US20030117744A1 - Magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus - Google Patents
Magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20030117744A1 US20030117744A1 US10/326,401 US32640102A US2003117744A1 US 20030117744 A1 US20030117744 A1 US 20030117744A1 US 32640102 A US32640102 A US 32640102A US 2003117744 A1 US2003117744 A1 US 2003117744A1
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- Prior art keywords
- magnetic tape
- cartridge
- magazine
- tape cartridge
- library apparatus
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
- G11B15/675—Guiding containers, e.g. loading, ejecting cassettes
- G11B15/68—Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements
- G11B15/682—Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements with fixed magazines having fixed cassette storage cells, e.g. in racks
- G11B15/6835—Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements with fixed magazines having fixed cassette storage cells, e.g. in racks the cassettes being transferred to a fixed recorder or player using a moving carriage
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a magnetic tape library apparatus, and more particularly to a magnetic tape library apparatus which includes a movable cartridge magazine.
- a magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus (hereinafter referred to merely as tape library apparatus) which includes a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus (hereinafter referred to merely as tape deck) which performs recording and reproduction processes onto and from a magnetic tape medium (hereinafter referred to merely as magnetic tape) and an automatic recording medium loading apparatus which automatically loads and unloads such a recording medium as a magnetic tape cartridge (hereinafter referred to merely as tape cartridge) into and from the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus by means of a hand apparatus.
- a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus hereinafter referred to merely as tape deck
- an automatic recording medium loading apparatus which automatically loads and unloads such a recording medium as a magnetic tape cartridge (hereinafter referred to merely as tape cartridge) into and from the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus by means of a hand apparatus.
- the hand apparatus is provided on the front side of the magnetic tape deck (hereinafter referred to merely as tape deck)
- the free spaces on the opposite left and right sides of the tape deck cannot be used for accommodation of cartridges because the hand apparatus cannot advance into the free spaces.
- FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional automatic recording medium loading apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 276828/2000.
- the automatic recording medium loading apparatus 100 shown includes a recording and reproduction apparatus (tape deck) 103 for performing a recording process and a reproduction process into and from a tape cassette 102 loaded in an apparatus body 101 thereof, a cassette accommodating rack 104 for accommodating a plurality of tape cassettes 102 in parallel to each other in a vertical posture at the same height therein, a box-shaped rack case 106 for fixedly accommodating the cassette accommodating rack 104 therein, a table 109 having the rack case 106 placed thereon, a rack feeding mechanism 110 for feeding the table 109 leftwardly and rightwardly in front of the recording and reproduction apparatus (tape deck) 103 , and a loading mechanism 105 for transporting a tape cassette 102 between the cassette accommodating rack 104 and the recording and reproduction apparatus 103 .
- the cassette accommodating rack 104 is disposed integrally with the recording and reproduction apparatus 103
- a tape cassette 102 can be transported directly from the recording and reproduction apparatus 103 to the cassette accommodating rack 104 . Consequently, the space required for transportation of a tape cassette 102 is small, and the automatic recording medium loading apparatus can be formed with a small size and the time required for the transportation can be reduced.
- a magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus comprising a cartridge magazine for removably accommodating a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction therein, a magnetic tape deck for reading or writing data from or onto a magnetic tape cartridge loaded therein, a hand apparatus disposed on the front side of the magnetic tape deck, and a magazine feeding mechanism for feeding the cartridge magazine forwardly or rearwardly on one of the left and right sides of the hand apparatus, the hand apparatus being operable to insert or take out a magnetic tape cartridge into or from the cartridge magazine and transport the magnetic tape cartridge between the cartridge magazine and the magnetic tape deck.
- the magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus further comprises an additional cartridge magazine, and an additional magazine feeding mechanism for transporting a magnetic tape cartridge between the additional cartridge magazine and the magnetic tape deck, the two cartridge magazines being disposed on the opposite left and right sides of the hand apparatus.
