Roller guide tape path
View Patent ↗A tape guide mechanism in a storage device is disclosed for defining an improved roller guide tape path. A cartridge reel is provided for supplying tape to a take-up reel. Multiple flanged guides are provided located remotely from the cartridge and take-up reels. A non-flanged post guide is provided located proximate to the take-up reel for increasing a length of the tape path and for permitting the flanged guides to be located remotely from the cartridge and take-up reels so that the flanged guides are not located in proximity to the cartridge or take-up reels. An axis of symmetry exists longitudinally about one or two read/write heads. The tape path length is generally symmetrically disposed about this axis of symmetry.
1. A tape guide mechanism in a storage device for defining a tape path comprising:
a cartridge reel for supplying tape to a take-up reel;
a plurality of flanged guides located remotely from said cartridge and take-up reels;
a non-flanged post guide located proximate to said take-up reel for increasing a length of said tape path and for permitting said plurality of flanged guides to be located remotely from said cartridge and take-up reels;
wherein flanged guides are not located in proximity to said cartridge or take-up reels;
said cartridge reel being bisected by a longitudinal axis of said tape path;
a pair of read/write heads symmetrically located about said axis;
said plurality of flanged guides including a first pair of flanged guides located proximate to a first one of said read/write heads and a second pair of flanged guides located proximate to a second one of said read/write head;
said tape path including a portion that starts at said first pair of flanged guides and ends at said second pair of flanged guides; and
said portion of said tape path being symmetrical about said axis.
2. The mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising:
said tape path including a first portion that is generally parallel to said axis, a second portion that is generally perpendicular to said axis, and a third portion that is generally parallel to said axis.
3. The mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising:
said first pair of flanged guides being adjacent to each other; and
said second pair of flanged guides being adjacent to each other.
4. The mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising:
said non-flanged post guide being non-spinning.
5. The mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising:
said plurality of flanged guides being grooved.
6. A tape guide mechanism in a storage device for defining a tape path comprising:
a cartridge reel for supplying tape to a take-up reel;
a plurality of grooved flanged guides located remotely from said cartridge and take-up reels;
a non-spinning non-flanged post guide located proximate to said take-up reel for increasing a length of said tape path and for permitting said plurality of flanged guides to be located remotely from said cartridge and take-up reels;
wherein flanged guides are not located in proximity to said cartridge or take-up reels;
said cartridge reel being bisected by a longitudinal axis of said tape path;
a pair of read/write heads symmetrically located about said axis;
said plurality of flanged guides including a first pair of adjacent flanged guides located proximate to a first one of said read/write heads and a second pair of adjacent flanged guides located proximate to a second one of said read/write head;
said tape path including a portion that starts at said first pair of flanged guides and ends at said second pair of flanged guides; and
said portion of said tape path being symmetrical about said axis.