Tape In Container Patents (Class 360/85)
  • Patent number: 11777267
    Abstract: Provided is a connector assembly capable of suppressing temperature rise in a bus bar during energization. The connector assembly of the present invention includes a connector portion having an insertion port, and a bus bar portion having a bus bar, and the bus bar includes a first connection part, a second connection part extending in an opposite direction from the first connection part along the first direction, and a joint portion joining the first connection part and the second connection part. The width of the joint portion is larger than that of each of the first connection part and the second connection part in a range from one end to another end of the joint portion, and a distance from the one end to the another end of the joint portion is larger than the width of each of the first connection part and the second connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Kazuya Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 11209403
    Abstract: An in-line, contactless and non-destructive method for detecting and identifying defects in a moving cardboard structure is provided, as well as the associated system. The cardboard structure is of the type made of layered paper plies, such as cardboard tubes for example. The method includes the steps of emitting acoustic waves with predetermined frequencies toward the moving cardboard structure. The acoustic waves are converted into mechanical waves propagating through the moving cardboard structure. The method also includes a step of capturing the acoustic waves propagated, wherein said captured acoustic waves result from a conversion of the propagated mechanical waves through the moving cardboard structure. The method also provides steps of analyzing the captured acoustic waves; and detecting and identifying defects in the moving laminated cardboard structure based on predetermined propagation properties measured from the captured acoustic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ABZAC CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Quaegebeur, Patrice Masson, Alain Berry, Cédric Ardin, Pierre-Michel D'Anglade
  • Patent number: 10854236
    Abstract: At least one jack screw from a tape deck base may be removed. The tape deck base may be below a rigid support base that includes a rigid support shaft in the center of the rigid support base. A piezoelectric stack may be inserted where the at least one jack screw was removed from the tape deck base. The piezoelectric stack may tilt a tape guide roller bearing in a skew direction to improve the motion of tape in a tape path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Harper, Nhan Xuan Bui
  • Patent number: 10704992
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Kenneth Jeffrey Hayworth, Richard Schalek, Juan Carlos Tapia, Narayanan Kasthuri, Jeff W. Lichtman
  • Patent number: 10679658
    Abstract: A method for reducing aging effects on a magnetic recording tape, according to one embodiment, includes loading a dual-reel cartridge having a magnetic recording tape into an input/output device. A current load point of the magnetic recording tape is determined. At least one input/output operation is performed on the magnetic recording tape. An unload point on the magnetic recording tape that is different than the current load point of the magnetic recording tape is selected, and the magnetic recording tape is moved to the selected unload point. A date-time stamp associated with the selected unload point is sent for storage in the memory. The dual-reel cartridge is unloaded from the input/output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Winarski, Lee C. Randall
  • Patent number: 10078797
    Abstract: A stem ejectable component assembly for electronic devices does not use a pin or needle to eject the tray holder. The assembly includes a receiving housing coupled to a SIM/MMC tray, a front plate, and a stem. The front plate incorporates slider pins that slide out to engage with recesses in the support frame of the electronic device to lock the assembly. The slider pins have inner ends that abut the stem and hold the stem in a pushed-in position. The slider pins also incorporate profiled protrusions that engage with ball pins fixed to the receiving housing. When the front plate is pushed inward, the profiled protrusions cause the slider pins to move outwards and release the stem to project out of the front plate. Pulling the stem causes the slider pins to slide in and disengage from the recesses in the support frame to enable withdrawal of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Almora, LLC
    Inventor: Adel Almorshedi
  • Patent number: 10035221
    Abstract: To provide a metal bonded product wherein a large bonding area can be provided to achieve high bonding strength and coaxial accuracy can be easily achieved needing no positioning jig. A first taper portion 16 is formed on a side wall surface of the opening 13 of the ring-shaped metal member 12, and multiple step-shaped bonding surfaces are formed thereon. An end of the cylindrical portion 11 has a second taper portion 17 with the same chamfer angle as that of the first taper portion 16 of the ring-shaped metal member 12. The ring-shaped metal member 12 and the cylindrical metal member 11 are bonded to each other by press-fitting the cylindrical portion of the cylindrical metal member 11 in the opening 13 of the ring-shaped metal member 12 while applying a current to cause the side wall portion of the cylindrical portion of the cylindrical metal member 11 and the multiple step-shaped bonding surfaces of the first taper portion 16 to undergo plastic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ORIGIN ELECTRIC COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuo Kadoya, Hironobu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9839091
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems for generating tunable white light. The systems include a plurality of LED strings that generate light with color points that fall within blue, yellow/green, red, and cyan color ranges, with each LED string being driven with a separately controllable drive current in order to tune the generated light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ECOSENSE LIGHTING INC.
