Abstract: The write protect mechanism provides a method for identifying the write protect state of the tape media enclosed in a tape cartridge from at least two orientations. A write protect switch on the front side of the tape cartridge housing moves to block the write protect aperture on the side of the tape cartridge housing when the write protect switch is in the write enable position and away from the aperture in the write protect position. A write protect indicator on the tape cartridge top cover includes a window that allows the user to view the position of the write protect switch by viewing the top of the switch. The top of the switch may include an arrow that moves corresponding to the position of the write protect switch, thus providing a means for the user to determine the write protect state. Human readable icons or color combinations on the write protect switch and/or adjacent to the write protect indicator clearly indicate the write protect state of the tape media enclosed within the tape cartridge.

Abstract: The tape cartridge improved boss door provides a sleeve between the lower boss for the torsion spring to rotate around to decrease the stress applied to the top coil of the torsion spring. An improved catch contacts the top leg of the torsion spring at a point distant from the torsion spring coils to further reduce the force applied to the torsion spring and the frictional drag as the torsion spring rotates around the sleeve, thus decreasing the failure rate of the tape cartridge due to premature failure of the torsion spring.

Abstract: A peripheral mounting system for installing, removing and replacing peripheral devices from a chassis without the use of tools. A pair of side brackets secured to the chassis provide slots into which fasteners connected to the side of the peripheral device are installed to restrain the peripheral device. In an embodiment, clips protruding outward from the side of the slots allow the fasteners to slide into position while also retaining the peripheral device in the installed position. The pair of side brackets in conjunction with the fasteners on the peripheral device provide a means for mounting the peripheral device without requiring additional area above or below the peripheral device. A cover latching mechanism may securely latch the cover closed and provides additional retention of the peripheral device in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The 1U rack mount equipment enclosure with increased structural support, supports internal components without adding to the over all height of the 1U form factor. The peripheral device is mounted between front supports which bear the weight of the peripheral device. A central support provides support necessary to prevent deflection of the front supports. Rear supports between the central support and the rear side provide support to prevent the central support from bending due to the force placed on the central support by the front supports.

Abstract: A peripheral mounting system for installing, removing and replacing peripheral devices from a chassis without the use of tools. A pair of side brackets secured to the chassis provide slots into which fasteners connected to the side of the peripheral device are installed to restrain the peripheral device. In an embodiment, clips protruding outward from the side of the slots allow the fasteners to slide into position while also retaining the peripheral device in the installed position. The pair of side brackets in conjunction with the fasteners on the peripheral device provide a means for mounting the peripheral device without requiring additional area above or below the peripheral device. A cover latching mechanism may securely latch the cover closed and provides additional retention of the peripheral device in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The tape cartridge autoloader comprises a tape drive and up to eight respective storage positions for tape cartridges all located within a one and three-quarter inch form factor. A picker driven by a single first motor operated driving mechanism follows a U-shaped track as the picker transfers a predetermined one of the tape cartridges between one of the respective storage positions and the tape drive. The picker having a retractable arm driven by a single motor for engaging with the tape cartridge and for moving the tape cartridge from/to the picker. A retractable drawer or removable magazine allows one or more tape cartridges to be loaded/unloaded in the tape cartridge autoloader.

Abstract: A data storage device has a shock sense indicator disposed within its housing. The shock sense indicator may provide visible, audible, and/or machine-detectable indication of whether the data storage device has been subjected to a physical shock over some threshold. Machine detection of the shock state can be accomplished optically, mechanically, or electrically. A data storage drive has a detection switch that interfaces with a shock detector of a data storage device to ensure that no harmful operation is performed on a data storage device that has been subjected to a physical shock, thereby avoiding potential loss or corruption of data.

Abstract: The half-inch tape drive comprises a novel takeup reel, tape deck, PC board packaging, loading mechanism, and housing. The takeup reel comprises a pair of segmented flanges that define a first and second tape containment section. The tape deck is approximately half the height of a conventional tape deck and includes reinforcing ribs to provide structural rigidity and maintain alignment of the moving components of the tape drive during operation. The loading mechanism comprises a horizontally mounted load motor that employs a worm gear to engage a simplified gear train. The printed circuit board is segmented into multiple sections that are mounted in various locations on the tape drive to maximize spatial efficiencies and reduce the overall height of the tape drive. The tape drive housing provides a protective exterior for the tape drive components and provides the structure for mounting the present tape drive in a single drive bay of a computer housing.

