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A low-overhead storage magazine and method for storing at least one data cartridge therein. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the low-overhead storage magazine comprises a frame assembly having a chamber formed therein sized to receive a plurality of data cartridges, and a partit

A low-overhead storage magazine and method for storing at least one data cartridge therein. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the low-overhead storage magazine comprises a frame assembly having a chamber formed therein sized to receive a plurality of data cartridges, and a partition mounted to the frame assembly and movable in the chamber to define an adjustable storage area. A method for mapping the low-overhead storage magazine is also disclosed.

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1. An apparatus comprising:a frame assembly having a chamber formed therein sized to receive a plurality of data cartridges, the frame assembly having at least side panels and a rear panel defining the chamber; a partition mounted to said frame assembly and movable in said chamber to define an adjus

1. An apparatus comprising:a frame assembly having a chamber formed therein sized to receive a plurality of data cartridges, the frame assembly having at least side panels and a rear panel defining the chamber; a partition mounted to said frame assembly and movable in said chamber to define an adjustable storage area to receive said plurality of data cartridges; at least one retaining member provided adjacent said adjustable storage area, said retaining member selectively retaining at least one data cartridge within said adjustable storage area, said retaining member adapted to be actuated from a first position to a second position to release the at least one data cartridge for retrieval from the adjustable storage area; and a cartridge-engaging assembly adapted to move the partition to adjust the adjustable storage area. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said partition is movable to expand said adjustable storage area before inserting at least one of said plurality of data cartridges therein.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said partition is movable to contract said adjustable storage area when at least one of said plurality of data cartridges is removed therefrom.4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guide system mounted to said frame assembly, wherein said partition is operatively associated with said guide system for adjusting the size of said adjustable storage area.5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member mounted to said frame assembly and operatively associated with said partition for biasing said partition toward a home position in said frame assembly.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining member retains at least one data cartridge within said adjustable storage area while another data cartridge is removed.7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a gate resiliently attached to the frame assembly, the gate actuatable between the first position and the second position, the first position being a closed position and the second position being an open position.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition is movable to enable different numbers of data cartridges to be stored in the adjustable storage area.9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge-engaging assembly is adapted to withdraw the at least one data cartridge from the adjustable storage area.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge-engaging assembly is adapted to actuate the retaining member from the first position to the second position.11. A cartridge storage system comprising:a low-overhead storage magazine, comprising: a frame assembly having a chamber formed therein sized to receive a plurality of data cartridges; a partition mounted to said frame assembly and movable in said chamber to define an adjustable storage area to receive said plurality of data cartridges; and a lock mounted to said partition and operatively associated with said frame assembly to hold said partition in a fixed position in said frame assembly; and a cartridge engaging assembly adapted to engage the data cartridges. 12. The cartridge storage system of claim 11, wherein said lock comprises:a pin; and a solenoid operable to move said pin between an open position and a closed position, said partition held in said fixed position when said pin is moved into said closed position. 13. The cartridge storage system of claim 11, further comprising at least one notch formed in said frame assembly, wherein said lock is operable to engage said notch and hold said partition in said fixed position.14. The cartridge storage system of claim 11, wherein the partition is movable to enable different numbers of data cartridges to be stored in the adjustable storage area.15. A method for adjusting a data cartridge storage area in a low-overhead storage magazine, comprising:increasing the size of an adjustable storage area formed within said low-overhead storage magazine before inserting at least one data cartridge therein; decreasing the size of said storage area formed within said low-overhead storage magazine after removing said at least one data cartridge therefrom; and selectively retaining said at least one data cartridge within said low-overhead storage magazine, wherein increasing the size of said adjustable storage area is in response to a cartridge-engaging assembly translating against a movable partition within said low-overhead storage magazine. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising collecting a plurality of data cartridges immediately adjacent one another within said adjustable storage area.17. The method of claim 15, wherein decreasing the size of said adjustable storage area is under the force of a biasing member.18. A method for adjusting a data cartridge storage area in a low-overhead storage magazine, comprising:increasing the size of an adjustable storage area formed within said low-overhead storage magazine before inserting at least one data cartridge therein; decreasing the size of said storage area formed within said low-overhead storage magazine after removing said at least one data cartridge therefrom; and selectively retaining said at least one data cartridge within said low-overhead storage magazine, wherein increasing the size of said adjustable storage area is in response to a plunge mechanism translating against a movable partition within said low-overhead storage magazine. 19. A cartridge storage system comprising:a storage magazine comprising: a frame assembly having a chamber to receive cartridges; a partition movable in the chamber to define an adjustable storage area for storing plural cartridges without dividers between the cartridges; and a cartridge-engaging assembly to withdraw cartridges from the storage magazine, wherein the cartridge-engaging assembly is movable to move the partition. 20. The cartridge storage system of claim 19, further comprising a rail, the cartridge-engaging assembly slidable on the rail to transport a cartridge from the storage magazine to another location.21. The cartridge storage system of claim 19, wherein the partition has a tab extending into a path of the cartridge-engaging assembly, the cartridge-engaging assembly to contact the tab to move the partition.22. The cartridge storage system of claim 19, wherein the cartridge-engaging assembly has a member extendable from the cartridge-engaging assembly to engage the partition for moving the partition.23. The cartridge storage system of claim 19, wherein the storage magazine comprises a gate resiliently attached to the frame assembly, the gate actuatable between a closed position and an open position, the gate in the closed position to hold one of the data cartridges in the storage area, the gate in the open position to release the one of the data cartridges for retrieval from the storage area.24. A method for mapping a plurality of data cartridges in a low-overhead storage magazine, comprising reassigning a shifted data cartridge to another location within said low-overhead storage magazine when another data cartridge is removed from the same storage area;wherein the storage magazine has a chamber to store the plurality of data cartridges without dividers between the data cartridges, wherein the reassigning act comprises reassigning the shifted data cartridge to another location within the chamber when another data cartridge is removed from the chamber. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising updating a map with the location of any reassigned data cartridges in said low-overhead storage magazine.26. The method of claim 24, further comprising assigning an added data cartridge to a new location within said low-overhead storage magazine.