Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge used in a tape transport apparatus that incorporates air bearing technology is provided. The tape cartridge includes a housing for storing the data storage tape and a compressible filter. The filter is located proximate to an opening, or air inlet, that is in communication with the housing interior. The housing may also have a second opening, or air outlet, in communication with the housing interior such that the filter is interposed between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the housing may include a storage region to retain the filter in the compressed state. The filter and the storage region may have congruent geometries. A method of supplying filtered air to a tape transport apparatus is also provided. The method contemplates drawing ambient air through the filter and passing it directly through the outlet opening for use by the tape transport apparatus.

Abstract: A method of supporting a transducer head in a read/write application provides an air bearing member that has a bearing surface area. The transducer is reciprocally supported on the air bearing member. Gas is flowed out of the bearing surface area so that the transducer floats on a resulting air cushion. The transducer is then reciprocated in a controlled manner while floating. The method may be accomplished by mounting the transducer on a carriage and floatably supporting the carriage on the air bearing member. The bearing member and the carriage may be keyed to one another, and the bearing member may be formed of porous material. Reciprocation of the bearing member may be accomplished electromagnetically. The transducer may be used to read or write data on a tape medium.

Abstract: A transducer head assembly used in a read/write recording apparatus employs an air bearing that supports a carriage on an air cushion for reciprocal motion. The carriage supports a transducer and is moved by a drive in order to read or write on a track located on a storage tape. The bearing and the carriage may be mutually keyed to prevent relative rotation. The air bearing is shown to be a porous ceramic material such as alumina. The bearing may be triangular in cross-section, and the carriage may be a triangular frame telescopically received on the bearing. The drive may be a conductive coil that interacts with a magnet on the carriage. A dual air bearing and dual carriages is disclosed to support a pair of transducers. A method of supporting and moving a transducer implements the steps of this structure.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge used in a tape transport apparatus that incorporates air bearing technology is provided. The tape cartridge includes a housing for storing the data storage tape and a compressible filter. The filter is located proximate to an opening, or air inlet, that is in communication with the housing interior. The housing may also have a second opening, or air outlet, in communication with the housing interior such that the filter is interposed between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the housing may include a storage region to retain the filter in the compressed state. The filter and the storage region may have congruent geometries. A method of supplying filtered air to a tape transport apparatus is also provided. The method contemplates drawing ambient air through the filter and passing it directly through the outlet opening for use by the tape transport apparatus.

Abstract: A take-up mechanism for a read/write recording apparatus includes a hub with an outer surface about which a tape medium is to be wound. A recess is formed in the outer surface, and a receiver block is reciprocally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When retracted, an end surface of the receiver block registers with the outer surface of the hub to form a smooth winding surface for the tape. The receiver block has a bay sized to engage the leader block on the tape such that the leader block is enclosed within the hub when the receiver block is retracted. A rotatable drive rotates the hub to wind the tape thereon. This mechanism may be incorporated into a read/write apparatus including a read/write recording head, bearing members to support the tape during transport and a threading assembly to thread the tape through the device.

Abstract: A docking apparatus and method is used in a read/write recording assembly (10) and includes a bay structure, such as a sub-frame (50), adapted to receive a tape cartridge (18) The sub-frame (50) is disclosed to pivot relative to the assembly's main frame. A pawl element (78) is controlled by a cam assembly (40) in a first mode so as to move from an advanced position to a withdrawn position thereby to move the cartridge (18) from a received/extended position to a received/retracted position. The cam assembly (40) also mounts the cartridge (18), for example, by pivoting the sub-frame (50) relative to the main frame. Driving the cam assembly (40) in a second mode reverses this operation. The cam assembly (40) may use a single rotatable cam element (72) to accomplish the loading and mounting of the cartridge (18), and a suitable drive actuates the cam assembly (40).

Abstract: A leader block in a read/write recording apparatus includes a body member and a latch member that move relative to each other to receive, engage and retain the leader pin on a tape medium. The leader block may include finger-like engagement structures. The catch piece can be biased toward a closed position and can include a ramp to facilitate initial engagement of the leader pin. The catch piece can include an actuator tab. A threading assembly is disclosed to incorporate the leader block and includes an actuator that selective operates the catch piece via the actuator tab to permit disengagement of the leader pin therefrom. A cam assembly may control the actuator. This assembly is disclosed in conjunction with a threading assembly that includes a flexible conveyor member received in a guide track. A method utilizing this structure is described.

Abstract: A transducer head assembly used in a read/write recording apparatus employs an air bearing that supports a carriage on an air cushion for reciprocal motion. The carriage supports a transducer and is moved by a drive in order to read or write on a track located on a storage tape. The bearing and the carriage may be mutually keyed to prevent relative rotation. The air bearing is shown to be a porous ceramic material such as alumina. The bearing may be triangular in cross-section, and the carriage may be a triangular frame telescopically received on the bearing. The drive may be a conductive coil that interacts with a magnet on the carriage. A dual air bearing and dual carriages is disclosed to support a pair of transducers. A method of supporting and moving a transducer implements the steps of this structure.

Abstract: A docking apparatus and method is used in a read/write recording assembly (10) and includes a bay structure, such as a sub-frame (50), adapted to receive a tape cartridge.(18) The sub-frame (50) is disclosed to pivot relative to the assembly's main frame. A pawl element (78) is controlled by a cam assembly (40) in a first mode so as to move from an advanced position to a withdrawn position thereby to move the cartridge (18) from a received/extended position to a received/retracted position. The cam assembly (40) also mounts the cartridge (18), for example, by pivoting the sub-frame (50) relative to the main frame. Driving the cam assembly (40) in a second mode reverses this operation. The cam assembly (40) may use a single rotatable cam element (72) to accomplish the loading and mounting of the cartridge (18), and a suitable drive actuates the cam assembly (40).

