Patent Publication Number: US-2003227834-A1

Title: Media storage system and coupler therefor

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The invention generally pertains to media storage systems, and more specifically, to couplers for media storage systems.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] Media storage systems, or autochangers, are commonly used to store data cartridges at known locations and to retrieve the desired data cartridges so that data may be written to and/or read from the data cartridges. Accordingly, large volumes of computer-readable data can be stored on numerous data cartridges and accessed by a single computer or by multiple computers connected to the media storage system over a network.  
       [0003] Such media storage systems may include one or more storage libraries with storage magazines that serve as storage locations for the data cartridges, and a read/write device to read and/or write data on the data cartridges. The media storage system may also include a cartridge-handling system (e.g., a “picker”), as well as a drive system for moving among the data cartridges stored in the storage libraries.  
       [0004] One of the advantages of a media storage system is the ability to readily expand its capacity by adding more storage libraries to the media storage system. Each of the storage libraries may be provided with additional storage magazines for storing data cartridges. In any event, the storage libraries may be arranged adjacent one another so that the cartridge-handling system can be operated to move between each of the storage libraries and access the data cartridges therein.  
       [0005] The storage libraries are commonly configured such that the top and/or bottom panels may be removed and the storage libraries can be stacked on top of each other, although other arrangements are also possible. If the storage libraries were to shift during operation, the cartridge-handling system may be unable to access the data cartridges. Therefore, the storage libraries are typically fastened together. Of course, connecting the storage libraries with screws or similar fasteners is a time-consuming process that requires the use of tools. In addition, the fasteners may become lost during shipping or when not in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] One embodiment of a coupler for a media storage system having at least a first storage library and a second storage library may comprise a receiving member. The receiving member may have an opening formed in the first storage library and an opening formed in the second storage library. The openings of the receiving member align with one another when the first storage library is positioned adjacent the second storage library. The coupler may also comprise an arm member pivotally mounted to the first storage library. The arm member pivots between an open position and a closed position and engages the receiving member when the arm member is pivoted to the closed position, thereby connecting the first storage library to the second storage library.  
       [0007] A method for connecting a first storage library to a second storage library may comprise positioning the first storage library adjacent the second storage library, pivoting an arm member provided on the first storage library toward a closed position, and receiving the arm member in an opening formed on the second storage library when the arm member is pivoted to the closed position to connect the first storage library to the second storage library. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0008] Illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a media storage system having two storage libraries;  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is a simplified bottom plan view of one of the storage libraries shown in FIG. 1 with the bottom panel removed;  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a simplified top plan view of another of the storage libraries shown in FIG. 1 with the top panel removed;  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a simplified side view of the two storage libraries of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of a coupler according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the coupler is shown in (a) an open position, and (b) a closed position;  
     [0013]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a coupler for connecting storage libraries to one another;  
     [0014]FIG. 6 is a side view of the coupler shown in FIG. 5 in (a) an open position and (b) a closed position;  
     [0015]FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a coupler shown in (a) an open position and (b) a closed position; and  
     [0016]FIG. 8 is yet another embodiment of a coupler. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0017] Storage libraries  14 ,  16  (FIG. 1) may be added to media storage systems  12  to provide storage capacity for additional data cartridges (not shown) and/or to provide additional read/write devices (not shown). The storage libraries  14 ,  16  may be arranged adjacent one another. Storage libraries are commonly stacked one on top of the other as shown in FIG. 1. Of course additional storage libraries may also be stacked on top of one another as indicated by lines  5  in FIG. 1. In addition, other arrangements are also possible. For example, the storage libraries may be stacked adjacent one another as indicated by lines  6  in FIG. 1. In any event, it may be desirable to connect storage libraries  14 ,  16  to one another so that they do not shift during operation.  
     [0018] An embodiment of the media storage system  12  is shown in FIG. 1 with which coupler  10  of the present invention may be used according to the teachings of the invention. The media storage system  12  may comprise storage libraries  14 ,  16 . Storage libraries  14 ,  16  may each have a number of storage slots or storage magazines (not shown) for storing data cartridges. Coupler  10  of the present invention may be used to connect storage libraries  14 ,  16  to one another, as will be explained in more detail below.  
     [0019] Optionally, one or more guides  50 ,  52  (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) may be provided on each of the storage libraries  14 ,  16 . Guides  50 ,  52  serve to align the storage libraries  14 ,  16  with one another when the storage libraries  14 ,  16  are stacked one on top of the other. In one embodiment, guides  50 ,  52  may be mating guides (e.g., a cylinder and a cylindrical opening, respectively). However, any suitable guides  50 ,  52  may be provided according to the teachings of the invention. In yet other embodiments where the storage libraries  14 ,  16  are readily aligned with one another without the use of guides, guides  50 ,  52  may not be provided at all.  