- the magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus may further comprise a second additional cartridge magazine disposed on the front side of the hand apparatus.
- the cartridge magazine may have a plurality of slots formed therein each for removably receiving a magnetic tape cartridge in a horizontal posture, the slots being disposed in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction and in a plurality of rows along a direction along which the magazine feeding mechanism feeds the magnetic cartridge magazine.
- the slots of the cartridge magazine may have a plurality of different sizes so that magnetic tape cartridges of different sizes may be accommodated in the cartridge magazine.
- the hand apparatus may include a picker apparatus for grasping and removably inserting a magnetic tape cartridge into the cartridge magazine and loading the magnetic tape cartridge into the magnetic tape deck, a lifter mechanism for moving the picker apparatus upwardly and downwardly, and a swiveling mechanism for changing the direction of the magnetic tape cartridge grasped by the picker apparatus.
- the magazine feeding mechanism may feed the cartridge magazine forwardly or rearwardly along a rail.
- the magazine feeding mechanism may include a toothed rack formed on a bottom portion of the cartridge magazine, a drive gear for meshing with the toothed rack, and a motor for rotating the drive gear, or may include a movable table movable forwardly and rearwardly along a rail with a cartridge magazine placed thereon and having a toothed rack provided at a bottom portion thereof, a drive gear for meshing with the toothed rack, and a motor for rotating the drive gear.
- the cartridge magazine for accommodating magnetic tape cartridges therein is disposed for movement forwardly and rearwardly at least on one of the opposite left and right sides of the hand apparatus, the space in the magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus can be made the most of, and therefore, the magnetic tape library apparatus can accommodate an increased number of tape cartridges therein.
- tape cartridges are accommodated in a plurality of stages in a horizontal posture, the distance of feeding movement of the cartridge magazine can be reduced when compared with an alternative case wherein tape cartridges are accommodated in a vertical posture. Consequently, a mechanism for moving a tape cartridge in the forward or backward direction from the hand apparatus which transports a tape cartridge to the magnetic tape deck can be omitted.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely upward position of a tape library apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cartridge magazine used in the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely downward position of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the tape library apparatus shown in FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely upward position of another tape library apparatus which is a modification to the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cartridge magazine of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a movable table of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 6.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional automatic recording medium loading apparatus.
- the tape library apparatus 1 shown includes a housing 1 a , and a tape deck 2 for reading and writing data from and onto a magnetic tape of a tape cartridge 3 , a power supply 4 serving as a driving source, a control apparatus 5 for controlling operation of the tape library apparatus 1 , a hand apparatus 6 and a pair of left and right cartridge magazines 20 all accommodated in the housing 1 a.
- the hand apparatus 6 is mounted on a bottom face of the housing 1 a through a post not shown on the front side of the tape deck 2 , and grasps a tape cartridge 3 and inserts and takes out it into and out of the tape deck 2 and the cartridge magazines 20 .
- the left and right cartridge magazines 20 are disposed for backward and forward movement on the bottom face of the housing 1 a on the opposite left and right sides of the hand apparatus 6 .
- Each of the cartridge magazines 20 is horizontally moved forwardly and backwardly as indicated by a double-sided arrow mark a in FIGS. 1 and 2 on and along two rails 7 laid on the bottom face of the housing 1 a when a motor 8 is driven.
- the motors 8 are attached to the housing 1 a each by means of a bracket not shown.
- a plurality of slots 21 each for accommodating a tape cartridge 3 in a horizontal posture therein are formed in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction in two front and rear rows in each of the left and right cartridge magazines 20 . Further, a toothed rack 22 is formed on a lower face of the bottom of each of the left and right cartridge magazines 20 .
- a front side cartridge magazine 20 is disposed on the front side of the hand apparatus 6 .
- the cartridge magazine 20 has a plurality slots formed in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction but in a row.