    Inventors: Raghuram L. V. Petluri, Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Patent number: 9799019
    Abstract: Provided is an order terminal for inputting a customer's order that operates in any one of a staff mode of being operated by an employee and a customer mode of being operated by a customer as an input mode. When the employee inputs initial information on the customer in the staff mode, the input mode of the order terminal is switched over from the staff mode to the customer mode to allow the customer to input an order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Hirao
  • Patent number: 9526143
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems for generating tunable white light. The systems include a plurality of LED strings that generate light with color points that fall within blue, yellow/green, red, and cyan color ranges, with each LED string being driven with a separately controllable drive current in order to tune the generated light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: EcoSense Lighting Inc
    Inventors: Raghuram L. V. Petluri, Paul Kenneth Pickard, III
  • Patent number: 9514749
    Abstract: An electronic device for allowing the user not to terminate audio recording while at the same time checking the content corresponding to a recorded portion in real time during the audio recording, and a method of reproducing the audio signal. An electronic device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure may include a memory configured to store an audio signal being input; a display unit configured to display at least one of an item indicating a progressive state in which the audio signal is stored therein and an STT-based text for the audio signal; a user interface unit configured to receive the selection of a predetermined portion of the item indicating the progressive state or the selection of a partial character string of the text from the user; and a controller configured to reproduce an audio signal corresponding to the selected portion or the selected character string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyehwan Lee, Choongnyoung Seon, Juhee Kim
  • Patent number: 9355666
    Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces including a first disk surface and a second disk surface. A first head is actuated over the first disk surface, and a second head is actuated over the second disk surface. A ramp is located proximate an outer diameter of the disk surfaces. A stroke difference between the first and second heads is measured by moving the first and second heads toward the ramp and detecting when the heads contact the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanan Huang, Zhenyu Zhang, Chuanwen Ji, Duc T. Phan
  • Patent number: 9318138
    Abstract: A controller, according to one embodiment, has at least some hardware components, and is configured to determine an offset between adjacent arrays of transducers in a direction perpendicular to an intended direction of media travel when a magnetic head having the arrays is positioned at a first position, cause the magnetic head to tilt to a second position, and delay write operations performed by at least some of the transducers in a first of the arrays such that data written by the transducers in the first array is readable by a second array of read transducers aligned in the direction orthogonal to the intended direction of media travel without implementing readback delays corresponding to the write delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Tomoko Taketomi, Keisuke Tanaka, Kazuhiro Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 9061858
    Abstract: A tape cassette includes a tape ejecting port for ejecting outside the tape with a separator being adhered to one of surfaces thereof, a tape conveying roller arranged at an upstream side of a tape conveying direction at the tape ejecting port, the tape conveying roller conveying roller pulling out and conveying the tape while getting in contact with the separator being adhered to one surface of the tape, a separator guiding portion for guiding the separator peeled off from the tape inwardly at the tape ejecting port along a peripheral surface of the tape conveying roller and a separator-take-up spool arranged so as to fix thereto a front end of the separator that has been guided inwardly along the peripheral surface of the tape conveying roller from the separator guiding portion and to take up the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Yasuhiro Shibata, Minoru Yamamoto, Masato Kato, Nobuo Kato, Teruo Imamaki, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Takashi Horiuchi, Tsutomu Kato, Yasunori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9013881
    Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris R. Snider, Vineet Gupta, Joseph K. Huntzinger, Michael G. Coady
  • Patent number: 9007715
    Abstract: A system for limiting contact between a tape (e.g., magnetic, optical) and opposite reel flanges of a reel assembly as the tape is being wound onto or unwound from the reel assembly to reduce axial and radial tape run out and improve tape drive operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Clark Janssen, William Vanderheyden
