Abstract: A tape transport apparatus for delivering a tape at high speed and under a constant tension within a precise plane of tape travel comprises:(a) a rotatably mounted tape supply;(b) a rotatably mounted tape take-up;(c) a first moving rim drive belt cooperating with the take-up and including a guide for placing the moving tape onto the rim drive belt, the rim drive belt positioned to carry the moving tape to the tape take-up and apply it to the tape take-up;(d) a drive for rotating the tape take-up;(e) the guide comprising a roller having a crowned drive surface for centering the rim drive belt and the tape thereon during rotation thereof in the tape winding plane of the tape take-up for applying the tape precisely within the desired plane; and(f) a tape tensioning device for maintaining constant, predetermined tension on the tape, said tape tensioning device rotating the tape take-up at a predetermined, slightly faster surface speed than the speed at which the tape is being supplied thereto from the tape supply

Abstract: As tape moves through a closed loop, high-speed tape transporter (10) loops of the tape are accumulated and stored in a tape bin (64). The capacity of the tape bin (64) is increased by extracting air from and lowering the air pressure in the region of the bin (64) occupied by the loops of accumulated tape and inside the loops of tape sufficient to cause the accumulated tape to compress into tighter loops which occupy less space in the tape bin (64). Air extraction takes place through a vacuum port (95) which communicates with the interior of the tape bin (64) and which is connected to a vacuum supply (11A).

Abstract: A tension regulator for magnetic recording tape, which comprises a plurality of side members forming an encased columnar space having an open top for receiving a flexible tape loop. One of the side members is adjustably positionable relative to the other side member for changing the cross-sectional area of the columnar space in order to vary the tension applied to the flexible tape being received by the tension regulator.

Abstract: A system for loading a predetermined length of magnetic tape paid out from a supply spool into a tape cassette in which the tension of the tape portion being paid out from the supply spool is at a different tension than the tension of the tape portion being taken up into the cassette. A pair of vacuum column tension members provide different tensions at the supply spool and at the take up spool, and a driving member interposes the two vacuum tension members for regulating tape movement between the same. During cassette loading, the take-up spool of the cassette is driven according to a driving signal which varies the movement of the tape at greatly varying speeds while the supply spool and interposing driving member are driven by signals formulated responsive to monitoring the length of the tape at the separate tension members.

Abstract: A tape cassette loader having a cutting system for cutting a strip of splicing tape for application to a magnetic tape junction during a tape splicing operation. A cutting blade carried by a movable tape applicator is driven past a stationary window member through which the splicing tape is fed, for cutting the splicing tape by action of the cutting blade against a cutting edge formed in the window. The cutting blade is rotatably mounted to the tape applicator and biased outwardly therefrom for holding the blade against the window member for properly cutting the splicing tape. As the tape applicator travels subjacent to the window member, the cutting blade is rotated through an arcuate path beneath the window member; the cutting edge of the movable blade is rotated to a position for preventing cutting of the magnetic tape and a pressure surface of the blade is simultaneously carried into a position for pressing against the splicing tape during application of the same to the magnetic tape junction.

Abstract: A tape extractor for a cassette tape loader being slidably mounted with respect to a tape loading position and a tape splicing position, for extracting a tape leader from a tape cassette positioned in the tape loading position, for carrying the tape leader to the splicing position where the tape leader is automatically cut and spliced to recording tape for winding into the tape cassette. The tape extractor includes a rectangularly shaped hollow finger for vacuum sucking the tape leader from the cassette and forming the leader in the shape of a loop. A pneumatically operated pin is disposed in relation to the hollow for movement into the leader loop for providing a mechanical bearing surface for keeping the tape leader under tension as the tape extractor is moved to the splicing position. At the splicing position a separator arm mechanically separates the two portions of the tape leader forming the sides of the tape loop for permitting unobstructed tape splicing to be performed.