Reel capable of winding tape without side stairs and tape drive having the reel

Abstract

A reel for winding a magnetic recording tape used to record/reproduce information or data. The reel comprises a hub and a pair of flanges extending from axial ends of the hub in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the hub. The hub has a taper in shape such that the outer diameter of the hub is gradually reduced form an axial end to the other axial end thereof.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reel for winding a magnetic recording tape used to record/reproduce information or data, said reel comprising: 
 a hub for winding the magnetic recording tape thereon and, said hub having first and second axial ends and having a taper in shape such that said hub has an outer diameter gradually reduced in size along the axis from the first axial end to the second axial end; and    a pair of flanges extending from first and second axial ends of the hub, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to an axis of said hub.    
     
     
         2 . The reel according to  claim 1 , wherein said pair of flanges are provided with inner surfaces faced to each other, and first one of said pair of flanges extending from said first axial end of said hub is finished flat substantially without warp and roughness.  
     
     
         3 . A magnetic recording tape drive for drive the magnetic recording tape, said drive comprising a reel, said comprising: 
 a hub for winding the magnetic recording tape thereon and, said hub having first and second axial ends and having a taper in shape such that said hub has an outer diameter gradually reduced in size along the axis from the first axial end to the second axial end; and    a pair of flanges extending from first and second axial ends of the hub, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to an axis of said hub.    
     
     
         4 . The magnetic recording tape drive according to  claim 3 , wherein said reel is arranged in the tape drive with an orientation so that said hub extends in the vertical direction with the first axial end being positioned upper than the second axial end.  
     
     
         5 . The magnetic recording tape drive according to  claim 3 , wherein said reel is arranged in the tape drive with an orientation so that said hub extends in the vertical direction with the second axial end being positioned upper than the first axial end.