GB2239731A

GB2239731A - A cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2239731A
Application number: GB9026422A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Frederick Fritsch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-06
Filing date: 1990-12-05
Publication date: 1991-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-05
Also published as: IE64313B1; GB9026422D0; GB2239731B; IE893893A1

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning components of a tape end sensing device of read/write apparatus for reading and writing data onto a data storage tape cartridge, the cleaning device comprises a housing 2, and a pair of cleaning brushes 20, 2g mounted on a rotatable carrier member 21 for respectively cleaning the light source and sensor of the tape end sensing device. A cleaning brush 14 for cleaning the read/write head is also provided. A drive wheel 30 is driven by the capstan of the read/write apparatus which drives a gear train 37, which in turn drives the carrier member 21 and the head cleaning brush 14, which is oscillated from side to side across the read/write head. <IMAGE>

Description

A CLEANING DEVICE The present invention relates to a cleaning device and in particular to a cleaning device for cleaning a component of a tape end sensing device of a read/write apparatus for writing and reading data onto and from a data storage tape in a data storage tape cartridge.

Data storage tape cartridges are well known. In general, they comprise a magnetic tape wound between two spools rotatably mounted in a cassette type housing. In general, they are used for storing data which is downloaded from a computer at a relatively rapid rate through suitable read/write apparatus. The apparatus comprises a read/write head for writing and reading the data onto and from the tape at a relatively rapid speed. Because of the rapid speed with which the data is written and read, it is essential that the tape should also move relatively rapidly past the read/write head. To avoid breakage of the tape when the tape is just about wound off a spool, it is essential that the tape should be stopped before the tape is unwound to the end attached to the spool. A tape end sensing device for sensing when the end of the tape is approaching is provided in the read/write apparatus.

The tape end sensing device comprises two components, namely a light source and a light sensor which sense a plurality of holes in the tape adjacent the end of the tape where it is wound onto the spool. The light sensor receives light from the light source through the holes in the tape, thereby indicating that the end of the tape is approaching.

Dirt and dust tends to accumulate on the light source and light sensor. In particular, dirt tends to accumulate on the light source. This causes serious problems, in that where light is blocked from the sensor by dirt or dust, the sensor fails to locate the holes adjacent the end of the tape, and thus the read/write apparatus fails to stop the tape, with cons < rupture of the tape or disengagement of the

ne of the spools in the tape cassette. Dirt and~SEst also tends to accumulate on the read/write head, which affects the transfer of data onto and from the tape.

There is therefore a need for a cleaning device for cleaning a component of the tape end sensing device.

The present invention is directed towards providing a cleaning device for cleaning a component of the tape end sensing device of read/write apparatus of the type hereinbefore described.

According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning device for cleaning a component of a tape end sensing device of read/write apparatus of the type hereinbefore described, the cleaning device comprising a base member for engaging in a data storage tape cartridge location of the read/write apparatus, a component cleaning means for cleaning a component of the tape end sensing device, a carrier member movably mounted on the base member for carrying the component cleaning means, and for moving the component cleaning means relative to the component of the tape end sensing device for cleaning thereof, and drive transmission means for driving the carrier member to move the component cleaning means.

Preferably, the component cleaning means comprises a light source cleaning means for cleaning a light source of the tape end sensing device.

Advantageously, the component cleaning means comprises a light sensor cleaning means for cleaning a light sensor of the tape end sensing device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the carrier member is rotatably mounted in the base about a rotational axis.

In another embodiment of the invention, the light source cleaning means comprises a cleaning member mounted axially on the carrier member and extending axially therefrom.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the light source cleaning means comprises a brush member comprising a plurality of bristles extending from a brush base, the brush base being releasably engagable with the carrier member.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the sensor cleaning means extends radially relative to the rotational axis of the carrier member.

In another embodiment of the invention, the sensor cleaning means comprises a cleaning member mounted on a circumferential side wall of the carrier member.

In one embodiment of the invention, a head cleaning means for cleaning a read/write head of the read/write apparatus is provided, a mounting means movably mounted on the base member carries the head cleaning means, the mounting means being driven by the drive transmission means for oscillating the head cleaning means from side to side across the read/write head. Preferably, the head cleaning means is oscillated at a rate of not more than ten cycles per second.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device comprises a housing comprising a pair of spaced apart plate members, one plate member forming the base member, the plate members being joined by a pair of spaced apart side walls and end walls, at least one opening being provided in the housing to accommodate the cleaning means. Advantageously, the housing is of shape substantially similar to the shape of a data storage tape cartridge.