Abstract: A media carousel changer is adapted to receive a plurality of cassettes to mount them in and demount them from a docking station on a recorder/reader such that data can be accessed. The changer includes a rotatable turntable on a support frame. Cassette holders for the cassettes are located at the periphery of the turntable and are pivotable between an extended position and a retracted position. A plunger arm is linearly movable between an advanced position to pivot a registered one of the cassette holders to the extended position to move the cassette into a docked state on the docking station and a withdrawn position to permit the cassette holder to pivot into the retracted position thereby to demount the cassette. A rotary drive rotates the turntable to select the desired cassette.

Abstract: An air bearing system for a tape transport (10) including air bearing (322) having portions (360 and 370) providing different flow rates of air to support the tape.

Abstract: A leader block in a read/write recording apparatus includes a body member and a latch member that move relative to each other to receive, engage and retain the leader pin on a tape medium. The leader block may include finger-like engagement structures. The catch piece can be biased toward a closed position and can include a ramp to facilitate initial engagement of the leader pin. The catch piece can include an actuator tab. A threading assembly is disclosed to incorporate the leader block and includes an actuator that selective operates the catch piece via the actuator tab to permit disengagement of the leader pin therefrom. A cam assembly may control the actuator. This assembly is disclosed in conjunction with a threading assembly that includes a flexible conveyor member received in a guide track. A method utilizing this structure is described.

Abstract: A take-up mechanism for a read/write recording apparatus includes a hub with an outer surface about which a tape medium is to be wound. A recess is formed in the outer surface, and a receiver block is reciprocally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When retracted, an end surface of the receiver block registers with the outer surface of the hub to form a smooth winding surface for the tape. The receiver block has a bay sized to engage the leader block on the tape such that the leader block is enclosed within the hub when the receiver block is retracted. A rotatable drive rotates the hub to wind the tape thereon. This mechanism may be incorporated into a read/write apparatus including a read/write recording head, bearing members to support the tape during transport and a threading assembly to thread the tape through the device.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge used in a tape transport apparatus that incorporates air bearing technology is provided. The tape cartridge includes a housing for storing the data storage tape and a compressible filter. The filter is located proximate to an opening, or air inlet, that is in communication with the housing interior. The housing may also have a second opening, or air outlet, in communication with the housing interior such that the filter is interposed between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the housing may include a storage region to retain the filter in the compressed state. The filter and the storage region may have congruent geometries. A method of supplying filtered air to a tape transport apparatus is also provided. The method contemplates drawing ambient air through the filter and passing it directly through the outlet opening for use by the tape transport apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding a tape medium is disclosed to include a winding hub, a drive operative to rotate the hub, a rigid packing arm and a support member for the packing arm. The packing arm rides on the surface of the tape pack and may be linear or arcuate and may be off the wind axis of the hub. A first end portion of the packing arm may also overlap the hub. The packing arm may be formed of a non-ferrous material, such as a ceramic, and it may be biased into contact with the tape pack surface. A longitudinal groove can be provided to collect debris. A plurality of packing arms equiangularly spaced relative to the hub may be employed. The packing arm can be supported on the frame of the apparatus or it can be mounted in a cartridge that provides a supply of tape.

Abstract: A recording device (10) operative to read and write data on a recording medium (200) has a support frame (26), a take-up mechanism (24), bearing elements (18, 22) on opposite sides of a recording head (20). The recording head (20) is mounted for translational movement by a positioning assembly which includes a pair of flexure plates (54, 56) having flexure portions (120, 150) defining torsional springs with oppositely acting torques to resist rotational movement of the recording head (20) during reciprocal movement. A drive includes a stepper motor (96) that operates a shaft cam (94) that bears against a head cam block (86) to move flexure portion (120) and a recording head (20) against a restorative force of flexure portions (120, 150). Cam nuts (34, 48) adjust skew and a cam element (107) adjusts tape penetration.

Abstract: A linear-type tape transport includes a pair of air bearings on each side of a transducer when viewed in reference to the tape transport direction. Each air bearing includes a housing and a bear member formed of a porous material. The housing and the bearing member form a plenum connectable to a pressurized air source such that air flow through the porous material creates an air cushion to support a tape medium during transport. The porous material is preferably a ceramic that is between two and fifty percent open. The bearing member has a datum face with the bearing surface thereof being planar and at a small obtuse angle to the datum face thereby to automatically urge an edge of the tape against the datum face. The housing is preferably U-shaped in cross-section with an arcuate bottom and parallel sidewalls.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved strip label printer and especially to a shuttle mechanism therefor that advances the label strip in incremental fashion and, in addition, functions to actuate the printing head during the time the shuttle is returning to its original position preparatory to starting another label-advancing stroke. This shuttle mechanism is characterized by a specially-shaped slide block that includes label-engaging ears working through slots in a bedplate over which the label strip moves and also a hump-like fulcrum between these ears that engages the underside of the bedplate and functions to tilt the slide block in a direction as to elevate the ears into operative position during the forward stroke lowering them into inoperative position beneath the strip on the return stroke when shuttled back and forth by the crank and pitman drive therefor.