Cartridge engaging assembly within a storage array

A cartridge handling system, comprising:

• a) at least one cartridge storage array having a plurality of storage locations;
• b) at least one linearly translatable read/write drive positioned directly adjacent to said cartridge storage array;
• c) a cartridge engaging assembly comprising:
• i) a cartridge engaging device positioned within each of said storage locations which is adapted to be linearly translated in a lateral direction in order to push a cartridge out of one of said storage locations during a push operating mode and pull a cartridge into one of said storage locations during a pull operating mode;
• ii) at least one actuator device which is adapted to engage said cartridge engaging device in order to push a cartridge out of one of said storage locations or pull a cartridge into one of said storage locations;
• and
• iii) at least one actuator drive assembly operably connected to said actuator device which is adapted to linearly translate said actuator device in a lateral direction;
• and
• d) a linear translation assembly adapted to linearly translate said read/write drive, said actuator device, and said actuator drive assembly among said storage locations in said cartridge storage array in a longitudinal direction.

A method for transporting a cartridge between a storage location and a read/write drive in a cartridge handling system utilizing a cartridge engaging assembly, said cartridge engaging assembly comprising a cartridge engaging device positioned within each of said storage locations which is adapted to be linearly translated in a lateral direction in order to push a cartridge out of one of said storage locations or pull a cartridge into one of said storage locations, and an actuator device which is adapted to engage said cartridge engaging device in order to push a cartridge out of one of said storage locations or pull a cartridge into one of said storage locations, said method comprising:

• a) longitudinally aligning said read/write drive with one of said storage locations and said actuator device with said cartridge engaging device;
• b) engaging said cartridge engaging device with said actuator device;
• and
• c) linearly translating said actuator device in said lateral direction.

A cartridge engaging assembly for a cartridge handling system comprising at least one cartridge storage array having a plurality of storage locations and at least one read/write drive positioned directly adjacent to said cartridge storage array, said cartridge engaging assembly comprising:

• a) cartridge engaging means within each of said storage locations for engaging and pushing a cartridge out of one of said storage locations and pulling a cartridge into one of said storage locations;
• b) actuator means for engaging said cartridge engaging device in order to push a cartridge out of one of said storage locations or pull a cartridge into one of said storage locations;
• c) drive assembly means for linearly translating said actuator means in a lateral direction;
• and
• d) translation assembly means for linearly translating said read/write drive, said actuator means, and said drive assembly means among said storage locations in said cartridge storage array in a longitudinal direction.