System and method for holding imaging plates and/or delivering imaging plates to an imaging system

Abstract

A cassette tray for use with an imaging system includes a plurality of sides that have a through slot, and a bottom surface that includes a plurality of slots sized to receive a respective plurality of plate stops capable of maneuvering within the plurality of slots, and a second plurality of slots sized to respectively receive a plurality of lift arms. A platform is provided that includes a same plurality of sides as the cassette tray, and a same first plurality of slots as the bottom surface that are aligned with the first plurality of slots of the bottom surface. The platform is positioned within the cassette tray to contact the plurality of lift arms. A plurality of guide blocks, extending outwardly from each of the plurality of sides of the platform, are sized to fit in the through slots, to facilitate movement of the platform within the cassette.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a mobile cart assembly;    a cassette tray, adapted for use with the mobile cart assembly, comprising: 
 a plurality of sides, each side comprising a through slot; and  
 a bottom surface comprising: i) a first plurality of slots sized to receive a respective plurality of plate stops capable of maneuvering within the first plurality of slots, and ii) a second plurality of slots sized to respectively receive a plurality of lift arms;  
   a platform comprising: i) a same plurality of sides as the cassette tray, and ii) a same first plurality of slots as the bottom surface that are aligned with the first plurality of slots of the bottom surface; wherein the platform is positioned within the cassette tray to contact the plurality of lift arms; and    a plurality of guide blocks, extending outwardly from each of the plurality of sides of the platform, sized to fit in the through slots, to facilitate movement of the platform within the cassette tray.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first door, contacting at least two of the plurality of sides, and covering at least a portion of the platform.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first door slides in a first direction and a second direction with respect to the cart assembly to respectively expose and cover at least a portion of the platform.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second door, contacting at least one of the plurality of sides, covering at least a portion of the platform.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second door rotates about an axis in a first direction and a second direction to respectively expose and cover at least a portion of the platform.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first door that rotates about an axis in a first direction and a second direction to respectively expose and cover at least a portion of the platform.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rails that contact a first side of the platform to facilitate insertion and removal of the cassette into and out of the cart assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of detents contacting the first side of the platform.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of detents facilitate positioning of the cassette cart with respect to an imaging system.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support bars that contact a first side of the platform, wherein at least one of the plurality of guide blocks are coupled to each of the plurality of support bars.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support bars that contact a first side of the platform, wherein each of the plurality of support bars comprise at least one guide block.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a first side of the platform has coupled thereto a plurality of support covers respectively positioned to contact the plurality of lift arms.  
   
   
       13 . A method, comprising: 
 providing a cassette tray, adapted for use with the mobile cart assembly, comprising: 
 a plurality of sides, each side comprising a through slot; and  
 a bottom surface comprising: i) a first plurality of slots sized to receive a respective plurality of plate stops capable of maneuvering within the plurality of slots, and ii) a second plurality of slots sized to respectively receive a plurality of lift arms;  
   providing a platform comprising: i) a same plurality of sides as the cassette tray, and ii) a same first plurality of slots as the bottom surface that are aligned with the first plurality of slots of the bottom surface; wherein the platform is positioned within the cassette tray to contact the plurality of lift arms; and    providing a plurality of guide blocks, extending outwardly from each of the plurality of sides of the platform, sized to fit in the through slots, to facilitate movement of the platform within the cassette.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a cassette tray, comprising: 
 a plurality of sides, each side comprising a through slot; and  
 a bottom surface comprising: i) a first plurality of slots sized to receive a respective plurality of plate stops capable of maneuvering within the first plurality of slots, and ii) a second plurality of slots sized to respectively receive a plurality of lift arms;  
   a platform comprising: i) a same plurality of sides as the cassette tray, and ii) a same first plurality of slots as the bottom surface that are aligned with the first plurality of slots of the bottom surface; wherein the platform is positioned within the cassette tray to contact the plurality of lift arms; and    a plurality of guide blocks, extending outwardly from each of the plurality of sides of the platform, sized to fit in the through slots, to facilitate movement of the platform within the cassette tray.