Mechanized take-up reel and method for loading and unloading a tape storage medium
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsA. David Erpelding, Wayne I. Imaino, Ronald R. Labby, Winfield S. Weaver
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for loading and unloading a tape storage medium. In one embodiment, an apparatus for such purpose includes a mechanized take-up reel. The mechanized take-up reel includes an inner hub, an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub (where at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism), a tongue coupled to the inner hub, and a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs.
Claims25
An apparatus for loading and unloading a tape storage medium, the apparatus comprising:
- a mechanized take-up reel having:
- an inner hub;
- an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub, wherein at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism;
- a tongue coupled to the inner hub;
- a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs;
- and
- a flange coupled with the outer hub,
- wherein the flange comprises a bearing for enabling rotation of the inner hub with respect to the outer hub.
An apparatus for loading and unloading a tape storage medium, the apparatus comprising:
- a mechanized take-up reel having:
- an inner hub;
- an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub, wherein at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism;
- a tongue coupled to the inner hub;
- a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs;
- a flange coupled with the outer hub;
- and
- a pawl,
- wherein the flange comprises a pivot that enables movement of the pawl to selectively nonrotatably couple the inner hub with the outer hub.
An apparatus for loading and unloading a tape storage medium, the apparatus comprising:
- a mechanized take-up reel having:
- an inner hub;
- an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub, wherein at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism;
- a tongue coupled to the inner hub;
- a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs;
- a flange coupled with the outer hub;
- and
- a mechanism configured to engage the mechanized take-up reel for enabling and/or disabling the nonrotatable coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.