Abstract: Any one of several rotary objects of various diameters is gripped between a pair of joined jaws, without a need for manual adjustment of such jaws to any of the various diameters. To this end, the jaws are spaced at a taper to each other for all of the various diameters, and are pivoted, biased and rendered moveable relative to each other in diminution of that taper against the bias and conversely in self-restoration of the taper by the bias upon a release of the object from the jaws. Any one of the rotary objects may be wedged between the jaws at the taper, and one of the jaws is propelled with such wedged rotary object against the bias relative to the other jaw of the pair in diminution of the taper until the jaws exert optimum grip on the object. A loosening or other operation may then be performed on the wedged rotary object, and such wedged rotary object may be released from the jaws [for self-restoration of the taper by the bias.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette helical scan magnetic tape recorder has a magnetic tape threading and transport apparatus including multi-surface, multi-radius air bearing blocks for transporting magnetic tape in a helical path around a tilted rotary head scanner. Vacuum walls located on either side of the rotary head scanner assist in threading the magnetic tape from a magnetic tape cassette around the rotary head scanner. The air bearing blocks are moved into position contiguous to the rotary head scanner after the vacuum threading operation is completed. The vacuum walls have longitudinal slots which are substantially coextensive with the extent of the air bearing blocks. A vacuum sensor is positioned at the end of the slots away from the rotary head scanner so that the sensor is only actuated when the tape is against the whole length of the wall. This prevents damage to the tape when the air bearing blocks are moved behind the threaded tape.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recorder includes a rotary head scanner, a cartridge for containing a single reel of magnetic tape having a leader block at its end, a take-up reel and a leader block channel defining a tape path from the cartridge, past the rotary head scanner, to the take-up reel. A tape threading apparatus includes a first rotatably mounted arm segment, a first motor for rotating the first arm segment, a second arm segment rotatably mounted to the first arm segment, a second motor mounted on the first arm segment for rotating the second arm segment and a leader block carrier mounted on the end of the second arm segment for engaging the leader block to move it along the leader block channel.

Abstract: A helical scan magnetic tape recorder includes a rotary magnetic head scanner and a received magnetic tape cassette including spaced coplanar supply and take-up reels having magnetic tape spooled on the reels with a span of magnetic tape extending between the reels. Supply and take-up vacuum cavities are located contiguous to and on respective opposite sides of the scanner. Supply and take-up capstans are spaced from the rotary head scanner located in a tape transport path between the vacuum cavities and the tape cassette. Magnetic tape is initially removed from the cassette and moved to a tape vacuum loading position where it partially contacts the rotary head scanner, by a mechanical threading device. Thereafter, vacuum is applied to the vacuum cavities to draw the tape into contact with the vacuum cavities to substantially wrap the tape around the rotary head scanner. The supply and take-up capstans are rotated during vacuum threading to assist drawing the tape into the vacuum cavities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reel hub latch assembly used in magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus. The disclosed reel latch assembly accurately locates a reel on a hub and prevents slippage between the hub and reel when the reel is rotated to transport tape onto and off of the reel. The reel mounting hub has an annular groove containing an annular, U-shaped radial spring at the bottom of the groove. The radial spring has a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers. An annular garter spring is located in the groove overlying the circumferentially spaced fingers of the radial spring. A magnetic tape reel, mounted on the hub, has a conical inner wall which is engaged by the garter spring. Preferably, the engaging portions of the spring are shaped to conform to the shape of the conical wall to reduce stresses on the reel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic tape cassette storage and handling apparatus which is compact, reliable and uncomplex. The apparatus includes a ferris wheel structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced compartments for storing individual magnetic tape cassettes. A cassette handling device is located in a central opening of the ferris wheel structure. The apparatus is preferably mounted adjacent to a magnetic tape recorder/player, so that the cassette handling device loads and unloads a cassette from a compartment of the ferris wheel structure into and out of the magnetic tape recorder/player.

