Two-track bidirectional cassette head for data handling apparatus

Claim 1

A two track bidirectional magnetic head for writing, erasing and reading out information on a first track of a magnetic support in motion in a first direction with respect to said head, and on a second track parallel to said first track of said magnetic support in motion in a second opposite direction, comprising: a first write-erase transducer and a first read-out transducer for operating on said first track, respectively provided with a first write-erase gap and a first read-out gap, arranged in transverse relationship to said tracks, a second write-erase transducer and a second read-out transducer for operating on said second track, respectively provided with a second write-erase gap and a second read-out gap, arranged in transverse relation to said tracks, and magnetic shields to prevent interaction between said transducers, wherein the shields encompassing each reading transducer are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the width of the gap of the write-erase transducer operating on the same track, wherein the first write erase gap is aligned with the second read-out gap, said second write-erase gap is aligned with said first read-out gap, non-magnetic structural means for enclosing and supporting said transducers and said shields, including two mutually identical external supporting members, and two mutually identical internal supporting members arranged symmetrically with respect to a central plane for holding said transducers and said shields in a centrally symmetrical pattern around a central axis contained in said central plane.