Patent ID: 6906873

Claim:
A threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, comprising: a first circuit comprising a first coil; a second circuit comprising a second coil, wherein said second circuit has an impedance; wherein said first coil is disposed adjacent said second coil, such that said first coil and said second coil comprise an air core transformer; a detection circuit which detects said impedance; wherein said second circuit has a first impedance when said first circuit is open, and wherein said second circuit has a second impedance when said first circuit is closed; a first fixturing device; a first contact disposed on said first fixturing device; a second fixturing device; a second contact disposed on said second fixturing device; wherein said first fixturing device and said second fixturing device are capable of simultaneously releaseably attaching a tape leader pin disposed on a magnetic tape disposed in said tape drive; and wherein said tape leader pin makes electrical contact with said first contact and said second contact when said tape leader pin is releaseably attached to said first fixturing device and to said fixturing device.