Magnetic tape handler

A tape tension arm arrangement comprising,

• a pair of spaced rocker members, each pivotally mounted for rotation about a fixed axis,
• a respective tension arm rigidly secured to each rocker member,
• a tension roller mounted to each said tension arm,
• a respective drive mechanism, associated with each said tension arm, comprising a crank member, a connecting rod pivotally mounted to the crank member and a coupling member fixedly mounted to said connecting rod and adapted to be moveably connected to the respective rocker member, and
• biassing means for urging the tension arms towards a first position appropriate for tape drive,
• the tension arms being capable, when disposed in said first position, of moving against the biassing action of said biassing means in response to changes in the tension experienced by a threaded tape,
• and the said coupling means being adapted to co-operate with a respective rocker member in response to movement of the crank members either to urge the respective arms against said biassing action, to cause them to assume a second position, appropriate for tape threading, or to allow said biassing means to cause the respective arms to assume said first position.