Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the air bearing surface of a magnetic head of a tape drive by employing components of an actuator for oscillating the magnetic head against bristles of a brush assembly. Circuitry is provided which senses the appropriate time to commence the cleaning action and continues the cleaning action for an appropriate duration when the magnetic tape is off the magnetic head. The circuitry causes the actuator to move the magnetic head in oscillatory motion against stationary bristles of a brush assembly which are selectively brought into engagement with the magnetic head. The engagement and disengagement of the bristles with respect to the magnetic head are implemented by a lever arm which has camming surfaces which are engageable with a leader pin which moves a leader block and magnetic tape about a guide and across the magnetic head.

Abstract: A cartridge magazine with interfaces to automatic cartridge feeder devices. On one side, the magazine has an open interface that provides unencumbered access by a robotic picker that accesses cartridges for a library. The magazine is accessible on another side by a transport mechanism of an automatic cartridge feeder (ACF). The transport carries a cartridge from the magazine to a drive unit where the data stored on the cartridge is read or new data is written. The interface to the ACF includes a handle member for placing the magazine into the feeder. The magazine is mounted by loading it into the feeder and pushing the handle inward allowing a plunger on the ACF to engage a groove on the handle member that locks the magazine into place. Locking the magazine in place activates a sensor, thereby enabling the operation of the feeder. The interface securely engages the ACF so that the magazine cannot be accidentally dislodged from it.