Inter-library exchange of a removable medium

US10472186B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Erik Rueger · Mainz, DE
• Stefan Wiedemann · Munich, DE
• Robert Beiderbeck · Wassenberg, DE
• Markus Schäfer · Horterhof, DE
• Ole Asmussen · Henstedt-Ulzburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2018
• Grant date: Nov 12, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2201/02
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A port is used for exchanging removable media with a media library. The port includes a port housing with an opening exchanging the media between an internal volume and another opening permitting an exchange of the media between the internal volume and the media library. The port also includes a guiding funnel for guiding the media from the environment to the opening, an elastic element and a plate for receiving the medium. The elastic element and the plate are installed in the internal volume, and the plate is coupled to the elastic element. The elastic element is configured for pressing the plate against the opening to seal the port when the plate is unloaded and for permitting a movement of the plate into the internal volume to allow the exchange of the medium through the other opening when the plate is loaded.