Mechanism and method for loading a tape from a cartridge to a take-up reel

• US 6,034,839 A
• Filed: 06/22/1998
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Quantum Corporation (Chi Ko Investment Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Seagate Technology plc (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Hamming, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heinz, A. J.
• Application Number:
  US09/100,750
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 360/95, 242/332-332.8
• US Class Current: 360/95
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/672 Extracting end of record carrier from container or single reel G11B15/671 takes precedence

Abstract

A tape drive loading mechanism and method of loading a tape leader pin from a single reel cartridge to a take-up reel housed within a transport cabinet includes a hub filler having a slot for receiving the tape leader pin. The hub filler is connected to a load arm that controls the movements of the hub filler. The tape drive loading mechanism includes a load gear arm having gear teeth extending along a linear side portion and along an arcuate portion for approximately 180°. The gear teeth are engaged with a plurality of gears that are driven by a motive element. The motive element, in combination with several guide tracks, forces the load gear arm and the connected load arm to transport the hub filler and tape leader pin through an arcuate path and along a linear path to a loaded position on the take-up reel.

Claims

1. A tape drive loading mechanism within a housing for loading a tape leader, having a tape leader pin integral therewith, from a tape cartridge to a take-up reel, said loading mechanism comprising:

a load member rotatably and translatably mounted relative to the housing;

a first guide track having an arcuate portion and a linear portion;

a hub filler integrally attached to said load member, said hub filler having a slot for receiving the tape leader sin, said hub filler having a guide portion extending within said first guide track; and

a first motive element engaged to said load member and energizable to rotate and translate said load member and thereby move said hub filler along said first guide track so that said hub filler transports the tape leader from an unloaded state on the tape cartridge to a loaded state on the take-up reel.

2. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said slot of said hub filler has a recessed portion thereon.

3. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said loading mechanism includes a second guide track having a linear portion, said second guide track having a load member pin extending therein from said load member.

4. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 3 further comprising:

a fourth guide track having an arcuate portion and a linear portion; and

wherein said load member has mounted thereon an offset pin, offset from said first pin, said offset pin engaging said fourth guide track.

5. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second guide track mounted to the housing and having a linear portion; and

wherein said load member is mounted to a first pin, said first pin extending within said second guide track.

6. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 5 further comprising:

a fourth guide track having an arcuate portion and a linear portion; and

wherein said load member has a radial pin offset from said first pin, said radial pin extending within said fourth guide track.

7. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said load member has an elongated load arm having a second pin attached thereto, said hub filler being rotatably attached to said elongated load arm at said second pin.

8. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said load member has a load gear arm having gear teeth thereon, said first motive element being engaged to said gear teeth.

9. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said load gear arm has an arcuate portion having gear teeth thereon and a linear portion having gear teeth thereon.

10. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said first motive element is engaged to said gear teeth on said load gear arm by a plurality of interconnected gears.

11. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 1 further comprising:

a third guide track having a first end abutting said first guide track, said third guide track having a third pin at said first end thereof, said third guide track being rotatable about said third pin, said guide portion of said hub filler extending within said third guide track.

12. The tape drive loading mechanism according to claim 11 further comprising:

a second motive element engaged to said third guide track, whereby said second motive element is configured to force said third guide track to rotate about said third pin to receive the tape leader within said slot of said hub filler.

13. A method of loading a leader pin attached to a tare in a tape cartridge to a take-up reel, said method comprising the steps of:

rotating a load member in a first direction to a position adjacent the leader pin when the leader pin is in an unloaded state on the tape cartridge;

engaging the leader pin with a slot in a hub loader attached to said load member;

rotating the load member in a second direction to transport the leader pin to a position adjacent the take-up reel; and

moving the load member translationally to position the leader pin within the take-up reel.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of rotating the load member to position the leader pin within a recessed portion of the slot of the second member.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the steps of rotating and moving the load member include operating a first motive element engaged to the load member to rotate and translate the load member.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the load member includes a guide track having a linear portion, the guide track having a first pin extending therein, and wherein the steps of rotating and and moving the load member includes rotating and translating the load member and second guide track relative to the first pin.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the load member has a member offset from the first pin, and the offset member engages an additional guide track having an arcuate portion and a linear portion.

18. The method according to claim 13 wherein the load member is mounted to a first pin, the first pin extends within a second guide track having a linear portion, and wherein the steps of rotating and moving the load member includes rotating and translating the first pin within the second guide track.

19. The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of engaging the leader pin within the slot includes the step of rotating a third guide track about a third pin, the hub loader having a guide portion extending within the third guide track, thereby rotating the second member to receive the leader pin within the slot.