Reel hub assembly for tape transport

A self-contained motor driven hub assembly for holding and rotating a tape reel, comprising:

• a housing including at least a base and a side wall extending around the base;
• a rotary hub which is adapted for holding a reel of tape, the hub including a peripheral part which extends around the side wall and includes a ring of inwardly directed gear teeth;
• means for mounting the hub for rotation with respect to the housing;
• an electric motor which is contained within the housing;
• a sun wheel which is connected to be driven by the motor;
• a plurality of planet wheels evenly spaced around the sun wheel, each such planet wheel being in driving engagement with the sun wheel and protruding laterally of the said wall to engage the said ring;
• a carrier for linking the planets;
• means for mounting the planets on the carrier such as to permit restricted movement of the carrier radially with respect to the sun wheel;
• a support for said carrier, said support including at least two restraining devices, permitting restricted movement of the carrier radially and circumferentially of said sun wheel, each restraining device comprising means defining an aperture, a spigot extending into said aperture and a resilient ring encircling said spigot and disposed within said aperture.