Magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and tape threading method thereof

It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and a tape threading method thereof capable of preventing cut or slip of a leader tape, and capable of effectively preventing the fixing force from being deteriorated due to variation with time. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette 2 has a coupling element 8, and the coupling element 8 is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element 40 and the tape is taken up around a drive reel 20. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a leader tape 41 having one end connected to a drive shaft 24 of the drive reel 20 and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element 40, a reel hub 21 which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft 24 and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 21, and a lock member 70 which connects the drive shaft 24 and the reel hub 21 with each other. The reel hub 21 includes a hub opening through which the leader tape 41 passes, and the lock member 70 is displaced by the tape-pulling-out element 40 pulled into the hub opening and connects the drive shaft 24 and the reel hub 21 with each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus which pulls out an end of a tape from a tape cassette of a single hub having one reel around which a tape is wound, and which winds the tape around a drive reel, and which carries out recording and replaying operations, and the invention also relates to a tape threading method of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus.

BACKGROUND TECHNIQUE

According to a conventional magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of this kind, only a leader tape is introduced into a reel hub, a tape-pulling-out element is stopped at an opening position of the reel hub, and the tape threading is carried out. However, a load generated by tension is always applied to the leader tape not only at the time of tape threading but also when the tape threading is completed and the magnetic tape is reel up. It is proposed to dispose a spiral spring in a space between the reel hub and a drive shaft, and the reel hub and the drive shaft are connected to each other using a force of the spring (e.g., patent document 1).

According to the conventional apparatus, when the tape is reeled up only by a force of the leader tape, cut or slip of the leader tape is generated, and there is a problem that a fixing force is deteriorated due to variation with time. When a spiral spring is disposed in the space between the reel hub and the drive shaft, although a load on the leader tape can be reduced, there is a problem that the fixing force is deteriorated due to variation with time of the spring.

Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and a tape threading method thereof capable of preventing cut or slip of a leader tape, and capable of effectively preventing the fixing force from being deteriorated due to variation with time.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus in which an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette has a coupling element, and the coupling element is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element and the tape is taken up around a drive reel, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprising a leader tape having one end connected to a drive shaft of the drive reel and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element, a reel hub which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub, and a lock member which connects the drive shaft and the reel hub with each other, wherein the reel hub includes a hub opening through which the leader tape passes, and the lock member is displaced by the tape-pulling-out element pulled into the hub opening and connects the drive shaft and the reel hub with each other.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect, the lock member includes a lock member rotation shaft provided on the reel hub, an element abutment portion which is turned around the lock member rotation shaft through a predetermined angle, and a biasing member which biases the element abutment portion toward the hub opening, and the element abutment portion is displaced from the hub opening toward the drive shaft by pulling the tape-pulling-out element into the hub opening.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the second aspect, the lock member includes a lock pin, the drive shaft includes a fitting hole, and the lock pin is biased towards the drive shaft by displacing the element abutment portion and then is inserted into the fitting hole.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the second aspect, a magnet member is disposed in the vicinity of the element abutment portion, and the tape-pulling-out element is attracted by the magnet member.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a tape threading method of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus in which an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette has a coupling element, the coupling element is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element and the tape is taken up around a drive reel, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprising a leader tape having one end connected to a drive shaft of the drive reel and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element, a reel hub which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub, and a lock member which connects the drive shaft and the reel hub with each other, wherein the reel hub includes a hub opening through which the leader tape passes, the lock member includes a lock member rotation shaft provided on the reel hub, an element abutment portion which is turned around the lock member rotation shaft through a predetermined angle, a biasing member which biases the element abutment portion toward the hub opening, and a lock pin which corresponds to a fitting hole formed in the drive shaft, the tape-pulling-out element is introduced into the hub opening by normally rotating the drive shaft, the lock pin is biased toward the drive shaft by displacing the element abutment portion by the tape-pulling-out element, and then, the lock pin is inserted into the fitting hole by reversely rotating the drive shaft.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the fifth aspect, the drive shaft is reversely rotated through a rotation angle range of 90 to 120°.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the fifth aspect, if it is detected that the lock pin is inserted into the fitting hole, a lock motor is driven to release a pin which prevents the reel hub from rotating and then, the drive shaft is normally rotated, thereby normally rotating the reel hub together with the drive shaft.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably hold a coupling element and to carry out the tape threading stably. A load on the leader tape at the time of reeling up of the magnetic tape can be eliminated, and the tape reeling up operation can be carried out stably.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

