Robotic docking apparatus for a cartridge library system having a cartridge storage array

A robotic docking alignment apparatus used to align a cartridge retrieval mechanism with a cartridge receiving location, said robotic docking alignment apparatus comprising:

• at least one docking feature formed on an end of said cartridge retrieval mechanism proximate said cartridge receiving location, said at least one docking feature comprising a member outwardly extending from said end of said cartridge retrieval mechanism proximate said cartridge receiving location, said member comprising two faces, located on opposite sides of said member and tapered inwardly toward each other and a third face, located on a side of said member which extends between said two faces, and tapered inwardly from said end of said cartridge retrieval mechanism proximate said cartridge receiving location in a direction away from said end of said cartridge retrieval mechanism proximate said cartridge receiving location;
• and
• at least one docking receptacle formed on an end of said cartridge receiving location proximate said cartridge retrieval mechanism.

A robotic docking alignment apparatus used to align a cartridge retrieval mechanism with a cartridge receiving location, said robotic docking alignment apparatus comprising:

• at least one docking feature formed on an end of said cartridge retrieval mechanism proximate said cartridge receiving location;
• and
• at least one docking receptacle formed on an end of said cartridge receiving location proximate said cartridge retrieval mechanism, said at least one docking receptacle comprising an aperture inwardly extending from said end of said cartridge receiving location proximate said cartridge retrieval mechanism, said aperture comprising two faces, located on opposite sides of said aperture and tapered inwardly toward each other and a third face, located on a side of said aperture which extends between said two faces, and tapered inwardly from said end of said cartridge receiving location proximate said cartridge retrieval mechanism in a direction away from said end of said cartridge receiving location proximate said cartridge retrieval mechanism.