Holder for tape cartridges

Abstract: A holder (116) for tape cartridges having a housing (118) divided by a partition (136) to form an upper section and a lower section each of which has a plurality of compartments (152, 154) integrally formed therewith from a relatively rigid plastic material so that a tape cartridge may be positioned in each of the compartments and separate resilient force applying struc­ tures, integrally formed from a plastic material more rigid than the plastic material in the housing, and secured to the housing so as to apply a resilient force against the tape cartridge in a compartment to urge the tape cartridge against portions of the housing to hold the tape cartridge in the compartment.

Description: This invention relates generally to a tape cartridge storage system in which a plurality of tape cartridges are stored in suitable means so that tape cartridges can be removed when it is desired to use them and then returned to the tape cartridge storage system, and more particularly to a truck and holders having means for temporarily storing a plurality of tape cartridges so that the holders may be placed on the truck which may be readily moved into the tape cartridge storage system to remove or return a plurality of tape cartridges. The use of computers in today's business operations has created two related problems associated with the tape cartridges used with the computers. The first problem relates to a storage system which is readily accessible so that tape cartridges can be removed from or returned to the storage system. There are commercially available trucks which are provided with means for holding a plurality of tape cartridges and which are provided with wheels for easy movement thereof. The trucks may be moved into the tape cartridge storage system, tape cartridges removed from the storage system and transported to the computer for use and then returned to the tape cartridge storage system. With the ever increasing cost of floor space, it is necessary and desirable that the aisle space in a tape cartridge storage system be kept to a minimum. This has resulted in limiting the size of the trucks used in transporting the tape cartridges and also in limiting the number of tape cartridges that can be loaded onto the truck. Our US-A-4688860 published on Aug.25. 1987 describes a preferred form of truck for use in transporting tape cartridges to and from a tape cartridge storage system and areas in which the tape cartridges are used. The truck is provided with means for holding a plurality of tapes which means have four sides in which tape cartridges may be positioned. The holding means are rotatably mounted so that the side from which the tape cartridges are to be returned to or retrieved from the tape cartridge storage system is readily accessible to the operator. US-A-4688860 also discloses a holder for tape cartridges which holder may be positioned in the holding means of the truck and has a plurality of separate compartments each dimensioned to hold one tape cartridge and wherein resilient means are provided in each compartment to urge the tape cartridge against a plurality of stops so that the tape cartridge may be retained in the compartment or readily released therefrom, the resilient means being formed integrally with the holder. US-A-4270817 discloses another example of a cassette storage holder having a plurality of compartments for receiving the cassettes, each compartment containing resilient means for urging the cassette against a stop so that the cassette is retained in the compartment until released by displacement of the stop. The resilient means are formed separately from the holder and are suitably fitted thereto. With the aim of improving the tape cartridge holder disclosed in US-A-4688860, according to the invention there is provided a storage holder for computer tape cartridges including a box-type cartridge storage holder unit made as one piece of molded plastics material, said tape cartridge storage holder unit having at least a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion and opposite side wall portions to provide a rectangular storage space therewithin, said tape cartridge storage holder unit also having an access front opening, a shelf divider for providing an upper and a lower section in said storage space for supporting at least two parallel rows of multiple tape cartridges arranged in side-by-side relationship, and compartment dividers on each of said upper and lower sections for forming a plurality of compartments with each of said compartments adapted to accommodate one tape cartridge, wherein a support is provided in each of said compartments for supporting at least a portion of a tape cartridge, an abutment is provided in each of said compartments and located opposite to said support and adapted to be contacted by at least a portion of said tape cartridge, a flange extends upwardly from said support and is located adjacent said access front opening to provide an abutment for at least a portion of said tape cartridge, and a resilient force applicator projects into each of said upper and lower sections for applying a resilient force to said tape cartridge in each of said compartments to urge one portion of said tape cartridge into contact with said flange and another portion of said tape cartridge into contact with said abutment, characterised in that a rear flange extends downwardly from each of said top wall portion and said divider for forming a partial rear wall portion for each of said upper and lower sections, and in that the resilient force applicator is secured to each of said rear flanges and is formed from a plastics material that is more rigid and has a greater fatigue resistance than said plastics material of said tape cartridge storage holder unit, said resilient force applicator including an elongated base member adapted to be secured to the rear flange of the upper section and of the lower section, and