Abstract: A rotary scanning device having a stationary upper and lower drum (1,2) is proposed, in which a cylindrical insert (15) with a servo head (16) is arranged in a radial bore (14) in the lower drum (2). The cylindrical insert (15) is secured to the circumference of a ring (18) which is concentrically supported in the lower drum (2) and which has an axial groove (19) in its circumferential surface for the adjustment of the angular position of the ring (18).

Abstract: To guide magnetic tape, particularly tape used in video tape recording, and especially for digital video signals for self-centering of the tape with respect to a datum (41) of a roller system, two coaxially journalled frusto-conical rollers are provided, which are independently rotatable with respect to a shaft (4) having a shaft axis (40) and, further, tiltable about tilt axes (13, 14) which extend at right angles to the shaft axis (40) and intersect the intersection point of the then existing axes of rotation (7, 8) of the respective rollers with the shaft. Upon drift or creep of the tape (1) from symmetrical positioning with respect to the rollers, return forces will be applied to the tape tending to return the tape to centered, symmetrical position, independently of the running direction of the tape.

Abstract: To insure maintenance of a fixed position of tape which is being withdrawn from a cassette and looped in a predetermined tape path, a pressing engagement head (23) with a friction surface (24) presses the tape (4) against the scanning device (1) during withdrawal from, or return to, a cassette of the tape. Movement of the head (23) in clamping direction is controlled by a lever (9) which engages a cam (13, 15, 16, 17, 18), rotated by a drive shaft (14) upon withdrawal of the tape from the cassette and placement of the tape into a tape path, the initial position leaving the tape free around the scanning device, withdrawing movement clamping the tape against the scanning device by pivoting of the lever and hence engaging the clamping head (23) against the tape (4) and the tape against the scanning device (1). Preferably, the engagement is resilient, for example by interposition of a leaf spring (21).

Abstract: In order to provide protection to magnetic tape during storage and use, a tape holding cassette according to the invention has a closable housing within which there is disposed a movable entity consisting of a separating wall that can glide in suitable grooves within the housing. Mounted on opposite surfaces of the separating wall are tape reel holding and rotating hubs and further mounted on the separating wall are tape guiding mechanisms that guide the tape from one reel across the edge of the separating wall to the second tape reel, thereby defining a path in which the tape travels obliquely with respect to the plane of the housing. The tape reel hubs have gears that can engage corresponding gears of the tape recorder and they include internal locking mechanisms that automatically prevent relative rotation of the tape reels with respect to one another and with respect to the cassette during transport.

Abstract: The apparatus has a pair of guide rollers which are located to guide the tape in a direct, straight-line path between the guide rollers and, additionally, further guide rollers which are movable to engage behind the tape in the straight-line path and, when moved, wrap the tape around a record/reproduce head. The additional guide roller is movable in an essentially straight-line path, the roller, when in the position in which the tape is placed around the record/reproduce head, being the one furthest away from the cassette, when the cassette is inserted in the apparatus. Essentially simultaneously with movement of the aforementioned guide roller, other guide rollers are likewise moved to engage the tape with a drive capstan, and to additionally positively place the tape around a record/reproduce cylinder for spiral passage thereover. The other rollers operate on curved paths, the arrangement providing for timed interrelation of the stationary and movable guide elements in their respective paths in space.

Abstract: To decrease forces acting on the edge of magnetic tape, typically wide tape (25.4 mm-1"), and thus prevent damage to the edge, the surface of deflection guide rollers is formed to be resilient and permitting axial deflection, but returning to the nominal radial position when not deflected or deformed by axial forces applied thereto by the magnetic tape. The surface may be formed by bristles extending radially, ring-shaped foam strips, ball bearing-supported rings in which the bearings have slight axial play, or resiliently deflectable sheet metal rings, the axial restoring forces of ball bearing-supported rings being provided by centrifugal forces tending to align the bearing in a plane exactly transversely to the axis of rotation. The forces then acting between the magnetic tape and diametrically projecting guide flanges are reduced since slight axial deflection, in the order of about 0.001 mm, in permitted.

Abstract: Adjustable assembly elements for adjusting and aligning the head wheel and the motor of a magnetic tape instrument using diagonal track scanning, with respect to each other and the two-part stationary guide drum type housing in which they are contained.

Abstract: A magnetic tape guiding device for use in a magnetic tape instrument having a magnetic tape, a supply reel for supplying the magnetic tape, a drum arrangement including a rotary magnetic head arrangement disposed in a drum having a transverse division for the recording and playback of the magnetic tape, and a take-up reel for receiving the magnetic tape; the magnetic tape having a path extending from the supply reel to the drum where it follows a helical path along the circumference of said drum for about 180.degree., and then to the take-up reel; the device featuring first and second cylindrical vertical level equalizing elements disposed in the path of the magnetic tape on opposite sides of the drum, the elements being axially askewed with respect to the drum, oppositely offset with respect to the division in the drum and each being disposed tangent to a plane tangent to said drum, the path of the magnetic tape having a portion extending along the circumference of each element for about 180.degree.