- a pinion 10 and pulleys 9 for guiding a belt 11 are supported for rotation each by means of a shaft not shown on the bottom face of the housing 1 a of the tape library apparatus 1 .
- the pinion 10 serves as a drive gear which meshes with the toothed rack 22 of the cartridge magazine 20 for moving the cartridge magazine 20 forwardly and backwardly, and rotation of the motor 8 is transmitted to the pinion 10 through the belt 11 .
- the hand apparatus 6 includes three mechanisms not shown including a picker mechanism for grasping and removably inserting a tape cartridge 3 into any of the cartridge magazines 20 and loading the tape cartridge 3 into the tape deck 2 , a lifter mechanism for moving the picker mechanism upwardly and downwardly as indicated by a double-sided arrow mark b in FIG. 1, and a swiveling mechanism for turning the direction of the tape cartridge 3 taken out by the picker mechanism as indicated by a double-sided arrow mark c together with the picker mechanism.
- the hand apparatus 6 having such a configuration as just described is known in the art, and an existing hand apparatus of the type described can be used as it is.
- the picker mechanism of the hand apparatus 6 Since the picker mechanism of the hand apparatus 6 is turned to a different direction by the swiveling mechanism and moved upwardly or downwardly by the lifter mechanism, while it remains at a fixed position, it can insert or take out a tape cartridge 3 into or from any of the slots of the cartridge magazine 20 installed fixedly on the front side thereof. Meanwhile, with regard to each of the left and right cartridge magazines 20 , the picker mechanism can insert or take out a tape cartridge 3 into or from any of the slots 21 in that one of the rows which is opposed to the picker mechanism.
- the left and right cartridge magazines 20 are horizontally fed forwardly and backwardly separately from each other as indicated by arrow marks a in FIG. 1 so that the two front and rear slots 21 of them can be switchably opposed to the hand apparatus 6 separately from each other.
- FIG. 2 it is shown that the slots 21 in the front row of the left side cartridge magazine 20 are positioned such that a tape cartridge can be inserted into or taken out of any of them by the picker mechanism of the hand apparatus 6 while the slots 21 in the rear row of the right side cartridge magazine 20 are positioned such that a tape cartridge can be inserted into or taken out of any of them by the picker mechanism of the hand apparatus 6 .
- the toothed rack 22 is provided on the lower face of the bottom portion of each of the cartridge magazines 20 as shown in FIG. 3.
- a movable table 13 in the form of a plate is provided for back and forth sliding movement along a pair of rails 7 and a cartridge magazine 12 having no toothed rack thereon as seen in FIG. 7 is placed on the movable table 13 .
- a toothed rack 13 a is formed on a lower face of the movable table 13 as shown in FIG. 8 and meshes with the pinion shown in FIG. 5.
- the cartridge magazine can be simplified in shape and produced at a reduced cost.
- a toothed rack is provided on the cartridge magazine 20 as shown in FIG. 3, there is the possibility that, when the cartridge magazine 20 is taken out from the apparatus, since the toothed rack 22 provided on the bottom of the cartridge magazine 20 is exposed to the outside, it may interfere with and be damaged by some member.
- the cartridge magazine and the toothed rack are formed as separate members as in the modified tape library apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , such otherwise possible damage to the toothed rack can be prevented.
- both of the tape library apparatus 1 and the modified tape library apparatus include a pair of cartridge magazines disposed on the opposite left and right sides of the hand apparatus, it is otherwise possible to provide a cartridge magazine or magazines on only one side of the hand apparatus. Further, if slots of a different size are provided on one of the cartridge magazines or at part of one or both of the cartridge magazines, then cartridges of different sizes can be accommodated in a classified fashion. Further, also where a plurality of tape decks 2 are disposed in a vertically overlapping relationship as seen in FIG. 6, a tape cartridge can be inserted into or taken out from each of the tape decks 2 by the hand apparatus 6 .
