Method and apparatus for reducing read/write head wear while maintaining tape path and tension during search mode

Apparatus for magnetic reading of data from tape and writing of data to tape, said apparatus operable in a data mode and a search mode, said apparatus comprising:

• a read/write head;
• and
• a positioner configured to position said read/write head into a first position and into a second position;
• wherein:
• during operation in said data mode, said read/write head adopts said first position and, in said first position, said read/write head is maintained substantially in contact with said tape to permit reading of data from and writing of data to said tape;
• during operation in said search mode, said read/write head adopts said second position in which said read/write head is displaced from contact with said tape, said read/write head being configured for movement between said first and second positions;
• and
• during operation in said search mode, said positioner contacts said tape to maintain a path of said tape and a tension in said tape, and wear of said read/write head is prevented because the read-write head does not contact said tape.

Apparatus for magnetic reading and writing of data on tape, said apparatus operable in a data mode and a search mode, said apparatus comprising:

• a read-write head;
• and
• a positioner configured to position said read-write head into a first position and into a second position;
• wherein:
• during operation in said data mode, said read/write head is in said first position and, in said first position, said read-write head is maintained substantially in contact with said tape to permit reading data from and writing data to said tape;
• and
• during operation in said search mode, said read-write head is in said second position, in which said read-write head is displaced from contact with said tape, said read-write head being configured for movement between said first and second positions;
• during operation in said search mode, said positioner contacts said tape to maintain tape path and tension, and wear of said read/write head in said second position being prevented;
• and
• movement of said tape past said positioner occurs continuously between said data mode and said search mode.

Apparatus for magnetically reading data from tape and magnetically writing data to tape, said apparatus operable in a data mode and in a search mode, said apparatus comprising:

• a read/write head;
• and
• a positioner configured to position said read-write head in a first position and in a second position,
• wherein:
• during operation in said data mode, said read/write head is in said first position and, in said first position, said read-write head is maintained substantially in contact with said tape to permit reading of data from said tape and writing of said data to said tape;
• during operation in said search mode, said read-write head adopts said second position, in which said read/write head is displaced from contact with said tape, said read-write head being configured for movement between said first and second positions;
• during operation in said search mode, said positioner contacts said tape to maintain a path of said tape and to maintain tension in said tape and wear of said read/write head is prevented because the read-write head does not contact said tape;
• movement of said tape past said positioner occurs continuously between said data mode and said search mode;
• and
• said positioner comprises a substantially cylindrical member having an external curved tape engaging surface configured to engage said tape to maintain tape path and tension during said search mode.

A method of reducing read/write head wear in an apparatus for magnetic reading of data from and writing of data to a tape, said apparatus operable in a data mode and a search mode, said apparatus comprising:

• a read/write head;
• and
• a positioning means configured to position said read/write head in first and second positions;
• said method comprising:
• moving said read/write head from said first position to said second position for tape searching thereby preventing read/write head wear during said search mode;
• and
• contacting said positioning means and said tape during said search mode to maintain tape path and tension in said tape,
• wherein:
• during operation in said data mode, said read/write head is in said first position and is substantially in contact with said tape to permit reading of data from and writing of data to said tape;
• and
• during operation in said search mode, said read/write head adopts said second position, in which said read/write head is displaced from said tape, and is out of contact with said tape, and said positioning means contacts said tape to maintain a path of said tape and a tension in said tape, and wear of said read/write head is prevented because said read/write head is out of contact with said tape, when the read/write head is in said second position.

A method of reducing head wear in an apparatus for magnetic reading and writing of data on tape, said apparatus comprising:

• a read/write head;
• and
• positioning means configured to position said read/write head in first and second positions,
• said method comprising:
• during operation in a data mode, maintaining said read/write head in said first position in which said read/write head is substantially in contact with said tape to permit reading of data to and writing of data from said tape;
• and
• during operation in a search mode, maintaining said read/write head in a second position in which said read/write head is displaced from said tape, so as not to contact said tape;
• switching said read/write head between said first position and said second position to change operation of said apparatus between said data mode of operation and said search mode operation;
• during operation in said search mode, said positioning means contacts said tape to maintain a path of said tape and a tension in said tape;
• and
• during operation in said search mode, wear of said read/write head is prevented, by positioning of said read/write head away from and out of contact with said tape.