CA2071751A1 - Computerized storage and retrieval device for discs, compact discs, micro-film, cassette - Google Patents
Computerized storage and retrieval device for discs, compact discs, micro-film, cassetteInfo
- Publication number
- CA2071751A1 CA2071751A1 CA002071751A CA2071751A CA2071751A1 CA 2071751 A1 CA2071751 A1 CA 2071751A1 CA 002071751 A CA002071751 A CA 002071751A CA 2071751 A CA2071751 A CA 2071751A CA 2071751 A1 CA2071751 A1 CA 2071751A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- slot
- turntable
- selected pocket
- retrieval device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims 4
- 241000711981 Sais Species 0.000 claims 1
- 101150052147 ALLC gene Proteins 0.000 description 4
- 101100162210 Aspergillus parasiticus (strain ATCC 56775 / NRRL 5862 / SRRC 143 / SU-1) aflM gene Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 101100102500 Caenorhabditis elegans ver-1 gene Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 101150034533 ATIC gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101100065718 Caenorhabditis elegans ets-4 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101100353161 Drosophila melanogaster prel gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 206010046996 Varicose vein Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000000539 dimer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- MHIGBKBJSQVXNH-IWVLMIASSA-N methacycline Chemical compound C=C([C@H]1[C@@H]2O)C3=CC=CC(O)=C3C(=O)C1=C(O)[C@@]1(O)[C@@H]2[C@H](N(C)C)C(O)=C(C(N)=O)C1=O MHIGBKBJSQVXNH-IWVLMIASSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KRTSDMXIXPKRQR-AATRIKPKSA-N monocrotophos Chemical compound CNC(=O)\C=C(/C)OP(=O)(OC)OC KRTSDMXIXPKRQR-AATRIKPKSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000027185 varicose disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B17/00—Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor
- G11B17/22—Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor from random access magazine of disc records
- G11B17/24—Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor from random access magazine of disc records the magazine having a toroidal or part-toroidal shape
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
- G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
- G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
- G11B33/0461—Disc storage racks
- G11B33/0472—Disc storage racks for discs without cartridge
Landscapes
- Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
Abstract
out of said wall.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
In a storage and retrieval device for numerous objects, each object is inserted in a flat pocket and the pockets are radially juxtaposed on a turntable under a cover having a vertical slot.
Each pocket has its own hook member on its periphery and is selectively slidden out of the cover through the slot by a hooking means. The turntable is rotated by a motorized arrangement which combined with a computer terminal stops the selected pocket in front of the slot and slides it out.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
In a storage and retrieval device for numerous objects, each object is inserted in a flat pocket and the pockets are radially juxtaposed on a turntable under a cover having a vertical slot.
Each pocket has its own hook member on its periphery and is selectively slidden out of the cover through the slot by a hooking means. The turntable is rotated by a motorized arrangement which combined with a computer terminal stops the selected pocket in front of the slot and slides it out.
Description
207~7~1 TITLE OF THF. I~VENTION
~OMPUTORIZED STORAGE AND RETRIE~AL DEVICE FOR ~ISCS, COMPACT DISC5, ~ICROFIL~, CA5SETTES OF ANY ~IND ETC...
lr,e pre.C;erlt inventi,.,n relate~i tll the field ,-,f r.c/mpllter ani.mat;ecl stc~irc.~ge systems ancl m,-,re partiru].arly t,., a stc~rarle clevire havi.n!lcln i.n.jertil::ln mechc.~nisrn whirh "ptimi~es the avai.la~le space thuG3 mi.rli.mi.~irlrl the c~ e c,f the st,3lrarle clevi.ce..
Mc"re pecifically, rem,-,vah:le maslnetj.c discs are useri e.~tensively in t~,e pers,-,nal c,,mputer envir,:-,nment fnr prr,viJinr back:-up support fc,r hard cli.sc data~
In nllmer,-,us applirati.c,ns, the increasinslly larsle num~er c~f rem,-,vable mac~netic discs has createri a stc~racle prc~blem.
Tclcircumvent the prc~lem, varic~us devir.es have ~een pr,-,pc~ried~
IJ.S. patent 4,8~6,:~61 disclclses a carc~ussel hc,lder fc/r cc~mpl.lter disr.s. The discs must hc~wever be manually inserted and retrieved.
U.S. patent ~,6C~g~3~ discloses an apparat,lls fclr stC~rinrJ
disperlsinc~ flc,ppy cii.srs and other panel-shaped c,bjects. The apparatLIs includes a rotatahle storac~e caroLlssel fc:.r flc,ppy discs and a machanic;m fc.r selectively dispensincl discs frc.m the caroLIssel~ The apparatus disclcsed fi~ed stc.rac~e cc,mpartments c~n a carc-ussel~ each cc.mpartment havin~ lateral walls secured tc~ the carc,ussel~ A mctc.r is mcved between twc. operative pcsitic.ns by a :sloped surface which cc.ntacts and is slida~ly reciprocated across a c3ase c.f the mctcr to raise and lc.wer the motc~r.
The carc~ussel is adapted to rc,tate until the fi~ed stc~rac~e cc,mpartment cc,ntainincl the selected disc tc be ejected is positIc~ned in ft-c~nt of a dispensincl slc~t prc~vided in the frame.
