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A computer data storage cartridge magazine for carrying data storage cartridges from conventional "off-line" storage to a storage library subsystem where cartridges may be electronically read or written. The magazine comprises a series of horizontally arranged slots. Each slot has a front spring lev

A computer data storage cartridge magazine for carrying data storage cartridges from conventional "off-line" storage to a storage library subsystem where cartridges may be electronically read or written. The magazine comprises a series of horizontally arranged slots. Each slot has a front spring lever which is operated by the user to insert and remove individual cartridges and a rear locking lever which is operated by the robotic mechanisms of the library subsystem. A safety bar extends substantially the length of the magazine and is located under the rear locking levers. The safety bar acts to ensure that the rear locking levers do not become accidently depressed when the magazine is carried by the user. The safety bar is disengaged by a mated pin when the magazine is inserted into the library subsystem. The rear locking levers may then be actuated (depressed) by an arm on the robotic mechanism of the library subsystem. When the rear locking levers are so depressed, cartridges may be inserted or removed from the rear of the magazine by the robotic mechanisms of the storage library.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A magazine for holding data storage cartridges comprising:a frame surrounding a plurality of slots adapted to hold data storage cartridges, wherein a front side of said plurality of slots is associated with a front side of said frame and a rear side of said plurality of s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A magazine for holding data storage cartridges comprising:a frame surrounding a plurality of slots adapted to hold data storage cartridges, wherein a front side of said plurality of slots is associated with a front side of said frame and a rear side of said plurality of slots is associated with a rear side of said frame;front means, associated with said front side of each of said plurality of slots, for preventing data storage cartridges from exiting said front side of said slots by the force of gravity when said frame is tipped at any angle, and wherein said front means are operable to allow an individual data cartridge to be inserted or extracted from said front side of said frame by depression of said front means;rear means, associated with said rear side of each of said plurality of slots, for preventing data storage cartridges from exiting said rear side of said slots by the force of gravity when said frame is tipped at any angle, and wherein said rear means are operable to allow an individual data cartridge to be inserted or extracted from said rear side of said frame by depression of said rear means;a safety bar associated with said rear means operable to lock said rear means by preventing said depression of said rear means, wherein said safety bar is operable independent of said depression of said rear means; and retaining means for biasing said safety bar in a direction toward the rear side of said frame to prevent depression of said rear means, whereby in order to enable depression of said rear means, a force exceeding the force of said retaining means is applied to said safety bar in a direction toward said front side of said frame such that said safety bar is linearly slid in a direction toward said front side of said frame.