     [0020] Although the media storage system  12  is shown with storage libraries  14 ,  16  arranged in a particular configuration in FIG. 1, other suitable configurations are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. For example, storage libraries  14 ,  16  may be positioned side by side next to one another as shown by lines  6  in FIG. 1. In addition the number of storage libraries  14 ,  16  that are used may depend upon various design considerations, as indicated by lines  5  in FIG. 1. Such considerations may include, but are not limited to the physical space available and the desired dimensions of the media storage system  12 .  
     [0021] Each of the storage libraries  14 ,  16  may comprise removable panels (e.g., a top panel  18  and a bottom panel  20 ). The panels  18 ,  20  may be removed from one or more of the storage libraries  14 ,  16  to provide a path for cartridge-handling system  30  to pass therebetween. One of the storage libraries  16  is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 with the bottom panel  20  removed, and another of the storage libraries  14  is shown in FIG. 3 with the top panel  18  removed. Accordingly, the storage libraries  14 ,  16  can be stacked on top of one another and a cartridge-handling system  30  (FIG. 4( a ) and FIG. 4( b )) can be moved between the storage libraries  14 ,  16  to access the data cartridges. As more storage capacity is required, more storage libraries may also be added to the media storage system  12 .  
     [0022] An embodiment of the cartridge-handling system  30  is shown in FIG. 4( a ) and FIG. 4( b ) as it may be used with the media storage system  12 . Briefly, the cartridge-handling system  30  may comprise a carriage or translate frame  22  mounted in the media storage system  12  so that it can be raised (e.g., in the direction of arrow  38 ) and lowered (e.g., in the direction of arrow  39 ). A cartridge-engaging assembly  34  may be mounted in translate frame  22  so that it moves up and down with translate frame  22 . Cartridge-engaging assembly  34  may also be laterally moved within translate frame  22 . The cartridge-engaging assembly  34  is adapted to access (i.e., retrieve, eject, and transport) data cartridges in the media storage system  12 .  
     [0023] Translate frame  22  may be mounted in the media storage system  12  according to one embodiment of the invention as follows. At least one vertical guide  36  may be mounted in storage libraries  14 ,  16  so that it defines a vertical displacement path (e.g., in the directions illustrated by arrows  38  and  39 ). The translate frame  22  slidably engages vertical guide(s)  36  when the cartridge-handling system  30  is mounted in the media storage system  12 . Accordingly, cartridge-handling system  30  may be operated to travel along the vertical displacement path defined by vertical guide(s)  36  between the storage libraries  14 ,  16 .  
     [0024] A lift system  40  may be provided for the cartridge-handling system  30  and may be operated to move the translate frame  22  through the vertical displacement path  38 ,  39 . In one embodiment, lift system  40  may comprise a drive motor  42  mounted to the translate frame  22 . Drive motor  42  may be linked by one or more drive shafts  44  to a gear assembly  46 , which in turn engages a guide track  48  mounted to the media storage system  12 . In one embodiment, gear assembly  46  may engage gear teeth in guide track  48 . Accordingly, when drive motor  42  is operated, it causes the translate frame  22  to travel along vertical displacement path  38 ,  39  in the media storage system  12 .  
     [0025] It is understood that other embodiments for mounting cartridge-handling system  30  in the media storage system  12  for translation therein are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. Other suitable guide systems and drive systems are readily available and it would be well-understood by one skilled in the art, after having become familiar with the teachings of the invention, to provide one or more such guide systems and/or drive systems for use with cartridge-handling system  30 .  
     [0026] The foregoing description of the media storage system  12  is provided in order to better understand one environment in which an embodiment of coupler  10  of the present invention may be used. It should be understood that embodiments of coupler  10  of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with any of a wide range of other types and configurations of media storage systems, now known or that may be developed in the future.  
     [0027] As an illustration, the media storage system  12  just described is commonly used with magnetic storage media (i.e., data cartridges). However, the media storage system  12  is not limited to use with any particular type or style of storage media.  
     [0028] In addition, it is noted that the media storage system  12  may also house various ancillary devices, such as power supplies, electronic controls, and data processing systems. Such ancillary devices are commonly associated with media storage systems, and therefore are not shown or described herein as they are well-understood and further description is not needed for a full understanding of, or to practice the invention.  
