US 4,688,124 A · Automated floppy disk drive loader

Abstract

A mechanism is provided for automatically removing a floppy disk from a stack of floppy disks and removably inserting that floppy disk into a variety of disk drives. A reciprocating picker mechanism engages a floppy disk and pushes it into a first set of rollers which grippingly engage the floppy disk and push it towards a second set of rollers. The second set of rollers feeds the floppy disk into the disk drive and stops the floppy disk in the correct position within the disk drive. The rollers are disengaged from the floppy disk during operation of the disk drive, but re-engage to retract the floppy disk from the disk drive. An ejection guide plate directs the floppy disk into one of two bins after being removed from the disk drive. Detectors sense the edges of the floppy disk to control the speed at which the disk is placed into the disk drive, and to insure proper positioning of the disk within the disk drive. Positioning pins are attached to the sides of the various disk drives and cooperate with positioning recesses on the frame holding the rollers, so as to position the various disk drives with respect to the rollers.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A mechanism for loading and unloading floppy disks each of which consists of a disk rotatably mounted in a jacket into a disk drive, comprising:

roller means for positively positioning the floppy disk in said disk drive, said roller means engaging said floppy disk until said floppy disk is accurately positioned in said disk drive so that said floppy disk is accurately positioned with minimal damage to said floppy disk;
means for disengaging said roller means from said floppy disk subsequent to said accurate positioning so said disk can be unobstructively rotated within said jacket and for re-engaging said roller means with said floppy disk when said rotation ceases;
drive means for rotating said roller means in two directions to feed said floppy disk into, and remove said floppy disk from, said disk drive;
and
a frame supporting said roller means and said drive means.

2 more elements

A mechanism for removably inserting a floppy disk consisting of a disk rotatably mounted in a jacket into a disk drive, comprising:

a frame supporting said disk drive;
a first set of rollers for engaging a floppy disk and moving said floppy disk towards said disk drive;
a second set of rollers adjacent said disk drive for receiving the floppy disk from said first set of rollers and feeding said floppy disk into said disk drive, said second set of rollers engaging said floppy disk until said floppy disk is positively positioned within said disk drive;
rotating means in said disk drive for engaging and rotating said disk in said jacket;
engaging means for releasably engaging said rotating means with said disk;
disengaging means cooperating with said engaging measn for disengaging said second set of rollers from said floppy disk so the disk can be unobstructively rotated within the jacket, and for re-engaging said second set of rollers with said floppy disk after rotation of said disk;
and
drive means for rotating said first and second sets of rollers, and for reversably rotating at least said second set of rollers so as to insert said floppy disk into, and remove said floppy disk from, said disk drive.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated floppy disk drive loader

Life of this patent

Automated floppy disk drive loader

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22