Tape system with adjustable wrap angles and method for adjusting tape wrap angle

• US 6,700,733 B1
• Filed: 06/09/2000
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Biskeborn, Robert Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSON, JASON C
• Application Number:
  US09/591,696
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 360/128, 360/130.1, 360/130.2, 360/130.21, 360/76, 360/90
• US Class Current: 360/90
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/60 Guiding record carrier guiding devices structurally associated with magazines or cassettes G11B23/04
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/605 without displacing the guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/62 Maintaining desired spacing between record carrier and head

Abstract

A method for adjusting a tape wrap angle is described comprising the steps of operating the tape system to generate or regenerate an electrical signal in the head from the tape, either increasing or reducing the tape wrap angle as appropriate until a signal from the tape head reappears or goes to zero, then increasing the wrap angle until the desired angle is achieved as measured by the signal from the head or by moving the tape support a fixed amount. A tape recording and/or reading system with adjustable wrap angles is described which can be used with the method of the invention. The system includes one or more rollers mounted on an adjustable shaft with an eccentric or axially offset portion supporting the roller. Preferably for a two or multibump head an adjustable shaft and roller according to the invention are located on the tape-in and tape-out side of the tape head. The angular orientation of the eccentric shaft is adjustable, thereby, allowing precise adjustment of the position of the roller with respect to the tape head. Rotating the shaft moves the eccentric portion of the shaft further behind or closer to the head and, therefore, causes the roller mounted on the eccentric portion of the shaft to move similarly resulting in a change in the corresponding wrap angle of the tape in relation to the head. When the desired wrap angle is achieved, the shaft should be restrained from further rotation by an appropriate friction or other locking means. Although the invention can be used with any type of tape head, it is used to particular advantage with flat contour tape recording heads.

Claims

1. A tape system comprising:

a tape head assembly;

a first guide for supporting the tape while the tape is moving across the tape head assembly;

a first support member for receiving at least one end of a shaft;

a second support member for receiving another end of a shaft;

a first shaft having opposite ends supported by the first and second support members, the first shaft being at least initially rotatably supported along a first axis by the first and second support members so that an angular position of the first shaft can be adjusted, the first shaft having an offset portion supporting the first guide so that rotation of the first shaft moves the first guide in relation to the tape head, the ends of the first shaft being concentrically aligned about the first axis; and

means for preventing further rotation of the first shaft when the angular position of the first shaft is in a desired position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for preventing further rotation of the first shaft includes one or more slits in a portion of the first shaft which allows the first shaft to flex outward to fixedly engage the first support member.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the one or more slits are formed in an end portion of the first shaft which is formed to receive a threaded fastener and to flex outwvard when the threaded fastener is inserted.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a second guide positioned on an opposite side of the tape head assembly in relation to the first roller guide for supporting the tape while the tape is moving across the tape head assembly;

a second shaft supported by the first support member or a second support member, the second shaft being at least initially rotatably supported by the first or second support member so that an aingular position of the second shaft can be adjusted, the second shaft having an offset portion supporting the second guide so that rotation of the second shaft moves the second guide in relation to the tape head; and

means for preventing further rotation of the second shaft when the angular position of the second shaft is in a desired position.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for preventing further rotation of the first shaft is a set screw.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for preventing further rotation of the first shaft is an adhesive.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the first shaft has two grooves for receiving retaining rings, the retaining rings being for holding the guide in a desired position relative to the first shaft.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the guide is a roller.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the second support member includes a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of the first shaft along the first axis relative to the second support member.

10. A tape system comprising:

a tape head assembly;

a first guide for supporting the tape while the tape is moving across the tape head assembly;

a first support member for receiving at least one end of a shaft;

a first shaft supported by the support member, the first shaft being at least initially rotatably supported along a first axis by the first support member so that an angular position of the first shaft can be adjusted, the first shaft having an offset portion supporting the first guide so that rotation of the first shaft moves the first guide in relation to the tape head, the ends of the first shaft being concentrically aligned about the first axis; and

one or more slits in a portion of the first shaft which allows the first shaft to flex outward to fixedly engage the first support member for preventing firther rotation of the first shaft when the angular position of the first shaft is in a desired position.