Abstract:
An improved tape drive ( 10 ) includes a cartridge receiver ( 18 ) and a buckler ( 20 ). The cartridge receiver ( 18 ) receives a cartridge ( 22 ) having a cartridge leader ( 28 ). The buckler ( 20 ) selectively retains a drive leader ( 32 ) of the tape drive ( 10 ). The tape drive ( 10 ) and cartridge ( 22 ) include a buckle ( 30 ) that securely couples the drive leader ( 32 ) of the tape drive ( 10 ) to the cartridge leader ( 28 ) of the cartridge ( 22 ). The buckler ( 20 ) includes one or more buckler retainers ( 96 ) and a deflector ( 121 ). The buckler retainers ( 96 ) selectively engage the drive leader ( 32 ) and move the drive leader ( 32 ) relative to the cartridge leader ( 28 ) to couple the drive leader ( 32 ) to the cartridge leader ( 28 ). The deflector ( 121 ) selectively deflects a portion of the drive leader ( 32 ) during buckling to enhance the reliability of buckling with certain types of cartridges ( 22 ). Because, the drive leader ( 32 ) is not deflected all of the time, the drive leader ( 32 ) is less likely to permanently deform and the drive leader ( 32 ) is less likely to weaken and fail.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/149,759, filed Sep. 8,1998 U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,310, issued on Oct. 26, 1999, and entitled “Positive Engagement Buckle For A Tape Drive and Cartridge”. This Application is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/276,330, filed on Mar. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,754 and entitled “Buckler For A Tape Drive”, which is currently pending. The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,310, and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/276,330 are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tape drives and cartridges that use a storage tape to store and transfer data. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tape drive having an improved buckler for buckling and unbuckling a cartridge leader on the storage tape to a drive leader of the tape drive. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tape drives are widely used for storing information in a digital form. These tape drives commonly use a storage tape having a thin film of magnetic material which receives the information. Typically, the storage tape is moved between a pair of spaced apart reels, past a data transducer to record or read back information from the storage tape. 
     In one type of tape drive, one of the reels is part of the tape drive, while the other reel is part of a removable cartridge. For this type of tape drive, the reel that is a part of the tape drive is commonly referred to as a take-up reel, while the reel that is a part of the cartridge is commonly referred to as a cartridge reel. With this system, upon insertion of the cartridge into the tape drive, it is necessary to couple the storage tape on the cartridge reel to the take-up reel of the tape drive. Subsequently, the storage tape must be uncoupled from the take-up reel, prior to removing the cartridge from the tape drive system. 
     Typically, a cartridge leader on the storage tape is automatically coupled to a drive leader that is connected to the take-up reel during insertion of the cartridge into the tape drive. The procedure of connecting the drive leader with the cartridge leader is commonly referred to as “buckling” or “coupling”. Subsequently, during ejection of the cartridge, the cartridge leader is unbuckled from the drive leader. 
     FIG. 1A illustrates a prior art cartridge leader  10 P coupled to a prior art drive leader  12 P. In this embodiment, the cartridge leader  10 P includes a hoop  14 P and a notch  16 P, while the drive leader  12 P includes a mushroom shaped tab  18 P having a nose  20 P and a neck  22 P. The hoop  14 P is dimensioned to enable the nose  20 P and the neck  22 P of the drive leader  12 P to pass therethrough. The notch  16 P is dimensioned to receive the neck  22 P, but prevent the nose  20 P from passing therethrough. 
     FIG. 1B illustrates a prior art buckler  24 P that automatically couples the prior art cartridge leader  10 P of a cartridge  26 P to the prior art drive leader  12 P. With this system, the prior art buckler  24 P has a single, finger type hook  28 P that fits into a drive leader aperture  30 P (illustrated in FIG. 1A) in the drive leader  12 P. The buckler  24 P also includes a protrusion  32 P that deflects the nose  20 P towards the cartridge  26 P. The buckler  24 P rotates to couple and uncouple the drive leader  12 P to the cartridge leader  10 P. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,662,049 and 4,720,913 provide a detailed discussion of this type of tape buckling arrangement. 
     Unfortunately, this type of tape buckling arrangement is not completely satisfactory. More specifically, over time, the protrusion  32 P can permanently deform the nose  20 P of the drive leader  12 P. As a result thereof, the drive leader  12 P may have difficulty passing along the tape path to the take-up reel. 
     In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an easy and accurate way to reliably couple and de-couple a storage tape of a cartridge to a take-up reel of a tape drive. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved buckler and buckle for a tape drive. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tape drive that is compatible with prior art cartridges. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tape drive system having a buckler and buckle that are relatively easy and cost efficient to manufacture and utilize. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a tape drive that satisfies these objectives. The tape drive includes an improved buckler that couples a drive leader of the tape drive to a cartridge leader of a cartridge. As provided herein, the buckler includes a buckler retainer and a deflector. The buckler retainer selectively retains the drive leader to couple the drive leader to the cartridge leader. The deflector selectively deflects the drive leader. 