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~ ' - : ' 207 ~ 7~1 I t 1(:.? ~ C t l~ I. ' i L I. ' ~ l l.:.` c:l c:- i..l t C l f t; I l ~? ' .i L ~ , tl y c ~ . r - c l eCC:Q ntrlc: L'N .l.y m~ unt; e(:l ::1 n a c~ m mPmt:1el, the r:an"ne~nt:ler briincl r--tateci c.nr.? flll:L tur n tly ~ rc.d 1i. n~ed t :, a m.-,t~"r~ -rh e 1 c,c:l e~;tenc1; al~ ng the r c::ltat;:i.,::,na:L .~,.i. 5 ':lt the car-.ussel a The pe-~r1el--sllc~Fler:l .-,bjec:t h al5 a relati.vely f:l.at p~l al]el c:,::~nfi.cllllrati.~ n with tw.~ .a~1rc3er surfaces ancl t.:::~l.n r :Latr3rr~]. c;ma:Ller spa(:ir1cl sur face~-i k:eepinc~ t l-le la rner surfc?~ceci :i n a S r:~a C ecl r e I a t i. ,::, rls h i p .
The r,-,cl pu~ihes on the spacincl sur faces whirN, runs para:l le:L and c~djancent the rr..~tati,-~nal aY~ic; of the car,-,usc,el. C:)ne ~-lf the major clrawhc?,cks ,-,f the discll-,secl ejectir,n system resides in t~le fact that since the disk:s are raclially pllshed lluty The ~ipaci.r1c1 surface "f the parallel shapecl c,bjec:t ,::,n which the rt~d pushes m1lst br-~ c/f a thick:ness sutfiri.ent f,_lr the r~.~d t,, hc~ve e~ c!l-ll-ld c-lntactincl surface.
lhe thickr1ess t.f each cr~mpartment containir1cl a panel-shapecl ~:.b ject limits the number ,-.f panel -she~ped ~..t:~ jec t which ce~n be pt.siti4necl ar.- und the ce~rrussel havi.r~cl a cliven cli.ameter.
Furthermt.re~ the system is c:~ ite meche-~ni.cally c:,-:,mpleY ë.~nd thus sue,ceptible tc hreak dc.wn. The pe~nel-she~ped r.bjects are n,-,t ju:~tapcsecd and are nct inserted in a slidable pr..ck:et he~ving a h4c.lkinc1 member fclr p4sitively cJrippinc3 the p~:lcket~
~l~y E THE I~N
A st4re~cle ~nd retrieval clevice fc~r cc.mputer discs, micrt.films~
c4mpact cliscs, ce~ssettes etc~ i.s ct.nnected tc. e?~ cc.mputer terminal f4r se1ectively identifyincJ 4ne t~f the r~iven ..bject with the help ..f the bar c~cle identificati~n system tr phr.t~:. sens~r. The device includes a turntable supp4rtincJ a plurality t-f raclially juY~tapr..sed tlat pock-ts~ each pocket haviny ~ ho~lkiny member on lt's periphery .
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207~7 t~ r~ F:~ ii.r-lc~ r ~;c:~ i.r~ llE~ C11.5C.. 1~ C~ Ilr~ -;rlicl ,:;u~ nt;at~ a i.~:i F:) rllViC~ fl W1.t h a ve r t i.c.~.~l. r-~lc~t; mli al.J.I...IWI. n Cl 1...l ne pC.I( ket t,::. (;].i.cle ~ utn Ihe turntat:i:l.e i..~i ~ ,.lated anc:l i.5 (;t;,:,pF:led at preL:let;ermineL:I per~l.til:3rlr;~ The device r:c:,ntai.r~s h~.lF~incl means f,.,r Ll ri.pF3.i.rlrl the t"-"~F~ member .-,f the s E~ lect:ecl p.-~c:k:et fcn~ slicli.n Ll the latter l,hrcll..~r~h the ~;lrlt l::lutr;i.cle the cl::,very al:Lc:,winLI manurll wi.thclrr..~wincl 1::11 the cli5c inr;i.cle the pc,ck:et~
BRIEF- D CF!IPTIUN UF T E_RAWIN6S
Figure .L i.s a per~ipec-tive vi.ew ,.-.,f the clisc storage device embc,dyiny the inventic,n p,-.sitic,neLI aLl jr-~cent a c ,-,mputer terminal, Figure ~ ; a tc~F3 view ,...,f the stc~raLle clevice, Figure 3 iri a frllnt view "f the stc.rage clevi.ce, Figure cl ir; a crnss--sE~cti,..,nal view takeri a:Lc~ncl arr c~ws 4-4 rlf figllre ~, Fi.gure S is a t,-,p crc,6s-sectic,nal view takr n alc~ncl arrc,ws 5 -S clf f iyure 3~
Fj,LIUre ~; i.5 a crc/ss~sec tional view tal~en alc,ng arrclws 6- 6 c,f fi~ure S illuc~tratin~ the driv.inc~ sc~mpc~nents of the in jectic,n mechani.sm, Figure 7 is a partial tc,p view ~:,f the injectirln mechani.sm, Ficlure 8 is a sicle view c,f the injectic~n mechanism~
Ficlure 13a is a side view clf the injecticln mechanism i.n a piv~ted pc~sition with a disc beincJ ejectecl fr~lm the stclracJe cle~ice, FiL~ re g i5 a sicle vi.ew clf an al ternative embc,climent clf the e jectic~n mechani.sm, Ficlure ~a i5 a side~ view l ~f the same al ternative embocliment cf th= ejectj.c~n m=chani.sm with a clisc bein~ e jectecl frclm the ' ~
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- : ~ . :. , 207~751 F:ic~ure ~) is a t,-,p vir-~w ,::,f the Sr~me r.:ll ternative elTlbl'::lCIiment l-I'T
the i.nventi."n, Ficlure 11 is a frl_,nt view c,f tt-,e cle-~r reducti.c,n mer~ns ,-,f the ejecti.,::,n mechr:.~rli.cimy F:j.cll.lre :l:;l is c-l shemc~tic perspective view ,.Jf ~ p~,clret used with l,l,e same alternr.lt:i.ve eject:i.,-,rl mechanism, F~i.clure.:l3 i.s ~.~ sic:le view c:~f yet annther altc-!rnati.ve embc~climent c,f the ejectic,n mechanisrny Fi.rlure 13a i.5 a si.de view c,f the same alternative embodiment i11ustrc-~teci in fi.yure 13 wi.th a disc in an eje~ted pclsiti,.,n, Ficlure 14 ic~ a t,-,p view of ficlurre 13a, Fiyure 15 is c-~ cr,3ss-secti,-,nal view taken a1~,n~ ~rr.-.ws 15-15 r,f figure 14y Fiyure 16 is a perspecti.ve view clf a p.-.cket used with the ejection mechanism illustrated i.n fiyurres ~ cancl ~a, Fi~ure 17 is a perspective vi.ew of a pr/cket used wi.th the ejectir.~n mechanism illustrated in fi~ures 13 and 13a, Fi.clure 1~ i.s a view rlf ca clispensin~ unit stack.ed rne trlp r,f the clther and elertrclnica11y linked, and Fiyure 13 is a r1r.,se-up view tcaken insiJe arr,-,w lg c,f fi~ure 18 cf a pluc~ and srlcket arran~ement used tc. electc.nically 1ink vertically stacked dispensincl units.
