KR20050023386A - Tape threading apparatus having take-up hub with gap filling block for data storage systems and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The take up mechanism for a read / write recording device includes a hub 40 having an outer surface 42 on which a tape medium is wound. The recess 44 is formed in the outer surface, and the receiver block 46 can move with each other between the extended position and the retracted position. When retracted, the end surface 94 of the receiver block mates with the outer surface of the hub to form a smooth winding surface for the tape. The receiver block is sized to engage the leader block on tape so that the leader block is sealed in the hub when the receiver block is retracted. The rotatable drive rotates the hub to wind the tape over it. This mechanism can be integrated into a read / write device comprising a read / write write head, bearing members for supporting the tape during transfer and a threading assembly for threading the tape through the device.

Description

Tape threading device and tape threading method with a take-up hub with gap filling block for data storage system {TAPE THREADING APPARATUS HAVING TAKE-UP HUB WITH GAP FILLING BLOCK FOR DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHOD THEREFOR}

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses for storing and retrieving data on tape media. In particular, the present invention relates to take-up hubs on a tape delivery device. The present invention relates, in particular, to a take-up hub and methods thereof that provide a smooth cylindrical winding surface on which a tape medium is wound on a read / write recording apparatus.

The advent of computers has already provided a great effect on human society, and the impact of processing technology is expected to increase. Indeed, the wind to store information for later retrieval is currently growing exponentially. Accordingly, various types of devices have been developed for storing data for record keeping as well as for online use.

When on-line processing required data to be readily available at any time, the advent of magnetic disk storage arrays provided a significant improvement. Here, one or more magnetic disks are provided, and a read / write write head is used to record information on the disk and to retrieve information or data for use by a computer processor. Significant advances have been made in the ability to increase the data density stored on the magnetic disk arrays. In order to obtain even higher densities for on-line data, optical discs have been developed. These devices record data on very small wavelengths of light, so higher densities are obtained with this technique. Laser light is used to read information or data stored on an optical disc.

In the early generations of computers, before the advent of magnetic disks and optical disk storage assemblies, data was typically stored on magnetic tapes such as open reel tapes and later cassettes. In a magnetic tape storage device, a magnetic coil magnetically inscribes data on a moving band of magnetic film; As the film then advances across the transducer, it is used as a transducer such that data is read, read into the coprocessor and entered again. Magnetic tape is erased and rewritten many times and has the advantage of low cost.

Magnetic tape is still the preferred format for archiving data for quick access that is less important and price-conscious. However, if a vast amount of data is maintained, these tapes can become bulky due to the physical number needed to store the amount of data. The capacity of the tapes for storing data, of course, depends on the number of "tracks" arranged independently across the width of the tape.

The ability to quickly write data on a magnetic tape film and the ability to access data to be read from the film are a function of two variables: (1) storage density; And (2) the speed at which the tape media can be delivered across the transducer and accurately written / read by the transducer. Thus, for example, a magnetic tape read / write system capable of reading and writing nine data tracks on a single strip of tape will keep four and a half times the amount of data and a system using only two tracks. .

Therefore, efforts to increase the capacity of magnetic tapes for storing data include substantial efforts to increase the number of tracks that can be written on a band of magnetic tape. At the beginning, the speeds associated with tape delivery between the storage reel and take up reel are relatively slow. The registration of the edges of the tape layers is not essential in order to form opposing surfaces of the tape pack. Often, the edges of successive layers of the tape are slightly offset or "wound" with each other. More recently, the speed of wrapping or winding the tape on storage reels or take-up reels has increased significantly. This is especially true in the electronic information storage arena, where magnetic tape, or “film” or optical tape, is used to store data for both online use as well as for storage.

In the systems described above, the storage reels of the flanged or unflipped (eg used in cartridges) tape may be placed in the machine during use. A threading assembly engages the free end of the tape and passes the free end through the machine. Typically, the tape is threaded across the air bearings, past the transducer and towards the take-up hub or reel. Thus, the length of the tape is passed through the machine so that information can be placed on or retrieved from the tape. During this process, the length of the tape is transferred on a take-up reel or hub that is part of the machine itself contained in the cartridge or on a take-up reel or hub that is mounted and detached from the machine. After being passed through the machine, the tape can be rewound on the storage reel and removed from the machine.

As described in my U.S. Patent No. 5,777,823, issued July 7, 1998, the side edges of the tape moving in the delivery direction are properly matched along a reference plane called a datum, so that the data is exactly on the tape medium. Can be entered and retrieved. Therefore, the support of the tape during the transfer is important and typically uses guide rollers, air bearings and the like known in the art. Improved air bearings are the subject of U.S. Patent 5,777,823 and U.S. Patent Application 10 / 111,728 (prior to October 28, 1999), filed April 26, 2002, incorporated herein by reference. It is also important that the read / write head is positioned correctly. Representative structures for such arrangements are shown in US Pat. No. 6,078,478, incorporated herein by reference.