     [0029] One embodiment of the coupler  10  for use with the media storage system  12  is shown in more detail in FIG. 5. Coupler  10  may comprise an arm member  26  having a base portion  54 . Arm member  26  may be pivotally mounted at base portion  54  with a mounting assembly  56  secured to the edge  7  (FIG. 3) of the first storage library  14 . Accordingly, arm member  26  may be pivoted in the direction of arrows  64  and  65  between an open position shown in FIG. 6( a ) and a closed position shown in FIG. 6( b ).  
     [0030] According to the embodiment of coupler  10  shown in FIG. 5, base portion  54  of the arm member  26  is cylindrical and is received within a circular opening (FIG. 6( a ) and FIG. 6( b )) formed in the mounting assembly  56 . However, other embodiments for mounting the arm member  26  to the storage library  14  are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. For example, arm member  26  may be mounted to the storage library  14  using a hinge assembly (not shown). In addition, coupler  10  may be mounted to the storage libraries  14 ,  16  in any suitable manner. For example, arm member  26  may be mounted to the side of the first storage library  14  and engage a receiving member  24  provided on the side of the second storage library  16 .  
     [0031] Arm member  26  may also have a head portion  55 . In this embodiment, head portion  55  is generally U-shaped (e.g., a hook) so that it engages receiving member  24  when arm member  26  is in the closed position. However, other embodiments are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. An example is shown in FIG. 7( a ) and FIG. 7( b ), wherein head portion  155  is substantially spade-shaped. Another example is shown in FIG. 8, wherein the head portion  255  is substantially L-shaped. In other embodiments, the head portion may be altogether omitted and the arm member  24  may instead overlap the edge portion  8  of the adjacent storage library  16 .  
     [0032] Coupler  10  also comprises a receiving member  24  that receives head portion  55  of the arm member  26  when it is pivoted to the closed position. In one embodiment, receiving member  24  may comprise openings  28 ,  30  formed through the edges  7 ,  8  of the storage libraries  14 ,  16  (see also FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). When the storage libraries  14 ,  16  are stacked one on top of the other, openings  28 ,  30  are substantially aligned with one another and provide an opening in which the arm member  26  can be received, as illustrated in FIG. 6( a ) and FIG. 6( b ).  
     [0033] Coupler  10  may also comprise a resilient member  58 , such as the spring shown in FIG. 5. Resilient member  58  may be mounted to arm member  26  on one end (e.g., with one or more suitable fasteners  60 ) and to the storage library  14  on the opposite end (e.g., with one or more suitable fasteners  62 ).  
     [0034] According to such an embodiment, resilient member  58  functions to bias arm member  26  toward the closed position. That is, resilient member  58  is extended when the arm member  26  is in the fully-open position as shown in FIG. 6( a ). When arm member  26  is moved in the direction of arrow  64 , the force exerted by resilient member  58  on the arm member  26  pulls it in the direction of arrow  64 , causing arm member  26  to move into the closed position shown in FIG. 6( b ).  
     [0035] Of course any suitable resilient member  58  may be used according to the teachings of the invention. For example, resilient member  58  may be a rubber cord. Likewise, resilient member  58  may be mounted in any suitable configuration. For example, resilient member  58  may be mounted on one end to the mounting assembly  56 . In addition, any suitable fasteners may be used to mount the resilient member  56  (e.g., screws, clips, pins, hooks, adhesive, weld).  
     [0036] Before describing the operation of coupler  10 , it should be noted that coupler  10  may be fabricated from any of a wide range of materials suitable for the intended application. By way of example, arm member  26  may be fabricated from metal or hard plastic. However, the present invention should not be regarded as limited to being fabricated from any particular material(s).  
     [0037] In addition, while embodiments of coupler  10  have been shown and described herein according to particular embodiments, and as it may be used with embodiments of a particular media storage system  12 , other embodiments of the invention are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.  
     [0038] Coupler  10  may be operated to connect the storage libraries  14 ,  16  according to one embodiment of the invention as follows. With reference to FIG. 4( a ), the first storage library  14  may be positioned adjacent the second storage library  16 . For example, the first storage library  14  may be positioned on top of the second storage library  16  in the direction illustrated by arrows  70 . Once the storage libraries  14 ,  16  are positioned adjacent one another, the arm member  26  of each of the couplers  10  (i.e., one or more) may be pivoted through the air space or opening provided between the adjacent storage libraries  14 ,  16 , and into the closed position.  
     [0039] According to one embodiment, arm member  26  may be pivoted toward the closed position by cartridge-handling system  30 . That is, as cartridge-handling system  30  is vertically moved between the storage libraries  14 ,  16 , translate frame  22  contacts arm member  26  and moves it in an upward direction.  
