Abstract: A rack apparatus has a movable member for holding a first article, and a second movable member for holding a second article, the first and second movable members being arranged vertically, a base member for holding the first movable member and the second movable member so as to be movable forward and backward horizontally, and a linking member for linking the first movable member and the second movable member so as to enable the second movable member to move backward when the first movable member moving forward.

Abstract: A robot hand includes: a drive source; a baseboard; a housing that is capable of advancing and retreating on the baseboard by means of the drive source; a pair of hands that are provided to grasp an object and held by the housing; an operation body that is provided to be capable of being pushed by the object and is held by the housing; and a close mechanism that changes a state of the hands from a non-grasping state where the hands release the object into a grasping state where the hands grasp the object, in response to pushing of the operation body, and that is held by the housing.

Abstract: A robot hand includes: a drive source; a baseboard; a housing that is capable of advancing and retreating on the baseboard by means of the drive source; a pair of hands that are provided to grasp an object and held by the housing; an operation body that is provided to be capable of being pushed by the object and is held by the housing; and a close mechanism that changes a state of the hands from a non-grasping state where the hands release the object into a grasping state where the hands grasp the object, in response to pushing of the operation body, and that is held by the housing,

Abstract: A rack apparatus has a movable member for holding a first article, and a second movable member for holding a second article, the first and second movable members being arranged vertically, a base member for holding the first movable member and the second movable member so as to be movable forward and backward horizontally, and a linking member for linking the first movable member and the second movable member so as to enable the second movable member to move backward when the first movable member moving forward.

Abstract: A cartridge loading mechanism including a carrier movable between a first position where a magnetic tape cartridge having an openable shutter and a notch is inserted into the carrier and a second position where the cartridge is mounted onto a reel motor, and a shutter opening mechanism fixed to a base of a magnetic tape drive and having an engaging portion adapted to engage the shutter of the cartridge to open the shutter. The loading mechanism further includes a leaf spring mounted on the carrier and having a hook adapted to engage the notch of the cartridge, and a driving mechanism for moving the carrier between the first position and the second position. After the hook of the leaf spring comes into engagement with the notch of the cartridge at a third position during the movement of the carrier from the first position to the second position, the engaging portion of the shutter opening mechanism starts to engage the shutter of the cartridge.

Abstract: A robot hand that does not depend on cartridge types wherein high reliability can be ensured and the size and cost can be reduced with a simple construction. In a library apparatus including a recording and reproducing device for cartridge type media and cartridge accommodating racks, a robot hand is configured to include a hand mechanism including hooks for holding the cartridge and actuators for performing to and fro movement and opening and closing movement of the hooks, and a mounter for pushing the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the recording and reproducing device by the hand mechanism, wherein the to and fro movement and the opening and closing movement of the robot hand and the pushing movement of the mounter is performed by one motor. The cartridge is grasped/released efficiently by the movement of the hooks, the actuators and the mounter.

Abstract: A cartridge loading mechanism including a carrier movable between a first position where a magnetic tape cartridge having an openable shutter and a notch is inserted into the carrier and a second position where the cartridge is mounted onto a reel motor, and a shutter opening mechanism fixed to a base of a magnetic tape drive and having an engaging portion adapted to engage the shutter of the cartridge to open the shutter. The loading mechanism further includes a leaf spring mounted on the carrier and having a hook adapted to engage the notch of the cartridge, and a driving mechanism for moving the carrier between the first position and the second position. After the hook of the leaf spring comes into engagement with the notch of the cartridge at a third position during the movement of the carrier from the first position to the second position, the engaging portion of the shutter opening mechanism starts to engage the shutter of the cartridge.

