Patent ID: 7134624

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; an outer hub disposed about the inner hub and having an opening through which the flexible leader extends; and 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; 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; further comprising a locking element on at least one of the inner hub and the outer hub, and 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.