Abstract
The invention provides a magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus wherein the space can be utilized effectively to allow accommodation of an increased number of tape cartridges. The magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus includes a cartridge magazine for removably accommodating a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction therein, a magnetic tape deck for reading or writing data from or onto a magnetic tape cartridge loaded therein, a hand apparatus disposed on the front side of the magnetic tape deck, and a magazine feeding mechanism for feeding the cartridge magazine forwardly or rearwardly on one of the left and right sides of the hand apparatus. The hand apparatus is operable to insert or take out a magnetic tape cartridge into or from the cartridge magazine and transport the magnetic tape cartridge between the cartridge magazine and the magnetic tape deck.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a magnetic tape library apparatus, and more particularly to a magnetic tape library apparatus which includes a movable cartridge magazine.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus (hereinafter referred to merely as tape library apparatus) is conventionally known which includes a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus (hereinafter referred to merely as tape deck) which performs recording and reproduction processes onto and from a magnetic tape medium (hereinafter referred to merely as magnetic tape) and an automatic recording medium loading apparatus which automatically loads and unloads such a recording medium as a magnetic tape cartridge (hereinafter referred to merely as tape cartridge) into and from the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus by means of a hand apparatus. However, where the hand apparatus is provided on the front side of the magnetic tape deck (hereinafter referred to merely as tape deck), even if a free space can be provided on the opposite left and right sides of the tape deck, the free spaces on the opposite left and right sides of the tape deck cannot be used for accommodation of cartridges because the hand apparatus cannot advance into the free spaces.
- FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional automatic recording medium loading apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 276828/2000. Referring to FIG. 9, the automatic recording medium loading apparatus100 shown includes a recording and reproduction apparatus (tape deck) 103 for performing a recording process and a reproduction process into and from a
tape cassette 102 loaded in anapparatus body 101 thereof, acassette accommodating rack 104 for accommodating a plurality oftape cassettes 102 in parallel to each other in a vertical posture at the same height therein, a box-shaped rack case 106 for fixedly accommodating thecassette accommodating rack 104 therein, a table 109 having therack case 106 placed thereon, arack feeding mechanism 110 for feeding the table 109 leftwardly and rightwardly in front of the recording and reproduction apparatus (tape deck) 103, and aloading mechanism 105 for transporting atape cassette 102 between thecassette accommodating rack 104 and the recording andreproduction apparatus 103. The cassette accommodatingrack 104 is disposed integrally with the recording andreproduction apparatus 103. - In the automatic recording medium loading apparatus100, a
tape cassette 102 can be transported directly from the recording andreproduction apparatus 103 to thecassette accommodating rack 104. Consequently, the space required for transportation of atape cassette 102 is small, and the automatic recording medium loading apparatus can be formed with a small size and the time required for the transportation can be reduced. - In the conventional automatic recording medium loading apparatus100, however, since a plurality of
tape cassettes 102 are accommodated in parallel to each other in a vertical posture at the same height in thecassette accommodating rack 104 and thecassette accommodating rack 104 is fed leftwardly and rightwardly together with therack case 106 to effect exchange of atape cassette 102, the number oftape cassettes 102 which can be accommodated in thecassette accommodating rack 104 is limited, and a great number of tape cassettes cannot be handled. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus wherein the space can be utilized effectively to allow accommodation of an increased number of tape cartridges.
- In order to attain the object described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus, comprising a cartridge magazine for removably accommodating a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction therein, a magnetic tape deck for reading or writing data from or onto a magnetic tape cartridge loaded therein, a hand apparatus disposed on the front side of the magnetic tape deck, and a magazine feeding mechanism for feeding the cartridge magazine forwardly or rearwardly on one of the left and right sides of the hand apparatus, the hand apparatus being operable to insert or take out a magnetic tape cartridge into or from the cartridge magazine and transport the magnetic tape cartridge between the cartridge magazine and the magnetic tape deck.