Additionally, the invention provides a cleaning device for cleaning a read/write head of read/write apparatus of the type hereinbefore described, the cleaning device comprising a base member for engaging in a data storage tape cartridge location of the read/write apparatus, a head cleaning means for cleaning the read/write head, mounting means movably mounted on the base member for carrying the head cleaning means, and drive transmission means for driving the mounting means for oscillating the head cleaning means from side to side across the read/write head at a rate of not more than 10 cycles per second.

Preferably, the mounting means comprises a mounting member slidably mounted on the base member for oscillating substantially transversely relative to the read/write head and substantially longitudinally of the normal direction of motion of a data storage tape past the read/write head.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention for cleaning a read/write head, a light source and light sensor of read/write apparatus, Fig. 2 is an underneath perspective view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of portion of the cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the portion of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another portion of the cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the portion of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the portion of Fig. 8, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another detail of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a cleaning device according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for cleaning components in read/write apparatus for writing and reading data onto and from a data storage tape of a data storage tape cartridge. In this embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device 1 is provided for cleaning the read/write head and two components of the tape end sensing device of the read/write apparatus.

In this case, the two components of the tape end sensing device to be cleaned are the light source means and the light sensor means of the tape end sensing device. In practice, the light source means comprises a light source from which light is passed through a lens and focused on the light sensor means which is normally provided by a photoelectric sensor. The cleaning device 1 cleans the lens at the light source and a lens of the photoelectric sensor. Needless to say, if lenses are not provided, the cleaning device 1 cleans the source and sensor directly.

The cleaning device 1 comprises a housing 2 of injection moulded transparent plastics material which is of substantially similar shape to a data storage tape cartridge. Such cartridges will be well known to those skilled in the art. The housing 2 is injection moulded in two portions, namely a base plate 5 which forms a base member and a spaced apart top plate 6. A pair of spaced apart side walls 8 and 9 and a pair of spaced apart end walls 10 are integrally injection moulded with the top plate 6 and extend therefrom to the base plate 5. Socket members 11 integrally moulded with the base plate 5 extend upwardly from the base plate 5 and engage corresponding plugs 12 extending from and integrally moulded with the top plate 6 for securing the top plate 6 and base plate 5 together.

An opening 13 in the side wall 8 accommodates a head cleaning means for cleaning the read/write head of the read/write apparatus. The head cleaning means comprises a head cleaning brush member 14 mounted on a mounting means, namely a mounting member 15, which is movably mounted in the housing 2 on tracks 16 for oscillating the brush member 14 from side to side across the read/write head. The tracks 16 are integrally moulded with and extend from the top plate 6 and base plate 5. An opening 19 in the top plate 6 accommodates a component cleaning means, namely, a light source cleaning means for cleaning the light source of the tape end sensing device in the read/write apparatus. The light source cleaning means comprises a light source cleaning brush member 20 carried on a carrier member 21.The carrier member 21 comprises a hollow drum 23 of injection moulded plastics material of circular cross section, which is rotatably mounted in the housing 2 about a central rotational axis. The drum 23 comprises a circumferentially extending side wall 24 and an end wall 25 which closes one end of the drum 23. The brush member 20 extends axially from the end wall 25 through the opening 19 and is rotatable with the carrier member 21 about the rotational axis for cleaning the light source. An opening 28 formed in the side wall 8 accommodates another component cleaning means, namely, a sensor cleaning means for cleaning the light sensor of the tape end sensing device of the read/write apparatus.The sensor cleaning means comprises a sensor cleaning brush member 29 which is mounted on the side wall 24 of the carrier member 21 and extends radially therefrom so that as the carrier member 21 rotates, the brush member 29 wipes past the light sensor for cleaning thereof.

Drive transmission means for transmitting drive from the read/write apparatus for driving the mounting member 15 and the carrier member 21 comprises a drive wheel 30 rotatable on a shaft 32 of steel which extends between bosses 35 on the base plate 5 and the top plate. The periphery 33 of the drive wheel 30 extends through the opening 13 in the side wall 8 for engaging a capstan of the read/write apparatus. A recess 34 in the top plate 6 provides clearance for the capstan of the read/write apparatus. A gear 36 fast with the drive wheel 30 and rotatable on the shaft 32 transmits drive from the drive wheel 30 through a gear train 37 to the mounting member 15 And carrier member 21 as will be described below.

