Abstract: An analysis device and a method for testing a biological sample uses a cartridge that is received in the analysis device and valves of the cartridge being opened automatically.

Abstract: Arrangements relate to a data storage system. The data storage system can include a data storage tape. The data storage tape can be arranged in a concertina format. In such a format, the data storage tape can include a plurality of tape segments. Each tape segment can be separated from a neighboring tape segment by a fold. In some arrangements, the data storage tape arranged in a concertina format can be received within a housing.

Abstract: A tape guide roller is provided for use with a tape drive configured to receive a length of tape. The tape guide roller includes a roller body having an outer surface for receiving the tape thereon, and flanges on opposite ends of the roller body. At least one of the flanges has a portion with a serpentine configuration in cross-section.

Abstract: This invention is a huggable picture frame in the form of a person or doll, with an audio playback and recording unit. The shape of the invention is preferably a human shape in a soft sculpture, with a frame capable of holding a photograph. The audio playback and recording unit is activated by at least one remote button. The audio playback and recording unit contains a microphone or other audio input device and a speaker or other audio output device. The audio playback and recording unit and power supply are enclosed within the soft sculpture with sufficient cushioning that the presence of such relatively hard objects is not easily felt while the soft sculpture is hugged or squeezed. The overall impression of the picture frame is a huggable doll, which with a selected photograph, presents a reminder of a particular person to the user of the picture frame.

Abstract: A removable data storage cartridge has a shock sense indicator attached to its housing. The indicator includes a sensing structure that reacts to a shock event over a specified threshold. The invention indicates a physical shock event upon appropriate inquiry by the reader mechanism. Upon detecting that a shocked data storage cartridge has been loaded into a data storage library, the library and/or data storage drive alerts the operator and/or system administrator and moves the shocked cartridge to a quarantine pool to prevent damage to the data storage drive.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) 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 EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a cartridge that includes slots for storing biosample capillary tubes. The cartridge has the same form factor as data tape cartridges to allow the cartridge to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle data cartridges in an automated tape library. One aspect of the disclosure concerns a cartridge comprising an enclosure that includes a movable door to provide access to a tube holder in the enclosure. The tube holder includes cylindrical holes or slots for receiving capillary tubes which contain biosamples scanned and analyzed an automated tape library.

Abstract: A robot hand includes: a drive source; a baseboard; a housing that is capable of advancing and retreating on the baseboard by means of the drive source; a pair of hands that are provided to grasp an object and held by the housing; an operation body that is provided to be capable of being pushed by the object and is held by the housing; and a close mechanism that changes a state of the hands from a non-grasping state where the hands release the object into a grasping state where the hands grasp the object, in response to pushing of the operation body, and that is held by the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording tape cartridge that when loaded in a drive device, generation of abrasion dust from a case can be restrained. The recording tape cartridge includes: a case in which a single reel with a recording tape being wound thereon is rotatably accommodated; a first region of the case, through which a plate spring provided in a drive device passes during loading of the recording tape cartridge into the drive device; and a second region of the case, which is disposed at a position higher than the first region and with which the plate spring comes into contact with pressure after the recording tape cartridge is loaded into the drive device.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a housing, an insertion and ejection mechanism that is provided in an opening formed in the housing and that is configured to insert and eject a magazine, the magazine being arranged to accommodate a cartridge that includes a storage medium, a drive mechanism configured to access the storage medium and a transporting mechanism configured to transport the cartridge to a predetermined position. The insertion and ejection mechanism includes a magazine receiving section having an engagement section configured to be engaged with a portion of the magazine, a guide rail configured to slidably support the magazine receiving section, and a wall member configured to move together with the magazine receiving section along the guide rail and to close the opening upon an ejection of the magazine from the insertion and ejection mechanism.

Abstract: A tape mounting apparatus for a magnetic tape data storage device which includes a movable structure movably attached to a base. The movable structure moves partially within the base and is powered by a motor unit. The moveable structure has at least a load position and a transport position. A tape guide device is positioned within the movable structure such that a tape passes over the tape guide device and between a tape reading head and the tape guide device. The base is attached to a body of a magnetic tape data storage drive.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided with a housing having an access opening, a pair of tape reels and dual sided data tape. The access opening is adjacent to a tape path for access of each tape side. A tape drive is provided with a pair of read/write heads, each having a first position to receive the tape, and a second position for engaging one side of the tape for performing a read/write function. A method is disclosed for reading and/or writing data with a data storage device by providing a housing having an access opening, a pair of tape reels, and dual sided tape. The data storage device is loaded to a tape drive having a pair of read/write heads that are actuated to engage the data tape sides. The tape is conveyed along the pair of read/write heads while a read/write function is performed.