Abstract: A helical scan magnetic tape record/reproduce apparatus includes apparatus for changing the helix angle of magnetic tape relative to a rotary head scanner. A pair of elongate, arcuate air-bearing guides are disposed immediately adjacent and tangential to opposite sides of a circumferential surface of the rotary head scanner. The guides are at a first elevation and first angle and a second elevation and second angle, respectively, to cooperatively guide magnetic tape along a path at a predetermined helix angle while the magnetic tape is partially wrapped around the rotary head scanner. The planes of the air-bearing guides are changed in equal but opposite directions to change the helix angle of the tape relative to the rotary head scanner.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor assembly is actuated by a sprocket driven, belt drive system. First and second belt drives drive the transport/accessor assembly in horizontal and vertical directions and are tensioned by spring dampener assemblies. Each spring dampener assembly dampens rough and jerky movements and effects smooth and gentle acceleration and deceleration of the transport/accessor assembly. Each spring dampener assembly also provides compensation for belt drive wear, belt stretching and differential thermal expansion and contraction of the belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic tape cassette handling apparatus which is compact and reliable and which handles cassettes gently and firmly. The handling apparatus includes (a) a pusher member for gently moving a cassette forwardly into a cassette receiving location, and (b) clamping members for firmly clamping a cassette while moving the cassette rearwardly out of the cassette receiving location. The cassette handling apparatus is preferably located in a central opening of a cassette storage ferris wheel structure which is mounted adjacent to a magnetic tape recorder/player. Thus, the cassette handling apparatus loads and unloads a cassette from the ferris wheel structure into and out of the magnetic tape recorder/player.

Abstract: A web, contained in a cassette, is automatically threaded along an external transport path past a web utilization station, by means of a flexible threading band which pushes the web around the path. In a preferred embodiment, magnetic tape, contained in a cassette, is automatically threaded about a tape transport path past a magnetic head assembly by means of a flexible threading band contained in a threading band. The threading band is positioned behind a segment of the magnetic tape and is ejected from its own cassette, (1) to pull the magnetic tape out of the tape cassette, (2) to wrap the tape around a rotary head scanner of a magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus, and (3) to configure the tape to the tape transport path. After the tape is threaded, the flexible band is withdrawn into its cassette.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor assembly for use in a system including magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce apparatus. The cassette transport/accessor assembly transports cassettes between locations in the system in a gentle and reliable manner. The magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor assembly includes upper and lower carriages having spring-biased, V-grooved wheels, which travel on spaced, parallel, upper and lower V-shaped horizontal rails located at the top and bottom of the cassette storage and record/reproduce apparatus. An accessor platform travels on two vertical rails rigidly mounted on the upper and lower carriages. The accessor platform supports two accessor assemblies which travel laterally on lead screws to effect insertion and extraction of magnetic tape cassettes. The transport/accessor assembly is lightweight since no actuating motors or motor supports are mounted on it.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce system, disclosed is an accessor which inserts or extracts a cassette from a storage location or a record/reproduce device. The accessor includes a cassette gripper assembly which handles different sizes of cassettes. Lateral motion of the accessor (a) actuates the gripper assembly to grip and ungrip a cassette and (b) effects locking and unlocking of the gripper assembly. A pair of accessors are mounted on an accessor platform so that one accessor can insert a cassette while the other accessor extracts a cassette, either at the same location (record/reproduce device) or at different locations (storage compartments).

Abstract: An electro-optical signal transmission module for transmitting an information signal between stationary and moving objects (such as the stationary and moving components of a rotary magnetic head scanner). The module has complementary mating structure to facilitate the stacking of a plurality of modules together, so that a plurality of separate information signals may be transmitted between relatively moving bodies.