Returning now to the carrier member 21, the carrier member 21 is rotatable in the housing 2 by rotatably engaging the base plate 5 and the top plate 6. A ring member 38 integrally moulded with the base plate 5 rotatably engages a bore 39 in the drum 23, see Figs. 5 to 7. An annular recess 40 extending around the side wall 24 adjacent the end wall 25 rotatably engages the opening 19 in the top plate 6. A gear 41 extending round the side wall 24 is engagable with a gear 42 of the gear train 37, described below, for rotating the carrier member 21. A recess 44 in the end wall 25 releasably engages the light source cleaning brush 20.

The light source cleaning brush 20 comprises a plurality of elongated bristles 45 extending from a brush base 46 which is slidably engagable in receiving tracks 47 in the recess 44. The tracks 47 are formed by grooves 48 extending from the recess 44. The grooves 48 extend from an open end 50 to a closed end 51. The grooves 48 taper from the open end 50 to the closed end 51 for engaging the brush base 46 of the brush 20 with a wedging action as the brush is entered through the grooves 48 from the open end 50 to the closed end 51. The recess 44 is formed in the end wall 25 so that when the brush member is fully entered in the recess 44, the central axis of the brush member 20 co-incides with the rotational axis of the drum 23.

The sensor brush member 29 comprises a brush base 53 having a plurality of elongated bristles 54 extending therefrom. A recess 55 formed in the side wall 24 of the drum 23 releasably engages the brush base 53 of the sensor brush member 29. Receiving tracks formed by grooves 56 on each side of the recess 57 slidably engage the base member 53. The grooves 56 taper from an open end 57 adjacent the end wall 25 of the drum 23 to a closed end 58 adjacent the gear 41. The grooves 56 taper from the open end 57 to the closed end 58 for engaging the base member 53 with a wedging action for releasably retaining the brush base 53 in the recess 55. The side wall 24 and the end wall 25 are relieved at 59 to facilitate entry of the brush member 20 and 29 into the recesses 44 and 55, respectively. A slot 62 is provided in the top plate 6 into the opening 19 to facilitate replacement of the light source cleaning brush member 20 and the sensor cleaning brush member 29 as will be described in detail below.

Returning now to the head cleaning brush member 14 and the mounting member 15, and referring in particular to Figs. 8 to 11, the head cleaning brush member 14 comprises a brush base 60 and a plurality of elongated bristles 61 extending from the brush base 60. The mounting member 15 is of injection moulded plastics material formed in two parts, namely, a body member 101 and a cap 102. The cap 102 is secured to the body member 101 by pins 103 which extend from the cap 102 and engage bores 104 in the body member 101 with a tight fit. A recess 65 is formed in a front face 66 of the body member 101 for releasably engaging the brush base 60 of the head cleaning brush member 14.

Receiving tracks formed by a groove 67 on one side of the recess 65 in the body member 101 and a groove 105 in the cap 102 on the other side of the recess 65 retain the brush base 60 in the recess 65. The brush member 14 is replaced by separating the cap 102 from the body member 101. Lips 106 on the body member 101 and the cap 102 slidably engage front faces 107 of the tracks 16 and are retained in engagement with the tracks 16 as will be described below. A pivot arm 75 pivotal about a pivot pin 76 is pivoted by the gear train 37 as will be described below and drives the mounting member 15 with an oscillating action from end to end along the tracks 16 for oscillating the brush member 14 from side to side across the read/write head.

The pivot pin 76 is integrally moulded with the base plate 5 and pivotally and slidably engages a slot 77 in the pivot arm 75. The pivot arm 75 is of injection moulded plastics material and carries a shaft 74 integrally moulded with the arm 75 which releasably and pivotally engages clip means, namely, a resilient clip 73 integrally moulded with the body member 101 of the mounting member 15. The pivot arm 75 terminates in a radiused end 109 adjacent the shaft 74. When the clip 73 of the mounting member 15 engages the shaft 74, the radiused end 109 extends proud of the body member 101 and slidably engages a rear face 110 of the track 16 on the base plate 5 for retaining the lips 106 of the mounting member 15 in slidable engagement with the tracks 16, see Fig. 9.The slot 77 in the pivot arm 75 accommodates slidable movement of the pivot arm 75 in the directions of the arrows A, see Fig. 9, on the pivot pin 76 for facilitating the translation of the pivotal motion of the pivot arms 75 to linear sliding motion of the mounting member 15 on the tracks 16.

