Having Leader Gripper Or Coupling Patents (Class 242/332.4)
  • Patent number: 10562727
    Abstract: A roll-to-roll apparatus reliably reduces breakage of a glass film even in a case of sequentially performing predetermined processing on the glass film. Provided is a glass roll (1) formed by winding a glass film (2) into a roll, in which a resin film (4) is attached onto the glass film (2), and at least a part of the resin film (4) is arranged on a front side of an unwinding direction relative to a leading end portion in the unwinding direction of the glass film (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Teranishi, Kaoru Mitsugi, Yoshinori Hasegawa, Michiharu Eta
  • Patent number: 10264696
    Abstract: A top loading cartridge is provided herein. The top loading cartridge includes a support member and a lock mechanism. The support member to receive an electronic component. The lock mechanism includes a handle and an engagement member. The handle to connect to the support member and move between a first position and a second position. The engagement member to extend from the support member to engage with a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Pinche Tsai, Stephen Spencer, Kevin D. Conn
  • Patent number: 9171566
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for buckling in a loader assembly of a tape storage drive. Some implementations translate driving forces of an elevator of the loader assembly into driving forces that act on a pusher plate of a buckling mechanism in both buckling and unbuckling directions. For example, a plate interface can couple the pusher plate with the elevator in a manner that translates rotational motion of the elevator's drive gear into a lateral driving force that drives the pusher plate between its home and buckling positions. Certain implementations also include a home holding mechanism for removably securing the pusher plate in the home position when the elevator is in its unloaded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Joseph Vanderheyden, Joshua Adrian Hursh, Jonathan Zeller Oster, Frederick Patton Mondale, Daniel Mark Baiada, Benjamin Joseph Krempasky, William Jacob Derryberry
  • Patent number: 9123376
    Abstract: A line-shaped material conveyance mechanism includes first and second support members, a guide groove, a first rotary arm, and a second rotary arm. One end of the first rotary arm is pivotally supported near the guide groove by a first rotary shaft. The other end of the first rotary arm connects one end of the second rotary arm in a state that can be rotated. A third support member is disposed on the other end of the second rotary arm. The third support member is guided and moves along the guide groove by rotating the first rotary arm around the first rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Ishii
  • Patent number: 8707540
    Abstract: The present invention provides a leader member in a recording tape cartridge that has excellent productivity, even though the leader member is manufactured with stainless steel, a manufacturing method thereof, and the recording tape cartridge. A leader member that is attached to a free end of a recording tape wound around a single reel accommodated in a case and that is pulled out from an opening formed in the case by an pull out member of a drive device is manufactured by metal injection molding of stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Shiga
  • Patent number: 8561931
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge in which an ability to assemble a security tag into a case is excellent is provided. A recording tape cartridge includes: a case that accommodates a reel on which a recording tape is wound; a security tag having a substantially pillar shape, that is provided within the case, and that is adapted to transmit to and receive from an exterior; and a holding portion formed in the case, that holds the security tag by having the security tag fitted with the holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Sumiya, Shozo Onmori
  • Patent number: 8550393
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has: a reel around which a recording tape is wound; a UHF band RFID tag structured to include a tag antenna formed such that radiating portions are disposed at both sides of a power feed portion; and a case in which the reel is housed. Radiating portion spaces, in which are housed regions of the UHF band RFID tag at which the radiating portions are set, and a power feed portion space, in which is housed at least a portion of a region at which the power feed portion is set, are formed within the case at an outer side of a reel space. Regions at which the radiating portions are formed do not contact a reel area rib and a rear upper wall that surround the radiating portion spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tada
  • Patent number: 8534586
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recording tape cartridge in which an ability to assemble a security tag into a case is excellent. A recording tape cartridge has: a case that accommodates a reel on which a recording tape is wound; a security tag having a substantially pillar shape, that is provided within the case, and that is adapted to transmit to and receive from an exterior; a holding member that is provided within the case, and that holds the security tag at a first end side of the holding member; and a portion to be fit that is formed within the case, and which is held by being fitted with a second end side of the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Sumiya, Shozo Onmori
  • Patent number: 8262013
    Abstract: A reel hub has a slot into which a leader block with a hook part holding a leader pin fixed to a beginning of a tape is inserted. The reel hub includes: a lever rotatably supported by the main body part and urged such that an end of the lever abuts the leader block inserted into the slot; and a lid rotatably supported by the main body part, urged in a direction to close the slot, restricted to rotate by other end of the lever when the leader block is not inserted, and forms a cylindrical surface together with the main body part when the lid covers the slot. When the leader block is inserted, the lever is pushed by the leader block to be rotated, the other end of the lever is separated from the lid, and the restriction of the rotation of the lid is canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: NECEmbeddedProducts, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shimanuki
