Abstract: A tape drive includes a housing defining an internal volume, a heat-generating element disposed within the internal volume, a thermally-conductive element, a first end of the thermally-conductive element in thermal communication with the heat-generating element, and a heat dissipation unit disposed in an external volume outside of the internal volume, wherein a second end of the thermally-conductive element is disposed in the external volume and is in thermal communication with the heat dissipation unit.

Abstract: A main body case is provided with an opening and closing lid supported in an openable and closable manner by a spindle at one end portion thereof as well as slidably attached in a direction orthogonal to a length direction of the spindle; a pair of unlocking knobs slidably arranged along a front surface of the opening and closing lid; and a locking portion formed on a main body case side that puts the opening and closing lid in a locked state by locking a step portion on a free end portion side of the opening and closing lid by sliding operating the opening and closing lid in one direction in a state where the opening and closing lid is closed.

Abstract: An integrated reel hub and motor shaft assembly for a tape drive that limits axial and radial run-out of tape (e.g., magnetic, optical) relative to a read/write head assembly and the various errors (e.g., loading, tension, reading, writing, and the like) associated therewith. In one arrangement, a reel hub of a reel assembly is directly molded (e.g., via an injection molding process) onto and around an end of a drive or motor shaft of a drive assembly. As a result, a more consistent head to tape interface, greater tape tracking performance, increased track density, and the like may be achieved.

Abstract: A cartridge tape includes: a casing including a magnetic tape; and a reel hub disposed inside the casing; the reel hub includes: a cylindrical portion around which the magnetic tape is wound; and an annular multipolar magnet to rotate the reel hub when a rotating magnetic field is applied outside a wall of the casing.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge capable of keeping position error signals during running of a recording tape small. A recording tape cartridge is provided with a reel hub, a magnetic tape that is wound round the reel hub, and a lower flange and upper flange that are disposed to oppose one another at each of the both axial direction ends of the reel hub. In a state in which the magnetic tape is completely wound on the reel hub, the magnetic tape is offset toward the upper flange. A space of an edge clearance between a lower end of an outermost periphery portion of the magnetic tape and the lower flange is at least 0.18 mm and at most 0.46 mm. A rate of widening of a facing distance between the lower flange and the upper flange increases toward the outer periphery side.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a tape housing, first and second reel member cooperate with each other to constitute a reel around which a tape is wound, a connecting and biasing member connecting between the first and second, and first and second engaging means. The first engaging means is provided on an inner surface of the lower wall. The second engaging means is provided on a lower surface of the second reel member. This arrangement allows that the second engaging means can engage with the first engaging means due to a biasing force caused by the connecting and biasing member to prevent a rotation of the second reel member and can disengage from the first engaging means when the drive shaft accesses the second reel member through the opening and forces the second reel member toward the first reel member against the biasing force of the connecting and biasing member.

Abstract: A tape cartridge is provided having an improved fit between a reel hole and a drive shaft of a drive. A reel hole that fits with a drive shaft provided in a drive for rotationally driving a reel is formed in the reel. The drive shaft includes a fitting shaft that fits with the reel hole and a guide shaft that enters the reel hole before the fitting shaft and has an outer dimension increasing toward the fitting shaft. A chamfered portion is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the reel hole. The chamfered portion is constituted by an inclined face joining an inner peripheral face of the reel hole to the surface in which the reel hole is formed. When the reel hole is viewed from a side facing an opening portion of the reel hole, a portion of the reel hole that fits with the fitting shaft has a polygonal shape, and the inclined face contains a portion in which the width of the inclined face varies along an edge of the polygonal shape.

Abstract: A tape cartridge in which an operation for engaging a reel hole of a tape reel with a drive shaft can be carried out smoothly, the tape reel can be rotationally driven in a state in which the centers of the drive shaft and the reel hole match, and reading/writing from/to recording tape can consistently be carried out in a stable manner. A drive shaft 13 of a tape drive comprises a fitting shaft 15 formed in a multi-sided cross-section shape and an engagement guide shaft 16 formed in an upwardly tapered shape. A drive shaft insertion hole 1c for the drive shaft 13 is provided in a lower wall of a housing 1. A reel hole 9 into which the drive shaft 13 is fitted is provided in a hub 5 of the tape reel 2. The reel hole 9 is formed in the same multi-sided cross-section shape as the fitting shaft 15, the vertical depth of the reel hole 9 being set so as to accept the fitting shaft 15 and the coupling guide shaft 16.

