Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides for a servo-actuated, head actuator design wherein a head carriage includes one or more positional sensor location features that precisely define placement. The sensor location features are configured such that a positional sensor can be mated into a specific sensor location feature. As the head carriage is typically manufactured with great accuracy, the inclusion and placement of the sensor location features will also be extremely accurate. As a result, the location of positional sensors can be pre-defined via the head carriage design such that they will be at a precise location with respect to a magnetic head attached to the head carriage, thereby reducing variation in the location of one or more positional sensors resulting from a tape drive assembly process.

Abstract: A composite endless power transmission belt has a resilient plastic outer tubular member with a cylindrical bore, and an inner coil spring member extending wholly and slidably within the cylindrical bore and endlessly through the bore. Assembly is by inserting the spring into the tubular member and screwing a reduced diameter end of the spring into the larger diameter spring end to form an endless belt. The lengths of both members are selected such that when uninstalled, the outer member is in compression and the inner member is in tension, yet when installed, the outer member is partially or completely decompressed and the inner member is in optimal operating tension.

Abstract: A method of connecting the free end of an elastomeric cord to the hook of a connector, that is attached to a loop on the other end of the cord, to form an endless drive belt to connect a pair of rotary drive members, which utilizes a novel tool. The tool has a retainer segment and a contact segment comprising a pair of curved contact arms flanking a finger and forming an opening, and a handle. The tool contact segments are placed on one of the rollers with the finger in the roller drive groove and the handle resting on an adjacent roller. The connector and attached cord end loop are placed in a retainer pocket on the finger. The cord free end is then grasped and pulled around both rollers, which clamps the tool to the roller, and onto the hook to form the endless belt. The handle is grasped to raise the tool, pivot it around the roller to unclamp the tool, and slide the tool to disengage it from the drive belt.