Data cartridge magazine and method of operation thereof

A data storage and retrieval device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a data cartridge drive for recording and reading data from a data cartridge;
• at least one storage magazine in said housing, said storage magazine defining a plurality of storage slots adapted to receive data cartridges;
• a spring loaded ejection rail connected to said at least one storage magazine to move said at least one storage magazine between a fully inserted position and a second position that is partially ejected from said housing, said spring loaded ejection rail biasing said at least one storage magazine from said fully inserted position to said second position;
• a cartridge shuttle for transfer of data cartridges between said data cartridge drive and said storage magazine;
• and
• a magazine latch having a first securing position securing said storage magazine in said housing in a fully inserted position such that said cartridge shuffle can access data cartridges in said storage magazine, said magazine latch including a second securing position with said storage magazine partially ejected from said housing, said magazine latch being movable from said first securing position so that said spring loaded ejection rail moves said at least one storage magazine from said fully inserted position toward said second position.

A data storage and retrieval device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a data cartridge drive for recording and reading data from a data cartridge;
• at least one storage magazine in said housing, said storage magazine defining a plurality of storage slots adapted to receive data cartridges;
• a cartridge shuffle for transfer of data cartridges between said data cartridge drive and said storage magazine;
• and
• a magazine latch securing said storage magazine in said housing in a fully inserted position such that said cartridge shuffle can access data cartridges in said storage magazine, said magazine latch including a second securing position with said storage magazine partially ejected from said housing said magazine latch including:
• a latch arm having a hook portion at a first end and a second end,
• a pivot fastened to said latch arm between said first and second ends,
• a cam in contact with said second end of said latch arm, and
• a motor connected to operate said cam.

A method for operating a data storage and retrieval device, comprising the steps of:

• storing a plurality of data cartridges in a storage magazine in a data storage and retrieval device;
• partially ejecting the storage magazine from the data storage and retrieval device;
• damping ejecting movement of the storage magazine during said ejecting step;
• at least one of:
• removing at least one data cartridge from the storage magazine while said storage magazine is partially ejected from the data storage and retrieval device;
• and
• inserting at least one data cartridge into the storage magazine while said storage magazine is partially ejected from the data storage and retrieval device;
• moving the storage magazine to a fully inserted position in said data storage and retrieval device;
• and
• said step of partially ejecting including softly ejecting the storage magazine to the partially ejected position.

A data storage and retrieval device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a data cartridge drive for recording and reading data from a data cartridge;
• at least one storage magazine in said housing, said storage magazine defining a plurality of storage slots adapted to receive data cartridges;
• a damping device connected to said at least one storage magazine to slow movement of said at least one storage magazine between a fully inserted position and a second position that is partially ejected from said housing;
• a cartridge shuffle for transfer of data cartridges between said data cartridge drive and said storage magazine;
• and
• a magazine latch having a first securing position securing said storage magazine in said housing in a fully inserted position such that said cartridge shuffle can access data cartridges in said storage magazine, said magazine latch including a second securing position with said storage magazine partially ejected from said housing.

A data storage and retrieval device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a data cartridge drive for recording and reading data from a data cartridge;
• at least one storage magazine in said housing, said storage magazine defining a plurality of storage slots adapted to receive data cartridges;
• an eject apparatus connected to said at least one storage magazine to provide an ejection force to eject said at least one storage magazine from a fully inserted position toward a second position that is partially ejected from said housing;
• a cartridge shuttle for transfer of data cartridges between said data cartridge drive and said storage magazine;
• and
• a magazine latch having a first securing position securing said storage magazine in said housing in a fully inserted position such that said cartridge shuffle can access data cartridges in said storage magazine, said magazine latch including a second securing position with said storage magazine partially ejected from said housing, said magazine latch being movable from said first securing position so that said eject apparatus moves said at least one storage magazine from said fully inserted position toward said second position.