;DETAILE~ DE~S RIPTION OF THE PREFER~g~
Referrin~ tr/ ficlures ly ~ and 3~ there is sh~wn ~ dispensin~
unit 1~ electrc.nically 1inked tc. a c4mputer terminall4~ The dispensincl unit 1~ hc~s a substantic~lly ,-,rthcu~c.nal cc,ver 1 ~: .
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''; , ` , ' ' , ' , ' : ' - , . , ~ : . . : .
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' .' '' . . ~ . ''`'`:'` ' ~ '~' ' '. ` ' F:~r~ te(:tl.vel.y P~c~ S L r~(l a ci:~sp e n~.;i.r~ nl.t ~1nrl F:~r~ vi.d eL:I wi.th ~7lt75 8 tr,r~:~uc~r, whi.(-.r, cl cempul;er f l~ F:)F:Iy cli.sc :. I) ,::,r ar~l::lther panel -- 5hc~ pecl ,-,t:~ jec ts can t.,e c:l:i.s pf.~ nsr.~cJ~
f~lS il lustrc~ted ir~ figllre 4~ the c~ ver 1~; i5 m,-,llr~tec:l ~-ln a base -strll(:l;urr~ :. A verti.cal spac:incl element ;~4 restinç.l ,-,n the base s.itru(:l;u r e .:~:; supF:~c~rts a turr)tat)le :.~; r,::~tatat)ly m,.,llrlted ~ n a rin Cl t:~earincl :;~8. ~rrle turrltablQ _8 is-i me(:harlically l.ink:ecl by a ti.ming t:~e 1 t 3(:) t c, rl r '3 t a t i. ,::, na 1 m,::, t c, r ~r3 ~ 1 ~
As illl.~s3trated mure speri.fic~lly in fi.gure 7, ~ suppc,rting ring 34 i.5 mc~unted peripheral ly t,-, the turntable :~i by a raclie~l linkincl cclmpclnent ~f.. The radial linh:irlg c,-,mp,.lnent :~6 is fi~,;ed t,-, the turntable ~6 by a set clf bcllts 88" A set c,f flat pc~ck:ets 40 which are adaptecl t,-, prc,tecti~ely enclose eac h f lclppy disc "r l-lther panel -shaped c,b jects tc~ be stc~reci are radial ly ju~f. tapc.~sed on the periphery clf the turntable :~6~ ~s illustrated m,.,re specifically in figure 16, the pclckets 4(:~ have a substantially pë~nel-sh,~pe c:rlnfiguration anti ë~ tc,p c/penincl 41 prc,vided with a c:arveri prehencï,ic,n rer.ess ~3~ The pc:,ckets 4CJ are alsc.~ provided with a grc,c,ve 4~:' aclaptecl tc, snappingly grip the suppc,rtincl ring 84~
As seen in figure 5, an ejectil~n mechanism 44 is pc~siticlned acljacent the slc,t 18~ F~eferring nc,w mclre specifically tc, figures 6, 7J ~3 and 8a, the ejectic~n mechanism 44 cclmprises a gripping element 46 mc.unted c,n a pivclting shaft 48~ The pivclting shaft 48 is linked t4 a spaceci reductic~n unit 5C~ driverl by a reversible ` : : e l e c t r i. c a l mc, t c, r 5r~ ~
:: Ficlure~3 8 and 8a illustrate mc,re clearly the ejecticln acticn clf the ejectic,n mechanism 44~ Each c,ne clf the pc~ckets 4C~ is ~:: :
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- : . . .: , .: . . , -. . :
~: , - - : .
. ~
.. . . , .. ... .- - ~ : .
- . ,., : . .
