Abstract: A high performance tape reel with an outwardly facing cylindrical tape winding surface parallel to a drive pin bore on a reel hub. The hub has a pair of hub reference surfaces adjacent to the winding surface for aligning tape flanges. Flanges are attached to the hub at a location remote from the winding surface and magnetic tape. A drive cap with a reel pin bearing surface is attached to the hub so that the reel pin bearing surface substantially covers one entrance to the drive pin bore.

Abstract: A tape guide module for a reel-to-reel data cartridge containing a pair of tape guides configured to provide a tape guide adjacent to each side of a read/write zone in the data cartridge. The tape surface pieces are formed as a type of leaf spring that are loaded when it is assembled between top and bottom plates. The top and bottom plates form at least one flange to guide and align the tape to improve tape tracking.

Abstract: A reel-to-reel tape cartridge includes two tape guides for guiding the tape to and from respective tape reels. The tape guides have a large radius of curvature and are flanged to form a long trough to guide and align the tape to improve tape tracking. The tape guides are formed of two flange pieces separated by a tape surface piece and a post. Each flange piece is generally semi-circular and includes three notches which receive tabs on the tape surface piece to secure the tape surface piece. The tape surface piece is formed as a type of leaf spring that is loaded when it is assembled between the flange pieces. The post can be cylindrical or flat.

Abstract: A base plate for use in a data cartridge using pre-coated aluminum. The coating is applied before cutting the aluminum into a base plate shaped article.

Abstract: A reel-to-reel tape cartridge includes two tape guides for guiding the tape to and from respective tape reels. The tape guides have a large radius of curvature and are flanged to form a long trough to guide and align the tape to improve tape tracking. The tape guides are formed of two flange pieces separated by a tape surface piece and a post. Each flange piece is generally semi-circular and includes three notches which receive tabs on the tape surface piece to secure the tape surface piece. The tape surface piece is formed as a type of leaf spring that is loaded when it is assembled between the flange pieces. The post can be cylindrical or flat.

Abstract: A stretched surface recording disk includes an annular substrate to which are adhesively attached magnetic recording films covering each major surface of the substrate. The substrate has annular ridges adjacent its inner and outer diameters which support the film above and parallel to each major surface and film attachment surfaces adjacent the ridges which are radiused an amount sufficient to place the adhesive in compression, preferably about 0.030 inches (0.80 mm).

Abstract: A cassette reel drive mechanism is disclosed for providing fast forward and reverse drive for the supply and takeup reels of the cassette. The mechanism includes a simple mechanism, all of which is desirably mounted on the shaft of a DC reversible motor, and utilizes a portion of the torque of the motor, coupled through a clutch mechanism, to pivot a linkage arm. An idler wheel is mounted on the arm and is driven by the motor. Pivoting of the arm brings the idler wheel into driving contact with a respective turntable associated with the supply and takeup spindles on which a cassette may be mounted to provide the desired fast forward or reverse drive, and disengages a brake mechanism to allow unencumbered rotation of the appropriate turntable.