A pair of intermeshing gear wheels 78 and 79 of the gear train 37 carry cam members 80 and 81, respectively, which co-operate with each other and act on the pivot arm 75 for pivoting the pivot arm 75 about the pivot pin 76, see Figs. 3 and 4. In Figs. 3 and 4, the mounting member 15 and the brush member 14 are illustrated in their extreme positions. The respective gears 78 and 79 and cam members 80 and 81 are integrally injection moulded of plastics material. The gear wheel 78 and 79 are rotatable on shafts 82 integrally moulded with the base plate 5, and the central axis of the cam members 80 and 81 are offset from the shafts 82. The cam members 80 and 81 act on opposite side edges 83 and 84, respectively, of the pivot arm 75 which act essentially as follower members and the cams 80 and 81 co-operate with each other for pivoting the pivot arm 75.

Returning now to the gear train 37, a gear element 85 of injection moulded plastics material having gears 86 and 87 is rotatable on a shaft 88 integrally moulded with the base plate 5. The gear 86 drives the gear wheel 78 and the gear 87 is driven by a gear 89 on a gear element 90 which is of injection moulded plastics material. The gear element 90 is rotatable on a shaft 91 integrally moulded with the base plate 5. The gear element 90 also comprises a gear 92 which is driven by the gear 36 by the drive wheel 30.

The carrier member 21 is driven by two gear elements 93 and 94 rotatable on shafts 98 integrally moulded with the base plate 5. The gear element 93 comprises gears 95 and 96 both of injection moulded plastics material.

The gear 95 engages the gear 86 of the gear element 85 while the gear 96 engages the gear 42 formed on the gear element 94. The gear 42 drives the gear 41 on the carrier member 21 for rotating the carrier member 21 about its rotational axis. Sockets 99 integrally moulded in the top plate 6 engage and locate the shafts 82, 88, 91 and 98.

The gear ratio between the intermeshing gears 78 and 79 is 1:1. The gear ratio between the drive wheel 30 and the cams 80 and 81 is 40:1. The gear ratio between the drive wheel 30 and the carrier member 21 is 40:1. In the majority of read/write apparatus for data storage tape cartridges, the capstan rotates at a speed in the range of 2,000 revs per minute to 2,500 revs per minute. Accordingly, the head cleaning brush member is oscillated from side to side in front of the rear/write head of the read/write apparatus at a rate of 1 cycle per second approximately. The head cleaning brush and mounting member complete 1 cycle when the head cleaning brush and mounting members move from a position going in one direction and return to that position going in the same direction.In other words, a cycle is completed when the mounting member and head cleaning brush move from the extreme position illustrated in Fig. 3, through the extreme position illustrated in Fig. 4, and return to the extreme position illustrated in Fig. 3.

In use, the cleaning device 1 is entered in the data cartridge location in the read/write apparatus in a similar orientation to that at which an actual data storage tape cartridge would be entered so that the opening 13 is aligned with the read/write head and the capstan of the read/write apparatus, and the openings 19 and 28 are respectively aligned with the light source and light sensor of the read/write apparatus.

The read/write apparatus is set to read or write, and accordingly, the capstan of the apparatus drives the drive wheel 30 which in turn drives the mounting member 14 and carrier member 21 through the gear train 37.

The carrier member 21 on rotating rotates the light source cleaning brush 20 about the rotational axis of the carrier member 21 for cleaning the light source or light source lens in the read/write apparatus.

Rotation of the carrier member 21 also rotates the sensor cleaning brush member 29 so that on each revolution of the carrier member 21, the sensor brush member 29 wipes across the light sensor of the read/write apparatus or its lens. The rotation of the cams 80 and 81 pivots the pivot arm 75 about the pivot pin 76. The pivot arm 75 moves the mounting member 15 from end to end along the tracks 16. This in turn causes the head cleaning brush member 14 to oscillate from side to side across the read/write head of the read/write apparatus for cleaning the read/write head.

The tracks 16 are arranged to guide the mounting member 15 so that the cleaning brush moves linearly from side to side in front of the read/write head of the read/write apparatus. In other words, the head cleaning brush member 14 moves from side to side transversely of the read/write head and substantially longitudinally in the normal direction of tape movement past the read/write head when the read/write head would be reading or writing onto a data storage tape of a data storage tape cartridge.

It has been found that adequate cleaning of the read/write head, the light source and the sensor is achieved in a relatively short time by the cleaning device 1. Typically, it has been found that a cleaning time of twenty seconds provides good cleaning of the components. The read/write apparatus is switched off after the cleaning period has been completed and the cleaning device 1 is thus ejected by the read/write apparatus.

