Magnetic tape threading and transport apparatus including air bearing blocks.

摘要

A magnetic tape cassette helical scan magnetic tape recorder (100) has a magnetic tape threading and transport apparatus including multi-surface, multi-radius air bearing blocks (17),(18) for transporting magnetic tape (103) in a helical path around a tilted rotary head scanner (15). Vacuum walls (9),(10)located on either side of the rotary head scanner (15) assist in threading the magnetic tape (103) from a magnetic tape cassette (1) around the rotary head scanner (15). The air bearing blocks (17),(18) are moved into position contiguous to the rotary head scanner (15) after the vacuum threading operation is completed. <IMAGE>