Abstract: A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges wherein each of the tape cartridges possesses an auxiliary radio frequency memory device in which auxiliary digital data is stored. The library also includes at least one drive disposed substantially within the library capable of transferring user data to and from one of the tapes. The library further includes at least one auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader that capable of reading the auxiliary digital data and transmitting the auxiliary digital data to at least one designated location, the reader is independent of the at least one drive.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge and tape drive is disclosed in which drive mounted guides are received in a cutout of a data storage cartridge. A read/write head is moved through an access opening into engagement with a data storage tape between the drive mounted guides. The drive mounted guides closely control lateral positioning of the tape as it passes across the read/write head. The read/write head and the drive mounted guides are moved relative to each other and into engagement with the tape.

Abstract: A device and method for simultaneously manipulating multiple data storage cartridges or other storage elements in a storage library. The device housing includes an opening for receiving data storage cartridges. A gripping mechanism extends from the opening. The gripping mechanism is adapted to grip a data storage cartridge to be retrieved and to urge the data storage cartridge into the opening. One or more transport mechanisms are attached to one or more inner walls of the housing. The transport mechanisms are adapted such that once a data storage cartridge moves into the opening, the transport mechanisms will urge the data storage cartridge further into the opening until the data storage cartridge is held within the housing. The data storage cartridge can be moved further into the housing such that the gripping mechanism is free to collect additional cartridges.

Abstract: Described is a tape library which can generally include a tape drive, a tape cartridge that possesses a medium auxiliary memory device, a device for reading information retained on the medium auxiliary memory device and a program that runs on a processor capable of manipulating information received by the reading device. The tape cartridge's medium auxiliary memory device can contain at least one record of a previous access event, such as an approximate point in time when the tape cartridge is loaded in the tape drive. The program may be operable to determine how much time has elapsed from the access event. Knowledge of the elapsed time can, among other things, cause an action to be taken relative to the tape cartridge and/or the data thereon. A method of using the system is also described.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides for a tape drive that includes one or more processors, a memory and a mechanism for locking a hub and cleaning a magnetic head. The mechanism includes a plate a brush mount assembly rotatably coupled to the plate wherein the brush mount assembly includes a brush for cleaning the magnetic head, a hub lock assembly coupled to the plate wherein the hub lock assembly includes a pin for locking the hub and a mechanism assembly coupled to the plate wherein the mechanism assembly is operable to move the hub lock assembly to lock the hub, and wherein the mechanism assembly is operable to move, concurrently with the hub lock assembly, the brush mount assembly to a position such that the brush is proximate to the magnetic hub for a cleaning operation. Also included is a controller that is operative to activate the mechanism to lock the hub and clean the magnetic head after an unthread operation and return the mechanism to a parked position after the cleaning operation.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided with a housing having an access opening, a pair of tape reels and dual sided data tape. The access opening is adjacent to a tape path for access of each tape side. A tape drive is provided with a pair of read/write heads, each having a first position to receive the tape, and a second position for engaging one side of the tape for performing a read/write function. A method is disclosed for reading and/or writing data with a data storage device by providing a housing having an access opening, a pair of tape reels, and dual sided tape. The data storage device is loaded to a tape drive having a pair of read/write heads that are actuated to engage the data tape sides. The tape is conveyed along the pair of read/write heads while a read/write function is performed.

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: In a magnetic recording/reproducing device, a tape guide member draws out a magnetic tape from a tape cassette to form a tape path in a vicinity of a magnetic head, and a tape guide moving mechanism moves the tape guide member. The tape guide moving mechanism includes a driving force transmitting member which transmits a driving force from a drive source, and an arm member which supports the tape guide member and is arranged so that the arm member is rotated in accordance with an action of the driving force transmitting member. A hooking member is interlocked with the action of the driving force transmitting member and hooks the tape guide member after the arm member is rotated to a position where the tape path is formed.

