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:
Jan. 13, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2002
Robert C. Martin, St. Paul, MN (US);
Imation Corp., Oakdale, MN (US);
Abstract
A tape reel assembly including a hub, opposing upper and lower flanges, a plurality of reel teeth, and three engagement features. The opposing upper and lower flanges extend in a radial fashion from opposing sides of the hub. The reel teeth extend axially outwardly relative to the hub. The three engagement features are equidistantly spaced within the reel teeth and are configured to provide a dominant mating surface relative to surfaces of the plurality of reel teeth. With this configuration, the three engagement features mate with teeth of the tape drive clutch, and prevent meshed engagement with the remaining reel teeth. Thus, the three engagement features dictate the plane of contact between the tape reel assembly and the drive clutch, with the reel teeth serving as general guide surfaces that facilitate this interaction. The engagement features can be pronounced drive teeth or reduced-sized valleys.