Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs. A platform portion abuts the curved portion. A movable bale is configured to maintain discs securely in the disc cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more disc media cassettes configured to store multiple disc-based media. Multiple disc drives are configured to read and write data to the multiple disc-based media. A robotic delivery device is configured to transport a selected disc-based media to and from at least one disc drive of the multiple disc drives, and to transport the selected disc-based media directly to a spindle on the at least one disc drive.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor configured to drive a driving element within a housing. A caliper is connected to the housing and configured to force a first jaw device toward a second jaw device based on movement of the driving element. A disc sensor is configured to sense presence of a storage disc and to limit insertion travel of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc.

Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs and a platform portion abuts the curved portion. The platform portion and the curved portion each include multiple rib pairs configured to separate adjacent discs from touching one another, and to form a disc slot between each rib pair. Disc slots of the platform portion of the disc cassette are configured to provide a guide for disc removal from the disc cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus usable as a chucking device to temporarily couple two mechanical objects together. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an arbor configured to receive an at least partially ferromagnetic object; and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes multiple permanent magnets mounted in a soft ferromagnetic enclosure. The magnet assembly is rotatably coupled to the arbor such that the magnet assembly and the arbor are positionable relative to one another in locking and unlocking positions upon relative rotation therebetween. The magnet assembly is configured to exert a pulling force on the object in the locking position and a lesser force in the unlocking position.

Abstract: An apparatus usable as a chucking device to temporarily couple two mechanical objects together. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an arbor configured to receive an at least partially ferromagnetic object; and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes multiple permanent magnets mounted in a soft ferromagnetic enclosure. The magnet assembly is rotatably coupled to the arbor such that the magnet assembly and the arbor are positionable relative to one another in locking and unlocking positions upon relative rotation therebetween. The magnet assembly is configured to exert a pulling force on the object in the locking position and a lesser force in the unlocking position.

Abstract: A spring-like clip for a spool of tape, one end of the clip being attached to one end of the tape, and another end of the clip having an engagement feature that allows the clip to be pulled from the spool. The clip is configured to curve around the spool to hold the tape in place. In one general embodiment, a product includes a reel, a tape coupled to the reel, and a spring-like clip coupled to a free end of the tape. The clip is selectively positionable in a wrapped position where the clip wraps around a portion of the tape when the tape is wound onto the reel, thereby holding the portion of the tape in place on the reel. Systems for using various types of such products are presented, and generally include a tape drive configured for reading data from tape stored on such products.

Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles are detected across a thin membrane that separates the nanoparticles from a magnetic sensor. The technique can be used in a medical context, in which an analyte of interest (present in a test fluid, such as blood) is attached to the membrane. Other compounds are in turn bound to the analyte, with one of these compounds including a magnetic nanoparticle that is then detected by the sensor. In this way, the analyte is detected by detecting the magnetic nanoparticle. By counting the number of magnetic nanoparticles, the concentration of the analyte in the test fluid can be determined.

Abstract: A system and associated method are disclosed for protecting a magnetoresistive (MR) head from damage caused by electrostatic discharge. Included is a protective member having a conductive surface for being removably positioned on a MR connector cable such that the conductive surface remains in electrical communication with contacts of the MR connector cable. Thus, the contacts are shorted to protect a MR head coupled to the MR connector cable from damage caused by electrostatic discharge. Further included is a clamp releasably coupled to the protective member for maintaining the conductive surface of the protective member in electrical communication with the contacts of the MR connector cable to facilitate the shorting of the contacts, thus ensuring the protection of the MR head coupled to the MR connector cable from the damage caused by the electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A system and associated method are disclosed for protecting a magnetoresistive (MR) head from damage caused by electrostatic discharge. Included is a protective member having a conductive surface for being removably positioned on a MR connector cable such that the conductive surface remains in electrical communication with contacts of the MR connector cable. Thus, the contacts are shorted to protect a MR head coupled to the MR connector cable from damage caused by electrostatic discharge. Further included is a clamp releasably coupled to the protective member for maintaining the conductive surface of the protective member in electrical communication with the contacts of the MR connector cable to facilitate the shorting of the contacts, thus ensuring the protection of the MR head coupled to the MR connector cable from the damage caused by the electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: An electrical plug selectively insertable into receptacles having different configurations of apertures for effecting selectable electrical connections. A plurality of contact prongs have extended positions in which they project exteriorly of a housing. Each of an appropriate subset of these prongs is adapted automatically to sense and enter matching apertures of a selected receptacle. The remaining prongs during such entry are moved inward of the housing by contact with and movement relative to a surface of the selected receptacle adjacent to the apertures, and cause prongs of the subset to be locked in their extended positions as they enter the matching apertures.