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:
Dec. 16, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 27, 2000
Michael W. Johnson, Cottage Grove, MN (US);
Christian A. Todd, Thornton, CO (US);
Other;
Abstract
A data storage tape cartridge is disclosed including a housing, a single tape reel, a storage tape, and a leader block. The housing includes a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom. Further, the housing forms a leader block window, a lateral datum pad, and a longitudinal datum pad. The leader block window is formed at a corner defined by the front and the first side. The lateral datum pad is formed in the top. Finally, the longitudinal datum pad is formed in the front. The single tape reel is rotatably maintained within the housing. The storage tape is wrapped about the tape reel. The leader block is coupled to a leading end of the storage tape and is selectively secured to the housing at the leader block window. With this configuration, the lateral datum pad is configured to identify a top-to-bottom position of the tape reel. Similarly, the longitudinal datum pad is configured to identify a front-to-back position of the tape reel. In one preferred embodiment, the housing is formed from a plastic material and the datum pads are molded into the housing. In another preferred embodiment, the housing forms a registration slot for identifying a side-to-side position of the tape reel. Regardless, upon insertion of the data storage tape cartridge into a tape drive, the datum pads are engaged by corresponding registration devices of the tape drive to precisely align the tape reel. In another preferred embodiment, the first side forms a retention tab for selectively securing the leader block, and first and second notches above and below, respectively, the retention tab.