Patent ID: 6095446
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A door opening and tape cartridge centering arrangement for a tape drive, comprising:a tape insertion opening;a first guide at a first side of the tape insertion opening;a second guide at a second side of the tape insertion opening, the first and second guides being separated from one another to provide a first opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a first size between the first and second guides, and structured to move within the tape insertion opening to provide a second opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a second size different from said first size; anda biasing device coupled to the first and second guides for biasing the first and second guides towards a first position in which the first and second guides are separated from one another by the first opening width;wherein the biasing device has a biasing force that is overcome by insertion of tape cartridges of the second size in the tape insertion opening such that at least one of the first and second guides are moved, by contact with walls of a tape cartridge of the second size during insertion, towards a second position to thereby accommodate tape cartridges of the second size;wherein the first guide has a contact portion that contacts and opens a tape cartridge of the first size and of the second size upon insertion of a tape cartridge of the first size and of the second size, the biasing force causing the first guide to remain in the first position for tape cartridges of the first size, and until the biasing force is overcome by the contact with the walls of tape cartridges of the second size.