Single reel cartridge with decreased base sink
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsCurtis G. LeNoue, Navnit C. Patel, Saurin J. Shah, Steven J. Fischer, Steven E. Krabbenhoft
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A single reel data tape cartridge includes a base and a cover. The base includes a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and a lower wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls. The lower wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. A strengthening rib is formed on the inner surface of the lower wall adjacent each of the four corners of the base. The portion of the lower wall on one side of and adjacent the strengthening rib has a groove extending along the length of the strengthening rib. The groove and the adjacent strengthening rib share a common wall.
Claims13
A molded cartridge housing component for use in a single reel tape cartridge insertable into a tape drive apparatus, the cartridge housing component comprising:
- a rear wall;
- two opposing side walls;
- a front wall;
- a substantially rectangular major wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls, wherein the major wall has an inner surface and an outer surface;
- a strengthening rib formed on and extending from the inner surface of the major wall, wherein the strengthening rib divides the major wall into first and second portions and the thickness of the first portion is equal to the thickness of the second portion;
- wherein the inner surface of the second portion of the major wall has a groove extending along at least part of the length of the strengthening rib.
A single reel tape cartridge insertable into a tape drive apparatus comprising:
- a leader block;
- a length of tape connected at one end to the leader block;
- a tape reel on which the tape is wound;
- a molded base comprising a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and a substantially rectangular major wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls, wherein the major wall has an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- a molded cover comprising a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and a substantially rectangular major wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls, wherein the major wall has an inner surface and an outer surface;
- wherein at least one of the base and the cover comprises a strengthening rib formed on and extending from the inner surface of the major wall, wherein the strengthening rib divides the major wall into first and second portions and the thickness of the first portion is equal to the thickness of the second portion;
- wherein the inner surface of the second portion of the major wall has a groove extending along at least part of the length of the strengthening rib.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.