Patent ID: 6515823
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An automatic tape cartridge loader, for loading an elongate, rectangular tape cartridge having a shell enclosing a length of tape, the cartridge shell having a pair of sides and a pair of ends and a sliding spring-loaded door in one side proximate one end for providing access to a leader attached to an end of the tape, said loader comprising:a cartridge shuttle configured to receive the tape cartridge and mounted for automatic movement between a cartridge reception position and a position wherein the cartridge engages one or more operative elements of a tape drive for reading and writing of data on the length of tape; a passive door-opening feature fixedly attached to a wall of the cartridge shuttle and extending toward an interior of the cartridge shuttle, wherein the door-opening feature is positioned on the wall of the cartridge shuttle and is adapted to engage the sliding spring-loaded door of the cartridge shell as the tape cartridge is inserted into the cartridge shuttle so as to slide the door to a retracted position as the one end of the cartridge passes by the door-opening feature, and thereby open the sliding door; and at least one cartridge-positioning feature mounted opposite the wall so as to justify the cartridge toward the wall and the door-opening feature as the tape cartridge is inserted into the cartridge shuttle, wherein the at least one cartridge positioning feature comprises a feature extruded from a wall of the cartridge shuttle opposite the door-opening feature.