Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Record transport with head stationary during transducing – Tape record
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-10-30
Cao, Allen (Department: 2754)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Record transport with head stationary during transducing
Tape record
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310744
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic tape apparatus, and more specifically, to a magnetic tape apparatus that receives a magnetic tape cartridge and is suitable for driving a relatively thin metal tape.
2. Background Information
A magnetic tape apparatus uses a magnetic tape cartridge to store data, and uses a loader to load and hold the tape cartridge. The magnetic tape is wound around a file reel provided within the tape cartridge. Once the tape cartridge is loaded into the apparatus, the magnetic tape apparatus can write data to the magnetic tape or read data from the magnetic tape by using a magnetic tape head. To position the magnetic tape for reading or writing, the magnetic tape is guided into a tape path defined by a plurality of tape guides and can be threaded to a machine reel in the magnetic tape apparatus by a threader that attaches to an end of the magnetic tape. In addition, the magnetic tape apparatus has a tape cleaner for removing unwanted material, such as dust, that adheres to the surface of the magnetic tape.
The data storage industry demands increased storage capacity on a magnetic tape. Increasing the size of the cartridge, however, is not feasible because the size of the tape cartridge is set as a standard that is almost impossible to change. Various improvements and modifications have been attempted to improve the magnetic tape apparatus and magnetic medium in order to improve the recording density. One of these improvements includes the use of a cartridge with a longer magnetic tape. This can be done by making the magnetic tape thinner so more tape can fit on a file reel.
Using thin magnetic tape, however, substantially reduces rigidity of the magnetic tape. A magnetic tape having lower rigidity frequently breaks down at an edge of the tape. The break down or damage of the magnetic tape may result in loss of the data recorded on that part of the magnetic tape. Thus, it is necessary that a magnetic tape apparatus be structured to prevent break down of the magnetic tape.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved magnetic tape apparatus that prevents breakdown of the magnetic tape.
More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic tape apparatus that prevents folding of a relatively thin magnetic tape.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic tape apparatus that maintains a certain vertical positional deviation for a track on part of the magnetic tape that is opposed to the magnetic head relative to the magnetic head, while preventing the folding of a top edge of the magnetic tape.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic tape apparatus that can guide a magnetic tape along a path and that prevents folding of a top edge of the magnetic tape even near a machine reel, where the magnetic tape is susceptible to relatively large deflection along a width of the tape.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic tape apparatus that reduces folding of a top edge of the magnetic tape while reducing the thickness of the magnetic tape to about ½ the thickness of tape in the prior art.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic tape apparatus that prevents buckling of a double-length metal magnetic tape.
Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic tape apparatus that effectively removes dust that adheres to the surface of the magnetic tape before the dust can rest on the magnetic head.
These and other objects of the present invention are discussed or will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, a magnetic tape apparatus for reading data from and writing data to a magnetic tape has at least one first tape guide that maintains the magnetic tape along a tape path. In addition, the first tape guide has a portion that exerts a generally vertical pressing force against the magnetic tape when the magnetic tape moves out of the tape path in the direction of the portion, the portion first yields to accommodate the magnetic tape and then presses the magnetic tape back into the tape path. This pressing force exerted against the magnetic tape prevents folding of the magnetic tape.
In another aspect of the invention, the generally vertical pressing force is created by compression and expansion of a coil spring. The magnetic tape can be merely approximately 8 to 12 &mgr;m thick.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the first tape guide also has a first guide surface to guide the magnetic tape, and has a width that is narrower than the width of the magnetic tape.
Finally, in a further embodiment, a tape guide for guiding a magnetic tape in a magnetic tape apparatus has a base that has a fixed shaft with a bottom and a top, where the bottom is mounted to the base. In addition, a roller defines a guide surface for guiding a magnetic tape that is placed against the guide surface and is rotatably mounted on the shaft. A top flange is positioned at the top of the shaft and has a fixed flange part and a movable flange part; the fixed flange part is fixed to the top of the fixed shaft while the movable flange part is mounted on the shaft so that the movable flange part slides axially along the shaft. A coil spring is also used in this embodiment and is positioned between the movable flange part and the fixed flange part, for biasing the movable flange toward the roller. The movable flange presses against an edge of the magnetic tape positioned along the guide surface, to prevent folding of the magnetic tape.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4646186 (1987-02-01), Tsuchiya et al.
patent: 5-128798 (1993-05-01), None
Kobayashi Masayoshi
Oohara Tsuneyoshi
Cao Allen
Fujitsu Limited
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