Patent GB-813792-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record tape containers
IPC: G03B21/32
Filed: 1955-12-30
Abstract: 813,792. Magnetic recording apparatus. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES Ltd. (Bell Telephone Manufacturing Co. S.A.). Dec. 28, 1956 [Dec. 30, 1955], No. 37418/55. Class 40 (2). [Also in Groups XVI and XIX] A magnetic record tape store comprises a flat container 2 having an internal width slightly greater than the width of the tape 1 which circulates as an endless loop and is contained therein in successive folds, a driving device 6 for the tape having a spaced inlet and outlet at one end of the store, means for pneumatically directing the tape to the other end of the store as it leaves the outlet, and a conveyer 20 at the bottom of the container for returning the tape to the driving device end of the container. As shown, an endless record tape, e.g. for use in a magnetic recording machine, is stored in loops formed in the container 2 having a slidable window 3. The tape is drawn past a magnetic recording or reading head 8 by a feed roller 6 co-operating with a curved member 7 to feed or stop the tape in the manner described in Speci, fication 759,066. The roller 6 is driven continuously by a pulley 12. The roller has a perforated periphery 13 connected by a mouth 14 with a plug 15, Fig. 3, connected to a control valve, not shown. while the member 7 is connected with a plug 16 also connected to the control valve. Normally, i.e. during tape feeding, the roller 6, Fig. 1, is supplied with suction through the control valve, while the member 7 is supplied with compressed air. However, the connections may be reversed to supply compressed air to the roller 6 and suction to the member 7 in order to stop the tape. Compressed air blown through a pipe 10 smooths the tape prior to passage past the head 8 during which passage the tape is held in engagement with the head by compressed air from a pipe 9. Compressed air from a pipe 11 impinging on an inclined plate 25 guides the tape in a flat path after leaving the roller 6, while a further pipe 18 supplies compressed air to the top of the tape to prevent it adhering to the top of the container. The pipes 9, 10, 11 and 18 are connected to a source of compressed air through a plug 19, Fig. 3. The tape drops in folds on to the smooth conveyer belt 20, Fig. 1, which feeds the folds towards the end of the container having the head 8. The conveyer belt 20 passes around a pulley 22 and a pulley 21 driven by a pulley 23. A plurality of containers may be mounted side-by-side on a chassis having a base 26, Fig. 4, carrying frame members 27, 28 connected by cross-pieces 29, 30. The base supports shafts 31, 32 and 33 carrying wheels 34, 35 serving as rolling tracks for the containers 2. Further wheels 38, 39 guide the container in a vertical plane. During insertion of a container into the chassis a platform 42 is lowered from a vertical position to the horizontal position shown in which wheels 43, 44 on the platform are in alignment with the wheels 34, 35. The container is locked in position the chassis by a holding pawl 48. such that the plugs 15, 16 and 19 engage a multiple socket 51, 52, 53 on a plate 41. Shafts 56, 57 carry pulleys 58, 59 respectively. The pulley 58 drives the pulley 12, Figs. 1 and 3, through a roller 60, Fig. 4. The pulley 59 drives the pulley 23, Figs. 1 and 3, through a roller 61, Fig. 4, carried by a lever 64. The lever 64 is rocked by a lever 65, to bring the roller 61 into engagement with the pulleys 59 and 23, upon energization of a solenoid 74. The solenoid 74 is energized to drive the belt 20 only when it is desired to record data or read data from the tape 1 within a particular container mounted on the chassis. Tape is introduced into the container 2 by sliding the window 3 towards the right, as seen in Fig. 1, and removing the member 7. Tape is then partially unwound from a carrying spool, not shown, introduced through a slot adjacent the head 8 and passed around the roller 6. The member 7 is replaced and the window 3 closed. The required length of tape is then drawn into the container by rotation of the roller 6 and the ends of the tape are joined together to form an endless band. In operation, a photo-electric cell 78 detects the join to interrupt the operation of the head 8 during the passage of the join past the head 8.