Stackable rotary device multi-position indicator for portable data storage cartridge

Abstract

Stackable rotary devices form a multi-position mechanical indicator for a portable data storage cartridge. Each rotary device is a right cylindrical section, and is separately rotatable in a chamber of the cartridge. A peripheral surface of the rotary device has an encoded pattern of 1) at least one cylindrical surface and at least one facet interrupting the cylindrical surface, or of 2) readable indicia, located at various angularly spaced rotational positions. At differing rotational positions of the rotary devices, at least one or none of the facets or readable indicia are positioned at an exterior wall opening of the cartridge chamber.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A multi-position mechanical indicator for a portable data storage cartridge having at least a data storage medium therein; said portable data storage cartridge having a chamber therein, said chamber closely adjacent an exterior wall of said portable data storage cartridge; and said portable data storage cartridge having an opening extending through said exterior wall to said chamber; said indicator comprising: 
 a plurality of stacked rotary devices; each said rotary device in the general form of at least one right cylindrical section having a central axis of rotation, and arranged to be rotatable in said chamber; and each said rotary device having a peripheral surface of said right cylindrical section with an encoded pattern of readable indicia located at various angularly spaced rotational positions about said central axis of rotation; each said rotary device separately rotatable such that, at differing rotational positions of said rotary device, at least one or none of said readable indicia is positioned at said exterior wall opening of said portable data storage cartridge; whereby, at least one or none of said readable indicia of said plurality of stacked rotary devices are positioned at said exterior wall opening of said portable data storage cartridge.    
   
   
       9 . The multi-position mechanical indicator of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of rotary devices additionally comprises a cylindrical section of larger diameter than said peripheral surface, comprising a thumb wheel for rotating said rotary device in said chamber of said cartridge.  
   
   
       10 . The multi-position mechanical indicator of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of rotary devices additionally comprises a tab extending from said cylindrical section, substantially radially with respect to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device, for rotating said rotary device in said chamber of said cartridge.  
   
   
       11 . The multi-position mechanical indicator of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of rotary devices additionally comprises at least one rotary device retaining element for interacting with at least one matching retaining element of said cartridge to retain said rotary device in at least one of said rotary positions.  
   
   
       12 . The multi-position mechanical indicator of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one rotary device retaining element comprises a detent extending from said rotary device peripheral surface substantially radially with respect to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device, such that said at least one rotary device retaining element detent may rest in said matching retaining element of said cartridge which comprises at least one indentation in said chamber of said cartridge located peripherally to said plurality of rotary devices.  
   
   
       13 . The multi-position mechanical indicator of  claim 11 , wherein said rotary device retaining element comprises at least one indentation substantially perpendicular to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device, such that said matching retaining element of said cartridge may rest in said at least one rotary device retaining element indentation, said matching retaining element comprising at least one detent extending from said chamber of said cartridge located peripherally to said plurality of rotary devices.  
   
   
       14 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A rotary device for a multi-position mechanical indicator for a portable data storage cartridge having at least a data storage medium therein; said portable data storage cartridge having a chamber therein, said chamber closely adjacent an exterior wall of said portable data storage cartridge; and said portable data storage cartridge having an opening extending through said exterior wall to said chamber; said rotary device comprising: 
 a body in the general form of at least one right cylindrical section having a central axis of rotation, and arranged to be rotatable in said chamber;    a peripheral surface of said right cylindrical section with an encoded pattern of readable indicia located at various angularly spaced rotational positions about said central axis of rotation; and    at least one end of said right cylindrical section having a surface allowing rotational freedom of movement of said rotary device with respect to a stacked adjacent rotary device, such that said rotary device is separately rotatable with respect to said stacked adjacent rotary device, and such that, at differing rotational positions of said rotary device, at least one or none of said readable indicia is positioned at said exterior wall opening of said portable data storage cartridge.    
   
   
       22 . The rotary device of  claim 21 , additionally comprising a cylindrical section of larger diameter than said peripheral surface, comprising a thumb wheel for rotating said rotary device in said chamber of said cartridge.  
   
   
       23 . The rotary device of  claim 21 , additionally comprising a tab extending from said cylindrical section, substantially radially with respect to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device, for rotating said rotary device in said chamber of said cartridge.  
   
   
       24 . The rotary device of  claim 21 , additionally comprising at least one rotary device retaining element for interacting with at least one matching retaining element of said cartridge to retain said rotary device in at least one of said rotary positions.  
   
   
       25 . The rotary device of  claim 24 , wherein said at least one rotary device retaining element comprises a detent extending from said rotary device peripheral surface substantially radially with respect to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device, such that said at least one rotary device retaining element detent may rest in said matching retaining element of said cartridge which comprises at least one indentation in said chamber of said cartridge located peripherally to said plurality of rotary devices.  
   
   
       26 . The rotary device of  claim 24 , wherein said rotary device retaining element comprises at least one indentation substantially perpendicular to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device, such that said matching retaining element of said cartridge may rest in said at least one rotary device retaining element indentation, said matching retaining element comprising at least one detent extending from said chamber of said cartridge located peripherally to said plurality of rotary devices.  
   
   
       27 - 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A portable data storage cartridge, comprising: 
 at least a data storage medium;    an enclosure for said data storage medium, said enclosure having at least one exterior wall therein;    a chamber within said enclosure, said chamber closely adjacent said at least one exterior wall;    an opening extending through said exterior wall to said chamber; and    a plurality of stacked rotary devices; each said rotary device in the general form of at least one right cylindrical section having a central axis of rotation, and arranged to be rotatable in said chamber; and each said rotary device having a peripheral surface of said right cylindrical section with an encoded pattern of readable indicia located at various angularly spaced rotational positions about said central axis of rotation; said rotary devices positioned in said chamber, and each said rotary device separately rotatable within said chamber such that, at differing rotational positions of said rotary device, at least one or none of said readable indicia is positioned at said exterior wall opening of said portable data storage cartridge; whereby, at least one or none of said readable indicia of said plurality of stacked rotary devices are positioned at said exterior wall opening of said portable data storage cartridge.    
   
   
       35 . The portable data storage cartridge of  claim 34 , wherein each of said plurality of rotary devices additionally comprises a cylindrical section of larger diameter than said peripheral surface, comprising a thumb wheel for rotating said rotary device in said chamber.  
   
   
       36 . The portable data storage cartridge of  claim 34 , wherein each of said plurality of rotary devices additionally comprises a tab extending from said cylindrical section, substantially radially with respect to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device, for rotating said rotary device in said chamber.  
   
   
       37 . The portable data storage cartridge of  claim 34 , wherein each of said plurality of rotary devices additionally comprises at least one rotary device retaining element; and said chamber additionally comprises at least one matching retaining element, such that said at least one rotary device retaining element interacts with said matching retaining element to retain said rotary device in at least one of said rotary positions.  
   
   
       38 . The portable data storage cartridge of  claim 37 , wherein said at least one rotary device retaining element comprises a detent extending from said rotary device peripheral surface substantially radially with respect to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device; and said matching retaining element of said chamber comprises at least one indentation in said chamber located peripherally to said plurality of rotary devices, such that said at least one rotary device retaining element detent may rest in said matching retaining element indentation of said chamber.  
   
   
       39 . The portable data storage cartridge of  claim 37 , wherein said rotary device retaining element comprises at least one indentation substantially perpendicular to said central axis of rotation of said rotary device; and, said matching retaining element comprises at least one detent extending from said chamber located peripherally to said plurality of rotary devices, such that said matching retaining element detent may rest in said at least one rotary device retaining element indentation.