     Preferably, the deflector only deflects a portion of the drive leader during buckling to increase the reliability of buckling with some types of cartridge leaders. In one of the embodiments provided herein, the drive leader includes a mushroom shaped tab that fits within a hoop in the cartridge leader. In this design, the deflector selectively deflects the tab to fit within the hoop during buckling. Alternately, if the drive leader is flexed at all times, the tab may take a permanent set. As a result thereof, the drive leader may have difficulty passing along the tape path to the take-up reel. 
     Further, the buckler retainer and the deflector each pivot relative to a pivot axis. Importantly, the buckler retainer initially pivots relative to the pivot axis at a different rate than the deflector. In one version of the present invention, the buckler includes a deflector attacher that extends between the deflector and the buckler retainer and allows the buckler retainer to pivot relative to the buckler deflector. This feature allows the buckler retainer to pull the drive leader against the deflector and deflect the tab of the drive leader. 
     The present invention is also a method for buckling a drive leader of a tape drive to a cartridge leader of a cartridge. The method includes the steps of providing a tape drive and selectively deflecting the drive leader by moving the buckler retainer relative to the deflector. 
     Importantly, the buckler and buckle provided herein enhance buckling reliability between the cartridge leader and the drive leader. This reduces the possibility of leader runaway. Additionally, the durability of the buckler and buckle is significantly improved. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
     FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a coupled, prior art cartridge leader and drive leader; 
     FIG. 1B is a top plan view of a prior art buckler and a portion of a prior art cartridge; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a tape drive and a cartridge, in partial cut-away, having features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective, partly cut-away view of a tape library having features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a cartridge having features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4B is a perspective view of another cartridge; 
     FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective views of a first embodiment of buckle during different stages of coupling; 
     FIGS. 5D-5F illustrate the relative position of the buckle during different stages of coupling; 
     FIG. 5G is a perspective view of a portion of the buckle of FIG. 5A coupled to a cartridge leader; 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a buckle having features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a portion of a buckle coupled to a cartridge leader; 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of a buckler having features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the buckler of FIG. 7A and 7B; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the buckler of FIG. 7A and 7B and a portion of a buckle; 
     FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate a rear perspective view of the buckler, a portion of a cartridge, a drive leader and a cartridge leader during alternate stages of coupling; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the interaction between the buckler and the buckle during the buckle process; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates the interaction between the buckler and the buckle during the unbuckling process; 
     FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate a rear perspective view of the buckler, a portion of a cartridge, the drive leader and a cartridge leader during alternate stages of coupling; 
     FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate the interaction between a load ring, a buckler and a buckler stop during alternate stages of coupling; 
     FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate perspective views of a second version of the buckler; 
     FIG. 16A illustrates a top plan view of the buckler of FIGS. 15A-15D; 
     FIG. 16B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the buckler of FIGS. 15A-15D; 
     FIG. 16C illustrates a bottom plan view of the buckler of FIGS. 15A-15D; 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a deflector attacher having features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18A illustrates a front perspective view of the buckler of FIGS. 15A-15D retaining a leader; 
     FIG. 18B illustrates a front perspective view of the buckler and leader of FIG. 18A with the buckler slightly rotated; and 
     FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate a top plan view, in partial cut-away of the buckler, a portion of a cartridge, and a drive leader during alternate stages of coupling. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to FIG. 2, a tape drive  10  having features of the present invention includes a drive housing  12 , a data transducer  14 , a take-up reel  16 , a cartridge receiver  18 , and a buckler  20 . The tape drive  10  is designed for use in conjunction with a cartridge  22  including a cartridge reel  24  and a storage tape  26  having a cartridge leader  28 . A buckle  30  (illustrated in FIGS. 5A-6B) secures a drive leader  32  of the tape drive  10  to the cartridge leader  28 . As provided in detail below, the buckler  20  moves the drive leader  32  relative to the cartridge leader  28  to automatically couple and uncouple the buckle  30  to attach the drive leader  32  to the cartridge leader  28 . 
     The buckler  20  provided herein selectively deflects a portion of the drive leader  32  during buckling to increase the reliability of buckling with some types of cartridge leaders  28 . Importantly, the buckler  20  only deflects a portion of the drive leader  32  during buckling. If a portion of the drive leader  32  is flexed at all times, then that portion of the drive leader  32  may take a permanent set. As a result thereof, the drive leader  32  may have difficulty passing along the tape path to the take-up reel  16 . Further, this may weaken drive leader  32 . 
     The tape drive  10  is typically installed within a computer (not shown), or a word processor (not shown). Alternately, referring to FIG. 3, the tape drive  10  can be utilized as part of a tape library  34 . In this embodiment, the tape library  34  includes a plurality of cartridges  22  which are retained in a multiple cartridge magazine  36 , a robotic cartridge handler  38  and a pair of tape drives  10 . The robotic cartridge handler  38  selectively retrieves one of the cartridges  22  from the cartridge magazine  36  and places the cartridge  22  within one of the tape drives  10 . A representative tape library  34  is sold under the trademark DLTstor™, by Quantum Corporation, the Assignee of the present invention. 
