Abstract:
A technique for protecting the tape and mechanism of a DAT tape drive that includes engaging a PAUSE mode of operation, wherein the reel motors are off and the tape is stationarily positioned at a predetermined location, when the drive is not able to record or read a data group. If the amount of time during which the PAUSE mode is engaged exceeds a predetermined PAUSE mode limit, a STOP mode of operation, wherein the reel motors remain off and the pinch roller is disengaged from the tape and capstan, is engaged. If the amount of time during which the STOP mode is engaged exceeds a predetermined STOP mode limit, the tape is unloaded.
Abstract:
A mechanism for withdrawing magnetic recording tape from a tape carrier (e.g. a cartridge) is disclosed. A boom member supports at least two levers. In the at rest (unengaged) position, rollers, supported by the levers, are positioned in a recess in the tape cartridge and are positioned interior of the tape. When activated, the boom member pivots about its pivot point, thus moving the levers attached to it. The levers move generally away from the cartridge and the rollers attached to the levers engage the tape and pull tape out of the cartridge. The roller supporting ends of the levers engage a lever guide member in such a fashion that the at least two levers move apart. In this manner, a suitable transducer mounted adjacent the lever guide member, can have tape wrapped around itself (less than 360.degree.) for subsequent recording on or playback from the tape. This mechanism is suitable for use with an internal elastic-belt-drive cartridge; when used with such a cartridge, the reels of the cartridge must be driven in their normal manner when extracting tape from the cartridge. The cartridge must also be driven in its normal manner when tape is being fed back into the cartridge. This mechanism is also suitable for use with a non internal elastic-belt-drive cartridge.
Abstract:
A lead tape puller comprising a housing, a passage in the housing, a piston slidable in the passage of the housing, and a retraction member coupled to the piston and movable with the piston between extended and retracted positions. A passage is provided within the piston and the retraction member, with the passage opening on one side of the piston and having a port on the other side of the piston. The piston and retraction member can be moved by differential fluid pressure acting on the piston to the extended position where the port is adjacent the leader of tape within a cassette. Subatmospheric pressure is then applied to one side of the piston, and this subatmospheric pressure acts on the leader through the passage means and the port to tend to draw the leader into the port. This at least partially closes the passage means to restrict air flow through the passage. This valving action of the port and the leader is used to assist in moving the piston and retraction member to the retracted position.
Abstract:
A tape recording apparatus comprises a first mechanism capable of varying, between a maximum and a minimum length, a tape travel path extending between a recording and reproducing head and a tape take-up roll. A second mechanism controls the first mechanism so that the length of the tape travel path becomes the maximum length at the time of ordinary recording and at the time of editing. The length of the tape travel path becomes the minimum length at the time of a pause mode prior to the editing recording. A third mechanism pulls back the tape by a length equal to the difference between the maximum and minimum lengths, at the time of the pause mode, of the tape path between the tape roll on the tape supply side and the recording and reproducing head. A fourth mechanism detects when the first mechanism reaches substantially maximum tape length at the time of the editing recording mode, and causes the start of editing recording by the recording and reproducing head.
Abstract:
An unknown tape pack diameter is determined by measuring the inertia of the unknown tape pack and comparing the inertia with an inertia value representative of the inertia of a second tape pack of known diameter.
Abstract:
In the illustrated embodiment a video cartridge contains an endless loop record tape with a multiplicity of channels, and a pair of pivotal guide arms for holding a length of tape in a taut condition to facilitate loading of the cartridge with the tape threaded between a capstan drive assembly and a transducer head. The downward movement of the cartridge into the operative position serves to retract the tape guides clear of the operating tape path. A tape tension arm is provided along the tape path in the cartridge and is so arranged as to apply tension to the tape as the cartridge is unloaded from the transducing machine. The tape reel in the cartridge is suspended on a bearing ball so as to provide very low resistance to rotation.
Abstract:
A video tape cartridge of endless loop configuration capable of tape speeds of 120 inches per second while providing one hour or more of continuous playing time on 1/4 inch width tape. In an illustrative embodiment the tape drive is steady enough so that the reproduced signal can be coupled to the antenna circuit of a home television receiver without modification of the conventional synchronizing circuits.
Abstract:
A recording tape cartridge used with a drive device that includes a pull-out member connectable at an end of a recording tape accommodated in the recording tape cartridge to pull out the recording tape. The recording tape cartridge comprises the recording tape, a case for accommodating a single reel wound with the recording tape and a leader member fixed at the end of the recording tape and having claw members that connect to the pull-out member when the recording tape is being pulled out. The claw member engages with a circulating groove formed at the pull-out member by the pull-out member being pressed against the leader member, and the claw member disengages from the circulating groove by a subsequent pressing, thereby allowing the end of the recording tape to be joined to and released from the pull-out member.
Abstract:
A video cassette recorder including a drive member 6 rotatingly drivable by a motor, and a slide member 7 reciprocatingly drivable by the rotation of the drive member 6. The slide member 7 is provided with a rib 71 for pushing a side face 55 of a tape drawing-out lever 54 with a movement of the slide member 7 in one direction to rotate the lever 54 toward a tape drawing-out direction. The slide member 7 and a pinch roller mechanism 8 have engaged portions provided with a cam mechanism for driving a pinch roller 19 toward a capstan 18 with a movement of the slide member 7 in the above-mentioned one direction subsequent to the movement thereof in this direction.