Abstract: A tape drive system and method of operating a tape drive system are provided. The tape drive system may include: a stationary base; at least one guide projection mounted to the stationary base; and a receiver for receiving a tape cartridge and transporting the tape cartridge from an ejected position to a loaded position, the receiver including at least one guide slot mating with one of the guide projections, each guide slot being shaped to allow the receiver to move a first distance in a horizontal direction and a second distance in a vertical direction. The method of loading a tape cartridge into a tape drive system having a stationary base and at least one guide projection mounted to the stationary base may include: receiving a tape cartridge in a receiver having at least one guide slot having a first portion and a second portion; and moving the receiver from an ejected position to a loaded position.

Abstract: A leader tape in which an non-magnetic under layer that contains a powder and a binder and a magnetic upper layer are sequentially laminated on at least one side of a support, a center line average roughness (Ra) of a surface of the support is from 30 to 50 nm, and a center line average roughness (Ra) of the multi layer coated surface is larger than that (Ra) of an opposite surface of the support, and the difference is at most 4 nm.

Abstract: A cartridge storage device includes a housing having a front and a back. A plurality of cells are mounted in the housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge. A drive mechanism drives the cells towards a front opening in the front of the housing for allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells by the picker. Optionally, the back of the housing can have a rear opening for allowing in situ user-insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells as well as viewing of the cartridges.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a case, which is made of a lower case and an upper case, for accommodating a reel wound with a magnetic tape. The lower case includes a bottom surface disposed with two positioning holes formed separately from each other on a straight line orthogonal to a direction in which the tape cartridge is loaded into a drive device. The lower case also includes a front wall disposed with two surfaces for regulating a depth to which the case is loaded in the drive device. The two surfaces are positioned on straight lines that pass along the loading direction through the center of the positioning holes when seen from below. Positioning pins of the drive device are inserted into the positioning holes when regulating protrusions of the drive device abut against the two surfaces to regulate the depth to which the case is loaded.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a loading gear supporting apparatus of a video cassette recorder which can assemble a loading gear supporting member which supports a pole base loading gear, a first loading gear, and a second loading gear to a deck more simply. To this end, a locking protrusion and a locking groove are respectively formed at the deck and the loading gear supporting member to elastically engage the locking protrusion to the locking groove.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a main chassis on which a head drum is mounted and a cassette holder to support a tape cassette. The cassette holder is mounted slidably on the main chassis. A pivoting lever is mounted pivotably on the main chassis and if operated in association with the cassette holder. A sensing switch provides information on insertion or ejection of the tape cassette, wherein the sensing switch is connected or separated according to the position on which the pivoting lever is pivoted.

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 recording tape cartridge which can be assuredly positioned in a drive device. A positioning cover bridges across and parallel to a mounting portion of a bucket of the drive device. Stoppers are provided at corner portions of the positioning cover that are positioned at a deeper side of the bucket. Angled surfaces, which are surface-contactable with the stoppers, are provided at a magnetic tape cartridge. The magnetic tape cartridge can be positioned in horizontal directions in the drive device by surface-contacting the angled surfaces with the stoppers. Consequently, reference holes for positioning the magnetic tape cartridge in horizontal directions in the bucket are not required.

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 video camera having a camera body unit including a lens, a view finder, and a group of operation buttons. Also included is a battery housing unit that can function as a grip unit and that is provided to be rotatable in a vertical direction to one side of the camera body unit through a rotational axis and that is equipped with a lock mechanism so as to be maintained in a lock state at a preset position. In this way the camera body unit can be miniaturized to be convenient for carrying, and further the battery housing unit can be used as the grip unit, so that it is possible to improve the operability without destroying the design.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge used in a tape transport apparatus that incorporates air bearing technology is provided. The tape cartridge includes a housing for storing the data storage tape and a compressible filter. The filter is located proximate to an opening, or air inlet, that is in communication with the housing interior. The housing may also have a second opening, or air outlet, in communication with the housing interior such that the filter is interposed between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the housing may include a storage region to retain the filter in the compressed state. The filter and the storage region may have congruent geometries. A method of supplying filtered air to a tape transport apparatus is also provided. The method contemplates drawing ambient air through the filter and passing it directly through the outlet opening for use by the tape transport apparatus.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape drive including a magnetic head for accessing a magnetic tape traveling along a traveling path, a sensor is provided for detecting behavior of the magnetic tape. A flexible circuit board is connected to the sensor. A hook is disposed in the vicinity of the sensor. The circuit board is folded to form a curved portion between the circuit board and the hook.

