Tape reel cartridge storage cell

Claim 2

A reel storage cell adapted for releasable retention of a plurality of tape reel cartridges and the like wherein each cartridge is characterized by having an outer, generally circular peripheral edge portion, said storage cell comprising: a body portion having a plurality of forwardly directed, arcuate grooves curving downwardly and forwardly in closely-spaced parallel relation to one another over an arc of substantially 90the curvature of each groove conforming to that of the outer peripheral edge of the cartridge, and a downwardly and forwardly divergent guide surface at the front, lower end of each groove; and latching fingers disposed adjacent to the upper rearwardmost point on opposite sides of each groove and extending forwardly for a limited distance, said fingers being possessed of limited resiliency and the spacing between each set of fingers on opposite sides of a groove normally being slightly less than the width of the groove so that each set of fingers will spread when a cartridge is pressed edgewise therebetween whereby to yieldingly engage the cartridge and releasably retain same in an associated groove.

Claim 3

A reel storage unit according to claim 1, there being at least one pair of fingers in opposed facing relation to one another on opposite sides of the groove.

Claim 4

A reel storage unit according to claim 1 each set of said latching fingers for a groove having enlargements at their forward distal ends, each enlargement projecting inwardly toward the finger on the opposite side of the groove and cooperating therewith to define an entrance for guiding the reel into the groove.

Claim 5

A steel cartridge storage cell according to claim 1, the surface of each groove having circumferentially extending ribs at closely spaced intervals across the groove.

Claim 6

A reel storage cartridge cell according to claim 1, the opposite sides of each groove diverging forwardly away from the inner surface of the groove to assist in guiding a cartridge into seated disposition within its respective groove.

Claim 7

A reel storage cartridge cell according to claim 1, further including a finger support plate spaced upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the uppermost point of the grooved surfaces, said latching fingers extending forwardly from said support plate beyond the forward edges of the sides of the groove, that portion of the fingers extending beyond the sides of the groove being defined by enlarged forward distal ends having rearwardly convergent sides forming limited entrances for pressfit insertion of a cartridge between each set of fingers into seated relation to the groove.

Claim 8

A reel storage cartridge cell according to claim 6, the sides of each groove being forwardly tapered along the forwardly divergent surface of the groove so as to form guide surfaces to guide movement of each cartridge into seated disposition within a respective groove.

Claim 9

A reel storage cartridge cell according to claim 7, the body of each cell having a rear vertical edge provided with rearwardly directed tabs for mounting of said cell in vertical disposition in a vertical surface, and the body having a bottom edge surface at an angle less than 90* to the vertical edge so as to be tilted upwardly at an acute angle from the horizontal.

Claim 10

A reel storage cell adapted for releasable retention of a plurality of tape reel cartridges and the like wherein each cartridge is characterized by having an outer, generally circular peripheral edge portion, said storage cell comprising: a hollow body portion having opposite side walls, a bottom wall, an open back, and a front curved wall including a plurality of forwardly directed, concave grooves curving downwardly and forwardly in closely spaced, parallel relation to one another and each terminating at its front end in an entrance guide surface so as to be adapted for lateral insertion of tape cartridges therein, the curvature of each groove conforming to that of the outer peripheral edge of the cartridge; yieldable reel gripping means disposed on opposite sides of each groove and extending forwardly of the front wall surface for a limited distance, said gripping means being spaced above each of the grooves with the grooves curving forwardly and downwardly therefrom; and rearwardly directed tabs on the back of said body portion for suspension of said cell in vertical disposition on a vertical surface such that the bottom wall is at an angle less than 90* to the vertical back so as to be tilted upwardly at an acute angle from the horizontal.

Claim 11

A reel storage cell adapted for releasable retention of a plurality of tape reel cartridges and the like wherein each cartridge is characterized by having an outer, generally circular peripheral edge portion, said storage cell comprising: a hollow body portion having opposite side walls, a bottom wall, an open back, and a front curved wall including a plurality of forwardly directed, concave grooves curving downwardly and forwardly in closely spaced, parallel relation to one another and each terminating at its front end in an entrance guide surface so as to be adapted for lateral insertion of tape cartridges therein, the curvature of each groove conforming to that of the outer peripheral edge of the cartridge; yieldable reel gripping means disposed on opposite sides of each groove and extending forwardly of the front wall surface for a limited distance, said gripping means being spaced above each of the grooves with the grooves curving forwardly and downwardly therefrom; and rearwardly directed tabs on the back of said body portion for suspension of said cell in vertical disposition on a vertical surface such that the bottom wall is at an angle less than 90* to the vertical back so as to be tilted upwardly at an acute angle from the horizontal.

Claim 12

A reel cartridge storage cell according to claim 9, the surface of each groove engageable with a reel cartridge having circumferentially extending ribs at closely spaced intervals across each groove.

Claim 13

A reel storage cartridge cell according to claim 9, opposite sides of each groove diverging forwardly away from the inner surface of the groove to assist in guiding a cartridge into seated disposition within its respective groove.

Claim 14

A reel storage cartridge cell according to claim 9, the forward end of each groove inclining downwardly and forwardly away from the concave surface of each groove and the sides of each groove being forwardly tapered along the forwardly inclined surface of the groove so as to form said entrance guide surfaces to guide movement of each cartridge into proper seated disposition within a respective groove.