Abstract: A data cartridge shuttle apparatus (100) is used to permit a robotic hand (40) to insert and remove a data cartridge (246) into and out of a manual cartridge drive mechanism (20). A pawl and lever linkage (104) is rotated to open and close a handle (26) of the tape drive mechanism by contact with a pawl stop (134), which is mounted on a spring-biased sliding block/plate assembly (106). The sliding block/plate assembly has a triangular clasp (228) that engages the data cartridge for extraction of the tape cartridge from the drive bay to a point where the robotic hand can grasp and remove it.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 14, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 26, 1999
Assignee:
Storage Technology Corportion
Inventors:
Lester Marvin Yeakley, Clark Milo Janssen, Joseph Paul Manes, Daniel J. Plutt, John S. Todor