Abstract: The automatic magnetic tape cartridge separator includes a means of receiving a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a stack. The stack is biased against a separator apparatus having two rotatable bodies of two or more separating rollers mounted to rotate along an axis perpendicular to the stack. The simultaneous rotation of the bodies in opposite directions causes each succeeding roller on the first body and the corresponding roller on the second body, first, to engage the interface between the succeeding magnetic tape cartridge and preceding magnetic tape cartridge in the stack, and second, to support entire stack less the bottom most magnetic tape cartridge, which is separated and supported by the preceding set of rollers for removal to a tape drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for eliminating the effect of unevenly wound magnetic tape media on the guidance of the media relative to a tape transport read/write head. A first guide is used to axially twist the tape or other media 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the media being unwound from a tape spool. Another guide is then used to twist the media into to an alignment which is co-planar with a surface of the tape transport read/write head. This procedure eliminates the effect of staggerwrap from the tape spool and allows the spooled media to be more precisely aligned with respect to a desired media path of travel.

Abstract: A pneumatic compliant tape guidance device for pneumatically applying a biasing load to a passing tape media. The tape guidance device includes at least one guide button and associated cylinder in which the guide button travels. It also includes a supply port which provides the input for a pressure and/or a vacuum to a pressurized chamber which couples the supply port with the cylinder. The guide button position and its applied pressure are controlled by a compressor which controls the amount of air pressure applied to the guide button through the supply port. The pneumatic compliant tape guidance applies pressure to the top edge or bottom edge of the tape media. The guide button may be configured to travel over a support tube which transfers the pressure/vacuum applied at the supply port to the guide button. The amount of pressure the guide button applies to the passing tape media is determined by the pressure/vacuum which is applied by a pneumatic source to the supply port.

Abstract: A latching device for connecting two mating components in a parallel fashion. The latching device includes a connector mount attached to one mating component and a lock and eject catch member attached to the other. Two cams are rotatably attached to the connector mount which accept a respective catch pin located on the lock and eject catch member. Each cam has a cam access slot and a cam channel configured receive the associated catch pin and enable it to travel along the cam channel as the cam is rotated. The two cams are securely connected by torsion bar extending through a channel in the connector mount. The torsion bar transfers the rotational force applied to one cam to the other and converts the rotational force applied to the cams to a linear force applied to the connector mount and lock and eject catch member. The latching device also has a guide member connected to the connector mount and a guide receiving channel in the lock and eject catch which is configured to receive the guide member.

Abstract: The tape threading mechanism threads a magnetic tape from a magnetic tape cartridge along a tape transport path to a take-up reel by using a two-member, spring loaded tape threading arm which uses two cam surfaces to control the articulation of the spring-loaded tape threading arm. A cam follower formed on the upper end of a leader block locating pin of the tape threading arm engages a short cam surface at the beginning of the tape transport path to guide the leader block of the magnetic tape along a short distance at which time the tape threading arm is smoothly accelerating. Once the cam follower disengages from the cam surface, the spring-loaded tape threading arm is locked into a fixed radius which allows the magnetic tape to maintain a constant velocity through approximately three hundred degrees of rotation, at which time the cam follower engages a second cam surface. The second cam surface guides the cam follower and leader block into position to engage the take-up reel.

Abstract: An air filter system, with a replaceable cartridge, suitable for use in controlled environment systems such as computer information storage and retrieval devices. The system provides ease of maintenance, while providing a highly sanitized air stream to an optical device, over prolonged periods of operation, for temperature control of temperature sensitive areas. The system is comprised of a housing plenum located in the controlled environment system, the housing having a sliding filter tray, a plurality of air flow ports and a spring biased valve gate. When the filter tray is fully inserted in the housing, the valve gate is forced open so that the air flow is into the controlled environment, but when fully retracted the valve gate closes, causing the air to exit the system through an exhaust port.