Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for loading and unloading cartridges comprises a cartridge rack for storing an array of cartridges arranged adjacent to one another. A carriage having two compartments is provided for receiving cartridges from the rack, the compartments being offset relative to one another in the direction of the array. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving cartridges from the rack into the compartments of the carriage, and the carriage is mounted for movement along the array whereby each of the cartridges can be brought into alignment with at least one of the compartments for reception thereby. In another aspect, the cartridge rack stores cartridges arranged side-by-side with respective edge faces of the cartridges supported by a floor of the rack, the floor having a plurality of openings aligned with respective edge faces of the cartridges, and the conveyor is mounted for movement beneath the floor of the rack into alignment with the openings.

Abstract: A tape drive machine is provided with a magazine to store a plurality of tape cartridges. The magazine may be in the form of a circular carousel or a linear magazine. A selected one of the tape cartridges is transferred from the magazine to a tape deck by a pivoting carriage. In order to produce a compact design of the carousel, the cartridges are stored in the carousel on end, with their longer sides vertical.

Abstract: Auto-loader apparatus for tape cartridges comprises a cartridge deck having an exposed or exposable supply hub; a device that moves a cartridge along a first, preferably linear, path from an initial position in a cartridge rack and moves the cartridge along a second path which passes through the supply hub of the cartridge deck until the cartridge engages the exposed supply hub.

Abstract: In order to enable a tape drive machine to be constructed in a housing (30) with low height, a hub (36) which in operation projects from a drive motor (34) into a tape cartridge (10) is retractable into the motor (34) to permit the cartridge (10) to be slid out from the machine in the edgewise direction. In an alternative embodiment, the motor and hub can be slid part-way out of the housing (30). A tape drive machine also discloses indexing of a tape drive head, a path for the tape, threading of the tape, the drive motor, construction of a motor stator, and detection of the beginning and end of tape.