Richard K Mckinstry

US Patent:

39529681, Apr 27, 1976

Filed:

Apr 10, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/459816

Inventors:

Richard Bruce McKinstry - Northboro MA
Joseph Charles Godbout - Acton MA

Assignee:

Data General Corporation - Southboro MA

International Classification:

G11B 1558
G11B 2312

US Classification:

242182

Abstract:

A digital magnetic tape transport incorporates a pair of adjacent vacuum storage columns each with oppositely disposed closed and open ends, a magnetic head assembly defining a generally linear tape threading path along one side of the vacuum storage columns and substantially parallel to the vacuum columns lengthwise direction, a pair of tape storage reels mounted at a second side of the vacuum storage columns positioned along a line substantially parallel with the linear tape threading path, whereby a rear closed end of the vacuum column adjacent to a storage reel is tapered at an angle substantially tangent to the adjacent storage reel, allowing for: elimination of an idler roller; an improved take-up path, and; for easier manual threading of the tape. A similar tapered configuration is provided at the rear end of the second vacuum column also eliminating the necessity of an idler roller. The arrangement decreases the total number of idler rollers necessary for the overall tape path to in turn decrease the frictional contact of the tape encountered.