Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting structure for mounting a horizontal insertion loading data storage drive in a data storage library having downwardly inclined shelves. A bracket mounts the data storage drive, and support bars are mounted in parallel in the data storage library and support the bracket on each side at a downwardly inclined angle. Thus, the horizontal insertion loading data storage drive is mounted at the downwardly inclined angle to receive data storage media from a robot accessor at the angle of the downwardly inclined shelves. The mounting structure support bars are parallel slides which slidably support the bracket at the downwardly inclined angle. A ratchet bar is mounted in the library at the downwardly inclined angle, and has a plurality of ratchet holes in the downwardly inclined direction. A latch is mounted on the bracket for engaging the ratchet holes of the ratchet bar to support the bracket and data storage drive against sliding on the support bar slides.

Abstract: The present invention provides an Input/Output station of an automated storage and retrieval system, or library, which uses an elevator mechanism to vertically translate a cartridge or a magazine containing a plurality of cartridges from a maximum vertical position above the top surface of the library to a minimum vertical position beneath the top surface and internal to the library. The Input/Output station is aligned with the other components of the library such that the vertical path of the elevator mechanism does not interfere with the path of the accessor. The operation of the Input/Output station does not pause the accessor and thus, does not interfere with the operation of the other automated processes within the library. Cartridges can be added to or removed from the library using the Input/Output station while the accessor is moving a different cartridge from a storage cell in the storage array to a drive.

Abstract: The present invention provides an Input/Output station of an automated storage and retrieval system, or library, which uses an elevator mechanism to vertically translate a cartridge or a magazine containing a plurality of cartridges from a maximum vertical position above the top surface of the library to a minimum vertical position beneath the top surface and internal to the library. The Input/Output station is aligned with the other components of the library such that the vertical path of the elevator mechanism does not interfere with the path of the accessor. The operation of the Input/Output station does not pause the accessor and thus, does not interfere with the operation of the other automated processes within the library. Cartridges can be added to or removed from the library using the Input/Output station while the accessor is moving a different cartridge from a storage cell in the storage array to a drive.