Datatape Incorporated

Vincent J Piarulli

Frederic F Grant

Alexander R Maxey

Robert Ryerson

A magnetic tape recorder includes a rotary head scanner, a cartridge for containing a single reel of magnetic tape having a leader block at its end, a take-up reel and a leader block channel defining a tape path from the cartridge, past the rotary head scanner, to the take-up reel. A tape threading apparatus includes a first rotatably mounted arm segment, a first motor for rotating the first arm segment, a second arm segment rotatably mounted to the first arm segment, a second motor mounted on the first arm segment for rotating the second arm segment and a leader block carrier mounted on the end of the second arm segment for engaging the leader block to move it along the leader block channel.

Apparatus for threading magnetic tape from a single reel cartridge in a

A helical scan magnetic tape recorder includes a rotary magnetic head scanner and a received magnetic tape cassette including spaced coplanar supply and take-up reels having magnetic tape spooled on the reels with a span of magnetic tape extending between the reels. Supply and take-up vacuum cavities are located contiguous to and on respective opposite sides of the scanner. Supply and take-up capstans are spaced from the rotary head scanner located in a tape transport path between the vacuum cavities and the tape cassette. Magnetic tape is initially removed from the cassette and moved to a tape vacuum loading position where it partially contacts the rotary head scanner, by a mechanical threading device. Thereafter, vacuum is applied to the vacuum cavities to draw the tape into contact with the vacuum cavities to substantially wrap the tape around the rotary head scanner. The supply and take-up capstans are rotated during vacuum threading to assist drawing the tape into the vacuum cavities.

Helical scan magnetic tape recorder with capstan assisted vacuum

A web, contained in a cassette, is automatically threaded along an external transport path past a web utilization station, by means of a flexible threading band which pushes the web around the path. In a preferred embodiment, magnetic tape, contained in a cassette, is automatically threaded about a tape transport path past a magnetic head assembly by means of a flexible threading band contained in a threading band. The threading band is positioned behind a segment of the magnetic tape and is ejected from its own cassette, (1) to pull the magnetic tape out of the tape cassette, (2) to wrap the tape around a rotary head scanner of a magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus, and (3) to configure the tape to the tape transport path. After the tape is threaded, the flexible band is withdrawn into its cassette.

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Simi Valley, CA, United States of America

Vincent J Piarulli