     A detailed description of the various components of a tape drive  10  is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,638, issued to Saliba, and assigned to Quantum Corporation, the Assignee of the present invention. The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,638 are incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, only the structural aspects of the tape drive  10  which are particularly significant to the present invention are provided herein. A representative tape drive  10  is sold by Quantum Corporation, under the trademark DLT™4000. 
     The drive housing  12  retains the various components of the tape drive  10 . The drive housing  12 , illustrated in FIG. 2, includes a base  40 , four spaced apart side walls  42  and a cover (not illustrated in FIG. 2 for clarity). The tape drive  10  includes a plurality of tape rollers  44  for guiding the storage tape  26  past the data transducer  14  and onto the take-up reel  16 . 
     The storage tape  26  stores data in a form that can be subsequently retrieved if necessary. A magnetic storage tape  26  is commonly used to store data in digital form. For conservation of space, the storage tape  26  has a tape width of preferably at least approximately one-half an inch (0.5 in). Alternately, for example, the storage tape  26  can have a tape width of between approximately four millimeters to eight millimeters (4.0 mm-8.0 mm). The storage tape  26  includes a storage surface on one side of the storage tape  26  for storing data. The storage surface is divided into a plurality of tracks (not shown). The storage tape  26  is initially retained on the cartridge reel  24  of the cartridge  22 . 
     FIG. 4A illustrates a rear perspective view of a cartridge  22  having features of the present invention. In FIG. 4A, the cartridge  22  includes a substantially rectangular cartridge housing  46  which encloses the cartridge reel  24  and the storage tape  26  (not shown in FIG.  4 A). The cartridge housing  46  includes a cartridge door (not shown for clarity) which pivots between an open door position in which the cartridge leader  28  is exposed and a closed door position. FIG. 4A illustrates that the cartridge housing  46  includes a cartridge stop  48  positioned near the cartridge reel  24  and a housing opening  50  in the cartridge housing  46 . The cartridge stop  48  is sized and positioned to prevent the portion of buckle  30  that is attached to the cartridge leader  28  from retracting onto the cartridge reel  24 . This maintains the buckle  30  outside the path of the storage tape  26  on the cartridge reel  24 . Further, this ensures that buckling occurs away from the storage tape  26  to prevent damage to the storage tape  26 . 
     FIG. 4B illustrates a rear perspective view of another cartridge  22 . In this embodiment, the cartridge leader  28  includes some of the features of the prior art cartridge leader  10 P discussed in the Background section of this Application. In particular, in this embodiment, the cartridge leader  28  includes a hoop  51 A and a notch  51 B that are somewhat similar to the hoop  14 P and notch  16 P illustrated in FIG.  1 A. 
     Referring back to FIG. 2, the cartridge receiver  18  is positioned within the drive housing  12  and selectively receives the cartridge  22 . The cartridge receiver  18  includes a protruding wall  52  that contacts the cartridge door (not shown) of the cartridge  22  during movement of the cartridge  22  in the cartridge receiver  18 . This causes the cartridge door to move from the closed door position to the open door position. 
     The buckle  30  secures the drive leader  32  of the tape drive  10  to the cartridge leader  28  of the cartridge  22 . The buckle  30  includes a first buckle component  54  attached to the drive leader  32  and a second buckle component  56  attached to the cartridge leader  28 . The buckle  30  reliably and securely couples the cartridge leader  28  to the drive leader  32 . This reduces the likelihood of leader runaway. 
     A number of alternate embodiments of the buckle  30  are illustrated in the FIGS. 5A-6B. In a first embodiment of the buckle  30 , the first buckle component  54  includes a bar-shaped, buckle bar  58  that is secured to the drive leader  32 . In this embodiment, the buckle bar  58  is a substantially straight piece of a rigid material, having a substantially circular cross section. The buckle bar  58  extends transversely across the drive leader  32 . The buckle bar  58  preferably has a bar length  60  which is greater than a leader width  62  of the drive leader  32 . Because the bar length  60  is greater than the leader width  62 , the buckle bar  58  has a pair of bar ends  64  which cantilever past opposed edges  65  of the drive leader  32 . Stated another way, the buckle bar  58  includes a first bar section  66  which extends away from one of the leader edges  65  and a second bar section  68  which extends away from the other leader edge  65  of the drive leader  32 . 
     In the first embodiment of the buckle  30 , the second buckle component  56  includes a pair of spaced apart bar receivers  70 . Each bar receiver  70  is sized and shaped to receive a portion of one of the bar sections  66 ,  68  to couple the drive leader  32  to the cartridge leader  28 . The use of two spaced apart bar receivers  70  ensures a reliable connection between the leaders  28 ,  32 . 
     FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate the first embodiment of the buckle  30 . As can best be seen with reference to FIG. 5A, each of the bar ends  64  of the buckle bar  58  is spherical shaped. Further, in this embodiment, the bar receivers  70  are secured together with a connector bar  72 , which is attached to the cartridge leader  28 . In this embodiment, the bar receivers  70  are spaced apart a receiver distance  74  by the connector bar  72 . 
     Preferably, the receiver distance  74  is greater than the leader width  62 . This allows the bar receivers  70  to engage the cartridge stop  48  (FIG. 4A) in the cartridge housing  46  to inhibit the cartridge leader  28  from being pulled back into the cartridge housing  46 . Further, this keeps the buckle  30  away from the cartridge reel  24  and out of the path of the storage tape  26  to protect the storage tape  26 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5F, each bar receiver  70  is sized and shaped to receive one of the bar ends  64 . Each of the bar receivers  70  is defined by a substantially rectangular receiver housing  76 . Each receiver housing  76  includes a channel  78  having a channel opening  80  and a channel end  82 . During coupling, the buckle bar  58  is inserted into the channel opening  80 . Subsequently, the buckle bar  58  is forced to slide in the channel  78  until the buckle bar  58  reaches the channel end  82 . 
     Preferably, each channel  78  includes a bump  84  that projects into the channel  78  near the channel end  82 . The bump  84  reliably holds the buckle bar  58  against the channel end  82 . In the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS. 5A-5F, each bump  84  is ramped shaped to facilitate movement over the bump  84 . Alternately, for example, each bump  84  could be semi-circular shaped. 
     Each channel  78  is wide enough to receive the buckle bar  58 . Further, the channels  78  are spaced apart so that a bottom of each channel  78  substantially contacts the bar ends  64  of the buckle bar  58  when the buckle bar  58  is placed in the channels  78 . 
     FIGS. 5D-5F illustrate the interaction between the first and second buckle components  54 ,  56  of the first embodiment of the buckle  30  during the buckling process. In particular, referring to FIG. 5E, the bar receivers  70  and the connector bar  72  can flex to allow the buckle bar  58  to pass over the bumps  84 . The flex illustrated in FIG. 5E is exaggerated to facilitate this discussion. 
     FIG. 5G illustrates another embodiment of the buckle  30 . In this embodiment, the drive leader  32  includes an alternate first buckle component  86  that allows the drive leader  32  to couple to another type of cartridge  22 . More specifically, the alternate first buckle component  86  allows the drive leader  32  to couple to a cartridge leader  28  that includes some of the features of the prior art cartridge leader  10 P discussed in the Background section of this Application. In particular, in this embodiment, the alternate first buckle component  86  allows the drive leader  32  to couple to a cartridge leader  28  having the hoop  51 A and the notch  51 B that are similar to the hoop  14 P and notch  16 P illustrated in FIG.  1 A. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5G, the alternate first buckle component  86  projects away from a distal end of the drive leader  32 . In this embodiment, the alternate first buckle component  86  is a mushroom shaped tab  87  that is adapted to engage the hoop  51 A and the notch  51 B of the cartridge leader  28 . The alternate first buckle component  86  includes a nose  88  which is dimensioned to fit through the hoop  51 A but not the notch  51 B. The alternate first buckle component  86  also includes a neck  90  that is designed to fit in both the hoop  51 A and notch  51 B. Thus, the alternate first buckle component  86  allows the tape drive  10  and the drive leader  32  to buckle with the cartridges  22  illustrated in FIG.  4 B. 
     Preferably, the drive leader  32  includes both the first buckle component  54  and the alternate first buckle component  86 . This feature allows the tape drive  10  to be compatible with the cartridge  22  illustrated in FIG.  4 A and the cartridge  22  illustrated in FIG.  4 B. Stated another way, the drive leader  32  is preferably designed to be compatible with two or more different styles of cartridges. 
     FIG. 6A illustrates yet another embodiment of the buckle  30 . Similar to the first embodiment discussed above, the buckle bar  58  is elongated, bar shaped and includes a pair of opposed bar ends  64 . In this embodiment, the spaced apart bar receivers  70  are again secured together with a connector bar  72  which is secured to the cartridge leader  28 . Again, the bar receivers  70  are spaced apart sufficiently to engage the cartridge stop  48  (illustrated in FIG. 4) in the cartridge housing  46  to inhibit the cartridge leader  28  from being pulled back into the cartridge housing  46 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the connector bar  72  and the bar receivers  70  are made as a uniform second buckle component  56 . The second buckle component  56  includes the relatively straight connector bar  72  with a pair of receiver bars  92  extending generally transversely to the connector bar  72 . Each bar receiver  70  is positioned at a distal end of each connector bar  72 . In this embodiment, each bar receiver  70  is a clasp that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the buckle bar  58 . Each clasp is hook shaped and substantially encircles a portion of one of the bar sections  66 ,  68 . A distal end  94  of each clasp includes an outwardly protruding lip which curves away from the receiver bar  92  to facilitate placement of the bar section  66 ,  68  within the clasp. In this embodiment, the bar receivers  70  are made of a spring like material having a circular cross section. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the drive leader  32  preferably also includes the alternate first buckle component  86  that projects away from the distal end of the drive leader  32 . The alternate first buckle component  86  engages the cartridge leader  28  and allows the tape drive  10  and the drive leader  32  to be compatible with the cartridge illustrated in FIG.  4 B. In this embodiment, the alternate first buckle component  86  is formed from the same wire as the buckle bar  58 . 
