The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 04, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1999
Robert L. Mueller, Windsor, CO (US);
David P. Jones, Bellvue, CO (US);
Robert W. Luffel, Greeley, CO (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A cartridge engaging assembly for translating a cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge engaging assembly may include a linearly translatable cartridge engaging device adapted to engage a cartridge, and a first drive assembly operably connected to the cartridge engaging device which is adapted to linearly translate the cartridge engaging device in a lateral direction. A second drive assembly is operably connected to the cartridge engaging device and is adapted to linearly translate the cartridge engaging device in a longitudinal direction. A third drive assembly is operably connected to the cartridge engaging device and is adapted to rotate the cartridge engaging device around an axis. In one embodiment, the cartridge engaging assembly also includes a flip latch assembly, and the second drive assembly and the third drive assembly use the same motor. One or two tracking devices such as a bar code reader may also be included. A cartridge handling system utilizing the cartridge engaging assembly of the present invention is also disclosed, as is a method for rotating a cartridge engaging device of the cartridge engaging assembly of the present invention.