Storage media lockout device for a computer mass storage media drive

A media lockout device and associated method for a combined media drive. The combined media drive permits the insertion of storage media into two separate insertion openings of the combined media drive to be received therein. The media lockout device permits reception within the media drive of storage media inserted through one of the insertion openings of the combined drive. Once a storage media is inserted through an insertion opening of the combined drive, the media lockout device prevents the insertion of another storage media through the other of the insertion openings while the first storage media is received within the combined drive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
The present application is related to commonly-assigned patent application 
Ser. No. 08/072,919, filed Jun. 7, 1993, and entitled DUAL RANDOM AND 
SEQUENTIAL ACCESS MEDIA DRIVE. The present application is further related 
to commonly-assigned patent application Ser. No. 08/334,558, filed Nov. 4, 
1994, and entitled REMOVABLE STORAGE MEDIA DRIVE AND METHOD FOR BIASING A 
CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY TOWARD A DRIVING ROLLER to commonly-assigned patent 
application Ser. No. 08/334,564, filed Nov. 4, 1994, and entitled 
OVER-CENTER VARIABLE STROKE LATCHING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR A TAPE DRIVE 
and to commonly-assigned patent application Ser. No. 08/337,740, filed 
concurrently herewith and entitled EJECTION APATUS FOR EJECTING STORAGE 
MEDIA POSITIONED IN A COMPUTER MASS STORAGE MEDIA DRIVE. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to a computer mass storage media 
drive operable to receive storage media through two separate insertion 
openings of the media drive. More particularly, the present invention 
relates to a media lockout device for the storage media drive. The media 
lockout device permits one storage media to be received within the media 
drive at any particular time. The media lockout device prevents reception 
of a second storage media within the media drive when a first storage 
media is already received within the media drive. 
Tape drives which allow for the archiving of computer files and application 
software on various sequential access media are well-known. Among the most 
popular tape formats for performing archival storage in conjunction with 
personal computers, file servers and the like, is the industry standard 
quarter-inch cartridge ("QIC") tape and specific drives for reading and 
writing such media are now generally available in half-height (1.625 
inches) and one-inch form factors. 
Analogously, disk drives which allow for the archiving of computer files 
and application software on various random access media are also 
well-known. Among the most popular disk formats for performing archival 
storage in conjunction with personal computers, file servers and the like, 
are five and one-quarter inch (5.25 inch) and three and one-half inch (3.5 
inch) disks. Specific drives for reading data from and writing data to 
such media are also now generally available in half-height and one-inch 
form factors. 
The aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No. 08/072,919 discloses a 
dual random and sequential access media drive for a computer system. The 
dual media drive forms a common media drive for writing data to, and/or 
reading data from, both a floppy disk and a tape cartridge. The dual 
random and sequential access media drive is particularly advantageous as 
the physical dimensions, power requirements, and costs associated with the 
dual media drive are significantly less than that of separate drives. 
Certain of the elements of a tape drive and of a disk drive are shared in 
the dual media drive. For instance, a common drive element drives both the 
head positioning mechanism of the tape drive portion and the head 
positioning mechanism of the disk drive portion of the dual media drive. 
Because of such common drive element, the head positioning mechanisms of 
both the tape drive portion and the disk drive portion of the dual media 
drive are simultaneously operable. 
When data is to be read from, or written to, a particular storage media, 
the storage media is received through an appropriate one of the insertion 
openings of the dual media drive and positioned such that the appropriate 
head transducer can access storage locations of the storage media. 
Thereafter, the head positioning mechanism is operative to position a head 
transducer relative to the storage media to permit read and/or write 
operations to be performed. Because of the common drive, the head 
transducer of both portions of the dual media drive are simultaneously 
operable. 
When the storage media is first inserted through the appropriate insertion 
opening of the dual media drive, the storage media is positioned relative 
to a head transducer and head positioning mechanism prior to operation of 
the head positioning mechanism. Properly positioning the storage media 
relative to the head transducer and head positioning mechanism prior to 
operation of the head positioning mechanism ensures that operation of the 
head positioning mechanism does not damage the storage media. In some 
instances, if the storage media is not positioned properly relative to the 
head transducer and head positioning mechanism when the head positioning 
mechanism is operated, frictional engagement of the head positioning 
mechanism upon the storage media might damage the storage media. 
