US3593945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capstan assembly
Assignee: MENNESOTA MINING AND Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1968-05-01
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-05-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a tape transport mechanism including a rotatable capstan having at least an outer layer of an elastomeric material and with magnetic tape formed in first and second rolls and with a tape path between the first and second rolls. A tape guiding member is positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and the tape path between the first and second rolls passes over a first circumferential portion of the capstan, over the tape guiding member and then back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan. The magnetic tape is driven between the first and second rolls by directly maintaining the rolls in engagement with the outer layer of the capstan. The invention also includes providing a rotatable helical magnetic transducing head as the tape guiding member so as to provide for a helical recording of information on the magnetic tape as it is driven between the first and second rolls. In addition, the invention includes maintaining one of the rolls of magnetic tape in engagement with the capstan with a greater force than is used to maintain the other of the rolls so as to provide for a tension in the tape path. The present invention may also be incorporated in a tape cartridge by including at least the first and second rolls in a common outer housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey J Richardson
- 👤 Dean L De Moss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:15
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/26; G11B15/28; G11B15/295; G11B15/1883
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A tape transport mechanism, including a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a tape guiding member positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan, magnetic tape formed in first and second rolls and including a tape path between the first and second rollS passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan, over the tape guiding member and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls in direct engagement with the capstan and wherein tension is maintained in the tape path between the first and second rolls by maintaining one of the rolls in engagement with the capstan with a greater force than the force used to maintain the other of the rolls in engagement with the capstan and wherein the tension in the tape path is maintained at a predetermined and constant level by varying at least one of the forces used to maintain the rolls in engagement with the capstan.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A tape transport mechanism, including a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a tape guiding member positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan, magnetic tape formed in first and second rolls and including a tape path between the first and second rollS passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan, over the tape guiding member and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls in direct engagement with the capstan and wherein tension is maintained in the tape path between the first and second rolls by maintaining one of the rolls in engagement with the capstan with a greater force than the force used to maintain the other of the rolls in engagement with the capstan and wherein the tension in the tape path is maintained at a predetermined and constant level by varying at least one of the forces used to maintain the rolls in engagement with the capstan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
A tape transport mechanism, including magnetic tape formed in first and second rolls and including a tape path between the first and second rolls, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a rotatable helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the tape path between the first and second rolls passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan over the rotatable helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls of magnetic tape in direct engagement with the capstan.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
A tape transport mechanism, including magnetic tape formed in first and second rolls and including a tape path between the first and second rolls, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a rotatable helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the tape path between the first and second rolls passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan over the rotatable helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls of magnetic tape in direct engagement with the capstan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tape transport mechanism of claim 2 wherein the magnetic tape passes over substantially the entire circumference of the helical head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tape transport mechanism of claim 2 wherein the magnetic tape passes completely around the circumference of the helical head and forms a helical wrap of the surface of the helical head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
A tape transport mechanism, including a first roll of magnetic tape having the magnetic tape tightly wound on a first rotatable hub member, a second roll of magnetic tape having the magnetic tape tightly wound on a second rotatable hub member and with the magnetic tape on the first roll passing to the magnetic tape on the second roll in accordance with the rotation of the hub members, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a rotating helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the magnetic tape passing from the first roll to the second roll forming a tape path passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan, over the rotating helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls of magnetic tape in direct engagement with the capstan.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A tape transport mechanism, including a first roll of magnetic tape having the magnetic tape tightly wound on a first rotatable hub member, a second roll of magnetic tape having the magnetic tape tightly wound on a second rotatable hub member and with the magnetic tape on the first roll passing to the magnetic tape on the second roll in accordance with the rotation of the hub members, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a rotating helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the magnetic tape passing from the first roll to the second roll forming a tape path passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan, over the rotating helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls of magnetic tape in direct engagement with the capstan.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A tape transport mechanism, including first and second rotatable hub members, magnetic tape tightly wound on the first rotatable hub member and with the magnetic tape passing to and tightly wound on the second rotatable hub member, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material in engagement with the magnetic tape tightly wound on the first and second rotatable hub members and with the capstan supporting a portion of the tape passing between the rotatable hub, a rotating helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the magnetic tape passing between the rotatable hub members forming a tape path passing over the rotating helical magnetic transducing head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A tape transport mechanism, including first and second rotatable hub members, magnetic tape tightly wound on the first rotatable hub member and with the magnetic tape passing to and tightly wound on the second rotatable hub member, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material in engagement with the magnetic tape tightly wound on the first and second rotatable hub members and with the capstan supporting a portion of the tape passing between the rotatable hub, a rotating helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the magnetic tape passing between the rotatable hub members forming a tape path passing over the rotating helical magnetic transducing head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
A tape transport mechanism for transporting magnetic tape, including first and second rotatable hub members for supporting magnetic tape and for transferring the magnetic tape between the first and second rotatable hub members, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the magnetic tape tranSferred between the first and the second hub members, forming a tape path passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan around the helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second hub members for maintaining the magnetic tape supported by the hub members in direct engagement with the capstan.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
A tape transport mechanism for transporting magnetic tape, including first and second rotatable hub members for supporting magnetic tape and for transferring the magnetic tape between the first and second rotatable hub members, a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan and with the magnetic tape tranSferred between the first and the second hub members, forming a tape path passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan around the helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second hub members for maintaining the magnetic tape supported by the hub members in direct engagement with the capstan.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
A tape transport mechanism, including a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a rotatable helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan, magnetic tape formed in first and second rolls and including a path between the first and second rolls passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan, over the rotatable helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls in direct engagement with the capstan.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A tape transport mechanism, including a rotatable capstan including at least an outer portion of elastomeric material, a rotatable helical magnetic transducing head positioned adjacent to the rotatable capstan, magnetic tape formed in first and second rolls and including a path between the first and second rolls passing over a first circumferential portion of the capstan, over the rotatable helical magnetic transducing head and back to and over a second circumferential portion of the capstan, and means coupled to the first and second rolls of magnetic tape for maintaining the rolls in direct engagement with the capstan.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |