Patent · US Expired

Magnetic tape cartridge having leader block latch mechanism

US5232180A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 10, 1992
Grant dateAug 3, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 10, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B23/107
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The improved magnetic tape cartridge includes a leader block latch mechanism that includes an arm pivotally connected to the magnetic tape cartridge housing. A first end of the latch arm is accessible to the tape drive via an aperture in the magnetic tape cartridge housing and engagable with a feature on the leader block. The latch arm is normally in a first position where the first end of the latch arm engages a feature on the leader block to prevent its withdrawal from the magnetic tape cartridge housing. A spring biases the latch arm in the first position to maintain the leader block locked status as the preferred state. The tape drive uses a leader block latch release pin which enters the magnetic tape cartridge through an aperture in the housing to reposition the latch arm to a second position where the leader block is free to exit the magnetic tape cartridge housing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.