Self-centering tape guide for reduced edge flange contact in a tape cartridge
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorVenkataraman Kartik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system of rollers and guides that adjust a wrap angle of tape around a guide in a tape cartridge. The system of rollers is an outer guide and an inner roller connected to a spindle via rigid arms. The tape extends around the reel and around a portion of the outer diameter of the outer guide. The inner roller rolls against the tape pack as the tape is wound or unwound around the reel. As the radius of the tape pack changes, position of the inner roller relative to the reel changes, causing the spindle to rotate. In turn, the rotation of the spindle causes a change in the position of the outer guide relative to the reel. As outer guide moves inwardly or outwardly relative to the reel, the wrap angle of the tape around the outer guide changes.
Claims16
A tape cartridge comprising:
- a reel around which tape winds and unwinds, wherein the mass of tape wound around the reel comprises a tape pack;
- a roller disposed to roll against the outer diameter of the tape pack;
- a means for allowing the roller to move a first distance relative to the reel in response to a change in the radius of the tape pack;
- and
- a guide disposed a second distance from the reel, wherein the tape extends from the tape pack around a portion of the outer diameter of the guide;
- and
- a means for causing the guide to move a third distance relative to the reel in response to the roller moving the first distance.
A tape cartridge comprising:
- a housing;
- a reel operable to rotate within the housing;
- a tape operable to wind and unwind around the reel, wherein a mass of tape wound around the reel comprises a tape pack;
- a spindle operably attached to the housing, said spindle operable to rotate within the housing;
- a first guide disposed within the housing such that the first guide moves inwardly and outwardly relative to the reel in response to rotation of the spindle;
- wherein tape extends from the tape pack and around a portion of the outer diameter of the first guide;
- and
- a roller disposed within the housing such that the roller moves inwardly and outwardly relative to the reel in response to rotation of the spindle, said roller further disposed such that the roller rolls against an outer diameter of the tape pack.
A tape cartridge comprising:
- a housing;
- a reel operable to rotate within the housing;
- a tape operable to wind and unwind around the reel, wherein a mass of tape wound around the reel comprises a tape pack;
- a spindle operably attached to the housing, said spindle operable to rotate within the housing;
- a first arm attached to the spindle;
- a second arm attached to the spindle;
- a roller operably attached to the first arm, said roller disposed to roll against the tape pack;
- a first guide operably attached to the second arm, wherein tape extends from the tape pack and around a portion of the outer diameter of the first guide;
- wherein as the radius of the tape pack changes, the roller moves a first distance relative to the reel, which causes the spindle to rotate, which in turn causes the first guide to move a second distance relative to the reel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.