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:
Aug. 21, 1990
Filed:
Jul. 03, 1989
William M Barton, Jr, Encinitas, CA (US);
Cipher Data Products, Inc., San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A tape transport for a leader block tape cartridge has a threading mechanism including a rigid threader arm and a threader pin for engaging and the leader block and extracting it from the cartridge after it has been loaded into the transport adjacent a first end of a tape path. The threading mechanism pulls the leader block along the tape path past a read/write head, and inserts the leader block into a take-up hub adjacent a second end of the tape path during a threading operation. A plurality of tape guide rollers are positioned along the tape path for engaging and guiding the oxide side of the tape once the take-up hub has pulled the tape into engagement with the gap on the read/write head. During a rewinding operation, the threading mechanism extracts the leader block from the take-up hub, pulls the leader block past the read/write head and inserts the leader block back into the cartridge. The threader arm provides a uniform constant radius threading motion to permit the leader block to be threaded in circular fashion outside the tape guide rollers and the tape head. First and second guide assemblies are provided for engaging and guiding the leader block to insure proper insertion into the cartridge and into the take-up hub.