Patent ID: 6867947
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A tape drive for processing a media tape wound on a tape cartridge, comprising: a structural support frame; a cartridge loader mounted to the structural support frame for receiving the tape cartridge; a threader assembly mounted to the structural support frame for conveying the media tape relative to the tape cartridge, and between the cartridge loader and the tape drive; a transducer head for reading data from and writing data to the media tape, wherein the transducer head is coupled to the structural support frame and has an air bearing surface; a head brush assembly mounted to the structural support frame and mechanically linked and being responsive to the threader assembly to movement between a cleaning position wherein the head brush assembly contacts the transducer head, and a storage position wherein the head brush assembly is free of contact with the transducer head; wherein when the head brash assembly is located in the cleaning position, relative motion of the transducer head with respect to the bead brush assembly cleans debris from the air bearing surface of the transducer head; and wherein the transducer head defines a longitudinal direction that is transverse to a direction of travel of the media tape, such that the head brush assembly is parallel to the longitudinal direction when in the cleaning position, and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when in the storage position.