Rapid automatic slide retrieval device

An apparatus for storage and radial discharge of selected like items, including,

• A rotary storage device for storing a plurality of the selected like items at individual radial positions and with rotation of the storage device about a central axis providing for positioning of individual ones of the stored items for propelling outwardly individual ones of the stored items by centrifugal force as the storage device rotates about the central axis,
• a plurality of retainer means individually coupled to individual ones of the plurality of stored items and with each retainer means each including a first position to retain a stored item and a second position to release a stored item,
• a retrieval mechanism to trigger individual ones of the retainer means to release individual ones of the stored items,
• a catcher to interupt the propelled items along a substantially horizontal path and to direct the caught items along a substantially vertical path into a collector device, and
• a controller responsive to the location of individual ones of the stored items for controlling the retrieval mechanism to trigger the proper retainer means to allow the desired item to be released and propelled.