  • Publication number: 20140307346
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes making a determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle, e.g., of a tape drive, based at least in part on at least one of: an age of one or more tapes, a type of one or more tapes, and an identity of a vendor of one or more tapes. A selection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operation is made based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Ernest S. Gale, Khanh V. Ngo, Charles V. Polkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8810957
    Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of reading, writing and/or servo following a tape using a tilted head, where the tape is written in a format that specifies reading, writing and/or servo following using a non-tilted head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • Patent number: 8339728
    Abstract: Example embodiments may provide a magnetic memory device. The example embodiment magnetic memory devices may include a plurality of memory tracks, bit lines, connectors, a first input portion, and/or selectors. The memory track(s) may be stacked on a substrate to form a multi-stack. A plurality of magnetic domains may be formed in the memory track so that a data bit may be represented by a magnetic domain and may be stored in an array. The bit line(s) may be formed along respective memory tracks. The connector(s) may form a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell with one data bit region of the memory track. The first input portion may be electrically connected to each memory track and may input a magnetic domain motion signal to move data stored on a data bit region of the memory track to an adjoining data bit region. The selector(s) may select a memory track from a plurality of memory tracks on which a reading and/or writing operation may to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kee-won Kim, Tae-wan Kim, Young-jin Cho, In-jun Hwang
  • Patent number: 8130465
    Abstract: A tape drive for use with a tape cartridge having a cartridge leader includes a drive body, and a drive leader that is engageable with the cartridge leader and moveable with respect to the drive body. The tape drive further includes an engaging member that is engageable with a first portion of the drive leader and moveable with respect to the drive body for connecting the drive leader with the cartridge leader of the tape cartridge. The tape drive also includes a retention feature that is engageable with a second portion of the drive leader for inhibiting disengagement of the drive leader from the engaging member, wherein the second portion of the drive leader is different than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Vanderheyden, Phillip M. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7869692
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a recording and reproduction unit configured to record a serial moving image signal generated by the imaging unit as one cut on a recording medium during a period from an instruction to start photographing to an instruction to stop photographing, and to reproduce a moving image signal recorded on the recording medium, a mode setting unit configured to selectively setting one of a reproduction mode for reproducing a moving image signal recorded on the recording medium and a recording mode for recording a moving image signal on the recording medium, and a control unit configured to, responsive to an instruction to start reproduction in the reproduction mode, control the recording and reproduction unit to reproduce a moving image signal starting with a cut recorded first among a plurality of cuts recorded within a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masamine Maeda
  • Patent number: 7869207
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes a main board, a sliding board, two racks, a gear, a connecting member and a winding coil. The main board defines a guiding slot. The two racks are positioned at two opposite sides of the main board. The gear matches each of the first and second racks. The sliding board is slidable along the guiding slot by the connecting member. The winding coil, the winding coil is tightened when the sliding board is pushed toward or away from the main board, and rebounds to its original shape to cause the sliding board to automatically further slide relative to the main board when the gear is detached from one rack and matches another rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Yu Zhang, Guo-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 7845573
    Abstract: A storage device (10) for storing valuable media is described. The device has a rotary storage compartment (14) for storing media items (100) in a fixed order. The items are held in place by one or two tapes (16 and/or 18) wound around the rotary storage compartment. The device includes a memory (16 and/or 18) for storing the order in which the items are stored and details of transactions associated with the stored items, so that each stored item can be linked to a transaction. In a preferred embodiment, one of the tapes (16 or 18) serves as the memory so that transaction details for a stored media item (100) can be read as the stored media item (100) is dispensed from the storage device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Peters, John A. Peebles