According to the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a leader tape having one end connected to a drive shaft of the drive reel and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element, a reel hub which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub, and a lock member which connects the drive shaft and the reel hub with each other, and the reel hub includes a hub opening through which the leader tape passes, and the lock member is displaced by the tape-pulling-out element pulled into the hub opening and connects the drive shaft and the reel hub with each other. With this aspect, if the tape-pulling-out element is pulled into the hub opening, the lock member functions, and the drive shaft and the reel hub are connected to each other. Therefore, no load is applied to the leader tape after the tape-pulling-out element is pulled into the hub opening. Thus, cut and slip of the leader tape can be prevented, and it is possible to effectively prevent the fixing force from being deteriorated due to variation with time.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the first aspect, the lock member includes a lock member rotation shaft provided on the reel hub, an element abutment portion which is turned around the lock member rotation shaft through a predetermined angle, and a biasing member which biases the element abutment portion toward the hub opening, and the element abutment portion is displaced from the hub opening toward the drive shaft by pulling the tape-pulling-out element into the hub opening. With this aspect, the fact that the tape-pulling-out element is pulled into the hub opening is detected by displacement of the element abutment portion from the hub opening toward the drive shaft. Therefore, the lock member can reliably function.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the second aspect, the lock member includes a lock pin, the drive shaft includes a fitting hole, and the lock pin is biased towards the drive shaft by displacing the element abutment portion and then is inserted into the fitting hole. With this aspect, since the drive shaft and the reel hub are connected to each other by inserting the lock pin into the fitting hole, the connection operation can be carried out reliably.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the second aspect, a magnet member is disposed in the vicinity of the element abutment portion, and the tape-pulling-out element is attracted by the magnet member. With this aspect, the tape-pulling-out element is inserted into the hub opening not only by using the leader tape but also by utilizing the attraction force by the magnet. Therefore, the load on the leader tape can be reduced, and it is possible to reliably guide the tape-pulling-out element to a predetermined position.

According to the tape threading method of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the invention, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a leader tape having one end connected to a drive shaft of the drive reel and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element, a reel hub which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub, and a lock member which connects the drive shaft and the reel hub with each other, the reel hub includes a hub opening through which the leader tape passes, the lock member includes a lock member rotation shaft provided on the reel hub, an element abutment portion which is turned around the lock member rotation shaft through a predetermined angle, a biasing member which biases the element abutment portion toward the hub opening, and a lock pin which corresponds to a fitting hole formed in the drive shaft, the tape-pulling-out element is introduced into the hub opening by normally rotating the drive shaft, the lock pin is biased toward the drive shaft by displacing the element abutment portion by the tape-pulling-out element, and then, the lock pin is inserted into the fitting hole by reversely rotating the drive shaft. With this aspect, the lock pin can reliably be inserted into the fitting hole, and the drive shaft and the reel hub can reliably be connected to each other. Therefore, no load is applied to the leader tape after the tape-pulling-out element is pulled into the hub opening. Thus, cut and slip of the leader tape can be prevented, and it is possible to effectively prevent the fixing force from being deteriorated due to variation with time.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in the tape threading method of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the drive shaft is reversely rotated through a rotation angle range of 90 to 120°. With this aspect, slack of the leader tape in the reel hub can be reduced. Therefore, a force applied to the tape-pulling-out element caused by slack of the leader tape can be prevented, and it is possible to avoid a case in which the tape-pulling-out element is deviated from a predetermined position by the force of the leader tape.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in the tape threading method of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the fifth aspect, if it is detected that the lock pin is inserted into the fitting hole, a lock motor is driven to release a pin which prevents the reel hub from rotating and then, the drive shaft is normally rotated, thereby normally rotating the reel hub together with the drive shaft. With this aspect, the restraint on the reel hub can be released after the drive shaft and the reel hub are connected to each other. Therefore, procedure can reliably be shifted to the recording and reproducing action.

A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention will be explained below.

FIG. 1is a plan view of an essential portion of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the embodiment.

