Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Automatic control of a recorder mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2004-01-06
Hudspeth, David (Department: 2753)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Automatic control of a recorder mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
active
06674597
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording medium storage apparatus and particularly relates to a recording medium transfer mechanism of the recording medium storage apparatus in order to transfer the recording medium to be stored in a library.
2. Background Art
In a storage apparatus for storing a recording medium such as magnetic tapes, sometimes it is necessary to transfer recording media for loading or unloading by use of a motor.
FIG. 8
is a schematic representation showing a conventional medium transfer mechanism V, in which the reference letter T denotes a magnetic tape, L
1
and L
2
denote libraries, numeral
30
denotes a medium supporting device, and
31
denotes a motor. Here, two libraries L
1
and L
2
are arranged inserting the medium transfer mechanism V between two libraries.
The medium transfer mechanism V shown in
FIG. 8
comprises a swivel gear
32
fixed under the medium supporting device
30
, such that the medium supporting device
30
can rotate by means of a driving gear
33
attached to the motor
31
. On the upper surface of the medium supporting device
30
, a hand mechanism
34
for loading and unloading magnetic tapes to the libraries L
1
and L
2
is provided to be capable of performing reciprocating motion in the longitudinal direction of the medium supporting device
30
. Owing to those components, when the medium supporting device
30
rotates, a magnetic tape supported by the hand mechanism
34
turns (swivel). In addition, an engagement of the medium supporting device
30
with the stopper portion
35
locates the rotating direction for loading and unloading to the libraries L
1
and L
2
.
However, since the conventional medium transfer mechanism V comprises a swivel gear
32
fixed under the medium supporting device
30
, a large stress to the driving gear
33
and the motor
31
results due to the impact force at the time of engagement of the medium supporting device
30
with the stopper portion
35
. Thus, a problem arises in that the driving gear
33
and the motor
31
are likely to suffer damage due to the repeatedly applied stress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a medium transfer mechanism of a medium storage apparatus, which is capable of reducing the load applied to the motor or the gear and ensuring the stable motion for a long period of time.
According to the first aspect, a medium transfer mechanism of a recording medium storage apparatus, in which the medium supporting device supporting the recording medium is transferred for storing the recording medium in a library and the medium supporting device is positioned by abutting with a stopper; comprises: a driving side engaging element which is moved by a motor; a follower side engaging element which is engaged with the driving side engaging element having a predetermined gap between said driving side engaging element; and a biasing device for biasing said follower side engaging element for engaging with said driving side engaging element.
According to the second aspect, in a medium transfer mechanism of a recording medium storage apparatus according to the first aspect, the medium transfer mechanism further comprises a control device for controlling said motor so as to stop said driving side engaging element at a predetermined location.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5253911 (1993-10-01), Egan et al.
patent: 5402283 (1995-03-01), Yamakawa et al.
patent: 5781517 (1998-07-01), Nakajima
patent: 6064544 (2000-05-01), Wada
patent: 6433954 (2002-08-01), Rinard et al.
patent: 4-20654 (1992-02-01), None
patent: 4-45332 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 4-76644 (1992-07-01), None
Hudspeth David
NEC Corporation
Slavitt Mitchell
Young & Thompson
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