Abstract: A tape drive for use with a tape cartridge having a cartridge leader includes a drive body, a take-up reel supported by the drive body, and a drive leader connected to the take-up reel. The tape drive further includes a leader connecting mechanism for connecting the drive leader to the cartridge leader, and an elevator assembly configured to receive the tape cartridge and to position the tape cartridge with respect to the drive body. The elevator assembly is also configured to actuate the leader connecting mechanism.

Abstract: A tape cartridge that has a clamp force to a block body and that secures a leader tape to a leader block is provided. Nail portions (63a, 64a) formed on the outer surface sides of a pair of leg portions (63, 64) of a clamper (36?) are secured to securing grooves (53, 54) formed on side walls of a assembling concave portion (50) of a block body (40) to secure the block body (40) and the clamper (36?). At this point, with concave grooves (73, 74) and a reinforcement rib (75) formed on an inner surface side of a base portion (60) that composes the clamper (36?) in the elongation direction of the leg portions 63 and 64. Thus, when the clamper (36?) is pushed, it can be prevented from being damaged and a desired clamp force can be obtained.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The invention proposes a tape drive apparatus, tape extraction apparatus and tape cartridge that enable a reliable chucking and chucking release, and a stable carrying of a tape being extracted from a cartridge.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge providing robust interactions with leadering mechanisms of data storage tape drives. In one relevant aspect, a data storage tape cartridge includes improved leader member access area features, such as a docking ramp configured to transition from a first height, to a second height greater than the first.

Abstract: A leader connecting mechanism is for connecting a first leader to a second leader includes a guide member having a track. The mechanism further includes an engaging member that is engageable with the first leader. The engaging member is slidable along the track of the guide member for connecting the first leader to the second leader.

Abstract: A cartridge case includes a first case and a second case that are fitted together to form a cartridge body capable of housing an information recording carrier therewithin. The first case is constructed by attaching a reference hole forming member, in which a positioning reference hole is formed, to a main plate of the first case.

Abstract: Retention portions that retain a leader member of recording tape are formed inside a case, and a spring member pushes the leader member toward the retention portions. The spring member contacts support point members, and the support point members serve as support points when the spring member deforms. The support point members, which are disposed such that they protrude from side walls of the case, include a height D1 from an inner surface (attachment reference surface) of the side walls. The spring member is bent such that its height at positions contacting the support point members from the attachment reference surface includes a height D2 in a state where the spring member is not attached to the case. Here, D2?D1. When the spring member is attached to the case, the spring member always contacts the support point members. Thus, the pushing force of the spring member is stable.

Abstract: A pin retainer locks a leader pin during a movement of a pull-out assembly where the leader pin is coupled to a grabber between a grabber holder and a take-up reel. The pin retainer is urged toward a locking position by a spring. When the grabber comes close to a cartridge, a first releasing arm makes the pin retainer retract to a retracted position opposed to urging force of the spring.

Abstract: In a tape system and method for guiding a tape from a tape reel to a read/write tape head and then to a take-up reel, the tape is guided along a tape path such that the path surrounds the take-up reel and then begins winding on the take-up reel. With such a long tape guide path, less pressure is required on an edge of the tape for positioning the tape at the tape head.

Abstract: The tape cartridge leader includes a smoothing feature that comprises a blind cut out formed in a surface of the tape cartridge leader that faces the hub of the take-up reel when the tape cartridge leader is wound on the hub to compensate for the irregularity generated by the buckling mechanism. The blind cut out consists of a shallow, smooth depression that is positioned to overlay the buckling mechanism. The geometry and size of the blind cut out can be selected from a wide variety of options, with all of these variations having the advantage of providing increased tensile strength for the tape cartridge leader over tape cartridge leaders that use smoothing apertures, since there is no hole formed in the tape cartridge leader.

Abstract: A dual hub take-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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for receiving and streaming storage tape by a tape head from storage tape cartridges of varying formats in a single tape drive. In one example, an exemplary tape drive system includes a receiver, a reel driver system configured to selectively drive at least two cartridges having different cartridge formats, and a drive leader system configured to selectively couple with at least two different cartridge leader formats associated with the at least two different cartridge formats.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus with an arrangement for capturing, retaining and releasing a leader pin from the tape cartridge provides a leader pin holding assembly having a body and a swing pivotally coupled to the body. Upon movement into the tape cartridge, the swing is controllably pivoted against the force of a spring into an open position to capture the leader pin within the tape cartridge. Closing the swing retains the leader pin between the swing and the body of the leader pin holding assembly. A minimum number of external actuators is achieved by employing a hub leader that controls the opening and closing of the swing with relation to the body.