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c:~icl~.iL:Ier:l wi.lh a f~ war(-l:ly p1.:l.jrc:ti.r1SItonclu-* C:,:Fe~;terlc:li.nt-lirlt~ Qc~.ly75 lr l::.m i.t~-. t? a5e~ Wr,en c-~ F1.::u:ket 4(.1 c:c,nta:i.ni.rlg a ple--sel r!cted ~bject i5 p..lc..i.tic:,nec:l t:~y tt,e turntable .:.6 in fr..,nt c.,f the slc~-t 187 the t..nc~ e 5~ ,f l;he pc.,cket ~FC) a-ltc~mc.~tically c~mes i.ntrl reSIister bet;ween the jaws 5~ ,f the r.lripping elemerlt 4~ The pivclti.ncl shaft ~:18 i.n tl-,en pi.vc:ltc?cl 3l:~ clec~reec; acc:c:,rclirl L~ t~ arrc:~w 57 c.~7f fislul~e F.~a by tt,e mc~t,:,r S.)f.l~ lJpcl r, r,::,tati,-,n ,::,f th F.~ 5 haft 4~-3~ the :Lr,wer gr.ipping jaw 56 c,f the 5IrippirlSI element abuts aSIainst the tc.ncllle 54 .-.f the pre-seLectecl p,.,cket 4C) which piv,-,ts ar,-Juncl the supp,-lrti.nsl rins7 3 accr,rcling t,-, arr,-,w 5~3 Unce in its fully pivc,ted p~-,sitir~n, i.llustratecl in figure 8a~
the pr~cket ~C1 partically prc.trllcles tt,r"ugh tt,e sl"t 18 wit,h i.tC; t,-,p c,perlinSI 4L facing t,-~warcJc; the user, thus allc~wi.nsl access by the user tc, the cc.lntentl-lf the p~.~cket 41:~ The p,-~cket 4C) is piv,-,ted back tcl its clrigi.nal pclsiticln illustrated in ficlure 8 by a 3C~ clegrees reverse rc~tatic~rl c.,f trhe pivCItinCJ shaft 48.
Ar) indexinEI rc~cl 58 is fi.xecl tcl the frc,nt surface clf each di5c 40~ The indexinEIrc,ds 58 are adapted t,-,wc~rk jc,intly with a sensincl devi.ce ~uch an infra-red sensc,r 60~ The sensinEI device allc,ws the electrclnic c,~,ntrr.~ls linl:ed tcl the c4mputer terminal 14 tc~ keep track~r.f which pc.cket ~C~ is pc.sitir~ned in fr..nt c~f the slc.t 18.
The çlripping element 46 has a slc~t 6f-~ adapted tc, receive the piv4ting shaft 48~ The clrippincl element ~i6 is fi~ed tc,the pivc~ting shaft 48 by a screw 6~ which allc~ws easy manual aliclnment c,f the Elripping element with the tc~nEIues 54 c~f the pockets 40~
Fi.c~tres 3, '3a, lC~, 11 and 1f~ illustrate an alternative emb~diment c~f the ejection mechanism 44~
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~OMPUTORIZED STORAGE AND RETRIE~AL DEVICE FOR ~ISCS, COMPACT DISC5, ~ICROFIL~, CA5SETTES OF ANY ~IND ETC...
lr,e pre.C;erlt inventi,.,n relate~i tll the field ,-,f r.c/mpllter ani.mat;ecl stc~irc.~ge systems ancl m,-,re partiru].arly t,., a stc~rarle clevire havi.n!lcln i.n.jertil::ln mechc.~nisrn whirh "ptimi~es the avai.la~le space thuG3 mi.rli.mi.~irlrl the c~ e c,f the st,3lrarle clevi.ce..
Mc"re pecifically, rem,-,vah:le maslnetj.c discs are useri e.~tensively in t~,e pers,-,nal c,,mputer envir,:-,nment fnr prr,viJinr back:-up support fc,r hard cli.sc data~
In nllmer,-,us applirati.c,ns, the increasinslly larsle num~er c~f rem,-,vable mac~netic discs has createri a stc~racle prc~blem.
Tclcircumvent the prc~lem, varic~us devir.es have ~een pr,-,pc~ried~
IJ.S. patent 4,8~6,:~61 disclclses a carc~ussel hc,lder fc/r cc~mpl.lter disr.s. The discs must hc~wever be manually inserted and retrieved.
U.S. patent ~,6C~g~3~ discloses an apparat,lls fclr stC~rinrJ
disperlsinc~ flc,ppy cii.srs and other panel-shaped c,bjects. The apparatLIs includes a rotatahle storac~e caroLlssel fc:.r flc,ppy discs and a machanic;m fc.r selectively dispensincl discs frc.m the caroLIssel~ The apparatus disclcsed fi~ed stc.rac~e cc,mpartments c~n a carc-ussel~ each cc.mpartment havin~ lateral walls secured tc~ the carc,ussel~ A mctc.r is mcved between twc. operative pcsitic.ns by a :sloped surface which cc.ntacts and is slida~ly reciprocated across a c3ase c.f the mctcr to raise and lc.wer the motc~r.
The carc~ussel is adapted to rc,tate until the fi~ed stc~rac~e cc,mpartment cc,ntainincl the selected disc tc be ejected is positIc~ned in ft-c~nt of a dispensincl slc~t prc~vided in the frame.
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.:: .~ : ' ' ` "' '' : . -~,, ~, . :
~ ' - : ' 207 ~ 7~1 I t 1(:.? ~ C t l~ I. ' i L I. ' ~ l l.:.` c:l c:- i..l t C l f t; I l ~? ' .i L ~ , tl y c ~ . r - c l eCC:Q ntrlc: L'N .l.y m~ unt; e(:l ::1 n a c~ m mPmt:1el, the r:an"ne~nt:ler briincl r--tateci c.nr.? flll:L tur n tly ~ rc.d 1i. n~ed t :, a m.-,t~"r~ -rh e 1 c,c:l e~;tenc1; al~ ng the r c::ltat;:i.,::,na:L .~,.i. 5 ':lt the car-.ussel a The pe-~r1el--sllc~Fler:l .-,bjec:t h al5 a relati.vely f:l.at p~l al]el c:,::~nfi.cllllrati.~ n with tw.~ .a~1rc3er surfaces ancl t.:::~l.n r :Latr3rr~]. c;ma:Ller spa(:ir1cl sur face~-i k:eepinc~ t l-le la rner surfc?~ceci :i n a S r:~a C ecl r e I a t i. ,::, rls h i p .