Abstract: A tape reel, a recording tape cartridge, a take-up reel, and a drive device, in which displacement of recording tape in an axial direction of a hub may be suppressed during traveling and occurrence of reading errors of servo signals and recording/reproducing errors of data signals may be suppressed are obtained. The reel hub is integrally formed with a lower flange and a radius of the reel hub on an upper flange side is greater than a radius on a lower flange side. By winding the recording tape T around the reel hub in such a manner that a side having a smaller radius of curvature of a tape edge is on the lower flange side of the reel hub, the displacement of the recording tape T in the axial direction of the reel hub during traveling is suppressed. As a result, recording and reproducing errors of servo signals and recording signals may be suppressed and reduction of so-called position error signals and off-track errors may be expected even in a case of high-density recording.

Abstract: A tape reel includes a bottomed cylinder-shaped hub, on an outer surface of a base plate of which driven teeth capable of meshing with driving teeth are disposed. Contact surfaces capable of being contacted by front end surfaces of the driving teeth in a state where the driving teeth and the driven teeth mesh are formed on the outer surface of the base plate.

Abstract: A tape cartridge in which an operation for engaging a reel hole of a tape reel with a drive shaft can be carried out smoothly, the tape reel can be rotationally driven in a state in which the centers of the drive shaft and the reel hole match, and reading/writing from/to recording tape can consistently be carried out in a stable manner. A drive shaft 13 of a tape drive comprises a fitting shaft 15 formed in a multi-sided cross-section shape and an engagement guide shaft 16 formed in an upwardly tapered shape. A drive shaft insertion hole 1c for the drive shaft 13 is provided in a lower wall of a housing 1. A reel hole 9 into which the drive shaft 13 is fitted is provided in a hub 5 of the tape reel 2. The reel hole 9 is formed in the same multi-sided cross-section shape as the fitting shaft 15, the vertical depth of the reel hole 9 being set so as to accept the fitting shaft 15 and the coupling guide shaft 16.

Abstract: An oil spatter prevention apparatus having a shaft for use with a device, such as a tape recorder, including a stationary portion fixed to a deck, a shaft body extended from the stationary portion on which a rotation body is rotatably supported on an outer circumference, and an oil spattering prevention means for preventing oil applied between the shaft body and the rotation body from being spattered when the shaft body rotates, the oil spatter prevention means being at least one of a circumferential recess on the shaft body, an annular recess on the shaft stationary portion, and a recess exterior and adjacent to the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reel clutch of a tape recorder. A plate spring is positioned between a reel gear and a reel disc of a reel disc assembly which is mounted on a deck of a tape recorder, and a stopper reel is provided on the reel disc to restrain the engaging height of the plate spring so that a torque is generated by the frictional contact between the reel disc and the plate spring, whereby assembly productivity can be enhanced and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Abstract: A tape cartridge with a reel incorporated therein in which drawing-out and rewinding of the tape and proper positioning of the reel along a height thereof can be carried out reliably. The cartridge is insertable at a tape drive, which has a rotating member that is integrally connectable to the reel when the cartridge is inserted. The rotating member includes a drive gear for transmitting a drive force to the reel and a positioning portion for relatively positioning the reel. The cartridge includes a reel gear that can engage the drive gear for transmitting the drive force and a reel reference portion which is disposed inside the reel gear and is abutable against the positioning portion for the relative positioning.

Abstract: A drive device to which a recording tape cartridge is loaded, and which can record information in a recording tape and playback information recorded in the recording tape, the drive device includes: a rotating shaft having a drive gear which meshes with the reel gear of the cartridge and rotates the reel of the cartridge; an operating member which pushes up the brake member of the cartridge to the reel rotation permitted position; and an adjusting mechanism which adjusts a projecting height of the operating member.