Abstract: A threading mechanism in a magnetic writing/reading apparatus wherein a leader block for taking a magnetic tape out of a tape cartridge is stabilized in motion and ensured to operate reliably even in a state of not holding the tape is to be provided. In the mechanism for threading the magnetic tape to a reel within the apparatus, the leader block for taking out a leader pin out of the tape cartridge is rotatably fitted to the arm shaft of a movable arm, and the leader block moves along guides at the time of loading the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to quickly and correctly re-initialize a tape drive mechanism after power loss employs a non-volatile memory to store functional state data during normal operation of the tape drive mechanism. After a power loss, the functional state data is read from the non-volatile memory so that the tape drive mechanism can be properly re-initialized based on the recovered functional state data.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has: a case which is substantially rectangular and which rotatably accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound; an opening for pulling-out of the recording tape, the opening being formed in a wall surface of the case at a side of loading into a drive device other than at a corner portion of the case; a leader block fixed to an end portion of the recording tape, and pulled-out by a pull-out member of the drive device, and able to close the opening; and a position restricting portion disposing the leader block at an inner side of the wall surface and parallel to the wall surface.

Abstract: A tape cartridge, for use with a tape drive having a threading mechanism, includes a magnetic tape, a leader attached to an end of the tape and configured to engage the threading mechanism, and a cartridge body for housing the tape. The cartridge body includes first and second faces disposed at an angle to each other. The first face has a first opening through which the leader and tape may travel, and the second face has a second opening for receiving the threading mechanism of the tape drive.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus, tape extraction apparatus and tape cartridge that enable a reliable chucking and chucking release, and a stable carrying of a tape being extracted from a cartridge. The apparatus includes a carrying mechanism for extracting the tape as a recording medium from the cartridge where the magnetic tape is stored, and for carrying the magnetic tape to be wound up onto a takeup reel provided on the drive apparatus.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge which is not subject to concern about a leader block disengaging, even when a case is subjected to an impact due to dropping or the like. The recording tape cartridge is provided with the case, an aperture for drawing out a recording tape, and a leader block. The case rotatably accommodates a single reel, on which the recording tape is wound. The aperture is formed in a peripheral wall of the case. The leader block is fixed to an end portion of the recording tape, is drawn out by drawing-out means of a drive device, and is capable of closing the aperture. At this recording tape cartridge, a cover member, which covers at least a portion of the leader block that is closing the aperture, is provided to be slideable along the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for use with a tape drive includes a length of magnetic tape, a leader attached to an end of the tape, and a cartridge body for housing the tape. The cartridge body is configured to be inserted into the tape drive, and includes first and second adjacent faces. The first face has a first opening through which the tape may travel. The cartridge body further has a slot for stowing the leader in a stowed position. The slot is adjacent to the second face and extends at an angle with respect to the second face.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge features a case which rotatably and vertically movably accommodates a reel on which recording tape is wound. An aperture for drawing out the recording tape is formed in a peripheral wall of the case. The aperture features a projection portion which projects upward from a lower edge thereof. A leader block for drawing out the recording tape is fixed to an end portion of the recording tape, and can close off the aperture. The cartridge further includes a first urging member, which urges the reel downward, and a second urging member, which urges the leader block downward further than an upper edge of the projection portion. The leader block is unlikely to disengage even when the case is subjected to an impact by dropping or the like, and a recording tape cartridge with little risk of the leader block and recording tape becoming damaged is provided.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge including: a case rotatably accommodating a single reel on which recording tape is wound; an aperture formed in the case for drawing out the recording tape; a leader block which is fixed to an end portion of the recording tape, can close the aperture, and is drawn out by a drive device drawing-out means when the recording tape is to be drawn out; and a cover member covering at least some of the leader block that closes the aperture. The cover member includes at least a covering portion formed in a substantially circular arc form, which is structured to be reciprocally movable in a direction intersecting a height direction of the case, around a reference point in a vicinity of the leader block, between a release position for releasing the leader block and a covering position for covering at least some of the leader block.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge has a cartridge casing, a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation and a leader pin fixed to the leading end portion of the magnetic tape. The leader pin is provided at its opposite ends with engagement portions which are brought into engagement with a tape drawing mechanism of a recording and reproducing system when the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the recording and reproducing system. The end face of each engagement portion is provided with a recess at which the tape drawing mechanism chucks the leader pin.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a reel and a data tape to store data. The data tape is wound on the reel and has side edges. The tape cartridge further comprises a leader tape, and a splicing tape to link the leader tape to the data tape. The splicing tape has an edge with a slanted portion that is slanted with respect to the side edges of the data tape.

