Hewlett-packard Company

Imation Corporation

Devin A Bloom

Fred O Stephens

Thomas J Angellotti

Jon R Dory

Gregory A Standiford

Michael P Eland

Warren S Beitscher

Sten R Gerfast

Kevin L Miller

Robert W Tapani

Leroy A Kuta

Steve C Jackson

A tape drive chassis with isolation mounting features in the back half of the chassis that enable the chassis to be mounted in a computer bay that is twisted or has misaligned mounting features. The isolation mounting features of the chassis are integral with the chassis and designed to deflect and conform to torque in the computer bay. The isolation mounting features include travel limit stops that limit the distance that the isolation mounting features can be bent. The isolation mounting features ensure that the drive chassis remains planar even if the host computer bay may be twisted or have mounting holes that are not co-planar.

Tape chassis with integrated isolation mounting features

An alignment and latching apparatus for a drive mechanism for data tape mini-cartridges. The alignment and latching apparatus enables the drive to use a new mini-cartridge while retaining backward compatibility with older smaller mini-cartridges. The mini-cartridges have a plastic top cover and a rigid metal baseplate. For some embodiments, an alignment datum is defined by three reference points on the bottom of the mini-cartridge baseplate. In other embodiments, the alignment datum is split with two reference points on the top of the baseplate and one reference point on bottom of the baseplate. Alignment and latching forces are applied on both the plastic cover and onto the baseplate. In some embodiments, alignment force on the top cover is provided by flat springs. In alternative embodiments, alignment force on the top cover is provided by spring loaded rollers. Alignment force on the baseplate is provided by rollers or cam surfaces, pushing upward if a split datum is required and downward if a bottom surface datum is required.

Alignment and latching mechanism in a drive for magnetic data tape

The data storage cartridge drive is designed to securely accommodate and align more than one size cartridge. Reference surfaces are provided for cartridge to drive alignment in a manner so as to enhance stability, particularly during periods when the drive may experience shock or vibration. An additional reference surface is provided to supply added resistance to shock and vibration.

Media containing cartridge and drive therefor employing multiple

A guidance channel for a tape cartridge and a matching guide for a tape drive chassis to prevent a new design cartridge from being inserted into an old design drive but permitting new design drives to accept new design cartridges or old design cartridges. The cartridge guidance channel is wide at the front of the tape cartridge and narrow at the back of the tape cartridge. Tape cartridges having a narrow channel at the back end cannot be inserted into a drive chassis having a guide with a uniform wide width. The drive chassis guide is narrow at the front and wide at the back. The drive chassis guide can mate with tape cartridge channels having a uniform wide width or with tape cartridge channels having a narrow channel at the back end.

Mechanical lock-out for preventing tape cartridge insertion into

Growing community of inventors

Loveland, CO, United States of America

Devin A Bloom