A base1of an apparatus main body includes a cartridge reel10having rotating means such as a motor, and a drive reel20having another rotating means. A cassette holder3which holds the tape cassette2and which moves the tape cassette2is provided on the side of the cartridge reel10of the base1. A pair of rails4is disposed on the side of the cartridge reel10of the base1, and the cassette holder3is provided such that the cassette holder3can slide along the pair of rails4.

A loading lever30is slidably provided on one of the rails4. The loading lever30is connected to the cassette holder3, and the cassette holder3is operated by movement of the loading lever30.

A rack31is connected to a surface of the loading lever30on the side of the base1. A loading motor32and a gear33connected to the loading motor32are disposed on the side of the loading lever30. The rack31and the gear33mesh with each other, and the loading lever30slides along the rails4by rotation of the loading motor32.

A tape-pulling-out element40is disposed on the side of the tape cassette2, that is, disposed in the vicinity of a door (not shown) of the tape cassette2, when the loading operation is completed. The tape-pulling-out element40is held by a tape-pulling-out element moving member50. The tape-pulling-out element moving member50is engaged with a groove (not shown) provided in a direction moving toward and away from a door of the tape cassette2. A tape-pulling-out element moving motor51is disposed in a space between the loading motor32and the tape-pulling-out element40on the side of the loading lever30. The tape-pulling-out element moving member50is connected to the tape-pulling-out element moving motor51through a gear mechanism (not shown).

Track grooves5are formed between positions in the vicinity of the tape-pulling-out element40and a reel hub21of a drive reel20. Although only the track groove5on the side of the base1is shown inFIG. 1, another track groove having the same shape is also formed in a member (not shown) disposed at a predetermined distance from the former track groove5, and the tape-pulling-out element40is guided by the pair of track grooves5. A plurality of rollers6and a magnetic head7are disposed on the side of the track groove5. In a state shown in the drawing, a reader tape41is disposed along the track groove5. One end of the reader tape41is connected to the Drive reel20, and the other end of the reader tape41is connected to the tape-pulling-out element40.

The drive reel20includes a reel flange22. The reel flange22is formed at its outer peripheral end with a flange groove23. Although only the reel flange22on the side of the base1is shown in the drawing, a pair of reel flanges22is connected to both end surfaces of the reel hub21. A hub opening21A is formed in a portion of an outer periphery of the reel hub21, and the reader tape41passes through the hub opening21A. The tape-pulling-out element40is fitted into the hub opening21A. The drive reel20is provided at its center with a drive shaft24which transmits rotation of the rotating means such as the motor. The connection of the drive shaft24with respect to the reel hub21and the reel flange22is released by the lock member70at the time of tape threading motion, and drive shaft24is connected to the reel hub21and the reel flange22at the time of recording and replaying operations. The reel hub21is provided at its end surface with a magnet holding member25. A magnet25A is disposed in the vicinity of the hub opening21A in the reel hub21by this magnet holding member25.

A lock motor60and a pin61which moves into the flange groove23by the rotation of the lock motor60are disposed on the side of the outer periphery of the reel flange22on the side of the base1.

Next, a structure around the tape-pulling-out element moving member50will be explained in detail usingFIG. 2.

First, the tape-pulling-out element40includes a first member42forming a recess42A, and a second member43connected to the first member42such that the second member43can be displaced. The first member42is provided at its one end with a turning shaft44which turns the second member43. The recess42A is formed in the other end of the first member42. Both ends of the turning shaft44project into the track grooves5, so that the turning shaft44can slide along the track grooves5. The second member43is formed with a recess43A, and the recess42A of the first member42and the recess43A of the second member43form a closed space.

The tape-pulling-out element moving member50includes a turning shaft recess52with which the turning shaft44is engaged. The turning shaft recess52is continuous with an end of the track groove5at a predetermined position of the tape-pulling-out element moving member50. The tape-pulling-out element moving member50includes a press member53and a support member54. The press member53is provided at its one end with a press rib53A which presses the second member43on the side of the turning shaft44, and at its other end with a shaft53B which functions as a turning fulcrum of the press rib53A, and at its intermediate portion with a roller pin53C. The support member54supports the first member42, and prevents the tape-pulling-out element40from rotating when the second member43on the side of the turning shaft44is pressed by the press rib53A. The support member54is provided at its lower surface with a pin, and if the pin slides in the groove, this exhibits a guide function when the tape-pulling-out element moving member50moves toward and away from the tape cassette2. At a position where the tape-pulling-out element moving member50is most separated from the tape cassette2, the support member54turns in the counterclockwise direction through a predetermined angle, thereby turning the tape-pulling-out element40in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the support member54moves the tape-pulling-out element40into the groove5smoothly.

