Data storage cartridge and adapter

A data storage cartridge in combination with an adapter, the adapter dimensioned and configured to orient the data storage cartridge so that it operates in a 3.5-inch-format disk drive device comprising:

• a data storage cartridge comprising:
• a planar housing having opposing front and rear edges and two opposing side edges, the edges connected by depending top and bottom faces, thereby defining an external length, width and height and an interior volume, the interior volume dimensioned and configured for rotatably accommodating a disk medium therein, the housing further having a first aperture in the bottom face thereof, a second aperture in the bottom face thereof, and a third aperture in the top face thereof, the third aperture in registration with the second;
• a disk medium comprising a disk-shaped data storage and retrieval material and a hub disposed at the center thereof, the disk medium rotatably disposed within the interior volume of the data storage cartridge such that the hub is operationally accessible to a spindle of a 3.5-inch-format disk drive device via the first aperture and the data storage and retrieval material is operationally accessible to a read/write head in the 3.5-inch-format disk drive device via the second and third apertures;
• and
• an L-shaped shutter disposed about the top face, front edge, and bottom face of the housing and slidingly fixed thereto, the shutter movable between a first closed position blocking the second and third apertures and a second open position allowing access to the second and third apertures;
• in combination with:
• an adapter comprising a planar, substantially U-shaped body dimensioned and configured to form a friction fit against the rear and side edges of the data storage cartridge;
• and wherein when the data storage cartridge is disposed within the adapter to yield a cartridge-adapter combination, the combination has external dimensions which are substantially identical to a 3.5-inch-format floppy disk cartridge.

A data storage cartridge in combination with an adapter, the adapter dimensioned and configured to orient the data storage cartridge so that it operates in a "ZIP"-brand-format disk drive device comprising:

• a data storage cartridge comprising:
• a planar housing having opposing front and rear edges and two opposing side edges, the edges connected by depending top and bottom faces, thereby defining an external length, width and height and an interior volume, the interior volume dimensioned and configured for rotatably accommodating a disk medium therein, the housing further having a first aperture in the bottom face thereof and a second aperture in the front edge thereof;
• a disk medium comprising a disk-shaped data storage and retrieval material and a hub disposed at the center thereof, the disk medium rotatably disposed within the interior volume of the data storage cartridge such that the hub is operationally accessible to a spindle in a "ZIP"-brand-format disk drive device via the first aperture and the data storage and retrieval material is operationally accessible to a read/write head of the "ZIP"-brand-format disk drive device via the second aperture;
• and
• a shutter disposed about the top face, front edge, and bottom face of the housing and slidingly fixed thereto, the shutter movable between a first closed position blocking the second aperture and a second open position allowing access to the second aperture;
• in combination with:
• an adapter comprising a planar, substantially U-shaped body dimensioned and configured to form a friction fit against the rear and side edges of the data storage cartridge;
• and wherein when the data storage cartridge is disposed within the adapter to yield a cartridge-adapter combination, the combination has external dimensions which are substantially identical to a "ZIP"-brand-format floppy disk.