Abstract: An automatically threading magnetic tape drive includes a small-flanged take-up reel and a removeable large-flanged supply reel whose diameter is greater than the center-to-center spacing of the reels. During threading, a hinged shutter is closed to provide an air-tight barrier between the reels, the supply reel lies in a region of relatively high air pressure H and the take-up reel lies in a region of relatively low air pressure L. An air-tight channel links the region H and L and tape is threaded through the channel by air flow. Tape is drawn towards the take-up hub by air flow along slots in one or both take-up flanges, and the hub surface is elastomer-coated. During normal running the shutter is opened and tape spooled on to the take-up reel may overlap the supply reel flanges.

Abstract: A damped inertia roller for reducing tape flutter in a magnetic tape transport comprises an outer cylindrical hollow shell which encloses a centrally bored cylindrical flywheel rotatably mounted about an axial shaft. The shaft is rigidly fixed to a closed end face of the hollow shell, and a resilient damping washer is sandwiched between an end of the flywheel and the closed end face of the shell. A second resilient damping washer is sandwiched between the other end of the flywheel and a disc shaped retaining member. The shaft is recessed within the flywheel bore, and has a threaded axial hole in its recessed end face.A retaining screw passing through the retaining member and the second washer is threaded into this axial hole, and adjustment of its tightness provides a means of adjustably compressing the washers to control the damping of the roller.