Take-up reels are typically configured to have a central hub with an annular flange and a width slightly larger than the width of the tape. It is also known to use flangeless hubs in the winding tape medium. In either case, the hub is rotated about the central winding axis and the length of the tape is wound around the hub. The winding forms a tape pack as layers of continuous tape formed in the radial direction. Generally the edges of the tape form a pair of opposing placement surfaces along planes perpendicular to the winding axis. Thus, the width of the tape pack is defined by the distance between these two planes. Flange of the flaked reel is to protect the tape pack.

When tape transfer rates increase, a problem called "scatterwind" or "zigzag winding" occurs. If the tape is wound on the hub at high speed, the tape draws air. That is, air in the air boundary adjacent to the tape is contained between the layer in progress and the layer already on the tape pack moving to the tape pack. Some such concentrated concentration of air causes lateral displacement at the “nip”, which is the point of contact between the film pack and the incoming (or withdrawn) tape layer. When the tape pack later stays, the helical air bearing is ejected to reduce the radius of the pack until all adjacent tape layers are in direct contact. When this occurs, the layers shift laterally relative to each other, resulting in a tape pack having a significant amount of zigzag windings. Zigzag winding presents a problem for industries where the alignment of the side edges of the tape is important with respect to read / write transducers. If the tape pack has a significant amount of zigzag windings, this zigzag winding confusion situation propagates through a tape layer that proceeds during playoff of the reel or hub. This causes a potential error in reading or writing the data. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce misalignment of the layers forming the tape pack by guiding the registration of the incoming tape layer when wound around the hub. The problem of "zigzag winding" is addressed in US patent application 09 / 614,575, filed Jul. 12, 2000.

Many tape drives use cartridges that can be mounted or removed from a recording and reading device. These cartridges typically include a spool of tape media on which information can be stored. The tape medium then places the data on a blank tape that invalidates the conventional data as in the case of a " write " operation, or optionally reads / writes to retrieve information that already exists on the tape medium during the “read” state. Is passed across the head. In either case, the tape is typically attached to a connector provided to form a leader block or to engage a leader block that is part of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is engaged by the leader block with the free end of the tape and mechanically threades the tape across an air bearing disposed on either side of the read / write write head. The drive mechanism delivers the leader block to the take-up hub, which is typically configured to have a central hub with annular flanges of width slightly larger than the width of the tape. However, the use of flangeless hubs in winding tape media is known. In either case, the hub is rotated about the central winding axis, and a link of tape is wound around the hub. The winding produces a tape pack of continuous layers of tape that are formed in the radial direction. The flanges of the flanged reel are for protecting the tape pack.

It is important that the tape is smoothly and evenly wound on the tape pack due to the increased tape winding speed. Even slight deformations of the winding radius can cause eccentricity of the tape pack. The eccentricities cause at least two problems. On the one hand, if there are small changes in the hub surface or the final tape pack, large damage to the tape can cause repeated damage itself during many windings. Of course, any damage to the tape can affect the retention of data stored on the tape. In addition, changes in tensile force can occur because the radius of the tape pack itself changes when the radius is not completely uniform. Tensile forces changes affect the stability of the tape and reduce the read / write performance of the drive. These tensile force changes can create stresses on the tape due to repeated tensile cycling. Each of these problems becomes very important as the track density increases.

In one form of threading and take up assembly, the leader block is formed to fill the opening left in the take up reel hub, providing a smooth surface on which the tape is wound. The first disadvantage of such a system is that the leader block must be sized to match the hub gap and have a tolerance that matches the hub diameter. In systems where each storage cartridge has its own header block, there are several variations of cartridge to cartridge in terms of the size of the leader blocks. These changes cause nonuniformity of the hub diameter when the leader block is mounted in the recess of the hub. Thus, undesirable changes in terms of tape pack uniformity occur.

Restrictions still occur when cartridges do not have an integral header block, such as when the tape delivery mechanism does not have its own leader block that engages the free end of the tape. Although having a leader block as part of the tape drive devices improves the tolerance aspect, conventional designs for most common tape leader pins have a tape on one side of the leader block because the end must be smooth to match the hub. It is necessary to attach. This requires complicated mechanisms for picking up the tape. In addition, the winding direction of the take up reel determines which side of the leader block the tape should be placed on and at what force the tape should be picked up from the corresponding side of the leader block. Otherwise, the tape tension will apply a pull out force on the header block when in the take up hub.

One attempt to address this problem using an internal leader block is described in US Pat. No. 5,979,813, issued Nov. 9, 1999 to Mansbridge et al. At Mansbridge, the take up hub has a take up hub with a curved surface portion and a flat mounting area. The leader block is then mounted on a flat area of the take up hub and provided to complete the surface in an attempt to provide a smooth, cylindrical winding surface for the tape pack. Essentially, the take up hub then has a removed section that forms the leader block, the take up hub configured to receive and place the leader block while connected to the tape to form a continuous, uniform curved surface. Has a receiver section.

