Robert L Heinze

US Patent:

6378796, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Oct 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/679879

Inventors:

John Anthony Hamming - Laguna Niguel CA
Robert Ralph Heinze - San Clemente CA

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G03B 158

US Classification:

2423324, 2423321, 360 95

Abstract:

A method of loading a tape from a single reel tape cartridge into a take-up reel. A guide arm decouples from a hub filler as the hub filler is moved into a take-up reel. This decoupling eliminates problems that occur from small misalignments of the hub filler axle with the axis of the take-up reel. The axle and drive arm are decoupled from the hub filler by the axle being lifted out of the hub filler upon insertion of the hub filler into the take-up reel, allowing for the take-up reel to rotate freely during winding and unwinding of the tape without interference from the axle.

US Patent:

6619577, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Apr 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/839232

Inventors:

John A. Hamming - Laguna Niguel CA
Kempton W. Redhead - Huntington Beach CA
Robert R. Heinze - San Clemente CA
Russell A. Bauer - Garden Grove CA
Patrick H. McCormack - Costa Mesa CA
Turguy Goker - Solana Beach CA

Assignee:

Seagate Removable Storage Solutions LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 1566

US Classification:

2423321, 2423324, 360 95

Abstract:

A method of loading a tape from a single reel tape cartridge into a take-up reel. Position sensors detect position of a guide arm as a tape loading mechanism loads and unloads tapes from a single reel tape cartridge. The position sensors are accurate and eliminate problems that occur from small misalignments of hub filler access with the access of the take-up reel. Further, the position sensors enable the hub filler to consistently attach to a leader pin at the end of the tape of the single reel tape cartridge without frequent malfunctions.

US Patent:

6621657, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Dec 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/026546

Inventors:

Patrick H. McCormack - Costa Mesa CA
Robert R. Heinze - San Clemente CA
Anthony T. Robertson - Tustin CA

Assignee:

Seagate Removable Storage Solutions LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 1568

US Classification:

360 965

Abstract:

In an automatic tape loader mechanism, for example for a digital tape storage system, the forces of registration springs intended to engage notches in a tape cartridge are de-rated prior to and/or during insertion of a tape cartridge into the loader. The preferred embodiment utilizes two registration springs mounted on a cartridge shuttle. When the shuttle is in its initial position for loading and unloading of the cartridge, the distal end of each spring engages a ramp formed on the support of the loader housing. This engagement deflects the springs away from the cartridge and thereby reduces the force necessary to insert the cartridge. To reduce scraping, the springs preferably carry rollers to engage the walls and registration notches of the cartridge.

US Patent:

6637691, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

May 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/864282

Inventors:

John Anthony Hamming - Laguna Niguel CA
Robert Ralph Heinze - San Clemente CA
Scott Louis Hanson - Costa Mesa CA
Kempton William Redhead - Huntington Beach CA
Walter Fehlmann - Fountain Valley CA
Russell Allen Bauer - Garden Grove CA
Turguy Goker - Solana Beach CA

Assignee:

Seagate Removable Storage Solutions, LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 1566

US Classification:

2423328, 360 95

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for loading tape from a single reel tape cartridge into a take-up reel. The hub filler is securely and releaseably attached to the take-up reel upon the hub filler entering the take-up reel. This attachment provides adequate securement between the hub filler and the take-up reel for the tape to be wrapped around the take-up reel during loading of the tape without the hub filler partially ejecting from the take-up reel. By preventing the hub filler from partially ejecting from the take-up reel, damage to the tape and the tape drive loading mechanism is mitigated. Upon unloading of the tape from the tape drive, the hub filler can be readily released from its attachment to the take-up reel.

