Magnetic tape cartridge having leader block retainer mechanism
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorsDavid T. Hoge, Michael V. Konshak, John C. Owens, Michael W. Johnson, George P. Rambosek, Thomas J. Rieger
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Abstract
The improved magnetic tape cartridge includes a leader block retainer mechanism that provides a positive locking function to automatically secure the leader block in place in the opening of the magnetic tape cartridge housing. The leader block retainer mechanism comprises detent members springably attached to both the top and bottom sides of the housing, juxtaposed to the opening, to engage corresponding features on the leader block to resist withdrawal of the leader block from the housing.
Claims13
A magnetic tape cartridge, comprising:
- a substantially rectangular housing having a top side parallel to a bottom side, said top side and said bottom side being joined by a plurality of sidewalls, said plurality of sidewalls being substantially perpendicular to said top side and said bottom side, which housing has an opening in one corner thereof and is adapted to enclose a single reel of magnetic tape rotatably mounted in a parallel plane between said top side and said bottom side, and including a leader block;
- said leader block having a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to one end of said magnetic tape and said second end having a leader block retrieval slot attached thereto, and a first retainer engagement surface opposite a second retainer engagement surface both located between said first end and said second end, said first retainer engagement surface being adjacent to and in a parallel plane as said top side and said second retainer engagement surface being adjacent to and in a parallel plane with said bottom side;
- and
- leader block retainer means located adjacent to said opening and formed as part of and surrounded by at least one of said top side and said bottom side, and operable to resist extraction of said leader block from said housing by independently engaging said at least one of said first retainer engagement surface and said second retainer engagement surface.
A magnetic tape cartridge, comprising:
- a substantially rectangular housing having a top side parallel to a bottom side, which housing has an opening in one corner thereof and is adapted to enclose a single reel of magnetic tape rotatably mounted in a parallel plane between said top side and said bottom side, and including a leader block attached to one end of said magnetic tape;
- first retainer means adjacent to said opening formed as part of said top side itself, having a first end operable into a first position to resist movement of said leader block through said opening in said housing;
- and
- second retainer means adjacent to said opening formed as part of said bottom side, having a first end operable into a first position to resist movement of said leader block through said opening in said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.