Patent ID: 7019940

Claim:
A lockout system ensuring that a linear tape cartridge is inserted into a sleeve of a housing in a correct orientation, the sleeve of the housing being configured to alternately receive therein a digital linear tape (DLT) cartridge and a linear tape open (LTO) cartridge, the DLT cartridge having a cavity located in an upper surface thereof, the LTO cartridge having recess located in a side surface thereof, said lockout system comprising: a pivoted member pivotally attached to the housing, said pivoted member having a leg and an arm, said leg extending in a first direction, said leg having a slanted surface that is inclined with respect to an insertion direction of a linear tape cartridge into the sleeve, said arm extending in a second direction; said pivoted member being rotatable between a first position and a second position, in said first position said leg extending into the sleeve such that: in said first position, insertion of an LTO cartridge into the sleeve in the insertion direction causes the side surface of the LTO cartridge to contact said slanted surface of said leg, wherein further insertion of the LTD cartridge into the sleeve causes said slanted surface to urge the LTO cartridge toward a side of the sleeve; and in said first position, insertion of a DLT cartridge into the sleeve in the insertion direction causes the upper surface of the DLT cartridge to contact said leg, wherein further insertion of the DLT cartridge into the sleeve causes said pivoted member to rotate to said second position, in which said arm extends into the recess of the DLT cartridge.