  • Patent number: 7777984
    Abstract: A disclosed cartridge holder apparatus includes: a cartridge supporting member having a lateral plate portion and side plate portions on both sides thereof; a cartridge upper surface supporting member disposed between the side plate portions on both sides of the cartridge supporting member; a support mechanism of a cartridge upper surface supporting member for supporting the cartridge upper surface supporting member so as to form a cartridge housing space in accordance with an inserted cartridge; and a cartridge gripping mechanism supported by the cartridge upper surface supporting member and the support mechanism of a cartridge upper surface supporting member. The cartridge gripping mechanism changes positions in the vertical direction, while a locking portion for locking a lock-receiving portion of an inserted cartridge maintains a position in a cartridge insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Murase, Kazuya Tamura, Ryoichi Annen, Hirofumi Asai
  • Publication number: 20100195245
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes at least one device insertion section, at least one robot, a replacement detection section, a first determination section, and a movement section. A device can be inserted into the device insertion section. The robot has a moving mechanism. The replacement detection section detects a start of the replacement of the device. When it is detected by the replacement detection section that the replacement of the device is started, the first determination section determines a position of the device insertion section at which the device is replaced. The movement section moves the robot so as to close an opening formed by removal of the device from the device insertion section based on the determination result of the first determination section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Shinobu SASAKI
  • Patent number: 7701662
    Abstract: A tape drive having a reel release sensing procedure and system is provided. In one example, the tape drive includes a motor coupled to a reel driver for driving a reel of a storage device, a sensor for detecting movement associated with the reel driver, and a controller. The controller operates to activate the motor to rotate the reel driver prior to coupling the tape to a drive leader. The controller further determines if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor based on a signal from the sensor, and causes the tape to be loaded into the drive if the reel moved (or moved more than a predetermined amount/distance). For example, the controller may determine the reel is released if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor and is not released otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventor: Kristian S. Schartau
  • Patent number: 7609475
    Abstract: A tape guide assembly and tape drive system including the same comprise a roller guide adapted for engaging a tape wrapped around at least a portion of an outer surface thereof; and at least one support for lifting the tape from the roller guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Glenn Biskeborn, Wayne Isami Imaino
  • Publication number: 20090262453
    Abstract: A carrier tape (100) for releasably mounting electronic components (130) includes an upper surface (110), at least one region (120) for holding the electronic components extending down from the upper surface (110) having sidewall surfaces, and a bottom surface (140). A bottom surface adhesive layer (125) is positioned on at least a portion of the bottom surface (140). The upper surface (110) is exclusive of the bottom surface adhesive (125). The bottom surface adhesive can include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Douglas Wayne Romm
  • Patent number: 7502198
    Abstract: A tape deployment system for a digital data transfer apparatus includes a tape guide movable from a non-deployed position to a plurality of deployed positions and a cam arrangement for determining the deployed position to which the tape guide moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Hugo W Maule, Stephen Bodiley
  • Publication number: 20080278846
    Abstract: A magnetic tape system comprises a magnetic tape, a magnetic head, a set of guides arranged to guide the magnetic tape along a tape path over the magnetic head, a first resistance mechanism, and a second resistance mechanism. The set of guides comprises a first rotatable guide positioned before the magnetic head along the tape path and including a first flyable tape path surface, and a second rotatable guide positioned after the magnetic head along the tape path and including a second flyable tape path surface. The first and second resistance mechanisms resist rotation of the first and seconds guides, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: James S. Anderson, Douglas W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080273259
