Patent ID: 8643977
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A tape drive, comprising: a housing; at least first and second tape head assemblies secured to the housing on an outside of a tape path for a magnetic tape within the tape drive; a first set of tape path guides secured to the housing and defining a first portion of the tape path for facing a first side of the magnetic tape towards the first tape head assembly and an opposing second side of the magnetic tape towards the first set of tape path guides, wherein the first tape head assembly writes and/or reads data to and/or from the first side of the magnetic tape in the first portion of the tape path; a second set of tape path guides secured to the housing and defining a second portion of the tape path for facing the second side of the magnetic tape towards the second tape head assembly and the first side of the magnetic tape towards the second set of tape path guides, wherein the second tape head assembly writes and/or reads data to and/or from the second side of the magnetic tape in the second portion of the tape path; and at least one component secured to the housing and defining a third portion of the tape path for facing the second side of the magnetic tape towards the outside of the tape path for entry of the magnetic tape into the second portion of the tape path in a first direction of movement of the magnetic tape along the tape path, and for facing the first side of the magnetic tape towards the outside of the tape path for entry of the magnetic tape into the first portion of the tape path in an opposing second direction of movement of the magnetic tape along the tape path.