GB1315620A - Tape strip file - Google Patents

Abstract

1315620 Selecting and feeding record tapes INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP 13 Dec 1971 [28 Dec 1970] 57707/71 Heading G5R A tape strip file includes a tape carrier unit 17 having a plurality of parallel passages S1, S2 ... S8, Fig. 4, extending therethrough, each passage being adapted to accommodate a tape strip, a selector mechanism 51 movable to couple both ends of a selected passage into a closed loop tape guide path which includes a transducing position 41, 43, Fig. 1, and a pneumatic drive operable to transport the tape from the selected passage round the path and back into the selected passage. As shown, the selector mechanism 51 at each end of the tape carrier unit 17 comprises three slidable blocks 61, 62, 63 which have ascending numbers of passageways therethrough and are settable by means of solenoids 71, 72, 73 to form a complete passageway from a selected passage S1, S2 ... S8 in the tape carrier unit 17 to a slot 67-1 leading into the tape guide path. A drawer 15, Fig. 2, carries a tape guide path and a set of selector solenoids 71, 72, 73 cooperating with a plurality of removable tape carrier units 17, one such unit 17 being selected for operative connection by means of a further selector, Fig. 10 (not shown). The complete file 11, Fig. 1, comprises a plurality of such drawers 15 in a housing 13 together with a pneumatic system including three fans 19, 21, 23. The transducing positions, which may be of the transverse-scanning video type, may be individual to the tape guide paths or common to all, Figs. 9 and 11(a) to 11(c) (not shown). Each tape carrier unit 17 includes a section for accelerating the tape strip under air pressure and a section for braking it under suction, Figs. 12(a) and 12(b) (not shown).