초록 ▼

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a magazine that is used to move data cartridges into and out of the library via an entry/exit port. In one embodiment, the magazine comprises a box-structure that is capable of holding a plurality of data cartridges, a dust cover, and a coupling structur

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a magazine that is used to move data cartridges into and out of the library via an entry/exit port. In one embodiment, the magazine comprises a box-structure that is capable of holding a plurality of data cartridges, a dust cover, and a coupling structure comprised of a member that extends away from the side wall of the box structure.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A data cartridge magazine that is useful in moving cartridges between an environment that is exterior to a data cartridge library and an environment within a data cartridge library comprising: a box structure that defines an interior space that is capable of accommodati

The invention claimed is: 1. A data cartridge magazine that is useful in moving cartridges between an environment that is exterior to a data cartridge library and an environment within a data cartridge library comprising: a box structure that defines an interior space that is capable of accommodating a plurality of data cartridges; wherein said box structure comprises a bottom wall with a bottom wall interior surface and a bottom wall exterior surface; wherein said box structure comprises a side wall that is operatively attached to said bottom wall, extends from said bottom wall to a side wall terminal edge, and has a side wall interior surface and a side wall exterior surface; wherein said side wall comprises a first side wall portion, a second side wall portion that is separated from said first side wall portion and substantially parallel to said first side wall portion, a third side wall portion that is substantially perpendicular to said first side wall portion, and a fourth side wall portion that is separated from said third side wall portion and substantially parallel to said third side wall portion; wherein said bottom wall interior surface and said side wall interior surface define said interior space; wherein said side wall terminal edge defines an opening for the insertion/extraction of said data cartridges into/from said interior space; a plurality of partitioning structures for dividing said interior space into a plurality of slots with each of said plurality of slots being capable of accommodating one of said data cartridges; and a coupling structure that allows said box structure to be attached/detached from an entry/exit port structure; wherein said coupling structure comprises a first substantially rigid flange that extends away from said first side wall portion and a second substantially rigid flange that extends away from said second side wall portion, and wherein said box structure comprises a stacking structure that is adapted to be stacked on a second box structure. 2. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first substantially rigid flange extends substantially perpendicular to said bottom wall and is located a first distance from said terminal edge; said coupling structure further comprises an opposing surface that extends away from said first side wall portion and is located said first distance from said terminal edge. 3. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a bar code surface that is capable of accommodating a bar code. 4. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said bar code surface extends substantially parallel to said bottom wall. 5. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said bar code surface has a surface vector that is substantially parallel to a surface vector of said bottom wall interior surface. 6. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said bar code surface is associated with one of said third side wall portion and said fourth side wall portion. 7. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claims 3, 4, 5 or 6, further comprising: a bar code that is operatively associated with said bar code surface. 8. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said bar code surface comprises: a first bar code surface that is capable of accommodating at least said bar code; and a second bar code surface that is capable of accommodating at least said code and is separated from said first bar code surface. 9. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: a first bar code that is operatively associated with said first bar code surface; and a second bar code that is operatively associated with said second bar code surface. 10. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said bar code surface comprises: a first bar code surface that is capable of accommodating at least said bar code; a second bar code surface that is capable of accommodating at least said bar code and is separated from said first bar code surface; and a third bar code surface that is capable of accommodating at least said bar code and is separated from said first and second bar code surfaces. 11. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claims 10, further comprising: a first bar code that is operatively associated with said first bar code surface; a second bar code that is operatively associated with said second bar code surface; and a third bar code that is operatively associated with said third bar code surface. 12. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a dust cover for placing over said interior space; wherein said dust cover comprises a dust cover exterior surface and a dust cover interior surface. 13. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said dust cover exterior surface comprises said stacking structure for facilitating stacking of said box structure with said second box structure. 14. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said stacking structure comprises a plurality of bumps. 15. The cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said stacking structure comprises a plurality of recesses/holes. 16. The cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said bottom wall exterior surface comprises said stacking structure for facilitating stacking of said box structure with said second box structure. 17. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said stacking structure comprises a plurality of recesses/holes. 18. The data cartridge magazine, as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said stacking structure comprises a plurality of bumps. 19. A data cartridge magazine for interacting with a moveable entry/exit port guide structure coupled with a data cartridge library, said guide structure adapted to receive said magazine when outside said library and move said magazine inside said library through an entry/exit port, said magazine comprising: a frame structure comprising a closed-loop side wall which extends to a terminal edge from an end attached to a bottom surface wherein said frame structure defines an interior space and exterior space; a top opening to said interior space defined by said terminal edge where through data cartridges are capable of being inserted and extracted; a partitioning structure for dividing said interior space into a plurality of slots each capable of accommodating one of said data cartridges; at least a pair of flanges extending from said frame in said exterior space capable of interacting with a pair of engaging structures comprised by said moveable entry/exit port guide to disengageably mount said magazine to said entry/exit port guide. 20. The data cartridge magazine of claim 19 wherein said top opening is capable of being covered by an engaging top cover. 21. The data cartridge magazine of claim 20 wherein said top cover comprises a stacking structure for facilitating stacking of a second data cartridge magazine. 22. A data cartridge magazine comprising: a closed-loop box structure which extends to a terminal edge from a base surface wherein said terminal edge defines an opening for receiving a plurality of data cartridges in an interior space defined by said box structure; a partitioning structure for dividing said interior space into a plurality of slots each capable of accommodating one of said data cartridges; at least a pair of flange structures that extend substantially from said terminal edge in a direction towards said base surface and a distance partially to said base surface adapted to engage a pair of accommodating structures associated with a moveable entry/exit port guide structure for disengageably mounting said magazine to said guide structure wherein said guide structure is capable of moving into and out of a data cartridge library through an entry/exit port. 23. The data cartridge magazine of claim 22 wherein each of said flanges further comprise an engagement surface that is parallel to said base and located substantially at an end of said flanges opposite said terminal edge wherein said engagement surfaces are capable of interacting with accommodating engagement surface structures comprised by said moveable entry/exit port guide structure.