Patent ID: 6550710
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A tape cartridge leader for terminating a magnetic tape media contained on a supply reel, having a hub and a pair of flanges, in a single reel tape cartridge that is loaded into a tape drive having a take-up reel comprising a hub and a pair of flanges, said tape cartridge leader being detachably connectable to a take-up leader located in a single reel tape drive and connected to said take-up reel so that said magnetic tape media can be wound through a curvilinear tape path internal to the tape drive, said tape cartridge leader comprising:an elongated main body having an upper edge and a lower edge integrally formed between a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to said supply reel in said tape cartridge; buckling hole means, located within said second end, for detachably connecting to said take-up leader in the tape drive when the tape cartridge is loaded into the tape drive; and tape cartridge leader centering means, located within said second end, for guiding said tape cartridge leader, comprising: a pair of guides formed on opposite edges of said elongated main body for guiding said tape cartridge leader between the flanges of said take-up reel, wherein said pair of guides extends vertically beyond said upper edge and said lower edge of said elongated body, a flex relief aperture formed in said main body and extending vertically between said pair of guides to increase the flexibility of said pair of guides.