Abstract: A tape drive (10) for use with a cartridge (24) having a storage tape (30) that moves along a tape path (32) includes a drive housing (12) defining a drive interior (62), a circuit assembly (42) that generates heat, and a thermal insulator (44). In one embodiment, the thermal insulator (44) is positioned between a portion of the storage tape (30) and the circuit assembly (42). The thermal insulator (44) can be formed from a flexible, plastic material and/or can have a thermal conductivity of less than approximately 50 W/mK to decrease the transfer of heat between the circuit assembly (42) and the storage tape (30). The drive interior (62) can have a first region (64) that includes a portion of the tape path (32), and a second region (66) that includes the circuit assembly (42).

Abstract: A wide tape drive for use with a wide tape holder having a frame with an open top and an open bottom non-permanently closed with a top cover and a bottom cover, releasably held together and releasably held to the frame by snap connections respectively disposed at lateral sides of the holder, the wide tape holder containing two tape hubs rotatably mounted therein proceeding substantially parallel to the lateral sides of the frame, has a base plate with two guides projecting substantially perpendicularly from the base plate which receive the wide tape holder therebetween. The drive has at least one drive motor having a drive shaft disposed between the guides, which is inserted to and engages one of the tape hubs. A magnetic read/write head is mounted on a head position assembly between the guides, and orients the read/write head relative to the tape when the wide tape holder is inserted in the tape drive.

Abstract: A tape drive (10) for use with a cartridge (24) having a storage tape (30) that moves along a tape path (32) includes a drive housing (12) defining a drive interior (62), a circuit assembly (42) that generates heat, and a thermal insulator (44). In one embodiment, the thermal insulator (44) is positioned between a portion of the storage tape (30) and the circuit assembly (42). The thermal insulator (44) can be formed from a flexible, plastic material and/or can have a thermal conductivity of less than approximately 50 W/mK to decrease the transfer of heat between the circuit assembly (42) and the storage tape (30). The drive interior (62) can have a first region (64) that includes a portion of the tape path (32), and a second region (66) that includes the circuit assembly (42).

Abstract: In an ejection mechanism (30) mounted on one side surface (11c) of a drive (10) in order to eject a cartridge (20) from the drive, a damping member (32, 33) for braking movement of an ejection lever (31) by engaging with the eject lever has a stopper (331c) for stopping the movement of the ejection lever. A mounting position of the damping member to the one side surface is adjusted by a mounting adjusting arrangement (331a, 331b, 34). When the cartridge is inserted in the drive, the ejection lever (31) having an engaging portion (311) for engaging with a front end surface (22) of the cartridge is urged in an ejection direction (B) by an ejection spring (37).

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 cassette loading device includes a dust protection mechanism having a dustproof lid member provided on the cassette, and the dustproof lid member is closed when an access to the recording medium is judged to be unnecessary even in the course of holding the cassette loaded in the recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Thus, the loading condition of the cassette is released with the dustproof lid member closed under the control of the loading control mechanism, and therefore the surface of the recording medium can be effectively prevented from being stuck with dust.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge used in a tape transport apparatus that incorporates air bearing technology is provided. The tape cartridge includes a housing for storing the data storage tape and a compressible filter. The filter is located proximate to an opening, or air inlet, that is in communication with the housing interior. The housing may also have a second opening, or air outlet, in communication with the housing interior such that the filter is interposed between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the housing may include a storage region to retain the filter in the compressed state. The filter and the storage region may have congruent geometries. A method of supplying filtered air to a tape transport apparatus is also provided. The method contemplates drawing ambient air through the filter and passing it directly through the outlet opening for use by the tape transport apparatus.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) adapted to receive a record carrier (4) advantageously includes a transponder communication device (35) having a planiform station transmission coil (37) for the contactless communication with a record record-carrier transmission coil (50) combined with the record carrier (4), and includes holding means (51) for holding the station transmission coil (37) which extend away from the station transmission coil (37) into the space which is remote from the record-carrier transmission coil (50).

Abstract: A winding flange guide (10) is utilized to provide a better quality wind of a strand media. The guide (10) has a first flange (12) and a second flange (13) which constrain the movement of the outer wraps of the tape pancake formed by the tape media. The winding flange guide (10) is utilized in a servo writer (20), tape cartridge (40, 60) and tape drive (80).