Abstract: Deck mechanism assembly comprises deck base, head guide assembly which is disposed on the deck base and which reads and writes data from/to a magnetic tape, cartridge reel motor which drives a reel on which the magnetic tape is wound, clutch which transmits a drive force of the cartridge reel motor to the reel enclosed in the cartridge, loader which conveys the loaded cartridge and mounts the cartridge in the state of the magnetic tape being able to be pulled out, loader motor which drives the loader, threader which pulls out a leader block placed at an edge portion of the magnetic tape and conveys the leader block, and head brush mechanism which functions corresponding to the leader block which is conveyed. Since the loader motor is disposed in the rear of the loader on the deck base, the width of apparatus can be decreased.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge has a cartridge casing, a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation and a leader pin fixed to the leading end portion of the magnetic tape. The leader pin is provided at its opposite ends with engagement portions which are brought into engagement with a tape drawing mechanism of a recording and reproducing system when the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the recording and reproducing system. The end face of each engagement portion is provided with a recess at which the tape drawing mechanism chucks the leader pin.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge in which, even if impact is applied to a vicinity of an opening due to a drop or the like, a leader pin does not fall out from pin holding portions. The recording tape cartridge has a case which rotatably accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound; an opening for pulling-out of a leader pin attached to an end portion of the recording tape; and pin holding portions formed at an inner surface of a ceiling plate of the case and an inner surface of a floor plate of the case, and holding the leader pin in a vicinity of the opening. A plate thickness of at least regions directly above and directly below the leader pin which is held at the pin holding portions is thicker than an average plate thickness of the case.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a leader member attached to a recording tape to be contained in a recording tape cartridge. A pin is provided at each end of the leader member, and the pins are resiliently projectable by springs. The springs each absorb a load generated when the leader member is attached to or detached from a cartridge case. A receiving portion is provided independently from a connecting portion which connect to the leader member. In order to eliminate changes to a length of the connecting portion due to compression of the spring and to allow smooth connection of the leader member and the connection portion, the pin resiliently projects from the recess provided at an axial center of the receiving.

Abstract: This invention is aimed to provide a recording tape cartridge with a smaller bump formed on a wind-up surface of a reel-hub in a tape drive while winding the recording tape on the reel hub. The recording tape cartridge of this invention comprises a case; a recording tape, which is wound around a single rotatable reel contained in the case and wound onto a reel hub of a tape drive, for recording information thereto or playing information back therefrom; a leader tape having a tape shaped form and having a flexibility in its thickness direction, and being connected at one end of said leader tape to the top end of the recording tape; wherein said leader tape having engagements attachable to the reel hub formed at the other leader tape end which is not connected to the recording tape, and having said engagements positioned on the outer edges of the leader tape, and fitting closely on the periphery of the reel hub with the engagements engaging with the reel hub when the recording tape is wound onto the reel hub.

Abstract: A sensing assembly for use in determining if magnetic tape within a single reel tape cartridge properly disconnects from a takeup reel within a tape drive during unloading of the tape cartridge, so that the tape cartridge can be removed from the tape drive without damaging the tape media and rendering the tape drive inoperable. The sensing assembly may be electrical or electomechanical and comprises at least one sensing apparatus for providing feedback on the position of the takeup leader. The position of the takeup leader is used to determine if the tape cartridge leader disconnects from the takeup leader. The sensing assembly may be utilized within a tape drive or with a test fixture for testing a plurality of disconnect operations.

Abstract: A threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that threader block assembly includes a first moveable arm, a second moveable arm pivotally connected to the first moveable arm, and a magnet disposed on the second moveable arm. A tape drive which includes the threader block. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more tape drives comprising the threader block. A method to attach a tape leader pin to a threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that tape leader pin is disposed on one end of a magnetic tape. The method includes disposing a magnet on the threader block assembly, forming the leader pin from a paramagnetic material, and attaching the leader pin to the threader block assembly with a magnetic force.