Despite the advantages provided in the '135 patent, there is a need to provide an assembly that will allow the tape picker or tape leader block to actually have any configuration. In addition, it is necessary to have a system in which a tape collector or tape leader block that can accommodate manufacturing tolerances can be used. There is a further need to allow the tape to be wound in opposite angular directions and provide a take up reel structure independent of the tape pick or leader block design. The present invention relates to meeting these needs.

1 is a perspective view of a read / write device showing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a side elevational view of the read / write device of FIG.

3 is a perspective view of a portion of a tape storage cartridge having a leader block engaged with a leader pin of a tape medium to be driven by a threading assembly (dotted line).

4 is a perspective view of a take-up reel according to the present invention.

5 is an exploded perspective view of the take-up reel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a receiver block used in the take up reel shown in FIG. 5; FIG.

7 is a front elevation view of the received block shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view showing the leader block in a docked state in the receiver blocks of FIGS. 6 and 7, which protect the leader pin at the free end of the tape medium (shown in dashed lines).

9A is a top plan view of the first flange of the take up reel of FIGS. 4 and 5;

Figure 9 (b) is another perspective view of the take up reel of Figures 4 and 5 according to the present invention.

Fig. 10 (a) is a plan view similar to Fig. 9 (a) showing the positioning of the receiver block in the extended position.

Fig. 10 (b) is a perspective view similar to Fig. 10 (a) and showing a first flange and hub according to the invention with a receiver block in the extended position and a leader block entering the docking state.

Figure 11 (a) is similar to Figure 10 (a) but with a top view of the hub assembly and first flange of the take up reel showing the receiver block in the retracted position.

Fig. 11 (b) is a perspective view similar to Fig. 10 (b) but showing the leader block in a fully docked state with the receiver block in the fully retracted position.

12 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the take up reel with the receiver block in the extended position viewed radially toward the recess of the hub;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 but showing a receiver block in a retracted position; FIG.

14 (a) -14 (f) show the first flange and hub schematically showing the upper center spring when the second flange is removed but the leader block moves the leader block to the retracted position in one receiving and docking position. Top view of the assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful take up hub or reel for use in a tape drive device and a method for winding tape media on the hub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a take-up hub that can accommodate tape collectors or tape leader blocks of other structures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a take-up hub capable of accepting collectors or tape leader blocks with varying manufacturing tolerances.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a take-up hub and method which allows the tape to be wound in different directions of rotation without compromising on the preservation of the winding operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a take-up hub and method having highly uniformly provided winding surfaces so as not to damage the tape carrying data between the tape and the read / write write head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a take-up hub and method in which the uniformity of the winding surface can be controlled during the manufacturing process.

According to the invention, the take up mechanism is a tape medium from a tape source mounted to a tape delivery machine having a threading assembly that includes a leader block that engages the free end of the tape medium at the tape source and delivers the free end to the take up mechanism. It is provided to wind up. The take up mechanism includes a hub having an outer surface on which the tape medium is to be wound. The hub rotates about a central axis and has a recess formed through the outer surface. The receiver block has a base provided with a size that can engage the leader block in the docked state. This receiver block is supported for mutual sliding movement between the extended position in which the leader block is received and released into and out of the bay, and the retracted position in which the receiver block is disposed in the recess. The receiver block has an end surface that mates with the outer surface of the hub such that when in the retracted position the outer and inner surfaces together form a smooth winding surface for the tape medium. The bay formed in the receiver block allows the receiver block to move to a retracted position with the leader block in a docked state to capture the leader block in the hub. The take up mechanism further includes a rotatable drive operative to rotate the hub to wind the tape medium.

The outer surface of the hub may be generally cylindrical with the end surface of the receiver block formed with the same selected radius of curvature, such that the winding surface is substantially cylindrical in its entire circumference. The hub may be formed as part of the take up reel to have a first flange that extends outward of the hub generally perpendicular to the central axis. The second flange may be provided to extend outwardly of the hub, generally spaced parallel to the first flange. In order to guide the receiver block during the mutual movement between the extended position and the retracted position, one of the flanges may have a guide track formed therein. The receiver block then includes a guide follower that engages with the guide track, where the flange supports the receiver block during the mutual movement with the engagement of the guide tracker and the guide track that operate to guide the mutual movement of the receiver block.

The recess formed in the hub may generally extend in the radial direction. In addition, this recess extends past the central axis to the outer surface of the hub so that the central axis passes through the bay when the receiver block is in the retracted position. This allows the extreme free end of the tape or leader block secured to the tape to generally be located along the central axis. The receiver block may include detents for holding the receiver block in either or both of the extended position and the retracted position, which may be achieved by a common detent assembly. In addition to the guide track and the guide tracker, one of the flanges may have a cam grove formed therein. Here, the receiver block includes a cam tracker that engages the cam groove. The cam groove and cam tracker operate to tilt the receiver block at any angle with respect to the linear direction of movement when the receiver block is moved to the extended position. This facilitates docking and undocking of receiver blows and bays.

