotation of the capstan shaft serving to advance the tape past the write head and read head; a continuously rotated flywheel supported coaxially about said capstan shaft, said flywheel having, at one end thereof, a reduced diameter shoulder portion coaxial with said capstan shaft; a drive collar affixed to said capstan shaft and having a reduced diameter shoulder portion coaxial with said capstan shaft, said flywheel shoulder and drive collar shoulder being of substantially the same diameter and adjacent each other; a coiled spring coaxially received about said capstan shoulder and said drive collar shoulder, the normal internal diameter of the spring being slightly smaller than the external diameter of said flywheel shoulder and said drive collar shoulder, the direCtion of rotation of said flywheel tending to tighten said spring about said flywheel shoulder and said drive collar shoulder, said spring having a radially extending tang at the end thereof received on said flywheel shoulder; a tubular ratchet member coaxially received about and externally of said spring, the interior diameter of said ratchet member being slightly larger than the external diameter of said spring, said ratchet member having a slot therein receiving said tang of said spring whereby said spring and said ratchet member are rotationally interlocked; a ratchet release bar movably supported adjacent said ratchet member and movable between a first and a second position, and arranged such that in said first position said release bar engages said ratchet member preventing the rotation thereof and causing said spring to tend to unwind to thereby decouple said flywheel from said drive collar, and in said second position said release bar is removed from said ratchet member and permits the rotation of said ratchet member; means of moving said ratchet release bar from said first to said second position for a uniform preselected time duration coincident with the receipt of each data character on said write head whereby the data character is recorded on the tape as the tape is incrementally advanced; means of rewinding the tape; and means of moving and holding said ratchet release bar from said first to said second position for continuously advancing the tape having data recorded thereon past said read head.