  • Patent number: 8220734
    Abstract: A tape drive, which is configured to receive a tape cartridge having a cartridge leader attached to magnetic tape, includes a take-up reel and a drive leader that is attachable to the cartridge leader. The drive leader has an attachment location attached to the take-up reel and a tapered portion proximate the attachment location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Vanderheyden, Peter R. Coburn
  • Patent number: 8157198
    Abstract: There are provided a tape reel, a recording tape cartridge, a take-up reel, and a drive device at which, when a recording tape is wound on a hub, fluctuations in an axial direction of the hub can be suppressed and occurrence of tape edge damage can be prevented. At a tape reel having a hub on which a recording tape T is wound and flanges which are provided at both end portions of the hub, a large diameter portion, whose diameter is larger than diameters of both end portion sides of the hub, is formed at the hub. The large diameter portion is offset, from a widthwise direction central portion of the hub, toward the one flange side or the other flange side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Shiga
  • Patent number: 8123158
    Abstract: A reel includes a hub formed in a cylindrical-tube-shape with a base portion, on an outer peripheral surface of which a recording tape is wound; a base side flange portion that projects-out to a radial direction outer side of a base portion side of the hub; a flange member configured in a disc-shape or an annular-plate-shape of a material with an elastic modulus at least equal to a material that constitutes the hub, the flange member being coaxially joined to an opening end portion of the hub; a metal plate formed in a circular-plate-shape or an annular-plate-shape, which is fixed coaxially to the base portion of the hub; and a groove wall that is formed integrally with the base portion of the hub and forms a groove portion which is continuous around the entire periphery between the groove wall and an outer peripheral surface of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Ren Ishikawa, Yosuke Sumiya, Shigeru Nishiyama, Kazuo Hiraguchi
  • Patent number: 8049992
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tape reel, a recording tape cartridge, a take-up reel, a pullout member and a drive device that can control fluctuation of a recording tape in the axial direction of a hub and can, even when the recording tape is thinned in accompaniment with an increase in recording capacity, prevent the occurrence of tape edge damage. A tape reel 20 includes: a hub 22 on which is wound a recording tape T on which is recorded servo signals S that are a reference for tracking by a recording/playback head 88 of a drive device 70; and flanges 24 and 26 provided integrally at both end portions of the hub 22, wherein the diameter of a substantially central portion of the hub 22 is formed larger than the diameters of each of the end portions of the hub 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Shiga
  • Patent number: 8038089
    Abstract: The present invention provides a leader member in a recording tape cartridge that is excellent in terms of strength, rigidity, corrosion resistance, a low frictional property, and abrasion resistance, have excellent productivity, and is manufactured with a low cost, a manufacturing method thereof, and the recording tape cartridge. A leader member that is attached to a free end of a recording tape wound around a single reel accommodated in a case and that is pulled out from an opening formed in the case by an pull out member of a drive device is manufactured by die casting with one of a zinc alloy, an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, or a copper alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Shiga
  • Patent number: 8033493
    Abstract: A leader block rotating mechanism for selectively rotating a leader block to a holding position of holding a film of a web, and to a release position of releasing the film of the web, includes an elastic member that biases the leader block to the holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7997519
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge is provided with a case rotatably accommodating a reel around which a tape is wound and including an opening from which the tape may be drawn out, a leader portion including guard portions disposed at both ends thereof in a width direction of a tape, recessed housing portions formed in the case as a vertical pair that face the opening and that allow the guard portions to be inserted, and a pair of leader holding members that form part of respective pin receiving portions together with the recessed housing portions. Each leader holding member includes, integrally, a fixed portion fixed to the inside of the case, a retaining spring that engages with one of the guard portions in one of the recessed housing portions from the opening side thereof, and an overhanging portion that covers the guard portion in one of the recessed housing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Kiyoo Morita, Kenji Takenoshita
  • Publication number: 20110139917
    Abstract: A tape drive, which is configured to receive a tape cartridge having a cartridge leader attached to magnetic tape, includes a take-up reel and a drive leader that is attachable to the cartridge leader. The drive leader has an attachment location attached to the take-up reel and a tapered portion proximate the attachment location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: ORACLE AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Vanderheyden, Peter R. Coburn
  • Patent number: 7954750
