Tape storage system

In a container having a plurality of open sided compartments, each compartment partially defined by a floor and a pair of spaced vertical ribs, the compartments being adapted to hold selected data storge cartridges manufactured with a notch at a predetermined location on one of the cartridge surfaces, the cartridges being insertable into the compartments with the notched surfaces thereof in facing contact with the compartment floors and the notches located near the compartment open sides,

• the improvement comprising:
• means secured to the compartment floors for releaseably engaging the cartridge notches to positively retain the cartridges within the respective compartments, wherein the means for engaging the cartridge notches comprises:
• a. a flat strip mounted to the compartment floors adjacent the open sides thereof;
• and
• b. a plurality of tabs upstanding from the strip, each tab straddling a rib such that the tab extends partially into the compartments on both sides of the rib to create right and left tab sections in the open side of each compartment, the right tab section having a left edge and the left tab section having a right edge.

In combination with at least one selected computer data storage cartridge having a bottom surface defining a notch, apparatus for positively retaining the cartridge in a selected location comprising:

• a. a container having a ceiling, a floor, a back wall, a pair of spaced side walls connecting the floor and ceiling, and a plurality of vertical ribs spaced between the side walls and extending between the floor and ceiling to define a plurality of five sided open side compartments adapted to hold the tape cartridge;
• and
• b. a plurality of tabs upstanding from the container floor, a tab straddling each vertical rib and extending laterally a predetermined distance from the associated rib toward the center of the open side of each adjacent compartment to thereby create a right tab section and a left tab section in each open side adjacent the respective ribs, the right tab section of each compartment being adapted to engage the cartridge notch when the cartridge is inserted into the compartment from the open side,
• so that the cartridge is positively retained in the compartment by the right tab section.

A rail for joining two upstanding posts to suspend selected components therefrom in a vertical attitude comprising:

• a. an upturned lower channel having a short upturned end and a long leg;
• b. an upturned upper channel located above and horizontally displaced from the lower channel, the upper channel having an upturned end and a long leg;
• and
• c. a horizontal member connecting the long legs of the upper and lower channels, the horizontal member being located above the lower channel,
• so that the component can be suspended from the upturned end of the lower channel on a first rail and maintained in a vertical attitude by the long leg of the upper channel of a second rail vertically spaced below the first rail.

A library storage rack for storing selected containers comprising:

• a. a plurality of upstanding posts;
• b. a plurality of rails attached horizontally between the posts, the rails being vertically spaced a predetermined amount, each rail comprising:
• i. an upturned lower channel having a short upturned end and a long leg;
• ii. an upturned upper channel located above and horizontally displaced from the lower channel, the upper channel having an upturned end and a long leg;
• and
• iii. a horizontal member connecting the long legs of the upper and lower channels, the horizontal member being located above the lower channel,
• so that a container may be suspended from and slid along the upturned end of the lower channel of a first rail and the container is maintained in a vertical attitude by the long leg of the upper channel of a second rail spaced below the first rail.

Apparatus for storing selected data storage cartridges, the cartridges being generally shaped as parallelepipeds having bottom surfaces that define a notch therein, comprising:

• a. a storage rack comprising:
• i. at least two upstanding posts;
• ii. a plurality of rails attached horizontally between the posts, the rails being vertically spaced a predetermined amount, each rail comprising an upturned lower channel having a short upturned end and a long leg, an upturned upper channel located above and horizontally displaced from the lower channel, the upper channel having an upturned end and a long leg, and a horizontal member connecting the long legs of the upper and lower channels, the horizontal member being located above the lower channel;
• and
• b. at least one box means for positively retaining the cartridges therein, the box means being adapted to be suspended from the upturned end of the lower channel of a first rail and maintained in a vertical attitude by the long leg of the upper channel of a second rail spaced below the first rail.