     The buckler  20  moves relative to the cartridge receiver  18  to couple and uncouple the buckle  30 . More specifically, the buckler  20  selectively retains and moves the drive leader  32  to couple the drive leader  32  to the cartridge leader  28 . A couple of alternate bucklers  20  are provided. In each of the embodiments illustrated herein, the buckler  20  selectively retains the drive leader  32  at the buckle bar  58 . Further, in each of the embodiments illustrated herein, the buckler  20  includes a pair of spaced apart, buckler retainers  96  that selectively retain the buckle bar  58  (illustrated in FIG.  9 ). More specifically, each buckler retainer  96  selectively engages one of the bar sections  66 ,  68  to selectively retain and move the drive leader  32 . 
     In each of the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the buckler  20  is positioned near a back of the cartridge receiver  18  and rotates relative to the cartridge receiver  18  on a buckler pin  98 . The buckler pin  98  is fixedly mounted to the base  40  of the drive housing  12 . In each of the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the buckler  20  includes a first component  100 , a second component  102 , a connector pin  104 , a connector spring  106 , a buckler spring  108 , and a deflector  121 . 
     FIGS. 7A-14D illustrate a first version of the buckler  20 . Referring initially to FIGS. 7A-9, the first component  100  includes (i) a tube shaped section  110  that pivots on the buckler pin  98 , and (ii) an upper arm  112 , an intermediate wall  113 , and a lower arm  114  that cantilever away from the tube shaped section  110  and rotate with the tube shaped section  110 . A buckler cam  115  cantilevers away from the lower arm  114 . The buckler cam  115  interacts with a ring cam  138  (illustrated in FIGS.  14 A- 14 D). Movement of the ring cam  138  causes the ring cam  138  to engage the buckler cam  115  to rotate the first component  100  around the buckler pin  98  as discussed below (illustrated in FIGS.  14 A- 14 D). 
     As best can be seen with reference to FIG. 7A, the buckler spring  108  is coiled around buckler pin  98 . Additionally, the buckler spring  108  is connected to the first component  100  and the base  40  (not shown in FIG.  7 A). The buckler spring  108  is biased to cause the buckler  20  to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction towards the cartridge receiver  18 . This causes the buckler  20  to be biased to rotate towards the cartridge receiver  18 . 
     The second component  102  is attached to, cantilevers away from and rotates relative to the first component  100  on the connector pin  104 . More specifically, the connector pin  104  extends through apertures in the upper arm  112 , the lower arm  114  and a proximal end of the second component  102  to connect the second component  102  to the first component  100 . The proximal end of the second component  102  includes a gap  116  that allows the connector spring  106  to encircle the connector pin  104 . 
     In the first embodiment of the buckler  20 , the connector spring  106  engages the first component  100  and the second component  102 . The connector spring  106  is biased to cause the second component  102  to rotate relative to the first component  100  in a clockwise direction away from the buckler pin  98 . Stated another way, the connector spring  106  is biased to inhibit the second component  102  from folding towards the first component  100 . 
     A distal end of the second component  102  includes a tapered lip  118  to protect the storage tape  26  from the buckler  20 . Additionally, a buckler tab  119  extends and cantilevers from the proximal end of the second component  102 . The buckler tab  119  interacts with a buckler stop  117  (illustrated in FIGS. 10C,  10 D,  14 A- 14 D) and causes the second component  102  and the buckler retainers  96  to move away from the drive leader  32 . Stated another way, the interaction between the buckler tab  119  and the buckler stop  117  causes the second component  102  to fold towards the first component  100  and the buckler pin  98 . 
     The spaced apart buckler retainers  96  extend away from opposed edges  120  of the second component  102  intermediate the distal end and the proximal end of the second component  102 . The design of the buckler retainers  96  can be varied. In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the buckler retainers  96  engage the buckle bar  58  at each bar section  66 ,  68 . As can best be seen with reference to FIG. 8, each buckle retainer  96  includes a channel shaped opening that is formed with a rear surface  122 , a bottom surface  124  and a front surface  126 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the outer edges of the buckle retainers  96  are spaced apart a buckler retainer outer distance  128  which is less than the bar length  60  and the receiver distance  74 . The inner edges of the buckler retainers  96  are spaced apart a buckler retainer inner distance  130  that is greater than the leader width  62 . This allows the buckler retainers  96  to be positioned near the leader edges  65  to retain the buckle bar  58 . 
