Automatic magnetic tape cartridge stack loader for tape drive systems
US4835634A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 30, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/6885
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The automatic magnetic tape cartridge stack loader apparatus includes a stack load slot for receiving a stack of magnetic tape cartridges. This slot is supported on the bottom by an indexing mechanism that translates the stack of magnetic tape cartridges in a downward direction so that the bottom most magnetic tape cartridge in the stack is in position in front of the tape drive access port, and supported by a load mechanism for insertion into the tape drive. A pair of stack grab plates, located on either side of the stack load slot concurrently operate to clamp the stack of magnetic tape cartridges, less the bottom most one, as the stack is translating in the downward direction. Once the bottom most magnetic tape cartridge is positioned on the load mechanism, the drop mechanism is operated to be repositioned under the stack of magnetic tape cartridges held by the stack grab plates. A tractor mechanism is then activated to load the magnetic tape cartridge from the load mechanism into the tape drive. When the magnetic tape cartridge is ejected from the tape drive, the tractor mechanism loads it onto the load mechanism where it is placed on to an elevator mechanism that supports a st…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.