Take-up reel for magnetic tape cartridge leader block
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorsDavid T. Hoge, Michael V. Konshak, George P. Rambosek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The take-up reel is used in conjunction with a leader block that securely fastens the magnetic tape in the leader block such that the magnetic tape exits an aperture at one end of the leader block. The take-up reel accepts this leader block and completely seats it in an aperture contained in the take-up reel hub to ensure that no segment of the leader block protrudes from the take-up reel hub. The top and bottom plates of the take-up reel include guide slots to automatically position and align the leader block that is transported by the tape threading arm from the magnetic tape cartridge.
Claims14
A take-up reel apparatus for a tape drive comprising:
- a hub having a substantially cylindrical shape, and having a first end and a second end;
- a first plate having a substantially cylindrical shape, and having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface of said first plate is connected to said first end of said hub to render said hub and said first plate cylindrically concentric;
- a second plate having a substantially cylindrical shape, and having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said top surface of said second plate is connected to said second end of said hub to render said hub and said second plate cylindrically concentric;
- wherein said hub includes an aperture in its cylindrical surface, extending substantially from said first end to said second end thereof, wherein said aperture is of dimensions to receive a leader block attached to one end of a magnetic tape;
- said first plate having a guide channel formed in its bottom surface extending radially outward from said aperture to an edge of said first plate, wherein a tape threading arm threading pin engages said leader block to place said leader block into said aperture, said first plate further comprises a threading pin slot formed therein and extending through said first plate from said guide channel to said top surface to enable said threading pin to transport said leader block radially from said edge of said first plate to said aperture, said guide channel being dimensioned to receive said leader block and said threading pin slot being dimensioned to only receive said tape threading arm threading pin;
- and
- said second plate having a guide channel formed in its top surface extending radially outward from said aperture to an edge of said second plate and being radially aligned with said guide channel in said first plate.
A take-up reel adapted to receive leader block that is attached to one end of a magnetic tape, comprising:
- a spool, having a substantially cylindrical hub and first and second substantially cylindrical rime, On which said magnetic tape is wound;
- an aperture formed in the cylindrical surface of said hub to receive said leader block;
- and
- guide channels formed in the surfaces of said first and second rims that face each other, extending radially outward from said aperture to an edge of said first and second rims to guide said leader block from said edge to said aperture, wherein a tape threading arm threading pin engages said leader block to place said leader block into said aperture, said first rim further comprises:
- threading pin slot formed in said guide channel and extending through said firm rim to enable said threading pin to transport said leader block radially from said edge of said first rim to said aperture, said guide channel being dimensioned to receive said leader block and said threading pin slot being dimensioned to only receive said tape threading arm threading pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.