The r,-,cl pu~ihes on the spacincl sur faces whirN, runs para:l le:L and c~djancent the rr..~tati,-~nal aY~ic; of the car,-,usc,el. C:)ne ~-lf the major clrawhc?,cks ,-,f the discll-,secl ejectir,n system resides in t~le fact that since the disk:s are raclially pllshed lluty The ~ipaci.r1c1 surface "f the parallel shapecl c,bjec:t ,::,n which the rt~d pushes m1lst br-~ c/f a thick:ness sutfiri.ent f,_lr the r~.~d t,, hc~ve e~ c!l-ll-ld c-lntactincl surface.
lhe thickr1ess t.f each cr~mpartment containir1cl a panel-shapecl ~:.b ject limits the number ,-.f panel -she~ped ~..t:~ jec t which ce~n be pt.siti4necl ar.- und the ce~rrussel havi.r~cl a cliven cli.ameter.
Furthermt.re~ the system is c:~ ite meche-~ni.cally c:,-:,mpleY ë.~nd thus sue,ceptible tc hreak dc.wn. The pe~nel-she~ped r.bjects are n,-,t ju:~tapcsecd and are nct inserted in a slidable pr..ck:et he~ving a h4c.lkinc1 member fclr p4sitively cJrippinc3 the p~:lcket~
~l~y E THE I~N
A st4re~cle ~nd retrieval clevice fc~r cc.mputer discs, micrt.films~
c4mpact cliscs, ce~ssettes etc~ i.s ct.nnected tc. e?~ cc.mputer terminal f4r se1ectively identifyincJ 4ne t~f the r~iven ..bject with the help ..f the bar c~cle identificati~n system tr phr.t~:. sens~r. The device includes a turntable supp4rtincJ a plurality t-f raclially juY~tapr..sed tlat pock-ts~ each pocket haviny ~ ho~lkiny member on lt's periphery .
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207~7 t~ r~ F:~ ii.r-lc~ r ~;c:~ i.r~ llE~ C11.5C.. 1~ C~ Ilr~ -;rlicl ,:;u~ nt;at~ a i.~:i F:) rllViC~ fl W1.t h a ve r t i.c.~.~l. r-~lc~t; mli al.J.I...IWI. n Cl 1...l ne pC.I( ket t,::. (;].i.cle ~ utn Ihe turntat:i:l.e i..~i ~ ,.lated anc:l i.5 (;t;,:,pF:led at preL:let;ermineL:I per~l.til:3rlr;~ The device r:c:,ntai.r~s h~.lF~incl means f,.,r Ll ri.pF3.i.rlrl the t"-"~F~ member .-,f the s E~ lect:ecl p.-~c:k:et fcn~ slicli.n Ll the latter l,hrcll..~r~h the ~;lrlt l::lutr;i.cle the cl::,very al:Lc:,winLI manurll wi.thclrr..~wincl 1::11 the cli5c inr;i.cle the pc,ck:et~
BRIEF- D CF!IPTIUN UF T E_RAWIN6S
Figure .L i.s a per~ipec-tive vi.ew ,.-.,f the clisc storage device embc,dyiny the inventic,n p,-.sitic,neLI aLl jr-~cent a c ,-,mputer terminal, Figure ~ ; a tc~F3 view ,...,f the stc~raLle clevice, Figure 3 iri a frllnt view "f the stc.rage clevi.ce, Figure cl ir; a crnss--sE~cti,..,nal view takeri a:Lc~ncl arr c~ws 4-4 rlf figllre ~, Fi.gure S is a t,-,p crc,6s-sectic,nal view takr n alc~ncl arrc,ws 5 -S clf f iyure 3~
Fj,LIUre ~; i.5 a crc/ss~sec tional view tal~en alc,ng arrclws 6- 6 c,f fi~ure S illuc~tratin~ the driv.inc~ sc~mpc~nents of the in jectic,n mechani.sm, Figure 7 is a partial tc,p view ~:,f the injectirln mechani.sm, Ficlure 8 is a sicle view c,f the injectic~n mechanism~
Ficlure 13a is a side view clf the injecticln mechanism i.n a piv~ted pc~sition with a disc beincJ ejectecl fr~lm the stclracJe cle~ice, FiL~ re g i5 a sicle vi.ew clf an al ternative embc,climent clf the e jectic~n mechani.sm, Ficlure ~a i5 a side~ view l ~f the same al ternative embocliment cf th= ejectj.c~n m=chani.sm with a clisc bein~ e jectecl frclm the ' ~
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. . . ~ . . . :
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- : ~ . :. , 207~751 F:ic~ure ~) is a t,-,p vir-~w ,::,f the Sr~me r.:ll ternative elTlbl'::lCIiment l-I'T
the i.nventi."n, Ficlure 11 is a frl_,nt view c,f tt-,e cle-~r reducti.c,n mer~ns ,-,f the ejecti.,::,n mechr:.~rli.cimy F:j.cll.lre :l:;l is c-l shemc~tic perspective view ,.Jf ~ p~,clret used with l,l,e same alternr.lt:i.ve eject:i.,-,rl mechanism, F~i.clure.:l3 i.s ~.~ sic:le view c:~f yet annther altc-!rnati.ve embc~climent c,f the ejectic,n mechanisrny Fi.rlure 13a i.5 a si.de view c,f the same alternative embodiment i11ustrc-~teci in fi.yure 13 wi.th a disc in an eje~ted pclsiti,.,n, Ficlure 14 ic~ a t,-,p view of ficlurre 13a, Fiyure 15 is c-~ cr,3ss-secti,-,nal view taken a1~,n~ ~rr.-.ws 15-15 r,f figure 14y Fiyure 16 is a perspecti.ve view clf a p.-.cket used with the ejection mechanism illustrated i.n fiyurres ~ cancl ~a, Fi~ure 17 is a perspective vi.ew of a pr/cket used wi.th the ejectir.~n mechanism illustrated in fi~ures 13 and 13a, Fi.clure 1~ i.s a view rlf ca clispensin~ unit stack.ed rne trlp r,f the clther and elertrclnica11y linked, and Fiyure 13 is a r1r.,se-up view tcaken insiJe arr,-,w lg c,f fi~ure 18 cf a pluc~ and srlcket arran~ement used tc. electc.nically 1ink vertically stacked dispensincl units.