A unique hazard is associated with the dual media drive as the dual media 
drive includes two insertion openings for receiving storage media. As 
described above, storage media can be inserted through either of the 
insertion openings. For instance, a media disk may be inserted through a 
first insertion opening of the media drive and read and/or write 
operations may be performed upon the media disk by operation of the head 
positioning mechanism and the head transducer. If a tape cartridge is 
inserted through the other of the insertion openings while the head 
positioning mechanism is operable in conjunction with read or write 
operations to be performed upon the media disk, the tape cartridge might 
become damaged. 
A device which prevents the subsequent insertion of the second storage 
media is required to prevent damage from occurring to the second storage 
media when the first storage media is already positioned within the media 
drive. 
It is with respect to these considerations and other background information 
relative to computer mass storage media drives that the significant 
improvements of the present invention have evolved. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention advantageously provides a media lockout device which 
blocks simultaneous positioning of more than one storage media in a dual 
media drive. When a first storage media is positioned within the media 
drive, the media lockout device prevents positioning of the second storage 
media therein. Conversely, when the second storage media is positioned 
within the dual media drive, the media lockout device prevents insertion 
of the first storage media therein. 
Because simultaneous positioning of more than one storage media within the 
dual media drive is prevented, damage which might occur to the storage 
media if the storage media were attempted to be simultaneously inserted 
into the dual media drive is avoided. 
In accordance with the present invention, therefore, a media lockout device 
for a computer mass storage media drive is disclosed. The media drive has 
a first insertion opening for receiving a first storage media at a first 
storage media receiving position and a second insertion opening for 
receiving a second storage media at a second storage media receiving 
position. A first blocking mechanism is positionable in a first blocking 
position for preventing positioning of the first storage media at the 
first storage media receiving position when the second storage media is 
positioned at the second storage media receiving position. A second 
blocking mechanism is positionable in a second blocking position for 
preventing positioning of the second storage media at the second storage 
media receiving position when the first storage media is positioned at the 
first storage media receiving position. 
A more complete appreciation of the present invention and the scope thereof 
can be obtained from the accompanying drawings which are briefly 
summarized below, the following detailed description of the presently 
preferred embodiments of the inventions, and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
With reference first to FIG. 1, a dual media drive, shown generally at 10, 
which utilizes the media lockout device, and associated method, of the 
present invention is shown. The drive 10 may be used in conjunction with 
both random access media (such as microdiskettes, floppy diskettes, 
floptical disks, CDROMs, and the like) in addition to sequential access 
media (such as QIC tape, 8mm tape, DAT, Data cassettes, and the like). In 
the embodiment of the dual media drive 10 illustrated herein, it should be 
noted that description is made only by way of example with respect a 3.5 
inch magnetic diskette and a QIC tape cartridge. 
The drive 10 is more fully described in U. S. patent application Ser. No. 
08/072,919 filed Jun. 7, 1993, entitled "Dual Random and Sequential Access 
Media Drive" assigned to ComByte, Inc., assignee of the present invention. 
As therein disclosed, the drive 10 comprises a user accessible end having 
a bezel 12 which allows for insertion of a diskette 15 within the diskette 
insertion opening 14 in order for the drive 10 to read and/or write data 
to the media. 
The drive 10 also incorporates a tape cartridge insertion opening 16 which 
allows for the insertion of a tape cartridge 30 as shown. That is to say, 
FIG. 1 illustrates the tape cartridge inserted through the insertion 
opening 16 to be positioned at a tape cartridge receiving position whereat 
read and/or write operations can be performed upon the tape. Alternately, 
the diskette 15 can be inserted through the insertion opening 14 to be 
positioned at a diskette receiving position whereat read and/or write 
operations can be performed upon the diskette. 
