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:
Feb. 20, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 17, 2003
Thomas J. Studebaker, Boulder, CO (US);
William R. Brennan, Jr., Longmont, CO (US);
Chad A. Follmar, Boulder, CO (US);
Everette C. Van Wert, Lafayette, CO (US);
William H. Vermeer, Longmont, CO (US);
Thomas J. Studebaker, Boulder, CO (US);
William R. Brennan, Jr., Longmont, CO (US);
Chad A. Follmar, Boulder, CO (US);
Everette C. Van Wert, Lafayette, CO (US);
William H. Vermeer, Longmont, CO (US);
Qualstar Corporation, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
This system includes a base unit having an array of data storage locations mounted in a rectangular form factor along a back wall of the housing and at least one read/write device. The robotic mechanism includes a stationary vertical shaft on which is mounted on a horizontal track, movable in the vertical direction. The horizontal track extends from end to end of the base unit housing. The robotic mechanism includes a rotatable gripper that moves on the horizontal track and swivels on a pivot about an axis that is parallel to the vertical shaft to provide access to all interior surfaces of the base unit housing where data storage locations reside. An expansion module, comprising a rotary carousel of data storage locations, can be connected to either end of the base unit which enables the robotic mechanism to access the data storage elements within the expansion module without modification.