EP0195571A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape cartridge
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1986-03-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A tape cartridge is provided which is arranged to utilize the read/write head(s) in a disc drive to read data from and/or write data to the tape (20). The tape cartridge has a section (A) of a size and shape which enables it to be inserted into the disc drive to locate a portion of the tape (20) at a location suitable for exchanging data with the disc drive head(s). The tape cartridge comprises the tape media (20) itself, means (22,23,26,210,211) for registering the tape media with respect to the read/write head(s) of a disc drive, means for feeding the tape media past the read/write head(s) in the disc drive, and means for storing that portion of the tape media which is not currently being fed past the read/write head(s). The tape cartridge may include a transmission (213) that enables it to utilize the disc-drive spindle motor for feeding the tape. In one embodiment, the transmission includes a clutch for enabling the tape feed direction to be reversed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Henze
- 👤 Charles Hastings Mcconica
- 👤 George Clifford
- 👤 Bruce F. Spenner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:18
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B25/00; G11B25/10; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
15 words
A tape cartridge operatively engagable in a disc drive unit for the data transfer therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tape cartridge operatively engagable in a disc drive unit for the data transfer therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A tape cartridge according to Claim 1, comprising: a tape (20) suitable for transferring data between the tape (20) and a read/write head of said disc-drive unit; registration means (22,23,26,43,210,211) for registering a portion of the tape (20) at a predetermined location (L) at which data can be transferred between the tape (20) and the disc-drive head; tape-feed means (213,53 to 55) for feeding the tape (20) past said predetermined location (L);and storage means (51,52) for storing the tape (20).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said registration means comprises: cartridge-alignment means (43,210,211) for aligning the tape cartridge with the disc-drive unit when the tape cartridge is loaded into the disc-drive unit; and guide means (22,23,26) for guiding the tape (20) within the tape cartridge such that, when the tape cartridge is aligned with the disc drive, the tape (20) is registered at said predetermined location (L).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 3, further comprising: a protective shell (29) enclosing the tape (20), said shell having a bottom portion that includes therein at least two holes (43,211) located such that, when the tape cartridge is loaded into the disc drive, each of the holes (43,211) fits over a corresponding projection in the disc drive unit and aligns the tape cartridge with the unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
5, A tape cartridge according to claim 5 for use with a disc drive unit having a motor shaft, wherein one (43) of said holes in the bottom portion of the shell (29) is arranged to fit over the motor shaft, whereby the motor shaft functions as one of the said predetermined drive projections utilized to align the tape cartridge with said predetermined location (L).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the tape cartridge includes a section (A) that is insertable into the disc drive unit, the tape (20) within said section (A) being contained within a substantially planar region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 6 wherein, within said section (A), the guide means comprises a plurality of twist tape guides (22,23) the tape (20) wrapping about each of said twist tape guides (22,23) by substantially 180 degrees to change the direction of feed of the tape (20) and to rotate the normal to the plane of the tape by substantially 180 degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the storage means comprises a first spool (51) and a second spool (52) between which the tape (20) is wound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the storage means comprises means (82 to 85) for storing the tape as an endless tape loop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the tape feed means comprises: tape-driving means (51,52), in contact with the tape (20), for driving the tape; and a transmission (213,53 to 55) for coupling power from a motor to the drive means (51/52).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 10, wherein said transmission includes a clutch (54,55,56) for reversing the direction in which the tape (20) is fed past said predetermined location (L).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the transmission is arranged to transfer power to the tape-driving means from a drive motor of the disc drive unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tape cartridge according to claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising a tape-cartridge motor, said transmission being arranged to transmit power from the tape-cartridge motor to said tape-driving means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tape cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the tape-driving means comprises a first spool (51) and a second spool (52), said spools being rotatably drivable via said transmission to wind the tape (20) from one spool to the other, said spools also functioning as the tape-storage means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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