Abstract: An electrical lapping guide for a magnetic tape head is provided with a resistive transverse stripe with a longitudinal height affixed to a substrate. A pair of leads extend from the stripe with a notch formed therebetween. The notch has a height corresponding to a lapping target limit for associated tape head elements. During material removal of the transverse stripe and the tape head elements, resistance is measured across the stripe and a dramatic increase in resistance indicates that the material removal has reached the notch. A method for accurately machining a magnetic tape head is provided by depositing tape head elements and a resistive stripe with a notch on a substrate. Resistance is measured across leads on either side of the notch for discontinuing machining of the stripe due to a dramatic increase in resistance.

Abstract: A servo writer for writing a servo signal in a running tape memory medium comprises: a head which is arranged in a vicinity of a running path of the running tape memory medium; and a pair of guides which are disposed adjacent to the head in an upstream and downstream of the head in a tape running direction, wherein at least one of the head and pair of guides has a flange with which one edge the tape memory medium set in the running path runs is in contact, while the tape memory medium is running between the pair of guides, wherein the head has a sliding surface which slides in contact with a recording surface of the running tape memory medium, wherein the sliding surface is set with an inclination against a tape width direction of the tape memory medium, and the tape memory medium, which is running, is guided by the flange by having the one edge of the tape memory medium slide in contact with the flange.

Abstract: A data storage tape guiding system is configured to guide a data storage tape along a tape path crossing a read/write head. The data storage tape guiding system includes data storage tape supply components and data storage tape take-up components. An entirety of the supply components is disposed on a common first plane on a first side of the read/write head. An entirety of the take-up components is disposed on a common second plane on a second side of the read/write head. The common first plane is different than the common second plane.

Abstract: A tape guide roller comprises a cylindrical barrel with a cylindrical peripheral surface parallel to a central axis; the cylindrical peripheral surface comprising smooth cylindrical surface zones alternating in the circumferential direction about the cylindrical peripheral surface with non-smooth cylindrical surface zones. The non-smooth cylindrical surface zones may comprise a textured surface, and/or may comprise a grooved surface.

Abstract: A tape head and bearing assembly comprises an air bearing structure having a tape bearing surface with a plurality of openings therein configured to provide a continuous air bearing of pressurized air to support a linear tape moving along a path, the air bearing being provided on only one side of the linear tape. A head slider assembly, such as an HDD-type assembly, is positioned at the opposite side of the linear tape from the tape bearing surface and is configured to be in contact with the linear tape.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus includes a feeding unit for feeding a magnetic tape; a take-up unit for taking up the magnetic tape, a magnetic head disposed the downstream of the feeding unit and the upstream of the winding unit, in a traveling path of the magnetic tape from the feeding unit to the take-up unit, and having the moving magnetic tape abut to the magnetic head; a fixed guide unit disposed adjacent to the magnetic head at least in the upstream on downstream of the traveling direction of the magnetic tape traveling on the traveling path toward the magnetic head and guiding the magnetic tape to the traveling path by abutting to the magnetic tape; and a controlling unit disposed on the fixed guide unit for controlling the movement of the magnetic tape in the tape width direction. On a contact surface which abuts on the magnetic tape in the fixed guide unit, there is provided a space for excluding the air lying between the moving magnetic tape and the contact surface.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly to record servo signals, that serves for positioning of data recording magnetic heads and data reproducing magnetic heads, on magnetic tapes includes a servo signal recording head of which sliding surface has a magnetic gap embedded thereon in order to record the servo signals onto a magnetic tape and guide blocks which are set adjacent to at least one of the up-stream position or the down-stream position of a line of magnetic tape passing the servo signal recording head and are slightly set back from the sliding surface of the recording head so that said magnetic tape slides an edge of the servo signal recording head and an edge of the guide block.

Abstract: One embodiment of a threader assembly for a tape drive has a retractable head brush assembly that is articulated into and out of wiping contact with the tape head. The head brush assembly is integrated into the cartridge loading assembly such that some of the same components used to load and unload the media tape also articulate the head brush assembly. In one version, the head brush assembly comprises a set of bristles that are mounted to a pair of brush arms. The head brush assembly has a cleaning position wherein the bristles are pivoted to wipe across the air bearing surface of the tape head. When the head brush assembly is in the cleaning position, the tape head is cleaned through the movement of the brush relative to the head. The head brush assembly also has a spring-biased storage position wherein the entire head brush assembly is pivotally retracted away from the tape head.