To replace the light source cleaning brush member 20, the carrier member 21 is rotated until the recess 44 and the open end 50 of the grooves 48 are aligned with the slot 62 in the top plate 5. The light source cleaning brush member 20 is then slid from the recess by disengaging the brush base 46 of the brush member 20 from the recess 44 and grooves 48. The sensor brush member 29 is replaced when the recess 44 of the carrier member 21 is likewise aligned with the slot 62. The sensor brush member 29 is removed by disengaging the brush base 53 from the recess 55 and the grooves 56.

Fresh brush members 20 and 29 are slid into the respective recesses and grooves 44 and 48, and 55 and 56.

To replace the head cleaning brush member 14, the bristles 61 of the brush member 14 are gripped and the brush member 14 is pulled outwardly through the opening 13 in the direction of the arrow B, see Figs. 1 to 4.

This causes the resilient clip 73 to disengage the shaft 74 on the pivot arm 75, and the brush member 14 and mounting member 15 are removed from the housing 2.

The cap 102 is separated from the body member 101 and the brush base member 60 is released from the recess 65 of the body member 101. A fresh brush 14 is replaced in the recess 65 of the body member 101 and the cap 102 is re-engaged with the body member 101. The mounting member 15 is entered through the opening 13 into the housing 2 and the resilient clip 73 is engaged on the shaft 74 by pressing the mounting member 15 inwardly into the housing 2.

While the speed of the head cleaning brush from side to side across the read/write head of the read/write apparatus has been described as being approximately 1 cycle per second, the head cleaning brush could oscillate at any other desired rate. In fact, it is envisaged that the head cleaning brush could oscillate at a rate of up to five cycles per second, and good cleaning results would be obtained. However, it is important that the head cleaning brush should not oscillate at too fast a rate, since damage and/or inadequate cleaning of the read/write head would occur.

Indeed, it is believed that it is preferable that the head cleaning brush should not oscillate at a rate greater than five cycles per second, although it is believed that adequate cleaning results would be achieved with an oscillating rate of up to ten cycles per second. Thus, it is envisaged that the gear ratio between the cam members and the drive wheel should not be less than 10:1, and preferably should not be less than 40:1. Similarly, it is envisaged that the gear ratio between the drive wheel and the carrier member should also not be less than 10:1, and should preferably not be less than 40:1.

While the apparatus has been described as comprising a housing, while this is preferable, it is not essential.

In many cases, it is envisaged that the cleaning device may be provided comprising a base member or base framework only. Needless to say, where the cleaning device is provided with a housing, any other suitable shape or construction of housing could be used.

It will of course be appreciated that any other arrangement of gear train could be used for transmitting drive from the capstan of the read/write head apparatus to the mounting member and carrier member. Indeed, other suitable drive transmission means besides a gear train could be used.

While the drive transmission means has been described as comprising a drive wheel engagable with the capstan of the read/write apparatus, other suitable means for receiving drive from the read/write apparatus may be used. Furthermore, it is envisaged that other means besides a cam and cam follower arrangement may be provided for moving the mounting member and head cleaning brush member.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that other suitable drive transmission means may be provided for driving the mounting member and carrier member.

Indeed, it is envisaged in certain cases that the cleaning device may be provided with its own inboard drive source.

It will also of course be appreciated that a carrier member of other shape and construction besides the rotatable member may be used. Indeed, the carrier member could be mounted in the housing to have any other type of movement besides rotational movement.

The carrier member in certain cases may oscillate and/or may be linearly movable.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that any other mounting means besides the mounting member may be used. It will of course be appreciated that the mounting member may be mounted to have any other type of movement besides linear oscillating movement. The mounting member may be rotatably mounted or the like. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the mounting member and head cleaning brush may be dispensed with.

Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the cleaning device may be provided with only one cleaning means for cleaning one of the components of the tape end sensing device of the read/write apparatus.

While the various cleaning means have been described as comprising cleaning brushes, any other suitable cleaning means may be provided.

While the housing has been described as being of a transparent plastics material, the housing may be of any other suitable material, whether transparent or otherwise. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the carrier member, mounting means, drive wheel and the gear elements of the gear train may be of any other material besides plastics material. Needless to say, other means of forming the housing and components of the device besides injection moulding may be used.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a component of a tape end sensing device of read/write apparatus of the type hereinbefore described, the cleaning device comprising a base member for engaging in a data storage tape cartridge location of the read/write apparatus, a component cleaning means for cleaning a component of the tape end sensing device, a carrier member movably mounted on the base member for carrying the component cleaning means, and for moving the component cleaning means relative to the component of the tape end sensing device for cleaning thereof, and drive transmission means for driving the carrier member to move the component cleaning means.

2. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the component cleaning means comprises a light source cleaning means for cleaning a light source means of the tape end sensing device.

3. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the component cleaning means comprises a light sensor cleaning means for cleaning a light sensor means of the tape end sensing device.

4. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carrier member is rotatably mounted in the base about a rotational axis.

5. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 4 in which the light source cleaning means comprises a cleaning member mounted axially on the carrier member and extending axially therefrom.

6. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the light source cleaning means comprises a brush member comprising a plurality of bristles extending from a brush base, the brush base being releasably engagable with the carrier member.

7. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 6 in which a pair of spaced apart brush receiving tracks on the carrier member slidably engage the brush base of the light source cleaning brush.

8. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7 in which the sensor cleaning means extends radially relative to the rotational axis of the carrier member.

9. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 8 in which the sensor cleaning means comprises a cleaning member mounted on a circumferential side wall of the carrier member.

10. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which the sensor cleaning member comprises a brush member having a plurality of bristles extending from a brush base, the brush base being releasably engagable with the carrier member.

11. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 10 in which a pair of brush receiving tracks on a circumferential side wall of the carrier member slidably engage the brush base of the sensor brush member.

12. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which a head cleaning means for cleaning a read/write head of the read/write apparatus is provided, a mounting means movably mounted on the base member carries the head cleaning means, the mounting means being driven by the drive transmission means for oscillating the head cleaning means from side to side across the read/write head.

13. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 12 in which the head cleaning means is oscillated at a rate of not more than ten cycles per second.

14. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 13 in which the head cleaning means is oscillated at a rate of not more than five cycles per second.

15. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 14 in which the head cleaning means is oscillated at a rate of approximately one cycle per second.

16. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 15 in which the mounting means comprises a mounting member slidably mounted on the base member for oscillating substantially transversely relative to the read/write head and substantially longitudinally of the normal direction of motion of a data storage tape past the read/write head.

17. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 16 in which a pivot arm is pivotally mounted on the base member and is engagable with the mounting member for oscillating the mounting member.

18. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 17 in which the pivot arm is driven by the drive transmission means.

19. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 18 in which the drive transmission means comprises a rotatable cam member engagable with a cam follower means on the pivot arm for pivoting the pivot arm.

20. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 19 in which a pair of co-operating rotatable cam members are provided, the cam members being engagable with cam follower means on the pivot arm for pivoting the pivot arm in respective opposite directions.

21. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the drive transmission means comprises a drive wheel rotatably mounted on the base member for engaging a capstan of the read/write apparatus.

22. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 21 in which the drive transmission means comprises a gear train driven by the drive wheel.

23. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 22 when dependent on Claim 19 in which the cam member is driven by the gear train.

24. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 23 in which the gear ratio between the drive wheel and the cam member is not less than 10:1.

25. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 24 in which the gear ratio between the drive wheel and the cam member is 40:1.

26. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 25 when dependent on Claim 21 in which the gear ratio between the drive wheel and the carrier member is not less than 10:1.

27. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 26 in which the gear ratio between the drive wheel and the carrier member is 40:1.

28. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cleaning device comprises a housing comprising a pair of spaced apart plate members, one plate member forming the base member, the plate members being joined by a pair of spaced apart side walls and end walls, at least one opening being provided in the housing to accommodate the cleaning means.

29. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 28 in which the housing is of shape substantially similar to the shape of a data storage tape cartridge.

30. A cleaning device for cleaning a read/write head of read/write apparatus of the type hereinbefore described, the cleaning device comprising a base member for engaging in a data storage tape cartridge location of the read/write apparatus, a head cleaning means for cleaning the read/write head, mounting means movably mounted on the base member for carrying the head cleaning means, and drive transmission means for driving the mounting means for oscillating the head cleaning means from side to side across the read/write head at a rate of not more than 10 cycles per second.

31. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 30 in which the head cleaning means is oscillated at a rate of not more than five cycles per second.

32. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 30 or 31 in which the mounting means comprises a mounting member slidably mounted on the base member for oscillating substantially transversely relative to the read/write head and substantially longitudinally of the normal direction of motion of a data storage tape past the read/write head.

33. A cleaning device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.