    Abstract: A reel comprising a hub formed in the shape of a cylindrical tube with a base, on an outer peripheral surface of which a recording tape is wound; a base side flange portion that projects-out to a radial direction outer side of a base portion side of the hub; a flange member configured in a disc shape or an annular plate shape of a material with an elastic modulus at least equal to a material that constitutes the hub, the flange member being coaxially joined to an opening end portion of the hub; a metal plate formed in a circular plate shape or an annular plate shape, which is fixed coaxially to the base portion of the hub; and plate retention portions that are formed integrally with the base portion of the hub and touch an outer peripheral surface of the metal plate at at least four locations, which are at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Ren Ishikawa, Yosuke Sumiya, Shigeru Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7913943
    Abstract: A tape drive, which is configured to receive a tape cartridge having a cartridge leader attached to magnetic tape, includes a take-up reel and a drive leader that is attachable to the cartridge leader. The drive leader has an attachment location attached to the take-up reel and a tapered portion proximate the attachment location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Vanderheyden, Peter R. Coburn
  • Patent number: 7861961
    Abstract: A system for utilizing a tape leader in a tape drive system. The tape drive system receives a first tape leader and buckles the first tape leader to a drive reel leader. Then the tape drive system threads the first tape leader and a second tape leader connected to the first tape leader through a tape path within the tape drive system using the drive reel leader. After threading the first tape leader through the tape path, the tape drive system retracts head protect pins while the second tape leader is still in the tape path. Subsequent to retracting the head protect pins, the tape drive system performs read/write operations on a data storage media, which is coupled to the first tape leader via the second tape leader inserted between the first tape leader and the data storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Vanderheyden, Fred Winslow Livermore
  • Patent number: 7815140
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge containing a tape reel to which a magnetic tape with a leader pin attached to a leading end is wound is equipped with a leader pin retaining structure for safe and secure retention of the leader pin immediately behind a tape egress/ingress opening. The leader pin retaining structure comprises a retainer member having resilient arms and a leader pin support for supporting the retainer member so as to place tail end portions of the resilient arms across end collars of the leader pin received in sockets provided adjacent to the tape egress/ingress opening, wherein the leader pin support resiliently urges and bends the resilient arms so as to retain the end collars of the leader pin by the tail end portions of the resilient arms, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Takenoshita, Shozo Onmori
  • Patent number: 7793879
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a reel. The exemplary reel comprises a hub and a guide member coupled to the hub. The guide member may be configured to guide magnetic tape from a magnetic tape source to the reel. The guide member may cooperate with the hub to form a surface for receiving magnetic tape from the magnetic tape source. Additionally, the exemplary reel may include a securing mechanism for securing the guide member in the cooperating position with respect to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert C. Aaron, Jeffrey S. McAllister, James C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7780107
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge includes a case that comprises an upper case and a lower case and houses a reel around which recording tape is wound. A regulating wall that defines an area in which the reel is housed is formed on the upper case and on the lower case. An attachment member is held between the regulating wall of the upper case and the regulating wall of the lower case so as to be disposed on an outer peripheral surface side of the regulating wall. The attachment member holds an RFID. There is provided a recording tape cartridge that can ensure an attachment region for an RFID inside a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Shozo Onmori, Yosuke Sumiya, Kenji Takenoshita
  • Patent number: 7770835
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge comprises: a case that comprises an upper case and a lower case and houses a reel around which recording tape is wound; a regulating wall that is formed at least on the lower case and defines an area in which the reel is housed; a holding wall that is formed a predetermined space away from an outer peripheral surface of the regulating wall; and an RFID that is housed in the space between the regulating wall and the holding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Sumiya, Kenji Takenoshita, Shozo Onmori
  • Patent number: 7770834
    Abstract: Outer diameters of upper and lower flanges of a reel are formed equal to each other irrespective of a diameter of a hub, and a cylindrical wall having the same inner diameter as the hub of the reel having the small diameter hub is provided in the reel having the large diameter hub. Thereby, there is provided a low-capacity type recording tape cartridge, in which other parts can be used both as the reel having the small diameter hub and the reel having the large diameter hub only by changing the reels and a displaced angle of a recording tape does not vary with respect to a case sidewall of a leader member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Shigeru Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7690594
