Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Head – Head accessory
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-29
2003-07-08
Topper, Robert S. (Department: 2652)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Head
Head accessory
Reexamination Certificate
active
06590743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tape drive such as a linear tape storage system represented by DLT (digital liner tape) or LTO (linear tape open) and, in particular, to a head protection mechanism for protecting a magnetic head in the tape drive.
Linear tape storage systems of the type described are developed as “back-up” systems for hard disks of computer systems and various types of the linear tape storage systems have been proposed in prior art. For example, a digital linear tape drive serving as the DLT is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,014 to Nute, entitled: “Multi-Channel Magnetic Tape Head Module Including Flex Circuit” or the like.
The digital linear tape drive (which may be merely called “driving apparatus”, “tape drive”, or “drive”) is for receiving a tape cartridge (which may be merely called “cartridge”) having a single reel (a supply reel) and contains a take-up reel therein. When the tape cartridge is installed in the driving apparatus, a magnetic tape is pulled out of the tape cartridge and then is wound by the take-up reel through a head guide assembly (HGA). The head guide assembly is for guiding the magnetic tape (which may be merely called “tape”) pulled out of the tape cartridge in a magnetic head. The magnetic head exchanges information between the tape and the magnetic head. The head guide assembly generally comprises a boomerang-shaped aluminum plate and six large guide rollers each using a bearing.
In addition, the head guide assembly is also called a tape guide assembly which is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,585 to Saliba, entitled: “Rotating Tape Edge Guide.” In addition, an example of the guide roller is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Tokkai No. 2000-100025 (JP 2000-100025 A).
The tape drive is generally comprised of a rectangular housing that has a common base as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,574, entitled: “Tape Head Actuator Assembly Having A Shock Suppression Sleeve” to Cranson et al. The base has two spindle motors (reel motors). The first spindle motor has a spool (or a take-up reel) permanently mounted on the base and the spool is dimensioned to accept a relatively high speed streaming magnetic tape. The second spindle motor (reel motor) is adapted to accept a removable tape cartridge. The removable tape cartridge is manually or automatically inserted into the drive via a slot formed on the drive's housing. Upon insertion of the tape cartridge into the slot, the cartridge engages the second spindle motor (reel motor). Prior to rotation of the first and the second spindle motors, the tape cartridge is connected to the permanently mounted spool (the take-up reel) by means of a mechanical buckling mechanism. A number of rollers (guide rollers) positioned intermediate the tape cartridge and the permanent spool guide the magnetic tape as it traverses at relatively high speeds back and forth between the tape cartridge and the permanently mounted spool.
In the digital linear tape drive having such a structure, an apparatus for pulling the tape from the supply reel to the take-up reel is required. Such as a pulling apparatus is disclosed, for example, in International Publication Number WO 86/07471. According to WO 86/07471, take up leader means (a first tape leader) is coupled to the take-up reel while supply tape leader means (a second tape leader) is connected to the tape on the supply reel. The first tape leader has one end formed into a mushroom like tab. The second tape leader has a locking aperture. The tab is engaged into the locking aperture.
Furthermore, a mechanism for joining the first tape leader with the second tape leader is required. Such a joining mechanism is disclosed, for example, in International Publication number WO 86/07295.
In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Tokkai No. 2000-100116 (JP 2000-100116 A) discloses a structure of leader tape engaging part which can engage an end part of a leader tape (the second tape leader) to a tape end hooking part in a tape cartridge without requiring a tab projected in the side of the leader tape.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,634, entitled: “Take-up Reel Lock” to Hertrich discloses a locking system for preventing a take-up reel of a tape drive from rotating when a tape cartridge is not inserted to the drive.
On the other hand, an example of the tape cartridge installed in the digital linear tape drive is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Tokkai No. 2000-149491 (JP 2000-149491 A).
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,171, entitled: “Leaderless Tape Drive” to Gaboury discloses a tape drive wherein a tape leader from a tape cartridge is urged through a tape path, into a take-up reel, and secured therein without the use of a bucking mechanism or a take-up leader.
In addition, the tape drive further comprises a tape head actuator assembly which is located between a take-up spool and a tape cartridge on a tape path defined by a plurality of rollers. During operation, a magnetic tape flows forward and backward between the take-up spool and the tape cartridge and is closely adjacent to the tape head actuator assembly while the magnetic tape flows on the defined tape path. An example of such as a tape head actuator assembly is disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,574.
Now, as is disclosed in the above-mentioned WO 86/07471, the first tape leader is coupled to the take-up reel while the second tape leader is connected to the tape on the supply reel contained in the tape cartridge. In addition, the tape leader is also called a “leader tape.” After the tape cartridge is inserted in the slot of the tape drive and then the tape cartridge (the supply reel) is engaged with the supply reel motor, the first reader tape and the second reader tape are coupled to each other by using the joining mechanism as disclosed in the above-mentioned WO 86/07295. As illustrated in the drawing of the above-mentioned WO 86/07471, a coupled or joined portion between the first leader tape and the second leader tape has a shape projecting from a surface of the leader tapes up and down. Thereafter, a “tape-loading” for pulling the magnetic tape out of the tape cartridge (the supply reel) into the tape-up reel is carried out. In addition, after information exchange between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head in the magnetic head actuator assembly is completed, a “tape unloading” for rewinding the magnetic tape from the take-up reel in the tape cartridge (the supply reel) is carried out.
As described above, inasmuch as the above-mentioned coupled portion has the shape projecting from the surface of the tapes up and down, on tape loading and on tape unloading, it is necessary to protect the magnetic head so that the above-mentioned coupled portion is not in contact with the magnetic head in the magnetic head actuator assembly. Such a protection mechanism is called a “head protection mechanism.” That is, by driving the protection mechanism except for a recording/reproducing mode in the tape drive, it is necessary to protect the magnetic head so that the above-mentioned coupled portion is not in contact with the magnetic head. On the other hand, on the recording/reproducing mode in the tape drive, by releasing the driving of the head protection mechanism, the tape drive operates so as to allow the magnetic tape to be in contact with the magnetic head. In other words, when the leader tapes (both of the first leader tape and the second leader tape) pass in the vicinity of the magnetic head actuator assembly, it is necessary to protect the magnetic head by driving the head protection mechanism so that the above-mentioned coupled portion is not in contact with the magnetic head.
In the manner which will later be described in conjunction with
FIGS. 1 through 7
, in a conventional head protection mechanism, it is necessary to lower the magnetic head from a normal used recording/reproducing position. As a result, an excessive space is required below the magnetic head. This prevents the tape drive from thinning. In a
Frishauf Holtz Goodman & Chick P.C.
Topper Robert S.
LandOfFree
Head protection mechanism for use in a tape drive that is... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Head protection mechanism for use in a tape drive that is..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Head protection mechanism for use in a tape drive that is... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3023204