a plurality of resilient tabs integral with the elongated base member and each having a portion thereof located in each of said compartments, and said elongated base member includes an elongated member extending in a longitudinal direction and having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of spaced apart fingers integral with said elongated member and extending in a direction that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said elongated member, said elongated member and said fingers having oppositely facing spaced apart inner surfaces which are substantially parallel to each other so that said elongated base member may be positioned with said rear flange of said upper and lower sections being located therebetween, and securing means for securing said elongated base member to either of said rear flanges. An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of various components of a truck having rotatably mounted means for holding tape cartridge holders of this invention; Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the preferred holder in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 12-12 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the housing means of the holder; Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of a portion of Fig. 2 with a portion of the back wall portion broken away; Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of a portion of the holder; Fig. 6a is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 6; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the force applying means of the holder; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 7; Fig. 8a is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 8; Fig. 9 is an enlarged rear elevational view of a portion of Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 19-19 of Fig. 4. The truck 2 illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a generally rectangular base 4 having two relatively long sides 6 and 8 and two relatively short sides 10 and 12. A roller 14 is secured on the bottom of the base 4 adjacent to each corner thereof to form swivelly mounted casters. A support wall 20 having two reinforcing columns 22 and 24 is secured to the base 4 along the relatively short side 12 by suitable means, such as by welding. A support panel 26 having a border formed by a U-shaped reinforcing channel 28 is secured to the top of the support wall 20. The support panel 26 extends outwardly from the support wall 20 in a direction so that it is generally parallel to the base 4. A cylindrical tube 30 extends between the support panel 26 and the base 4 and helps to support the support panel 26 in the parallel relationship with the base 4. The tube 30 is retained in position by means comprising a base 32 and a cylindrical sleeve 34 secured to the top surface of the base 4 and a base 36 and a cylindrical sleeve 38 secured to the bottom surface of the support panel 26. If desired the end of the cylindrical tube 30 can be secured in the cylindrical sleeve 34 by suitable means such as by welding or by a set screw. The reinforcing channel 28 is provided with spaced apart openings 40 and 42 adapted to receive the ends 44 and 46 of a handle 48. The handle 48 is secured in position by suitable means such as screws 50 passing through openings 52 and 54 in the reinforcing channel 28 and threadedly secured in openings 56 and 58 in the handle 48. The means for holding the tape cartridge holders on the truck 2 comprises four housings 60, 62, 64 and 66. Each of the housings 60, 62, 64 and 66 comprises a rear wall 68, a top wall 70, a bottom wall 72 and two opposing side walls 74 and 76. A plurality of spaced apart shelves 78 are secured at the end thereof to the adjacent side wall 74 or 76 by suitable means, such as by welding. The top wall 70 and the shelves 78 have a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration with the opening facing downwardly. The housings 60, 62, 64 and 66 are mounted on a plate 80 so that the outer surface of each side wall 74 is in contact with a portion of the outer surface of each rear wall 68. The plate 80 is provided with plurality of spaced apart openings 82, 84, 86 and 88 for a purpose to be described below. The plate 80 is provided with a central opening 90 having a reinforcing flange 92. The housings 60, 62, 64 and 66 are secured to the plate 80 by suitable means, such as by welding and are positioned on the plate 80 so that a central passageway extends between the facing portions of the back walls 68. The cross-sectional area of the central passageway is greater than the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical tube 30. A plate 94 having a central opening 96 having a reinforcing flange 98 is secured to each top wall 70 of the housings 60, 62, 64 and 66. A lower bearing means 100 and an upper bearing means 102 are provided for a purpose to be described below. The truck 2 is assembled by securing the casters 14 to the bottom of the base 4, and the base 32 and the support wall 20 are secured in position on the base 4. The cylindrical tube 30 is inserted into the cylindrical sleeve 34 and secured therein by welding. The lower bearing means 100, having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube 30 and the cylindrical sleeve 34, is moved over the cylindrical tube 30 and the cylindrical sleeve 30 so that the lower portion of the bearing means 100 is supported on the base 32. The housings 60, 62, 64 and 66 are secured to the plates 80 and 94 and are positioned around the cylindrical tube 30. The opening 90 in the plate 80 has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube 30 and the cylindrical sleeve 34 so that the plate 80 can be moved into contact with and supported by the upper portion of the bearing means 100. The upper bearing means 102, having an inner diameter greater than the cylindrical tube 30, is moved over the cylindrical tube 30 until the lower portion of the bearing