Patent EP0392620A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0392620A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for automatically accessing cartridges in an array
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
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Filing: 1990-04-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-04-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for randomly accessing a plurality of magnetic recording cartridges (2) comprises a magazine (10) for accepting an array of such cartridges, and an elevator (70) for accessing the several cartridges associated with the magazine and for delivering the accessed cartridge to a tape transport unit. The magazine and elevator are contained within a housing (5) having an access door (6) associated with its front, and a selected tape transport unit associated with its rear, operating within the enclosure which is defined to avoid contact between the moving parts of the apparatus and the unit's operator. Also the magazine.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Fago
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:30
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/023; G11B23/0236; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/682; G11B15/6835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for accessing a plurality of cartridges for introduction to a device for operating upon said cartridges, wherein said device extends from said accessing apparatus, and wherein said apparatus comprises: a plurality of slots for receiving said cartridges in a structured array; an elevator movable adjacent to said slots and said device, and including means for transferring said cartridges between said elevator and said slots and said elevator and said device; and means for controlling movement of said elevator relative to said slots and to said device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for accessing a plurality of cartridges for introduction to a device for operating upon said cartridges, wherein said device extends from said accessing apparatus, and wherein said apparatus comprises: a plurality of slots for receiving said cartridges in a structured array; an elevator movable adjacent to said slots and said device, and including means for transferring said cartridges between said elevator and said slots and said elevator and said device; and means for controlling movement of said elevator relative to said slots and to said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridges are magnetic recording cartridges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said device is a data storage device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridges are stacked in a vertical array, and said elevator is vertically movable adjacent to said vertical array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is substantially enclosed, and includes a door for gaining access to said cartridges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said door is lockable responsive to operations of said apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridges are receivable within a magazine which is removable from said apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said apparatus includes means for latching said magazine within said apparatus when contained by said apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said latching means includes means for positively releasing said latching means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said releasing means is operatively associated with a handle for carrying said magazine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said magazine includes a plurality of configured slots for slidingly receiving said cartridges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said slots include means for orienting said cartridges within said slots.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said orienting means includes a lever for verifying that one of said cartridges is inserted into one of said slots in an upright orientation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said verifying lever extends from a side of said magazine and into said slot, at an angle which cooperates with features of said cartridge to withdraw said verifying lever from said slot when receiving an upright cartridge, and to block an inverted cartridge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said orienting means includes a lever for verifying that said cartridges are inserted into said slots only from a selected side of said magazine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said selected side is the front of said magazine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said verifying lever extends from a side of said magazine and into said slot, at an angle which cooperates with features of said cartridge to withdraw said verifying lever from said slot when receiving a cartridge from said selected side of the magazine, and to block a cartridge inserted from a side of the magazine other than said selected side.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said verifying lever is urged into said slot when said magazine is removed from said apparatus, and withdrawn from said slot when said magazine is contained within said apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said verifying lever is withdrawn from said slot by a push rod extending between said verifying lever and side edge portions of said magazine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said push rod is aligned with fixed frame portions of said apparatus when said magazine is contained within said apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said side edge portions of the magazine and said fixed frame portions of the apparatus include cooperating projections for permitting engagement between said push rod and said fixed frame portions when said magazine is installed within said apparatus, and for preventing engagement with said push rod when said magazine is removed from said apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said slots include means for retaining said cartridges within said slots.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said retaining means includes means for latching a cartridge within said slot.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said latching means includes a pivotable latch having a catch for engaging features of said cartridge.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said catch includes sloping face portions for facilitating positive withdrawal of said cartridge from said slot.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said elevator includes means for engaging said pivotable latch to disengage said catch from said cartridge when said cartridge is to be transferred between said magazine and said elevator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said retaining means includes a stop for engaging end portions of said cartridges.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said stop is pivotable between a position for engaging said end portions, and a position for passing said cartridges.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevator comprises: a frame defining an enclosure for receiving said cartridges; means for moving said frame relative to said apparatus and to said cartridges; and means associated with opposing sides of said enclosure for moving cartridges longitudinally within said enclosure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said frame moving means includes a stepper motor for controlled movement of said elevator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said cartridge moving means comprises: opposing belts supported upon movable frames for engaging cartridges and for moving said engaged cartridges within said enclosure; and means for moving said support frames and said opposing belts into engagement with a cartridge to be moved within said enclosure.