Information recording transport with tape tension equalization between distinct capstans

An information recording tape transport comprising in combination:

• first winding means for selectively winding and unwinding information recording tape;
• second winding means for selectively winding and unwinding information recording tape;
• first driving means including a first tape drive capstan for driving information recording tape between said first and second winding means;
• second driving means including a second tape drive capstan for driving information recording tape between said first and second winding means;
• first transducer means located adjacent said first tape drive capstan for transducing information relative to information recording tape;
• second transducer means located adjacent said second tape drive capstan for transducing information relative to information recording tape;
• a first tape pressure differential column between said first winding means and said first tape drive capstan;
• a second tape pressure differential column between said second winding means and said second tape drive capstan;
• a third tape pressure differential column between said first and second tape drive capstans;
• and
• means for controlling the lengths or recording tape in said first, second and third tape differential columns.

An information recording tape transport comprising in combination:

• first winding means for selectively winding and unwinding information recording tape;
• second winding means spaced from said first winding means for selectively winding and unwinding information recording tape;
• first driving means including a first tape drive capstan for driving information recording tape between said first and second winding means;
• second driving means distinct from said first driving means and including a second tape drive capstan for driving information recording tape between said first and second winding means;
• first transducer means located adjacent said first tape drive capstan for transducing information relative to information recording tape;
• second transducer means located adjacent said second tape drive capstan for transducing information relative to information recording tape;
• and
• means for applying recording tape to said first and second transducer means at controlled tension, comprising:
• first means for equalizing tension of information recording tape between said first winding means and said first driving means;
• second means for equalizing tension of information recording tape between said second winding means and said second driving means;
• third means for equalizing tension of information recording tape between said first and second driving means;
• means operatively associated with said first, second and third tension equalizing means for jointly energizing said first, second and third tension equalizing means;
• first isolating means operatively associated with said first tension equalizing means and said joint energizing means for isolating the equalizing function of said first tension equalizing means from the equalizing function of said second and third tension equalizing means;
• second isolating means operatively associated with said second tension equalizing means and said joint energizing means for isolating the equalizing function of said second tension equalizing means from the equalizing function of said first and third tension equalizing means;
• and
• third isolating means operatively associated with said third tension equalizing means and said joint energizing means for isolating the equalizing function of said third tension equalizing means from the equalizing function of said first and second equalizing means.

An information recording tape transport comprising in combination:

• first winding means for receiving a tape reel for selectively winding and unwinding information recording tape onto and from said tape reel;
• second winding means spaced from said first winding means for receiving a tape reel for selectively winding and unwinding information recording tape onto and from said tape reel;
• first drive means including a first tape drive capstan for driving information recording tape between said first and second winding means;
• second driving means distinct from said first driving means and including a second tape drive capstan for driving information recording tape between said first and second winding means;
• first transducer means located adjacent said first tape drive capstan for transducing information relative to information recording tape;
• second transducer means located adjacent said second tape drive capstan for transducing information relative to information recording tape;
• and
• means for applying recording tape to said first and second transducer means at controlled tension, comprising:
• first tension equalizing means between said first winding means and said first tape drive capstan;
• second tension equalizing means between said second winding means and said second tape drive capstan;
• and
• third tension equalizing means between said first and second tape drive capstans.