Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Record medium – In container
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-11
2001-08-28
Evans, Jefferson (Department: 2754)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Record medium
In container
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282058
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a belt drive tape cartridge for storage of magnetic tape and the like used with a computer as an external recording medium.
Conventional drive belt type tape cartridges include standard-sized tape cartridges and small-sized (mini) tape cartridges. Although such mini tape cartridges offer the advantages of reduced size and weight, they have been demanded to have a greater memory capacity. It may be possible to increase the memory capacity of the mini tape cartridge by changing the memory format of the magnetic tape. However, the conventional drive unit cannot read and record data with the changed memory format. Alternatively, it may be possible to increase the memory capacity of the mini tape cartridge by increasing the length of the magnetic tape. However, it is difficult to increase the length of the magnetic tape without changing the size of the base plate since the base plate is crowded with elements such as hubs, tape guides, corner rollers and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a main object of the invention to provide an improved mini tape cartridge which can contain an increased maximum diameter of magnetic tape wound around one of first and second hubs without increasing the size of the base plate of the tape cartridge.
There is provided, in accordance with the invention, a tape cartridge comprising a base plate, a cover fixed to the base plate to define a closed space, a first hub mounted on the base plate for rotation about a rotation axis thereof within the closed space, a second hub mounted on the base plate for rotation about a rotation axis thereof within the closed space, a magnetic tape unwound from one of the first and second hubs and wound on the other hub, first and second tape guides mounted on the base plate to guide the magnetic tape unwound from the one hub, a drive roller mounted on the base plate between the first and second tape guides for driving a drive belt. The drive belt has a tape winding surface on which the drive belt is looped. The tape cartridge also includes first and second corner rollers mounted on the base plate for guiding the drive belt. The first corner roller has a tape winding surface on which the drive belt is looped. The first corner roller is located to hold the drive belt in contact with a peripheral surface of the first hub. The second corner roller has a tape winding surface on which the drive belt is looped. The second corner roller is located to hold the drive belt in contact with a peripheral surface of the second hub. The rotation axis of the first hub is spaced at a first distance with respect to the tape winding surface of the drive roller and at a second distance with respect to the tape winding surface of the first corner roller. The first distance is substantially equal to the second distance. The rotation axis of the second hub is spaced at a third distance with respect to the tape winding surface of the drive roller and at a fourth distance with respect to the tape winding surface of the second corner roller. The third distance is substantially equal to the fourth distance.
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Castro Angel
Evans Jefferson
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Sony Corporation
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