Abstract: In a tape drive (10) comprising a conductive chassis (20) having a front bezel (21) formed on its front side and circuit components mounted on the front bezel, such as a switch (22) for an eject button (251) and light-emitting diodes (23), the front bezel (21) is provided with a projection (211) formed thereon to project forward in the vicinity of the switch (22). Thus, the projection (211) has a function as a lightning rod. The front bezel (21) is covered with a front panel (25). The chassis (20) has a lower surface (20L) covered with a circuit board (90). The circuit board and the above-mentioned circuit components are electrically connected with each other through a flexible printed circuit (27).

Abstract: A data storage system for remote access to stored data. The innovative system uses a storage library to contain magnetic hard disks and automatically replaces the hard disks upon failure, without human intervention. Failed disks are removed from the library by a robot, deposited from the library, upon which time they are further processed for delivery to the manufacturer, or for disposal. Replacement disk drives are accessed by the robot from within the library to replace the removed storage element. The system's robot is not only moving individual storage elements, but also of moving the access cables connecting the storage elements to the external network. Using this capability, the number of access cables is reduced without requiring added human intervention.

Abstract: A tape cartridge which includes an internally disposed rotatable reel, wherein the tape cartridge includes two, three, or a plurality of piloting members disposed adjacent an annular ring to limit the movement of the reel within the tape cartridge. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes a plurality of Applicants' tape cartridges. A method to prevent damage to a tape medium disposed in a tape cartridge.

Abstract: The present method for unlocking a single reel tape cartridge locking mechanism in a tape cartridge load operation aids the release of the tape cartridge locking mechanism by manipulating the supply reel motor which is engaged to the single reel tape cartridge in a manner that causes the stuck tape cartridge locking mechanism to release. In order to aid the release of the tape cartridge locking mechanism during the tape cartridge loading procedure, the supply reel motor is operated cyclically to cause the supply reel to vibrate. This vibration is held for a predetermined period of time. At the end of the vibration cycle, the tape drive attempts to pull the tape cartridge leader out of the tape cartridge. If the tape drive again detects that the tape cartridge locking mechanism is not released, it repeats the vibration sequence. The drive can execute a predetermined number of attempts to release the tape cartridge locking mechanism in this manner.

Abstract: The half-inch tape drive comprises a novel takeup reel, tape deck, PC board packaging, loading mechanism, and housing. The takeup reel comprises a pair of segmented flanges that define a first and second tape containment section. The tape deck is approximately half the height of a conventional tape deck and includes reinforcing ribs to provide structural rigidity and maintain alignment of the moving components of the tape drive during operation. The loading mechanism comprises a horizontally mounted load motor that employs a worm gear to engage a simplified gear train. The printed circuit board is segmented into multiple sections that are mounted in various locations on the tape drive to maximize spatial efficiencies and reduce the overall height of the tape drive. The tape drive housing provides a protective exterior for the tape drive components and provides the structure for mounting the present tape drive in a single drive bay of a computer housing.

Abstract: In a data media storage library for storing and accessing storage media, the storage media being contained in cartridges, the data media storage library having a library housing, an access opening in the library housing for inserting cartridges, a storage array within the library housing including a number of storage locations, a plurality of media storage elements adapted to hold the storage media, a plurality of data transfer elements adapted to read and write information on the storage media, and a media transport element within the library housing adapted to move the storage media between the media storage element and the data transfer element, an import/export element which rotates the cartridge 180 degrees after moving the cartridge from the access opening to the media transport element, including: a cartridge holder adapted to receive the media cartridge from the access opening; a lead screw mounted in a first direction between a first point and a second point and rotating about a first axis parallel t

Abstract: A system for positioning a data storage cartridge in a read/write mechanism in which alignment holes in the cartridge are pre-aligned to alignment pins on the read/write mechanism. The system includes a beveled recess in the front surface of the cartridge, a pair of holes in the bottom surface of the cartridge and four alignment pins affixed to the read/write mechanism. The third and fourth alignment pins are oriented perpendicular to and project out toward the second planar surface of the cartridge. The first, second, third and fourth alignment pins are disposed such that when the cartridge reaches the pre-aligned position the first alignment pin bottoms out in the beveled recess, the second alignment pin abuts the first planar surface at a location away from the beveled recess, the third alignment pin is substantially aligned with one of the holes in the second planar surface and the fourth alignment pin is substantially aligned with the other of the holes in the second planar surface.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape drive including a magnetic head for accessing a magnetic tape traveling along a traveling path, a sensor is provided for detecting behavior of the magnetic tape. A flexible circuit board is connected to the sensor. A hook is disposed in the vicinity of the sensor. The circuit board is folded to form a curved portion between the circuit board and the hook.