A guider55is disposed between the tape-pulling-out element moving member50and the loading lever30. The guider55is formed with a guide surface55A formed on its side on the side of the tape-pulling-out element moving member50. The guide surface55A limits movement of the roller pin53C. The guider55can turn through a predetermined angle around the rotation shaft55B. The guider55is biased toward the loading lever30by the elastic member55D.

The loading lever30is provided at its end on the side of the guider55with a press member34. The press member34presses the elastic member55D by moving the loading lever30toward the tape-pulling-out element moving member50. If the elastic member55D is pressed by the press member34, a free end of the guider55moves toward the tape-pulling-out element moving member50.

The tape threading motion will be explained usingFIGS. 1 to 8.

FIG. 1shows a state of the tape cassette2before loading.

If this apparatus detects the insertion of the tape cassette2into the cassette holder3, the loading motor32starts rotating. The rotation of the loading motor32is transmitted to the loading lever30by the gear33and the rack31, and the loading lever30moves toward the tape-pulling-out element40. The cassette holder3moves together with the loading lever30. If the tape cassette2moves to a position above the cartridge reel10, a portion of the cassette holder3moves the tape cassette2toward the base1, and drive teeth (not shown) provided on a back surface of the tape cassette2are engaged with the cartridge reel10.

By engaging the tape cassette2with the cartridge reel10, the loading motion is completed.FIG. 2shows a position of the loading lever30in this state. In a state where the loading of the tape cassette2is completed, the door of the tape cassette2is opened. The end of the tape accommodated in the tape cassette2is provided with the connection element (not shown), and this connection element is guided to a location near the door.

The loading lever30is moved to a location shown inFIG. 3from the state shown inFIG. 2which shows the state where the loading operation of the tape cassette2is completed. The loading motor32moves the loading lever30to the position shown inFIG. 3and is stopped.

In the state shown inFIG. 3, the press member34of the loading lever30pushes the elastic member55D, and a free end of the guider55is moved toward the tape-pulling-out element moving member50. If the guider55moves, the position of the roller pin53C is limited by the guide surface55A.

The tape-pulling-out element moving motor51starts driving from the state shown inFIG. 3. If the tape-pulling-out element moving motor51is driven, the tape-pulling-out element moving member50is moved toward the tape cassette2.

If the tape-pulling-out element moving member50is moved, the roller pin53C is moved along the guide surface55A. As the roller pin53C approaches the tape cassette2, the guide surface55A approaches the tape-pulling-out element moving member50and thus, the roller pin53C approaches the tape-pulling-out element moving member50. If the roller pin53C is displaced, the press rib53A moves toward the tape-pulling-out element40. The press rib53A presses the side of the second member43. If the press rib53A presses the second member43, the second member43turns around the turning shaft44. The recess43A of the second member43moves away from the recess42A of the first member42and the recess42A is opened.

The tape-pulling-out element moving motor51moves the tape-pulling-out element moving member50and stops until the recess42A of the first member42of the tape-pulling-out element40is inserted into the cassette2.FIG. 4shows this state.

In the state shown inFIG. 4, the recess42A of the first member42is abutted against the connection element8.

From the state shown inFIG. 4, the loading motor32is driven by reverse rotation, and the loading lever30is retreated. If the loading lever30is retreated, the pressing force of the press member34of the loading lever30against the guider55is released. Therefore, since the free end of the guider55moves toward the loading lever30, the pressing force of the press rib53A against the second member43is released. Since the pressing force of the press rib53A against the second member43is released, the second member43turns around the turning shaft44, the recess43A of the second member43approaches the recess42A of the first member42and the recess42A is closed. Next, the tape-pulling-out element moving motor51starts driving by reverse rotation. By reversely rotating the tape-pulling-out element moving motor51, the tape-pulling-out element moving member50starts moving away from the tape cassette2.