The present invention relates to a read / write device provided to receive a spool of tape media and also operable to perform a read / write function as the tape proceeds forward. Here, the read / write apparatus includes a read / write write head, a first air bearing member disposed at an upper position with respect to the read / write write head, and a second air disposed at a lower position with respect to the read / write write head. A take-up mechanism comprising a bearing member, a rotatable hub, a rotatable drive operative to rotate the hub to wind the tape medium thereon and a spool that engages and engages the free end of the tape medium when mounted on the read / write device. And a threading assembly comprising a leader block provided to deliver a free end of the up mechanism. The take up mechanism is of the type described above.

The present invention also provides a tape medium having a take up mechanism from a tape source mounted on a tape delivery machine having a threading assembly and including a leader block provided to engage the free end of the tape medium at the tape source and delivering the free end to the take up mechanism. It is about how to wind. The method includes engaging the tape by the leader block. The leader block then proceeds to a receiver block disposed in a winding hub having a first winding region, which receiver block has a second winding region. The method includes jointly engaging the leader block and the receiver block like a docked pair and advancing the docked pair relative to the hub, such that the second winding region is mated with the first winding region so that the tape is It forms a winding surface with a substantially hollow area to be wound. The method includes rotating the hub to wind the tape about the winding surface.

The method according to the invention may comprise the step of reverse rotation of the hub to unwind it from the tape medium and transfer it back to the tape source. During this rewind operation, after the tape is released, the docking pair proceeds with respect to the hub and moves the tape to the extended position. The leader block is then disengaged from the receiver block, and the leader block proceeds back to the tape source where it is disengaged from the tape. The method may also include any steps inherent in the mechanical structure described above.

These and other objects of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to tape delivery devices used in the data storage industry. The tape delivery device uses a tape medium on which data can be placed. Typically, the tape medium sits on a storage reel, which may be in the form of a cartridge. The tape delivery device operates to deliver tape media in the delivery direction across the read / write transducer to place data on the tape or to access data on tape when the storage reel is mounted thereon. Although the present invention has been specifically described with respect to magnetic tape media, it is understood that the principles described herein may be used without limitation in other forms of media. For example, the present invention can be used for optical tapes as opposed to magnetic tapes. In addition, the term “read / write transducer” as used herein should be understood as a write transducer, a read transducer or a transducer capable of performing both read and write operations.

The present invention relates, in particular, to a flanged take up reel which rotates to receive the free end of the tape medium by a threading mechanism and then wind the tape medium as a tape pack on the take up hub. It should be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to flanged take up hubs but can be used for non-flange take up hubs without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, if not specified in the claims, the phrase “hub” may refer to a hub that is flanged or unflipped in the take up mechanism. The present invention relates to providing a substantially uniform winding surface that is preferably cylindrical, wherein a tape pack is disposed on the cylinder. The invention also relates to a method achieved by the structure described below.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown views of a representative read / write device 10. The device 10 includes a read / write transducer 12 in contact with the upper air bearing 14 and the lower air bearing 16 when the tape 18 is delivered in the tape delivery direction (“T”). The tape 18 is generally placed in a storage container in the form of a cartridge 20 that can be mounted and detached on the device 10. The take up assembly 22 includes a take up reel 30 which is rotatably journaled on a frame 24 and rotated by a take up motor 26 as is known in the art. After performing the desired read / write function, the tape that was previously wound on the take up reel 30 as a tape pack can be rewound to the cartridge 20 by the rewind motor 28.

Referring to FIG. 3, the free end 19 of the tape 18 may be connected to a leader pin 21 provided to engage the leader block 32, as is known in the art. Optionally, the leader block is permanently secured to the tape free end 19 of the tape 18 so that the leader block 32 resides in the cartridge 20 when the cartridge is separated from the device of the read / write device 10. . In any case, the threading assembly is used in the read / write device 10 as is known in the art, and the threading arm 34 is shown in dashed lines. The threading arm 34 engages the leader block 32 in the cartridge 20 and thus connects the leader block, tape 18, to the air bearing 14, read / write transducer 12, air bearing 16. Proceeding across the take up assembly 22, the tape may be wound as a tape pack on the take up reel 30 during the read / write operation. When the desired function is completed, the tape wound on the take up assembly 22 is released in the opposite direction, so that the leader block 32 is released from the take up reel 30, and then the take up arm 34 is The threading operation is reversed to release the tape 18 from the cartridge 20.

