Tape head with transducer supports having raised, wear-resistant surfaces at edges of softer core

A core support apparatus for use in a magnetic head for recording information on and reading information from a magnetic tape, comprising:

• a transducer element for magnetic coupling with the magnetic tape extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a contact surface of a material with a first wear resistance;
• a nonmagnetic support member comprising a pair of wear surfaces adjacent the transducer element contact surface and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the wear surfaces comprising a nonmagnetic material having a second wear resistance;
• and
• a pair of edge members positioned transverse the longitudinal axis and adjacent opposing ends of the wear surfaces of the nonmagnetic support member and the contact surface of the transducer element, wherein the edge members include wear surfaces for contacting the magnetic tape comprising a material having a third wear resistance that is greater than the first and the second wear resistances.

A magnetic head for use with magnetic recording tapes of varying stiffness having enhanced self-regulating wear and airflow control to limit spacing losses, comprising;

• an elongated support having two generally elongated arcuate support surfaces against which a tape exerts a contact pressure comprising a magnetic material of a first wear resistance, wherein the support surfaces are generally aligned in a spaced apart relationship along their longitudinal axis and have a first radius, the longitudinal axis extending in a direction transverse to the directions of tape travel across the supporting surfaces;
• a nonmagnetic support member comprising a wear surface comprising a nonmagnetic material having a second wear resistance and being positioned in a space between the two support surfaces on the longitudinal axis the support surfaces;
• a transducer having an elongated, coupling surface having a third wear resistance and a substantially uniform width embedded in the nonmagnetic support member, wherein the coupling surface extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support surfaces and wherein the coupling surface and the wear surface of the nonmagnetic support form a composite wear surface that is generally arcuate with a second radius;
• and
• a pair of edge members positioned in abutting contact with opposing ends of the composite wear surface, wherein each of the edge members comprises an arcuate wear surface with a third radius comprising a material having a fourth wear resistance that is greater than the first, second, and third wear resistances.