Abstract: The tape cartridge transport magazine receives and stores tape cartridges in a horizontal orientation relative to the tape cartridge transport magazine to achieve a substantially smaller form factor. Once loaded into the magazine, the tape cartridges are shuffled in a vertical closed loop within the magazine so that any one of the tape cartridges can be positioned for selection by a cartridge picker. During shuffling within the magazine, individual tape cartridges are not flipped or reoriented, but remain properly oriented for selection by the cartridge picker. When used with a tape cartridge autoloader/library system as disclosed herein, a pair of interchangeable magazines can be utilized to store and provide tape cartridges for selection by a rotating cartridge picker.

Abstract: An automated library is disclosed for storing and retrieving data storage cartridges having a plurality of rotatable stacks, all rotatable about parallel axes, each stack being multi-faced and preferably rectangular. A column of cells for storing data cartridges is provided in each of at least two of the faces of the rectangular stacks, and the columns of cells are aligned parallel to the axis of the associated stack. At least one read/write drive is provided for reading and/or writing the data storage cartridges, and preferably a read/write drive is provided at the base of each rotatable stack. A picker is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of the rotatable stacks, for accessing the data storage cartridges stored in the cells, and for transporting the cartridges between the cells and a read/write drive. Servo systems rotate the rotatable stacks and the rotatable picker into mutually facing positions for accessing the cells of columns of the stacks with the rotatable picker.

Abstract: A plurality of tape cassettes fed in succession from a conveyor are oriented vertically on an end stretch of the conveyor itself terminating at a position in side by side relation with a tiltable collection element. The cassettes are pushed laterally from the end stretch of the feed conveyor for being loaded onto the collection element until they form thereon a row comprised of a given number of cassettes. The collection element is then tilted to let the cassette row fall onto a tray previously positioned under the collection element.

Abstract: An automated storage library having the ability to store and manipulate data storage elements in three dimensions. Data storage elements such as tape cartridges are stored in storage compartments separated by low-friction downward sloping sliding planes each capable of holding a plurality of data storage elements. The automated storage library further includes a magnetic picker apparatus having two electromagnetic coils. In one embodiment, the two coils are energized simultaneously with the first coil used to reposition an L-shaped flipper. This flipper raises a roller gate positioned at one end of a storage compartment to release a stored data storage element. The second electromagnetic coil supplements the gravitational pull on the data storage element by attracting a steel strip on the face of the data storage element and an associated coil carriage retrieves the data storage element from the compartment.

Abstract: A gripper for grasping articles in an automatic or semi-automatic handling system includes spring-loaded jaws. No fasteners such as screws, pins, or the like are required to hold the jaws to the gripper assembly. The jaws are moved by way of motor-driven cams. During a grip mode, the cams do not contact the jaws, and the grip is achieved by way of the springs acting against rollers contacting the outside of the jaws. A worm on the motor shaft compresses a spring to buffer the deceleration of the motor. The spring applies a moment to worm gears which mate with the worm on the motor shaft. The gear shaft of each worm gear is operatively coupled to a respective camshaft. In this manner, the cams are locked.

Abstract: A hiring and vending slot-machine, in particular for video cassettes, has a cupboard-like housing, two superimposed storage compartments arranged within the housing for the boxes containing the video cassettes, a computer-controlled cassette transporting device that can move vertically and horizontally between both compartments, receive and transport the cassette boxes to and from a determined storage container or input/output shaft in the housing. Reading means read the cassette identification codes and an operating field is provided outside the housing for selecting the desired cassette, requesting or delivering cassette: The operating field has an input keyboard and a display. A cassette transporting carriage (46) can move horizontally or vertically along horizontal or vertical guide-ways in the housing (10) and be shifted into the vertical or horizontal direction within the horizontal or vertical guide-ways.