# US 4,394,951 A · Active tape storage bin > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,394,951 A - Document ID: US4394951A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/340,772 - Filed: 1982-01-19 - Granted: 1983-07-26 - Earliest claimed: 1982-01-19 - Assignees: RCA Corporation - Inventors: Joseph C. Ruda; Richard E. Wartzok; Robert J. Wedekind - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394951A ## CPC - G11B 23/12: Bins for random storage of webs or filaments - B65H 20/24: by looping or like devices - G11B 15/1891: {the record carrier being endless} - B65H 2408/212: of zigzag-type - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract A conveyor belt is located along the bottom of a tape bin to support a stack of tape folds. The tape bin contains a U-shaped cradle for shaping the upper run of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt drives the tape stack around the U-turn from the feed end of the bin to its payout end to present the output end of the tape with very little resistance or pressure from the tape stack. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A magnetic tape handling apparatus comprising: (A) a substantially vertical compartment defined by a pair of walls which are so spaced as to require the supply of tape in said compartment to form a stack of folds as the tape is fed into said compartment at one end thereof; said tape being paid out from said compartment at its other end; (B) a conveyor belt located along the bottom of said compartment for supporting said tape stack; said conveyor belt having an upper run and a lower run; (C) means arranged in said compartment for shaping at least a portion of the upper run of said conveyor belt along a U-shaped path; and (D) means for driving said conveyor belt from said one end to said other end to rotate said stack of folds around said U-shaped path for presenting the payout end of said tape stack at said other end for removal from said compartment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The magnetic tape handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaping means causes said belt to follow a semicircular path. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The magnetic tape handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said conveyor belt comprises an endless loop of mylar tape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The magnetic tape handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a divider disposed in said compartment for segregating the incoming tape from the outgoing tape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The magnetic tape handling apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said divider comprises an endless belt entrained over a pair of pulleys. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The magnetic tape handling apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein one of said pulleys is driven in a desired direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The magnetic tape handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said driving means comprises an electric motor located near the input end of said U-shaped path. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The magnetic tape handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said driving means comprises a variable speed motor so that the speed of the conveyor belt can be changed to accommodate different lengths of tape. ### Claim 9 In the magnetic tape machine provided with a substantially vertical compartment; a tape head located near the upper part of said compartment; means for driving an endless loop of tape past said head; said compartment having walls which are so spaced as to require the supply of tape in said compartment to form a stack of folds as the tape is fed into said compartment at one end thereof; said tape being paid out from said compartment at its other end; the improvement comprising: (A) a conveyor belt disposed along the bottom wall of said compartment for supporting said tape stack; said conveyor belt having an upper run and a lower run; (B) a U-shaped guide track located in said compartment for causing at least a portion of the upper run of said belt to conform to a U-shaped path; and (C) means for driving said belt from said one end to said other end of said compartment to guide said tape stack around said U-shaped track to present the payout of said tape stack at said other end for removal from said compartment substantially free from the pressure of said tape stack. ### Claim 10 A magnetic tape handling apparatus comprising: (A) a substantially vertical compartment defined by a pair of walls; (B) drive means for feeding said magnetic tape into said compartment at the feed end thereof and for withdrawing it from said compartment at its payout end; the spacing between said walls being slightly greater than the width of said tape so that said tape forms a stack of folds as the tape is introduced into said compartment; (C) a continuous loop conveyor belt disposed along the bottom of said compartment for supporting said tape stack; said conveyor belt having an upper run and a lower run; (D) a U-shaped guide surface disposed between the upper and the lower runs of said belt; the weight of said tape stack causing at least a portion of the upper run of said belt to conform to said U-shape guide surface; and (E) means for driving said conveyor belt from said feed end to said payout end to turn said tape stack around said U-shaped guide surface for presenting the payout end of said tape stack for removal substantially free from hindrance from said tape stack.