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge case, a pair of cylindrical hubs rotatably provided in the cartridge case, and a magnetic tape laid between the hubs and wound around outer peripheries of the hubs. Each of the hubs has an inner diameter portion provided with a height-position determining member. The height-position determining member determines a height position of the hub in the magnetic tape cartridge by contacting a driving shaft inserted in the hub when the magnetic tape cartridge is mounted in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Honda, Takaaki Sanpei, Shuichi Kikuchi, Yasuaki Kano, Fumiharu Sudo, Katsumi Maekawa
  • Patent number: 7436624
    Abstract: A pole base loading apparatus and a main chassis for a magnetic recording/reading device having an improved structure. The pole base loading apparatus includes a pair of pole base units for guiding a tape so that the tape is wound around a head drum as it reciprocates on a main chassis, a pair of loading gears respectively linked to the pole base units and gear-engaged with each other, and a loading unit for rotating the loading gears. At least one of the pair of loading gears has a hook installed therein so that the loading gear is coupled to the main chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-hyeob Oh, Chung-hum Baik, Young-ho Cho, Myoung-joon Kim, Bong-joo Kim, Jun-young Kim, Jae-kab Seo
  • Patent number: 7428121
    Abstract: A locking device for a tape cassette housing of a tape recorder comprises a locking recess and a locking protrusion respectively provided in sides of a tape cassette housing and a deck chassis and corresponding to each other, thereby fastening a tape cassette housing to the deck chassis, the tape cassette housing resiliently coming into contact with the deck chassis as a tape cassette is loaded. In here, around external circumference of the locking protrusion is formed at least one edge, and an end of the edge comes into contact with a corner of the locking recess right before the locking protrusion is inserted into the locking recess. Accordingly, the locking protrusion comes into linear contact with the corner of the locking recess in loading/unloading operations of the tape cassette so that the stopping of the ascending and descending movements of the tape cassette housing is prevented during the loading/unloading operations of the tape cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bong-Joo Kim, Hyeong-Seok Choi, Jae-Kab Seo
  • Patent number: 7420766
    Abstract: A video cassette recorder has a recorder body with an outer case, a bottom plate, and operating parts mounted in the recorder body. The recorder includes a depression partially formed on the bottom plate which corresponds to the operating parts to lower the positions of the operating parts for minimizing the size of the video cassette recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gue-sik Oh
  • Publication number: 20080204927
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus including two chassis, i.e., a main chassis on which a cylinder is disposed and a sub chassis on which a cassette can be mounted. A T3 post arm is pivotally attached to the sub chassis. A groove portion capable of positioning of the T3 post arm is formed in the sub chassis. During a mid-load period until a loaded position is reached, the T3 post arm pivots to a given extent on the sub chassis to pull out the magnetic tape and is positioned by engagement of the positioning portion with the groove portion. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus that makes it difficult for the tape to be damaged while having a lightweight and simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki SAITO, Hiroshi KURUMATANI
  • Patent number: 7417822
    Abstract: A magnetic information medium recording/reproducing device may include a turnable drum whose outer peripheral face forms a medium feeding path for a magnetic information medium and a feeding mechanism for carrying the medium along the outer peripheral face of the drum while pressing the medium against the outer peripheral face of the drum. The drum may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape having an inner peripheral wall and a plurality of inner support rollers are disposed for supporting the drum from the inner peripheral wall side of the drum. The drum may be held by the inner support rollers and the feeding mechanism, and one of the inner support rollers may be disposed near a magnetic head and may be urged against the inner peripheral wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Ohta
  • Publication number: 20080198504
    Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a housing and a tape reel that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The tape reel is adapted to cooperably engage a reel drive member of a data transfer apparatus that, in use, applies a drive torque to the tape reel to rotate the tape reel about the axis of rotation. The cooperable engagement of the tape reel and reel drive member is such as to secure the tape reel to the reel drive member to at least substantially prevent tipping of the tape reel with respect to the reel drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Philip Turner, James West, Mark Digby Teucher, Andrew Mark Fernihough, Mark Dillon