The bezel 12 of the drive 10 also includes a drive activity light 18 to 
indicate to a user that the storage media within the diskette seated 
within diskette insertion opening 14 at the diskette receiving position 
or, alternatively, the tape cartridge assembly 30 inserted within the tape 
cartridge insertion opening 16 at the tape cartridge receiving position is 
being moved. A media ejection button 20 is also included to initiate 
ejection of the diskette and the tape cartridge out of the drive 10. 
It should also be noted that in most applications utilizing a QIC tape 
cartridge assembly 30, a portion of the cartridge, when positioned at the 
tape cartridge receiving position drive 10, protrudes through the tape 
cartridge insertion opening 16. Such portion of the cartridge 16 allows an 
operator to grasp the tape cartridge assembly 30 to manually effectuate 
its removal. 
In a particular application, the drive 10 may be mounted within a 
user-accessible drive bay of a computer, work station, file server, or 
other similar computer equipment such that the bezel 12 is exposed to 
allow insertion of either the diskette 15 or the tape cartridge assembly 
30. In alternative applications, the drive 10 may be utilized in 
conjunction with a separate housing presenting an electrical interface for 
connection to a standard computer bus or peripheral interface such as 
PCMCIA. 
As will be more fully discussed hereinafter, it should be recognized that 
although a drive 10 for utilization in conjunction with a diskette 15 and 
a tape cartridge 30 is shown, the principles of the present invention are 
equally applicable to other combined media drives. 
With reference additionally to FIG. 2, the tape cartridge 30 is again 
shown. In the embodiment illustrated, the tape cartridge 30 comprises an 
industry standard QIC tape cartridge. The tape cartridge 30 incorporates a 
read/write head access opening 32 formed in the cartridge inner edge 38 
thereof for allowing the data transducer of the associated tape drive to 
read and/or write data to the internal storage media. The tape cartridge 
30 further includes an internal puck access opening 36 by means of which a 
driving roller associated with a tape drive (hidden from view in the 
illustration of the drive 10 shown in FIG. 1) can frictionally engage and 
drive the driven roller (or puck) to move the media within the tape 
cartridge 30. As shown, the read/write head access opening 32 may further 
include a media access door 34 which serves to protect the storage media 
within the tape cartridge assembly until such time as the tape cartridge 
30 is inserted and engaged within an associated drive. 
The tape cartridge 30 further includes a cartridge outer edge 40 which, 
together with other portions of the cartridge, may generally protrude 
beyond the bezel 12 of the drive 10 shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the 
tape cartridge 30 further includes a cartridge right edge channel 42 and 
corresponding cartridge left edge channel 44 both comprising a recessed 
slot along the respective edges of the tape cartridge 30. As shown, the 
cartridge right edge channel 42 is formed, in part, by a peripherally 
extending flange 46 into which is formed an engagement notch 48 for 
securing the cartridge within the associated drive as will be more fully 
described hereinafter. In a corresponding manner, the cartridge left edge 
channel 44 also includes a peripherally extending flange 46 and engagement 
notch 48 (not shown). 
With reference additionally now to FIG. 3, a front elevational view of the 
combined drive 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown. With respect to the 
combined drive 10 shown in FIG. 3, like structure to that previously 
described with respect to FIG. 1 is like numbered and the foregoing 
description thereof shall suffice herefor. 
FIG. 4 illustrates the tape cartridge 30 positioned within the media drive 
10 to be received at a tape cartridge receiving position whereat read 
and/or write operations may be performed upon the cartridge 30. To 
position the cartridge 30 at the receiving position, the cartridge is 
generally guided within the tape cartridge insertion opening 16 for 
retention in proper biasing within the drive 10 by means of a pair of left 
and right guide members 50 and 52 which form, in part, a left edge and a 
right edge guide rail, respectively. 
The drive 10 includes a media drive motor 54 which provides rotational 
motion to a drive wheel 56 coupled to the drive shaft of the motor which 
revolves about an axis of rotation 58. The drive wheel 56 frictionally 
engages and rotates a driving roller 60 about an axis of rotation 62. The 
driving roller 60 here comprises an idler capstan having a substantially 
fixed axis of rotation in conjunction with a substantially fixed axis of 
rotation of the drive wheel 56. When utilized in conjunction with the dual 
media drive 10 in which the driving roller 60 also serves as the 
rotational platform for the movement of an associated random access media 
(such as the 3.5 inch microdiskette, CDROM, "floptical" diskette and the 
like), a precise axis of rotation is required. 
