RECEIVER AND MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY FOR STORAGE LIBRARY SYSTEM

Abstract: A storage library system for storing cartridges having cartridge notches formed therein includes a receiver and magazine assembly. The receiver forms an opening therein and includes an actuator member. The magazine is adapted for engagement within the receiver opening. The magazine includes a plurality of cells formed therein for receiving the cartridges. The magazine includes a locking member engageable with the actuator member to hold the locking member between locked and unlocked positions with respect to the notch of each cartridge for automatically locking and unlocking the cartridge in each of the plurality of cells as the magazine is longitudinally moved with respect to the receiver.

Description: RJECEINER AND MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY FOR STORAGE LIBRARY SYSTEM Technical Field The present invention relates to a storage library system including a receiver adapted to receive a magazine populated with cartridges, wherein the cartridges are automatically locked within the magazine when the magazine is outside of the receiver, and are automatically unlocked for removal from the magazine when the magazine is inserted into the receiver. Background Art Storage library systems are capable of storing and rapidly retrieving large quantities of information stored on storage media cartridges. Such storage library systems often use robotic mechanisms to improve the speed of information retrieval and the reliability of maintaining the storage library cartridge inventory. These robotic mechanisms typically comprise a hand mechanism positioned on a robotically movable arm. To retrieve information, the robotic arm is moved to position ±e hand near the inventory location of a desired media cartridge. The hand is then activated to grip the desired cartridge and remove it from the library inventory location. The robotic arm then moves to an appropriate position to further process the cartridge. In this manner, the robotic hand manipulates the cartridge for access to information stored on the cartridge. Generally, the storage library system will include a plurality of stacks of cartridges which are accessible by means of the above-described robotic handling mechanism. Generally, the cartridges are stored within magazines having a plurality of cells formed therein for receiving the cartridges. The magazines are supported by a receiver in a manner such that the cartridges are exposed for retrieval by the robotic handling mechanism. It is sometimes desirable to remove and install magazines as modular units in the storage library system for providing access to different t ypes of information in groups. Accordingly, such magazines may be periodically removed from the storage library system while containing cartridges within the cells of the magazine. Accordingly, it is desirable to have the cartridges automatically locked within the magazine when the magazine is outside of the storage library system for handling, and further to have the cartridges automatically unlocked for removal from the cells as the magazine is inserted into the respective receiver. U.S. Patent No. 5,795,042 discloses a storage library system in which the cartridge cells are automatically unlocked as the magazine is inserted into the receiver. The present invention represents an improvement of the storage library system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,795,042 in that a locking mechanism of the magazine is held between locked and unlocked positions by an actuator member of the receiver as the magazine longitudinally moves with respect to the receiver. Summar y of the Invention Accordingly , the present invention provides a receiver and magazine assembly for a storage library system in which the cartridge cells are automatically locked when the magazine is outside of the receiver, and the cartridge cells become automatically unlocked as the magazine is inserted into the respective receiver for facilitating removal of the cartridges from the various cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a storage library system for storing cartridges. Each cartridge has a notch formed therein. The system includes a receiver forming an opening therein and an actuator member. A magazine is adapted for engagement within the receiver opening. The magazine is provided with a plurality of cells formed therein for receiving the cartridges. The magazine includes a locking member engageable