- Preferably, the magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus further comprises an additional cartridge magazine, and an additional magazine feeding mechanism for transporting a magnetic tape cartridge between the additional cartridge magazine and the magnetic tape deck, the two cartridge magazines being disposed on the opposite left and right sides of the hand apparatus. The magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus may further comprise a second additional cartridge magazine disposed on the front side of the hand apparatus.
- The cartridge magazine may have a plurality of slots formed therein each for removably receiving a magnetic tape cartridge in a horizontal posture, the slots being disposed in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction and in a plurality of rows along a direction along which the magazine feeding mechanism feeds the magnetic cartridge magazine. The slots of the cartridge magazine may have a plurality of different sizes so that magnetic tape cartridges of different sizes may be accommodated in the cartridge magazine.
- The hand apparatus may include a picker apparatus for grasping and removably inserting a magnetic tape cartridge into the cartridge magazine and loading the magnetic tape cartridge into the magnetic tape deck, a lifter mechanism for moving the picker apparatus upwardly and downwardly, and a swiveling mechanism for changing the direction of the magnetic tape cartridge grasped by the picker apparatus.
- The magazine feeding mechanism may feed the cartridge magazine forwardly or rearwardly along a rail. In this instance, the magazine feeding mechanism may include a toothed rack formed on a bottom portion of the cartridge magazine, a drive gear for meshing with the toothed rack, and a motor for rotating the drive gear, or may include a movable table movable forwardly and rearwardly along a rail with a cartridge magazine placed thereon and having a toothed rack provided at a bottom portion thereof, a drive gear for meshing with the toothed rack, and a motor for rotating the drive gear.
- With the magnetic tape library apparatus, since the cartridge magazine for accommodating magnetic tape cartridges therein is disposed for movement forwardly and rearwardly at least on one of the opposite left and right sides of the hand apparatus, the space in the magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus can be made the most of, and therefore, the magnetic tape library apparatus can accommodate an increased number of tape cartridges therein.
- Further, since tape cartridges are accommodated in a plurality of stages in a horizontal posture, the distance of feeding movement of the cartridge magazine can be reduced when compared with an alternative case wherein tape cartridges are accommodated in a vertical posture. Consequently, a mechanism for moving a tape cartridge in the forward or backward direction from the hand apparatus which transports a tape cartridge to the magnetic tape deck can be omitted.
- It is to be noted that, where the present invention is applied, a space for moving the cartridge magazine is required. However, since the hand apparatus itself does not move but remains at a fixed position, tape cartridges can be accommodated not only in the spaces on the opposite sides of the tape deck but also in the space in front of the hand apparatus. This further increases the number of tape cartridges which can be accommodated.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements are denoted by like reference symbols.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely upward position of a tape library apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG.3 is a perspective view showing a cartridge magazine used in the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely downward position of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the tape library apparatus shown in FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely upward position of another tape library apparatus which is a modification to the tape library apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cartridge magazine of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a movable table of the tape library apparatus of FIG. 6; and
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional automatic recording medium loading apparatus.
- Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a tape library apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The
tape library apparatus 1 shown includes a housing 1 a, and atape deck 2 for reading and writing data from and onto a magnetic tape of atape cartridge 3, apower supply 4 serving as a driving source, acontrol apparatus 5 for controlling operation of thetape library apparatus 1, ahand apparatus 6 and a pair of left andright cartridge magazines 20 all accommodated in the housing 1 a. - The
hand apparatus 6 is mounted on a bottom face of the housing 1 a through a post not shown on the front side of thetape deck 2, and grasps atape cartridge 3 and inserts and takes out it into and out of thetape deck 2 and thecartridge magazines 20. - The left and
right cartridge magazines 20 are disposed for backward and forward movement on the bottom face of the housing 1 a on the opposite left and right sides of thehand apparatus 6. Each of thecartridge magazines 20 is horizontally moved forwardly and backwardly as indicated by a double-sided arrow mark a in FIGS. 1 and 2 on and along tworails 7 laid on the bottom face of the housing 1 a when amotor 8 is driven. Themotors 8 are attached to the housing 1 a each by means of a bracket not shown. - A plurality of
slots 21 each for accommodating atape cartridge 3 in a horizontal posture therein are formed in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction in two front and rear rows in each of the left andright cartridge magazines 20. Further, atoothed rack 22 is formed on a lower face of the bottom of each of the left andright cartridge magazines 20. - Also on the front side of the
hand apparatus 6, a frontside cartridge magazine 20 is disposed. Thecartridge magazine 20 has a plurality slots formed in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction but in a row. - Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a
pinion 10 and pulleys 9 for guiding abelt 11 are supported for rotation each by means of a shaft not shown on the bottom face of the housing 1 a of thetape library apparatus 1. Thepinion 10 serves as a drive gear which meshes with thetoothed rack 22 of thecartridge magazine 20 for moving thecartridge magazine 20 forwardly and backwardly, and rotation of themotor 8 is transmitted to thepinion 10 through thebelt 11. - The
hand apparatus 6 includes three mechanisms not shown including a picker mechanism for grasping and removably inserting atape cartridge 3 into any of thecartridge magazines 20 and loading thetape cartridge 3 into thetape deck 2, a lifter mechanism for moving the picker mechanism upwardly and downwardly as indicated by a double-sided arrow mark b in FIG. 1, and a swiveling mechanism for turning the direction of thetape cartridge 3 taken out by the picker mechanism as indicated by a double-sided arrow mark c together with the picker mechanism. Thehand apparatus 6 having such a configuration as just described is known in the art, and an existing hand apparatus of the type described can be used as it is. - Now, operation of the
tape library apparatus 1 is described. - Since the picker mechanism of the
hand apparatus 6 is turned to a different direction by the swiveling mechanism and moved upwardly or downwardly by the lifter mechanism, while it remains at a fixed position, it can insert or take out atape cartridge 3 into or from any of the slots of thecartridge magazine 20 installed fixedly on the front side thereof. Meanwhile, with regard to each of the left andright cartridge magazines 20, the picker mechanism can insert or take out atape cartridge 3 into or from any of theslots 21 in that one of the rows which is opposed to the picker mechanism. - In particular, since the driving of the left and
right motors 8 is controlled separately from each other by thecontrol apparatus 5, the left andright cartridge magazines 20 are horizontally fed forwardly and backwardly separately from each other as indicated by arrow marks a in FIG. 1 so that the two front andrear slots 21 of them can be switchably opposed to thehand apparatus 6 separately from each other. In FIG. 2, it is shown that theslots 21 in the front row of the leftside cartridge magazine 20 are positioned such that a tape cartridge can be inserted into or taken out of any of them by the picker mechanism of thehand apparatus 6 while theslots 21 in the rear row of the rightside cartridge magazine 20 are positioned such that a tape cartridge can be inserted into or taken out of any of them by the picker mechanism of thehand apparatus 6. - In the
tape library apparatus 1 described above, since the spaces on the opposite left and right sides of thetape deck 2 can be utilized for accommodation of tape cartridges as seen in FIG. 2, an increased number of cartridges can be accommodated. Further, since a space for accommodating tape cartridges can be provided also on the front and rear sides of the hand apparatus, a tape cartridge can be inserted into or taken out of thetape library apparatus 1 from the front side of thetape library apparatus 1 without taking out the cartridge magazine from thetape library apparatus 1. Consequently, a tape cartridge can be inserted into and taken out of thetape library apparatus 1 readily. - Now, a modification to the
