Cartridge spine and library employing same
US5867344A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/683
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An automated cartridge handling system or library (20, 20') for storing cartridges (22) of information storage media comprises a cartridge holder (26); a tape drive (30) movably mounted with respect to the cartridge holder; and, a transport system (40) for transporting the tape drive (30) in a drive transport path (42) between a unloaded position and a cartridge loaded position. The cartridges (22) remain stationary in the library while the tape drive is transported between the unloaded position and the cartridge loaded position. The cartridge holder library has a plurality of apertures (70) which receive cartridge holders or spines (80). To retain the cartridge (22) within the spine, each spine has resilient cartridge retaining fingers (100) formed in its interior cavity (90) for engaging a notch (104) on the cartridge. Each spine is provided with stabilization flanges (112) for stabilizing the cartridge. Each spine has asymmetrical orientation flanges (116) so that the cartridge-laden spine can be inserted into the library only in an up-right orientation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.