Data medium storage and retrieval devices

A device for storing and retrieving data medium cassettes, said device comprising:

• a storage compartment having a plurality of crypts therein,
• a cassette transporter having a frame and a carriage movable on said frame among said crypts,
• a gripper mounted on said carriage and movable in a linear path between an extended position adjacent said crypts and a retracted position remote therefrom,
• means on said gripper for selectively engaging and disengaging a cassette, said means including a cam follower on a surface thereof,
• a pair of sprockets mounted on said carriage and spaced along said path,
• a chain extending around said sprockets,
• an actuator on said gripper connected to said chain and movable transversely of said path, said actuator including a cam in drivable engagement with said cam follower to move said means on said gripper between a cassette-engaging orientation and a cassette-disengaging orientation in response to said transverse movement of said actuator.

A device for storing and retrieving data cassettes, said device comprising:

• a storage compartment having a plurality of crypts therein for receiving data cassettes,
• a cassette transporter having a frame and a carriage movable on said frame among locations juxtaposed said crypts, a shaft rotatably mounted thereon,
• a cassette carrier supported on said shaft to rotate through at least 180.degree. on said carriage,
• rotary drive means for rotating said carrier on said at least a portion of said carriage being supported for rotation by a shaft,
• a gripper mounted on said carriage for selectively engaging and disengaging said cassettes,
• electrical components disposed partially on said carriage and partially elsewhere on said frame for operating said carriage, and
• at least one electrical conductor traversing the interior of said shaft electrically connecting said portion of said electrical components on said carriage with said portion of said electrical components disposed elsewhere on said frame.

A device for storing and retrieving data cassettes having a flange thereon, said device including a cassette transporter, comprising:

• a gripper mounted on said transporter and movable thereon in a path between an extended position and a retracted position,
• at least one pin rotatably mounted on said gripper, said pin being adapted to grip and release said cassette upon rotation of said pin,
• a reversible drive mechanism mounted on said carriage and drivably linked to said gripper, said mechanism being drivable in one direction for advancing said gripper toward said extended position and in the opposite direction for reversing said gripper toward said retracted position,
• linkage operatively connected between said drive mechanism and said pin so as to rotate said pin when said gripper is in said extended position to cause said pin to engage the flange of said cassette while said drive mechanism is reversing and to engage the flange of said cassette while said drive mechanism is advancing, said drive mechanism including:
• an output drive element chain means for moving said drive element along said path,
• sprocket means operable in cooperation with said chain means when said gripper is in said extended position for moving said drive element across said path,
• said gripper being connected to said drive element and movable in response to the movement of said drive element along said path, and
• said linkage being connected to said drive element and operable in response to the movement of said drive element across said path.

A device for storing and retrieving data cassettes, said device comprising:

• (a) a plurality of crypts for holding cassettes;
• (b) a carriage movable among locations juxtaposed said crypts;
• (c) a cassette gripper mounted on said carriage and movable thereon along a path between an extended position adjacent said crypts and a retracted position remote therefrom;
• (d) a drive motor for moving said gripper, and
• (e) mechanical motion control means interposed between said drive motor and said cassette gripper for smoothly
• (i) decelerating said gripper along said path as said gripper moves toward said extending position from said retracted position and,
• (ii) smoothly accelerating said gripper along said path as said gripper moves from said extended position toward said retracted position in order to reduce jarring of the cassettes.

A device for storing and retrieving data cassettes, said device comprising:

• (a) a plurality of crypts for holding cassettes;
• (b) a carriage movable among locations juxtaposed said crypts;
• (c) a cassette gripper mounted on said carriage and movable thereon along a path between an extended position adjacent said crypts and a retracted position remote therefrom said gripper including means for selectively engaging and disengaging said cassette, and
• (d) biasing means on said gripper for at least one of:
• (i) urging said cassette along a direction parallel to said path into firm engagement with said selective engaging and disengaging means when said means are positioned to engage a cassette, and
• (ii) stripping said cassette away from said gripper when said selective engaging and disengaging means are moved from an engaging to a disengaging position to release a cassette.

A device for storing and retrieving data medium cassettes having a flange thereon, said device comprising:

• a storage compartment having a plurality of crypts therein, each crypt having a slot at one side thereof for receiving a data medium cassette therethrough, a cassette transporter having a frame and a carriage movable on said frame among points adjacent said slots,
• a gripper mounted on said carriage and movable thereon in a path between an extended position toward said slots and a retracted position,
• a link carried on said carriage, said link being drivably linked to said gripper,
• means on said carriage for moving said link along said path in one direction for advancing said gripper toward said path in one direction and in the opposite direction for reversing said gripper toward said retracted position,
• a pulley rotatably mounted on said carriage for moving said link across said path when said gripper is in said extended position,
• flange engaging means on said gripper operable to grip and release said cassette in response to the movement of said link across said path,
• a drive track in the form of a movable band extending along said path and around said pulley, said band having a portion extending along said path and a portion extending across said path, said link being movable on said band,
• an actuator plate slidably mounted on the gripper so as to move with respect to the gripper across said path,
• said band being longitudinally movable on said carriage along and across said path, said link being pivotally connected to said actuator plate, said element being fixed to said track and longitudinally movable therewith.