When the tape cartridge 30 is positioned at the cartridge receiving 
position, a driven roller (hidden from view in the figure) frictionally 
engages the driving roller 60 and drives the media, or tape, of the 
cartridge 30 within the body of the cartridge to move the tape with 
respect to a tape head 66 comprising a read/write transducer for reading 
and/or writing data to the tape of the cartridge 30. 
FIG. 4 further illustrates left and right guide rails 70 and 72 of the left 
and right guide members 50 and 52, respectively. Further details of the 
guide rails 70 and 72 are described in co-pending patent application Ser. 
No. 08/334,564 entitled OVER-CENTER VARIABLE STROKE LATCHING MECHANISM AND 
METHOD FOR A TAPE DRIVE, and the contents thereof are here incorporated by 
reference. 
The left guide rail is operative in conjunction with a left crank 76 and 
left slider 74. Both are hidden from view in FIG. 4, but are illustrated 
in FIG. 5, and shall be described in detail below. 
The right guide rail 72 is operative in conjunction with a right slider 80 
and a right crank 82. A right extension spring 84 interconnects the right 
crank 82 to the right guide rail 72. An analogous extension spring 
interconnects the left crank and the left guide rail 70. 
The guide rails 70 and 72 include a number of mounting tabs 86 for engaging 
with corresponding retaining tabs 88 formed upon the enclosure walls 90 of 
the drive 10. In this manner, the left and right guide rails 70 and 72 are 
maintained in a fixed position with respect to the tape cartridge 
insertion opening 16 of the drive 10 for maintaining the tape cartridge 30 
in a substantially fixed plane with respect to the driving roller 60 and 
the tape head 66. 
The left and right guide rails 70 and 72 each incorporate a flange channel 
for respectively receiving the left and right peripherally extending 
flanges 46 of the tape cartridge 30. In like manner, the left and right 
guide rails 70 and 72 each incorporate channel guides which extend 
longitudinally of the respective cartridge right edge channel 42 and 
cartridge left edge channel 44 when the cartridge 30 is inserted between 
the left and right guide members 50 and 52. 
The left guide rail 70 further incorporates a stop 100 for engaging a 
leading edge of the tape cartridge 30 at the cartridge inner edge 38 
thereof. The right guide rail 72 does not incorporate a corresponding 
structure to the stop 100. 
The right crank is permitted limited rotational movement about pivot 110 
and includes tangs 112 and 113. A spring tang 114 is further illustrated 
in the figure. 
In general, the left and right guide members 50 and 52 are operative to 
retain and latch the tape cartridge 30 in position and to urge the front 
edge of the tape cartridge 30 against the stop 100. Such positioning of 
the cartridge at the tape cartridge receiving position permits read and/or 
write operations to be performed upon the tape of the cartridge 30. 
The media lockout device of an embodiment of the present invention engages 
with the guide members 50 and 52 to prevent positioning of the tape 
cartridge 32 in the tape cartridge receiving position when a diskette, 
such as the diskette 15 shown in FIG. 1, is positioned in a media disk 
receiving position. As shall be described more fully below, when the 
diskette 15 is positioned at a media disk receiving position, the media 
lockout device prevents normal operation of the guide members 50 and 52 if 
an attempt to insert the tape cartridge 30 into the tape cartridge 
receiving position is subsequently made. More particularly, when the 
diskette 15 is positioned in a media disk receiving position, translation 
of the sliders 74 and 80 is prevented, rotation of the cranks is 
prevented, and positioning of the cartridge 32 at the tape cartridge 
receiving position is correspondingly prevented. Additionally, appropriate 
movement of the media lockout device causes rotation of the cranks and, 
when the cartridge 30 is positioned in the tape cartridge receiving 
position, such rotation of the cranks causes ejection of the cartridge 30 
out of the cartridge receiving position. 