     The deflector  121  extends away from the second component  102  between the buckler retainers  96  and the tapered lip  118 . The deflector  121  facilitates buckling with the cartridge leader  28  and the cartridge  22  illustrated in FIG.  4 B. In the first embodiment of the buckler  20 , the deflector  121  is integrally formed with and moves with the second component  102 . In this embodiment, referring to FIGS. 9 and 13A, the deflector  121  supports the tab  87  of the alternate first buckle component  86 . More specifically, the deflector  121  deflects the tab  87  to obtain maximum penetration of the tab  87  into the hoop  51 A and the notch  51 B of the cartridge  22  illustrated in FIG.  4 B. Stated another way, the deflector  121  holds the tab  87  outward and in the correct position. This allows the hoop  51 A of the cartridge  22  illustrated in FIG. 4B to fit around the tab  87  during insertion of the cartridge  22  in the cartridge receiver  18 . 
     Additionally, the second component  102  can include a pair of spaced apart, ramped sections  125 . The ramped sections  125  are positioned on opposite sides of the deflector  121 . The ramped sections  125  form a part of the channel shaped opening of each bucker retainer  96 . 
     The interaction between the buckle retainers  96  and the buckle bar  58  during coupling and uncoupling can best be understood with reference to FIGS. 10A-12. In particular, FIGS. 10A-10D sequentially illustrate a rear perspective view of the buckler  20 , a portion of the cartridge  22 , the drive leader  32  and cartridge leader  28  during buckling. In particular, FIG. 10A illustrates the buckler  20  initially holding the buckle bar  58  so that the channel openings  80  of the bar receivers  70  slide over the buckle bar  58  when the cartridge  22  is inserted into the cartridge receiver  18 . FIG. 10B illustrates the buckler  20  rotating in a counter-clockwise direction away from the cartridge receiver  18  to pull the buckle bar  58  in each channel  78 . FIG. 10C illustrates the buckler  20  partly rotated away from the drive leader  32 . FIG. 10D illustrates the buckler  20  after it is rotated away from the drive leader  32  out of the path of the storage tape  26 . Importantly, as illustrated in FIG. 10C and 10D, the buckler tab  119  contacts the buckler stop  117  so that rotation of the buckler  20  causes the second component  102  to rotate towards the first component  100  to fold the buckler  20  and to disengage from the buckle bar  58 . Further, this causes the buckler  20  to rotate away from the path of the storage tape  26 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the relative position of the buckler  20  and the buckle bar  58  during various stages of buckling. In particular, the buckle bar  58  is initially in contact with the rear and bottom surfaces  122 ,  124  of each buckle retainer  96 . In this position, the buckle bar  58  is ready to slide into the channel openings  80  of the bar receivers  70  when the cartridge  22  is inserted into the cartridge receiver  18 . Next, rotation of the buckler  20  causes the buckle bar  58  to contact the front and bottom surfaces  126 ,  124  of each buckler retainer  96 . Subsequent movement of the buckler  20  causes the buckler retainers  96  to pull the buckle bar  58  in the channels  78  past the bumps  84  to the channel ends  82 . Subsequently, the buckle retainers  96  are moved away from the buckle bar  58  and the path of the storage tape  26 . 
     FIG. 12 illustrates the relative position of the buckler  20  and the buckle bar  58  during alternate stages of unbuckling. During the unbuckling process, rotation of the buckler  20  causes the deflector  121 , and subsequently the ramped sections  125 , to initially contact the buckle bar  58 . Next, additional movement of the buckler  20  causes the rear and bottom surfaces  122 ,  124  to contact the buckle bar  58  and move the buckle bar  58  past the bumps  84  and to the channel openings  80  of each bar receiver  70 . In this position, the cartridge  22  can be removed from the cartridge receiver  18 . 
     FIGS. 13A and 13B sequentially illustrate a rear perspective view of the first version of the buckler  20 , a portion of a cartridge  22 , the drive leader  32  and the cartridge leader  28  during buckling. In particular, FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate that the alternate first buckle component  86  is used to couple the drive leader  32  to the cartridge leader  28 . FIG. 13A highlights that the protrusion  121  supports the nose  88  of additional buckle component  86 . This allows the nose  88  to fit within the hoop  51 A of the prior art cartridge leader  28  when the cartridge  22  is inserted into the cartridge receiver  18 . Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, the buckler tab  119  of the buckler  20  is rotated against the buckler stop  117 . This causes the second component  102  to rotate towards the first component  100  and move out of the way of the path of the storage tape  26 . 
     As discussed above, rotation of the buckler  20  causes the buckler  20  to couple and decouple the drive leader  32  to the cartridge leader  28 . In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the buckler  20  is rotated around the buckler pin  98  by a buckler motor  132  (illustrated in FIG.  2 ). The design of the buckler motor  132  can be varied. For example, the buckler motor  132  illustrated is a small electric motor mounted to the drive housing  12 . 
