International Business Machines Corporation

Andrew Stuart Green

Shawn Michael Nave

Raymond Yardy

Frank Krick

Dylan J Boday

Justin Melby

One or more tape cartridge restraint brackets may be generated. At least one tape cartridge restraint bracket may be positioned in one or more deep slots in a rear portion of a tape library.

Automated tape library deep slot protection

A method according to one embodiment includes inserting a data storage cartridge into an opening in a housing, the housing having a retention tab in the housing for engaging with a notch of the data storage cartridge for retaining the data storage cartridge in the housing. The retention tab has a texture. The texture of the retention tab is configured to reduce a force necessary for removing the data storage cartridge from the housing.

Reduced friction retention of a data storage cartridge within a storage cell

A storage cell according to one embodiment includes a housing for storing a data storage cartridge, an opening in said housing for inserting and removing a data storage cartridge, and a retention tab in said housing for engaging with a notch of said data storage cartridge for retaining said data storage cartridge in said housing. The retention tab has a texture, the texture being configured to reduce a force necessary for inserting and/or removing said data storage cartridge from said storage cell.

Described are embodiments of an invention for a textured interface between a notch of a data storage cartridge and a retention tab of a storage cell. The textured surface reduces the contact surface between the retention tab and the notch of the data storage cartridge. The reduced contact surface between the retention tab and notch of the data storage cartridge reduces the amount of friction between the retention tab and the notch of the data storage cartridge. The data storage cartridge can thus be removed from the storage cell with less force than that required by the prior art having a generally smooth interface between the notch of the data storage cartridge and the retention tab of the storage cell.

Described are embodiments of an invention for a method and a tool to produce a textured surface on the retention tab of a storage cell. The tool has a form that fits within the storage cell. The form has a hard material with a hard surface with contacts a surface of the retention tab within the storage cell. The movement of the hard surface across the surface of the retention tab produces a textured surface on the retention tab. The textured interface between a notch of a data storage cartridge and a retention tab of a storage cell provides a consistent and low friction force that retains the data storage cartridge within the cell but allows the accessor to easily remove the data storage cartridge when needed.

Texturing of a storage cell for reduced friction retention of a data storage cartridge

A pass-through mechanism that couples a first linear tape library string to a second linear tape library string is maintained. A first robotic assembly associated with the first linear tape library string places a tape from the first linear tape library string into the pass-through mechanism. The pass-through mechanism moves the tape to a position where the tape can be removed by a second robotic assembly associated with the second linear tape library string. The second robotic assembly removes the tape from the pass-through mechanism and places the tape into the second linear tape library string.

Pass-through mechanism for linear tape library

An apparatus to generate a spring force increasing in accordance with a quantity of tape media cartridges stored in a deep slot cell. The apparatus may include a deep slot cell, a biasing element including a torsion spring, and an advancement element. The deep slot cell may store one or more cartridges. The biasing element may generate a spring force toward the front of the deep slot cell such that the spring force generated increases in accordance with a number of cartridges stored in the cell. The advancement element may be positioned to apply the spring force to the cartridges, thereby advancing the cartridges toward the front of the deep slot cell.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Andrew Stuart Green