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Cartridge-loader-for-loading-each-of-a-plurality-of-cartridges-into-a-cartridge-insertion-slot

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OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and ...

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Method of and apparatus for storing and retrieving information containing disc utilizing a movable magazine

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Disk file apparatus

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Cartridge loader for loading each of a plurality of cartridges into a cartridge insertion slot

Details

Inventors: Campbell, Kenneth C.; Gray, Roger M.; Kockler, Barry C.;
Assignee: Archive Corporation (Costa Mesa, CA)
Primary Examiner: Heinz; A. J.
Assistant Examiner: Evans; Jefferson
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear

The present invention provides an automated cartridge loader 10 of novel design for use with a cartridge drive 12. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sequentially loading cartridge loader 10 which allows the unattended storage of gigabytes of data. The loaders are adapted to be attached to a cartridge drive 12. The novel loaders of the present invention may comprise three moving components: the magazine 30, the pusher 91, and the gripper 93. Each moving component has its own drive motor 80, 94, 146. The magazine 30 has a plurality of slots 40 for holding cartridges 38 which are loaded into a cartridge drive 12. The pusher 91 of the present invention is aligned with the cartridge drive 12 and pushes the cartridges 38 into the cartridge drive 12. The gripper 93 closes on a cartridge 38 after it is ejected from the cartridge drive 12 and holds the cartridge 38 as the pusher 91 moves back to pull the cartridge 38 back into its slot 40 in the magazine 30. There is additionally provided a method of sequentially loading cartridges 38 into a cartridge drive 12 using the novel cartridge loader 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention comprises a loader for a drive having a cartridge acceptor, including a housing defining an opening, a holder, an assembly for aligning the holder, and a pusher supported by the housing.
The holder is mounted within the opening and at least partially defines a plurality of spaces.
Each of the spaces is sized and shaped to receive a cartridge.
The holder includes supports for supporting a cartridge within each of the spaces.
The assembly selectably aligns each of the spaces of the holder with the cartridge acceptor of the drive.
The pusher is supported by the housing and pushes a cartridge positioned within one of the spaces to the acceptor of the drive so that the acceptor accepts the cassette.
In the preferred embodiment, the loader further comprises a gripper for gripping a cartridge.
Upon the ejection of the cartridge from the drive, the gripper grips the cartridge and is pulled back by the pusher, thereby positioning the cartridge within one of the plurality of spaces.

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