Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information... – Cartridge system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-08-14
Nguyen, John Q. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information...
Cartridge system
C242S348000, C242S614000, C360S085000, C360S093000, C360S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273352
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a data storage tape drive system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an engagement control feature of a data storage tape cartridge and a tape drive mechanism when the data storage tape cartridge and the tape drive mechanisms are in operative engagement.
Data storage tape drive systems are commonly used in the computer, audio, and video fields to record and store large volumes of information for subsequent retrieval and use. A data storage tape drive system generally includes a data storage tape cartridge and a tape drive mechanism selectively engaged with the data storage tape cartridge. The data storage tape cartridge, for example, an industry standard 3480-type tape cartridge, generally includes a housing, a tape reel rotatably disposed within the housing, and a length of magnetic storage tape wound around a hub of the tape reel. The tape drive mechanism generally includes a drive hub configured to operatively engage the data storage tape cartridge and rotate the tape reel, and a drive motor for controlling the drive hub. The tape drive mechanism also includes transducers, such as a magnetic read/write head, for interacting with and recording data to, or reading data from, the storage tape.
Operative engagement between the data storage tape cartridge and the tape drive mechanism includes engagement of teeth formed on the drive hub with teeth formed on the tape reel. Imperfections in the teeth, however, may result in skewing and/or misalignment between the tape reel and the drive hub during operative engagement. Fortunately, for currently available tape drive systems, skewing and/or misalignment between the tape reel and the drive hub does not adversely affect positioning of the storage tape relative to the read/write head. With the 3480-type tape cartridge, for example, the storage tape is directed a relatively long distance from the housing to the read/write head. Thus, interaction between the read/write head and the storage tape takes place away from the housing and, therefore, away from the tape reel. Skewing and/or misalignment between the tape reel and the drive hub during operative engagement, therefore, is compensated by relatively ample tape length between the housing and the transducers. As such, additional tape guides may be provided to properly align the storage tape, thereby alleviating the effects of skewing and/or misalignment between the tape reel and the drive hub.
Unfortunately, new data storage tape drive systems no longer afford such generous spacing between the housing of the data storage tape cartridge and the transducers of the tape drive mechanism. Interaction between the transducers, for example, the read/write head, and the storage tape now occurs closer to the housing. Skewing and/or misalignment between the tape reel and the drive hub, therefore, results in degraded interaction between the transducers and the storage tape.
Accordingly, a need exists for a data storage tape drive system that accurately and consistently controls operative engagement between a tape reel of a data storage tape cartridge and a drive hub of a tape drive mechanism in an effort to avoid skewing and/or misalignment between the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention provides a tape reel of a data storage tape cartridge including a pair of spaced flanges and a hub extending between the spaced flanges. A circular ring of teeth are operatively associated with the spaced flanges and the hub to transmit rotational force thereto, and project in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the tape reel. An engagement surface is spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth and defines a datum plane of the tape reel.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a data storage tape cartridge including a housing, at least one tape reel rotatably disposed within the housing, and storage tape maintained by the tape reel. The tape reel includes a pair of spaced flanges and a hub extending between the spaced flanges. A circular ring of teeth are operatively associated with the spaced flanges and the hub to transmit rotational force thereto, and project in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the tape reel. An engagement surface is spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth and defines a datum plane of the tape reel.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a data storage tape drive system including a data storage tape cartridge and a tape drive mechanism selectively engaged with the data storage tape cartridge. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing, a tape reel rotatably disposed within the housing, and storage tape maintained by the tape reel. The tape reel includes a circular ring of teeth projecting in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the tape reel and an engagement surface spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth. The tape drive mechanism includes a drive hub having a circular ring of teeth projecting in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the drive hub and an engagement feature spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth of the drive hub. As such, the engagement feature of the drive hub is engaged with the engagement surface of the tape reel when the drive hub is operatively engaged with the tape reel to establish a datum plane of the tape reel relative to the drive hub.
Still yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method of operatively engaging a drive hub of a tape drive mechanism with a tape reel of a data storage tape cartridge. The method includes the steps of engaging a circular ring of teeth of the drive hub with a circular ring of teeth of the tape reel, contacting an engagement surface of the tape reel with an engagement feature of the drive hub, and preventing a tip of the teeth of the drive hub from contacting a base of the teeth of the tape reel by contact of the engagement surface with the engagement feature.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3857531 (1974-12-01), Jantzen
patent: 4654740 (1987-03-01), Katoku
patent: 4775115 (1988-10-01), Gelardi
patent: 5366173 (1994-11-01), Lammers et al.
patent: 5564647 (1996-10-01), Bay et al.
patent: 0284687 (1988-10-01), None
patent: 2236092 (1991-03-01), None
Hoge David T.
Johnson Michael W.
Dicke, Billig & Czaja P.A.
Imation Corp.
Nguyen John Q.
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