Abstract: The present tape cartridge leader includes a flex relief aperture, located in the body of the tape cartridge leader between the guide wings. This flex relief aperture enables the tape cartridge leader to bend in a tight radius as the tape cartridge leader is pulled around the tape guide rollers in the tape drive, thereby ensuring that the tape cartridge leader is properly seated on the tape guide rollers as it traverses the tape path in the tape drive. The flex relief aperture also reduces the possibility of cracks forming in the tape cartridge leader where the guide wings meet the body of the tape cartridge leader, which is a problem in existing tape cartridge leaders. The guide wings are also shaped with a lead in radius to reduce to possibility of damage to the guide wings. In addition, the trailing edge of the guide wings includes a lead in chamfer to aid in the guide wings engaging the guide track in the cartridge housing.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge including a housing, first and second tape reels, a storage tape, first and second corner guides and an idler wrap guide. The housing defines a head access window. The tape reels are rotatably disposed within the housing, with the storage tape extending between the tape reels. The first and second comer guides are disposed within the housing at opposite sides of the head access window. Finally, the idler wrap guide is disposed within the housing and defines a tape path extending from the first tape reel to the idler wrap guide, and from the idler wrap guide to the first corner guide. The idler wrap guide is configured to frictionally dampen lateral movement of the storage tape upon rotation of the tape reels to greatly reduce servo off track events.

Abstract: The takeup reel comprises a pair of segmented flanges connected in a parallel relationship to a takeup reel hub and define a first tape containment section and a second tape containment section. The segmented flanges are ultrasonically welded to the hub and include rounded protrusions that align and guide the tape media around the hub during operation of the tape drive. At least one of the segmented flanges also includes a post that is configured to mate with a feature on the tape drive to prevent movement of the takeup reel when the tape cartridge is unloaded from and loaded into the tape drive.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes a length of magnetic tape wound on a pair of tape reels within a housing to define a tape path. A tape guide disposed along a portion of the tape path includes a top and bottom flange. Each flange is resilient so that it acts to resiliently guide an edge of the tape. This minimizes violent crashes of a tape edge against the tape guide. Each flange may have a plurality of spaced resilient finger guides for directly contacting the edges of the tape. The finger guides serve to independently exert a force on the edges of the tape, thereby guiding the tape.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge having a misinsertion notch. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing, a tape reel and a storage tape. The housing includes a base and a cover, each defining a front, a back, a first side and a second side. The misinsertion notch is defined in the base, extending from the front of the base and along the first side of the base. The misinsertion notch has a length less than approximately one-half a length of the first side of the base for facilitating proper insertion into a receiving frame.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge having a reinforcing tape reel lock. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing defined by a first housing section and a second housing section, a hub pin extending from an interior surface of the first housing section, a tape reel assembly rotatably maintained by the hub pin and a storage tape wrapped about the tape reel assembly. The tape reel assembly includes a hub, opposing tape flanges and a brake body. The hub includes a tape receiving portion interiorly secured to a post, the post defining an axial bore sized to receive the hub pin. The brake body is retractably associated with an axial end of the hub and includes a braking surface and an interior support surface. The braking surface is configured for selective engagement with the second housing section. The interior support surface is configured to abut the post of the hub.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a first rotatable hub and a second rotatable hub and a tape head receiving region. A flexible recording tape is wound upon the first rotatable hub and the second rotatable hub. The flexible recording tape is routed through the cartridge to provide two levels or layers of tape at the tape head receiving region. The tape path may include a flexible tape routed through the cartridge to provide two levels of tape at least one of the tape guides or tape pins within the tape cartridge. Of course the tape path through the tape cartridge may also include the tape head. At startup the tape always driven in the same direction so that the layer of tape underneath the other layer of tape is initially placed in tension. This prevents binding of one layer with respect to the second layer at startup. If the initial startup direction is opposite from the desired direction, the direction of the tape is reversed within the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge having an exposed base plate datum for improved tape registration. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing defined by a first housing section and a second housing section, a base plate, at least one tape reel and a storage tape. The base plate is disposed within the housing and includes a reference portion that is exposed through a protected opening in the first housing section. In one preferred embodiment, the first housing section protects the base plate, including the reference portion. The at least one tape reel is rotatably associated with the base plate. Finally, the storage tape is maintained by the at least one tape reel within the housing. Upon insertion of the data storage tape cartridge into a tape drive, a registration device engages the reference portion of the base plate to determine and precisely control location of the storage tape relative to a read/write head.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge having a misinsertion notch. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing, a tape reel and a storage tape. The housing includes a base and a cover, each defining a front, a back, a first side and a second side. The misinsertion notch is defined in the base, extending from the front of the base and along the first side of the base. The misinsertion notch has a length less than approximately one-half a length of the first side of the base for facilitating proper insertion into a receiving frame.

Abstract: A single reel data tape cartridge housing includes a base and a cover. The base includes four outer side walls which are formed with at least one step such that the outer walls step to a decreased thickness toward their free end. The cover includes four outer side walls which are formed with at least one step such that the outer walls step to a decreased thickness toward their free end. The base and cover also include four inner walls which are formed with two steps such that the inner walls step to a decreased thickness toward their free end. The inner and outer walls of the cover complementarily mate with the inner and outer walls of the base. A projection can be placed within pockets in the base and cover to locate the base and cover during assembly.