Patent ID: 6874720

Claim:
A data storage tape cartridge comprising: a housing forming a head access window; first and second tape reels rotatably maintained within the housing; a tape guide including a first curved tape-receiving surface defined by an entrance side and an exit side, the tape guide positioned within the housing such that the exit side is adjacent the window; a storage tape wound about and extending between the tape reels along a tape path defined in part by the tape-receiving surface; and a subambient pressure feature located along the tape path and adapted to induce frictional engagement between the storage tape and at least a portion of the tape-receiving surface at tape speeds of not less than 1 meter/second, wherein the subambient pressure feature includes a pin positioned along the tape path between a first one of the tape reels and the tape guide, the pin establishing an overwrap angle between the storage tape and the entrance side of the tape-receiving surface, a second curved tape-receiving surface positioned adjacent the head access window, opposite the first tape receiving surface; and a second pin positioned along the tape path between the second tape-receiving surface and the second tape reel to induce frictional engagement between the storage tape and at least a portion of the second tape-receiving surface at tape speeds of not less than 1 meter/second.