Tape library storage system including an accessor transport system
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge in a data storage library is disclosed. The apparatus includes an accessor, a pinion and a rack having a straight section and a curved section. The curved section includes multiple rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other to allow the pinion to travel along the straight section and onto the curved section of the rack, or vice versa, without any interruption.
Claims8
An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge within a data storage library, said apparatus comprising:
- an accessor;
- a rack having a straight section and a curved section, wherein said curved section includes a plurality of rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other;
- and
- a pinion for driving said accessor, wherein pinion is capable of traveling along said straight section and said curved section of said rack.
A rack and pinion assembly comprising:
- a rack having a straight section and a curved section, wherein said curved section includes a plurality of rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other;
- and
- a pinion capable of traveling along said straight section and said curved section of said rack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.