Abstract: A modular data storage system for handling and storing data cartridges comprises a cartridge access device and at least two laterally adjacent modular units. Each of the modular units may comprise a plurality of cartridge receiving devices and a plurality of elongate gear racks aligned along a displacement path. The elongate gear racks are substantially in alignment with one another such that the cartridge access device may be translated among the laterally adjacent modular units. The system further comprises a translation apparatus for moving a cartridge access device along a displacement path. The translation apparatus may comprise a plurality of drive pinions mounted to the cartridge access device and engaging the plurality of elongate gear racks, and a pinion drive apparatus operatively associated with the drive pinions. The pinion drive apparatus rotates the drive pinions to move the cartridge access device among the elongate gear racks of the adjacent modular units.

Abstract: A rack-mount storage system comprises an equipment cabinet that defines at least one device opening therein. A first device sized to be received by the first device opening defines a first mounting pathway therein. The first device has a chassis that is sized to receive at least one component of the first device and that also defines at least a portion of the first mounting pathway. A support spar sized to be received by the first mounting pathway and being sized to engage said equipment cabinet and extend substantially between first and second sides of the equipment cabinet engages the first mounting pathway and the equipment cabinet to support said first device in the equipment cabinet.

Abstract: A reconfigurable cartridge processing module for use in a data storage system may comprise a frame having a plurality of sets of mounting locations provided thereon so that the frame defines a first component configuration and a second component configuration. In the first component configuration, a first cartridge receiving device is mounted to a first set of the plurality of sets of mounting locations provided on the frame so that the first cartridge receiving device is located at a first position within the frame. A second cartridge receiving device is mounted to a second set of the plurality of sets of mounting locations provided on the frame so that the second cartridge receiving device is located at a second position within the frame. In the second component configuration, a third cartridge receiving device replaces the first and second cartridge receiving devices and is mounted to a third set of the plurality of sets of mounting locations provided on the frame.

Abstract: Translation apparatus for moving a cartridge access device along a displacement path may comprise a first elongate gear rack aligned along the displacement path and a second elongate gear rack positioned in spaced-apart relation to the first elongate gear rack so that the second elongate gear rack is aligned along the displacement path. A first drive pinion mounted to the cartridge access device engages the first elongate gear rack. A second drive pinion mounted to the cartridge access device engages the second elongate gear rack. A pinion drive apparatus operatively associated with the first and second drive pinions rotates the first and second drive pinions to move the cartridges access device along the first and second elongate gear racks.

Abstract: A data cartridge to caddy referencing system for a data cartridge handling mechanism within an autochanger. The referencing system provides X, Y and Z referencing for the data cartridge handling mechanism or the picker of the autochanger as it tries to insert a data cartridge into the data cartridge caddy.

Abstract: Translation apparatus for moving a cartridge access device along a displacement path may comprise a first elongate gear rack aligned along the displacement path and a second elongate gear rack positioned in spaced-apart relation to the first elongate gear rack so that the second elongate gear rack is aligned along the displacement path. A first drive pinion mounted to the cartridge access device engages the first elongate gear rack. A second drive pinion mounted to the cartridge access device engages the second elongate gear rack. A pinion drive apparatus operatively associated with the first and second drive pinions rotates the first and second drive pinions to move the cartridge access device along the first and second elongate gear racks.

Abstract: A mail slot data cartridge exchange system for a data storage system may comprise a drawer mounted to the data storage system so that the drawer can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. A cartridge magazine for holding at least one data cartridge is sized to be removably received by the drawer so that at least a portion of the cartridge magazine is exposed when the drawer is in the extended position. A drawer stop index member is operatively associated with the drawer so that the movement of the drawer stop index member corresponds to movement of the drawer. A lock apparatus mounted to the data storage system is switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock apparatus engages the drawer stop index member when the lock apparatus is in the locked state and when the drawer is in a regulated extended position.

Abstract: A method for mounting a device in an equipment cabinet may comprises: Providing a device with a mounting pathway; providing a support spar that is sized to be received by the mounting pathway in the device; engaging the support spar with the mounting pathway; engaging a spacer sleeve with the support spar; and engaging the first and second ends of the support spar with the equipment cabinet so that the support spar supports the device within the cabinet and so that the spacer sleeve is positioned between the device and at least one side of the equipment cabinet.

Abstract: A magazine assembly containing numerous media units is disposed adjacent to a picker assembly. One of the two assemblies is normally stationary, while the other assembly is a traveling assembly. In either case, the two assemblies cooperate with one another to selectively provide the picker assembly with access to the media units that are stored in the magazine assembly. A motion reversal assembly is coupled to the normally stationary assembly and is engageable by the traveling assembly when it enters an end portion of its excursion path. When the motion reversal assembly is so engaged, it moves the normally stationary assembly in the direction opposite to that of the traveling assembly's movement. The effect is an apparent increase in the traveling assembly's available excursion length, which makes it possible for the picker assembly to access media slots that would otherwise be disposed in the dead spaces located on either end of the traveling assembly's excursion path.

Abstract: A picker for data cartridges in a computer information storage library. The picker includes a sleeve for transporting data cartridges, a thumb that can move in one dimension relative to the sleeve, and a single pivoting finger on the thumb. The single finger has an inboard pivot point which results in a self locking action (pulling makes the finger grip tighter). The finger has an armed state for gripping and a splayed state for release. Switching between states is passive, depending only on one dimensional motion of the thumb relative to the sleeve. The finger has a post that travels in tracks in the sleeve. Switching tracks switches finger states. A spring loaded gate in the tracks enables track switching. Potential cartridge wear and binding problems during extraction are eliminated by providing sleeve guides that limit cartridge rotation, by providing a concave guide surface in storage locations, and by proper selection of materials. A corresponding drive has a handle that must be manipulated.

