Method and apparatus for exchanging data cartridges in a jukebox data storage system

Abstract

Data cartridge exchange apparatus for allowing a user to access a data cartridge contained in a data storage system comprises a cartridge engaging assembly mounted within the data storage system so that the cartridge engaging assembly moves along a displacement path. A panel located adjacent a portion of the displacement path includes a cartridge exchange aperture therein that is sized to pass the data cartridge. A door mounted to the panel is moveable between an opened position and a closed position and includes a first cartridge support surface and a second cartridge support surface. The second cartridge support surface is positioned transverse to the first cartridge support surface so that the first and second cartridge support surfaces together define an L-shaped configuration. The first cartridge support surface is positioned within the cartridge exchange aperture to support the data cartridge when the door is in the closed position. The second cartridge support surface is positioned to support the data cartridge when the door is in the opened position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Data cartridge exchange apparatus for allowing a user to access a data cartridge contained in a data storage system, comprising: 
 a cartridge engaging assembly mounted within the data storage system, said cartridge engaging assembly being moveable along a displacement path;    a panel located adjacent a portion of said displacement path, said panel having a cartridge exchange aperture therein sized to pass the data cartridge;    a door mounted to said panel so that said door may be moved between an opened position and a closed position, said door comprising a first cartridge support surface and a second cartridge support surface, said second cartridge support surface being positioned transverse to said first cartridge support surface so that said first and second cartridge support surfaces together define an L-shaped configuration, said first cartridge support surface being positioned within the cartridge exchange aperture to support the data cartridge when said door is in the closed position, said second cartridge support surface being positioned to support the data cartridge when said door is in the opened position.    
     
     
         2 . The data cartridge exchange apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein said second cartridge support surface is perpendicular to said first cartridge support surface and wherein said door is pivotally mounted to said panel at a point about where said first and second cartridge support surfaces intersect.  
     
     
         3 . The data cartridge exchange apparatus of claim  2 , further comprising a spring operatively associated with said door and said panel, said spring biasing said door in the closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The data cartridge exchange apparatus of    claim 3   , further comprising a first side panel member extending between said first and second cartridge support surfaces and a second side panel member extending between said first and second cartridge support surfaces, said second side panel member being positioned a spaced distance from said first side panel member so that said first and second side panel members and the first and second cartridge support surfaces define a cavity sized to receive the data cartridge.  
     
     
         5 . Data cartridge exchange apparatus for allowing a user to access a data cartridge contained in a data storage system, comprising: 
 cartridge engaging means for moving a data cartridge along a displacement path;    panel means positioned adjacent a portion of said displacement path for defining an aperture therein sized to pass the data cartridge;    first cartridge support means operatively associated with the aperture in said panel means for receiving the data cartridge when said first cartridge support means is in a closed position; and    second cartridge support means mounted to said first cartridge support means for receiving and holding the data cartridge when said first cartridge support means is rotated to an opened position.    
     
     
         6 . The data cartridge exchange apparatus of    claim 5   , further comprising biasing means operatively associated with said first cartridge support means for biasing said first cartridge support means in the closed position.  
     
     
         7 . The data cartridge exchange apparatus of    claim 6   , further comprising side panel means extending between said first and second cartridge support means for defining a cavity sized to receive the data cartridge.