Endless tape loop storage apparatus

Claim 2

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and delivering air at a velocity substantially exceeding the velocity of the tape and thereby moving the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and the respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and thereby causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the generally central region of the receptacle; and (c) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate in the region(s) thereof overlying and underlying the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus influencing the direction and velocity of air flow inside the receptacle to maintain the bulk of the stored tape concentrated in said generally central region.

Claim 3

An endless tape loop storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said high velocity, low volume jet delivery means delivers air at a velocity of about thirty feet per second.

Claim 4

An endless tape loop storage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of the jet orifice of each said high velocity, low volume jet delivery means is about 0.002 square inch.

Claim 5

In a tape storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, a tape storage receptacle further comprising: (d) two relatively high volume, low velocity jet delivery means placed approximately equidistant from and in spaced relation to the exit slot of the apparatus, and each arranged to direct its air stream into the receptacle in a direction generally toward the portion of the tape being withdrawn through the exit slot for the purpose of causing that portion of the tape to writhe back and forth in directions generally perpendicular to its direction of movement out of the exit slot, and for the purpose of tensioning the tape during its withdrawal through the exit slot.

Claim 6

In a tape storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage apparatus further comprises idler rollers placed adjacent the exit slot and at one rear corner and at the contiguous front corner externally of the receptacle, with the endless loop of tape being led past said rollers and to the capstan drive means of drive mechanism situated at the front end of the storage apparatus, the capstan drive means of the tape transport deck being the sole tape moving element externally of the tape storage receptacle and maintaining tension on that portion of the tape loop between the idler roller at the exit slot and the drive capstan of the tape drive mechanism.

Claim 7

In a tape storage apparatus according to claim 4, a tape storage receptacle wherein portions of the air jets directed into the receptacle by the jet means disposed at opposite sides of the tape being withdrawn from the exit slot flow in a direction generally opposite to the direction or movement of the tape being withdrawn from the exit slot, to avoid bunching of the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle area immediately inside the exit slot and to aid in maintaining the folds of tape on edge and closely packed in the central portion of the receptacle.

Claim 8

In combination with a tape storage apparatus according to claim 1, capstan drive means for withdrawing tape from the receptacle and through the transport deck at a speed of at least about 240 inches per second, and an information tape which is magnetic tape one-quarter inch in width and at least about 1200 feet in length.

Claim 9

A tape storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said low velocity air jet delivery means adjacent the exit slot comprise jet delivery orifices, each delivering an air jet at a velocity of about 3 feet per second.

Claim 10

An endless tape loop storage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional area of the jet orifice of each said low velocity, air jet delivery means is about 0.375 square inch.

Claim 11

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and the respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; and (c) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate in the region(s) thereof adjacent the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus influencing the direction and pressure of air flow inside the receptacle; said high velocity air jet delivery means comprising jet delivery orifices adjacent the entrance slot, each with a cross-sectional area of about 0.002 square inch, delivering an air jet at a velocity of about 30 feet per second, and said low velocity air jet delivery means adjacent the entrance slot and situated laterally outwardly of said high velocity air jet delivering means, said low velocity air jet delivery means including two jet delivery orifices, each with a cross-sectional area of about 0.5 square inch, delivering an air jet at a velocity of about 5 feet per second.

Claim 12

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and the respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; and (c) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate in the region(s) thereof adjacent the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus influencing the direction and pressure of air flow inside the receptacle; said high velocity air jet delivery means comprising jet delivery orifices adjacent the entrance slot, each with a cross-sectional area of about 0.002 square inch, delivering an air jet at a velocity of about 30 feet per second, and said low velocity air jet delivery means adjacent the entrance slot and situated laterally outwardly of said high velocity air jet delivering means, said low velocity air jet delivery means including two jet delivery orifices, each with a cross-sectional area of about 0.5 square inch, delivering an air jet at a velocity of about 5 feet per second.

Claim 13

A tape storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said low velocity air jet delivery means adjacent the exit slot comprise laterally opposed jet delivery orifices, each directed toward the tape leading to the exit slot and each having a cross-sectional area of about 0.375 square inch delivering an air jet at a velocity of about three feet per second.