Therefore, the connection element8is disposed in a closed space formed by the recess42A of the first member42and the recess43A of the second member43. That is, the connection element8is sandwiched and held between the recess42A of the first member42and the recess43A of the second member43.FIG. 5shows this state.

From the state shown inFIG. 5, the tape-pulling-out element moving motor51keeps driving by the reverse rotation. If the tape-pulling-out element moving motor51keeps driving by the reverse rotation, the tape-pulling-out element moving member50further moves away from the tape cassette2.

FIGS. 6 and 7show a state where the movement of the tape-pulling-out element moving member50away from the tape cassette2is completed. As shown inFIG. 6, a tape9accommodated in the tape cassette2is pulled out together with the connection element8. In a state where the movement of the tape-pulling-out element moving member50away from the tape cassette2is completed, the turning shaft recess52is in a position continuous with the end of the track groove5. In this position, the support member54is turned in the counterclockwise direction through a predetermined angle, thereby turning the tape-pulling-out element40in the counterclockwise direction, and the tape-pulling-out element40smoothly moves toward the groove5.

From the state shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the tape threading motion is started.

The tape threading motion is carried out by rotating the drive reel20. At the time of the tape threading motion, the reel hub21is released from a drive system of the drive reel20, and rotation of the reel hub21is limited by the pin61.

The reader tape41is reeled up around the drive shaft of the drive reel20by the rotation of the drive reel20. By the reeling up motion of the reader tape41around the drive shaft of the drive reel20, the tape-pulling-out element40is pulled by the reader tape41. Therefore, the both ends of the turning shaft44of the tape-pulling-out element40move toward the track grooves5from the turning shaft recess52, and slide in the track grooves5.FIG. 8shows this state.

FIG. 8shows a state where the turning shaft44of a tape-pulling-out element40A moves from the turning shaft recess52to the track groove5, a tape-pulling-out element40B moves to an intermediate portion of the track groove5, and a tape-pulling-out element40C moves to a location close to the reel hub21of the drive reel20. By sequentially moving the tape-pulling-out element like the tape-pulling-out element40A, the tape-pulling-out element40B and the tape-pulling-out element40C, the tape9accommodated in the tape cassette2can be pulled out and introduced to the reel hub21.

FIGS. 9 to 11show action after the tape-pulling-out element40reaches the drive reel20.FIGS. 9 to 11are sectional views of an upper surface showing an essential portion of the drive reel20.

First, before explaining the action, a structure in the reel hub21will be explained usingFIGS. 9 to 12.FIG. 12is an exploded perspective view of the drive reel.

A lock member70is provided in a space between the drive shaft24and the reel hub21.

The lock member70includes a lock member rotation shaft71provided on the reel hub21, an element abutment portion72which is turned around the lock member rotation shaft71through a predetermined angle, a biasing member73which biases the element abutment portion72toward the hub opening21A, and a lock pin74projects in the axial direction of the drive shaft24. Here, the lock pin74is provided on a member main body extending from the lock member rotation shaft71to the element abutment portion72, and is biased in the axial direction of the drive shaft24by a spring75.

The drive shaft24is provided at its outer periphery with a fitting hole24A into which the lock pin74can be inserted. As shown inFIG. 12, the drive shaft24is provided at its end with a connection shaft24B. The connection shaft24B is fastened to the reel hub21. In a state where the lock pin74is inserted into the fitting hole24A, the connection shaft24B is connected to the drive shaft24and is rotated in unison with the drive shaft24, but in a state where the lock pin74is not inserted into the fitting hole24A, the connection with respect to the drive shaft24is released, and the rotation of the drive shaft24is not transmitted.

The hub opening21A is provided with a positioning piece80which is a separate member from the reel hub21. The tape-pulling-out element40is guided to a predetermined position by the positioning piece80and is fixed to the position. A tip end of the lock pin74is formed into an arc shape so that the lock pin74can smoothly be fitted into the fitting hole24A.

Action after the tape-pulling-out element40reaches the drive reel20will be explained usingFIGS. 9 to 11.

FIG. 9shows a state before the tape-pulling-out element40reaches the hub opening21A.

