The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 29, 1986
Filed:
Nov. 26, 1982
Dennis R Olmsted, San Diego, CA (US);
Data Electronics, Inc., San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A tape cartridge drive having a movable read/write head has a fail-safe locking mechanism for preventing removal of the cartridge when the head is in contact with the tape. The tape cartridge has a door on the cartridge housing for opening to expose a portion of the tape prior to moving the head into contact with the tape. The cartridge door has a tripping arm which is rotated for opening the cartridge door. The door of the tape drive has a cam that contacts an interposer latch inside the tape drive housing for rotating the tripping arm to open the cartridge door when the door of the tape drive is closed. A pawl latch locks the door of the tape drive and a head moving mechanism moves the head to its operative position. During the first portion of the head movement, a locking pin is placed behind the interposer latch. This locks the latch in position to prevent the possible ejection of the cartridge while the head is in contact with the tape. If the door to the tape drive is accidentally opened, the locking pin provides a restraining force that keeps the cartridge in place in the housing.