Single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features
View Patent ↗The single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features provides one or more features to center the tape reel with respect to the interior surfaces of the tape cartridge housing and a rotatably driven feature, such as a drive chuck, in the tape drive that rotates the tape reel. The single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features provides mechanical positioning and centering of the tape reel with respect to the drive chuck of the tape drive when the tape cartridge is in any orientation and constrains lateral movement of the tape reel to prevent the tape reel from contacting the interior surfaces of the tape cartridge housing. This is accomplished by the use of a spring that applies a bias force to press the tape reel against the drive chuck in the tape drive, which rotates the tape reel. One end of the spring is seated in a spring sleeve that is formed in the center of the interior surface of the top section of the tape cartridge housing. The other end of the spring engages the tape reel.
1. A single reel tape cartridge that is configured to be loadable into a tape drive to read and write data on rewriteable media that is wound on the single reel tape cartridge, the single reel tape cartridge comprising:
a tape reel comprising:
a hub having a tape reel center bore formed axially therein,
a first flange connected to a top of the hub,
a second flange connected to a bottom of the hub in a parallel relationship with the first flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange define a tape containment section between said first and second flanges, and
connecting means, attached to said bottom of said hub, to cause rotation of said tape reel;
spring for applying a bias force on said connecting means of said tape;
a braking means to stop a rotational movement of said tape reel by applying a force on at least one of said first flange and said second flange, said braking means located on a side of said tape cartridge to allow said braking means to engage with said tape reel; and
a housing for enclosing said tape reel comprising:
a tape reel locator boss formed on an interior surface of said housing and mates with said tape reel center bore, wherein the dimensions of said tape reel center bore and said tape reel locator boss are selected to prevent lateral movement of said tape reel;
a spring sleeve coaxially formed within said tape reel locator boss for enclosing one end of said spring to reduce spring deflection in directions other than coaxial with an axis of said tape reel to reduce lateral forces on said tape reel; and
a plurality of ramped centering posts formed on an inside surface of said housing to form a channel to funnel said tape reel into a substantially centered position within the tape cartridge housing.
2. The single reel tape cartridge of claim 1 wherein said spring centering means limits movement of said spring means in directions that are perpendicular to said hub axis.
3. The single reel tape cartridge of claim 1 wherein said tape reel locator boss further comprises:
a chamfer formed on a circumference of said tape reel locator boss for guiding said tape reel locator boss into said tape reel center bore.
4. A single reel tape cartridge that is configured to be loadable into a tape drive to read and write data on rewriteable media that is wound on the single reel tape cartridge, the single reel tape cartridge comprising:
a tape reel comprising:
a cylindrically shaped hub having a cylindrically shaped center bore formed axially therein,
a first flange connected to a top of the hub,
a second flange connected to a bottom of the hub in a parallel relationship with the first flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange define a tape containment section between the first and second flanges,
drive teeth located on said bottom of said hub to cause rotation of said tape reel; and
a chamfered center ring that encircles said drive teeth formed on said bottom of said hub;
bias spring, having a body, a first end and a second end, for applying a bias force via said first end on said hub;
a brake located along a side of said tape cartridge for applying a force on said tape reel to stop a rotational movement of said tape reel when engaged; and
a housing for enclosing said tape reel, comprising:
a bottom section having a chamfered aperture toned therein for mating with said chamfered center ring on said bottom of said hub, wherein said bias spring applies a bias on said chamfered center ring of said hub to prevent lateral movement of said tape reel within said single reel tape cartridge; and
a top section comprising:
a tape reel locator boss having a chamfered circumference formed on an interior surface of said top section and aligned to mate with said cylindrically shaped hub to prevent lateral movement of said tape reel within said single reel tape cartridge; and
a spring centering sleeve formed on said interior surface of said top section and aligned to receive said body and said second end of said bias spring to reduce spring deflection in directions other than coaxial with an axis of said cylindrically-shaped hub, wherein said bias spring applies a bias on said tape reel to maintain contact between said chamfered center ring and said chamfered aperture to further prevent lateral movement of said tape reel within said tape cartridge.
5. The single reel tape cartridge of claim 4 wherein said spring centering sleeve limits movement of said body of said bias spring in directions that are perpendicular to said hub axis.