Takeup leader for single reel tape drives with increased flexibility for improved performance
AssigneeBenchmark Storage Innovations, Inc.
InventorDavid Larson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible takeup leader that prevents a deformation in the takeup leader from causing a tape drive failure. The takeup leader comprises an elongated main body integrally formed between a first end and a second end. The elongated main body includes a plurality of apertures formed in at least one section of the elongated main body that corresponds to at least one curvilinear point around a guide roller when the tape drive is in the unloaded condition. The apertures increase the flexibility of the takeup leader to prevent tape drives from realizing erratic behavior caused by a deformed takeup leader. The increased flexibility permits the tape drive to pull a deformed takeup leader through a curvilinear tape path with a substantially smooth motion.
Claims9
A takeup leader for a single reel tape drive that detachably connects to a tape cartridge leader terminating a magnetic tape media contained on a supply reel in a single reel tape cartridge that is loaded into the tape drive so that the magnetic tape media can be wound through a curvilinear tape path internal to the tape drive, the takeup leader comprising:
- an elongated main body integrally formed between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a takeup reel in the tape drive;
- means within the second end for detachably connecting to the tape cartridge leader when the tape cartridge is loaded into the tape drive;
- and
- means within the elongated main body for increasing flexibility in at least one section of the elongated main body that corresponds to a curvilinear point around at least one guide roller in the curvilinear tape path when the tape drive is in an unloaded condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.