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge is provided that includes a leader pin attached, directly or through a leader tape, to an end portion of a recording tape, and includes flange portions formed at both ends thereof, an opening formed at a case, and from which the leader pin is pulled out; holding portions formed at an upper case and a lower case respectively, and holding respectively the flange portions of the leader pin in the vicinity of the opening; an overhang portion formed at at least one of the holding portions, and overlaping with the flange portion at an inner surface side thereof when the leader pin is held at the holding portions; and an elastic deformable engaging portion formed at at least one of the holding portions to urge the flange portion in an axial direction of the leader pin when the leader pin is held at the holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Takenoshita, Kiyoo Morita, Kazuo Hiraguchi
  • Patent number: 7661619
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a holder for a drive leader of a tape drive. The drive leader is for coupling with a buckle attached to tape spooled in a tape cartridge. The holder may rotate about a tower attached to a housing of the tape drive. The apparatus further includes a restraining member for restraining the buckle during coupling with the drive leader. The member may include an elongate body disposed with the post to rotate into a restraining position with respect to the buckle during a buckling operation. The tape drive may include a motor for pulling the tape from the tape cartridge. A method includes restraining a buckle attached to the tape while coupling the drive leader with the buckle. Firmware in the tape drive may coordinate the movements of the holder and the restraining member with operation of the motor and other drive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald D. Tynan
  • Patent number: 7646562
    Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge is provided with a combination tape including a data storage tape, an intermediate portion and a leader. A servo track and media information region is provided on the intermediate portion of the tape. The servo track is read by a servo track reader of a data storage apparatus. The media information region is read by the read/write head of the data storage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Vanderheyden, Robert O. Wyman, John D. Willems
  • Patent number: 7600710
    Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a reel, which comprises a cylindrical resin hub with a base and an outer peripheral surface around which a recording tape is wound, a reel gear formed at an outer surface of a base portion of the hub which engages with a drive gear of a drive device, a metal reel plate provided at the outer surface of the base portion of the hub on a radially inner side of the reel gear by insert molding, a gate trace formed on the base portion of the hub, and a plurality of groove portions formed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction between the reel gear and the reel plate. The groove portions are formed at least at a predetermined area on a virtual straight line connecting a center portion of the hub and a gate trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Sumiya, Shozo Onmori
  • Patent number: 7562839
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge includes a leader member that is attached to an end portion of recording tape and on both ends of which flange portions are formed, and holding portions that are formed in an upper case and a lower case and hold the leader member in the vicinity of an opening. Projecting portions are formed on the holding portions and overlap the flange portions on inner surface sides of the flange portions. Through holes are formed in the upper case and the lower case, whereby undercut portions are not present in the projecting portions. The case of the recording tape cartridge can be molded without complicating the configuration of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Takenoshita, Kiyoo Morita, Kazuo Hiraguchi
  • Patent number: 7559500
    Abstract: A leader pin is attached to an end portion of recording tape housed in a recording tape cartridge, and an opening for allowing the leader pin to be pulled out is formed in a side wall of a case. Holding portions that hold the leader pin are formed in the vicinity of the opening in the case. The leader pin includes, on both ends of a body portion, large diameter portions and flange portions disposed via neck portions on the large diameter portions. The holding portions include slit portions that open towards the opening and into which the neck portions enter, first concave portions that house the large diameter portions, and second concave portions that house the flange portions. The outer diameter of the flange portions of the leader pin is formed so as to be smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Hiraguchi
  • Patent number: 7540443
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and a tape threading method thereof capable of preventing cut or slip of a leader tape, and capable of effectively preventing the fixing force from being deteriorated due to variation with time. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette 2 has a coupling element 8, and the coupling element 8 is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element 40 and the tape is taken up around a drive reel 20. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a leader tape 41 having one end connected to a drive shaft 24 of the drive reel 20 and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element 40, a reel hub 21 which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft 24 and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 21, and a lock member 70 which connects the drive shaft 24 and the reel hub 21 with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Nishimura, Eiichi Mori
  • Patent number: 7540442
    Abstract: An apparatus for threading a tape from a cartridge is to be provided. In the apparatus, a leader block rotates to capture a coupling element of the tape, a rod linearly moves to rotate the leader block, and a loader cam gear moves the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shimanuki
  • Patent number: 7530515
    Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge is disclosed. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing, at least one tape reel assembly, a storage tape, and a radio frequency write medium. The housing defines first and second housing sections that are reciprocally mated to form an enclosed region. The tape reel assembly/ies is/are rotatably disposed within the enclosed region, and the storage tape is wound about a hub of the tape reel assembly/ies. The radio frequency write medium is coupled to one of the housing and the tape reel assembly and has cartridge initialization information stored thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Battles, Michael A. Mewes
  • Patent number: 7484681
    Abstract: A data storage cartridge that uses a tape buckling mechanism to connect a reel of tape to a tape drive is enhanced with a buckle reinforcement feature on the cartridge door. The reinforcement feature fits between two buckle clips of the buckling mechanism, and provides reinforcing support to the buckle clips. The reinforcement feature supports the clips and thereby prevents bending and misalignment of the clips. If the clips do become bent or misaligned, the reinforcement feature prevents the door from closing completely. A user will clearly see that damage has occurred, and the user will be less likely to damage the drive by attempting to use the cartridge. Furthermore, the reinforcement feature can be wedge-shaped, so that the user may straighten the bent clips by applying additional force to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin S. Fletcher, Michael George Krasilinec
  • Patent number: 7455254
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the detachment of an end of tape from a hub filler during movement of the hub filler along a guide rail during an unloading operation of a tape drive mechanism. Detachment is prevented by a retracting tape dragging the hub filler along the guide rail, so as to maintain adequate tension that prevents detachment of the tape from the hub filler. The hub filler, which is coupled to the tape, guide arm, and guide rail, provides adequate drag force to maintain tension in the tape and prevent damage to the tape or the tape drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Certance LLC
    Inventors: Turguy Goker, John A. Hamming, Russell A. Bauer, Kempton W. Redhead
  • Publication number: 20080277518
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a reel. The exemplary reel comprises a hub and a guide member coupled to the hub. The guide member may be configured to guide magnetic tape from a magnetic tape source to the reel. The guide member may cooperate with the hub to form a surface for receiving magnetic tape from the magnetic tape source. Additionally, the exemplary reel may include a securing mechanism for securing the guide member in the cooperating position with respect to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Robert C. Aaron, Jeffrey S. McAllister, James C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7419114
    Abstract: A leader tape that is joined at an end portion of a recording tape wound on a reel and that, when pulling out the recording tape, is pulled out by a pullout member of a drive device and conveyed on a predetermined path by guide members of the drive device, wherein recessed portions are formed in a surface of the leader tape that abuts with the guide members, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shozo Onmori
  • Patent number: 7420767
    Abstract: A retaining member for retaining a grabber has a positioning arrangement for fixing the grabber in place. The grabber has a rear surface having a pair of hollows at upper and lower end portions. The positioning arrangement has a retainer opposed to a front surface of the grabber on retaining the grabber and a pair of leaf springs opposed to the retainer with a space shorter than a thickness of the grabber. The pair of leaf springs is disposed apart from each other up and down. The pair of leaf springs has a pair of projections engaged with the pair of hollows. The pair of hollows is disposed the outside of a tape winding portion where a magnetic tape is wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Tsuneyoshi, Hiromi Inoguchi, Kouji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7407125
    Abstract: In a recording tape cartridge provided with a reel having a hub at which a recording tape is wound, a case that accommodates the reel such that the reel is rotatable, and an opening formed at the case from which a leader member attached to a distal end of the recording tape is pulled out, the hub is formed in a substantial barrel shape. Further, the hub of a take-up reel of a drive device into which the recording tape cartridge is loaded is formed in a substantial barrel shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Shiga
  • Publication number: 20080179438
    Abstract: A leader member, comprising: an axis portion, formed into a bar shape that is longer than a width of a recording tape, a center portion in a longitudinal direction thereof being a tape-connecting portion for connecting the recording tape; a pair of first rim portions, overhanging from both outer sides of the tape-connecting portion on the axis portion in directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the axis portion; and second rim portions, overhanging in the directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the axis portion from between at least one of the pair of first rim portions on the axis portion and the tape-connecting portion, a dimension of the second rim portions along a specific direction among the orthogonal directions being equal to a dimension along the specific direction of the first rim portions, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Kiyoo Morita, Kenji Takenoshita
  • Publication number: 20080173746
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus in which a step on an outer peripheral surface of a reel hub is eliminated and a tape is not damaged. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette has a coupling element 8, and the coupling element 8 is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element 40 and the tape is taken up around a drive reel 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Takumi Nishimura, Eiichi Mori
  • Patent number: 7398940