with the actuator member to hold the locking member between locked and unlocked positions with respect to the cartridge notches for automatically locking and unlocking the cartridge in each of the plurality of cells as the magazine is longitudinally moved with respect to the receiver. Preferably, the receiver includes a guide channel and the actuator member includes an upper ledge formed within the guide channel. Preferably, the locking member includes a spring-biased, longitudinally slidable latch provided with a plurality of fingers extending therefrom for cooperation with the notch and a cartridge positioned in any of the plurality of cells. The locking member preferably further includes a boss at an end of the latch for engaging the upper ledge of the actuator member in the guide channel for holding the latch as the magazine is moved longitudinally with respect to the receiver. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a receiver and magazine assembly for a storage library system in which the magazine cartridge cells are automatically locked when the magazine is outside the receiver, and become automatically unlocked as the magazine is inserted into the receiver in order to facilitate removal of the cartridges from the magazine cells. The above object and other objects, features, and advantages embodiments of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out ±e present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a storage library system in accordance wi± ±e present invention; FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a receiver and magazine assembly in accordance wi± ±e present invention; FIG. 3 shows a reverse partially exploded perspective view of ±e receiver and magazine assembly shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of ±e magazine of ±e receiver and magazine assembly shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of ±e locking mechanism in accordance wi± ±e present invention; FIG. 6 shows a side view of ±e receiver and magazine assembly of FIG. 2 wi± ±e locking member in ±e locked position; FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of ±e receiver and magazine assembly shown in FIG. 6 along ±e line 7-7; FIG. 8 shows a finger of ±e locking member engaged wi± a notch of a cartridge to lock ±e cartridge within a cell of ±e magazine; FIG. 9 shows a side view of the receiver and magazine assembly of FIG. 2 with the locking member in the unlocked position; and FIG. 10 shows a finger of ±e locking member disengaged from a notch of a cartridge to unlock ±e cartridge from a cell of ±e magazine. Best Modes For Carrying Out The Invention Referring now to FIG. 1, a storage library system 10 is shown in accordance wi± ±e present invention. As shown, storage library system 10 includes an outer housing 12 which encloses a plurality of cartridge cell stacks 14, 16, and 18, which are configured for storing stacks of cartridges ±erein. At least one of cartridge cell stacks 14, 16, and 18 includes a receiver and magazine assembly 20. Receiver and magazine assembly 20 includes a receiver 22 adapted to removably receive a cartridge magazine 24. Receiver and magazine assembly 20 is more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown, receiver 22 includes a top portion 26, a rear surface 28, and a pair of legs 30 and 32 extending downward from top portion 26 and outward from rear surface 28, all of which cooperate to form an opening 34 for receiving magazine 24. Magazine 24 includes a top portion 46, a bottom- portion 48, a rear portion 49, and a pair of side portions 50 and 52. Magazine 24 further includes a plurality of cells 36 formed ±erein for receiving cartridges. Magazine 24 includes a pair of guide tracks 64 and 66 extending out from respective side portions 50 and 52 adjacent top portion 46. Receiver 24 provides a corresponding pair of guide channels 68 and 70 positioned at opposing sides of a longitudinal end ±ereof for receipt of ±e respective guide tracks 64 and 66. As magazine 24 is inserted to opening 34 of receiver 22, guide tracks 64 and 98 - 034 -TAP - 6 - 66 travel into respective guide channels 68 and 70 until rear portion 49 of ±e magazine meets rear surface 28 of the receiver. Magazine 24 is ±en moved longitudinally downward with respect to top portion 26 of receiver 24 until tabs 72 provided on side portions 50 and 52 of ±e magazine bottom out in slo t s 74 provided on legs 30 and 32 of receiver 22. Receiver 22 is provided wi± an actuator member 38 and magazme 24 is provided wi± a locking member 40 which is engageable wi± ±e actuator member to hold ±e locking member between locked and unlocked positions wi± respect to ±e cartridge notches as ±e magazme longitudinally moves within ±e receiver, such as notch 42 of cartridge 44. In this manner, cartridge 44 may be automatically locked and unlocked from cells 36 as magazme 24 is longitudinally moved wi± respect to receiver 22 for engaging actuator member 38 and locking member 40 (±e operation of which is described below). Actuator member 38 of receiver 22 includes an upper ledge 76 and a lower ledge 78 formed as part of guide channel 68. Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, wi± continual reference to FIGS. 2-3, locking member 40 includes a spring-biased, longitudinally slidable latch 54. Latch 54 is spring-biased wi± respect to top portion 46 of magazine 24 by means of a spring 56. Spring 56 extends between a platform 58 of latch 54 and a top portion 46 of magazine 24. Locking member 40 also includes a plurality of fingers 60 extending from latch 54. Fingers 60 each include a bent portion 62. Each bent portion 62 extends through an opening 61 corresponding wi± each cell 36 to cooperate wi± notch 42 of a cartridge 44 for locking ±e respective cartridge in ±e respective cell. A boss 63 is formed at one end of latch 54. Boss 63 is aligned wi± guide track 64 on side portion 50 such that as magazine 24 is inserted into opening 34 of receiver 22, ±e boss and guide track travel into guide channel 68. A latch retainer 55 holds latch 54 to side portion 50 of magazine 24. Referring now to FIGS. 6-8. when magazine 24 is disposed within receiver 22, spring 56 biases locking member 40 to a locked position prior to ±e magazine longitudinally moving downward with respect to ±e receiver. Sprins 56 biases locking member 40 to ±e locked position by exerting a longitudinal force between top portion 46 of magazine 24 and platform 58 of ±e locking member. In ±e locked position, bent portions 62 of fingers 60 cooperate wi± notches 42 in cartridges 44 for securing ±e cartridges in ±e respective cells 36. As shown, upper ledge 76 of actuator member 38 holds boss 63 of locking member 40 in place in guide channel 68. Tabs 72 of side portions 50 and 52 are longitudinally displaced from slots 74 of legs 30 and 32. Similarly, guide track 64 is longitudinally displaced from lower ledge 78 of guide channel 68. Referring now to FIGS.9- 10, when magazine 24 is disposed within receiver 22 and ±en moves longitudinally downward wi± respect to ±e receiver, actuator member 38 and locking member 40 are operative to disengage fingers 60 from ±e respective cartridge notch 42 for unlocking ±e cartridges for access. Specifically, upper ledge 76 holds boss 63 in place in guide channel 68 as magazine 24 longitudinally moves downward wi± respect to receiver 22. By holding boss 63, and consequently, latch 54, in place, magazine 24 also moves longitudinally downward wi± respect to ±e latch. Accordingly, cartridges 44 wi±in cells 36 move downward wi± respect to fingers 60, causing bent portions to release engagement wi± notches 42 of ±e respective cartridges. As a result, cartridge 44 can be slid out of cell 36 as shown. Once magazine 24 is inserted into receiver 22, ±e weight of ±e magazine causes ±e magazine to move longitudinally downward wi± respect to ±e receiver, ±ereby automatically unlocking cells 36. As magazine 24 moves downward, spring 56 stretches between top portion 46 of magazine 24 and platform 58 of locking member 40. Magazine 24 stops moving downward once tabs 72 of the magazine bottom out in slots 74 of receiver 22. At ±is point, guide tracks 64 and 66 of magazine 24 rest on lower ledges 78 of guide channels 68 and 70 of receiver 22. Returning to FIGS. 2-3, ±e spring-bias provided by spring 56 also causes locking member 40 to return to ±e locked position as magazme 24 moves longitudinally upward wi± respect to receiver 22, ±ereby automatically locking any cartridges wi±in cells 36 as ±e magazme is removed from ±e receiver. Thus it is apparent that ±ere has been provided, in accordance wi± ±e present invention, a storage library system ±at fully satisfies ±e objects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the present invention has been described in conjunction wi± specific embodiments ±ereof, it is evident ±at many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to ±ose skilled in ±e art in light of ±e foregomg description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall wi±m ±e spirit and broad scope of ±e appended claims.