     In order to precisely move the buckler  20 , the buckler motor  132  is mechanically linked to the buckler motor  132  with a gear train (not shown) and a load ring  134 . Basically, the gear train includes a plurality of gears that reduce rotation in the load ring  134  relative to the rotation of the buckler motor  132 . Thus, a relatively large amount of rotation in the buckler motor  132  is reduced by the gear train to a relatively small amount of rotation to the load ring  134 . The load ring  134  is positioned below and rotates relative to the cartridge receiver  18 . 
     FIGS. 14A-14D, illustrate the interaction between the load ring  134 , the first version of the buckler  20 , and the buckler stop  117  without the rest of the tape drive  10 . The load ring  134  is coupled to the buckler  20  and the buckler motor  132 , so that rotation of the buckler motor  132  results in rotation of the load ring  134  and the buckler  20  relative to the cartridge receiver  18 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14D, the load ring  134  is disk shaped and includes a plurality of load ring teeth  136 , and a ring cam  138 , which are positioned around and extend away a circumference of the load ring  134 . The load ring teeth  136  mesh with the teeth of the gear train so that rotation of the gear train results in rotation of the load ring  134 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the buckler  20  is initially retained in a locked position by a lock notch  140  on the load ring  134 . Additionally, in this position, the buckler spring  108  urges the first component  100  towards the load ring  134 . Somewhat similarly, the connector spring  106  urges the second component  102  away from the buckler pin  98 . Referring to FIGS. 14B-14D, rotation of the load ring  134  in the counter-clockwise direction results in interference between the ring cam  138  and the buckler cam  115  of the buckler  20 . This causes rotation of the buckler  20  against the urging of the buckler spring  108  and engagement of the drive leader  32  and the cartridge leader  28 . Additional rotation of the buckler  20  causes the buckler tab  119  to engage the buckler stop  117 . This results in the second component of the buckler  20  rotating away from the buckle bar  58  and the second component  102  folding, against the urging of the connector spring  106  towards the first component  100 . 
     FIGS. 15A-16C illustrate a second version of a buckler  20  having features of the present invention. More specifically, FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate alternate perspective views of the second version of the buckler  20 , FIG. 16A illustrates a top plan view of the second version of the buckler  20 , FIG. 16B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second version of the buckler  20  and FIG. 16C illustrates a bottom plan view of the second version of the buckler  20 . 
     The second version of the buckler  20  is somewhat similar to the first version of the buckler  20  described above and illustrated in FIGS. 7A-14D. However, in the second version, the deflector  121  is separate from and moves relative to the second component  102 . Thus, with this design, the deflector  121  is able to selectively deflect a portion of the drive leader  32  during buckling to increase the reliability of buckling with some types of cartridge leaders  28 . Importantly, the deflector  121  only deflects a portion of the drive leader  32  during buckling. In this design, the deflector  121  selectively deflects the tab  87  to fit within the hoop  51 A during buckling. 
     Alternately, if a portion of the drive leader  32  is flexed at all times, then that portion of the drive leader  32  may take a permanent set. As a result thereof, the drive leader  32  may have difficulty passing along the tape path to the take-up reel  16 . Further, this may weaken drive leader  32 . 
     As an overview, the second component  102  and the buckler retainers  96  move relative to the deflector  121  to pull the drive leader  32  against the deflector  121 . Further, the second component  102 , the buckler retainers  96  and the deflector  121  each pivot relative to the first component  100  on a pivot axis  142 . Stated another way, the second component  102  and the buckler retainers  96  initially pivot relative to the pivot axis  142  at a different rate than the deflector  121 . In the second version of the buckler  20 , the pivot axis  142  extends through the connector pin  104 . 
     In the second version, the deflector  121  includes a deflector attacher  144 , and a bumper  146  that extends away from the deflector attacher  144 . Further, the second component  102  includes a rectangular shaped deflector slot  147  that provides space for the bumper  146  to pass through the second component  102 . 
     The deflector attacher  144  attaches the bumper  146  to the second component  102  of the buckler  20 . Further, the deflector attacher  144  allows the buckler retainers  96  to pivot relative to the bumper  146 . FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a deflector attacher  144  having features of the present invention. In this embodiment, the deflector attacher  144  includes a bumper attachment area  148 , a pair of spaced apart, extension members  150  and a pair of spaced apart, attachment members  152 . 
     The bumper attachment area  148  is somewhat triangular shaped and includes a couple of bumper apertures  154  for securing the bumper  146  to the bumper attachment area  148 . Each of the extension members  150  is flat beam shaped and cantilevers away from the bumper attachment area  148 . Each of the attachment members  152  is flat and cantilevers away from one of the extension members  150  towards the bumper attachment area  148 . Each attachment member  152  includes an attachment aperture  156  for securing the deflector attacher  144  to the second component  102 . Referring to FIGS. 15A-16C, the deflector attacher  144  can be secured to the second component  102  with a pair of attachment pins  158 . 
