Magnetic tape cartridge changer

Claim 2

An improved magnetic tape cartridge changer comprising: a supporting frame; a means coupled to said frame for mounting a plurality of tape cartridges substantially parallel and spaced apart along a linear axiS; a plurality of tape cartridges positioned within said tape cartridge mounting means; a tape transducer and tape drive means; a carriage frame vertically movably mounted to said supporting frame, said transducer and tape drive means horizontally movably mounted to said carriage; means coupled to said supporting frame for moving said transducer and tape drive means horizontally within said carriage, whenever said carriage is in a predetermined position; resilient means for holding said carriage and said transducer and tape drive means into operable engagement with one of said plurality of tape cartridges; drive means for moving said carriage and said transducer and tape drive means vertically out of engagement with one of said plurality of tape cartridges; power source; a plurality of contacts spaced apart and connected to said carriage frame, each of said contacts being aligned with a different one of said plurality of tape cartridges and disposed linearly in a direction of movement horizontally of said transducer and tape drive means; a movable contact connected to and movable with said transducer and tape drive means and engageable with said plurality of carriage frame contacts; multiple position selector switch; and a selector circuit means connected to said selector switch, said carriage drive means, said horizontal moving means for transducer and tape drive means, said power source, said plurality of frame contacts, said movable contact, whereby the predetermined tape cartridge may be engaged operably with said transducer utilizing predetermined positions within the selector switch which are identifiable with corresponding predetermined tape cartridges.

Claim 3

An improved tape cartridge changer, as in claim 1, wherein, said selector circuit means includes: a pair of trigger pulse means, each connected to a different alternate group of selector switch contact positions; holding circuit means connected to and actuated by said trigger circuit means; a relay switch coupled to and actuated by said holding circuit means connecting said carriage drive means and horizontal transducer drive means and horizontal transducer drive means to said power source; and relay release circuit means connecting said stationary contacts, said moving contact, and said selector position contacts for deactuating said relay whenever said moving contact engages a particular preselected stationary contact.

Claim 4

An improved cartridge changing device, as in claim 2, wherein: said carriage drive means includes at least one solenoid connected to said frame and having a movable armature connected to said carriage, and said resilient means for holding said carriage includes a spring.

Claim 5

An improved cartridge changer, as in claim 3, wherein: said supporting frame includes plurality of vertically disposed legs, a rectangular upper cross-frame connecting upper ends of said vertical legs, a lower rectangular frame connected to the lower ends of said vertical legs, said vertical legs having grooved inner facing portions vertically disposed along the longitudinal axis of each leg, said end leg pairs having the grooved portions facing each other inwardly, said carriage having end portions coupled in and connected to said grooved portions and movable there within in a vertical direction.

Claim 6

An improved magnetic tape cartridge changer comprising: a supporting frame; power source; first support means movably vertically coupled to said frame; second support means movably connected to said first support means, said second support means horizontally movable relative to said first support means; a tape cartridge storage rack connected to said frame, said storage rack having a plurality of receiving means for receiving cartridges aligned substantially vertically; a transducer and tape drive means connected to and disposed on top of said second support means; a selector switch means having a plurality of inDividual contact positions, each of said positions corresponding to a different tape cartridge rack storage position; means connected to said first support means for resiliently holding said first support means in position relative to said cartridge storage rack for operable engagement of said transducer means with a cartridge disposed therein; means connected to said first support means and said frame for moving said first support means from a first position in operable engagement against said resilient means to a second position vertically in which the transducer means is disengaged from the cartridge disposed within the cartridge rack; means engageable with said second support means for moving said second support means horizontally whenever said first support means and transducer is in the disengaged position relative to said transducer and tape cartridge; a plurality of stationary contacts connected to said first support means, each of said contacts aligned to correspond to a different cartridge position; a movable contact engageable with each of said stationary contacts individually and connected to said second support means and movable therewith; cut-off circuit means; and a circuit means connecting said power source, said selector switch individual positions, said stationary contacts said cut-off circuit means, said first support moving means, said second support moving means, and said movable contact means whereby movement of said selector from the first position to any adjacent position will provide power to said first support moving means and said cut-off circuit means to shut off power whenever said moving contact engages predetermined selected stationary contact corresponding to said preselected cartridge.

Claim 7

An improved magnetic tape cartridge changer comprising: a supporting frame; power source; first support means movably vertically coupled to said frame; second support means movably connected to said first support means, said second support means horizontally movable relative to said first support means; a tape cartridge storage rack connected to said frame, said storage rack having a plurality of receiving means for receiving cartridges aligned substantially vertically; a transducer and tape drive means connected to and disposed on top of said second support means; a selector switch means having a plurality of inDividual contact positions, each of said positions corresponding to a different tape cartridge rack storage position; means connected to said first support means for resiliently holding said first support means in position relative to said cartridge storage rack for operable engagement of said transducer means with a cartridge disposed therein; means connected to said first support means and said frame for moving said first support means from a first position in operable engagement against said resilient means to a second position vertically in which the transducer means is disengaged from the cartridge disposed within the cartridge rack; means engageable with said second support means for moving said second support means horizontally whenever said first support means and transducer is in the disengaged position relative to said transducer and tape cartridge; a plurality of stationary contacts connected to said first support means, each of said contacts aligned to correspond to a different cartridge position; a movable contact engageable with each of said stationary contacts individually and connected to said second support means and movable therewith; cut-off circuit means; and a circuit means connecting said power source, said selector switch individual positions, said stationary contacts said cut-off circuit means, said first support moving means, said second support moving means, and said movable contact means whereby movement of said selector from the first position to any adjacent position will provide power to said first support moving means and said cut-off circuit means to shut off power whenever said moving contact engages predetermined selected stationary contact corresponding to said preselected cartridge.

Claim 8

A cartridge changer, as in claim 5, wherein: said second support means includes a planar surface having a slot therein, and said second support moving means includes an endless belt means having a protruding member engaged through said surface slot.

Claim 9

A cartridge changer, as in claim 6, wherein: said second drive means includes: a pair of sprockets rotatably coupled to said second support member, a sprocket drive means connected to one of said sprockets, said endless belt being a chain coupled about said sprockets.

Claim 10

A tape cartridge changer, as in claim 7, wherein said second support drive means includes: a motor mounted to said supporting frame; a drive wheel connected to said motor and engageable with said sprocket drive means whenever said first support means is positioned at its farthest location from said cartridge rack.

Claim 11

A tape cartridge changer, as in claim 6, wherein: said stationary contact width is sized to compensate for the second support means momentum.

Claim 12

A tape cartridge, changer, as in claim 6, wherein said circuit means includes a trigger circuit comprising: first capacitor means; a first resistor connected across said first capacitor means; second capacitor means; second resistor connected across said second capacitor means; said first capacitor means connected to alternate selector switch contact positions, said second capacitor means connected to different alternate selector switch contact positions whereby movement of the selector switch to an adjacent switch position triggers said circuit means.