Alignment and latching mechanism in a drive for magnetic data tape mini-cartridges
US5949611A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B23/08757
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An alignment and latching apparatus for a drive mechanism for data tape mini-cartridges. The alignment and latching apparatus enables the drive to use a new mini-cartridge while retaining backward compatibility with older smaller mini-cartridges. The mini-cartridges have a plastic top cover and a rigid metal baseplate. For some embodiments, an alignment datum is defined by three reference points on the bottom of the mini-cartridge baseplate. In other embodiments, the alignment datum is split with two reference points on the top of the baseplate and one reference point on bottom of the baseplate. Alignment and latching forces are applied on both the plastic cover and onto the baseplate. In some embodiments, alignment force on the top cover is provided by flat springs. In alternative embodiments, alignment force on the top cover is provided by spring loaded rollers. Alignment force on the baseplate is provided by rollers or cam surfaces, pushing upward if a split datum is required and downward if a bottom surface datum is required.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.