Tape support
US6267325A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/672
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and device to support a storage tape of a tape drive in the event of a loss of tape tension. Flexible bristles are provided between a tape guide and tape rollers to prevent the storage tape from "falling" below the tape guide and tape rollers and maintaining the storage tape in a position to return between the tape roller flanges when tape tension is regained. In one embodiment, a plurality of flexible bristles are provided along a lower portion of the tape guide. The bristles extend toward a bottom flange of each tape roller in a direction generally perpendicular to the tape path. In another embodiment, the flexible bristles extend radially from the bottom flange of each tape roller. In either embodiment, the bristles are rigid enough to support the storage tape and flexible enough to enable a tape buckle to traverse between the tape guide and tape roller. In addition, the bristles are arranged such that when tape tension is lost, an edge of the storage tape rests on the bristles such that the data area of the storage tape does not contact the bristles. When tape tension is regained, the ramped surface of the bottom flange of each tape roller enables the storage tape to r…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.