Abstract: A rack-mount storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise an equipment cabinet that defines at least one device opening therein. A first device sized to be received by the first device opening defines a first mounting pathway therein. The first device has a chassis that is sized to receive at least one component of the first device and that also defines at least a portion of the first mounting pathway. A support spar sized to be received by the first mounting pathway and being sized to engage said equipment cabinet, engages the first mounting pathway and the equipment cabinet to support said first device in the equipment cabinet.

Abstract: A method for mounting a device in an equipment cabinet may comprise: Providing a device with a mounting pathway; providing a support spar that is sized to be received by the mounting pathway in the device; engaging the support spar with the mounting pathway; and engaging first and second ends of the support spar with the equipment cabinet so that the support spar supports the device within the cabinet.

Abstract: An alignment system for an imaging apparatus is disclosed. The alignment system aligns the image beam associated with the imaging apparatus relative to predetermined reference points, such as the vertex and base of a right triangle. The base of the right triangle may be normal to the image beam and the vertex of the right triangle may be located at a fixed and predetermined location relative to the imaging apparatus. The image beam may intersect a hypotenuse point on the hypotenuse of the right triangle and the image beam may intersect a base point on the base of the right triangle. The alignment system measures the distance between the base point and the hypotenuse point. The distance between the base point and the hypotenuse point corresponds to a single location on the base relative to the vertex. The alignment systems, thus, references the transverse position of the image beam relative to the vertex.

Abstract: A cartridge engaging assembly for translating a cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge engaging assembly may include a linearly translatable cartridge engaging device adapted to engage a cartridge, and a first drive assembly operably connected to the cartridge engaging device which is adapted to linearly translate the cartridge engaging device in a lateral direction. A second drive assembly is operably connected to the cartridge engaging device and is adapted to linearly translate the cartridge engaging device in a longitudinal direction. A third drive assembly is operably connected to the cartridge engaging device and is adapted to rotate the cartridge engaging device around an axis. In one embodiment, the cartridge engaging assembly also includes a flip latch assembly, and the second drive assembly and the third drive assembly use the same motor. One or two tracking devices such as a bar code reader may also be included.

Abstract: Data cartridge exchange apparatus for allowing a user to access a data cartridge contained in a data storage system comprises a cartridge engaging assembly mounted within the data storage system so that the cartridge engaging assembly moves along a displacement path. A panel located adjacent a portion of the displacement path includes a cartridge exchange aperture therein that is sized to pass the data cartridge. A door mounted to the panel is moveable between an opened position and a closed position and includes a first cartridge support surface and a second cartridge support surface. The second cartridge support surface is positioned transverse to the first cartridge support surface so that the first and second cartridge support surfaces together define an L-shaped configuration. The first cartridge support surface is positioned within the cartridge exchange aperture to support the data cartridge when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: Data cartridge exchange apparatus for allowing a user to access a data cartridge contained in a data storage system may comprise a cartridge engaging assembly mounted within the data storage system so that the cartridge engaging assembly is moveable along a displacement path. A panel located adjacent a portion of the displacement path is provided with a cartridge exchange aperture therein that is sized to pass the data cartridge.

Abstract: A modular data storage system for handling and storing data cartridges which may comprise a plurality of modular units which are attachable to one another to form adjacent modular units. Conductive track members extend laterally across the modular units. The modular data storage system may further comprise at least one wireless cartridge access device for receiving a cartridge and transferring it to another location. The system may further comprise at least one modular corner unit which is attachable to modular units at each end thereof. The adjacent modular units and corner unit(s) may be stacked vertically upon one another to form a plurality of levels of adjacent modular units.

Abstract: An integrated drive system for driving one or more elongate flexible members of a displacement apparatus used in a media handling system. The integrated drive system includes an integral housing and a plurality of shafts fixedly secured to the integral housing. A first linkage device is mounted on one of the shafts and includes a capstan, which may be adapted to receive and retain one or more elongate flexible members, and a first gear integrally formed therewith. A second linkage device is mounted on another shaft and includes a second gear which engages the first gear, and a third gear integrally formed therewith. A motor assembly may also be provided which includes a motor operatively connected to a fourth gear which engages the third gear, a motor shaft, and an overload clutch assembly which prevents the fourth gear from being rotatingly driven with the motor shaft at predetermined intervals. Methods for assembling an integrated drive system and a motor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: The picker to cartridge slot referencing system may comprise a cartridge storage rack having a plurality of cartridge storage locations aligned along a cartridge storage axis. Each of the plurality of cartridge storage locations is adapted to receive a cartridge having an access end such that the access ends of cartridges, when positioned in the plurality of cartridge storage locations, are aligned along a cartridge access plane. An elongate lateral guide rail is mounted in parallel, spaced-apart relation to the cartridge storage axis and is positioned at about the cartridge access plane. A cartridge engaging assembly adapted to releasably engage the cartridges is slidably mounted to the elongate lateral guide rail, which guides the cartridge engaging assembly along a displacement path that is substantially parallel to the cartridge storage axis. An actuator connected to the cartridge engaging assembly positions the cartridge engaging assembly at predetermined points along the cartridge location axis.