Method and apparatus for ejecting a removable data storage cartridge
OwnerPaul C. Kunzinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A data storage cartridge (14) can be removably inserted into a drive (13), so that respective connectors (52, 67) move into engagement. Two pawls (81, 82) are biased by a spring (119), and engage the cartridge to releasably lock the cartridge in its inserted position. In order to remove the cartridge from the drive, an eject mechanism is actuated, and includes a motorized drive mechanism (221) that moves an eject member (171). The eject member disengages the pawls from the cartridge, effects sufficient movement of the cartridge so as to disengage the connectors, and positions the pawls so that they will properly engage the next cartridge inserted into the drive.
Claims32
An apparatus comprising a receiving unit which includes:
- a connector;
- a locking part supported for movement between locking and unlocking positions;
- a cartridge receiving portion into which a cartridge can be removably inserted to an inserted position, wherein when a cartridge is in said cartridge receiving portion, said locking part engages the cartridge in said locking position thereof to resist cartridge removal, and a connector of the cartridge is releasably coupled to said connector of said receiving unit in order to electrically couple said receiving unit to an information storage section of the cartridge;
- a retaining portion which resists movement of said locking part away from said locking position when a cartridge is inserted in the cartridge receiving portion and engaged with said locking part;
- an eject member supported for movement between a retracted position and an eject position, wherein as said eject member moves from said retracted position to said eject position said eject member engages and moves said locking member away from said locking position toward said unlocking position, and wherein when a cartridge is in said cartridge receiving portion as said eject member moves from said retracted position to said eject position, said eject member engages and moves the cartridge away from the insertion position in a manner effecting disengagement of said connector of said receiving unit from a connector of the cartridge;
- and
- a drive portion responsive to the occurrence of a predetermined condition for effecting movement of said eject member from said retracted position to said eject position.
A method of operating an apparatus which includes a receiving unit having a connector and having a cartridge receiving portion into which a cartridge can be removably inserted to an inserted position, comprising the steps of:
- supporting a locking part for movement between locking and unlocking positions;
- causing the locking part, when a cartridge is disposed in said cartridge receiving portion, to engage the cartridge in said locking position thereof to resist cartridge removal from a position in which a connector of the cartridge is engaged with said connector of said receiving unit to electrically couple said receiving unit to an information storage section of the cartridge;
- resisting movement of said locking part away from said locking position with a retaining portion when a cartridge is disposed in the cartridge receiving portion and engaged with said locking part;
- supporting an eject member for movement between a retracted position and an eject position;
- causing said eject member to move said locking member away from said locking position toward said unlocking position during movement of said eject member from said retracted position to said eject position;
- causing said eject member, when a cartridge is disposed in said cartridge receiving portion, to engage and move the cartridge away from its insertion position as said eject member moves from said retracted position to said eject position, in a manner effecting disengagement of said connector of said receiving unit from a connector of the cartridge;
- and
- responding to the occurrence of a predetermined event by causing a drive portion to effect movement of said eject member from said retracted position to said eject position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.