Abstract: An automatic flexible disk loader/copier apparatus includes a disk drive for reading data from and writing data onto flexible disks; an automatic mechanical loader for feeding disks from an input hopper into the disk drive and for discharging disks from the disk drive; a selectable format flexible disk controller which is dynamically reprogrammable to vary the format of the data written to the disks; and a computer which responds to the presence of write-protect indicators on the disks in the disk drive to load format, data and control information from the disks and which responds to the absence of write-protection indicators on the disks in the disk drive to write format and data to the disks.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 20, 1985
Date of Patent:
November 17, 1987
Assignee:
Media Systems Technology, Inc.
Inventors:
Wayne H. Anderson, David E. Larson, Mark R. Reinhart
Abstract: A mechanism is provided for automatically removing a floppy disk from a stack of floppy disks and removably inserting that floppy disk into a variety of disk drives. A reciprocating picker mechanism engages a floppy disk and pushes it into a first set of rollers which grippingly engage the floppy disk and push it towards a second set of rollers. The second set of rollers feeds the floppy disk into the disk drive and stops the floppy disk in the correct position within the disk drive. The rollers are disengaged from the floppy disk during operation of the disk drive, but re-engage to retract the floppy disk from the disk drive. An ejection guide plate directs the floppy disk into one of two bins after being removed from the disk drive. Detectors sense the edges of the floppy disk to control the speed at which the disk is placed into the disk drive, and to insure proper positioning of the disk within the disk drive.
Abstract: An automatic micro-floppy disk loader allows a stack of micro-floppy computer disks to be fed into a disk drive, one at a time, and fed out of the drive into selector bins. The loader has self-aligning construction so that the mechanisms used to transport and control the motion of the micro-floppy disks are placed in correct alignment during manufacturing without requiring manual, individualized adjustment. The disk drive is mounted in a movable frame construction such that the disk drive can be positioned to receive micro-floppy disks, and can be further positioned to eject the micro-floppy disks onto a mechanism for transporting the ejected disks to one of the two horizontally separated bins. The improved loader construction also allows the automatic feeding of micro-floppy disks while minimizing the chances of jamming or damaging the disks, and further includes automatic means for detecting and clearing jams which occur.