US5402285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Five and one-quarter inch form factor combination DAT tape drive and cassette magazine loader
Assignee: Certance LLC
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Filing: 1992-04-24
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2012-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A generally rectangular outer housing is sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor. A drawer is mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is substantially fully contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing. A DAT tape drive is mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and has a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot. A cassette magazine is provided that has a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of DAT cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration. A magazine loader is mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the DAT tape drive.
Inventors
- 👤 William I. Theobald, Jr.
- 👤 Kenneth C. Campbell
- 👤 Roger M. Gray
- 👤 Lyle J. Hedlund
- 👤 II Raymond D. Heistand
- 👤 Barry C. Kockler
- 👤 Thomas Noonan
- 👤 Warren K. Shannon
- 👤 Haruhi Nakagawa
- 👤 Bunroku Ochi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:35
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/16; G11B15/17; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6805; G11B15/681; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G11B33/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and a magazine loader mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the tape drive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and a magazine loader mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the tape drive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 and further comprising a latch mechanism for holding the drawer in its retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 1 and further comprising loader control circuit means connected to the magazine loader for automatically causing the magazine loader to sequentially load and unload the cassettes from the magazine into the DAT tape drive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 1 and further comprising loader control circuit means connected to the magazine loader for transferring a preselected cassette between the magazine and the DAT tape drive upon receipt of a command relayed from a computer through the DAT tape drive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the magazine loader includes first drive wheel means for engaging and vertically reciprocating the magazine and second drive wheel means for engaging and moving a cassette in a longitudinal direction between the magazine and the DAT tape drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 1 and further comprising a pair of guide rails connected to and extending longitudinally along a pair of opposite sides of the housing for engaging and supporting the drawer for longitudinal sliding motion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 1 and further comprising manual access actuator means for causing the magazine loader to move the magazine to a predetermined location prior to causing the drawer to move forwardly from its retracted position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination of claim 1 and further comprising manual magazine eject actuator means for causing the magazine loader to move the magazine to a fully raised docking location, the eject actuator means including a manual actuator mounted on the magazine loader which is concealed within the outer housing when the drawer is in its retracted position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the magazine loader includes a loader control circuit having a microprocessor and a memory for storing an operation program that enables the loader control circuit to sense a plurality of failure modes and respond with a plurality of predetermined corrective actions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the cassette magazine has four receptacles and the magazine loader has a top panel with a cut-out region through which the magazine can travel so as to permit a sufficient vertical range of travel of the magazine without the magazine traveling beyond the form factor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor; drawer means mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer means is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer means extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer means; cassette magazine means mounted in the forward portion of the drawer means for holding a plurality of tape cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and magazine loader means mounted in the forward portion of the drawer means for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the tape drive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor; drawer means mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer means is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer means extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer means; cassette magazine means mounted in the forward portion of the drawer means for holding a plurality of tape cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and magazine loader means mounted in the forward portion of the drawer means for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the tape drive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 11 and further comprising latch means for holding the drawer means in its retracted position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 11 and further comprising loader control circuit means connected to the magazine loader means for automatically causing the magazine loader to sequentially load and unload the cassettes from the magazine into the tape drive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 11 and further comprising loader control circuit means connected to the magazine loader means for transferring a preselected cassette between the magazine and the tape drive upon receipt of a select command relayed from a computer through the tape drive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein the magazine loader means includes first drive wheel means for engaging and vertically reciprocating the magazine and second drive wheel means for engaging and moving a cassette in a longitudinal direction between the magazine and the tape drive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
262 words
A combination DAT tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; means for holding the drawer in its retracted position; means connected between the housing and the drawer for urging the drawer toward its extended position; a DAT tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of DAT cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; magazine loader means mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the DAT tape drive, including first drive wheel means for engaging and vertically reciprocating the magazine and second drive wheel means for engaging and moving a cassette in a longitudinal direction between the magazine and the DAT tape drive; and loader control circuit means connected to the magazine loader means for transferring a preselected cassette between the magazine and the DAT tape drive upon receipt of a command relayed from a computer through the DAT tape drive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
262 words
A combination DAT tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; means for holding the drawer in its retracted position; means connected between the housing and the drawer for urging the drawer toward its extended position; a DAT tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of DAT cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; magazine loader means mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the DAT tape drive, including first drive wheel means for engaging and vertically reciprocating the magazine and second drive wheel means for engaging and moving a cassette in a longitudinal direction between the magazine and the DAT tape drive; and loader control circuit means connected to the magazine loader means for transferring a preselected cassette between the magazine and the DAT tape drive upon receipt of a command relayed from a computer through the DAT tape drive.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 16 and further comprising a pair of guide rails connected to and extending longitudinally along a pair of opposite sides of the housing for engaging and supporting the drawer for longitudinal sliding motion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 16 and further comprising manual access actuator connected to the loader control circuit means for causing the magazine loader means to move the magazine to a predetermined location prior to causing the drawer to move forwardly from its retracted position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 16 and further comprising manual magazine eject actuator means connected to the loader control circuit means for causing the magazine loader means to move the magazine to a fully raised docking location.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of claim 16 wherein the loader control circuit means includes a microprocessor and a memory for storing an operation program that enables the loader control circuit means to sense a plurality of failure modes and respond with a plurality of predetermined corrective actions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor drive bay; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of tape cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and a magazine loader mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring tape cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the tape drive.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor drive bay; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of tape cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and a magazine loader mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring tape cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the tape drive.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
189 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing including a front bezel, said housing fitting within a full height five and one quarter inch form factor drive bay with said bezel mounted against a front of said drive bay; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position, in which the drawer is contained within the housing with a forwardmost portion of the drawer flush with a front of said bezel, to an extended position, in which said forwardmost portion of the drawer extends beyond said bezel; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of tape cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and a magazine loader mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring tape cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the tape drive.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
189 words
A combination tape drive and cassette magazine loader, comprising: a generally rectangular outer housing including a front bezel, said housing fitting within a full height five and one quarter inch form factor drive bay with said bezel mounted against a front of said drive bay; a drawer mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position, in which the drawer is contained within the housing with a forwardmost portion of the drawer flush with a front of said bezel, to an extended position, in which said forwardmost portion of the drawer extends beyond said bezel; a tape drive mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and having a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot; a cassette magazine mounted in the forward portion of the drawer having a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of tape cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration; and a magazine loader mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring tape cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the tape drive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |