Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading tape from a single reel tape cartridge into a take-up reel. The hub filler is securely and releaseably attached to the take-up reel upon the hub filler entering the take-up reel. This attachment provides adequate securement between the hub filler and the take-up reel for the tape to be wrapped around the take-up reel during loading of the tape without the hub filler partially ejecting from the take-up reel. By preventing the hub filler from partially ejecting from the take-up reel, damage to the tape and the tape drive loading mechanism is mitigated. Upon unloading of the tape from the tape drive, the hub filler can be readily released from its attachment to the take-up reel.

Abstract: A recessed bezel and corresponding assembly are provided for internally mounting a data storage device in a computer system housing. The recessed bezel allows the removable data storage medium to be inserted into the data storage device to a loaded position, such that none of the removable data storage medium protrudes outwardly from the computer system housing.

Abstract: A tape drive for accommodating tape cartridges of different sizes and capacities is provided with a tape insertion opening, a first guide at a first side of the tape insertion opening, and a second guide at a second side of the tape insertion opening. The first and second guides are separated from one another to provide a first opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a first size between the first and second guides. The first and second guides are movable within the tape insertion opening to provide a second opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a second size.

Abstract: A voice coil driven positioner is provided for positioning the magnetic head of a tape drive relative to the tape of a removable tape cartridge. The head positioner includes a low-mass carriage that supports the head on one end and the voice coil on an opposed second end. A low friction guide mechanism guides the carriage along a precision movement path that carries the head across tracks of a supplied multi-track tape and simultaneously carries the voice coil through a flux field generated by a stator. A movable portion of a position detector is attached to the carriage and located within the hollow of the voice coil for reciprocating into a hollow passageway of the stator together with reciprocation of the voice coil into another hollow of the stator. A fixed portion of the position detector is attached to the stator and located compactly within the hollow passageway of the stator.

Abstract: A voice coil driven positioner is provided for positioning the magnetic head of a tape drive relative to the tape of a removable tape cartridge. The head positioner includes a low-mass carriage that supports the head on one end and the voice coil on an opposed second end. A low friction guide mechanism guides the carriage along a precision movement path that carries the head across tracks of a supplied multi-track tape and simultaneously carries the voice coil through a flux field generated by a stator. A movable magnet is attached to the carriage and located within the hollow of the voice coil for reciprocating into a hollow passageway of the stator together with reciprocation of the voice coil into another hollow of the stator. A flux detector is attached to the stator and located compactly within the hollow passageway of the stator for detecting the position of the magnet.

Abstract: A tape drive for accommodating tape cartridges of different sizes and capacities is provided with a tape insertion opening, a first guide at a first side of the tape insertion opening, and a second guide at a second side of the tape insertion opening. The first and second guides are separated from one another to provide a first opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a first size between the first and second guides. The first and second guides are movable within the tape insertion opening to provide a second opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a second size.

Abstract: A tape drive for accommodating tape cartridges of different sizes and capacities is provided with a drive mouth and a movable door opening mechanism within the drive mouth. The movable door opening mechanism opens a cartridge door of a tape cartridge as it is inserted into the drive mouth. The movable door opening mechanism remains in a first position during initial insertion of a tape cartridge until the cartridge door of the tape cartridge is open, and moves to a second position during further insertion of the tape cartridge to accommodate that tape cartridge within the drive mouth.

Abstract: Apparatus for fine positioning a tape head relative to a head carriage that is coarsely positionable by a lead screw. The fine positioning apparatus includes parallel first and second resilient support beams oriented generally parallel to the direction of tape travel and having their ends fixedly secured to the head carriage so as to be deflectable in a direction transverse to the direction of tape travel. The centers of the parallel first and second support beams have their centers secured to a tape head frame which contains the tape. A linear motor drives the tape head frame against the resilience of the first and second resilient support beams in response to a drive signal which, for example, is derived from tracking error information produced pursuant to reading of servo information on tape. Pursuant to the displacement of the tape head frame against the resilience of the support beams, the magnetic tape head is moved along a linear path transverse to the tape travel direction.