Abstract: A reel cover of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having an improved assembly construction with respect to a chassis and a method of manufacturing thereof provide a reel cover assembled with the chassis in a manner where a plurality of protrusions of a reel cover body are inserted in a plurality of recesses formed on the chassis. In this state, a resilient member formed at the reel cover body resiliently contacts a side surface of the chassis so that the protrusions are kept within the recesses. The reel cover can be assembled with the chassis in a simple manner without requiring extra securing means such as screws. Accordingly, the number of assembly parts can be decreased and the assembly procedure may be simplified, thereby productivity may be improved and manufacturing cost may be reduced.

Abstract: A film holder for an advanced photo system. The film holder includes a transmission mechanism, a support mechanism, a rotating member and a resilient element. The support mechanism is connected to the transmission mechanism and has a sliding groove obliquely formed thereon. The rotating member is disposed in the support mechanism and has a first transmission shaft and a sliding portion engaged with and sliding in the sliding groove of the support mechanism. The resilient element is disposed on the support mechanism and connected to the sliding portion of the rotating member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reel clutch of a tape recorder. A plate spring is positioned between a reel gear and a reel disc of a reel disc assembly which is mounted on a deck of a tape recorder, and a stopper reel is provided on the reel disc to restrain the engaging height of the plate spring so that a torque is generated by the frictional contact between the reel disc and the plate spring, whereby assembly productivity can be enhanced and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Abstract: In a recording tape cartridge, at a reel which is accommodated within a case, a magnetic tape is wound around an outer peripheral portion of a reel hub, and a reel gear is provided coaxially and annularly at an end surface of the reel hub. An annular convex portion projects coaxially from the end surface of the reel hub. An end surface of the annular convex portion is a reference surface which is orthogonal to an axis of the reel. When the magnetic tape is used, the reference surface abuts a positioning surface of a drive device, the reel is positioned in an axial direction, and the reel rises up within the case. The reel rotates around the axis due to driving force of a driving gear which meshes with the reel gear.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge in which feeding out and rewinding of a recording tape can preferably performed and a positioning of a reel in a height direction can be accurately performed. The recording tape cartridge having a case in which a single reel including a hub which has upper and lower flange portions and on which a recording tape is wound is accommodated, a gear for rotating the reel, which is provided at a central portion of a lower surface of the reel and meshed with a driving gear of a drive device at only planes substantially orthogonal to radial directions of the reel, and a reference portion, which is provided at the lower surface of the reel, for positioning the reel in an axial direction of the reel by abutting on a portion for positioning of the drive device, is provided.

Abstract: A drive chuck of a tape drive system for operatively engaging a tape reel of a data storage tape cartridge. The tape reel includes a circular ring of outwardly projecting reel teeth that defines inner and outer circumferential faces. The drive chuck includes a circular ring of drive chuck teeth and an alignment feature. The alignment feature is radially spaced from the drive chuck teeth and includes a radial contact surface. The radial contact surface is configured and positioned to contact one of the inner and outer circumferential faces upon operative engagement between the drive chuck and the tape reel. In one preferred embodiment, the alignment feature is a ring positioned to contact the outer circumferential face of the ring of reel teeth.

Abstract: A reel chucking structure comprises a rotation drive transmission part for transmission of rotation drive between a reel for winding a tape thereon and a spindle for driving and rotating the reel. The rotation drive transmission part is disposed in a plane extending substantially perpendicularly to a rotation axis. A projecting portion and a recessed portion for making the rotation axis of the reel coincide with the rotation axis of the spindle and projections and recesses for securing the spindle and reel in the rotation direction are disposed at different positions in the plane independently of each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to an apparatus including a real engagement portion, a first brake, and a second brake. The first brake is configured to be selectively coupled to the first reel engagement portion. The second brake is configured to be selectively configured to the first reel engagement portion.

Abstract: In a loading mechanism which is for use in a tape drive having a supply reel motor and which serves to engage the supply reel motor with a supply reel contained in a tape cartridge inserted into the tape drive, a drive gear is arranged coaxially with a rotor of the supply reel motor to be movable in an axial direction, and is engaged with a drive hub, fixed to the rotor, and the supply reel in a rotating direction when the drive gear is moved towards one direction in the axial direction. A drive ring is arranged coaxially with the rotor to be movable in the axial direction and engaged with the drive gear against urging force of a spring. The drive ring is formed by pressing a ring-shaped plate material. An engaging pin is fixed to the drive ring and engaged through a guide slit of a cylindrical member with a cam groove of a ring cam.

