Abstract: It is possible to reduce influence of backlash effectively and to carry out precise position control even if a drive mechanism uses rotary drive of gears. For this, in moving a subject to be moved by rotation of the gears, an original point for position control is positioned by use of a sensor flag, and afterward the position control is carried out. When positioning, a bias means generates a bias in a moving direction for movement to be moved that backlash of gear drive may be removed. This sets the backlash to substantial “zero” in positioning the original point, and stabilizes an original point reset position.

Abstract: A cell (300) includes a cartridge lock (306) at its opening for securing a data cartridge (100) in the cell by locking. A picker mechanism (500) includes a picker arm (521) and an ejection release part (522) for releasing locking realized by the cartridge lock (306). When the data cartridge (100) is to be inserted into the cell (300), the cartridge lock (306) is caused to retract as far as a position at which locking is released by a tapered surface (101) that is provided on the data cartridge (100); and when the data cartridge (100) is to be ejected from the cell (300), cartridge lock (306) is released by the ejection release part (522) at the same time that picker arm (521) engages engagement hole (102).

Abstract: It is possible to reduce influence of backlash effectively and to carry out precise position control even if a drive mechanism uses rotary drive of gears. For this, in moving a subject to be moved by rotation of the gears, an original point for position control is positioned by use of a sensor flag, and afterward the position control is carried out. When positioning, a bias means generates a bias in a moving direction for movement to be moved that backlash of gear drive may be removed. This sets the backlash to substantial “zero” in positioning the original point, and stabilizes an original point reset position.

Abstract: A cell (300) includes a cartridge lock (306) at its opening for securing a data cartridge (100) in the cell by locking. A picker mechanism (500) includes a picker arm (521) and an ejection release part (522) for releasing locking realized by the cartridge lock (306). When the data cartridge (100) is to be inserted into the cell (300), the cartridge lock (306) is caused to retract as far as a position at which locking is released by a tapered surface (101) that is provided on the data cartridge (100); and when the data cartridge (100) is to be ejected from the cell (300), cartridge lock (306) is released by the ejection release part (522) at the same time that picker arm (521) engages engagement hole (102).

Abstract: A picker mechanism and a library device having the picker mechanism are provided in which their miniaturization can be achieved. A drive device mounted on the library device and the picker mechanism to load and unload data cartridges to and from a cell in a magazine include a swivel mechanism made up of a swivel driving motor to rotate the picker mechanism on an elevator that supports the picker mechanism, a feeding section having a picker arm on its side that is connected to a notch to be held in a fixed manner which is formed on a side of the data cartridge and, a feeding section driving mechanism made up of a picker driving motor to move the feeding section in a straight line.

Abstract: A cartridge locking mechanism for a magnetic tape apparatus wherein variation of the pulling out force for a cartridge is prevented so that the cartridge can be removed smoothly is disclosed. A right guide plate and a left guide plate are provided for movement on the inner sides of a right side plate and a left side plate on the opposite sides of a deck base, respectively, and a cartridge tray is inserted in the inner sides of the right guide plate and the left guide plate. Aright locking lever and a cam lever, and a left locking lever and a cam lever for locking a cartridge are provided for rocking movement on pins provided at lower portions on the opposite sides of the cartridge tray each through a torsion spring and a torsion spring. A guide pin and a pair of pins are provided on side faces of the cartridge tray and fitted in guide slots in the right side plate and right guide plate and the left side plate and left guide plate, respectively, to guide the cartridge tray.

Abstract: A picker mechanism and a library device having the picker mechanism are provided in which their miniaturization can be achieved. A drive device mounted on the library device and the picker mechanism to load and unload data cartridges to and from a cell in a magazine include a swivel mechanism made up of a swivel driving motor to rotate the picker mechanism on an elevator that supports the picker mechanism, a feeding section having a picker arm on its side that is connected to a notch to be held in a fixed manner which is formed on a side of the data cartridge and, a feeding section driving mechanism made up of a picker driving motor to move the feeding section in a straight line.

Abstract: Provided is a leader block rotary mechanism for a cartridge magnetic tape device, which allows over-rotation of a rotator cam in the capture direction by providing an over-rotation limiting device in a rotator cam so that damages on mechanism parts and motors due to over-rotation of the rotator cam can be prevented. Over-rotation of the rotator cam can be facilitated so that fine adjustment in the rotation amount of the loader cam gear and the rotator cam becomes unnecessary. Further, there is no abnormal capture operation generated even when there is over or less rotation of the rotator cam. The rotator cam is forcibly rotated by a release cam in the release direction through reverse rotation of the loader cam gear so as to prevent the rotation from being stuck at the time of release.

Abstract: A tape cartridge is disclosed which allows tape threading to be performed using a drive apparatus for use with a conventional cartridge and allows taking out of a leader pin thereof even if a leader block for engaging with the leader pin is not positioned very near to a case of the cartridge loaded at a predetermined position of a drive apparatus for a tape cartridge. A cartridge reel is disposed for rotation in a case, and a leader pin holder for holding a leader pin attached to an end of a tape wound on the reel is disposed in the case. The case has an aperture which permits passage of the tape therethrough, and the leader pin holder is mounted for pivotal motion around a shaft with respect to the case between a closing position at which it closes at least part of the aperture and an open position which opens the aperture. The leader pinholder is acted upon by biasing force toward the closing position.

