EP0280263A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Automated library for data storage disks
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1988-02-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is an automated library (10) for data storage disks. Such library comprises at least one disk drive (18, 20), means (13, 14) for storing a large number of disks, and disk transport means (22) for transporting disks between the disk drive and disk-storing means. The disk-transporting means comprises a bi-directional disk placer assembly (25) which operates to convey selected disks into and out of the disk-storing means and disk drive. A movably mounted drive unit (80) functions to rotatably support the disk placer assembly for movement about an axis which is perpendicular to the direction in which disks are conveyed by such assembly, whereby "picked" disks can be flipped 180 degrees to present either side to the disk drive. The picker assembly handles each disk by means of a carrier, a generally rectangular frame which surrounds and releasably captures a disk. The picker mechanism is adapted to handle such carrier in any one of four different orientations. A single DC servo motor functions to selectively drive each of two disk conveyors in the picker assembly, as well as to selectively rotate the picker assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard C. C/O Eastman Kodak Company Deck
- 👤 Warner P. C/O Eastman Kodak Company Carlson
- 👤 Lawrence W. C/O Eastman Kodak Company Wirth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:37
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/03; G11B23/0301; G11B23/0313; G11B23/0316; G11B17/00; G11B17/22; G11B17/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
Au automated library (10) for storing and using a plurality of data storage disks (D), each of such disks being adapted to have data recorded on both of two opposing planar surfaces, said library comprising: first and second disk-storing means (13, 14), each being adapted to store a plurality of data storage disks in closely spaced parallel planes, said first and second disk-storing means being spaced apart to define therebetween a disk-transport corridor; and a disk utilization device (18, 20) positioned along said corridor; characterized in that: disk transport means (22) are provided for transporting selected disks along said corridor between said first and second disk-storing means and said utilization device, said disk transport means comprising: (i) a disk placer assembly (25) adapted to engage a selected disk in either of said disk-storing means and to convey such disk along a predetermined path into said corridor; (ii) means (33) for advancing said disk picker assembly along said corridor to advance a disk from a position juxtaposed its storage position in either of said disk-storing means, to a position juxtaposed said utilization device, and (iii) means (80) for selectively rotating said picker assembly 180° about an axis extending perpendicular to said predetermined path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
Au automated library (10) for storing and using a plurality of data storage disks (D), each of such disks being adapted to have data recorded on both of two opposing planar surfaces, said library comprising: first and second disk-storing means (13, 14), each being adapted to store a plurality of data storage disks in closely spaced parallel planes, said first and second disk-storing means being spaced apart to define therebetween a disk-transport corridor; and a disk utilization device (18, 20) positioned along said corridor; characterized in that: disk transport means (22) are provided for transporting selected disks along said corridor between said first and second disk-storing means and said utilization device, said disk transport means comprising: (i) a disk placer assembly (25) adapted to engage a selected disk in either of said disk-storing means and to convey such disk along a predetermined path into said corridor; (ii) means (33) for advancing said disk picker assembly along said corridor to advance a disk from a position juxtaposed its storage position in either of said disk-storing means, to a position juxtaposed said utilization device, and (iii) means (80) for selectively rotating said picker assembly 180° about an axis extending perpendicular to said predetermined path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as defined by claim 1 characterized in that said data storage disk is supported in a disk carrier (35) having a generally rectangular configuration, and wherein said picker assembly comprises disk conveyor means (42, 43) for selectively drivingly engaging opposing lateral edges of such disk carrier to advance such carrier along said predetermined path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention as defined by claim 2 characterized in that said disk conveyor means comprises a pair of endless conveyor belts (44, 45), menas (56) for advancing said belts along spaced paths, and means (48) for selectively changing the course of said paths so that said belts engage the opposing lateral edges of a disk carrier and function to advance such carrier along said predetermined path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as defined by claim 3 characterized in that each of the lateral edges of each disk carrier is provided with a rack (36) of teeth, and wherein each of said conveyor belts is provided with teeth for engaging the teeth on the carrier's lateral edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as defined by claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said picker assembly comprises first and second independently operable disk-conveying means (42, 43), each being adapted to extract disks from and return disks to either of said disk-storing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as defined by claim 5 characterized in that said disk transport means comprises a single drive motor (M) having a drive shaft (82), and means (83, 84, 87, 120, 122; 85, 86, 90, 91, 100, 102, 104) for selectively coupling said drive shaft to said picker assembly rotating means and to said first and second disk-conveying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
An automated library for data storage disks, said library comprising: (a) a housing (12), (b) storage means (13, 14) supported by said housing for storing a plurality of data storage disks side-by-side in closely spaced parallel planes; (c) a disk utilization device (18, 20) supported by said housing; (d) a disk picker assembly (25) operable in a first mode to engage a selected disk in said storage means and to extract such disk from said storage means by moving such disk in a first direction relative to said storage means; (e) support means (80) for rotatably supporting said picker assembly for movement about an axis (A) extending perpendicular to said first direction; (f) drive means (M) for selectively rotating said picker assembly 180° about said axis; and (g) means (30, 32) for movably mounting said support means on said frame for movement in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and to said axis of rotation, to present an extracted disk to said utilization device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
An automated library for data storage disks, said library comprising: (a) a housing (12), (b) storage means (13, 14) supported by said housing for storing a plurality of data storage disks side-by-side in closely spaced parallel planes; (c) a disk utilization device (18, 20) supported by said housing; (d) a disk picker assembly (25) operable in a first mode to engage a selected disk in said storage means and to extract such disk from said storage means by moving such disk in a first direction relative to said storage means; (e) support means (80) for rotatably supporting said picker assembly for movement about an axis (A) extending perpendicular to said first direction; (f) drive means (M) for selectively rotating said picker assembly 180° about said axis; and (g) means (30, 32) for movably mounting said support means on said frame for movement in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and to said axis of rotation, to present an extracted disk to said utilization device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined by claim 7 further comprising locking means (130, 132, 134, 136) for preventing substantial relative movement between an extracted disk and said picker assembly during rotation of said picker assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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