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:
Mar. 11, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 07, 2000
Glendon D. Kappel, Eagan, MN (US);
Warren D. Pannkuk, Lakeville, MN (US);
Plasmon IDE, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Abstract
In a data media storage library for storing and accessing storage media, the storage media being contained in cartridges, the data media storage library having a library housing, an access opening in the library housing for inserting cartridges, a storage array within the library housing including a number of storage locations, a plurality of media storage elements adapted to hold the storage media, a plurality of data transfer elements adapted to read and write information on the storage media, and a media transport element within the library housing adapted to move the storage media between the media storage element and the data transfer element, an import/export element which rotates the cartridge 180 degrees after moving the cartridge from the access opening to the media transport element, including: a cartridge holder adapted to receive the media cartridge from the access opening; a lead screw mounted in a first direction between the access opening and the media transport element and rotating about a first axis parallel to the first direction and a cartridge holder carrier engaging the lead screw and connected to the cartridge holder for translation of the cartridge holder along the first axis; a keyed nut threaded on the lead screw, the keyed nut having a first slot and a second slot, an intermediate point between the access opening and the media transport element, a first rail extending between the access opening and the intermediate point, and a second rail extending between the intermediate point and the media transport element; one of the first slot and said second slot engaging the first rail between the access opening and the intermediate point and engaging the second rail between the intermediate point and the media transport element; a horizontal gap between the first rail and the second rail at the intermediate point; a first bevel gear fastened to the keyed nut; and a second bevel gear meshing with the first bevel gear and a shaft driven by the second bevel gear and connected to the cartridge holder.