C-ring tape path and wrapper mechanism for automated tape loading
US6441992B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/61
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A tape guide mechanism for guiding a tape media adjacent to a transducer, and methods of operation are disclosed. The tape guide mechanism is a C-shaped guide member rotatably mounted around a first reel. The tape media is normally stored spooled around a second reel within a data cartridge. A tape guide surface is formed circumferentially on the guide member. An opening is provided in the tape guide surface to allow the tape media to reach the first reel. In operation, the tape media can be wrapped and unwrapped from the tape guide surface with any amount of tape media spooled around the first reel. This wrapping and unwrapping ability allows the tape to the loaded onto the first reel at the start of the tape media, or at any arbitrary location on the tape media. It also allows the tape media to be rewound to the second reel directly from the first reel, or with the tape media passing across the tape guide surface. Finally, the tape media can be unwound from the tape guide surface, rapidly moved to a predetermined location on the tape media, and then rewound onto the tape guide surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.