Patent ID: 7059555

Claim:
A tape reel assembly for a data storage tape cartridge, the cartridge configured to couple to a tape drive, the tape reel assembly comprising: a hub comprising an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper and lower flanges extending in a radial fashion from opposing sides of the hub, respectively, the hub including: a cylindrical core defining a drive side and a top side; an annular arm co-axially disposed exterior to and separated from the cylindrical core, the annular arm defining opposing end surfaces and a tape winding surface bisected by a center line into a top half opposite the drive side and a bottom half adjacent the drive side; and a web extending from the top side of the core and connecting to the top half of the annular arm, and further wherein the web is not contiguous with the end surfaces of the annular arm; wherein the upper and lower flanges exhibit symmetrical deformation upon application of a radial load to the tape winding surface.