Patent ID: 7338002

Claim:
A reel for a tape drive, the reel comprising: an inner hub operatively connectable to a motor; a flexible leader connected at a first end to the inner hub so as to be wound onto the inner hub when driven to rotate by the motor; a capture element, including a link connected to a second end of the flexible leader, for capturing an end of a tape to be wound onto the outer hub; an outer hub disposed about the inner hub and having an opening through which the flexible leader extends, wherein the outer hub is arranged on the inner hub to selectively be freely rotatable thereabout or locked against the inner hub to rotate with the inner hub; a locking element on at least one of the inner hub and the outer hub, that selectively locks the outer hub against the inner hub, wherein the locking element is on an outer circumference of the outer hub and responsive to pressure applied against the locking element to engage the inner hub, wherein the locking element has an engagement surface that engages against the inner hub when pressure is applied against the locking element, and wherein the engagement surface comprises a compliant material that produces a frictional engagement with the inner hub when pressure is applied against the locking element.