An important aspect of the present invention is the provision of an improved take up hub associated with take up reel 30. Take up reel 30 is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Referring to these figures, it may be shown that the take up reel 30 includes a take up hub 40 that rotates about a central axis “A”. Hub 40 has an outer surface 42 formed generally along a cylindrical curve with a selected radius of curvature. Surface 42 forms a surface on which tape media, such as tape 18, is wound. Hub 40 includes a radially expanding recess 44 formed through outer surface 42 and radially extending a distance through the central axis, the central axis “cap” defining an interior region of recess 44. To expand through. The receiver block 46 is provided in a size that can be installed in the recess 44 as described more clearly herein. The receiver block 46 has a bay 48 provided sized to accommodate the leader block 32. When the receiver block 46 is in the retracted position, the central axis "A" travels through the bay 48 as shown in FIG.

The assembly of the take up reel 30 is best understood with reference to FIG. 5. Referring to this figure and FIG. 4, it can be seen that the first flange 50 is mounted to the hub 40 and extends outward of the hub 40 in a plane generally perpendicular to the central axis “A”. have. The second flange 70 is mounted on opposite sides of 42 generally spaced apart in parallel with respect to the first flange 50. The first flange 50 has a structure for receiving the mutual movement of the receiver block 46 and for guiding the mutual movement with respect to the hub 40 and the recess 44, which structure is described in more detail below. Are described. As such, the second flange 70 may include a structure for accommodating movement and biasing of the leader block 46. However, the hub 40, the first flange 50 and the second flange 70 are threaded to the counter sunk bore 36, thread bore 38 of the second flange 70. Can be assembled by a plurality of screws 35 passing through the bores 37 of the hub 40 and the thread bores 38 of the first flange 50. The first flange 50 here has a cylindrical cavity 52 sized for intimate mounting nesting of the hub 30. As such, the second flange has a similar cylindrical cavity (not shown) so that a rigid mechanical mount is provided for these three main parts that together form the reel 30.

Before describing the track and guide structure of the first flange 50 in more detail, it is helpful to first consider the structure of the receiver block 46 in more detail. The structure is shown in FIGS. 6-8. Here, the receiver block 46 has a J-shaped structure with a hook end that is slightly smaller but very close to the width of the recess 44. The hook end 90 has a surface 91 formed with a radius of curvature mating with the inner surface 45 (see FIG. 5) of the recess 44. The receiver block 46 has parallel walls 92 and 93 opposed to and spaced apart by a generally distance equal to the height of the recess 44 measured along the central axis "A". The receiver block 46 has a hub such that when the inner surface 91 abuts the inner surface 45 of the recess 44, the outer surface 94 forms a substantially cylindrical, winding surface for a substantially smooth tape medium. Has an outer end surface 94 formed with a selected radius of curvature such as outer surface 42 to mate with outer surface 42 of 40. The radius extends about 0.040 to 0.060 inches and the remainder is chamfered to have a flat portion 95. This provides a small area contact and prevents some debris from interfering with the matching of the receiver block 46. In this way, when the receiver block 46 is in the retracted position, the surfaces 42 and 94 have relatively the same area along a common geometric cylinder.

The receiver block 46 includes a bay 48 provided sized to accommodate the leader block 32 in a docked state, as shown in FIG. The end 96 of the leader block 46 includes a pair of spaced opposing fingers 97 that assist in mating the leader block 32 and positioning the leader pin 21 in a docked state. . It is understood that bay 48 may be sized to accommodate leader blocks of other structures and leader blocks that have objectively substantial manufacturing tolerances. Guide trackers 98 are disposed on opposite ends of end 96 and cam tracker 100 is disposed along edge 93 for respective guide trackers 98 and cam trackers 100, This is described in detail below.

Referring again to FIGS. 4-6, the receiver block 46 is releasably retained in both the expanded and retracted states by means of a common detent assembly in the form of coil spring 102 and ball bearings 104 and 106. Can be recognized. The spring element 102 is received in a bore 99 formed in the receiver block 46. When the receiver block 46 is in the retracted state, the ball bearings 104 and 106 engage the detent depressions, such as the depression 74 shown in relation to the flange 50. When the receiver block 46 is in the extended state, the ball bearings 104 and 106 engage detent depressions, such as the depression 75 shown in relation to the flange 50. Although not shown, it should be appreciated that the flange 70 has detent depressions corresponding to the depressions 74 and 75.

The receiver block 46 is guided during mutual movement by a guide track formed in the first flange 50. Referring to FIG. 5, the guide track 54 is shown in the form of an extended radial slot 56 that extends radially from the periphery of the first flange 50 to a central position that intersects the central axis “A”. . The slot 56 is formed deep enough to receive the head of the leader pin 21. Guide track 54 has a mouse 58 that protrudes outwardly including ledge 60. Ridge 60 is sized to allow sliding movement of guide tracker 98 along ridge 60, and tracker 98 may move within slot 56 of guide track 54. The cam groove 62 extends a considerable distance generally in parallel with respect to the slot 56 but moves the receiver block 46 at any angle with respect to the linear sliding direction as the receiver block moves to the extended position as described below. It ends at the hook portion 64 which operates to tilt. For this purpose, the cam tracker 100 of the receiver 46 engages the cam groove 62 during the guided movement.

