Patent ID: 6744593
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A tape drive having a cartridge receiving area adapted to receive a cartridge containing a recording medium on a supply reel, comprising:a take-up reel, wherein the take-up reel comprises: a take-up rotatably mounted to the tape drive; and a pair of flanges mounted on either side of the take-up hub; a magnetic read/write head disposed between the cartridge receiving area and the take-up reel; a pair of fixed guide assemblies disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head, wherein each of the fixed guide assemblies comprises: a fixed guide mount fixed to the tape drive; a fixed guide attached to a top of the fixed guide mount; and a spring/pressure pad having at least one pressure pad mounted to the fixed guide, wherein the pressure pad applies pressure to a top edge of the recording medium when the tape drive is operational; and a forward guide roller and a rearward guide roller disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head, the forward guide roller being located between the cartridge receiving area and the one of the pair of fixed guide assemblies and the rearward guide roller being located between the take-up reel and the other of the fixed guide assemblies, wherein each of the forward guide roller and rearward guide roller comprises: a shaft mounted to the tape drive; and a rotor disposed about the shaft; wherein the fixed guide of each of the fixed guide assemblies has: a top surface having at least one cutout, each cutout receiving one of the at least one pressure pad, a first height that is greater than a width of the recording medium, a second height at each of the at least one cutout that is smaller than a width of the recording medium, a vertical surface that is rounded smoothly, and a chamfered lower edge, wherein the fixed guide assembly further comprises a cover fixed to the spring/pressure pad and the fixed guide.