Abstract: A magnetic read/write head suspension assembly for achieving high magnetic head compliance with at least one edge track of the MOF layer of relatively stiff photographic filmstrips particularly during photofinishing operations. The filmstrip has an emulsion layer side opposite to the MOF layer side and exhibits a positive cross-film curvature toward the emulsion side when unrestrained. Filmstrip edge guides including parallel angled channels extending in a film transport path receive the filmstrip edge regions. One or more magnetic read/write head is mounted in the edge guides with the magnetic head gap length oriented in alignment with the angle of the MOF layer of the filmstrip edge region received in the channel and makes compliant line contact of the magnetic head gap with the MOF layer side in the edge region without imparting drag on the central region of the filmstrip.

Abstract: A photographic still camera for receiving an elongated filmstrip having a cross-film curvature and having a substantially transparent magnetic layer deposited on the film surface and for recording or reproducing information on or from the magnetic layer in relation to the exposure of image frames of the filmstrip. The filmstrip is transported from supply to takeup chambers between film rails and a backing plate past a camera image frame exposure aperture with the magnetic layer facing the backing plate and having a concave cross-film curvature across the image frame area. A magnetic recording multi-head array formed of a plurality of recording heads mounted on flexure elements of a flexure support is positioned to extend across and contact the magnetic layer in the image frame area at the side of the exposure aperture.

Abstract: A photographic still camera for receiving an elongated filmstrip having a cross-film curvature and having a substantially transparent magnetic layer deposited on the film surface and recording or reproducing information on or from the magnetic layer in the image frame areas of the filmstrip. The filmstrip is transported from supply to takeup chambers between film rails and a backing plate past a camera image frame exposure aperture with the magnetic layer facing the backing plate and having a concave cross-film curvature near one side of the exposure aperture. A plurality of inverted gull wing shaped, spring flexure elements are positioned to extend across the magnetic layer at the side of the exposure aperture. Each flexure element has a fixed mounting plate attached to the backing plate coupled through an angled fixed leg to a mounting platform which in turn is coupled through a further angled leg back to a further plate such that the mounting plate is suspended toward the filmstrip magnetic layer.

Abstract: Magnetic recording and/or reproducing heads particularly for use for recording and reading information on a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips exhibiting a cross-film curvature in cameras or other filmstrip handling apparatus. A magnetic record/reproduce multi-head array is formed of a plurality of magnetic head elements mounted to extend across the width of the filmstrip and across the filmstrip image frame area, each head element contacting the magnetic layer at a predetermined cross-film position in a film transport path. The surfaces of the head elements aligned to contact the filmstrip magnetic layer are burnished or lapped by an abrasive tape lapping of the head as a final contouring operation on the head to remove all edges that can scrape or scratch the magnetic surface of the filmstrip. An elongated, compliant backing support, e.g.

Abstract: A photographic still camera for receiving an elongated filmstrip having a cross-curvature in the cross film direction across said filmstrip and having a substantially transparent magnetic layer deposited on the film surface and for recording or reproducing information on or from the magnetic layer in the image area in and relation to the exposure of image frames of the filmstrip. A magnetic head is formed of a plurality of frustums including inner frustums supporting a plurality of active head gaps in an interior region and at least one further outer frustum on each side of the inner frustums in the cross film direction.

Abstract: A multitrack head assembly has a plurality of magnetic heads arranged side-by-side along a transducing gap line extending across an upwardly facing tape-engaging surface which includes a series of elongated coplanar ribs alternating with low-pressure channels on both sides of and orthogonal to the gap line. For continuous in-contact recording, each rib is aligned with a particular one of the magnetic heads and has a width that is greater than the width of the transducing gap of the head with which it is aligned; furthermore, each rib has a gently curved tape-engaging surface with a radius of curvature R.sub.1 in a direction orthogonal to the gap line and a radius of curvature R.sub.2 in a direction substantially parallel with the gap line, where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are not necessarily the same.

Abstract: A bi-directional magnetic head assembly comprises a first write head adjacent to a read head, adjacent to a second write head. The three heads are in-line, so that the tape engages one or the other write head followed by the read head for either direction of tape motion. The central read head has slots on either side of its transducing region for skiving of entrained air and debris from the tape before the tape engages the transducing element of the read head for either direction of tape travel. On the other hand, each write head has only a single slot for skiving entrained air and debris; a slot being located in each write head structure outboard from the write transducing gap. In reading while writing during bi-directional operation, the write head first approached by the tape for a given direction of motion is the active, writing head. Because the slot is on the outboard side of each write head structure, skiving action occurs prior to the tape reaching the active write transducing gap.