;DETAILE~ DE~S RIPTION OF THE PREFER~g~
Referrin~ tr/ ficlures ly ~ and 3~ there is sh~wn ~ dispensin~
unit 1~ electrc.nically 1inked tc. a c4mputer terminall4~ The dispensincl unit 1~ hc~s a substantic~lly ,-,rthcu~c.nal cc,ver 1 ~: .
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' .' '' . . ~ . ''`'`:'` ' ~ '~' ' '. ` ' F:~r~ te(:tl.vel.y P~c~ S L r~(l a ci:~sp e n~.;i.r~ nl.t ~1nrl F:~r~ vi.d eL:I wi.th ~7lt75 8 tr,r~:~uc~r, whi.(-.r, cl cempul;er f l~ F:)F:Iy cli.sc :. I) ,::,r ar~l::lther panel -- 5hc~ pecl ,-,t:~ jec ts can t.,e c:l:i.s pf.~ nsr.~cJ~
f~lS il lustrc~ted ir~ figllre 4~ the c~ ver 1~; i5 m,-,llr~tec:l ~-ln a base -strll(:l;urr~ :. A verti.cal spac:incl element ;~4 restinç.l ,-,n the base s.itru(:l;u r e .:~:; supF:~c~rts a turr)tat)le :.~; r,::~tatat)ly m,.,llrlted ~ n a rin Cl t:~earincl :;~8. ~rrle turrltablQ _8 is-i me(:harlically l.ink:ecl by a ti.ming t:~e 1 t 3(:) t c, rl r '3 t a t i. ,::, na 1 m,::, t c, r ~r3 ~ 1 ~
As illl.~s3trated mure speri.fic~lly in fi.gure 7, ~ suppc,rting ring 34 i.5 mc~unted peripheral ly t,-, the turntable :~i by a raclie~l linkincl cclmpclnent ~f.. The radial linh:irlg c,-,mp,.lnent :~6 is fi~,;ed t,-, the turntable ~6 by a set clf bcllts 88" A set c,f flat pc~ck:ets 40 which are adaptecl t,-, prc,tecti~ely enclose eac h f lclppy disc "r l-lther panel -shaped c,b jects tc~ be stc~reci are radial ly ju~f. tapc.~sed on the periphery clf the turntable :~6~ ~s illustrated m,.,re specifically in figure 16, the pclckets 4(:~ have a substantially pë~nel-sh,~pe c:rlnfiguration anti ë~ tc,p c/penincl 41 prc,vided with a c:arveri prehencï,ic,n rer.ess ~3~ The pc:,ckets 4CJ are alsc.~ provided with a grc,c,ve 4~:' aclaptecl tc, snappingly grip the suppc,rtincl ring 84~
As seen in figure 5, an ejectil~n mechanism 44 is pc~siticlned acljacent the slc,t 18~ F~eferring nc,w mclre specifically tc, figures 6, 7J ~3 and 8a, the ejectic~n mechanism 44 cclmprises a gripping element 46 mc.unted c,n a pivclting shaft 48~ The pivclting shaft 48 is linked t4 a spaceci reductic~n unit 5C~ driverl by a reversible ` : : e l e c t r i. c a l mc, t c, r 5r~ ~
:: Ficlure~3 8 and 8a illustrate mc,re clearly the ejecticln acticn clf the ejectic,n mechanism 44~ Each c,ne clf the pc~ckets 4C~ is ~:: :
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c:~icl~.iL:Ier:l wi.lh a f~ war(-l:ly p1.:l.jrc:ti.r1SItonclu-* C:,:Fe~;terlc:li.nt-lirlt~ Qc~.ly75 lr l::.m i.t~-. t? a5e~ Wr,en c-~ F1.::u:ket 4(.1 c:c,nta:i.ni.rlg a ple--sel r!cted ~bject i5 p..lc..i.tic:,nec:l t:~y tt,e turntable .:.6 in fr..,nt c.,f the slc~-t 187 the t..nc~ e 5~ ,f l;he pc.,cket ~FC) a-ltc~mc.~tically c~mes i.ntrl reSIister bet;ween the jaws 5~ ,f the r.lripping elemerlt 4~ The pivclti.ncl shaft ~:18 i.n tl-,en pi.vc:ltc?cl 3l:~ clec~reec; acc:c:,rclirl L~ t~ arrc:~w 57 c.~7f fislul~e F.~a by tt,e mc~t,:,r S.)f.l~ lJpcl r, r,::,tati,-,n ,::,f th F.~ 5 haft 4~-3~ the :Lr,wer gr.ipping jaw 56 c,f the 5IrippirlSI element abuts aSIainst the tc.ncllle 54 .-.f the pre-seLectecl p,.,cket 4C) which piv,-,ts ar,-Juncl the supp,-lrti.nsl rins7 3 accr,rcling t,-, arr,-,w 5~3 Unce in its fully pivc,ted p~-,sitir~n, i.llustratecl in figure 8a~
the pr~cket ~C1 partically prc.trllcles tt,r"ugh tt,e sl"t 18 wit,h i.tC; t,-,p c,perlinSI 4L facing t,-~warcJc; the user, thus allc~wi.nsl access by the user tc, the cc.lntentl-lf the p~.~cket 41:~ The p,-~cket 4C) is piv,-,ted back tcl its clrigi.nal pclsiticln illustrated in ficlure 8 by a 3C~ clegrees reverse rc~tatic~rl c.,f trhe pivCItinCJ shaft 48.
