System and method for visually indicating usage of magnetic tape cartridges

An apparatus for tracking usage of a magnetic tape stored within a magnetic tape cartridge, said apparatus comprising:

• a take-up spindle for receiving said magnetic tape when said magnetic tape is moving in a forward motion;
• and
• a meter assembly including a meter coupled to said take-up spindle, said meter being incremented in response to each rewind of said magnetic tape;
• a gear secured around a top of said take-up spindle;
• and
• a gear assembly disposed between said gear and said meter assembly, wherein said gear engages said gear assembly and said gear assembly engages a single-direction ratchet included within said meter assembly, further wherein said gear assembly reduces an angular velocity of said gear.

A method in a magnetic tape cartridge that includes a magnetic tape for tracking a usage of said magnetic tape, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a take-up spindle in a first position for receiving said magnetic tape when said magnetic tape is moving in a forward motion, said take-up spindle capable of lateral movement toward a fixed, supply spindle;
• rewinding said magnetic tape causing said magnetic tape to move in a reverse direction;
• exerting a force on said take-up spindle by said tape in response to reaching a beginning of said tape at an end of said rewind;
• pulling, by said tape, said take-up spindle toward said supply spindle into a second position;
• pushing a push button utilizing said take-up spindle when said tape pulls said take-up spindle into said second position;
• engaging and moving a gear assembly utilizing said push button in response to said push button being pushed;
• engaging and moving a meter gear in response to said gear assembly being moved, said meter gear being coupled to said gear assembly;
• and
• incrementing a meter that is coupled to said meter gear in response to said meter gear being moved, wherein said meter is incremented only in response to a full rewind of said tape.

A method in a magnetic tape cartridge that includes a magnetic tape for tracking a usage of said magnetic tape, said method comprising the steps of:

• moving said tape in a reverse direction;
• moving a gear secured around a top of a take-up spindle in response to a movement of said tape, wherein said gear moves in conjunction with and a direction of said take-up spindle;
• moving a gear assembly coupled to said gear in response to a movement of said gear, wherein said gear engages said gear assembly and said gear assembly reduces an angular velocity of said gear;
• moving a meter gear coupled to said gear assembly in response to a movement of said gear assembly;
• moving a one-direction ratchet coupled to said meter gear in response to a reverse movement of said tape, said ratchet capable of movement only in response to said tape being moved in said reverse direction, said ratchet being incapable of movement when said tape is being moved in a forward direction, said ratchet being moved in an amount in direct proportion to an amount of movement of said tape;
• and
• incrementing a meter coupled to said ratchet in response to a movement of said ratchet, wherein said meter is incremented in an amount in direct proportion to an amount of movement of said tape.