Abstract: An improved two-leader apparatus is disclosed for threading tape from a first reel to a second reel. The two-leader means includes a first reel for receiving tape from a second reel. A first leader is coupled to the first reel. A second leader is coupled to a free end of the tape which is wound around the second reel. A button is coupled to a first end of the first leader. The button protrudes from a first surface of the first leader. The second leader includes an aperture for accepting the button.

Abstract: A system disposed in a tape drive, for extracting a magnetic recording tape wound on a single reel in a cartridge received in the tape drive, has a lever arm which moves a gripper hook and a gripper hook follower, in hinged engagement with each other, into and out of the tape cartridge to engage the gripper hook with a leader pin at a free end of the tape. A mechanical gripper switch is rotated after the gripper hook has been moved into the tape cartridge to cause the gripper hook to engage the leader pin. The lever arm then moves the gripper hook follower, the gripper hook and the magnetic tape engaged therewith through a tape guide and through a channel in a take-up reel located in the tape drive, so that the leader pin is positioned at a periphery of the hub of the take-up reel.

Abstract: A buckler assembly in a tape drive is used to connect a drive leader to a cartridge leader, where the drive leader is connected to a take-up reel and the cartridge leader is connected to a magnetic tape in a tape cartridge. The buckler assembly includes a retainer member that receives the drive leader to be connected to the cartridge leader. The buckler assembly also includes a sensor assembly disposed adjacent to the retainer member that detects the presence of the drive leader.

Abstract: Provided is a leader block rotary mechanism for a cartridge magnetic tape device, which allows over-rotation of a rotator cam in the capture direction by providing an over-rotation limiting device in a rotator cam so that damages on mechanism parts and motors due to over-rotation of the rotator cam can be prevented. Over-rotation of the rotator cam can be facilitated so that fine adjustment in the rotation amount of the loader cam gear and the rotator cam becomes unnecessary. Further, there is no abnormal capture operation generated even when there is over or less rotation of the rotator cam. The rotator cam is forcibly rotated by a release cam in the release direction through reverse rotation of the loader cam gear so as to prevent the rotation from being stuck at the time of release.

Abstract: A take-up mechanism for a read/write recording apparatus includes a hub with an outer surface about which a tape medium is to be wound. A recess is formed in the outer surface, and a receiver block is reciprocally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When retracted, an end surface of the receiver block registers with the outer surface of the hub to form a smooth winding surface for the tape. The receiver block has a bay sized to engage the leader block on the tape such that the leader block is enclosed within the hub when the receiver block is retracted. A rotatable drive rotates the hub to wind the tape thereon. This mechanism may be incorporated into a read/write apparatus including a read/write recording head, bearing members to support the tape during transport and a threading assembly to thread the tape through the device.

Abstract: In a tape drive device of the present invention, a large number of through-holes (an sucking portion) are formed in an outer peripheral portion of a reel hub onto which a recording tape, at a free end of which a leader tape is connected, is to be wound. The leader tape is held and guided by guiding means. When the leader tape reaches the sucking portion, a suction device operates and air is sucked through the through-holes. Consequently, the leader tape is suckingly retained at the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub. With the present invention, there is no need to form depressions or projections for accommodating and anchoring the leader tape at the reel hub. Therefore, the reel hub can have a smooth structure without any steps.

Abstract: In a tape threading mechanism having a threading arm for moving a leader block from a tape cartridge to a take-up reel, the take-up reel is provided with a guide groove having an intrusion port in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the take-up reel so as to guide a leader block toward the take-up center of the take-up reel. One of side walls of the guide groove, against which the tip of the leader block abuts when the leader block intrudes into the guide groove, is formed in such a manner that the leader block can smoothly move into the take-up-center of the take-up reel.

Abstract: There is provided a recording and/or reproducing apparatus including: a cartridge loading member into which is loaded a tape cartridge having a magnetic tape provided with a leader block on one end; a take-up mechanism for winding the magnetic tape; a carrying mechanism for carrying a tape pulling member, which engages with the leader block and pulls the magnetic tape from the tape cartridge, between the tape cartridge and the take-up mechanism; and a magnetic head mechanism for recording or reproducing signals. An area in which the cartridge loading member is formed, and an area in which the take-up mechanism, the carrying mechanism and the magnetic head mechanism are formed are divided by a partition, and the partition has an opening, and a shutter mechanism for shutting the opening. Thus, a recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of preventing dust and the like from entering into the drive area is provided.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge case, a single tape reel, and a tape leader pin. The cartridge case has a tape leader opening in the side wall thereof. The tape reel with magnetic tape wound thereon is rotatably housed within said cartridge case. The tape leader pin is firmly attached to the leading end of said magnetic tape and is detachably held near the tape leader opening by a spring member. The surface hardness of the sliding surface of the spring member with respect to said tape leader pin is made higher than that of the tape leader pin to prevent an increase in the sliding resistance between the sliding surface of the tape leader pin and the sliding surface of a leader-pin holding spring.

