Tape cartridge and method for manfacturing same
AssigneeImation Corp.
InventorKoichi Sano
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape cartridge with minimal tape tension variation and a method of making the same. The tape cartridge includes a supply-side tape reel around which a tape is wound and a winding-side tape reel both rotatably mounted to a base. At least one pin having a first end is attached to the base. At least one roller having a through-hole is rotatably engaged with the pin. Grease is interposed between the at least one pin and the through-hole. A second end of the pin includes a recess opening in an axial direction of the pin. The recess has a volume greater than a volume of excess grease accumulated on an end portion of the pin during mounting the roller on the pin. The roller may be an idler or drive roller for a belt-driven tape cartridge or a tape reel.
Claims16
A tape cartridge having a supply-side tape reel around which a tape is wound and a winding-side tape reel both rotatably mounted to a base, at least one pin having a first end attached to the base and a second end, at least one roller having a through-hole rotatably engaged with the pin, and grease interposed between the at least one pin and the through-hole, the at least one pin including a recess formed proximate the second end opening in an axial direction of the pin, the recess having a volume greater than a volume of excess grease accumulated on an end portion of the pin during mounting of the roller on the pin.
A belt-driven tape cartridge comprising:
- a supply-side tape reel around which a tape is wound and a winding-side tape reel, both rotatably mounted to a base;
- a plurality of pins each having a first end attached to the base and a second end having a recess opening in an axial direction of the pin;
- a first roller having a through-hole rotatably engaged with a pin and grease interposed between the pin and the through-hole;
- a second roller having a through-hole rotatably engaged with a pin and grease interposed between the pin and the through-hole;
- and
- a driving belt spanning a driving roller, the supply-side tape reel, the first roller, the second roller, and the winding-side tape reel sequentially, such that the driving belt passes on a surface of the supply-side tape reel and a surface of the winding-side tape reel, opposed to the surface of the supply side tape reel, such that the recesses have a volume greater than a volume of excess grease accumulated on an end portion of the pins during mounting of the rollers.
A system for rotatably mounting a roller to a base of a tape cartridge, the system comprising:
- at least one pin having a first end attached to the base and a second end having a recess opening in an axial direction of the pin;
- and
- at least one roller having a through-hole rotatably engaged with the pin and grease interposed between the pin and the through-hole such that the recess has a volume greater than a volume of excess grease accumulated on an end portion of the pin during mounting the roller on the pin.
A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge, comprising the steps of:
- providing a tape cartridge base having at least one pin, the at least one pin having a first end mounted to the base and a second end;
- forming a recess in the second end of the pin that opens in an axial direction of the pin;
- providing a roller having an axially extending through-hole formed therein;
- applying grease to an interface between the through-hole of the roller and the pin;
- and
- inserting the pin into the through-hole of the roller to which the grease has been applied, such that the recess has a volume greater than a volume of excess grease accumulated on an end portion of the pin during mounting a roller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.