Patent GB-1345173-A (GB)
Title: Tape reel and tape reel storing magazine
IPC: G11B23/107
Filed: 1971-04-19
Abstract: 1345173 Tape reels MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO Ltd 19 April 1971 [8 April 1970 (4) 24 Aug 1970 (4) 18 Sept 1970 19 Oct 1970 30 Nov 1970 (3) 2 Dec 1970 (2)] 26386/71 Heading B8M [Also in Division G5] A leader tape 14, of greater width than the recording tape to which it is attached, is supported on a tape reel 2 by means of a holding member 7 provided at the outer peripheral portion of at least one of the flanges of the reel, the holding member 7 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outwardly extending projections, the free end of which projections extend axially inwards to hold the leader tape 14 on the reel 2. The projections of the holding member 7 may be formed by providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced cut-outs 7<SP>1</SP> on the outer peripheral portion of the flange, but are preferably formed on a separate member which is attached to the flange. The separate member comprises an attachment portion 30 and two slanting portions 10, 11 forming a projection 12 pointing toward the other flange. The member 7 is resilient to releasably hold the leader tape 14. Such a holding member 7 may be provided on each flange, but in a preferred embodiment, the other flange is provided with a recess 8 at its peripheral portion defining a shoulder 9 against which the leader tape 14 abuts. The recess 8 may be provided with an annular groove coaxial with the reel or with a plurality of indentations on its surface. The leader tape is stored on the reel 2 such that there is a space A between the tape wound on the reel and the leader tape, this reduces adverse forces acting on the tape during unwinding. In a further embodiment, the peripheral portion of the flange is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cut-outs, and the holder member 7 comprises a resilient disc having a plurality of projecting fingers with projecting end portions 41 which engage one in each cut-out of the flange and extend beyond the surface of the recess formed at the peripheral portion of the flange.  A magazine for use with the tape reel of the invention comprises a casing 1 having an opening 4 for reversibly passing the tape 13 and tape leader 14 into and out of the tape reel 2, means 17 for disengaging the leader tape 14 from the holding means 7 when the reel is rotated in the unwinding direction, and a resilient press member 22 so arranged that it inwardly presses the tape held on the reel, but it does not contact with the tape 13 when the leader tape 14 has been unwound. The disengaging means 17 preferably comprises a leaf spring pivoted in the casing at 18 and engaged by a post 19 in the casing to press against the leader tape 14. A passage 33 is formed in the casing 1 adjacent the opening 4. The member 17 may be biased towards the centre of the reel to prevent the tape 13 contacting the walls of the casing. The leading end 14<SP>1</SP> of the leader tape 14 may be of smaller width than the rest of the leader tape to produce a projecting free end not engaged by the holding member 7. The press member 22 comprises a spring member fixed to the casing at 23 at one end and having the other end 24 engaging an abutment 36 in the casing to limit deflection of the member 22 is that it presses against the leader tape 14 wound on the reel, but not on the tape 13 wound on the reel. In a further embodiment, the press member comprises a similar pivoted member 22 which is biased towards the reel by a separate spring. The leader tape 14 may be provided with a narrower free end having a plurality of projections on the surface thereof whereby the rigidity of the leader tape end is increased. This free end is not held by the holding member 7 of the reel and the leader tape may be disengaged by provision of a projecting wall in the casing adjacent the opening 4. In this case the resilient leaf spring is not provided.