Peripheral drive tape winding methods and apparatus

A method of winding a tape having a leader, with the aid of a tape winding hub and peripheral drive capstan means including an outer sleeve of elastic material, comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing said peripheral drive capstan means with a circumferential recess having a predetermined depth;
• providing said tape winding hub with a circumferential rim of a height larger than said predetermined depth;
• juxtaposing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means for rotation about parallel axes;
• biasing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means toward each other, with said rim spacing said sleeve of elastic material from said tape winding hub by engaging said peripheral drive capstan means in said recess;
• providing said leader with a longitudinal groove for receiving said rim;
• inserting said leader between said tape winding hub and said sleeve, with said groove accommodating said rim and said sleeve engaging said inserted leader;
• and
• winding said leader and tape with said peripheral drive capstan means including said sleeve of elastic material on said tape winding hub.

In apparatus for winding a tape having a leader, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a tape winding hub;
• peripheral drive capstan means including an outer sleeve of elastic material and a circumferential recess having a predetermined depth;
• means for biasing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means toward each other and for juxtaposing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means for rotation about parallel axes;
• means for spacing said sleeve of elastic material from said tape winding hub, including a circumferential rim on said tape winding hub having a height larger than said predetermined depth and engaging said peripheral drive capstan in said recess;
• means for covering said rim with said leader and providing an essentially cylindrical support for said tape;
• and
• means coupled to said capstan means for winding said tape with said peripheral drive capstan means on said essentially cylindrical support.

In apparatus for winding a tape having a leader, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a tape winding hub;
• peripheral drive capstan means including an outer sleeve of elastic material and a circumferential recess having a predetermined depth;
• means for biasing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means toward each other and for juxtaposing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means for rotation about parallel axes;
• means for spacing said sleeve of elastic material from said tape winding hub, including a circumferential rim on said tape winding hub having a height larger than said predetermined depth and engaging said peripheral drive capstan in said recess;
• a longitudinal groove in said leader for accommodating said rim;
• and
• means coupled to said capstan means for winding said leader having said groove for accommodating said rim and said tape with said peripheral drive capstan means on said tape winding hub.

In apparatus for winding a tape, the improvement comprising in combination:

• a tape winding hub;
• means for winding said tape on said tape winding hub, including peripheral drive capstan means having an outer sleeve of elastic material for engaging said tape;
• means for biasing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means toward each other and for juxtaposing said tape winding hub and said peripheral drive capstan means for rotation about parallel axes;
• and
• complementary means on said tape winding hub and peripheral drive capstan means for spacing said sleeve of elastic material from said tape winding hub as long as no tape is wound on said tape winding hub.