Slot loaded, low profile magnetic tape drive

Abstract

A magnetic tape drive unit constructed in a horizontal configuration to fit in a drawer or similar low profile installation, the tape being loaded and unloaded through a front slot without the need for access to the mechanism. A supply reel is inserted in the slot and placed on a supply hub, the free end of the tape being applied to a take-up reel which has a vacuum action to retain the tape. The take-up reel is mounted on an arm which swings back in the enclosure and pulls the tape over a guide and head array, the supply reel being simultaneously retracted so that the tape and reels are fully enclosed. After rewinding, the arm swings back and the supply hub is extended to the slot for removal of the tape.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
       1. A magnetic tape drive unit, comprising; a housing having a base plate secured substantially horizontally therein;   said base plate having a front portion with a supply hub mounted thereon for receiving a supply reel of tape;   a tape take-up reel having support means mounted on said plate;   actuating means coupled to said support means to move said take-up reel between a loading position at the side of the supply hub and an operating position at the rear of the housing;   a tape utilization assembly including at least a tape reading head mounted on said base plate between the loading and operating positions of the take-up reel, to receive the tape thereon as the take-up reel moves from the loading position to the operating position;   and drive means connected to said supply hub and take-up reel for selective rotation thereof.   
     
     
       2. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a front panel with an access slot positioned to expose the supply hub and the take-up reel in the loading position. 
     
     
       3. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 1, wherein said support means comprises an arm pivotally mounted on said base plate to swing generally parallel thereto, said take-up reel being rotatably mounted on said arm, spaced from the pivot thereof. 
     
     
       4. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 3, wherein said arm is below said base plate, the base plate having an arcuate slot with a center of radius at the pivotal axis of said arm, said take-up reel being above the base plate and having a supporting shaft extending through said arcuate slot. 
     
     
       5. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 4, wherein said drive means includes a take-up motor attached to said arm and coupled to said take-up reel. 
     
     
       6. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 4, wherein said tape utilization assembly is on top of said base plate adjacent the inner edge of said arcuate slot. 
     
     
       7. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 4, and including a mounting plate slidably mounted on said base plate to move from front to rear thereon, said supply hub being rotatably supported on said mounting plate in horizontal alignment with the take-up reel; said actuating means being connected to said mounting plate to move the supply hub rearwardly simultaneously with said arm.   
     
     
       8. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 7, and including a tension roller for engaging and holding a tensioning loop in the tape, said tension roller being linked to said arm to engage the tape after the motion of the arm has carried the tape beyond the engagement position. 
     
     
       9. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 1, and including a source of vacuum connected to said take-up reel to hold the tape thereon. 
     
     
       10. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 7, wherein said drive means includes a motor attached to said mounting plate and having a drive shaft on which said supply hub is secured; said supply hub having a central raised boss to receive a tape supply reel thereon;   and clamp means on said supply hub for securing a tape supply reel thereto.   
     
     
       11. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 10, wherein said clamp means includes a plurality of reel engaging clamp fingers mounted in and normally retracted into said supply hub, and actuating means for selectively extending and retracting the clamp fingers. 
     
     
       12. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 11, wherein said supply hub is rotatable on said drive shaft; said clamp finger actuating means including a cam plate fixed on the drive shaft with cams thereon for engaging the clamp fingers and extending and retracting the clamp fingers by relative rotation of the cam plate and the supply hub;   and stop means on said supply hub for selectively retarding rotation in either direction.   
     
     
       13. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 12, and including latch means on said supply hub and cam plate for selectively latching the supply hub to the cam plate for rotation therewith. 
     
     
       14. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 13, wherein said supply hub has radial slots, said clamp fingers being pivotally mounted in the slots to swing upwardly and outwardly to the reel engaging position. 
     
     
       15. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 14, wherein said cams are circumferentially extending inclined ramp elements, each engaging a clamp finger offset from the pivot thereof. 
     
     
       16. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 7, wherein said housing is a drawer structure. 
     
     
       17. A magnetic tape drive unit according to claim 16, wherein said housing has a front panel with a horizontally extending slot therein above the level of said base plate and through which said supply hub and said take-up reel are accessible in the loading position. .Iadd. 
     
     
       18.  A magnetic tape drive comprising: a housing;   a take-up hub;   means for rotatably supporting the take-up hub within the housing;   means for rotatably supporting an unencased supply reel within the housing, the supply reel having a length of magnetic tape wound therearound;   a tape utilization head assembly mounted within the housing between the supply reel supporting means and the take-up hub;   a panel connected to the housing and having an access slot sized and positioned so that the unencased supply reel having the length of magnetic tape wound therearound can be inserted through the slot and engaged by the supply reel supporting means; and   means for threading a free end of the length of magnetic tape from the unencased supply reel past the tape utilization head assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       19.  A magnetic tape drive according to claim 18 wherein the housing is a drawer structure. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A magnetic tape drive according to claim 18 and further comprising a plurality of controls mounted on the 
     
     
        panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  A magnetic tape drive according to claim 18 wherein the supply reel supporting means includes a supply hub having a raised central boss for facilitating the placement of the supply reel over the supply hub. .Iaddend.