  • Patent number: 7408736
    Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to receive a tape cassette accommodating a tape recording medium that is selectively loaded thereto. The loaded tape cassette is selected from plural types of tape cassettes accommodating tape recording media with differing widths. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a rotating drum unit with a rotating head, and a loading mechanism that pulls the tape recording medium of the loaded tape cassette out of the loaded tape cassette, winds the tape recording medium of the loaded tape cassette around the rotating drum unit over a winding angle, and forms a tape path. The loading mechanism adjusts the winding angle for winding the tape recording medium of the loaded tape cassette according to the width of the tape recording medium of the loaded tape cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Annen, Kazuya Tamura, Kazuhide Murase
  • Patent number: 7405900
    Abstract: Provided are a magnetic recording and/or reading apparatus and a method of manufacturing a power transmitting gear. The magnetic recording and/or reading apparatus includes a power transmitting gear. The power transmitting gear has one end coupled to a loading motor and the other end coupled to a plurality of link gears to transmit power from a loading motor to drive components during loading and unloading of a magnetic tape. The power transmitting gear includes a first gear engaged with a motor gear coupled to a shaft of the loading motor. The power transmitting gear also includes a second gear engaged with one of the plurality of link gears and a shaft member coupling the first and second gears. A space is formed inside the shaft member to prevent the shaft member from deforming during manufacture of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Young Kim, Bong-Joo Kim, Young-Ho Cho, Chung-Hum Baik, Myoung-Joon Kim, Jae-Kab Seo
  • Publication number: 20080130163
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and its tape-pulling-out element capable of reliably holding a coupling element and stably carrying out tape threading. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette 2 has a coupling element 8, the coupling element 8 is pulled out and the tape is taken up around a drive reel. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a leader tape 41 having one end connected to the drive reel, a tape-pulling-out element 40 connected to the other end of the leader tape 41, and a pulling-out element moving motor 51 for moving the tape-pulling-out element 40 into the tape cassette 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Nishimura, Takashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7379263
    Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to receive a tape cassette accommodating a tape recording medium that is selectively loaded thereto, the loaded tape cassette being selected from plural different types of tape cassettes of different sizes. The apparatus includes a rotating drum unit having a rotating head, and plural loading poles that are configured to pull the tape recording medium of the loaded tape cassette out of the loaded tape cassette, wind the tape recording medium of the loaded tape cassette around the rotating drum unit, and form a tape path. The loading poles include a common loading pole that is used when any one of the different types of tape cassettes is loaded, and an individual loading pole that is used when a predetermined type of tape cassette of the different types of tape cassettes is loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Tamura, Shinji Muta, Ryoichi Annen, Kazuhide Murase
  • Patent number: 7375919
    Abstract: The dimension in the height direction of a reel braking mechanism to be disposed on the side of an S-side reel table in a video tape recorder is made small while making it difficult to disassemble an assembled state. The dimension in an axis line direction of a pin that engages an elongated hole of a brake member of a brake arm is lengthened, thereby penetrating the brake member and extending downward. The extended portion of the pin is made to pass through a cut formed in an edge of a slide chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takeharu Takasawa, Sunao Kushiro, Hiroshi Fujii, Kentaro Shingai, Takahiro Fukutani, Norio Ito
  • Patent number: 7375920
    Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to receive a tape cassette accommodating a tape recording medium that is selectively loaded thereto. The apparatus includes a rotating drum unit having a rotating head, and a loading mechanism that is configured to pull the tape recording medium of the loaded tape cassette out of the loaded tape cassette, wind the tape recording medium around the rotating drum unit, and form a tape path. The loading mechanism includes a short loading pole that is adapted for a first tape cassette accommodating a narrow tape recording medium and a long loading pole that is adapted for a second tape cassette accommodating a wide tape recording medium, which short pole and long pole are positioned at the same height, and a loading pole raising mechanism that is configured to raise the long loading pole when the second tape cassette is loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Annen, Kazuya Tamura, Kazuhide Murase