Abstract: In a servo writer for recording a servo signal on a running tape is provided, a guide member provided near a head, and the guide member includes a surface guide provided to guide a surface of the running tape and an edge guide including a plurality of contact portions to guide an edge of the running tape. Among distances between adjacent contact portions of the plurality of contact portions of the first edge guide, at least one distance is different from another distance.

Abstract: A tape head for use with a magnetic tape includes a support structure that has a tape bearing surface that is configured to engage the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape passes over the support structure. The support structure is made of a first material having a first hardness. The tape head further includes a transducer element having an interface surface for reading from and/or writing to the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape passes over the tape bearing surface. The tape head also includes a protective layer that substantially covers the interface surface, the protective layer being made of a second material having a second hardness that is at least as hard as the first hardness of the first material.

Abstract: An electronic component, comprising: a portion of a row cut from a wafer; and a closure coupled to the portion of the row of the wafer towards a first edge of the portion of the row of the wafer; the portion of the row of the wafer having a bonding area positioned adjacent a second edge of the portion of the row of the wafer, the second edge of the portion of the row of the wafer being positioned opposite the first edge of the portion of the row of the wafer and along a same side thereof, wherein the bonding area includes a layer of adhesive thereon.

Abstract: A system and method of modulating tape tension during operation of a tape drive data storage system in which a fixed position tape guide utilizes one or more drag elements to exert a control force on a tape medium that affects downstream tape tension. Drag elements that may be used include, but are not necessarily limited to, air ports that delivery positive or negative air pressure to the tape medium, skiving edge elements that are positionable into and out of engagement with the tape medium, and brakes or motors that engage the tape guide (if it is rotatably mounted) to control its rotational torque. A tension control circuit is used to vary the operation of the one or more drag elements. Signal inputs to the control circuit are provided by a tape tension sensor adjacent to or incorporated in the tape guide.

Abstract: A tape head assembly according to one embodiment includes a single beam having an upper surface and a plurality of apertures into the upper surface, the beam defining a void positioned towards an inner portion thereof, the void being for receiving a cable; multiple modules coupled to the beam, at least one of the modules being coupled to the beam by members, the members extending into the apertures in the upper surface of the beam and being immovably coupled to the beam, each of the modules having at least one of readers for reading from a magnetic medium and writers for writing to a magnetic medium.

Abstract: An integral recording head, for use in a linear tape drive system, includes a circumferentially grooved roller guide assembly and a recording head actuator assembly. The circumferential groove feature is incorporated on the surfaces of the roller guide assembly, and provides a substantial frictional contact force that acts to reduce the lateral motion, and further attenuates high frequency lateral disturbances of the magnetic tape. The reduced high frequency content of the lateral disturbances significantly improves the ability of the actuator to achieve a desired track following control. The grooved roller guide assembly is formed integrally of two solid cylindrical contact surfaces separated by a circumferential slot that accommodates the recording head actuator assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head system and associated method are disclosed. Included is one or more head assemblies each including a base with a row bar coupled thereto with a head situated therein for defining a tape bearing surface defining a tape wrap angle with respect to a horizontal plane. A length of the tape bearing surface is between approximately 0.57 millimeters and 0.7 millimeters and the tape wrap angle is between approximately 0.5 degrees and 1.3 degrees such that a resolution of the magnetic tape head system is substantially independent of a velocity of the tape.

Abstract: A rotatable tape guide with a cylindrical barrel having a cylindrical peripheral surface; and a guide flange substantially at each outer side of the cylindrical barrel and having a frusto-conical surface. The frusto-conical surface is configured at a taper angle outward with respect to the perpendicular direction from the cylindrical surface; the taper angle of the guide flange substantially at an angle such that the angle at which a tapered tangential line extends from the circumference of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the cylindrical barrel and along the taper of the guide flange, to the maximum periphery of the frusto-conical surface, is at the maximum potential angle of attack from a magnetic tape at a supply reel with respect to the guide flange.

