Apparatus and method for reversing tape wind direction

Abstract

According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a reel. The exemplary reel comprises a hub and a guide member coupled to the hub. The guide member may be configured to guide magnetic tape from a magnetic tape source to the reel. The guide member may cooperate with the hub to form a surface for receiving magnetic tape from the magnetic tape source. Additionally, the exemplary reel may include a securing mechanism for securing the guide member in the cooperating position with respect to the hub.

1 . A reel comprising: 
 a hub;    a guide member is positionable with respect to the hub such that the hub and the guide member cooperate to form a surface for receiving the magnetic tape; and    a securing mechanism for releasably securing the position of the guide member with respect to the hub.    
   
   
       2 . The reel as recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least one flange portion coupled to the hub, wherein the securing mechanism is coupled to the at least one flange portion.  
   
   
       3 . The reel as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the securing mechanism includes a resilient member configured to bias an engagement portion coupled to the resilient member into a corresponding receiving portion located on the guide member.  
   
   
       4 . The reel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism locks the guide member and the hub to a first position and unlocks the guide member and the hub to a second position.  
   
   
       5 . The reel as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises engageable tab and notch structures correspondingly located on the hub and the guide member.  
   
   
       6 . The reel as recited in  claim 1 , the securing mechanism comprises a biasing member to secure the position of the guide member with respect to the hub.  
   
   
       7 . The reel as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the securing mechanism engages the guide member to a hub in a first position and disengages the guide member to the hub in a second position.  
   
   
       8 . The reel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hub, guide member, and the securing mechanism comprises magnetic components.  
   
   
       9 . A reel comprising: 
 a hub;    a guide member positionable with respect to the hub such that the hub and the guide member cooperate to form a surface for winding the magnetic tape; and    a securing mechanism configured to secure the guide member to the hub, such that magnetic tape is windable onto the hub and the guide member in a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation while the guide member is secured to the hub.    
   
   
       10 . The reel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the securing mechanism releasably engages the guide member to the hub.  
   
   
       11 . The reel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises at least one resilient member moveable to lock the position of the guide member with respect to the hub.  
   
   
       12 . The reel as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a flange with a tab.  
   
   
       13 . The reel as recited in  claim 9 , comprising a track portion located on the flange portion and configured to direct the guide member into engagement with the securing mechanism to form the surface in cooperation with the hub.  
   
   
       14 . The reel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first direction of rotation is a clock-wise direction and the second direction of rotation is a counter-clockwise direction.  
   
   
       15 . A magnetic tape drive system comprising: 
 a first reel having magnetic tape wound around the first reel;    a data head for accessing magnetic tape for storage of data;    a second reel, wherein the second reel comprises: 
 a hub;  
 a guide member removable from the hub and connected to the magnetic tape, wherein the guide member is positionable with respect to the hub such that the hub and the guide member cooperate to form a surface for receiving the magnetic tape; and  
 a securing mechanism for releasably securing the position of the guide member with respect to the hub as the magnetic tape is wound to the second reel from the first reel; and  
   an actuation mechanism configured to rotate the first reel in a first direction to wind the magnetic tape onto the second reel.    
   
   
       16 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the actuation mechanism causes the first and second reels to rotate in the same direction as the magnetic tape is wound to the second reel.  
   
   
       17 . A method for winding magnetic tape, comprising: 
 coupling a guide member coupled to a first reel to magnetic tape located on a second reel;    positioning the guide member with respect to a hub located on the first reel such that the guide member and hub cooperate to form a surface for receiving the magnetic tape; and    winding the magnetic tape on the second reel onto the first reel such that the first reel and the second reel rotate in a first direction.    
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , comprising securing the position of the guide member with respect to the hub.  
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , comprising guiding the magnetic tape via a plurality of rollers.  
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , comprising rotating the first and second reels in a clock-wise direction.  
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , comprising rotating the first and second reels in a counter clock-wise direction.  
   
   
       22 . A system comprising: 
 means for coupling a guide member to magnetic tape located on a first reel;    means for securing the position of the guide member with respect to a hub located on a second reel such that the hub and guide member cooperate to form a surface for receiving the magnetic tape, wherein the means for securing facilitates winding of tape from the first reel to the second reel in a first direction and a second direction; and    means for rotating the second reel in at least one of the first direction and the second direction.    
   
   
       23 . A method for winding magnetic tape, comprising: 
 coupling a guide member to magnetic tape located on a first reel;    securing the position of the guide member with respect to a hub located on a second reel such that the hub and guide member cooperate to form a surface for receiving the magnetic tape, wherein the means for securing facilitates winding of the tape from the first reel to the second reel in a first direction and a second direction; and    rotating the second reel in at least one of the first direction and the second direction.    
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , comprising securing the position of the guide member with respect to the hub.  
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , comprising guiding the magnetic tape via a plurality of rollers.  
   
   
       26 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , comprising rotating the first and second reels in a clock-wise direction.  
   
   
       27 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , comprising rotating the first and second reels in a counter clock-wise direction.