Cartridge loading devices

A cartridge loading device for loading magnetic tapes having different heights comprising:

• a first channel member having opposed first side members connected by a first transverse member;
• a second channel member having opposed second side members connected by a second transverse member, said first transverse member being disposed opposite said second transverse member such that a respective first side member is disposed opposite and adjacent a respective second side member and the distance between said first and second transverse members defines the height of an opening created by said first and second channel members;
• and
• a guide arrangement having first guide parts provided on said first side members and second guide parts provided on said second side members, the second guide parts of the second side members being engageable by the first guide parts of the adjacent first side members, said guide arrangement to guide movement of one of said first channel member and said second channel member relative to the other of said first channel member and said second channel member from a first position to a second position such that if in said first position, said opening is sized to receive a magnetic tape cartridge having a first height, and if in said second position, said opening is sized to receive a magnetic tape cartridge having a second height that is greater than said first height.

A housing of a cartridge loading device that can receive magnetic tape cartridges of two different predetermined sizes for loading into a digital data storage device comprising:

• two members arranged for relative movement to permit controlled expansion from a first size to a second size, said first size having a first height and said second size having a second height, said second height being greater than said first height;
• a guide arrangement having at least one elongate slot in one of the two members and a pin in the other of the two members, said pin disposed in said slot to enable the relative movement between said two members, the relative movement being a sliding motion of one of the two members with respect to the other of the two members, said guide arrangement also to define said first and second heights;
• and
• an adjustable opening corresponding with said first and second heights such that if said two members are at said first size the opening is sized to receive a first magnetic tape cartridge having a first predetermined size, and if said two members are at said second size the opening is sized to receive a second magnetic tape cartridge having a second predetermined size that is greater than the magnetic tape cartridge having the first predetermined size.