Abstract: A tape path control system and related method for controlling the position of a tape medium in the tape drive. The tape path includes a first tape guide roller, a second tape guide roller spaced from the first roller, and a transducing head situated between the first and second rollers. The first and second rollers may be large and closely spaced, with the second tape guide roller being spaced from the first roller at a roller diameter/center-to-center spacing ratio of between approximately 1:1-1:2 while still accommodating the transducing head therebetween. The transducing head may be positioned to lie on an opposite side of the tape medium from the first and second guide rollers, or on the same side of the tape. A precision alignment system is associated with the second roller.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge and A magnetic tape cartridge recording/reproducing apparatus, which can prevent a magnetic tape from being charged to avoid damage of a magnetic head while lowering the resistance of the magnetic tape and maintaining optimum electromagnetic conversion properties. A tape reel (7) is formed from a conductive material, and one end portion of a magnetic tape (6) connected to a reel hub (7B) has a surface resistivity [?/sq] in the order of 107 or less. In the magnetic tape (6) having a multilayer structure which comprises a magnetic layer (23), a nonmagnetic conductor layer (22), a plastic film (21), and a back coat layer (24) from the magnetic surface (6M) side, even when the surface resistivity of the magnetic layer (23) exceeds 107 ?/sq, the magnetic layer (23) is removed and the exposed nonmagnetic conductor layer (22) is connected to the reel hub (7A), thus lowering the resistance of the magnetic tape while maintaining optimum electromagnetic conversion properties.

Abstract: A roller body receives a tape at a cylindrical surface. First and second flange members are located adjacent one and the other ends of the roller body for movement in the axial direction of the roller body, respectively. If one edge of the tape creases, the movement of the first flange member is restrained, so that a reference position can be set for the other edge of the tape in the first flange member. If the other edge of the tape creases, the movement of the second flange member is restrained, so that a reference position can be set for the one edge of the tape in the second flange member. In either case, the centerline can be prevented from shifting. Employment of the guide roller of this type in a tape drive allows a head to reliably follow a servo track on the tape.

Abstract: A servo writer for writing a servo signal in a running tape memory medium comprises: a head which is arranged in a vicinity of a running path of the running tape memory medium; and a pair of guides which are disposed adjacent to the head in an upstream and downstream of the head in a tape running direction, wherein at least one of the head and pair of guides has a flange with which one edge the tape memory medium set in the running path runs is in contact, while the tape memory medium is running between the pair of guides, wherein the head has a sliding surface which slides in contact with a recording surface of the running tape memory medium, wherein the sliding surface is set with an inclination against a tape width direction of the tape memory medium, and the tape memory medium, which is running, is guided by the flange by having the one edge of the tape memory medium slide in contact with the flange.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a tape wrap angle is described comprising the steps of operating the tape system to generate or regenerate an electrical signal in the head from the tape, either increasing or reducing the tape wrap angle as appropriate until a signal from the tape head reappears or goes to zero, then increasing the wrap angle until the desired angle is achieved as measured by the signal from the head or by moving the tape support a fixed amount. A tape recording and/or reading system with adjustable wrap angles is described which can be used with a method of the invention. The system includes one or more rollers mounted on an adjustable shaft with an eccentric or axially offset portion supporting the roller. Preferably for a magnetic head, an adjustable shaft and roller are located on the tape-in and tape-out side of the tape head. The angular orientation of the eccentric shaft is adjustable, thereby, allowing precise adjustment of the position of the roller with respect to the tape head.

Abstract: A pole base assembly for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for guiding a tape drawn from a reel through a predetermined path in parallel or substantially in parallel toward a lead surface of a head drum. The pole base assembly comprises a pole base disposed to approach and retreat from a side of the head drum when the tape is loaded and unloaded, respectively, a sloping pole disposed to be sloped on the pole base, to be parallel or substantially parallel to the lead surface of the head drum, for guiding the tape fed to the head drum at a predetermined angle, to be parallel to the lead surface, and a supporting holder disposed on the pole base, and having a sloping part to support the sloping pole to be inclined at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A tape drive is provided having a pair of stationary guide assemblies disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head. Each of the stationary guide assemblies has a mounting portion and a separate guide surface portion mounted on the mounting portion. The mounting portion may be made of a plastic and the guide surface portion of a ceramic, for example. A spring arrangement with pressure pads is mounted directly on the mounting portion, and applies pressure to a top edge of a tape during guiding of the tape.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus comprises a base, a tape guide post about which a tape is wrapped for tape loading, and a post end contact member provided on the base for fixing the height of the tape guide post by contacting and pressing an end surface of the tape guide post.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-cost servo writer with a simple adjusting mechanism, which can record/reproduce servo signals on or from magnetic tapes precisely, and which makes it possible to shorten the adjusting and maintenance time and to minimize the uneven wear of its heads, thereby decreasing the level of contaminant of the heads. The servo writer includes (a) a head for recording/reproducing servo signals on or from a running tape, (b) a base, (c) a support arm having two ends, one of the ends being supported by the base, the other being a free end where the head is placed, wherein a position of the head relative to the tape is adjustable, and (d) tape guides for maintaining a constant lap angle, the tape guides being arranged on the free end of the support arm, wherein the lap angle is an angle which the head forms with the running tape.

