Abstract: A housing for receiving and securing storage devices of varying dimensions useful in automated library systems is provided. In one example, the housing has an interior space defined by a base and a perimeter wall extending along at least two sides of the base. A first arm is coupled to the perimeter wall, and at least a portion of the first arm is biased to extend into the interior space at a height above the base for allowing insertion of thinner storage devices without pushing on the arm. The first arm is configured to evacuate the interior space in response to a thicker storage device pushing on the first arm. Stand-offs or other length differentiating features may be disposed and sized to provide a common pick point among storage devices of different types insertable in the housing. Further examples include providing additional arms that may be configured similar to the first arm.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for handling storage cartridges within an automated storage library is provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a frame, a translating member, e.g., a leadnut/leadscrew, and a finger mechanism slidably mounted to the frame. The translating member is operable to translate along the frame. The finger mechanism includes a finger member for engaging a storage device, and the finger mechanism is mechanically associated with the translating member such that translation of the translation member relative to the picker frame results in a translation of the finger mechanism relative to the translation member such that the finger mechanism moves a greater distance than the translation member. A gear assembly, mounted to the translation member, may rotate during translation to cause relative movement of the translation member and finger mechanism.