Releasably latchable leader block in tape threading apparatus for data storage systems and method therefor

A leader block adapted to be advanced by a threading assembly in a tape transport apparatus in a first direction to engage and disengage a leader pin on a tape medium and in a second direction to thread the tape medium through the tape transport apparatus, comprising:

• (A) a body member supporting a mounting member adapted to secure to the threading assembly and a leading edge portion, said body member including first and second spaced-apart engagement structures disposed on said leading edge portion operative to engage the leader pin when said body member is advanced in the first direction, each said engagement structure including at least one finger projecting from said body member;
• (B) a latch member pivotally disposed on said body member, said latch member including first and second arms each terminating in a catch piece associated with a respective one of said first and second engagement structures, said latch member relatively movable with respect to the body member between an open position to permit each said catch piece to interact with a respective finger to engage with and disengage from the leader pin and a closed position to retain the leader pin when the leader pin is engaged therein;
• and
• (C) a spring piece operative to bias said latch member into the closed position with a restorative force.

A threading assembly for a tape transport apparatus and operative to engage a leader pin on a tape medium, comprising:

• (A) a primary guide track;
• (B) a flexible conveyor member received in said primary guide track;
• (C) a motor operative to reversibly drive said conveyor member in first and second directions;
• and
• (D) a leader block secured to said conveyor member, said leader block including:
• (1) a body member;
• and
• (2) a latch member pivotally disposed on said body member, said latch member including a catch piece relatively movable with respect to the body member between an open position to permit engagement and disengagement with the leader pin and a closed position to retain the leader pin when the leader pin is engaged therein.

A threading assembly for a tape transport apparatus and operative to engage a leader pin on a tape medium, comprising:

• (A) a primary guide track;
• (B) a flexible conveyor member received in said primary guide track;
• (C) a motor operative to reversibly drive said conveyor member in first and second directions;
• and
• (D) a leader block mechanically linked to said conveyor member, said leader block including:
• (1) a body member supporting a mounting member adapted to secure to said flexible conveyor member and having a leading edge portion, said body member including first and second spaced-apart engagement structures disposed on said leading edge portion operative to engage the leader pin when said body member is advanced in the first direction, each said engagement structure including at least one finger projecting from said body member;
• (2) a latch member pivotally disposed on said body member, said latch member including first and second arms each terminating in a catch piece associated with a respective one of said first and second engagement structures, said latch member relatively movable with respect to the body member between an open position to permit each said catch piece to interact with a respective finger to engage with and disengage from the leader pin and a closed position to retain the leader pin when the leader pin is engaged therein;
• and
• (3) a spring piece operative to bias said latch member into the closed position with a restorative force.

A read/write apparatus adapted to receive a spool of tape medium having a leader pin on a free end thereof, said read/write apparatus operative to perform a read/write function thereon as said tape medium advances in a forward direction, comprising:

• (A) a read/write recording head;
• (B) first bearing member located at an upstream location relative to said read/write recording head and second bearing member located at a downstream location relative to said read/write recording head;
• (C) a take-up mechanism including a hub having an outer surface about which the tape medium is to be wound;
• and
• (D) a rotatable drive operative to rotate said hub thereby to wind said tape medium thereon;
• and
• (E) a threading assembly including a leader block adapted to engage the leader pin when said spool is mounted on the read/write apparatus and to convey the free end of the tape medium to the take-up mechanism, said leader block including:
• (1) a body member;
• and
• (2) a latch member pivotally disposed on said body member, said latch member including a catch piece relatively movable with respect to the body member between an open position to permit engagement and disengagement with the leader pin and a closed position to retain the leader pin when the leader pin is engaged therein.

A read/write apparatus adapted to receive a spool of tape medium having a leader pin on a free end thereof, said read/write apparatus operative to perform a read/write function thereon as said tape medium advances in a forward direction, comprising:

• (A) a primary guide track;
• (B) a flexible conveyor member received in said primary guide track;
• (C) a read/write recording head;
• (D) first bearing member located at an upstream location relative to said read/write recording head and second bearing member located at a downstream location relative to said read/write recording head;
• (E) a take-up mechanism including a hub having an outer surface about which the tape medium is to be wound;
• and
• (F) a rotatable drive operative to rotate said hub thereby to wind said tape medium thereon;
• and
• (G) a threading assembly including a leader block adapted to engage a free end of the tape medium when said spool is mounted on the read/write apparatus and to convey the free end to the take-up mechanism, said leader block including:
• (1) a body member supporting a mounting member adapted to secure to said flexible conveyor member and having a leading edge portion, said body member including first and second spaced-apart engagement structures disposed on said leading edge portion operative to engage the leader pin when said body member is advanced in the first direction, each said engagement structure including at least one finger projecting from said body member;
• (2) a latch member pivotally disposed on said body member, said latch member including first and second arms each terminating in a catch piece associated with a respective one of said first and second engagement structures, said latch member relatively movable with respect to the body member between an open position to permit each said catch piece to interact with a respective finger to engage with and disengage from the leader pin and a closed position to retain the leader pin when the leader pin is engaged therein;
• and
• (3) a spring piece operative to bias said latch member into the closed position with a restorative force.

A method of threading a tape medium from a tape source through a read/write recording apparatus wherein said tape medium has a leader pin associated therewith, comprising:

• (A) advancing a releasably latchable leader block into abutment with said leader pin and engaging said leader pin with said leader block;
• (B) latching said leader block to capture said leader pin therein;
• (C) advancing the leader block to a winding hub;
• (E) rotating said hub thereby to wind said tape medium thereon;
• (F) after a portion of the tape medium has been wound on said hub, rotating said hub to unwind said tape medium from the winding surface and rewinding the tape medium into the tape source;
• (G) returning said leader block to a location adjacent to the tape source;
• and
• (H) unlatching said leader pin from said leader block by pivoting a latch portion thereof out of engagement with said leader pin.