System for extracting magnetic recording tape from a tape cartridge for engagement with a take-up reel

A system for extracting a magnetic recording tape wound on a single reel in a cartridge, said tape having a free end in said cartridge with a leader pin attached thereto, said system comprising, in a tape drive adapted to receive said cartridge:

• a take-up reel having a central hub and top and bottom flanges, said top and bottom flanges each having a channel therein proceeding from a periphery thereof to said hub, the respective channels being in registration with each other;
• a gripper hook adapted to engage said leader pin;
• a lever arm having an axle projecting therefrom;
• a gripper hook follower, said axle proceeding through said gripper hook and said gripper hook follower to form a hinged engagement of said gripper hook and said gripper hook follower;
• a tape guide having a guide channel therein in which said gripper hook follower is held and guided;
• a rotatable, mechanical gripper switch having a pair of brackets through which said gripper hook proceeds;
• and
• an operating mechanism engaging each of said lever arm and said gripper switch for moving said lever arm in an arcuate path in a first direction to enter said gripper hook into said cartridge with said gripper switch rotated to cause said gripper hook to pass by said leader pin and for rotating said gripper switch to move said gripper hook to engage said leader pin in said cartridge and for moving said lever arm in said arcuate path in a second direction, opposite to said first direction, to extract said leader pin and said tape from said cartridge and to move said gripper hook follower, said gripper hook, said leader pin engaging said gripper hook, and said tape through said channel in said tape guide and into said channels in said take-up reel toward said hub to position said leader pin at a periphery of said hub.