The exploded view of FIG. 5 illustrates portions of the media drive 10. The 
left crank 76 and left slider 74 are positioned at a left side of a 
chassis 120, and the right slider 80 and right crank 82 are positioned at 
a right side of the chassis 120. The left and right cranks 76 and 82 are 
permitted limited rotational movement and the left and right sliders 74 
and 80 are permitted limited translation. The tangs 112 and 113 of the 
crank 82 are again shown as is an additional tang 124 formed upon the 
crank 82. Upper and lower tangs 128 and 130 and forward tang 131 of the 
slider 80 are further illustrated. 
Analogously, the left crank 76 includes similarly-numbered tangs 112, 113, 
and 124. And, the left slider 74 includes upper and lower tangs 128 and 
130 and forward tang 131. 
The left slider and crank 74 and 76 are intercoupled such that clockwise 
rotation of the crank 76 pulls the slider 74 downwardly and forwardly, and 
vice versa. Similarly, clockwise rotation of the crank 82 pulls the right 
slider 80 downwardly and forwardly, and vice versa. Also, translation of 
the sliders 74 and 80 induces rotation of the cranks 76 and 82, 
respectively. Aftward translation of the sliders induces counterclockwise 
rotation of the cranks, and forward translation of the sliders induces 
clockwise rotation of the cranks. 
The media drive 10 further includes left and right tape release arms 134 
and 136. The left and right tape release arms 134 and 136 are pivotally 
coupled to the chassis 120 by way of embossed buttons 138 and 142 formed 
along the lengths of the respective arms. Flanged tabs 144 and 146 of the 
tape release arm 134 are inserted through slotted openings 148 and 152 
extending through the chassis 120 to support the tape release arm 134 
thereat, while permitting pivotal movement of the tape release arm about 
the embossed button 138 which is inserted into an aperture 153. 
Analogously, the tape release arm 136 includes flanged tabs 154 and 156 
which are inserted through slotted openings 158 and 162 formed through the 
chassis 120 to support the tape release arm 136 in position while 
permitting limited rotational movement of the tape release arm about the 
embossed button 142 which is inserted into an aperture 164. 
A downwardly extending tab 166 is positioned at an end portion of the tape 
release arm 134, and a downwardly extending tab 168 is positioned at an 
end portion of the tape release arm 136. The tape release arm 136 further 
includes a slot 172. 
The media drive 10 further includes a longitudinally extending lockout arm 
180 which includes a tab 182 positioned at a front side portion thereof. 
The tab 182 engages with the slot 172 of the tape release arm 136. 
The lockout arm 180 further includes a tab 186 formed along a left side of 
the arm along the length thereof. The lockout arm 180 further includes a 
tab 188 positioned at an aft end portion of the arm. 
An actuation arm 192 includes an actuation force receiving surface 194 
formed at a front side portion thereof. The actuation force receiving 
surface 194 receives actuation forces generated in an actuation direction 
and, responsive to such actuation forces, aftward translation of the 
actuation arm 192 is permitted. While not shown in the figure, a button 
member may be affixed to the front portion of the actuation arm 192 to 
form the actuation force receiving surface 194. The actuation arm 192 
further includes upper and lower tabs 196 and 198. 
The media drive 10 further includes a shuttle assembly formed of an upper 
shuttle 202 and a lower plate member 204 which are together positioned 
above the chassis 120. The shuttle assembly formed of the upper shuttle 
202 and lower plate 204 are together operative to receive a media disk, 
such as the diskette 15 shown in FIG. 1, therein and to position the media 
disk at a media disk receiving position. 
The upper shuttle 202 includes a plurality of tabs 208 and a downwardly 
projecting tab 212. The lower plate 204 includes angled slots 214 and 218 
which engage with mated structure of the upper shuttle 202. While not 
shown in the figure, corresponding angled slots are formed along the right 
side of the plate 204. The lower plate further includes an 
aftwardly-positioned tab 220 and a tab 222. The lower plate 204 is 
permitted limited forward and aftward translation. The upper shuttle 202 
is permitted limited vertical translation defined by the angled nature of 
the slots 214 and 218 responsive to the forward and aftward translation of 
the lower plate 204 by way of conventional engagement between the shuttle 
and the lower plate and operation of the shuttle assembly in conventional 
manner. 
