Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.

Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.

Abstract: A tape threading apparatus for use with a single reel cartridge of source tape allows leader tape to be spooled onto an inner leader drum, and source tape to be spooled on to an outer take-up drum. The apparatus has a take-up reel having an outer drum configured to accept source tape. The apparatus further includes a leader drum which is supported essentially concentric with and at least partially rotatable with respect to the outer drum. The leader tape has a first end attached to the leader drum and a second end provided with a tape connector which can be connected to the source tape. The outer drum has a leader tape opening to allow leader tape to pass freely from the leader drum to the outside of the outer drum. The leader tape opening is configured to prevent passage of the tape connector therethrough. In a first embodiment, the leader drum is configured to be driven by a drive motor.

Abstract: A tape block and take-up reel assembly for use in a non-continuous cartridge based magnetic tape transport system. The take-up reel assembly includes a leader tape and a leader block. The tape block connection features and the leader block receiving features allow for a connection to be established therebetween as a result of orienting the tape block and leader block from a pre-connective orientation to a pre-connective mated orientation. These orientations are primarily achieved by moving the cartridge into the tape transport system and by winding the take-up reel assembly.

Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.

Abstract: A threading apparatus for threading tape from a single reel magnetic tape cartridge through a tape transport machine. The threading apparatus includes a leader block and a take-up reel. The take-up reel includes a leader block receiving section that is adapted to receive the leader block during a threading operation. Upon the take-up reel receiving the leader block, the take-up reel and leader block form a smooth winding substrate for subsequent wraps of magnetic tape.