means 102 is in contact with and supported by the plate 94. The base 36 is secured to the bottom surface of the support panel 26 and the top end of the cylindrical tube 30 is inserted into the cylindrical sleeve 38 and secured thereto by welding or a set screw. The outer diameter of the cylindrical sleeve 38 is less than the inner diameter of the opening 96 and the inner diameter of the bearing means 102 so that the cylindrical sleeve may be moved downwardly until the base 36 is in contact with and supported by the upper portion of the bearing means 102. The support panel is then secured to the top of the support wall 20. The ends 44 and 46 of the handle 48 are inserted through the openings 40 and 42 and secured to the reinforcing channel 28 by the screws 50. In this manner, the assembled housings 60, 62, 64 and 66 are rotatably mounted on the truck 2. Means are provided to retain the assembled housings 60, 62, 64 and 66 from rotating and comprises a lever 104 pivotally mounted on the bottom surface of the base 4 by pivot means 106. A pin 108 is mounted on the lever 104 and is positioned thereon so as to project through an opening 110 in the base 4. A torsion spring 112 is secured to the bottom surface of the base 4 and the top surface of the lever 104 and functions to urge the pin 108 upwardly so that the pin 108 projects upwardly through the opening 110 a distance to ensure that the end of the pin 108 will project into one of the openings 82, 84, 86 or 88 in the plate 80 so as to prevent rotation of the plate 80. When it is desired to rotate the plate 80 and therefore the assembled housings 60, 62, 64 and 66, the end 114 of the lever 104 is depressed so that the end of the pin 108 is removed from its position in one of the openings 82, 84, 86 and 88. After rotation of the assembled housings has been started, the end 114 of the lever is released so that the end of the pin 108 as urged by the spring 112 will automatically enter into the next one of the openings 82, 84, 86 or 88 and stop rotation of the assembled housings 60, 62, 64 and 66. The various components of the truck 1 are formed from metal such as steel so that they can be readily assembled by welding to form a strong rigid truck. A preferred embodiment of the tape cartridge holder 302 of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 2 - 10, the holder being designed to fit on any shelf 78 of the housings 60, 62, 64, 66 of the truck 2. The holder 302 comprises housing means 306 integrally molded from a relatively rigid plastic material such as a high impact polystyrene or other materials having similar characteristics. The housing means 306 has opposite end wall portions 308 and 310, a top wall portion 312, a bottom wall portion 314 and an open front side 316. Partition means 318 extend between and are integral with the pair of opposite end wall portions 308 and 310 and divide the housing means 306 into an upper section 320 and a lower section 322. The upper section 320 has an upper surface 324 on the partition means 318 having a plurality of spaced apart elongated reinforcing ribs 326 integral therewith and projecting upwardly therefrom and providing a surface for supporting a tape cartridge 304. The lower section 322 has an upper surface 328 on the bottom wall portion 314. The upper section 320 has a back wall portion 330 integral with the opposite end wall portions 308 and 310 and the top wall portion 312 and a terminal end portion 332 at a location which is about one-quarter of the distance between the top wall portion 312 and the partition means 318. The lower section 322 has a back wall portion 324 integral with the opposite end wall portions 308 and 310 and the partition means 318 and a terminal end portion 336 at a location which is about one-quarter of the distance between the partition means 318 and the bottom wall portion 314. Lip means 338 project upwardly from the front end of the partition means 318 and provide a stop for a tape cartridge 304 supported on the reinforcing rib 326. Lip means 340 project upwardly from the front end of the bottom wall portion 314 and provide a stop for a tape cartridge 304 supported on the upper surface 328. The upper section 320 has a plurality of compartment forming means 342 for dividing the upper section 320 into a plurality of compartments 344 each of which is dimensioned to accommodate one tape cartridge 304. The lower section 322 has a plurality of compartment forming means 346 for dividing the lower section 322 into a plurality of compartments 348 each of which is dimensioned to accommodate one tape cartridge 304. Separate resilient force applying means 350, illustrated in Fig. 7, are secured to the back wall portions 330 and 334 and function to apply a resilient force, as explained below, to a tape cartridge 304 (Fig. 3) to urge one portion of a tape cartridge 304 into contact with the lip means 338 or 340 and another portion of the tape cartridge 304 into contact with the top wall portion 312 or the partition means 318. The resilient force applying means 350 is formed from a plastic material that is more rigid than the high impact polysterene of the housing means 306 and has a relatively high fatigue resistance such as made by the polymerization of formaldehyde crystalline thermoplastic homopolymers marketed by Du Pont under the designation Delrin 500. As illustrated in Figs. 2 - 4, a flange portion 360 extends upwardly from the front end of the top wall portion 312 and is integral therewith. A reinforcing member 362 projects upwardly from the top wall portion 312 and is integral therewith and with the flange portion 360. The reinforcing members 362 are generally parallel to and aligned with the opposite end wall portions 308 and 310 and have an end surface 364 adapted to contact a surface of a storage rack (not shown) when the holder 302 is positioned in storage or the front surface of the shelves 78. A plurality of reinforcing and support members 366 project downwardly