The media drive 10 further includes a floppy release arm 228 which is 
pivotally coupled to the chassis 120 by way of a pivot 232 formed upon the 
chassis. The floppy release arm 228 forms a shutter arm for retracting a 
shutter formed on a conventional diskette, such as the diskette 15 shown 
in FIG. 1, in conventional manner. The floppy release arm includes an end 
face, or nose portion, 234 which abuts against the media disk in 
conventional manner. The release arm 228 further includes a 
radially-positioned flange 236 having a downwardly projecting tab 238. A 
radially extending slot 245 is formed behind the flange 236. A bias spring 
248 is further illustrated in the figure and is positioned about the pivot 
232 to provide a spring bias force to the release arm 228. 
The elements of the media lockout device of an embodiment of the present 
invention are again shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 in engagement with one 
another. Elements common to those shown in FIG. 5 are similarly-numbered. 
The media lockout device permits positioning of either the tape cartridge 
30 or the diskette 15 at an appropriate media receiving position within 
the media drive 10, but prevents simultaneous positioning of both storage 
media at the respective media receiving positions. That is to say, when 
the floppy disk is inserted into the media drive to be positioned at a 
media disk receiving position, the media lockout device prevents 
subsequent positioning of the tape cartridge 30 at the tape cartridge 
receiving position. Conversely, when the tape cartridge 30 is positioned 
at a tape cartridge receiving position, the media lockout device prevents 
positioning of the diskette 15 at the media disk receiving position. 
For instance, when the diskette 15 is inserted into the media drive 10 to 
be positioned at the media disk receiving position, aftward translation of 
the diskette 15 causes the diskette to abut against the nose 234 of the 
release arm 228. Forces applied by the translation of the diskette cause 
clockwise rotation of the release arm 228. 
Continued rotation of the release arm 228 releases the tab 220, initially 
engaged in the radially-extending slot 245, out of engagement with the 
slot 245. Spring forces generated by springs (not shown) urge forward 
translation of the plate 204. When the tab 220 is positioned in the slot 
245, forward translation of the plate is prevented. Once the tab 220 is 
released out of engagement with the slot 245, forward translation of the 
plate 204 is permitted. Forward translation of the plate 204 causes 
downward translation of the upper shuttle 202 due to its engagement with 
the slots 214 and 218 by way of the tabs 208. The diskette is thereby 
positioned at the media disk receiving position. 
Such downward translation of the upper shuttle 202 causes the downwardly 
projecting tab 212 thereof to extend through the chassis 120 to be 
positioned in front of a front edge of the tab 186 of the lockout arm 180. 
Such abutting engagement between the tabs 212 and 186 prevents forward 
translation of the lockout arm 180 as long as the diskette 15 is 
positioned at the media disk receiving position. 
Because forward translation of the lockout arm 180 is prevented, insertion 
of a tape cartridge 30 into the tape cartridge receiving position is 
prevented. If an attempt is made to insert the tape cartridge 30 into the 
tape cartridge receiving position, the cartridge 30 abuts against the tabs 
of the sliders 74 and 80 which generate forces to attempt to cause 
counterclockwise rotation of the cranks 76 and 82 associated therewith. 
The tangs 113 of the cranks 76 and 82 abut against the tabs 166 and 168 of 
the tape release arms 134 and 136. Forces exerted upon the tabs 166 and 
168 by the tangs 113 attempt to induce rotation of the arms 134 and 136. 
However, because the slot 172 of the tape release arm 136 engages with the 
tab 182 of the lockout arm 180, and forward translation of the lockout arm 
180 is prevented, rotation of the tape release arm 136 and, in turn, of 
the tape release arm 134 is prevented. Because rotation of the tape 
release arms 134 and 136 is prevented, the engagement of the tabs 166 and 
168 of the tape release arms with the tangs 113 of the cranks 76 and 82 
prevents rotation of the cranks and, in turn, prevents further insertion 
of the tape cartridge 30 into the media drive. 