    Abstract: The present invention provides a leader tape, method for manufacturing the same, and a magnetic tape cartridge with a leader tape having surface properties and conductive properties for securing slide durability suitable for a magnetic tape drive using a magnetic tape cartridge of one reel cartridge. A leader tape joined to a starting end of a magnetic tape wound around a magnetic tape reel of a one reel cartridge, comprising: a base material; and a conductive slide layer formed on at least one surface of the base material, the surface of the conductive slide layer having a surface electrical resistance value of 102 ?/square to 1010 ?/square and a surface roughness Ra of 0.5 ?m to 1.5 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Shozo Onmori
  • Publication number: 20080164358
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and a tape threading method thereof capable of preventing cut or slip of a leader tape, and capable of effectively preventing the fixing force from being deteriorated due to variation with time. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette 2 has a coupling element 8, and the coupling element 8 is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element 40 and the tape is taken up around a drive reel 20. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a leader tape 41 having one end connected to a drive shaft 24 of the drive reel 20 and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element 40, a reel hub 21 which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft 24 and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 21, and a lock member 70 which connects the drive shaft 24 and the reel hub 21 with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Takumi Nishimura, Eiichi Mori
  • Publication number: 20080135663
    Abstract: In one example, a tape drive system including a buckler system having a hook member is provided. The tape drive system includes a take-up leader and a buckler, the buckler for selectively retaining the drive leader, the buckler comprising a hook member for extending through an aperture of the take-up leader, the aperture having an area substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of a proximate portion of the hook member. In another example, a length of a proximate portion of the hook member along a longitudinal direction of the take-up leader is substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the aperture in the take-up leader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin S. Fletcher, Kristian S. Schartau
  • Patent number: 7380738
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic tape device capable of reliably securing a leader tape to a tape pull-out member with a simple structure. The tape pull-out member comprises a through hole which is extended along a direction substantially perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the leader tape, and a first shaft and a second shaft which are disposed above and below the through hole and along a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the leader tape. The leader tape is folded at its end portion which is to be connected to the tape pull-out member, to thereby form the folded portion of the leader tape, and this folded portion is turned to form an opening at its top curved portion so as to allow the first shaft to pass through the opening, and is then so hung on the second shaft as to turn around the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7372668
    Abstract: A brush driving mechanism, which drives a cleaning brush from a retracted position to an operation position opposed to a magnetic head, has a main arm having a tip coupled to the cleaning brush through a shaft. A chassis has a chassis slit, in which the shaft is inserted, for allowing to move the cleaning brush from the retracted position to the operation position by operating the main arm. The chassis slit has a tip portion stops the shaft when the cleaning brush is put into the operation position to position the cleaning brush with respect to the magnetic head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Tsuneyoshi, Hiromi Inoguchi, Kouji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7367521
    Abstract: A storage medium leader mechanism for threading a film of a storage medium on a machine reel in a storage medium apparatus along a guide includes a rotational shaft and a leader block. The leader block includes a first contact unit that is contactable with the guide that guides the leader block, and a second contact unit that is contactable with the guide. The first and second contact units are co-planar, a co-planarity of the first and second contact units being substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the rotational shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shimanuki
  • Patent number: 7344100
    Abstract: A driving mechanism, which drives a pull-out assembly up to an interior of a reel hub of a take-up reel, has a shaft which is inserted in a through hole bored in a grabber with a clearance. A shutter fixes the pull-out assembly in a receiving portion at a predetermined position on receiving the pull-out assembly in the receiving portion. A positioning member positions the shaft with a center of the shaft substantially coincided with a central axis of the take-up reel and with the clearance held between the shaft and an inner wall of the through hole when the pull-out assembly is received in the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Tsuneyoshi, Koji Kobayashi, Masaharu Kagami, Hiromi Inoguchi
  • Patent number: 7338002
    Abstract: A dual hub reel for a tape drive comprises an inner hub operatively connectable to a motor and a flexible leader connected at a first to the inner hub so as to be wound on to the inner hub when driven, to rotate by the motor. An outer hub is disposed about the inner hub and has an opening through which the flexible leader extends. The outer hub is arranged on the inner hub and is selectively freely rotatable about the inner hub or locked against the inner hub to rotate with the inner hub. A locking element is responsive to pressure supplied by a tape wrap to press against the inner hub and lock the outer hub to the inner hub by interaction of an engagement surface against the inner hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Hamming