In the state shown inFIG. 9, the element abutment portion72is biased toward the hub opening21A by the biasing member73, and the lock pin74is separated from the drive shaft24.

If the leader tape41is reeled up into the reel hub21, the tape-pulling-out element40is pulled into the hub opening21A. The tape-pulling-out element40which was pulled into the hub opening21A is attracted by the magnet25A, and the reeling up operation of the leader tape41is completed. This state is shown inFIG. 10.

In the state shown inFIG. 10, the element abutment portion72turns around the lock member rotation shaft71through a predetermined angle, and the element abutment portion72is displaced from the hub opening21A toward the drive shaft24. The lock pin74is biased toward the drive shaft24by the displacement of the element abutment portion72. In this state, the tape-pulling-out element40closes the hub opening21A, and a terminal end surface of the tape-pulling-out element40, i.e., an end surface of the tape-pulling-out element40to which the coupling element8is mounted is disposed such that it is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub21.

The above-described action is carried out by normal rotation of the drive shaft24.

If it is detected that the tape-pulling-out element40closes the hub opening21A, the rotation of the drive shaft24is stopped. The lock pin74is inserted into the fitting hole24A by reversely rotating the drive shaft24through a predetermined angle. It is preferable that the drive shaft24is reversely rotated in a range of rotation angle of 90 to 120°.

In the state shown inFIG. 11, the connection shaft24B is connected to the drive shaft24and is rotated in unison with the drive shaft24. As shown inFIG. 11, if the lock pin74is inserted into the fitting hole24A, the rotation of the drive shaft24is stopped.

If the connection shaft24B and the drive shaft24are connected to each other, the drive shaft24is connected to the reel hub21and the reel flange22.

If the drive shaft24is connected to the reel hub21and the reel flange22, the lock motor60is operated, and the pin61retreats from the flange groove22.

With the above action, the tape threading operation is completed. By normally rotating the drive reel20, the magnetic tape is reeled up.

According to the embodiment, if the tape-pulling-out element40is pulled into the hub opening21A, the lock member70functions, and the drive shaft24and the reel hub21are connected to each other. Therefore, no load is applied to the leader tape41after the tape-pulling-out element40is pulled into the hub opening21A.

According to the embodiment, the fact that the tape-pulling-out element40is pulled into the hub opening21A is detected by the displacement of the element abutment portion40from the hub opening21A toward the drive shaft24. Therefore, the lock member70can reliably function.

According to the embodiment, since the drive shaft24and the reel hub21are connected to each other by inserting the lock pin74into the fitting hole24A, the connecting operation can be carried out reliably.

According to the embodiment, the tape-pulling-out element40is inserted into the hub opening21A not only by using the leader tape41but also by utilizing the attraction force by the magnet25A. Therefore, the load on the leader tape41can be reduced, and it is possible to reliably guide the tape-pulling-out element40to a predetermined position.

According to the embodiment, the tape-pulling-out element40is introduced into the hub opening21A by normally rotating the drive shaft24, the lock pin74is biased to the drive shaft24by displacing the element abutment portion72by the tape-pulling-out element40, and then, lock pin74is inserted into the fitting hole24A by reversely rotating the drive shaft24, and the lock pin74can reliably inserted into the fitting hole24A. The drive shaft24and the reel hub21can be connected to each other reliably.

According to the embodiment, the drive shaft24is reversely rotated in the range of rotation angle of 90 to 120°. With this, slack of the leader tape41in the reel hub21can be reduced. Therefore, a force applied to the tape-pulling-out element40caused by slack of the leader tape41can be prevented, and it is possible to avoid a case in which the tape-pulling-out element40is deviated from a predetermined position.

According to the embodiment, if it is detected that the lock pin74is inserted into the fitting hole24A, a lock motor60is driven to release a pin61which prevents the reel hub21from rotating and then, the drive shaft24is normally rotated, thereby normally rotating the reel hub21together with the drive shaft24. Therefore, procedure can reliably be shifted to the recording and reproducing action.

According to the embodiment, a load caused by tension of the leader tape41is eliminated also when the magnetic tape is reeled up, and the tape reeling up operation can be carried out stably.

The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and the tape threading method of this invention are suitable for an apparatus such as a linear type open system, and such apparatus is especially useful as a network tape storage.