Abstract: An arrangement is designed to achieve satisfactory tape contact by setting a specific ratio for the width of a drum window and the head length of a double azimuth head. The head length L is defined as the distance from the front end of the preceding head to the back end of the succeeding head. When the drum window width W is defined as the distance of the drum window in the rotary direction, the preceding head and the succeeding head are arranged within the drum window to satisfy the relation 1.15 L.ltoreq.W.ltoreq.1.28 L. When the space S1 is defined as the distance from the front end of the preceding head to the front end of the drum window, and the space S2 is defined as the distance from the back end of the succeeding head to the back end of the drum window, the preceding head and the succeeding head are arranged within the drum window to satisfy the relation 0.075 L.ltoreq.S1.ltoreq.0.14 L and 0.075 L.ltoreq.S2.ltoreq.0.14 L.

Abstract: Disclosed in an arrangement to achieve satisfactory head contact by increasing contact face pressure at a head gap and to reduce the change in time of head contact performance in a double azimuth head. Heads in a portion in which a tape is slid are respectively constructed with each head having two different arcs with a radius of curvature R1 in a first area which includes a gap, and with a radius of curvature R2 in a second area which is adjacent to the first area. A transition portion P for transitioning an arc with the radius of curvature R1 and an arc with the radius of curvature R2 is located in the direction of its adjacent head based upon a contact point Q on R1 of a common tangent drawn from an arc forming a periphery of a rotating drum to a circle formed by R1. The relationship between the radiuses of curvature in two areas is set to R1>R2.

Abstract: A rotary magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a stationary cylinder formed on a lower portion of an outer peripheral surface thereof with a guide lead for guiding a lower edge of a magnetic tape and defining a tape running face on an upper portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof, a first bulge portion formed on an upper edge portion of the tape running face of the stationary cylinder on a tape leaving side of the upper edge portion of the tape running face and a second bulge portion which is smaller in height than the first bulge portion and formed on the upper edge portion of the tape running face on the tape leaving side thereof and in the vicinity of the first bulge portion on a tape incoming side of the first bulge portion. The first bulge portion serves to relax shock or vibration of a magnetic tape leaving the magnetic head and the second bulge portion serves to improve "head-touch" of the magnetic tape.