Abstract: A drive chuck of a tape drive system for operatively engaging a tape reel of a data storage tape cartridge. The tape reel includes a circular ring of outwardly projecting reel teeth that defines inner and outer circumferential faces. The drive chuck includes a circular ring of drive chuck teeth and an alignment feature. The alignment feature is radially spaced from the drive chuck teeth and includes a radial contact surface. The radial contact surface is configured and positioned to contact one of the inner and outer circumferential faces upon operative engagement between the drive chuck and the tape reel. In one preferred embodiment, the alignment feature is a ring positioned to contact the outer circumferential face of the ring of reel teeth.

Abstract: A metal plate of a recording tape cartridge is provided with a tapered portion at an outer circumference thereof. In a state in which the metal plate is attached at a fixed-side mold plate of a metal mold for molding a reel hub and a lower flange, a gap is formed between the tapered portion and the fixed-side mold plate. During molding, molding material flows into the gap. Because of this gap, an annular pawl portion is formed at the reel hub, which annular pawl portion integrally joins the metal plate with the reel hub by sandwiching the metal plate via the tapered portion.

Abstract: A tape reel assembly including a hub, opposing upper and lower flanges, a plurality of reel teeth, and three engagement features. The opposing upper and lower flanges extend in a radial fashion from opposing sides of the hub. The reel teeth extend axially outwardly relative to the hub. The three engagement features are equidistantly spaced within the reel teeth and are configured to provide a dominant mating surface relative to surfaces of the plurality of reel teeth. With this configuration, the three engagement features mate with teeth of the tape drive clutch, and prevent meshed engagement with the remaining reel teeth. Thus, the three engagement features dictate the plane of contact between the tape reel assembly and the drive clutch, with the reel teeth serving as general guide surfaces that facilitate this interaction. The engagement features can be pronounced drive teeth or reduced-sized valleys.

Abstract: A loading mechanism is for use in a tape drive having a supply reel motor for driving a supply reel in a tape cartridge and a chassis supporting the supply reel motor fixed thereto. For engaging a rotor of the supply reel motor with the supply reel, the loading mechanism is provided a drive gear which is arranged coaxially with the rotor and movable in an axial direction. When the drive gear is moved towards one direction in the axial direction, the drive gear is engaged with a drive hub fixed to the rotor and with the supply reel in a rotating direction. The drive gear is urged by a spring towards the one direction in the axial direction. For controlling the movement of the drive gear in the axial direction, a control mechanism has a ring cum, a cylindrical member, and a drive ring. The ring cam is arranged coaxially with the rotor to be rotatable and has a plurality of cam grooves, N in number, formed on its peripheral surface.

Abstract: In a loading mechanism which is for use in a tape drive having a supply reel motor and which serves to engage the supply reel motor with a supply reel contained in a tape cartridge inserted into the tape drive, a drive gear is arranged coaxially with a rotor of the supply reel motor to be movable in an axial direction, and is engaged with a drive hub, fixed to the rotor, and the supply reel in a rotating direction when the drive gear is moved towards one direction in the axial direction. A drive ring is arranged coaxially with the rotor to be movable in the axial direction and engaged with the drive gear against urging force of a spring. The drive ring is formed by pressing a ring-shaped plate material. An engaging pin is fixed to the drive ring and engaged through a guide slit of a cylindrical member with a cam groove of a ring cam.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) can hold a magnetic-tape cassette (2), which accommodates a supply reel (3) including a first magnetic circuit element (42) and has a disc-shaped drive member (47) including a second magnetic circuit element (49), the two magnetic circuit elements (42, 49) forming magnetically acting holding means (43) for holding the supply reel (3) in the apparatus (1) and the disc-shaped drive member (47) having magnetic-force-of-attraction limiting means (51) which serve to and are adapted to cooperate with the first magnetic circuit element (42) and which enable the magnetic force of attraction produced between the two magnetic circuit elements (42, 49) to be limited.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge including a housing, a tape reel assembly, a brake assembly, a centering device, and a storage tape. The tape reel assembly includes a hub, opposing top and bottom flanges, and drive teeth. The drive teeth extend in an axial fashion relative to the hub and are provided for engagement by a tape drive chuck. The centering device is provided to support the tape reel assembly in a centered position relative to the tape reel opening in the locked state. The centering device includes a rib and a corresponding groove. The rib is formed by one of the bottom flange and the base, whereas the groove is formed by another of the bottom flange and the base. The groove is configured to selectively receive the rib, thereby supporting the tape reel assembly in the center position. The centering device prevents the tape reel assembly from laterally shifting relative to the tape reel opening when the data storage tape cartridge is vertically oriented.