     Preferably, the deflector attacher  144  is made of a resilient material such as spring steel. The deflector attacher  144  illustrated in the figures is preferably formed so that the bumper  146  extends almost between the attachment members  152  when the deflector attacher  144  is relaxed. 
     The bumper  146  is secured to and extends away from the bumper attachment area  148  of the deflector attacher  144 . The bumper  146  is positioned to selectively extend through the deflector slot  147  in the second component  102 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15A-16C, the bumper  146  includes a ramped engagement surface  160 . The engagement surface  160  engages the drive leader  32 . The bumper  146  can be attached to the bumper attachment area  148  with a pair of bumper attachment pins  162 . 
     It should be noted in this embodiment of the buckler  20 , that the connector spring  106  engages the first component  100  and the deflector  121 . More specifically, the connector spring  106  is a coiled spring having a first end  164  that engages the tube shaped section  110 , a coiled center  166  that encircles the connector pin  104 , and a second end  168  that engages the back of the bumper attachment area  148 . The connector spring  106  is biased to urge the bumper  146  to rotate relative to second component  102  and the first component  100  in a clockwise direction away from the buckler pin  98 . Stated another way, the connector spring  106  is biased to inhibit the deflector  121  and the second component  102  from folding towards the first component  100 . Importantly, the cooperation between the connector spring  106  and the deflector attacher  144  allows the deflector  121  to initially pivot at a different rate than the second component  102 . The interaction of the components of the second version of the buckler  20  can probably best be understood with reference to FIGS. 18A-19D. In particular, FIG. 18A illustrates a perspective view of the buckler  20  and the drive leader  32  with deflector  121  not bending the tab  87  and FIG. 18B illustrates a perspective view of the buckler  20  and the drive leader  32  with deflector  121  deflecting the tab  87 . 
     FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate the buckler  20 , the drive leader  32  and the cartridge  22  during alternate stages of buckling. A portion of the first component  100  and the second component  102  of the buckler  20  in FIGS. 19A and 19B are removed to reveal the interaction of the connector spring  106  and the deflector attacher  144 . Additionally, a portion of the first component  100  of the buckler  20  in FIGS. 19C and 19D is removed to reveal the interaction of the connector spring  106  and the deflector attacher  144 . 
     In particular, FIG. 19A illustrates the buckler  20  retaining the drive leader  32  prior to the cartridge  26 P being fully inserted into the tape drive  10  (not illustrated in FIG.  19 A). At this stage, the deflector  121  is not bending the tab  87  of the drive leader  32 . FIG. 19B illustrates the buckler  20  retaining the drive leader  32  with the cartridge  22  beginning to engage the second component  102  and the cartridge  22  still not fully inserted into the tape drive  10  (not illustrated in FIG.  19 B). At this stage, the deflector  121  is still not bending the tab  87  of the drive leader  32 . 
     FIG. 19C illustrates the buckler  20  retaining the drive leader  32  with the cartridge  22  partly engaging the second component  102  and the cartridge  22  still not fully inserted into the tape drive  10  (not illustrated in FIG.  19 C). At this stage, the cartridge  22  pushes against the second component  102  and the buckler retainers  96  of the buckler  20 . This causes the second component  102  and the buckler retainers  96  to rotate around the pivot axis  142  towards the deflector  121 . At this stage, the deflector attacher  144  allows the second component  102  to move relative to the bumper  146 . Further, the connector spring  106  urges the bumper  146  towards the cartridge  22 . Importantly, the movement of the buckler retainers  96  pulls the drive leader  32  towards the bumper  146  and causes the bumper  146  to deflect the tab  87 . 
     FIG. 19D illustrates the buckler  20  retaining the drive leader  32  with the cartridge  22  fully engaging the second component  102  and the cartridge  22  fully inserted into the tape drive  10  (not illustrated in FIG.  19 D). At this stage, the cartridge  22  further pushes against the second component  102  and the buckler retainers  96 . This causes the second component  102  and the buckler retainers  96  to rotate around the pivot axis  142  towards the deflector  121 . At this stage, the deflector attacher  144  allows the second component  102  to move further relative to the bumper  146  and the connector spring  106  urges the bumper  146  towards the cartridge  22 . Additionally, the movement of the buckler retainers  96  pulls the drive leader  32  towards the bumper  146  and causes the bumper  146  to fully deflect the tab  87 . FIG. 19D highlights that the deflector  121  pushes the nose  88  of additional buckle component  86  towards the cartridge  22 . This allows the nose  88  to fit within the hoop  51 A of the cartridge leader  28  when the cartridge  22  is fully inserted into the cartridge receiver  18 . 
     In summary, FIGS. 19A-19D highlight that the deflector  121  selectively deflects a portion of the drive leader  32  during buckling to increase the reliability of buckling with some types of cartridge leaders  28 . In this design, the deflector  121  only deflects a portion of the drive leader  32  during buckling. More specifically, the deflector  121  selectively deflects the tab  87  to fit within the hoop  51 A during buckling. 
     While the particular tape drive  12 , and buckler  20  as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.