Flip latch assembly for media autochanger

#The present invention relates generally to media auto changers, i.e. systems for handling and storing data recording media such as magnetic disk, optical disk and tape cartridges and, more particularly, to a flip-latch assembly for a media autochanger of the type having a media holder assembly which is rotatable about a media holder flip axis.

#The use of magnetic disks for the storage of computer readable data is well known in the art. Magnetic disks may be fixed in a drive or may be removable. An optical disk is a data storage medium which is readable by a laser-based reading device. Optical disks such as “compact disks” (“CDs”) are commonly used for storing musical and audiovisual works. Due to the huge storage capacity of optical disks as compared to conventional magnetic storage media, optical disks are also used in the computer industry. One type of optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, can be readily written and erased and is thus becoming increasingly popular to complement or replace conventional magnetic disks (“hard disks” and “floppy disks”). To increase storage capacity, optical disks may have the ability to store data on both sides of the disk.

#To facilitate storing and handling of removable optical disks and magnetic disks, the disks are normally mounted in parallelepiped-shaped cartridges. Also used in the computer industry for data storage are parallelepiped-shaped tape cartridges such as Digital Audio Tape (DAT) cartridges and 8-mm tape cartridges.

#An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a media autochanger with housing panels removed;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a media autochanger including a media holder assembly and associated support frame, showing the holder assembly in one of its two angular registration positions;

#FIGS. 2 and 6 through 14 illustrate a flip-latch assembly 10 for a media autochanger 12, FIG. 1. The media autochanger has a media holder assembly 14, FIGS. 1 through 3, which is rotatable relative to a media holder assembly support frame 16 about a longitudinally extending media holder flip axis AA. The media holder assembly 14 includes a chassis 18 and a media engager 20. The media engager 20 is longitudinally displaceable relative to the chassis 18 between an extended position, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2, and a retracted position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2.

#The flip-latch assembly includes a stud 26, FIG. 3, extending laterally outwardly from the chassis 18. The flip-latch assembly further includes a stud latcher 30 which is fixedly positioned relative to the media holder assembly support frame 16. The flip-latch assembly 10 further comprises a stud latcher tripper assembly 32 which is actuatable by the media engager 20.

#Having thus described the flip-latch assembly 10 in general, one specific embodiment of the flip-latch assembly and associated media autochanger will now be described in further detail.