Method and apparatus for increased mechanical stability of a tape and cartridge
US5881960A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/32
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A cartridge position fixing arrangement within a tape drive reduces vibration of the cartridge by fixing the vertical positioning of the tape reel axles between top mounted retaining springs pressing directly onto the cartridge above the reel axles in opposition to the tape drive motors engaging lower ends of the reel axles for rotating the axles. Each hub axle is journaled with a relatively high force at a bearing that may be formed in the upper wall of the cartridge. A reel axle locking arrangement is provided which, when the cartridge is unloaded from the tape drive, locks the position of each reel axle and centers each reel axle properly for future engagement with motor spindles of the tape drive. In one embodiment, a planar engagement between each motor spindle and each reel axle is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.