When an operator desires to remove the diskette 15 out of the media disk 
receiving position, an actuation force is applied to the actuation force 
receiving surface 194 of the actuation arm 192. Generation of the 
actuation force causes aftward translation of the actuation arm 192 and 
the tab 196 of the actuation arm to abut against the tab 222 of the plate 
204. Continued exertion of the actuation force causes aftward translation 
of the plate 204. Aftward translation of the plate induces upward 
translation of the upper shuttle 202. As the plate 204 is translated 
aftwardly, the tab 220 slides into the slot 245, and a spring force 
generated by the spring 248 causes counterclockwise rotation of the arm 
228. Counterclockwise rotation of the arm 228 generates an ejection force 
to cause withdrawal of the diskette 15 out of the media drive. 
Analogously, insertion of the tape cartridge 30 into the media drive 10 to 
position the tape cartridge 30 at a tape cartridge receiving position 
prevents subsequent insertion of the diskette 15 into the media disk 
receiving position. As the tape cartridge 30 is inserted into the media 
drive, the tape cartridge abuts against tabs of the left and right sliders 
74 and 80. Continued translation of the tape cartridge into the media 
drive causes counterclockwise rotation of the cranks 76 and 82. The 
details of operation of the structure of the media drive 10 to position 
the cartridge 30 in a tape cartridge receiving position are, as noted 
previously, disclosed in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/334,564 
entitled OVER-CENTER VARIABLE STROKE LATCHING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR A 
TAPE DRIVE. 
As the cartridge is inserted into the media drive, the cartridge abuts 
against the tangs of the sliders 74 and 80 to induce aftward translation 
of the sliders. Aftward translation of the sliders induces 
counterclockwise rotation of the cranks 76 and 82. The tangs 113 engage 
with the tabs 166 and 168 of the release arms 134 and 136. Rotation of the 
release arm 136 induces forward translation of the lockout arm 180 due to 
the engagement of the tab 182 with the release arm 136. Forward 
translation of the arm 180 causes the tab 188 thereof to abut against the 
tab 238 of the release arm 228. Such abutment of the tabs 238 and 188 
prevents rotation of the release arm 228 and prevents insertion of the 
diskette 15 into the media disk receiving position. 
If an attempt is made to insert a diskette 15 into the media drive, the 
diskette abuts against the nose 234 of the release arm 228. However, 
rotation of the release arm 228 is prevented. Further translation of the 
diskette 15 into the media drive is thereby prevented. 
When an operator of the media drive 10 desires to eject the tape cartridge 
30 out of the media drive, the operator may merely grasp a portion of the 
cartridge 30 which protrudes beyond the media drive 10 and exert a 
withdrawal force upon the cartridge to eject the cartridge out of the 
media drive 10. 
Alternatively, the operator of the media drive may exert an actuation force 
upon the actuation force receiving surface 194 of the actuation arm 192. 
Such actuation force causes aftward translation of the actuation arm 192. 
Aftward translation of the actuation arm causes the tab 198 to abut 
against the tab 168 of the release arm 136. Continued application of the 
actuation force induces counterclockwise rotation of the release arm 136. 
The tab 168 exerts a force to induce clockwise rotation of the crank 82, 
and forward translation of the slider 80. 
The counterclockwise rotation of the release arm 136 induces clockwise 
rotation of the arm 134. The tab 166 exerts a force to cause rotation of 
the crank 76 and forward translation of the slider. An extraction force to 
extract the tape cartridge 30 out of the media drive is thereby exerted 
upon the tape cartridge 30 at either side of the cartridge. 
Rotation of the release arm 136 also induces translation of the lockout arm 
180 to disengage the tab 188 thereof abutting engagement with the tab 238. 
Once the tab 188 disengages with the release arm 228, the diskette 15 may 
be inserted into the media disk receiving position. 
The lockout device thereby permits either the diskette 15 or the tape 
cartridge 30 to be inserted into the media drive 10 to be received at an 
appropriate media receiving position. The lockout device prevents 
simultaneous positioning of both storage media at receiving positions. 
Presently-preferred embodiments of the present invention have been 
described with a degree of particularity. The previous descriptions are of 
preferred examples for implementing the invention, and the scope of the 
invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope 
of the present invention is defined by the following claims.