Patent ID: 6067211
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A magnetic tape drive comprising:a frame;a magnetic head having an air bearing surface;first means on the frame for selectively moving the magnetic head along a linear path;second means mounted on the frame for moving the tape along a tape path from a first location with respect to the air bearing surface, across the air bearing surface, and returning the tape along said tape path to said first location;a brush assembly for cleaning the air bearing surface;third means on the frame and responsive to the second means for engaging the brush assembly with the air bearing surface when the tape is at the first location;fourth means responsive to the third means for activating the first means so as to reciprocally move the air bearing surface while the brush assembly is in engagement with the air bearing surface;the third means including:a lever arm having first and second ends;the brush assembly being mounted on the lever arm intermediate said first and second ends so that the lever arm has a first arm portion between the brush assembly and the first end and the lever arm has a second arm portion between the brush assembly and the second end;the lever arm being pivotally mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis between a first position engaging the brush assembly with the air bearing surface and a second position disengaging the brush assembly from the air bearing surface, the lever arm having an intermediate position between said first and second positions; andspring means mounted to the frame and in engagement with said lever arm for biasing the arm to said first position when the lever arm is located between the intermediate position and said first position and for biasing the lever arm to said second position when the lever arm is located between the intermediate position and said second position.