A magnetic tape guiding device for use in a magnetic tape instrument having a magnetic tape, a supply reel for supplying the magnetic tape, a drum arrangement including a rotary magnetic head arrangement disposed in a drum having a transverse division for the recording and playback of the magnetic tape, and a take-up reel for receiving the magnetic tape; the magnetic tape having a path extending from the supply reel to the drum where it follows a helical path along the circumference of said drum for about 180.degree., and then to the take-up reel; the device featuring first and second cylindrical vertical level equalizing elements disposed in the path of the magnetic tape on opposite sides of the drum, the elements being axially askewed with respect to the drum, oppositely offset with respect to the division in the drum and each being disposed tangent to a plane tangent to said drum, the path of the magnetic tape having a portion extending along the circumference of each element for about 180.degree., the reels being disposed at substantially the same level and substantially at the same level as the division.
A tape guide arrangement for a tape recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a cylinder device provided with a rotary head, a first slant guide member for feeding a tape to the cylinder device, a second slant guide member for guiding the tape from the cylinder device into a predetermined direction, a first rotary guide member for guiding the tape to the first slant guide member, and a second rotary guide member for causing the tape from the second slant guide member to pass through a predetermined position. Each of the first and second rotary guide members is provided with an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an imaginary plane defined in relation to positions which are set on the first and second slant guide members and the cylinder device, respectively, and through which an elongated edge of the tape passes. Further, the first rotary guide member is so positioned that the tape is led to the first rotary guide member with a first gradient in reference to the imaginary plane and then guided to the first slant guide member with a second gradient opposite in up and down to the first gradient, and the second rotary guide member is so placed that the tape is guided to the second rotary guide member from the first slant guide member with a third gradient in reference to the imaginary plane and then leaves for the predetermined position with a fourth gradient opposite in up and down to the third gradient.
In one example of one aspect of the invention, a single reel data storage cartridge is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The guide surface thereby increases the tape path from the reel to guiding elements within a tape drive to reduce the force imparted on the tape edge during guiding.
A tape drive having a single reel data storage cartridge disposed therein is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The tape drive includes at least a first guiding element, a data transducer, and a take-up reel, wherein the storage tape extends from the supply reel to the guide surface before extending through the access window to the first guiding element, and the storage tape is guided within the tape drive adjacent a data transducer, and wound on the take-up reel.
In one example of one aspect of the invention, a single reel data storage cartridge is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The guide surface thereby increases the tape path from the reel to guiding elements within a tape drive to reduce the force imparted on the tape edge during guiding.
