Tape library cartridge manipulation apparatus
US5820055A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/6835
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A compact x-y position system employing a cantilevered frame for carrying an elevator, a gripper with z-axis motion capability mounted to the elevator and cartridge handling and storage including multiple removable magazines and a mailbox for cartridge insertion and disgorgement provide a complete cartridge manipulation apparatus for tape libraries. The x-y position system includes a y-axis rail with unlimited vertical expansion capability and a cantilevered x-axis frame mountable within a standard 19" electronics rack. The gripper mounted to an elevator carried by the x-axis frame is bidirectionally translatable in a z axis and includes a traction assembly having a belt drive train and reaction rollers for cartridge handling. The mailbox incorporates an aperture in an exposed face of the library with a movable door for blocking access to an interior bay of the tape library. An ejection mechanism is incorporated for cartridges inserted into the mailbox by the gripper. The movable door and ejection mechanism are both operable by the gripper. Multiple magazines, each having a vertically stacked series of cartridge storage slots, are mounted within the library, and sensors for a libra…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.