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:
Sep. 29, 1998
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1997
Thomas W von Alten, Boise, ID (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A tape cartridge having a reel lock in the hub that is capable of releasing the reel at the same time the drive mechanism engages the hub while minimizing the vertical travel necessary to provide a robust lock. The cartridge includes a housing and a tape reel in the housing. A tape drive interface on the reel, usually a circular gear on the reel hub, is accessible to the drive mechanism on a tape drive through a hole in the bottom of the housing. An arm is mounted in the hub. The arm moves between a first position in which the arm engages the housing to prevent the reel from rotating in at least one direction, and a second position in which the arm does not engage the housing and the reel is free to rotate in both directions.