from the bottom wall portion 314 and function to support the holder 302 on a shelf 78 of the holding means of the truck 2. A flange portion 368 projects downwardly from the bottom wall portion 314 and is integral therewith. A reinforcing member 370 projects downwardly from the bottom wall portion 314 and is integral therewith and with the flange portion 368. The reinforcing members 370 are generally parallel to and aligned with the opposite end wall portions 308 and 310 and have an end surface 372 adapted to contact a surface of a shelf 78 (Fig. 1) when the holder 2 is supported thereon. A locking means 374 is proided to retain the holder on the shelf 78. Also, if desired, the flange portions 360 and 368, the reinforcing members 362 and 370, the end surfaces 364 and 372 and the support members 366 may be omitted and planar flanges may be used. A plurality of reinforcing strips 376 are integral with the top wall portion 12 and extend downwardly therefrom in the direction of the partition means 318 and also are integral with the back wall portion 330. A plurality of reinforcing strips 378 are integral with the partition means 318 and extend downwardly therefrom in the direction of the upper surface 328 and are also integral with the back wall portion 334. The resilient force applying means 350 comprises an elongated base member means 390 having a plurality of resilient tab means 392. Each of the resilient tab means 392 has an arcuate portion 394 next adjacent to the base member means 390, a generally linear portion 396 and another arcuate portion 398 having an arcuate surface 400 which is adapted to contact a tape cartridge 304. Each arcuate surface 400 is located in one of the compartments 344 or 348. The elongated base member means 390 comprises an elongated member 402 extending in a longitudinal direction and having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced apart finger means 406 project upwardly from and are integral with the elongated member 402 and extend in a direction gene-rally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member 402. The elongated member 402 has a generally planar surface 408 facing opposite generally planar surfaces 410 on the finger means 406. The distance between the generally planar surfaces 408 and 410 is slightly greater than the thickness of each of the back wall portions 330 and 334 so that the base member means may be readily moved over the back wall portions 330 and 334 so that the back wall portion 330 or 334 is located between the generally planar surfaces 408 and 410. As illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 6a, there are two finger means 406 located in each compartment 344 or 348 and are located between the reinforcing ribs 376 or 378 and the compartment forming means 342 or 346. Securing means are provided for holding the elongated base member means 390 on the back wall portion 330 or 334 and comprise a first portion comprising an opening 412 (Figs. 6a and 10) formed in each of the compartment forming means 342 or 346 adjacent to its intersection with the top wall portion 312 and the back wall portion 330 or to its intersection with the partition means 318 and the back wall portion 334. Each of the finger means 406 has a hook means 414 located so that the hook means 414 on one finger means 406 in one compartment 344 or 348 faces the hook means 414 on another finger means 406 in the next adjacent compartment 344 or 348. A portion of each of the hook means 414 extends into each opening 412 but the hook means 414 and the opening 412 are dimensioned so that a slight space exists between the facing hook means 414. Each of the finger means 406 is provided with a reinforcing rib 416 which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member 402. A second portion of the securing means comprises a plurality of spaced apart projections 420 projecting outwardly from the back surface 422 of the back wall portions 330 and 334. The elongated member 402 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart openings 424 which are dimensioned so that the projections 420 may enter into the openings 424. The elongated member 402 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart recesses having inclined surfaces 426 to facilitate passage of the projections 420 over the inclined surfaces 426 and into the openings 424. If desired, the projections 420 and the recesses 424 are omitted. The elongated member 402 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing tibs 428 which extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member 402. The operation of the holder 302 is illustrated in Fig. 3. An individual tape cartridge 304 having a front 430, a top 432, a bottom 434 and a back 436 has been inserted into one of the compartments 344. The distance from the top 432 to the bottom 434 of the tape cartridge 304 is less than the distance between the top wall portion 312 and the top of the lip means 438 so that the individual cartridge tape 304 may pass therebetween. The individual cartridge tape 304 is moved inwardly so that the back 436 contacts the arcuate surface 400 and depresses the resilient tab means 392. The force exerted by the depressed resilient tab means 392 causes the individual cartridge tape 304 to tilt so that a portion of the bottom 434 contacts the lip means 338 and a portion of the top 432 contacts the bottom surface of the top wall portion 312. Thus, the individual cartridge tape 304 is securely retained in the tape cartridge holder 302. When it is desired to remove the individual cartridge tape 304, sufficient pressure is applied to the upper portion of the front 430 adjacent to the top 432 to tilt the individual cartridge tape 304 in the opposite direction so that the bottom 432 is above the lip means 338. The force of the depressed resilient tab means 392 will then move the individual cartridge tape 304 outwardly so that it may be readily removed from the tape cartridge holder 302.