Ar) indexinEI rc~cl 58 is fi.xecl tcl the frc,nt surface clf each di5c 40~ The indexinEIrc,ds 58 are adapted t,-,wc~rk jc,intly with a sensincl devi.ce ~uch an infra-red sensc,r 60~ The sensinEI device allc,ws the electrclnic c,~,ntrr.~ls linl:ed tcl the c4mputer terminal 14 tc~ keep track~r.f which pc.cket ~C~ is pc.sitir~ned in fr..nt c~f the slc.t 18.
The çlripping element 46 has a slc~t 6f-~ adapted tc, receive the piv4ting shaft 48~ The clrippincl element ~i6 is fi~ed tc,the pivc~ting shaft 48 by a screw 6~ which allc~ws easy manual aliclnment c,f the Elripping element with the tc~nEIues 54 c~f the pockets 40~
Fi.c~tres 3, '3a, lC~, 11 and 1f~ illustrate an alternative emb~diment c~f the ejection mechanism 44~
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Ac.; i.l~ ra t~.? r:l ir~ fi.gur e 1.~ f cthi.~, emt:~ c:li.ment, th F.:.~ p,::,cl:ets .1~ have hl:l~ W grippi.ncl-~cl.-~F:~t~::lr 6f... e~,;tencli.rlJ inteclra:L:Ly fr--.,rm them~
frc,nt ~.,urfinr:e f~ at; aF~pr~::,.~,;imately micl-heiclht,~ The gri.ppi.nc~ ada.pt,-,r f~fj cle~Ci.nes an hclllllw c:hanne:l. 7C~ ancl a dc~nwardly e~tendincl guidi.ng fingr.!r 7~..
r;leferri.ng t,::, figllres j anc:l -Ja~ 1;here i.~; s~lc.lwrl a pi.v,-,ti.ncl r,::,c:l 74 r,:,tatat:lly ].inkr?c:l by a ~:,et ,::,f recluc:tion gearl.; 7f, tl..l a reversable ~;tep mct,::,r 7~3 n Arl anchc:lring c"mponent 8CJ is m,-,untedl-ln the pi~vcltirlcl rc,cl 74~ ~rhe an~:t"::,rir-,g c,.,mpl.lnent ~3C) has an anch,,ri.nq tonglle ~ ans an ahutment torlclue 8c~ Si.nc:e the pivc~tincl r"ci 7c;. is pc,siti"ned substantictlly l,.,wer thc-tn the supporti.ng ring 3~:~, as the pivoti.ncl rc~d 74 is pivoted by the mr.~tor 7~ accc,rcling t,-,c-trr,:,ws 86 c,f figure 3a, the anchl-lrirlLI tclnylle ~3~ describes an arc whlch pushes it thr"ugh the hl...llll-lw channel 7C~ thus securing itself to the pocket 41~ befr.,re pivc~ting it gC) degrees around the supp4rting ring 3c,t as illustrc-tted in figllre ~3a. The abutment tongue ~34 i5 prr,vided with rksilient ahutment disc ~ adapted to abut ctgair7st the e~terior surfc-~tLe of the aclctF)tr/r 66 stabilizing the pocket 4C~ when it is pivr.,ted bc-tck to its c,riginc-tl positirlrl r.,f figure g.
FicJures 3, ~3a c-tnd 1~ alsc, illustrate an alternative tc, the methc,d c,f fi~atic,n of the suppc~rtinq ring 34 t" the turntable ~6.
As: carl be seen mc,re specifically in ficiure 1~), The ring 34 i5 cclrrtin!~ous and is kept in a peripherally spacecl relationship with the turntable ~6 hy a flat C~trip of material g4 welded tc, the rinq 34 and b,-/lted to the turntable ~ by a joining element ~3~.
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Figures 13J 13a, 14 and 15 illustrate yet anc.ther embodiment of :the ejection mechanism 44. The type cf p~ ket 40" illustrated :~ :
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20717~1 ln ii.CIUre 1.7 Il~;f.:.`d W1 th th i~i F.:~mL~ C:l:.l ment hav~:. ..~n~:~F:Ierlincl41 c.~t their f Irl.~l r~ t f.~1 ICi i. r~5t f.:~ f rl t th(.-.~ tclFi r:l5 Wr.:lCi thP C~ if.:~ Wi. trh trle p~r evi.c:u r:;
emtlCI(-.I i.mf.~ nt-.
As i.l]n~e..trated in figureci i3 anc.l:l~3a, the pr~ckete. 4l:) c~re nl.t pi.YC:~f;eCi but rather tranc;latecl thrr.ugh the cilc.lt 18~ The p ck:ets 4(:~
h-lve r..l ]. SC:I r.:~ r,-:::k: li.k:e member .J8 e~tenclinc3 :i.nte-3rally frcm thei.r L:~ack wcl:Llc; lC~ ~Ihe turntable lC~ is annl..llar i.n C;r,ape, the ci:i.stance bel;ween the i.nner .nd cluter raclil..~c; -..f the turntable being 6ubstantieally equal tc. the si~e .f the pc.ck:et 4C~ .
