Apparatus for handling cartridges in a storage library system
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorsJoseph P. Manes, David Black
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for handling a cartridge having a cartridge notch formed therein in a storage library system includes a hand frame adapted for receiving cartridges and a reach carriage assembly movable along the hand frame assembly. A latch arm assembly is pivotally connected to the reach carriage assembly and includes a latch tooth thereon for selectively engaging the cartridge notch. The latch arm assembly is pivotally movable between a latching position, wherein the tooth is positioned for engagement in the notch, and a put position wherein the latch arm is positioned for pushing the cartridge out of the hand frame. Cam devices are provided for pivoting the latch arm assembly between the put position and latching position.
Claims15
An apparatus for handling a cartridge having a cartridge notch formed therein in a storage library system, comprising:
- a hand frame adapted for receiving cartridges;
- a reach carriage assembly movable along said hand frame assembly;
- and
- a latch arm assembly pivotally connected to said reach carriage assembly and having a latch tooth thereon for selectively engaging the cartridge notch, wherein the latch arm assembly is pivotally movable within a pivotal range of approximately 90.degree. between a latching position in which the tooth is positioned for engagement in the notch, and a put position in which the latch arm assembly is positioned for pushing the cartridge out of the hand frame, wherein said latching position and put position define opposing ends of said pivotal range.
An apparatus for grasping a cartridge having a cartridge notch formed therein in a storage library system including a hand frame adapted for receiving such cartridge and a reach carriage assembly including a carriage face block movable along the hand frame assembly, the apparatus comprising:
- a latch arm assembly connected to the reach carriage assembly and having a latch tooth thereon for selectively engaging the cartridge notch, wherein the latch arm assembly is pivotally movable between a latching position in which the tooth is positioned for engagement in the notch, and a put position in which the latch arm assembly is positioned for pushing the cartridge out of the hand frame, and an over-center spring operatively connected between the reach carriage assembly and the latch arm assembly for alternatively biasing the latch arm assembly toward the latching and put positions.
An apparatus for handling a cartridge having a cartridge notch formed therein in a storage library system, comprising:
- a hand frame adapted for receiving cartridges, with a first cam member extending from the hand frame and a cam block secured to the hand frame;
- a reach carriage assembly movable along said hand frame assembly;
- and
- a latch arm assembly pivotally connected about a horizontal axis to said reach carriage assembly and having a latch tooth thereon for selectively engaging the cartridge notch, wherein the latch arm assembly is pivotally movable between a latching position in which the tooth is positioned for engagement in the notch, and a put position in which the latch arm assembly is positioned for pushing the cartridge out of the hand frame, said first cam member being engageable with the latch arm assembly for pivoting the latch arm assembly from the put position to the latching position, and said cam block being engageable with the latch arm assembly for causing pivotal movement of the latch arm assembly from the latching position to the put position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.