Abstract: There is provided a robot hand that does not depend on cartridge types wherein high reliability can be ensured and the size and cost can be reduced with a simple construction. In a library apparatus comprising a recording and reproducing device for cartridge type media and cartridge accommodating racks, a robot hand is configured to comprise a hand mechanism including hooks for holding the cartridge and actuators for perform to and fro movement and opening and closing movement of the hooks, and a mounter for pushing the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the recording and reproducing device by the hand mechanism, wherein the to and fro movement and the opening and closing movement of the robot hand and the pushing movement of the mounter is performed by one motor. The cartridge is grasped/released efficiently by the movement of the hooks, the actuators and the mounter.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus enables cleaning of a read/write converter head when a tape cartridge is inserted or removed, without interfering with or moving the tape. The tape drive apparatus has a loading mechanism for transferring an inserted tape cartridge to a predetermined position in the apparatus, and a head cleaning unit that can move between a cleaning position in contact with the converter head and a withdrawn position isolated from the converter head. The head cleaning unit moves between the withdrawn position and the cleaning position in synchronization with the transfer operation of the loading mechanism, when there is not tape over the head. In this manner, the head cleaning operation does not interfere with or move the tape.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus enables cleaning of a read/write converter head when a tape cartridge is inserted or removed, without interfering with or moving the tape. The tape drive apparatus has a loading mechanism for transferring an inserted tape cartridge to a predetermined position in the apparatus, and a head cleaning unit that can move between a cleaning position in contact with the converter head and a withdrawn position isolated from the converter head. The head cleaning unit moves between the withdrawn position and the cleaning position in synchronization with the transfer operation of the loading mechanism, when there is not tape over the head. In this manner, the head cleaning operation does not interfere with or move the tape.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus has a magnetic tape in a cartridge that is pulled out and travels, and data is read from and written into the travelling magnetic tape by a magnetic head. The centers of rotation of a first arm and a second arm which move together are arranged on the side of the cartridge and on the side of the machine reel, respectively, relative to the magnetic head, and a cleaning member such as a brush that comes into contact with the magnetic head is provided on at least one of the rotating ends of the two arms. The cleaning mechanism occupies small space, and the magnetic tape apparatus is realized in a small size.

Abstract: A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a cartridge recording medium; at least one cell for storing the cartridge recording medium, the at least one cell being inclined downward toward an interior portion of the storage apparatus. The storage apparatus has a housing having an opening for allowing direct insertion of the cartridge recording medium from outside of the storage apparatus into the at least one cell, and allowing for direct ejection of the cartridge recording medium from the at least one cell to the outside of the storage apparatus. An accessor is provided for transferring the cartridge recording medium between the at least one cell and the drive unit. A string screw is threadedly engaged with the accessor, and is rotationally driven by a motor.

Abstract: A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a selected one of a plurality of cartridge recording media; a cartridge storing member for storing the plurality of cartridge recording media; and an accessor for taking the selected cartridge recording medium out of the cartridge storing member, and feeding the selected cartridge recording medium to the drive unit. The cartridge storing member has a plurality of cells through which the cartridge recording media are allowed to be respectively inserted and passed toward the drive unit. Each of the cells includes a latch for positioning the cartridge recording media into a transfer position wherein the cartridge recording media is transferred to the accessor; improper insertion preventing means for preventing full insertion of the cartridge recording media into cells in an improper orientation; and a shutter mechanism including a door which is allowed to be opened only when a given cartridge recording media is inserted and ejected.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus has an automatic loading mechanism for automatically loading a cartridge containing a recording medium. The magnetic tape apparatus includes, in addition to the automatic loading mechanism, a recording/reproducing unit, a magazine for storing a plurality of cartridges, an accessor for feeding a cartridge, a charger/discharger for charging and discharging a cartridge other than the cartridges stored in the magazine, and a positioning unit for positioning a charged cartridge in a normal position. The magnetic tape apparatus is capable of carrying out special processes including an interrupting process.

Abstract: A library apparatus with a plurality of cells for storing cartridges accommodating memory media therein, used for data retrieval needing a large capacity, is provided, which is manufactured at a reduced cost and is capable of using a drive unit of a stand-alone type as a drive unit of the library apparatus.

Abstract: A library apparatus having a rotary cell drum that minimizes the loss of access time. The library apparatus comprises a recording medium drive unit for writing and reading data to and from a recording medium cartridge; a cartridge entry unit for entering recording medium cartridges into the library apparatus; an automatic cartridge exit unit for automatically ejecting recording medium cartridges from inside the library apparatus; and an accessor for transporting cartridges among the cell drum, the recording medium drive unit, the cartridge entry unit and the automatic cartridge exit unit. A sensor is used to detect a given cell column including a selected cell being in position for delivery of a recording medium cartridge to or from the accessor. In response to a detection signal from the sensor, a locking mechanism inhibits the cell drum from rotating. With the cell drum thus locked, the accessor inserts or extracts the cartridge to or from the selected cell of the cell drum.

Abstract: A hand mechanism of an accessor, capable of gripping a recording medium cartridge in a horizontal condition thereof. The accessor automatically exchanges the recording medium cartridge between a cell unit having a plurality of cells each accommodating the recording medium cartridge and a recording medium drive unit for performing read/write of data from/to the recording medium cartridge. The hand mechanism includes a base mounted swingably about a vertical axis, a grip hand mounted on the base movably between an advanced position and a retracted position, for gripping the cartridge, and a tray mounted on the base and under the grip hand movably between an advanced position projecting from the base and a retracted position. The hand mechanism further includes a cartridge gripped condition correcting mechanism for correcting a gripped condition of the cartridge gripped by the grip hand.