Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

Ronald L Ehrlich

Kelly John Reasoner

Robert L Mueller

Gregg S Schmidtke

Thomas W Holmquist

Marie Schaub-Jones, Legal Representative

A cartridge access device in a cartridge storage system is designed to retrieve a cartridge from a storage device and to transfer the cartridge to a particular location within the system. Once the cartridge is no longer needed at the particular location, the cartridge access device retrieves the cartridge from the particular location and returns the data cartridge to the storage device. The data cartridge device preferably includes at least two engaging members that engage a respective surface of a frame assembly. Channels in the surfaces of the frame assembly guide the engaging members and, therefore, the cartridge access device as the cartridge access device moves. The engaging members are engaged with a respective conductive track member that extends through the channels in the frame assembly. Electrical current is passed through the conductive track members and the engaging members to the cartridge access device in order to supply the cartridge access device with electrical power and/or to communicate control signals to the cartridge access device. Therefore, a power cable and/or a control cable does not have to be physically connected to the cartridge access device in order for the components on the cartridge access device to receive electrical power and/or control signals.

System and method utilizing a conductive brush for providing power signals to a cartridge access device

A circuit card is disclosed. In one embodiment, the circuit card comprises a first connector to connect the circuit card to a first mating connector, a second connector movable between first and second positions, to connect the circuit card to a second mating connector, and a mechanism to move the second connector between the first and second positions along a defined path.

Circuit card

System and method for providing power and control signals to a cartridge access device in a cartridge storage system

Growing community of inventors

Greeley, CO, United States of America

Ronald L Ehrlich