A tape appliance includes first and second tape head modules, and a guide surface with first and second slots. The guide surface is configured such that the as the tape moves in first and reverse directions of longitudinal tape travel, the tape wraps about the guide surface, and at least two non-overlapping wrap positions of the tape engage the first slot, and at least one wrap position of the tape engages the second slot. When the tape travel is in the first longitudinal direction, the first and second tape head modules are positioned within the first and second slots, respectively, such that the first tape head module is the leading module. When the tape travel is in the reverse longitudinal direction, the first and second tape head modules are positioned within the first and second slots, respectively, such that the first tape head module remains the leading module.

A tape appliance with selectably always-leading head assemblies. The tape appliance includes a first tape head module, a second tape head module, and a tape guide assembly for guiding a tape past the first and second tape head modules such that the first tape head module is the leading module for both first and the reverse directions of longitudinal tape travel.

An apparatus usable as a chucking device to temporarily couple two mechanical objects together. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an arbor configured to receive an at least partially ferromagnetic object; and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes multiple permanent magnets mounted in a soft ferromagnetic enclosure. The magnet assembly is rotatably coupled to the arbor such that the magnet assembly and the arbor are positionable relative to one another in locking and unlocking positions upon relative rotation therebetween. The magnet assembly is configured to exert a pulling force on the object in the locking position and a lesser force in the unlocking position.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for mobile media with both dedicated readable and writeable user data space and dedicated readable and writeable drive device space. The mobile data storage media adapted for operatively working with a drive device comprises a data space accessible by an end user and a drive software space accessible by the drive device and inaccessible by an end user. The drive software space is adapted to accommodate firmware for use by the drive device in addition to the reading and writing of software by the drive device. The media is adapted to receive and store software from the drive device or, alternatively, is adapted to transmit software to the drive device.

The present disclosure generally relates to a captive tape drive comprising a tape head. The captive drive comprises an upper assembly, the upper assembly comprising a first tape, a first supply reel, a first take-up reel, and two or more rollers. The captive tape drive further comprises a lower assembly disposed below the upper assembly, the lower assembly comprising a second tape, a second supply reel, a second take-up reel, and two or more rollers. The tape head is disposed between the plurality of rollers, and is configured to move between the upper assembly and the lower assembly to access the first and second tapes. The tape head comprises one or more modules, each module comprising 64 writers and 64 readers. Each module is configured to write data to the first and second tapes using the 64 writers and to read verify the newly written data using the 64 readers.

The present disclosure generally relates to a captive tape drive comprising a tape head. The captive drive comprises an upper assembly, the upper assembly comprising a first tape, a first supply reel, a first take-up reel, and two or more rollers. The captive tape drive further comprises a lower assembly disposed below the upper assembly, the lower assembly comprising a second tape, a second supply reel, a second take-up reel, and two or more rollers. The tape head is disposed between the plurality of rollers, and is configured to move between the upper assembly and the lower assembly to access the first and second tapes. The tape head comprises one or more modules, each module comprising 64 writers and 64 readers. Each module is configured to write data to the first and second tapes using the 64 writers and to read verify the newly written data using the 64 readers.