Abstract: There is disclosed a low power motor and brake assembly for a magnetic tape reel of a magnetic tape recorder/player. The magnetic tape reel is driven by a motor having a rotor fixed to the reel shaft and a stator which is rotatably mounted. A brake assembly includes a brake drum mounted on the reel shaft and a spring loaded brake band engaging the brake drum. One end of the brake band is attached to the stator by a linkage. When the motor is energized, the stator rotates and releases the brake band from the drum by means of rotation of the linkage.

Abstract: Disclosed is magnetic tape cassette transport apparatus for use with a magnetic tape cassette storage and utilization system. Magnetic tape cassettes are transported between locations in the system by means of a cassette transport/accessor assembly, which is actuated by a belt drive system using stationary drive motors. This drive system eliminates the need to mount drive motors on the transport assembly, thus effecting a lighter weight, less complex assembly. The transport/accessor assembly includes two vertical rails rigidly mounted on upper and lower wheel carriages which travel on spaced horizontal rails adjacent to the cassette storage and utilization system. An accessor platform travels vertically on the vertical rails. The accessor platform supports a pair of cassette accessor assemblies which insert and extract a cassette from a location in the cassette storage and utilization system.

Abstract: In magnetic tape recording apparatus a magnetic tape reel is clamped to a spindle apparatus so that vibration between the spindle apparatus and reel is minimized and so that the reel is operable free of contact with a reel container. A magnetic tape reel having a central opening extending from a face of the reel and, within the opening, a plurality of reel projections with inner radial surfaces spaced from the reel face, is clamped to a tubular spindle member by means of a reel clamping member rotatably mounted at the end of the spindle member. The reel clamping member is actuated by a control member which is slidably mounted within the spindle member.

Abstract: Rotary scanner apparatus includes a magnetic head on the periphery of a rotatable headwheel having a central axis of rotation, and an off-axis light source for projecting a collimated beam of information-bearing light obliquely onto a planar photodetector on the axis of the headwheel. To optimize electro-optical "action", and thereby enhance signal-to-noise ratio, optical apparatus, interposed between the light source and the photodetector, has an optical characteristic for shaping the light beam, to cuase the size and shape of its cross section, at a plane of incidence coinciding with the photodetector, to correspond substantially to the size and shape of the light-sensitive surface of the photodetector. Preferably, the optical apparatus includes a prism pair of performing anamorphic beam contraction, to convert the beam shape to circular, in its plane of incidence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transporting a heat-generating load through an environment affected by vibrations and pressure variations, employ a capillary structure for advancing that working fluid, when in a liquid state, from a condenser section at a heat-conducting supporting structure spaced from the load to an evaporator section at a heat-conducting load support at the load, for converting the advanced fluid to a vapor state with heat drawn from the load in the evaporator section.

Abstract: Pneumatically controlled apparatus serves jointly for automatically threading magnetic tape along a transport path past a magnetic transducer head external to a magnetic tape cassette, then transporting the tape along such path. Tape transport elements of the pneumatic-type--air-bearing guides, a vacuum capstan, etc.--are arranged, like the magnetic head, on the oxide surface side (the information-bearing surface) of the magnetic tape. To thread the tape, a vacuum source provides an air pressure gradient the effect of which is to draw tape, spanning a supply reel and a take-up reel, from the cassette in the form of an expandable loop which takes the shape of the transport path when the tape loop expands into operative engagement with each transport element and the transducer head. The transport elements further include a pair of concave air-bearing guides disposed immediately adjacent and tangential to opposing sides of the transducer head.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically threading a web material from a supply reel to a take-up reel along an external transport path. In a preferred embodiment, the transport path is defined by a plurality of transport elements, arranged to cooperatively communicate with the oxide surface (the information-bearing side) of a magnetic tape, to cooperatively guide the tape along its transport path past a magnetic head station. A vacuum source serves for establishing an air pressure gradient the effect of which is to controllably pull tape, spanning the tape supply and take-up reels, toward the transport elements in the form of an expandable loop which takes the shape of the tape transport path when the loop expands to bring the information-bearing side of the tape into operative engagement with each transport element.