Abstract: A cutter for a rotary shredder has a cutter tip which is divided into separate first and second picks which are mounted side by side on the cutter. The picks have offset leading edges so one pick reaches the material being shredded before the other pick. The picks also may have different profiles, which causes them to shred the material in a different manner.

Abstract: A leader block in a read/write recording apparatus includes a body member and a latch member that move relative to each other to receive, engage and retain the leader pin on a tape medium. The leader block may include finger-like engagement structures. The catch piece can be biased toward a closed position and can include a ramp to facilitate initial engagement of the leader pin. The catch piece can include an actuator tab. A threading assembly is disclosed to incorporate the leader block and includes an actuator that selective operates the catch piece via the actuator tab to permit disengagement of the leader pin therefrom. A cam assembly may control the actuator. This assembly is disclosed in conjunction with a threading assembly that includes a flexible conveyor member received in a guide track. A method utilizing this structure is described.

Abstract: A system disposed in a tape drive, for extracting a magnetic recording tape wound on a single reel in a cartridge received in the tape drive, has a lever arm which moves a gripper hook and a gripper hook follower, in hinged engagement with each other, into and out of the tape cartridge to engage the gripper hook with a leader pin at a free end of the tape. A mechanical gripper switch is rotated after the gripper hook has been moved into the tape cartridge to cause the gripper hook to engage the leader pin. The lever arm then moves the gripper hook follower, the gripper hook and the magnetic tape engaged therewith through a tape guide and through a channel in a take-up reel located in the tape drive, so that the leader pin is positioned at a periphery of the hub of the take-up reel.

Abstract: Provided is a leader block rotary mechanism for a cartridge magnetic tape device, which allows over-rotation of a rotator cam in the capture direction by providing an over-rotation limiting device in a rotator cam so that damages on mechanism parts and motors due to over-rotation of the rotator cam can be prevented. Over-rotation of the rotator cam can be facilitated so that fine adjustment in the rotation amount of the loader cam gear and the rotator cam becomes unnecessary. Further, there is no abnormal capture operation generated even when there is over or less rotation of the rotator cam. The rotator cam is forcibly rotated by a release cam in the release direction through reverse rotation of the loader cam gear so as to prevent the rotation from being stuck at the time of release.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus with an arrangement for capturing, retaining and releasing a leader pin from the tape cartridge provides a leader pin holding assembly having a body and a swing pivotally coupled to the body. Upon movement into the tape cartridge, the swing is controllably pivoted against the force of a spring into an open position to capture the leader pin within the tape cartridge. Closing the swing retains the leader pin between the swing and the body of the leader pin holding assembly. A minimum number of external actuators is achieved by employing a hub leader that controls the opening and closing of the swing with relation to the body.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge has a cartridge casing, a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation and a leader pin fixed to the leading end portion of the magnetic tape. The leader pin is provided at its opposite ends with engagement portions which are brought into engagement with a tape drawing mechanism of a recording and reproducing system when the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the recording and reproducing system. The end face of each engagement portion is provided with a recess at which the tape drawing mechanism chucks the leader pin.

Abstract: A threading mechanism in a magnetic writing/reading apparatus wherein a leader block for taking a magnetic tape out of a tape cartridge is stabilized in motion and ensured to operate reliably even in a state of not holding the tape is to be provided. In the mechanism for threading the magnetic tape to a reel within the apparatus, the leader block for taking out a leader pin out of the tape cartridge is rotatably fitted to the arm shaft of a movable arm, and the leader block moves along guides at the time of loading the tape cartridge. Further, the leader block 10 has a leader block holder 11; when it is not holding the leader pin at the time of loading the tape cartridge, the leader block 10 is held on to the arm shaft by the leader block holder 11; and after an operation to grab the leader pin, is released from the arm shaft to become freely rotatable by the shift of the leader block holder 11.