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:
Jul. 16, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 29, 1996
Robert W. Luffel, Greeley, CO (US);
Paul Coffin, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Daniel R. Dauner, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A picker for data cartridges in a computer information storage library. The picker includes a sleeve for transporting data cartridges, a thumb that can move in one dimension relative to the sleeve, and a single pivoting finger on the thumb. The single finger has an inboard pivot point which results in a self locking action (pulling makes the finger grip tighter). The finger has an armed state for gripping and a splayed state for release. Switching between states is passive, depending only on one dimensional motion of the thumb relative to the sleeve. The finger has a post that travels in tracks in the sleeve. Switching tracks switches finger states. A spring loaded gate in the tracks enables track switching. Potential cartridge wear and binding problems during extraction are eliminated by providing sleeve guides that limit cartridge rotation, by providing a concave guide surface in storage locations, and by proper selection of materials. A corresponding drive has a handle that must be manipulated. The picker includes thumb details for manipulating the drive handle.