Patent ID: 6856488

Claim:
Apparatus for magnetic reading and/or writing of data on tape, said apparatus being operable in a data mode and a search mode, said apparatus comprising: a read/write head; and positioning means configured to position said read/write head in first and second positions wherein: during operation in said data mode, said read/write head is in said first position and is substantially in contact with said tape to permit reading of data from and writing of data to said tape; during operation in said search mode, said read/write head is in said second position, in which said read/write head is displaced from said tape, and is out of contact with said tape, said read/write head being configured for movement between said first and second positions; and during operation in said search mode, said positioning means contacts said tape to maintain a path of said tape, and a tension in said tape, and wear of said read/write head is prevented when said read/write head is in said second position.