Patent ID: 7349176

Claim:
A magnetic tape data transfer apparatus for use with a first width magnetic tape having a first width and a second width magnetic tape having a second width that is less than said first width, said apparatus comprising: a rotary scanning drum having at least one scanning head; a tape cartridge positioning structure for positioning a magnetic tape cartridge containing said magnetic tape at a predetermined location with respect to a reference surface such that the said magnetic tape contained therein projects above said reference surface by a distance proportional to the said width thereof; and a tape guide system for guiding the magnetic tape, wherein when in use, said tape guide system is moved past said rotary scanning drum during a scanning process, said tape guide system comprising a first tape guide connected to an arm, said first tape guide having a free end, a guide surface that has length corresponding substantially to said first width, and said arm being mounted on an elongate member so as to be rotatable between a first limit position and a second limit position about an axis of rotation defined by the elongate member, said elongate member being inclined with respect to said arm such that said rotation causes the arm to move axially along said elongate member, said first tape guide having a non-deployed position in which said free end projects above said reference surface a first distance that is not substantially greater than said distance by which said second width tape projects above said reference surface and being movable from said non-deployed position along a predetermined path to a deployed position at which said guide surface engages the magnetic tape for guiding the tape during said scanning process, said predetermined path being defined by rotation of said arm in one direction between said first limit position and said second limit position and said axial movement of said arm along said elongate member imparting a vertical component to said movement along said predetermined path, whereby at said deployed position said free end projects above said reference surface a second distance which is greater than said first distance such that when the magnetic tape cartridge at said predetermined location contains said first width magnetic tape the full length of the guide surface engages the magnetic tape.