Referring again to FIG. 5, it is recognized that the second flange 70 can have a guide track that is symmetric to the guide track 54 if desired. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the second flange 70 includes a guide track 78 with a slot portion 80 with a protruding mouse 82. Guide track 78 receives guide tracker 98 at top wall 92 of receiver block 46 in a manner similar to guide tracker 98 along lower end wall 93 of receiver block 42. It should be understood that the slot 80 of the second flange 70 extends all the way through the thick flange 70 to allow passage of the actuator pin 33 (FIG. 7) of the leader block 32. On the other hand, the die track 54 and the slot 56 of the flange 50 do not extend all the way through the thick flange.

The reciprocating motion of the receiver block 46 can be best appreciated with reference to FIGS. 9-11. 9A and 9B show the cam groove and guide track of the flanges 50 and 70 of the take up reel 30 again. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the receiver block 46 is shown fully expanded. The lower guide tracker 98 is supported along the ridge 60 and the receiver block 46 is in the radial direction of linear motion as a result of the engagement of the cam tracker 100 with the hook portion 64 of the cam groove 62. Inclined from In the position as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the bay 48 of the receiver block 46 is in a position for receiving or emitting the leader block 32. This process is shown in FIG. 10 (b), where the leader block 32 along the tape 18 (dashed line) can be shown engaged or unengaged with the bay 48.

Referring to Figures 11 (a) and 11 (b), it can be seen that the receiver block 46 has been moved to the fully retracted position. Here, the leader block 32 is placed in a docked state with respect to the bay 48 and the docking pair proceeds to the recess 46. During this movement of the receiver block 46 from the extended position to the retracted position, the cam tracker 100 is placed in the cam groove 62 so that the leader block 46 is first aligned with the radial direction by the hook portion 64. The receiver block 46 is then in a linear radial direction as a result of the guide trackers 98 and the guide tracks 54 and 78 until the hook end 90 abuts the inner surface 45 of the recess 44. Is moved to. When this occurs, the outer end surface 94 mates with the outer surface 42 of the hub 40. Since the outer surface 94 and the hub 42 are formed with the same radius of curvature, a substantially smooth, uniform, abutting cylindrical winding surface is formed. The registration of the surface 42 and the surface 94 is fully controlled after the machining of the receiver block 46 and the hub 40 so that extremely high tolerances can be maintained to ensure that the final line surface is accurate. This precision allows for relatively large manufacturing tolerances and variations as long as the leader block 32 is mounted in the cavity formed by the bay 46 and can be achieved due to the structures of the leader block 32.

The positioning and guide structure of the take up reel 36 and receiver block 46 are shown in different views in FIGS. 12 and 13. 12 shows the receiver block 46 in the extended position with guide trackers 98 in the mice of the respective tracks 54 and 78. Again the receiver block 46 is inclined at any angle with respect to the linear movement direction by the cam tracker 100 and the cam groove 62 (not shown). In FIG. 13, receiver block 46 proceeds to a retracted position so that surface 94 mates with surface 42 of take-up hub 40. Here again, it is shown that the guide trackers 98 are guided during linear mutual movement by the slots 56.

Referring again to FIGS. 14A-14F, the complete cycle of mounting the leader block 32 and the associated end of the tape 18 to the take up reel 30 is shown. In FIG. 13A, the take up reel 30 is in one position relative to the receiver leader block 32 in the bay 48 of the receiver block 46. At this stage, the take up reel 30 is not rotated and the receiver block 46 is placed in the extended position using a detent assembly to assist with this. As shown in FIG. 14 (b), the threaded device advances the leader block 30 to the bay 48 by the fact that the receiver block 46 is inclined with respect to the linear movement direction. Continued progression of the leader block 32 by the threading mechanism causes the leader block 32 to move to the docked state because the cam tracker and cam groove cause the leader block 46 to align with the linear direction of movement. Progress of the receiver block 46 towards the recess 44 continues as shown in FIG. 14 (d). Finally, after advancing the leader block 46 into the recess 44, the receiver block 46 is placed in the fully retracted position using a detent assembly that assists the holding receiver block 46 in the retracted position. Surface 94 is mated with surface 42 and take up reel 30 may be rotated in the direction of arrow "R". In order to wind the tape 18 around the take-up hub 40 and to separate the tape 18 and the leader block 32, the receiver block 46 is returned to the extended position as shown in Fig. 14 (a). The processing to make it repeat is repeated.

