Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information... – Cartridge system
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-30
2003-01-21
Rivera, William A. (Department: 3654)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information...
Cartridge system
C360S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06508428
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to data storage devices and more particularly to tape storage devices using a wide tape cartridge.
Various types of tape cartridges are known in the art. One common type of tape cartridge includes a plastic box containing a feed reel for feeding a supply of magnetic tape spooled thereon, and a take-up reel for collecting the spooled tape from the feed reel after the tape has passed by an externally mounted write/read head assembly. Another type includes a plastic box containing a single feed reel having an end with a tape buckling mechanism for buckling onto a leader and then being drawn along a tape path within a tape drive. The latter type has typically employed one-half inch wide magnetic tape, and has been widely and successfully marketed under the Quantum DLT brand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, a universal tape path subassembly includes a chassis and a tape transport structure coupled to and supported by the chassis. Together, the chassis and tape transport structure form a data storage tape supply and path for use with tape cartridge housings of differing form factors.
Particular implementations of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages.
The universal tape path subassembly can be used in different tape cartridges regardless of the external form factors of the tape cartridges. Moreover, the universal transport assembly can contain and use wide magnetic recording tape within a variety of tape cartridges having exterior form factors equivalent to, and compatible with, existing tape cartridge libraries and gripper-picker handling devices and systems.
In addition, precision registration datum points on the universal tape path subassembly and exposed by the housing can be used to ensure that the subassembly is in a correct position for accurately reading and writing on media. A tape drive transport can therefore be designed to accommodate these features instead of using the sides of the cartridge housing as is customary. These features and registration points can be standardized between different drive and cartridge manufacturers, enabling interchangeability with different styles and capacity cartridges.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the claims.
REFERENCES:
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Hoge David T.
Saliba George A.
Stamm Stephen
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Quantum Coprporation
Rivera William A.
LandOfFree
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