US Patent:

6717771, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Nov 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/700469

Inventors:

Kiyoo Morita - Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken, JP
Daisuke Takahashi - Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken, JP
Yusuke Ishihara - Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken, JP
Hideaki Shiga - Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken, JP
Robert Ralph Heinze - San Clemente CA 92673
Jeffrey S. McAllister - Boise ID 83713
Thomas W. von Alten - Boise ID 83704
Ed Childers - Tucson AZ 85750

International Classification:

G11B 23027

US Classification:

360132

Abstract:

A magnetic tape cartridge has a thin cartridge casing having flat upper and lower surfaces and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound. Projections are provided on at least three places of the lower surfaces of the cartridge casing near the leading edge and the trailing edge of the cartridge casing and recesses, which can engage with the projections, are provided on the upper surface of the cartridge casing so that, when a plurality of the magnetic tape cartridges are stacked, the projections and the recesses of the cartridge casings of magnetic tape cartridges are engaged with each other, whereby the magnetic tape cartridges are prevented from being displaced with respect to each other when they are stacked and the sliding resistance when the magnetic tape cartridge is inserted into a recording and reproducing apparatus is reduced.

US Patent:

6744593, Jun 1, 2004

Filed:

Oct 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/689837

Inventors:

Ashok B. Nayak - Glendora CA
Robert R. Heinze - San Clemente CA
Minh M. Vu - Midway City CA
Son Hung Truong - Westminster CA
James M. Decot - Fountain Valley CA
John A. Hamming - Laguna Niguel CA
Robert Lindner - Mission Viejo CA

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC. - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 1560

US Classification:

360 95, 36013021, 36013031, 242348

Abstract:

A tape drive having a cartridge receiving area for receiving a cartridge containing a recording medium on a supply reel is disclosed. The tape drive has a take-up reel. The take-up reel includes a take-up rotatably mounted to the tape drive and a pair of flanges mounted on either side of the take-up hub. A magnetic read/write head is disposed between the cartridge receiving area and the take-up reel. A pair of fixed guide assemblies is disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head. Each of the fixed guide assemblies has a fixed guide mount fixed to the tape drive, a fixed guide attached to a top of the fixed guide mount, and a spring/pressure pad having at least one pressure pad mounted to the fixed guide, wherein the pressure pad applies pressure to a top edge of the recording medium when the tape drive is operational. The tape drive also has a forward guide roller and a rearward guide roller disposed symmetrically about the magnetic read/write head. The forward guide roller is located between the cartridge receiving area and the one of the pair of fixed guide assemblies and the rearward guide roller is located between the take-up reel and the other of the fixed guide assemblies.

US Patent:

7247960, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

May 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/433665

Inventors:

Ashok B. Nayak - Glendora CA, US
Robert R. Heinze - San Clemente CA, US

Assignee:

Quantum Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H02K 7/00
H02K 11/00

US Classification:

310 68B, 310 67 R

Abstract:

A magnetic/encoder assembly has a compact design and combines the features of motor, encoder and chuck locating feature within a single motor housing. The motor/encoder includes a DC brushless motor with an inner magnetic rotor. The motor windings and the commutation electronics are mounted towards the bottom side of a printed circuit board. The rotor of the motor is extended above the surface of the printed circuit board. The extended rotor provides a precision seat for the magnetic wheel with multiple poles. The top surface of the printed circuit board mounts the sensor for the encoder. The extension of the rotor provides the precision mounting surface of the cartridge driving chuck.

US Patent:

7247961, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

May 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/433666

Inventors:

Ashok B. Nayak - Glendora CA, US
Robert R. Heinze - San Clemente CA, US

Assignee:

Quantum Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H02K 7/00
H02K 11/00

US Classification:

310 68B, 310 67 R

Abstract:

A magnetic/encoder assembly has a compact design and combines the features of motor, encoder and chuck locating feature within a single motor housing. The motor/encoder includes a DC brushless motor with an inner magnetic rotor. The motor windings and the commutation electronics are mounted towards the bottom side of a printed circuit board. The rotor of the motor is extended above the surface of the printed circuit board. The extended rotor provides a precision seat for the magnetic wheel with multiple poles. The top surface of the printed circuit board mounts the sensor for the encoder. The extension of the rotor provides the precision mounting surface of the cartridge driving chuck.