     [0040] Vertical movement of cartridge-handling system  30  is the result of lift system  40 . Lift system  40  may be operated to raise or lower translate frame  22 . More specifically, drive motor  42  may be operated to rotate gear assembly  46  operatively associated therewith. The gear assembly  46  engages lift track  48  and the cooperative action thereof moves translate frame  22  through the vertical displacement path in the direction of arrows  38 ,  39  defined by vertical guides  36 . Depending on the direction of rotation of drive motor  42  (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise), the translate frame  22  is either raised or lowered.  
     [0041] It is understood that arm member  26  of the coupler  10  may be pivoted in any suitable manner. For example, in another embodiment arm member  26  may be manually pivoted. In yet another embodiment a separate actuator (e.g., a solenoid) may be provided to pivot the arm member  26 . Of course where a resilient member  58  is provided, resilient member  58  also functions to pivot the arm member  26 .  
     [0042] Arm member  26  is pivoted toward (e.g., in the direction of arrow  64 ) and received by receiving member  24 . In an embodiment where arm member  26  comprises a head portion  55 , it may engage receiving member  24 . For example, head portion  55  may hook around the opening(s)  28 ,  30  formed through the edge portion of the adjacent storage libraries  14 ,  16 . In any event, when the arm member  26  is pivoted to the closed position it connects the first storage library  14  to the second storage library  16 .  
     [0043] An alternative embodiment of the coupler  110  is shown in FIG. 7( a ) and FIG. 7( b ) as it may be used to connect storage libraries  114 ,  116 . Coupler  110  may comprise an arm member  126  having a base portion  154 . Arm member  126  may be pivotally mounted at the base portion  154  to the first storage library  114  by a mounting assembly  156 , similar to that described above for the coupler  10 . Arm member  126  may be pivoted in the direction of arrow  164  and  165  between an open position shown in FIG. 7( a ) and a closed position shown in FIG. 7( b ).  
     [0044] Arm member  126  may also have a head portion  155 . Head portion  155  may be generally spade-shaped, such as a cabinet latch, so that it engages the receiving member  124  when the arm member  126  is in the closed position. That is, head portion  155  may fit within the openings  128  and  130  formed through the storage libraries  114 ,  116 . The coupler  110  may also comprise a resilient member  158 , similar to that described above for the coupler  10 .  
     [0045] According to one embodiment, the openings  128  and  130  deform or expand to allow head portion  155  to pass therethrough. However, other embodiments are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. For example, the openings  128 ,  130  may comprise linings fabricated of a deformable material (e.g., soft plastic, rubber, or foam) that expands to allow the head portion  155  to pass therethrough. Alternatively, latch members (e.g., such as provided on kitchen cabinets) may be provided to receive the head portion  155 . In yet other embodiments, the head portion  155  may deform so that it can pass through the openings  128 ,  130 .  
     [0046] It is noted that coupler  110  may be operated similarly to the coupler  10  described above. Furthermore, it is understood that yet other embodiments of the coupler are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention and the embodiment of the coupler  110  is provided only as one example of another embodiment. Another example of a coupler  210  is shown in FIG. 8 wherein head portion  255  is substantially L-shaped. It is noted that like components of the coupler  10  are referenced using two-hundred series reference numbers (e.g.,  210 ). Still other embodiments are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0047] A monitor  199  may also be provided for use with the coupler  110  according to the teachings of the invention. The monitor  199  may be operatively associated with the coupler  110  to indicate the position of the arm member  126 . According to one embodiment, the monitor  199  may comprise a basic electrical circuit. In such an embodiment, contacts may be provided across openings  128  so that the circuit is open when arm member  126  is in the open position, and the circuit is closed when arm member  126  is in the closed position. Suitable circuitry may also be linked to the contacts to provide an electrical current to the contacts and to provide the user with a signal indicating the state of coupler  110  (i.e., whether the arm member  126  is in the open or closed position).  
     [0048] It is understood that other embodiments of the monitor  199  are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. By way of example, monitor  199  may comprise a light signal and photo detector. Yet other embodiments of the monitor  199  will also become apparent to one skilled in the art after having become familiar with the teachings of the present invention. Of course it is also understood that the monitor  199  may also be provided for use with the coupler  10  described above.  
     [0049] It is readily apparent that the coupler  10  can be used to removably connect the storage libraries  14 ,  16  together so that they do not shift during operation. The coupler  10  does not require the use of screws or similar fasteners. Accordingly, the storage libraries  14 ,  16  can be connected faster and without the use of tools. In addition, unlike screws or similar fasteners, the coupler  10  is mounted to the storage library  14  and therefore is not likely to be lost during shipping or when not in use. Nor is coupler  10  prone to being stripped during assembly.