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said support frame moving means is a cam associated with said elevator frame and including means for engaging said support frames to move said support frames relative to said enclosure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said elevator further includes means for ejecting cartridges from said enclosure, for introduction into said device for operating upon said cartridges.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said ejecting means comprises: a drive plate slidably received within said enclosure; cam means for reciprocating said drive plate; and a pusher extending from said drive plate, for retractable movement within said enclosure to engage portions of a cartridge extending therefrom.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said enclosure includes a slot for engaging a pin extending from said pusher to extend and retract said pusher within said enclosure responsive to reciprocation of said drive plate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controlling means includes means for automatically operating said elevator to move cartridges between said slots and said device for operating upon said cartridges.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said controlling means operates to randomly select cartridges from said array.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said controlling means operates to sequentially select cartridges from said array.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein a slot in said array is a priority slot for receiving a cartridge, and wherein said controlling means operates to automatically select the cartridge in said priority slot as a next cartridge to be delivered to said device for operating upon said cartridges.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said accessing apparatus includes an access door, and wherein said controlling means inhibits further operation of said apparatus when said access door is opened.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said apparatus includes means for locking said access door.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said locking means is operated by said controlling means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said apparatus includes means for inhibiting operation of said apparatus when a cartridge extends into the path of movement defined by said elevator.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said inhibiting means includes sensor means for detecting a cartridge extending from said array.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said inhibiting means includes sensor means for detecting a cartridge extending from said device for operating upon said cartridges.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said elevator includes sensor means for determining positioning of a cartridge within said elevator.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said elevator includes sensor means for determining slots containing a tape cartridge and slots which remain empty.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
63 words
A magazine for accepting and housing a plurality of cartridges, wherein said magazine is removably insertable into an apparatus for operating upon said cartridges, and comprises: an enclosure defining a plurality of slots for receiving said cartridges; means for orienting said cartridges within said slots as said cartridges are inserted into said slots; and means for positively retaining inserted cartridges within said slots.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
63 words
A magazine for accepting and housing a plurality of cartridges, wherein said magazine is removably insertable into an apparatus for operating upon said cartridges, and comprises: an enclosure defining a plurality of slots for receiving said cartridges; means for orienting said cartridges within said slots as said cartridges are inserted into said slots; and means for positively retaining inserted cartridges within said slots.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
The magazine of claim 48 wherein said magazine includes means for latching said magazine within said apparatus when inserted into said apparatus.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The magazine of claim 49 wherein said apparatus includes means for positively releasing said latching means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The magazine of claim 50 wherein said releasing means is operatively associated with a handle for carrying said magazine.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The magazine of claim 48 wherein said orienting means includes a lever for verifying that one of said cartridges is inserted into one of said slots in an upright orientation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
49 words
The magazine of claim 52 wherein said verifying lever extends from a side of said magazine and into said slot, at an angle which cooperates with features of said cartridge to withdraw said verifying lever from said slot when receiving an upright cartridge, and to block an inverted cartridge.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The magazine of claim 48 wherein said orienting means includes a lever for verifying that said cartridges are inserted into said slots only from a selected side of said magazine.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
The magazine of claim 54 wherein said selected side is the front of said magazine.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
66 words
The magazine of claim 54 wherein said verifying lever extends from a side of said magazine and into said slot, at an angle which cooperates with features of said cartridge to withdraw said verifying lever from said slot when receiving a cartridge from said selected side of the magazine, and to block a cartridge inserted from a side of the magazine other than said selected side.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
The magazine of claim 54 wherein said verifying lever is urged into said slot when said magazine is removed from said apparatus, and withdrawn from said slot when said magazine is contained within said apparatus.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
The magazine of claim 57 wherein said verifying lever is withdrawn from said slot by a push rod extending between said verifying lever and side edge portions of said magazine.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
The magazine of claim 58 wherein said push rod is aligned with fixed frame portions of said apparatus when said magazine is contained within said apparatus.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
60 words
The magazine of claim 59 wherein said side edge portions of the magazine and said fixed frame portions of the apparatus include cooperating projections for permitting engagement between said push rod and said fixed frame portions when said magazine is installed within said apparatus, and for preventing engagement with said push rod when said magazine is removed from said apparatus.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
The magazine of claim 48 wherein said retaining means includes means for latching a cartridge within said slot.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
The magazine of claim 61 wherein said latching means includes a pivotable latch having a catch for engaging features of said cartridge.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The magazine of claim 62 wherein said catch includes sloping face portions for facilitating positive withdrawal of said cartridge from said slot.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
35 words
The magazine of claim 62 wherein said apparatus includes means for engaging said pivotable latch to disengage said catch from said cartridge when said cartridge is to be transferred between said magazine and said apparatus.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
19 words
The magazine of claim 48 wherein said retaining means includes a stop for engaging end portions of said cartridges.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
25 words
The magazine of claim 65 wherein said stop is pivotable between a position for engaging said end portions, and a position for passing said cartridges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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