Abstract: A base plate for a belt-driven cartridge for recording tape includes a molded or cast base layer with integral mounting bosses and ribs on the upper surface of the base layer for rigidly supporting axles and tape guides in precise perpendicular alignment and selected elevations relative to the lower reference surface of the base layer. The integral ribs extend between raised bosses to enhance torsional and flexural and depressional rigidity of the base layer over the entire area within the peripheral boundaries thereof.

Abstract: A loading mechanism is for use in a tape drive having a supply reel motor for driving a supply reel in a tape cartridge and a chassis supporting the supply reel motor fixed thereto. For engaging a rotor of the supply reel motor with the supply reel, the loading mechanism is provided a drive gear which is arranged coaxially with the rotor and movable in an axial direction. When the drive gear is moved towards one direction in the axial direction, the drive gear is engaged with a drive hub fixed to the rotor and with the supply reel in a rotating direction. The drive gear is urged by a spring towards the one direction in the axial direction. For controlling the movement of the drive gear in the axial direction, a control mechanism has a ring cum, a cylindrical member, and a drive ring. The ring cam is arranged coaxially with the rotor to be rotatable and has a plurality of cam grooves, N in number, formed on its peripheral surface.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a front face sized for compatibility with an industry standard tape drive, and has sides longer than the sides of some industry standard cartridges. The sides and top of the housing extend outwardly in width to form a back portion of the cartridge that is wider than the front portion and prevent the cartridge from being inserted into non-compatible tape drives. Two large diameter tape hubs improve the empty hub to full pack diameter ratios, and improve the resulting tangential drive force and tape tension profiles as the tape moves between the hubs. Flanges are permanently bonded to the hubs to prevent the tape packs from shifting and a spring biases the hubs against the baseplate. A back set of rollers includes a high-drag roller that engages the drive belt at a fixed wrap angle and produces a relatively constant drag. A front set of rollers includes a drive roller and has rollers mounted to form substantially equal geometries with rollers in the back set respective to the tape hubs.

Abstract: In order to release a reel hub lock by operating a lock lever (41) in response to rotation of a ring cam (51), a reel hub lock releasing (30) mechanism comprises a seesaw-type release lever (31) rotatably disposed on a back surface of a chassis (12) around a fulcrum part (311) at a center thereof. The seesaw-type release lever comprises first and second plate bodies (312, 313) extending from the fulcrum part toward both sides. The first plate body has, at a tip thereof, an engaging projection (34) engaged with a cam groove (51a) of the ring cam. The second plate body has, at a tip thereof, a lever operating projection (33) which projects upward to operate the lock lever. Disposed around the fulcrum part, a spring (35) is for preventing a part from falling away to fit the seesaw-type release lever to the chassis.

Abstract: A universal tape path subassembly that forms a data storage tape supply and path and fits within tape cartridge housings of varying form factors. The universal subassembly includes registration datum features and surfaces that can be made accessible externally to a tape cartridge (containing the tape path subassembly) for aligning the tape path subassembly relative to a drive unit adapted to receive the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a front face sized for compatibility with an industry standard tape drive, and has sides longer than the sides of some industry standard cartridges. The sides and top of the housing extend outwardly in width to form a back portion of the cartridge that is wider than the front portion and prevent the cartridge from being inserted into non-compatible tape drives. Two large diameter tape hubs improve the empty hub to full pack diameter ratios, and improve the resulting tangential drive force and tape tension profiles as the tape moves between the hubs. Flanges are permanently bonded to the hubs to prevent the tape packs from shifting and a spring biases the hubs against the baseplate. A back set of rollers includes a high-drag roller that engages the drive belt at a fixed wrap angle and produces a relatively constant drag. A front set of rollers includes a drive roller and has rollers mounted to form substantially equal geometries with rollers in the back set respective to the tape hubs.