tape library apparatus 1 described above is described. In thetape library apparatus 1 described above, thetoothed rack 22 is provided on the lower face of the bottom portion of each of thecartridge magazines 20 as shown in FIG. 3. In the modified tape library apparatus, however, a movable table 13 in the form of a plate is provided for back and forth sliding movement along a pair ofrails 7 and acartridge magazine 12 having no toothed rack thereon as seen in FIG. 7 is placed on the movable table 13. A toothed rack 13 a is formed on a lower face of the movable table 13 as shown in FIG. 8 and meshes with the pinion shown in FIG. 5. - With the modified tape library apparatus having the configuration described above, the cartridge magazine can be simplified in shape and produced at a reduced cost. Further, where a toothed rack is provided on the
cartridge magazine 20 as shown in FIG. 3, there is the possibility that, when thecartridge magazine 20 is taken out from the apparatus, since thetoothed rack 22 provided on the bottom of thecartridge magazine 20 is exposed to the outside, it may interfere with and be damaged by some member. In contrast, where the cartridge magazine and the toothed rack are formed as separate members as in the modified tape library apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, such otherwise possible damage to the toothed rack can be prevented. - It is to be noted that, while both of the
tape library apparatus 1 and the modified tape library apparatus include a pair of cartridge magazines disposed on the opposite left and right sides of the hand apparatus, it is otherwise possible to provide a cartridge magazine or magazines on only one side of the hand apparatus. Further, if slots of a different size are provided on one of the cartridge magazines or at part of one or both of the cartridge magazines, then cartridges of different sizes can be accommodated in a classified fashion. Further, also where a plurality oftape decks 2 are disposed in a vertically overlapping relationship as seen in FIG. 6, a tape cartridge can be inserted into or taken out from each of thetape decks 2 by thehand apparatus 6. - While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
Claims (9)
1. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus, comprising:
a cartridge magazine for removably accommodating a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction therein;
a magnetic tape deck for reading or writing data from or onto a magnetic tape cartridge loaded therein;
a hand apparatus disposed on the front side of said magnetic tape deck; and
a magazine feeding mechanism for feeding said cartridge magazine forwardly or rearwardly on one of the left and right sides of said hand apparatus;
said hand apparatus being operable to insert or take out a magnetic tape cartridge into or from said cartridge magazine and transport the magnetic tape cartridge between said cartridge magazine and said magnetic tape deck.
2. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an additional cartridge magazine, and an additional magazine feeding mechanism for transporting a magnetic tape cartridge between said additional cartridge magazine and said magnetic tape deck, the two cartridge magazines being disposed on the opposite left and right sides of said hand apparatus.
3. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising a second additional cartridge magazine disposed on the front side of said hand apparatus.
4. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cartridge magazine has a plurality of slots formed therein each for removably receiving a magnetic tape cartridge in a horizontal posture, said slots being disposed in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction and in a plurality of rows along a direction along which said magazine feeding mechanism feeds said magnetic cartridge magazine.
5. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said slots of said cartridge magazine have a plurality of different sizes.
6. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said hand apparatus includes a picker apparatus for grasping and removably inserting a magnetic tape cartridge into said cartridge magazine and loading the magnetic tape cartridge into said magnetic tape deck, a lifter mechanism for moving said picker apparatus upwardly and downwardly, and a swiveling mechanism for changing the direction of the magnetic tape cartridge grasped by said picker apparatus.
7. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said magazine feeding mechanism feeds said cartridge magazine forwardly or rearwardly along a rail.
8. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said magazine feeding mechanism includes a toothed rack formed on a bottom portion of said cartridge magazine, a drive gear for meshing with said toothed rack, and a motor for rotating said drive gear.