Abstract: A clockwise helical groove is formed on the outer periphery surface of a rigid roller toward one end from the center position in the axial direction. A counter-clockwise helical groove is formed on the outer periphery surface of the roller toward the other end from the center position in the axial direction. The roller rotates, accompanied by a magnetic tape. The clockwise groove of the roller gives a regulating force, which points toward the center position, to the magnetic tape. The counter-clockwise groove of the roller gives a second regulating force, which points toward the center position, to the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is given the regulating forces simultaneously that point toward the center position in the axial direction of the roller. The magnetic tape is restrained from swinging to one end or the other end in the axial direction of the roller, and the tape traveling becomes stable.

Abstract: An improved magnetic tape guiding device for use with a magnetic tape transport system of a tape recorder and the like, and a method for using the same. The magnetic tape guiding system of the tape recorder transport system has a supply reel pole base assembly having a slant pole with a first guide unit having portions formed at both ends of the slant pole to function as a conventional roller for regulating upward and downward movement of the upper and lower edges of a moving magnetic tape, and a tension pole assembly having a tension pole with a second guide unit having portions formed at both ends of the tension pole to function as a conventional impedance roller for regulating upward and downward movement of the upper and lower edges of the moving magnetic tape. This arrangement can thus achieve 2-dimensional plane-traveling of the magnetic tape while also reducing the number of the parts of the guiding system.

Abstract: A tape drive is provided having a pair of stationary guide assemblies disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head. Each of the stationary guide assemblies has a mounting portion and a separate guide surface portion mounted on the mounting portion. The mounting portion may be made of a plastic and the guide surface portion of a ceramic, for example. A spring arrangement with pressure pads is mounted directly on the mounting portion, and applies pressure to a top edge of a tape during guiding of the tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for media shift due to spiral groove roller tape guide is disclosed. The lateral tape shift is measured. Then the control of the coarse actuator is adjusted for the lateral tape shift so that the movement of the coarse actuator follows the tape shift.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing device (1) includes at least one tape guide (10) having a guide wall (13) and guide flanges (14, 15) projecting beyond the guide wall (13). The guide wall and guide flanges are coated with a coating (21) of zirconium nitride or titanium nitride. This results in the tape guide having a high wear resistance and a high resistance to the deposition of material abraded from the tape.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus comprises a base, a tape guide post for guiding running of a tape, a carrier for carrying the tape guide post and conveying the tape for tape loading, a post engagement member provided on the base for fixing the position in the plane of an end portion of the tape guide post by being engaged with the end portion of the tape guide post, and an inclination adjusting portion for continuously and variably shifting the post engagement member in the plane to adjust the inclination of the tape guide post.

Abstract: A data tape drive for recording information on the data tape of a tape cartridge has a transducer head with air bleed slots that define side walls, a tape guide, and a device for detecting damage to the transducer head and tape guide. The damage detection device has a conductor loop that is located along the outer edges of the air bleed slots and tape guide for detecting any brittle fracture damage that may be present. The conductor loop is a thin filament of wire that is preferably attached to the ends of the side walls. When the transducer head or tape guide experiences a fracture, such as a fracture in one of the side walls, the delicate filament breaks and forms an open circuit. The open circuit in the conductor loop is detected by the data tape drive so that remedial actions can be taken.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly to record servo signals, that serves for positing of data recording magnetic heads and data reproducing magnetic heads, on magnetic tapes comprises a servo signal recording head of which sliding surface has a magnetic gap embedded thereon in order to record the servo signals onto a magnetic tape and guide blocks which are set adjacent to at least one of the up-stream position or the down-stream position of a line of magnetic tape passing the servo signal recording head and are slightly set back from said sliding surface of the recording head so that said magnetic tape slides an edge of the servo signal recording head and an edge of the guide block.