Abstract: In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) having a reel drive device (35) with a drive shaft (46A) and with a disc-shaped drive member (47) made of a plastic and with drive teeth (48), and with a second magnetic circuit element (49), and with a third magnetic circuit element (50), which is connected to the drive member (47) by insert-molding of the third magnetic circuit element (50), the drive shaft (46A) is connected directly to the third magnetic circuit element (50) in a rotationally interlocked manner and the third magnetic circuit element (50) is formed by an element which is finished by means of a turning operation, and the third magnetic circuit element (50) is dimensioned in such a manner with respect to the drive member (47) that the third magnetic circuit element (50) is not subjected to any deformation by the drive member (47) made by insert-molding.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a first rotatable hub and a second rotatable hub. The first hub and the second hub are wound so that they are substantially full of the flexible recording tape. The flexible tape between the first and second hub crosses a centerline including the two hubs. Both the first rotatable hub and the second rotatable hub are removable from the cartridge. The hubs have a flange with a conical edge which nests into a first opening and a second opening in the tape cartridge with conical receiving surfaces. The conical edges have a plurality of reliefs therein to form conical teeth within each of the first and second hub. The conical teeth of one of the hubs engages the reliefs of the other hub to seal the cartridge and to support the tape between the hubs. The cartridge also includes a base, a latch for engaging the first rotatable hub and the second rotatable hub. A cartridge cover covers the latch and base.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) can hold a magnetic-tape cassette (2), which accommodates a supply reel (3) including a first magnetic circuit element (42) and has a disc-shaped drive member (47) including a second magnetic circuit element (49), the two magnetic circuit elements (42, 49) forming magnetically acting holding means (43) for holding the supply reel (3) in the apparatus (1) and the disc-shaped drive member (47) having magnetic-force-of-attraction limiting means (51) which serve to and are adapted to cooperate with the first magnetic circuit element (42) and which enable the magnetic force of attraction produced between the two magnetic circuit elements (42, 49) to be limited.

Abstract: A tape transport system for positioning magnetic tape over a tape head includes a carrier ribbon with edges defining a channel for carrying the tape. Ribbon guides bring the carrier ribbon into contact with the tape as the tape moves near the tape head. A separation guide is positioned to allow the tape to separate from the carrier ribbon as the tape passes the tape head.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a front face sized for compatibility with an industry standard tape drive, and has sides longer than the sides of some industry standard cartridges. The sides and top of the housing extend outwardly in width to form a back portion of the cartridge that is wider than the front portion and prevent the cartridge from being inserted into non-compatible tape drives. Two large diameter tape hubs improve the empty hub to full pack diameter ratios, and improve the resulting tangential drive force and tape tension profiles as the tape moves between the hubs. Flanges are permanently bonded to the hubs to prevent the tape packs from shifting and a spring biases the hubs against the baseplate. A back set of rollers includes a high-drag roller that engages the drive belt at a fixed wrap angle and produces a relatively constant drag. A front set of rollers includes a drive roller and has rollers mounted to form substantially equal geometries with rollers in the back set respective to the tape hubs.

Abstract: A coupling for driving a magnetic tape reel uses the interface between a flat surface on the coupling and datum pads on the reel to locate the reel. The coupling includes a drive ring with ring teeth located around a drive shaft. The ring teeth engage mating teeth on the tape reel. The coupling also includes a datum ring having an annular surface located about the drive shaft. The annular surface contacts datum pads on the tape reel to axially position the tape reel relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A data storage tape drive system includes a data storage tape cartridge and a tape drive mechanism. The data storage tape cartridge includes a tape reel including a circular ring of teeth projecting in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation thereof and an engagement surface spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth. The tape drive mechanism includes a drive hub including a circular ring of teeth projecting in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation thereof and an engagement feature spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth of the drive hub. When the drive hub is operatively engaged with the tape reel, the teeth of the drive hub are engaged with the teeth of the tape reel and the engagement feature of the drive hub is engaged with the engagement surface of the tape reel so as to control operative engagement between the data storage tape cartridge and the tape drive mechanism.