Claims: What Is Claimed Is: 1. A storage library system for storing cartridges, each cartridge having a notch formed therein, the system comprising: a receiver forming an opening ±erein and including an actuator member; and a magazine adapted for engagement wi±in ±e receiver opening and having a plurality of cells formed ±erein for receiving ±e cartridges, wherein ±e magazine mcludes a locking member engageable wi± ±e actuator member to hold ±e locking member between locked and unlocked positions wi± respect to ±e notch of each cartridge for automatically locking and unlocking ±e cartridge in each of ±e plurality of cells as ±e magazme is longimdinally moved wi± respect to ±e receiver. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein: ±e receiver includes a guide channel and ±e actuator member includes an upper ledge formed wi±m ±e guide channel. 3. The system of claim 2 wherein: ±e locking member mcludes a spring-biased, longitudinally slidable latch wi± a plurality of fingers extending ±erefrom for cooperation wi± ±e respective notches of each of ±e cartridges positioned in ±e plurality of cells, and ±e locking member further mcludes a boss at an end of ±e latch for engaging ±e upper ledge of ±e actuator member in ±e guide channel for holdmg ±e latch as ±e magazine is moved longimdinally wi± respect to ±e receiver for locking and unlocking of ±e cartridges. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein: the magazine includes an opening formed therethrough at each cell for receiving the fingers. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein: the magazine includes a guide track extendmg ±erefrom, and ±e receiver includes a guide channel for receiving ±e guide track. 6. A storage library system for storing cartridges, each cartridge having a notch formed ±erein, ±e system comprising: a receiver forming an opening ±erein and including an actuator member; and a magazme adapted for engagement wi±in ±e receiver opening and having a plurality of cells formed ±erein for receiving ±e cartridges, wherein ±e magazine mcludes a locking member engageable wi± ±e actuator member to hold ±e locking member between locked and unlocked positions wi± respect to ±e notch of each cartridge for automatically locking and unlocking ±e cartridge in each of ±e plurality of cells as ±e magazine is longimdinally moved wi± respect to ±e receiver; wherein ±e locking member mcludes a spring-biased, longimdinally slidable latch provided wi± a plurality of fmgers extendmg ±erefrom for cooperation wi± ±e respective notches of each of ±e cartridges positioned in ±e plurality of cells. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein: ±e receiver mcludes a guide channel and ±e actuator member includes an upper ledge formed wi±in ±e guide channel. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein: - lithe locking member fur±er includes a boss at an end of ±e latch for engaging e upper ledge of e actuator member in the guide channel for holdmg the latch as the magazine is moved longimdinally wi± respect to ±e receiver for locking and unlocking of the cartridges. 9. The system of claim 8 wherein: ±e locking member mcludes an opening formed ±erethrough at each cell for receiving ±e fingers. 10. The system of claim 7 wherein: ±e magazine mcludes a guide track extendmg ±erefrom, and ±e receiver mcludes a guide channel for receiving ±e guide track. 11. A storage library system for storing cartridges, each cartridge having a notch formed ±erein, ±e system comprising: a receiver forming an opening ±erein and including a guide channel having an upper ledge formed wi±in ±e guide channel; and a magazme adapted for engagement wi±in ±e receiver opening and having a plurality of cells formed ±erein for receiving ±e cartridges, wherein ±e magazine mcludes a a spring-biased, longimdinally slidable latch for automatically locking and unlocking ±e cartridge in each of ±e plurality of cells as ±e magazine is longimdinally moved wi± respect to ±e receiver, and wherein ±e latch is provided wi± a plurality of fingers extending ±erefrom for cooperation wi± ±e respective notches of each of ±e cartridges positioned in ±e plurality of cells, and a boss at an end of ±e latch for engaging ±e upper ledge of ±e actuator member in ±e guide channel for holding ±e latch as ±e magazine is moved longitudinally wi± respect to ±e receiver for locking and unlocking of ±e cartridges.

Inventors: MANES DONALD R, MANES KENNETH L, MANES, DONALD, R., MANES, KENNETH, L.
Applicants: STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CORP, STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G11B15
IPC codes: G11B15, G11B17, G11B23