Abstract: A tape head and method for forming a tape head are disclosed. The tape head includes a matched support beam pair, each support beam having a tape head disposed on the support beam, each support beam further including engagement surfaces and a recessed area disposed between the engagement surfaces, the matched pair being joined at the engagement surfaces, and the recess areas providing a cable receptacle for framing a cable that is attached to the tape head. The tape head and method for forming a tape head provides tape head assemblies with precise tape wrap angle setting, track-to-tack registration, and head-to-head parallelism suitable for very high density recording. By attaching a read-after-write pair of magnetic recording heads to two rigid, precision U-shaped support beams, the tape heads can be an aligned and hold this alignment accuracy during assembly processing.

Abstract: A tape loading device for loading a tape from a first state, in which the tape is mounted on a chassis, to a second state, in which a tape running path is formed as a result of a tape guide post pulling out and winding the tape at a prescribed position is provided. The tape loading device includes a transportation member having the tape guide post thereon; a forward wall integrated with the transportation member and disposed rearward to the tape guide post and inclined so that normal thereto is directed forward and obliquely upward; and a pressure-contact member, which is in pressure-contact with the forward wall in the second state, for urging the transportation member forward and obliquely upward.

Abstract: In an essentially flat contour linear tape recording head, a nominal tape wrap angle exists at which reading signals from the magnetic tape ceases and/or commences. This nominal tape wrap angle can be easily determined by monitoring a prerecorded signal, such as the servo track signal, while the tape wrap angle is adjusted. When the signal ceases (or starts, depending upon the direction of adjustment) an initial position of the tape movement control device relative to the tape wrap angle is identified. At this initial position it is known that the tape wrap angle is at its nominal value, such as approximately 0.1°. Thereafter, the tape movement control device can be knowingly adjusted with a calibrated indicator to accurately and quickly achieve a desired final tape wrap angles.

Abstract: A tape movement constraint is provided for a tape drive system which moves a tape longitudinally along a tape path across a tape head, the tape having longitudinal tracks. The tape head has a track following servo system for moving the head laterally for following lateral movement of the tracks, where the tape is subject to lateral transient movement. A tape roller bearing closely adjacent the tape head is rotatable about a central axis parallel to the cylindrical peripheral surface, allowing the tape freedom of movement in the longitudinal direction. The tape roller bearing has a frictional cylindrical peripheral surface for contacting and engaging the surface of the tape and constraining movement of the tape in the lateral direction, thereby reducing the rate of the lateral transient movement of the tape to allow the track following servo system to follow the reduced rate lateral transient movement of the longitudinal tracks.

Abstract: A tape drive having a cartridge receiving area for receiving a cartridge containing a recording medium on a supply reel is disclosed. The tape drive has a take-up reel. The take-up reel includes a take-up rotatably mounted to the tape drive and a pair of flanges mounted on either side of the take-up hub. A magnetic read/write head is disposed between the cartridge receiving area and the take-up reel. A pair of fixed guide assemblies is disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head. Each of the fixed guide assemblies has a fixed guide mount fixed to the tape drive, a fixed guide attached to a top of the fixed guide mount, and a spring/pressure pad having at least one pressure pad mounted to the fixed guide, wherein the pressure pad applies pressure to a top edge of the recording medium when the tape drive is operational. The tape drive also has a forward guide roller and a rearward guide roller disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head.

Abstract: In a case in which hydrobearings are used in the tape guides of a magnetic tape device, the guide surface for guiding a magnetic tape is formed by a plurality of circular arc surfaces. In accordance therewith, the contact surface area of a magnetic tape and tape guide becomes smaller, making it possible to prevent the sticking of a magnetic tape to tape guide.

Abstract: A guiding assembly in a tape drive employing a single reel for preventing damage to a tape head during the loading and unloading of magnetic tape media from a tape cartridge also employing a single reel. The guiding assembly having a cam that controls the rotational acceleration of a tape guide to obtain a mechanical advantage as the tape guide is pivoted between a retracted position defining a first tape path for reading and writing data and an engaged position defining a second tape path for loading and unloading the tape media.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a tape wrap angle is described comprising the steps of operating the tape system to generate or regenerate an electrical signal in the head from the tape, either increasing or reducing the tape wrap angle as appropriate until a signal from the tape head reappears or goes to zero, then increasing the wrap angle until the desired angle is achieved as measured by the signal from the head or by moving the tape support a fixed amount. A tape recording and/or reading system with adjustable wrap angles is described which can be used with the method of the invention. The system includes one or more rollers mounted on an adjustable shaft with an eccentric or axially offset portion supporting the roller. Preferably for a two or multibump head an adjustable shaft and roller according to the invention are located on the tape-in and tape-out side of the tape head.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus for recording information to and reproducing information from a magnetic tape extracted from a cassette loaded in the apparatus, the magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus having a tape guide post mechanism having a tape guide post provided on a rotatably supported tape guide post arm which rotates until pressing against a stopper, the tape guide post extracting a magnetic tape from the cassette loaded in the apparatus; and a contacting part provided on a portion of the arm, the contacting part contacting a bottom surface of the loaded cassette when the arm is rotated so as to extract the magnetic tape from the cassette and the arm restricting a tilting of the arm in a direction in which the tape guide post tilts in a state in which the arm presses against the stopper.

