Cassette loader with leader tape extraction and transfer, and method

摘要

A cassette loader for loading a length of magnetic tape into a cassette having a relatively short length of leader tape preloaded into the cassette and attached by opposite ends to respective first and second cassette hubs, the cassette loader including a transfer arm for transferring a length of leader tape extracted from the cassette at a leader tape extracting position to a splicing block for splicing to a length of magnetic tape. The transfer arm is mounted for movement on the cassette loader. A leader tape extractor is carried by the transfer arm for holding the leader tape. The transfer arm moves in an arc between the leader tape extracting position and a point past a side of the splicing block remote from the leader tape extracting position to a leader tape delivery position to deliver the leader tape to the splicing block for splicing. The transfer arm then returns to the leader tape extracting position.