Claims: A storage holder (302) for computer tape cartridges (304) including a box-type cartridge storage holder unit (306) made as one piece of molded plastics material, said tape cartridge storage holder unit (306) having at least a top wall portion (312), a bottom wall portion (314) and opposite side wall portions (308,310) to provide a rectangular storage space therewithin, said tape cartridge storage holder unit also having an access front opening (316), a shelf divider (318) for providing an upper and a lower section in said storage space for supporting at least two parallel rows of multiple tape cartridges arranged in side-by-side relationship, and compartment dividers (342,346) on each of said upper and lower sections for forming a plurality of compartments with each of said compartments adapted to accommodate one tape cartridge, wherein a support (324,328) is provided in each of said compartments for supporting at least a portion of a tape cartridge, an abutment (312,318) is provided in each of said compartments and located opposite to said support and adapted to be contacted by at least a portion of said tape cartridge, a flange (338,340) extends upwardly from said support (324,328) and is located adjacent said access front opening (316) to provide an abutment for at least a portion of said tape cartridge, and a resilient force applicator (350) projects into each of said upper and lower sections for applying a resilient force to said tape cartridge in each of said compartments to urge one portion of said tape cartridge into contact with said flange (338,340) and another portion of said tape cartridge into contact with said abutment (312,318), characterised in that a rear flange (330,334) extends downwardly from each of said top wall portion (312) and said divider (318) for forming a partial rear wall portion for each of said upper and lower sections, and in that the resilient force applicator (350) is secured to each of said rear flanges and is formed from a plastics material that is more rigid and has a greater fatigue resistance than said plastics material of said tape cartridge storage holder unit, said resilient force applicator including an elongated base member (390) adapted to be secured to the rear flange of the upper section and of the lower section, and a plurality of resilient tabs (392) integral with the elongated base member and each having a portion thereof located in each of said compartments, and said elongated base member (390) includes an elongated member extending in a longitudinal direction and having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of spaced apart fingers (406) integral with said elongated member and extending in a direction that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said elongated member, said elongated member and said fingers having oppositely facing spaced apart inner surfaces which are substantially parallel to each other so that said elongated base member may be positioned with said rear flange of said upper and lower sections being located therebetween, and securing means for securing said elongated base member (390) to either of said rear flanges (330,334). A storage holder according to claim 1, in which a first portion of the securing means includes an opening (412) formed in each of the compartment formers (342) located adjacent the junction of said top wall portion (312) and the rear flange (330), and each of the fingers (406) has a hook member (414) having at least a portion thereof located in said opening in said compartment formers. A storage holder according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which at least one releasable, resilient locking tab (374) is integral with at least a portion of the top wall portion (312) and in that at least one recess is formed in said locking tab. A storage holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the rear flange (330) extends downwardly from said top wall portion (312) for a distance less than one-third of the distance between said top wall portion (312) and the divider (318), and in that the rear flange (334) extends downwardly from said divider (318) for a distance less than one-third of the distance between said divider and the bottom wall portion (314).

Inventors: ACCUMANNO MARIO B, BALL LAURENCE G, PRICE MACY J JR, PRICE MACY J SR, ACCUMANNO, MARIO B., BALL, LAURENCE G., PRICE, MACY J., JR., PRICE, MACY J., SR.
Applicants: ENGINEERED DATA PRODUCTS INC, ENGINEERED DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B15, G11B23