As noted above, the present invention provides a take from a tape source mounted to a tape delivery machine having a threading assembly that includes a leader block provided to engage a free end of a tape medium in a tape source and deliver the free end to a take up mechanism. A method of winding a tape medium using an up mechanism. The method of the present invention includes any steps achieved by the structure described above. In particular, an exemplary method of the present invention includes a first step of engaging a tape by a leader block. This can be achieved if the leader block is fixed to the tape of the cartridge and the engagement is achieved by a take up mechanism. Optionally, the leader block is part of the take up mechanism with the leader block and then engages the leader pins of the tape medium.

In any case, after the tape is engaged with the leader block, the method includes advancing the leader block to a receiver block disposed in a winding hub having a first winding area, the receiver block having a second winding area. The leader block and the receiver block have a common area with the docket pair. The docked pair then proceeds with respect to the hub such that the second winding area is mated with the first winding area and forms a winding surface with a substantially cavity area in which the tape is wound. The hub is then rotated to wind the tape around the winding surface.

Thus, the present invention has been described to some extent with regard to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As the invention is limited by the following claims, which are constituted by the prior art, changes or modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the invention without departing from the inventive concept contained herein.

Claims (29)

Take-up mechanism provided for winding tape media from a tape source mounted to a tape delivery machine having a threading assembly that includes a leader block that engages with the free end of the tape medium at the tape source and provides the free end to the take-up mechanism. As (A) a hub having an outer surface on which the tape medium is wound, having a recess that rotates about a central axis and has a recess formed therein through the outer surface; (B) a receiver block having a bay provided to engage the leader block in a docked state, the receiver block having an extended position in which the leader block can be received and released into and out of the bay and the receiver block recessed Supported for mutual sliding movement between the retracted positions disposed therein, the receiver block has an end surface that mates with the outer surface of the hub so that when in the retracted position the outer surface and the end surface are substantially smooth relative to the tape medium. Forming a winding surface, wherein the bay is sizeable to be moved to a retracted position with the leader block while the receiver block is docked to capture the leader block in the hub; (C) a take-up mechanism comprising a rotatable drive operative to rotate the hub to wind the tape medium thereon. 2. The take up mechanism of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the hub is cylindrical with a selected radius of curvature and the end surface of the receiver block is formed with a radius of curvature selected such that the winding surface is substantially cylindrical. 3. The take up mechanism of claim 2 wherein the recess extends generally in a radial direction. 2. The take up mechanism of claim 1 wherein the recess extends from the outer surface of the hub past the central axis such that the central axis passes through the bay when the receiver block is in the retracted position. 2. The take up mechanism of claim 1 comprising a detent assembly operative to hold the receiver block releasably in an extended position. 2. The take up mechanism of claim 1 including a detent assembly operative to hold the receiver block releasably in a retracted position. 2. The take up mechanism of claim 1, comprising a common detent assembly operative to hold the receiver block releasably in both an extended position and a retracted position. 4. The take-up reel of claim 1, further comprising a take-up reel formed by the hub along a first flange extending outwardly of the hub in a plane generally perpendicular to the central axis, the first flange having a guide track formed therein. And the receiver block includes a guide tracker that engages with a guide track, wherein the first flange is interlocked with the guide tracker in a guide track operative to guide the mutual movement of the receiver block. A take up mechanism, characterized in that for supporting. 9. The cam groove of claim 8 wherein the mutual movement of the receiver blocks is generally in a linear direction, the first flange having a cam groove formed therein and the receiver block comprising a cam tracker that engages with the cam groove. And the cam tracker operates to tilt the receiver block at an angle with respect to the linear direction when the receiver block moves to the extended position. 9. The take up mechanism of claim 8, wherein the take up reel comprises a second flange that extends outwardly of the hub and is generally spaced in parallel with respect to the first flange. Provided for winding tape media from a tape source mounted to a read / write tape transfer machine having a threading assembly that includes a leader block that engages the free end of the tape medium at the tape source and provides the free end to the take-up mechanism. Tape delivery and take-up assembly, (A) a hub having a substantially cylindrical outer surface portion formed with a selected radius of curvature in which the tape medium is wound, rotatable about a central axis and having a recess formed therein through the outer surface; (B) a receiver block having a bay provided with a size that can engage the leader block in a docked state, the receiver block having an extended position in which the leader block can be received and released into and out of the bay and the receiver block recessed Provided for mutual sliding movement between the retracted positions disposed therein, the receiver block being formed with a selected radius of curvature and having an end surface that mates with the outer surface of the hub when in the retracted position such that the outer surface and the end surface are And together form a substantially smooth cylindrical winding surface for the tape medium, the bay is sized to move to a retracted position with the leader block while the receiver block is docked to capture the leader block within the hub. ; (C) a detent assembly connected to the receiver block and operative to releasing the receiver block in both the extended position and the retracted position; And (D) a rotatable drive operative to rotate the hub to wind the tape medium thereon. 