Abstract: A projector and a method of using it includes an expandable housing, which includes a display panel assembly, and an illumination and display panel projection optics arrangement. The housing includes housing portions which are movably mounted relative to one another, to increase the overall dimensions of the housing adjustably to accommodate the display panel optics arrangement during use as a projector.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head positioning device for vertically displacing the magnetic head relative to the tape path. The read/write head positioning device is implemented in a tape drive system for reading and writing magnetic data on a plurality of parallel data tracks of a magnetic medium which is moving longitudinally on a tape transport path of a high performance tape path system. The read/write head positioning device includes a support body which is fixedly secured in a position which is proximate to the tape transport path. It also has a head housing configured to securely support a magnetic head such that the magnetic head may be selectively aligned with respect to the plurality of parallel data tracks. The head housing has a front face positioned across a transverse dimension of the passing magnetic medium. Coupled to the head housing is a head housing base which is fixedly attached to, and extending vertically from, a top surface of the support base.

Abstract: The flanges on either side of the arcuate path of the tape support are juxtaposed thereto in an abutting relationship so that there is a substantially continuous solid surface extending from flange to flange to provide support for the magnetic tape transported thereon. A plurality of air supply holes are provided in this arcuate surface to provide the air flow necessary to implement an air bearing. The air from the air bearing is vented through a plurality of slots provided in the surface of the arcuate surface in predefined locations thereon. The use of the plurality of slots provides controllable variability of the air flow in the air bearing and also provides a substantially solid surface on which the tape is transported.

Abstract: The tape threading mechanism threads a magnetic tape from a magnetic tape cartridge along a tape transport path to a take-up reel by using a two-member, spring loaded tape threading arm which uses two cam surfaces to control the articulation of the spring-loaded tape threading arm. A cam follower formed on the upper end of a leader block locating pin of the tape threading arm engages a short cam surface at the beginning of the tape transport path to guide the leader block of the magnetic tape along a short distance at which time the tape threading arm is smoothly accelerating. Once the cam follower disengages from the cam surface, the spring-loaded tape threading arm is locked into a fixed radius which allows the magnetic tape to maintain a constant velocity through approximately three hundred degrees of rotation, at which time the cam follower engages a second cam surface. The second cam surface guides the cam follower and leader block into position to engage the take-up reel.

Abstract: A tape guide which includes a roller having a fixed lower flange and a tape contacting portion having a width less than the width of the tape. A compliant member formed from a flat spring is mounted on the top of the roller opposite the flange. The compliant member includes an outwardly and upwardly tapered peripheral portion extending beyond the diameter of the tape contacting portion of the roller. Since the tape width is greater than the width of the tape contacting portion of the roller, the tape is forced against the tapered portion of the compliant member. The compliant member thus biases the tape downward against the lower flange by applying a uniform distributed load against the upper edge of the tape. The tape is prevented from being vertically displaced regardless of variations in the width of the tape. Variations in the wrap angle will not affect the loading on the tape.

Abstract: An extended play cassette including a housing having an adaptor portion similar in form to a conventional cassette and a magazine portion in stacked relationship to the adaptor portion. The extended play cassette includes hubs within the magazine portion for carrying a web in rolls thereupon, access means in the adaptor portion for providing access to the web by a record/play apparatus, guides between the adaptor portion and the magazine portion for guiding the web therebetween, and a drive train connecting engagement sockets in the adaptor portion to the respective hubs in the magazine portion.