Claim 14

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high volume, low velocity jet delivery means placed approximately equidistant from and in spaced relation to the exit slot of the apparatus, and each arranged to direct an air stream into the receptacle in a direction generally toward the portion of the tape being withdrawn through the exit slot for the purpose of causing that portion of the tape to writhe back and forth in directions laterally of its direction of movement out of the exit slot, and for the purpose of straightening and tensioning the tape during its withdrawal through the exit slot; and (b) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate laterally across the generally central region(s) thereof, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus laterally distributing the flow of air into the receptacle counter to the flow of tape therefrom; said low velocity air jet delivery means adjacent the exit slot comprising jet delivery orifices, each with a cross-sectional area of about 0.375 square inch, delivering an air jet at a velocity of about three feet per second.

Claim 15

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high volume, low velocity jet delivery means placed approximately equidistant from and in spaced relation to the exit slot of the apparatus, and each arranged to direct an air stream into the receptacle in a direction generally toward the portion of the tape being withdrawn through the exit slot for the purpose of causing that portion of the tape to writhe back and forth in directions laterally of its direction of movement out of the exit slot, and for the purpose of straightening and tensioning the tape during its withdrawal through the exit slot; and (b) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate laterally across the generally central region(s) thereof, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus laterally distributing the flow of air into the receptacle counter to the flow of tape therefrom; said low velocity air jet delivery means adjacent the exit slot comprising jet delivery orifices, each with a cross-sectional area of about 0.375 square inch, delivering an air jet at a velocity of about three feet per second.

Claim 16

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and the respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; (c) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate in the region(s) thereof adjacent the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus influencing the direction and pressure of air flow inside the receptacle; and (d) said side walls comprising laterally movable wall portions extending from said front wall to locations about two-thirds the distance from the front wall to said rear wall in diverging relation toward the rear wall, and further side wall portions converging toward the rear wall and extending generally toward said exit slot.

Claim 17

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and the respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; (c) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate in the region(s) thereof adjacent the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus influencing the direction and pressure of air flow inside the receptacle; and (d) said side walls comprising laterally movable wall portions extending from said front wall to locations about two-thirds the distance from the front wall to said rear wall in diverging relation toward the rear wall, and further side wall portions converging toward the rear wall and extending generally toward said exit slot.

Claim 18

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and the respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; (c) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate in the region(s) thereof adjacent the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus influencing the direction and pressure of air flow inside the receptacle; and (d) hinge means along one side of said top plate, enabling upward opening thereof, and air retaining seals along said side walls to prevent air from exiting around said side walls when the top plate is in closed position.

Claim 19

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and the respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; (c) a plurality of air exhaust apertures in at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate in the region(s) thereof adjacent the serpentine folds of the tape in the receptacle, and through which air can exhaust freely, thus influencing the direction and pressure of air flow inside the receptacle; and (d) hinge means along one side of said top plate, enabling upward opening thereof, and air retaining seals along said side walls to prevent air from exiting around said side walls when the top plate is in closed position.

Claim 20

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; and (c) a tape storage receptacle wherein the side walls laterally defining said receptacle comprise laterally movable wall portions extending from the front wall to locations about two-thirds the distance from the front wall to the rear wall in diverging relation toward the rear wall, and further side wall portions converging toward the rear wall and extending generally toward said exit slot.

Claim 21

In an endless tape loop storage apparatus of the type having a generally horizontally disposed storage receptacle for tape being driven by and returned to a tape drive mechanism, such as for storing a loop of magnetic tape or the like when driven at high speed by the capstan drive means of a conventional audio tape recorder transport deck or the like, and wherein such storage receptacle is defined by a generally horizontal top plate, a generally horizontal bottom plate, a front wall defining an entrance slot through which the tape passes from the drive mechanism into the receptacle, a rear wall defining an exit slot through which the tape emerges from the receptacle for return thereof to the drive mechanism, and two side walls, with air jet delivery means being associated with said entrance and exit slots and directed to assist the flow of the tape into and out of the receptacle, the improvement comprising: (a) two relatively high velocity, low volume air jet delivery means closely spaced at opposite sides of said entrance slot and directed into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall and effective to move the tape through said entrance slot and into the receptacle at high speed without mechanical contact therewith; (b) two relatively low velocity, high volume air jet delivery means situated adjacent said front wall and placed approximately equidistant between the entrance slot and respective side walls, and directing air streams into the receptacle in a direction generally away from the front wall for the purpose of causing the tape entering the receptacle to become arranged in long serpentine folds on edge in the receptacle; and (c) a tape storage receptacle wherein the side walls laterally defining said receptacle comprise laterally movable wall portions extending from the front wall to locations about two-thirds the distance from the front wall to the rear wall in diverging relation toward the rear wall, and further side wall portions converging toward the rear wall and extending generally toward said exit slot.