9. A magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said magazine feeding mechanism includes a movable table movable forwardly and rearwardly along a rail with a cartridge magazine placed thereon and having a toothed rack provided at a bottom portion thereof, a drive gear for meshing with said toothed rack, and a motor for rotating said drive gear.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/245,010 US7130148B2 (en) | 2001-12-25 | 2005-10-07 | Magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus having vertically oriented stages |
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JP2001-392394 | 2001-12-25 | ||
JP2001392394A JP2003196901A (en) | 2001-12-25 | 2001-12-25 | Magnetic tape cartridge library device |
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US11/245,010 Division US7130148B2 (en) | 2001-12-25 | 2005-10-07 | Magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus having vertically oriented stages |
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US20030117744A1 true US20030117744A1 (en) | 2003-06-26 |
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US10/326,401 Abandoned US20030117744A1 (en) | 2001-12-25 | 2002-12-23 | Magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus |
US11/245,010 Expired - Fee Related US7130148B2 (en) | 2001-12-25 | 2005-10-07 | Magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus having vertically oriented stages |
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US11/245,010 Expired - Fee Related US7130148B2 (en) | 2001-12-25 | 2005-10-07 | Magnetic tape cartridge library apparatus having vertically oriented stages |
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Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20040264042A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2004-12-30 | Spectra Logic Corporation | Magazine-Based Data Cartridge Library |
US20070030589A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070035871A1 (en) * | 2005-08-09 | 2007-02-15 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070047135A1 (en) * | 2005-08-26 | 2007-03-01 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070058287A1 (en) * | 2005-09-15 | 2007-03-15 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070058282A1 (en) * | 2005-09-12 | 2007-03-15 | Tomoaki Sakaguchi | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20090129215A1 (en) * | 2007-11-15 | 2009-05-21 | Wataru Noguchi | Storage medium library device and storage medium library device cartridge transporting method |
US20090296541A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2009-12-03 | Fujitsu Limited | Library apparatus and method for delivering storage media in library apparatus |
US20100028110A1 (en) * | 2008-08-04 | 2010-02-04 | Quantum Corporation | High density variable access storage library |
US20100103558A1 (en) * | 2008-10-27 | 2010-04-29 | Nec Corporation | Magnetic tape library device |
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US7508621B2 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2009-03-24 | Spectra Logic Corporation | Magazine-based data cartridge library |
US20040264042A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2004-12-30 | Spectra Logic Corporation | Magazine-Based Data Cartridge Library |
US20070030589A1 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2007-02-08 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US7365935B2 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2008-04-29 | Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070035871A1 (en) * | 2005-08-09 | 2007-02-15 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US7388730B2 (en) * | 2005-08-09 | 2008-06-17 | Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070047135A1 (en) * | 2005-08-26 | 2007-03-01 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US7365934B2 (en) * | 2005-08-26 | 2008-04-29 | Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070058282A1 (en) * | 2005-09-12 | 2007-03-15 | Tomoaki Sakaguchi | Media cartridge autoloader |
US7365936B2 (en) * | 2005-09-12 | 2008-04-29 | Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20070058287A1 (en) * | 2005-09-15 | 2007-03-15 | Kenichi Hori | Media cartridge autoloader |
US20090129215A1 (en) * | 2007-11-15 | 2009-05-21 | Wataru Noguchi | Storage medium library device and storage medium library device cartridge transporting method |
US8213108B2 (en) * | 2007-11-15 | 2012-07-03 | Nec Corporation | Storage medium library device and storage medium library device cartridge transporting method |
US20090296541A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2009-12-03 | Fujitsu Limited | Library apparatus and method for delivering storage media in library apparatus |
US20100028110A1 (en) * | 2008-08-04 | 2010-02-04 | Quantum Corporation | High density variable access storage library |
US8186929B2 (en) * | 2008-08-04 | 2012-05-29 | Quantum Corporation | High density variable access storage library |
US20100103558A1 (en) * | 2008-10-27 | 2010-04-29 | Nec Corporation | Magnetic tape library device |
US8125730B2 (en) | 2008-10-27 | 2012-02-28 | Nec Corporation | Magnetic tape library device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20060028757A1 (en) | 2006-02-09 |
US7130148B2 (en) | 2006-10-31 |
JP2003196901A (en) | 2003-07-11 |
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