Abstract: A thin ribbon cassette (16) is a set on a tape winding device and its vertical-direction position is fixed by a position restricting member (18) provided on a back of a cover and for an apparatus body. When the ribbon cassette (16) is thin in correspondence to a narrow width of an ink ribbon (15), a quantity of lowerig a ribbon winding top (5) engaged with a reel (16-1) of the cassette (16) is small. The biasing force of a clutch spring (7) which is compressed depending on the quantity of lowering of the ribbon winding top (5) is small, the force of a winding driver gear (6) which presses a clutch plate (4-1) through a felt member (12) is small, the frictional force of the felt member (12) is small, and the torque of the rotational shaft (4) is small. This torque is just suitable for winding a long and narrow ink ribbon having a corresponding small tensile strength.

Abstract: A drive roller for a belt-driven tape cartridge is molded of composite polymeric material in a single step to include outer segment and inner segment integrally formed together with a radial web segment between the outer and inner segments to provide highly concentric operating surfaces on the outer segment and in the inner segment. Electrical conductivity throughout the molded drive roller is provided by including in the composite material a quantity of carbon powder, and selective shrinkage of the composite material during cooling from molding temperatures provides desirable bearing surface within the inner bore through the inner segment. Thrust bearing surfaces at the ends of the inner segment engage mating bearing surfaces that include lubricant traps to inhibit migration of lubricant away from the bearing surfaces of the drive roller.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a front face sized for compatibility with an industry standard tape drive, and has sides longer than the sides of some industry standard cartridges. The sides and top of the housing extend outwardly in width to form a back portion of the cartridge that is wider than the front portion and prevent the cartridge from being inserted into non-compatible tape drives. Two large diameter tape hubs improve the empty hub to full pack diameter ratios, and improve the resulting tangential drive force and tape tension profiles as the tape moves between the hubs. Flanges are permanently bonded to the hubs to prevent the tape packs from shifting and a spring biases the hubs against the baseplate. A back set of rollers includes a high-drag roller that engages the drive belt at a fixed wrap angle and produces a relatively constant drag. A front set of rollers includes a drive roller and has rollers mounted to form substantially equal geometries with rollers in the back set respective to the tape hubs.

Abstract: A tape drive arrangement and method for driving a cartridge roller in a tape cartridge that advances tape in a tape cartridge. The tape drive has a drive motor and having a rotatable outer housing, and a cartridge roller contact surface around the outer housing of the drive motor. The drive motor is positioned within the tape drive so that the cartridge roller of a tape cartridge that has been inserted into the tape drive directly contacts the cartridge roller contact surface. The cartridge roller is directly driven by the drive motor upon rotation of the outer housing of the drive motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for predicting capstan slipping in belt-driven tape cartridges. The method predicts the occurrence of capstan slip conditions between the belt capstan of a belt-driven tape cartridge and the rotating elastomeric drive roller of the tape drive. To predict capstan slip conditions, the method determines a critical velocity value corresponding to a critical slip condition based on a relationship between the drive force which rotates the cartridge belt capstan, and on the normal force of the drive roller against the cartridge belt capstan. A threshold velocity value corresponding to the drive and normal forces is selected at a point where the relationship between the drive and normal forces would not yet encounter the critical slip condition. The steady-state tape velocity is monitored during operation of the tape cartridge in the tape drive, and an imminent capstan slip indication is provided when the steady-state tape velocity reaches the threshold velocity value.

Abstract: A tape cartridge has a front face sized for compatibility with an industry standard tape drive, and has sides longer than the sides of some industry standard cartridges. The sides and top of the housing extend outwardly in width to form a back portion of the cartridge that is wider than the front portion and prevent the cartridge from being inserted into non-compatible tape drives. Two large diameter tape hubs improve the empty hub to full pack diameter ratios, and improve the resulting tangential drive force and tape tension profiles as the tape moves between the hubs. Flanges are permanently bonded to the hubs to prevent the tape packs from shifting and a spring biases the hubs against the baseplate. A back set of rollers includes a high-drag roller that engages the drive belt at a fixed wrap angle and produces a relatively constant drag. A front set of rollers includes a drive roller and has rollers mounted to form substantially equal geometries with rollers in the back set respective to the tape hubs.