Abstract: Provided is a leader block rotary mechanism for a cartridge magnetic tape device, which allows over-rotation of a rotator cam in the capture direction by providing an over-rotation limiting device in a rotator cam so that damages on mechanism parts and motors due to over-rotation of the rotator cam can be prevented. Over-rotation of the rotator cam can be facilitated so that fine adjustment in the rotation amount of the loader cam gear and the rotator cam becomes unnecessary. Further, there is no abnormal capture operation generated even when there is over or less rotation of the rotator cam. The rotator cam is forcibly rotated by a release cam in the release direction through reverse rotation of the loader cam gear so as to prevent the rotation from being stuck at the time of release.

Abstract: A threading motor (5) fixed to a deck base (2) has a gear at the tip of the shaft thereof, and rotates a drive shaft (6-1) through the gear secured to tip of the drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably secured to the deck base, and a drive arm (6) is secured to the tip of the drive shaft. A threading arm (7) is rotatably secured to the tip of the drive arm through a pin, and a threading pin (7-1) is fixed to the tip of the threading arm. The threading pin has a bearing (7-2) at the upper portion thereof, and moves along a guide (3-1) formed on a guide plate (3) fixed on the deck base. When the threading motor rotates, a leader block (8) passes the front side of the magnetic head (4) while drawing out a magnetic tape (1-1). At this time, a head portion (4-1) of a magnetic head (4) is cleaned by a brush (8-2) fixed to a leader block (8).

Abstract: A cartridge locking mechanism for a magnetic tape apparatus wherein variation of the pulling out force for a cartridge is prevented so that the cartridge can be removed smoothly is disclosed. A right guide plate and a left guide plate are provided for movement on the inner sides of a right side plate and a left side plate on the opposite sides of a deck base, respectively, and a cartridge tray is inserted in the inner sides of the right guide plate and the left guide plate. Aright locking lever and a cam lever, and a left locking lever and a cam lever for locking a cartridge are provided for rocking movement on pins provided at lower portions on the opposite sides of the cartridge tray each through a torsion spring and a torsion spring. A guide pin and a pair of pins are provided on side faces of the cartridge tray and fitted in guide slots in the right side plate and right guide plate and the left side plate and left guide plate, respectively, to guide the cartridge tray.

Abstract: A tape cartridge is disclosed which allows tape threading to be performed using a drive apparatus for use with a conventional cartridge and allows taking out of a leader pin thereof even if a leader block for engaging with the leader pin is not positioned very near to a case of the cartridge loaded at a predetermined position of a drive apparatus for a tape cartridge. A cartridge reel is disposed for rotation in a case, and a leader pin holder for holding a leader pin attached to an end of a tape wound on the reel is disposed in the case. The case has an aperture which permits passage of the tape therethrough, and the leader pin holder is mounted for pivotal motion around a shaft with respect to the case between a closing position at which it closes at least part of the aperture and an open position which opens the aperture. The leader pinholder is acted upon by biasing force toward the closing position.

Abstract: A threading motor (5) fixed to a deck base (2) has a gear at the tip of the shaft thereof, and rotates a drive shaft (6-1) through the gear secured to tip of the drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably secured to the deck base, and a drive arm (6) is secured to the tip of the drive shaft. A threading arm (7) is rotatably secured to the tip of the drive arm through a pin, and a threading pin (7-1) is fixed to the tip of the threading arm. The threading pin has a bearing (7-2) at the upper portion thereof, and moves along a guide (3-1) formed on a guide plate (3) fixed on the deck base. When the threading motor rotates, a leader block (8) passes the front side of the magnetic head (4) while drawing out a magnetic tape (1-1). At this time, a head portion (4-1) of a magnetic head (4) is cleaned by a brush (8-2) fixed to a leader block (8).

Abstract: In a threading mechanism for taking out a leader pin secured to one end of a magnetic recording tape from a single reel cartridge, moving the leader pin to a predetermined guide path and threading the magnetic recording tape around a reel in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, when a cartridge loader holding the cartridge is moved to the cartridge loading position of a deck base by a loader guide mounted on the deck base, a threader drive for holding the leader pin and guiding the leader pin to the reel through the guide path rotates the leader block in cooperation of a retractor cam provided to the cartridge loader and a retractor provided to the deck base, engages a hook provided to the leader block with the leader pin from the rear side thereof along the loading direction of the cartridge loader to clamp the leader pin to the leader block, and guides the leader pin to the guide path.

Abstract: In a magnetic head cleaner (4) for use in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having a magnetic head (61) located in the neighborhood of the center of gravity of a head driving mechanism (62), an arm (41) which is retractably swung along the front face of the magnetic head (61) is provided with a holder (45) for enabling a cleaner head (48) to perform a contact/separate operation to/from the front face of the magnetic head (61), the holder (45) being operated so that the cleaner head (48) comes into contact with the front face of the magnetic head (61) when the arm (41) is located in front of the front face of the magnetic head (61), and being guided so as to be separated from the magnetic head (61) by guide means (7) provided to a frame (1) of the apparatus at the stage that the arm (41) is retracted from the front face of the magnetic head (61).

Abstract: A cartridge mis-insertion preventing mechanism, comprising: a cartridge tray into which a cartridge is insertable; a loader plate into which the cartridge tray is insertable; a cartridge locking mechanism for locking the cartridge to the cartridge tray; a loading locking mechanism for preventing the cartridge tray and the loader plate from being inserted into a loader guide plate; and a restricting mechanism for changing the loading locking mechanism from a lock state to an unlock state only when the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge tray in a correct direction; wherein the cartridge tray and the loader plate are inserted into the loader guide plate along with the cartridge when the cartridge is further inserted after the loading locking mechanism has been changed from the lock state to the unlock state; wherein before the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge tray, the cartridge locking mechanism is in an unlock state; wherein when the cartridge tray and the loader plate along with the cartri