Patent GB-1528903-A (GB)
Title: Continuous loop tape cartridges
IPC: G11B23/07
Filed: 1974-10-01
Abstract: 1528903 Tape cartridge RACAL ZONAL CASSETTES Ltd 30 Sept 1975 [1 Oct 1974 (2)] 42550/74 and 42553/74 Heading B8M (Part B) A tape-pack carrier in a tape cartridge, comprises a hub for receiving the tape as a pack coiled therearound, an opening 16 in a peripheral wall 12 of the hub for the tape to be pulled through the innermost turn of the pack causing the pack to rotate around the hub, and a supporting means, e,g. a flange 22 extending radially from the hub for supporting the tape pack. The carrier is adapted to be mounted non- rotatably in a cartridge, the tape being spliced into an endless loop to pass from the opening in the hub over external guide means 42, 38, 36 and back on to the pack as the outermost turn. As shown in Fig. 1, the opening 16 is an inclined slot through which the innermost turn of the tape passes into a recess 18 in which it twists through an angle of up to 90 degrees before passing over a running surface 20 and 42, the latter maintaining the tape clear of the hub and optionally also of the surface 20 prior to twisting back into the plane of the hub axis and passing round a fixed post 38 and a rotatably mounted wheel 36 before returning to the pack. Supporting ribs 24 may be provided on the flange 22 and also optionally on the post 38. The wheel 36 may co-operate with a capstan drive (not shown) while the tape is sensed by a head cooperating with an edge aperture 32a in the cartridge. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown), provision is made for the capstan drive to enter through a hole in the base of the cartridge, the tape loop passing between the capstan and the edge of the cartridge. The hub may be formed as a single moulding, e.g. of polyacetal, of which the surfaces 12 and 24 may be provided with electroplated or sputtered coatings to reduce friction with the tape, as may surfaces 42 and 38. The post 38 may be moulded integrally with the hub. Vacuum suction holes and a splicing means may be provided on the hub. The portion A of the hub is at a lower level than the portion 10a, to facilitate positioning of the inner end of the tape in the opening 16 prior to winding. For winding the tape, the end of the latter is approached laterally and in a plane perpendicular to the hub axis to the portion 10a and over the portion A of the hub until the edge of the tape strikes the portion 10a whereupon it is deflected into the preferably inclined opening. The end of the tape in the opening is held in position preferably by suction and the hub mated with a rotatable flange having axially extending D-section pins adapted to engage in recesses 12a in the hub, the curved surface of the pins being rotated outwardly to force the inner winding of the tape away from the peripheral wall of the hub, and the combination rotated to wind the tape to form a pack about the peripheral wall and confined between the flange of the winding device and the flange 22. When winding is finished, the two ends of the tape may be spliced together, and the resulting loop held in a configuration corresponding to the tape path through the cartridge. The cartridge is then approached to the loaded hub and the latter positioned thereon, with the tape loop being positioned over the guides 42, 38 and 36. The flange pins on the winding device are then rotated through 180 degrees to be flush with the peripheral wall, and withdrawn. A lid 34 of the cartridge may include ribs corresponding to the ribs 24 to constrain the tape pack. The tape may be lubricated. The material from which the hub is moulded may contain antistatic or antifriction fillers.