Patent ID: 7048220

Claim:
A multi-position mechanical indicator configured to be positionable in a portable data storage cartridge; said portable data storage cartridge having a chamber therein, said chamber closely adjacent an exterior wall of said portable data storage cartridge; and said portable data storage cartridge having an opening extending through said exterior wall to said chamber; said indicator comprising: a plurality of rotary devices stacked on one another; each said rotary device in the general form of at least one right cylindrical section having a central axis of rotation, and configured to be rotatable in said chamber of said portable data storage cartridge; and each said rotary device having a peripheral surface of said right cylindrical section with an encoded pattern of at least one cylindrical surface and of at least one facet interrupting said cylindrical surface, said at least one facet located at various angularly spaced rotational positions about said central axis of rotation; each said rotary device configured to be separately rotatable in said chamber of said portable data storage cartridge such that, at differing rotational positions of said rotary device, at least one or none of said at least one facet is configured to be positionable at said exterior wall opening of said portable data storage cartridge; whereby, at least one or none of said facets of said plurality of stacked rotary devices are positionable at said exterior wall opening of said portable data storage cartridge.