Abstract: A tape drive is provided having a pair of stationary guide assemblies disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head. Each of the stationary guide assemblies has a mounting portion and a separate guide surface portion mounted on the mounting portion. The mounting portion may be made of a plastic and the guide surface portion of a ceramic, for example. A spring arrangement with pressure pads is mounted directly on the mounting portion, and applies pressure to a top edge of a tape during guiding of the tape.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic tape drive, which allow a magnetic tape to be positioned with respect to a tape head. The invention includes actively controlling the position of a tape guide used to support the tape as it passes over the tape head. By controlling the position of the tape guide, the tape can be caused to move a direction perpendicular to the primary direction of travel of the tape. One method of the invention includes providing a first tape guide aligned along a primary axis and disposed proximate a first side of the tape head. The tape is moved across the first tape guide and the tape head in a primary direction while the first tape guide is pivoted, to thereby cause the tape to move in a secondary direction essentially perpendicular to the primary direction.

Abstract: In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) having a stationarily mounted and substantially rigid first component part (37) and having at least one pin-like second component part (51, 52) and having a third component part (53) which is movable with respect to the at least one second component part (51, 52), the at least one second component part is fixedly connected to a damping element support (80) and the damping element support (80) extends over the first component part (37) and the damping element support (80) is connected to an elastic damping element (88) which acts upon the first component part (37) under spring load.

Abstract: A guiding assembly in a tape drive employing a single reel for preventing damage to a tape head during the loading and unloading of magnetic tape media from a tape cartridge also employing a single reel. The guiding assembly having a cam that controls the rotational acceleration of a tape guide to obtain a mechanical advantage as the tape guide is pivoted between a retracted position defining a first tape path for reading and writing data and an engaged position defining a second tape path for loading and unloading the tape media.

Abstract: A tape guide in which the corner geometry between the flanges and the hub prevents the tape from abruptly bumping the flange and in which the corner is coated with a very hard wear resistant material such as titanium aluminum nitride, tungsten carbide, silicon nitride, chromium nitride or diamond like carbon.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge (10) includes two tape guides (23, 24). The tapes guides (23, 24) have a foil (43, 143, 243) which is constructed from material which causes a wear pattern (200) to be formed in the foil (43), thereby removing localized forces and spreading out the forces and thereby decreasing the tape pressure.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 1, a clockwise helical groove 111 is formed on the outer periphery surface of a roller 11 toward one end from the center position in the axial direction. Further, a counter-clockwise helical groove 112 is formed on the outer periphery surface of the roller 11 toward the other end from the center position in the axial direction. The roller 11 rotates, being accompanied by traveling of a magnetic tape 22. The helical groove 111 of the roller 11 gives a regulating force F1, which points toward the center position in the axial direction, to the magnetic tape 22. Similarly, the helical groove 112 of the roller 11 gives a regulating force F2, which points toward the center position in the axial direction, to the magnetic tape 22. That is, the magnetic tape are given the regulating forces F1 and F2 simultaneously that point toward the center position in the axial direction of the roller 11.

Abstract: A guide mechanism and method for positioning a tape media in a transverse position at a transducer. A first surface guide disposed to one side of the transducer engages the tape media surface to orient the tape media surface non-planar with respect to the transverse position. A second surface guide disposed between the first surface guide and transducer engages the tape media surface to orient the tape media surface parallel to the transverse position. An edge guide disposed adjacent to the transducer engages the edge of the tape media positioning the tape media at a predetermined transverse position. A third and fourth surface guides and a second edge guide may be provided on the opposite side of the transducer to permit positioning of the tape media having bidirectional movement.