Single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features

Abstract

The single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features provides one or more features to center the tape reel with respect to the interior surfaces of the tape cartridge housing and a rotatably driven feature, such as a drive chuck, in the tape drive that rotates the tape reel. The single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features provides mechanical positioning and centering of the tape reel with respect to the drive chuck of the tape drive when the tape cartridge is in any orientation and constrains lateral movement of the tape reel to prevent the tape reel from contacting the interior surfaces of the tape cartridge housing. This is accomplished by the use of a spring that applies a bias force to press the tape reel against the drive chuck in the tape drive, which rotates the tape reel. One end of the spring is seated in a spring sleeve that is formed in the center of the interior surface of the top section of the tape cartridge housing. The other end of the spring engages the tape reel.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A single reel tape cartridge that is configured to be loadable into a tape drive to read and write data on rewriteable media that is wound on the single reel tape cartridge, the single reel tape cartridge comprising: 
 a tape reel comprising: 
 a hub,  
 a first flange connected to a top of the hub,  
 a second flange connected to a bottom of the hub in a parallel relationship with the first flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange define a tape containment section between said first and second flanges,  
 connecting means, attached to said second flange, for engaging a drive chuck located in the tape drive to enable rotation of said drive chuck to cause rotation of said tape reel;  
   spring means for applying a bias force on said hub to press said tape reel against said drive chuck; and    a housing for enclosing said tape reel, comprising: 
 spring centering means formed on an interior surface of said housing and aligned to receive said spring means for limiting movement of said tape reel in directions that are perpendicular to said hub axis.  
   
     
     
         2 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 1  wherein said spring centering means limits movement of said spring means in directions that are perpendicular to said hub axis.  
     
     
         3 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 1  wherein said tape reel further comprises: 
 a cylindrically-shaped aperture formed in said hub and centered on said axis.  
 
     
     
         4 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 3  wherein said housing further comprises: 
 a cylindrically-shaped feature of diameter less than a diameter of said cylindrically-shaped aperture to prevent said first and said second flanges from impacting interior surfaces of said housing.  
 
     
     
         5 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 4  wherein said housing further comprises: 
 a chamfer formed on a circumference of said cylindrically-shaped feature for guiding said cylindrically-shaped feature into said center bore cylindrically-shaped aperture.  
 
     
     
         6 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 1  wherein said housing further comprises: 
 a plurality of ramped centering posts formed on an inside surface of said housing to form a channel to funnel said tape reel into a substantially centered position within the tape cartridge housing.  
 
     
     
         7 . A single reel tape cartridge that is configured to be loadable into a tape drive to read and write data on rewriteable media that is wound on the single reel tape cartridge, the single reel tape cartridge comprising: 
 a tape reel comprising: 
 a cylindrically-shaped hub having a cylindrically-shaped center bore formed axially therein,  
 a first flange connected to a top of the hub,  
 a second flange connected to a bottom of the hub in a parallel relationship with the first flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange define a tape containment section between the first and second flanges,  
 drive teeth located on said bottom of said hub for engaging a drive chuck located in the tape drive to enable rotation of said drive chuck to cause rotation of said tape reel;  
   bias spring, having a body, a first end and a second end, for applying a bias force via said first end on said hub to press said tape reel against said drive chuck; and    a housing for enclosing said tape reel, comprising: 
 a bottom section having an aperture formed therein to enable access to said drive teeth by said drive chuck,  
 a top section having a spring centering sleeve formed on an interior surface of said top section and aligned to receive said body and said second end of said bias spring for limiting movement of said tape reel in directions that are perpendicular to said hub axis.  
   
     
     
         8 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 7  wherein said spring centering sleeve limits movement of said body of said bias spring in directions that are perpendicular to said hub axis.  
     
     
         9 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 7  wherein said tape reel further comprises: 
 a cylindrically-shaped aperture formed in said hub and centered on said axis.  
 
     
     
         10 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 9  wherein said top section of said housing further comprises: 
 a cylindrically-shaped feature of diameter less than a diameter of said cylindrically-shaped aperture to prevent said first and said second flanges from impacting interior surfaces of said housing.  
 
     
     
         11 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 10  wherein said top section of said housing further comprises: 
 a chamfer formed on a circumference of said cylindrically-shaped feature for guiding said cylindrically-shaped feature into said center bore cylindrically-shaped aperture.  
 
     
     
         12 . The single reel tape cartridge of  claim 7  wherein said top section of said housing further comprises: 
 a plurality of ramped centering posts formed on an inside surface of said top section of said housing to form a channel to funnel said tape reel into a substantially centered position within the tape cartridge housing.