Tape system with an isolated load/unload tape path
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorRobert Glenn Biskeborn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape recording system is provided having an improved load/unload path, the system comprising a first pair of guides and a second pair of guides movable from an unloaded position to a loaded position. In the unloaded position, a gap between the first pair of guides and the second pair of guides provides a path for loading a tape from a supply reel to a take-up reel without contacting any of the first pair of guides, the second pair of guides and the head assembly to prevent contamination and damage of these components. The tape loader path is isolated from the head by the first pair of guides providing protection of the head from possible contact damage by the loader mechanism and tape leader.
Claims16
A tape recorder system, comprising:
- a head assembly;
- a first pair of guides for supporting a tape;
- and
- a second pair of guides movable from an unloaded position to a loaded position, the second pair of guides separated by a gap from the first pair of guides when in the unloaded position, the gap providing a path along a plane for loading the tape from a supply reel to a take-up reel without contacting any of the first pair of guides, the second pair of guides, and the head assembly, the second pair of guides located on either side of the head assembly when in the loaded position to engage the tape into wrapping contact with the first pair of guides and with the head assembly, when in the loaded position, a free span of tape between the second pair of guides being short to provide tape-head interface stability.
A method of loading a tape in a tape recording system that includes a first pair of guides, a second pair of guides, and a head assembly, the method comprising:
- positioning the second pair of guides in an unloaded position;
- providing a tape loader path in a gap separating the first pair of guides from the second pair of guides in the unloaded position, the gap providing a direct path along a plane for loading the tape from a supply reel to a take-up reel without contacting any of the first pair of guides, the second pair of guides, and the head assembly;
- loading the tape along the tape loader path from the supply reel to the take-up reel;
- moving the second pair of guides from the unloaded position to a loaded position;
- engaging a back surface of the tape with the second pair of guides and pressing a recording surface of the tape into wrapping contact with the first pair of guides;
- and
- pressing the recording surface of the tape into contact with the head assembly by the second pair of guides.
A tape recorder system, comprising:
- a head assembly;
- a first pair of guides for supporting a tape;
- and
- a second pair of guides movable from an unloaded position to a loaded position, the second pair of guides separated by a gap from the first pair of guides when in the unloaded position, the gap providing a direct path along a plane for loading the tape from a supply reel to a take-up reel without contacting any of the first pair of guides, the second pair of guides, and the head assembly, the second pair of guides located on either side of the head assembly when in the loaded position to engage a recording surface of the tape into wrapping contact with the first pair of guides and with the head assembly, the recording surface of the tape press into contact with the head assembly to flatten the tape, a free span of tape between the second pair of guides being short to provide tape-head interface stability.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.