Abstract: Apparatus for installing a tape leader on a hub, including a resilient locking member which can be projected into an undercut slot in the hub to press in a portion of the tape leader and lock it therein. A punch moves the locking member towards the hub slot, while a pair of pivotally mounted compressors move along opposite sides of the locking member to compress it and guide it into the hub slot.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media called diskettes comprise a flexible magnetic disk which is enclosed in a jacket. The jacket has at least two openings therethrough. One of them is at the center on each side to enable the diskette to be engaged by a hub for rotating it, the other two are at opposite sides and comprise elliptic shaped openings which afford access for the reading head and for the pressure pad to opposite surfaces of a diskette. This invention provides doors which automatically cover the head and pressure pad access openings, except when a diskette is inserted into the reading mechanism at which time the door is automatically opened to enable the indicated access to the disk surfaces.

Abstract: In a tape cartridge of the type wherein a motor-driven endless belt bears against the supply and take-up rolls of tape to move the tape, and wherein the belt extends about a pair of guide rollers that hold it in tension, the improvement of a drag washer for applying drag to the guide rollers to assure tension in the belt. Each drag washer is bowed, with a central portion having a hole receiving the roller shaft and bearing against an end of the roller, and with a pair of arms bearing against the cartridge frame.

Abstract: In a system of the type wherein a floppy magnetic disc enclosed in an envelope stores data on both sides, unless great care is taken in inserting the floppy disc into the using apparatus, which reads from or writes thereon, one can accidentally or erroneously erase or write over data. This invention provides a floppy disc with a hole which can align with one or the other of a pair of two holes through an envelope in which said disc rotates. An opaque moveable means can be positioned to block one or the other of these pair of holes. A photocell will produce enabling signals by sensing light passing through only one of the pair of holes when the floppy disc is positioned one way in the using apparatus and through the other of the pair of holes when the floppy disc is positioned another way in the using apparatus. Accordingly, only when the floppy disc is correctly positioned in the using apparatus can the transducer head be enabled to write or read.

Abstract: An improved, Philips-type tape cassette having a shiftable tab for selectively blocking the opening formed by the removal of the conventional knock-out tab used to provide a means for determining the presence of pre-recorded material on the tape carried by the cassette. The two shells of the cassette have improved tongue and groove structure at the adjacent sides and ends to fit the shells together and to prevent relative movement therebetween. Relatively wide front and rear end walls on one of the shells provide a pair of beams of increased thickness to prevent bending of the cassette so as to maintain its structural integrity. An improved internal lock is provided near the central part of the rear wall where an attachment screw would be impractical. Each hub of the cassette has an improved leader-holding insert which is received within an outer peripheral recess and supports the tape across the recess to avoid "spoking" in the tape pack formed on the hub.

Abstract: An assembly comprised of a flexible, magnetic recording disk and a jacket or envelope which houses the disk in a manner such that the disk can rotate in the jacket under the influence of a conventional disk drive. The jacket has a notch at one corner thereof to provide a write enable function for the assembly when used with the disk drive. A rigid member is provided adjacent to the notch to close the opening formed thereby between the two sides of the jacket and to reinforce the corner to prevent structural damage to the jacket when used with the disk drive. The jacket is formed from an initially flat sheet of material and, except for the aforesaid rigid member, there is no structure between the outer periphery of the disk and the adjacent margin of the jacket.