Magazine cassette locking device

Abstract

A device for positively restraining data tape cassettes within a magazine of a cassette loading assembly to prevent the cassettes from becoming dislodged from the magazine when the cassettes are not engaged within the tape drive. The device includes a spring loaded cantilever having an end section which engages a detent conventionally formed in the edge portion of the data cassette tape. When the cantilever end section is engaged in the detent, the cassette tape is securely held against a rear interior wall of the magazine. The spring loaded cantilever is pivotally mounted by a shaft to an interior side wall of the magazine. In operation, a cassette transfer system engages the tape cassette to load the cassette into the tape drive. However, prior to such engagement, a bracket mounted on the cassette transfer system contacts a load-receiving end of the cantilever opposite the end section within the cassette tape detent. The bracket biases the load-receiving end inward toward the cassette, thereby pivoting the opposite end section out of the detent. Once the end section is removed from the detent, the cassette tape may be freely loaded into the tape drive.