Patent ID: 7420768

Claim:
Cartridge loading apparatus comprising a cartridge loading device for magnetic tape cartridges and a mounting for said device, said cartridge loading device comprising a first member, a second member and a guide arrangement for guiding movement of said second member relative to said first member from a first position to a second position, said first and second members cooperating when in said first position to define a first sized opening having a height sized to receive first sized magnetic tape cartridges having a predetermined height and, when in said second position, to define a second sized opening having a height that is greater than the height of said first sized opening, said second sized opening being sized to receive second sized magnetic tape cartridges having a predetermined height that is greater than the height of said first sized magnetic tape cartridges, said cartridge loading device having a front end at which cartridges are inserted into said opening, a rear end and opposite sides extending between said front and rear ends, and said mounting supporting said cartridge loading device at each said side such that said cartridge loading device can slide rearwardly in said mounting from a forward position to a rearward position and said front end of the cartridge loading device can pivot about an axis disposed towards said rear end and extending between said sides during a first portion of said rearward movement.