Computer disk transfer apparatus
AssigneeRimage Corporation
InventorsTerence J. Schmidt, Robert L. Skubic
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer disk transfer apparatus for automatically transferring computer diskettes in a stable and precise fashion from one diskette duplicating machine to a subsequent diskette duplicating machine. The apparatus includes a swing arm which is bridgeable at least partially across a bin connecting the machines to close off the bin and which is swingable from the bridging position to open the bin. The swing arm is positioned such that each of the diskettes is continuously engaged and stabilized from entry into the bin to exit from the bin.
Claims14
An apparatus for transferring a disk from one station to another station, the disk comprising a first set of opposing edges, a second set of opposing edges, and a lower surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a) bin means disposed between the stations for minimizing side-to-side movement of the disks and comprising:
- 1) an inlet adjacent one of the stations for receiving the disk;
- 2) an outlet adjacent the other station for discharging the disk;
- 3) a pair of first and second opposing elongate retainer means disposed between the inlet and outlet for engaging the first set of opposing edges of the disk to minimize movement of the disk in one direction;
- and
- 4) a third elongate retainer means disposed between the inlet and outlet for engaging one edge of the second set of opposing edges of the disk;
- and
- 5) a stop disposed adjacent to the outlet, for engaging against one of the edges of the disk;
- b) a swing arm pivotally mounted on the bin between the inlet and outlet and transversely of the third retainer means for engaging the lower surface and another edge of the second set of opposing edges of the disk to cooperate with the third elongate retainer means to minimize movement of the disk in another direction and to pivotally transfer the disk to the outlet, the swing arm being at least partially bridgeable between the opposing retainer means;
- and
- c) control means connectable to the swing arm for selectively stabilizing the swing arm against pivoting and for selectively allowing pivoting of the swing arm away from the third retainer means to open up the outlet;
- whereby the disk falls through the inlet to engage the swing arm which is pivoted downwardly while at least one of the edges of the disk slides against one of the retainer means to stabilize the disk, the disk engaging the stop and being pivotally transferred by the swing arm until the swing arm opens the outlet to permit the disk to disengage from the swing arm and fall into the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.