12. The transfer and take up of claim 11 wherein the recess passes through the central axis in a generally radial direction from an outer surface of the hub so that the central axis passes through the bay when the receiver block is in the retracted position. assembly. 12. The take-up reel of claim 11, further comprising a take-up reel formed by the hub along a first flange extending outwardly of the hub in a plane generally perpendicular to the central axis, the first flange having a guide track formed therein. And the receiver block includes a guide tracker that engages a guide track so that the first flange engages the receiver block during engagement with the guide tracker in a guide track operative to guide the movement of the receiver block. Supporting delivery and take up assembly. 14. The cam groove of claim 13, wherein the mutual movement of the receiver blocks is generally in a linear direction, the first flange having a cam groove formed therein and the receiver block comprising a cam tracker engaged with the cam groove; The cam tracker operative to tilt the receiver block at an angle with respect to a linear direction when the receiver block is moved to an extended position. 15. The transfer and take up assembly of claim 14 wherein the take up reel includes a second flange generally spaced parallel to the first flange and extending outward of the hub. A read / write device operative to receive a spool of tape media and perform a read / write function thereon as the tape media advances forward, (A) read / write write heads; (B) a first bearing member disposed in an upper position relative to the read / write recording head and a second bearing member disposed in a lower position relative to the read / write recording head; (C) (1) a hub having an outer surface on which the tape medium is wound, rotatable about a central axis and having a recess formed therein through the outer surface, and (2) a take-up mechanism comprising a receiver block having a bay provided in a size that can engage the leader block in a docked state, wherein the receiver block is extended to allow the leader block to be received and released into and out of the bay; Supported for mutual sliding movement between a positional state and a retracted position in which the receiver block is disposed in the recess, the receiver block being substantially smoothly wound about the tape medium when the receiver block is in the retracted position An end surface that mates with an outer surface of the hub to form a surface together, the bay sized to move to a retracted position with the leader block while the receiver block is docked; (D) a rotatable drive operative to rotate the hub to wind the tape medium thereon; And (E) a threading assembly including a leader block provided to engage the free end of the tape medium and deliver the free end to the take up mechanism when the spool is mounted on the read / write device. 17. The read / write device of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the hub is generally cylindrical with a selected radius of curvature and the end surface of the receiver block is formed with a radius of curvature selected such that the winding surface is substantially cylindrical. 18. The read / write device of claim 17, wherein the recess extends generally in the radial direction. 17. The read / write device of claim 16 wherein the recess extends from the outer surface of the hub past the central axis such that the central axis passes through a bay when the receiver block is in the retracted position. 17. The read / write device of claim 16, comprising a common detent assembly operative to releasably hold the receiver block in the extended and retracted positions. 17. The take-up reel of claim 16, further comprising a take-up reel formed by the hub along a first flange extending outwardly of the hub in a plane generally perpendicular to the central axis, the first flange having a guide track formed therein. And the receiver block includes a guide tracker for engaging the guide track, wherein the first flange is engaged with the guide tracker of the guide track operative to guide the mutual movement of the receiver block during the mutual movement. Read / write device, characterized in that supporting the block. 23. The cam groove of claim 21 wherein the mutual movement of the receiver blocks is generally in a linear direction, the first flange having a cam groove formed therein and the receiver block comprising a cam tracker that engages the cam groove. And the cam tracker operates to tilt the receiver at an angle with respect to a linear direction when the receiver block moves to an extended position. 22. The read / write device of claim 21 wherein the take up reel includes a second flange extending outwardly of the hub in a space generally parallel to the first flange. The tape media from the tape source mounted to a tape delivery machine having a threading assembly including a leader block provided to engage the free end of the tape medium at the tape source and deliver the free end to the take up mechanism. As a winding method, (A) engaging with a tape medium by the leader block; (B) advancing the leader block to a receiver block disposed in a winding hub having a first winding region and having a second winding region; (C) jointly engaging the leader block and the receiver block like a docking pair; (D) advancing the docked pair with respect to the hub so that a second winding region engages with the first winding region, thereby forming a winding surface having a substantially cavity region in which the tape is wound; And (E) rotating the hub to wind the tape medium about the winding surface. The method of claim 24, (F) after a portion of the tape medium is wound about the winding surface, rotating the hub to release the tape medium from the winding surface and rewinding the tape medium to a tape source; (G) disengaging the leader block and the receiver block; (H) advancing the leader block to a tape source; And (I) releasing the engagement of the tape medium from the leader block. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the receiver block includes moving between an extended position and a retracted position, and releasably holding the receiver block in the extended position. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the receiver block comprises moving between an extended position and a retracted position and holding the receiver block releasably in the retracted position. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the receiver block moves between an extended position and a retracted position, and releasably retains the receiver block in both the extended and retracted positions. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the receiver block includes moving between an extended position and a retracted position, and potentially guiding the receiver block during the movement.