  • Patent number: 7372661
    Abstract: A tape guide system for supporting magnetic tape about a rotary scan drum of a data transfer apparatus is disclosed. The tape guide system comprises a tape guide and a guide ramp. The tape guide has a supporting surface for supporting the magnetic tape in the tape guide's deployed position and has a non-deployed position in which the supporting surface is spaced from and non-aligned with a surface of the tape to be supported. The tape guide is arranged to be driven relative to the guide ramp towards the deployed position with a horizontal movement component, thereby causing the guide ramp to impart a vertical movement to the tape guide and, in the deployed position, substantially align at least part of the supporting surface of the tape guide with the surface of the tape to be supported. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Russell Ian Monk
  • Patent number: 7349176
    Abstract: A tape guide system for supporting magnetic tape about a rotary scan drum of a data transfer apparatus is disclosed. The tape guide system comprises a tape guide connected to an arm. The tape guide has a deployed position in which a supporting surface of the tape guide supports the magnetic tape and a non-deployed position in which the supporting surface is spaced from and non-aligned with a surface of the tape to be supported. The arm is arranged to be driven about an axis of rotation towards the deployed position. The axis of rotation of the arm is inclined such that, in the deployed position at least part of the supporting surface of the tape guide is substantially aligned with the surface of the tape to be supported. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Russell Ian Monk
  • Patent number: 7342742
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a rotatable head cylinder for recording information to, and/or reproducing information from, a magnetic tape; a tape pull-out member for pulling out the magnetic tape; and a guide member for guiding the tape pull-out member. The tape pull-out member is engaged with a groove formed in the guide member. The tape pull-out member is movable between a first position and a second position along the groove. The first position is a position at which information recording to, and information reproduction from, the magnetic tape is possible. The second position is a position at which information recording to, and information reproduction from, the magnetic tape is impossible. The rotatable head cylinder is provided on a cylinder holding member integrally formed with the guide member. A profile of the groove is continuous with no gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Konishi, Koichiro Hirabayashi, Yoshiyuki Saito, Hiroshi Kurumatani
  • Patent number: 7334750
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William Vanderheyden, Phillip M. Morgan, John D. Willems, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080037159
    Abstract: A tape guide assembly and tape drive system including the same comprise a roller guide adapted for engaging a tape wrapped around at least a portion of an outer surface thereof, and at least one support for lifting the tape from the roller guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Glenn Biskeborn, Wayne Isami Imaino
  • Patent number: 7327529
    Abstract: Disclosed is a deck for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. The deck has a chassis in which a plurality of structures constituting a mechanical mechanism for loading a tape and recording or reproducing information; and a switch/sensor circuit board in which a plurality of switches and sensors constituting an electronic mechanism for detecting an operation of the deck and a state of the structures. The switch/sensor circuit board is formed of a PCB and assembled to a lower surface of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Kab Seo, Myoung-Joon Kim, Bong-Joo Kim, Jun-Young Kim, Chung-hum Baik, Young-Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 7280310
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a main chassis on which a rotatable head cylinder is mounted; a sub chassis movable relative to the main chassis; a cassette holder for holding the cassette and mounting the cassette on the sub chassis; a cassette holder elevating section for moving the cassette holder up and down with respect to the sub chassis; a holder engaging section provided on the main chassis; and a main chassis engaging section provided on the cassette holder. The sub chassis is movable relative to the main chassis from a cassette mountable position at which the cassette is mountable on the sub chassis to a tape pull-out position at which the magnetic tape has been pulled out from the cassette and wound around the rotatable head cylinder. The holder engaging section and the main chassis engaging section are engaged with each other at the tape pull-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Hirabayashi, Hiroshi Kurumatani, Toshiaki Ueta