~rhe suppr.rtinflrirlg .-.f the previ.-.us embclcJiment is replacecl in this emb.-.dimer~t by an inner annular wall lC)~ fi~eci inside the inner radius ..f the turntable lC3~ tcl the base rt;- by cicrews lC~ The ejerti..n mechanism which is pc.sitic.ned inside the annulelr wall 10 cc.lmprises a hrr,k: hapeci transleatinLl tc.nc~ue lC~8 cili.cii.ngly mr..untecd c:,n an endless screw 110 and a glliLIe rcd 11~ l~r,e endless sLrew is mechanically cc~upled tc- a step mcltc.r 114~ The translatinc~ t--.nclue 108 is adapteLd tc. translate accc,rLli.nLl tc, arrclw6 116 0~ fiL~ure 13a thrc,uc~h an aperture 118 prc~vided in the annular wall lC)4 and illustrateLI mc.~re speLifically in fiLlure 15.
The cc.nficJuratic~n l~f the hc~c.~l-like member ~8 clf the pcckets 4C)" and c,f the hclok shaped treanslating tc.,ngue lC)8 being clmplementary as seen in fiLlures 13 e~nd 13a, the pcckets are allc.weci to rc,tate,::,n the turntable lC)r~ withc.ut any cbstruLticln~ The annular wall 1C~4 is adapted tc, wcrk in t.lnjuncticn with the hclclk like member ~8 tc, prevent the centrifugal fc.rce frc.m pullinLl the pc/ckets tc.ward the periphery clf the turntable lC)~
: When the pre-selected pccket ~0' is pc.sitic.ned in frc.nt clf the , :~
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20717~1 t .~ y tllf~ .tl:::~ c:l~ tf..~ r~ t~ 3 t~ r~C.i~ ii.r~cl tr~r~ P 1~:)3 ~; thrf? c~rledly m~:~vr.!c:l a:Lc:,rlcl the enl::l:le~:;t; ;c:rf~w :L:LC~ tt"..lt; pl.lcihi.ncl the pl-:lcl f~t 41:)" partially c.~c:r 1..l5Ci the c; :Lr::~t t~l a~c; 5 een in fi.qllre l~a anci When the m:~t...r l:L4 r~3tateCJ the sc:rew ll;:~in thel::lther r:~tatinc d inr ecticn, C.;ince the c:c.mpc.nents 7~3 ar~ 3 are bc:lth t"::~}:.k c.;hapedy trhe trc-~nt..~lt-~ti.nsl t,.ncll.le lC)~:3 pullt~ back the pc~cket 4~:1" t,: i t 5 ,-,rigint:ll p.::lt~i.ti...rl at; i.llustrated in fi.s~ re 13~
Sinc:e n..l pi.vl::,ting ac:ti..-ln is i.nv;-.lved, wi.tl-, tr,i.s emb-::.climenty the actual heiyr,t ..,f the stc:,rasle unit 1;:~ can be grec-.~tly redured~
As illustrc-.~ted in fi.c.lure 1~3, the stc.racle unitC; lC) cc~n be stacked up ,-.ne .-,n t.-.p ..,f the c~ther whenever c.lreater stc.raye capt3city in recluirec:l. When vertically stac.k:ecl up, the units lC) are electr,-.nict-~lly li.nked tc r~ne arl.-ther hy a set .-.f cable 116. The cab].es carry infc.rmatic.n as t.-. the p.-lsiticr7ninsl .-.f a specific pr-lc~;et ~C1 tr t~,e r.mputer termlnal 14 and carry the apprc-pri.3te cperative cr.:.mme~nds t--. the turntable 16 ancl r-~jectic.n mechanism 44 r.f a c~iv~3n unit lC1~
The cc3bles 116 w4rk in series and jc.ined respsctively the ..utlet sc.cket li8 and the inlet sc.cket l~C1 ..f tWCI adjacently ~uperpr.sed units 10.
A5 can be seen in fic-lure 1~ 16 and 17y the pc.cketc; 4C1, 4C) and 4:~" each have a pair ~f side walls 1~ which taper inwardly t4warcls central vertic~31 a~is c.f the unit 10~ This cclnfi.c~ure~tic~n all~ws smaller hut thih:er panel-shaped.-.bjects suchl3s cr.nventic.ne~
fl.-.ppy discs tc. be squee~ed between the wal 15 1~ in the tapered ~ectlon and larcler but narrc.wer c.bjects such as S 1/4 f14ppy disc , ~. . , . :
: . , ., - ,.
.. .. . . . . .. ... . . . ... . . .
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'' ' ' ', t1:l be l~ L:I.y e r,c~ ;e~ ir~ide t~,e p,..c:~;ecY
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Ac.; i.l~ ra t~.? r:l ir~ fi.gur e 1.~ f cthi.~, emt:~ c:li.ment, th F.:.~ p,::,cl:ets .1~ have hl:l~ W grippi.ncl-~cl.-~F:~t~::lr 6f... e~,;tencli.rlJ inteclra:L:Ly fr--.,rm them~
frc,nt ~.,urfinr:e f~ at; aF~pr~::,.~,;imately micl-heiclht,~ The gri.ppi.nc~ ada.pt,-,r f~fj cle~Ci.nes an hclllllw c:hanne:l. 7C~ ancl a dc~nwardly e~tendincl guidi.ng fingr.!r 7~..
r;leferri.ng t,::, figllres j anc:l -Ja~ 1;here i.~; s~lc.lwrl a pi.v,-,ti.ncl r,::,c:l 74 r,:,tatat:lly ].inkr?c:l by a ~:,et ,::,f recluc:tion gearl.; 7f, tl..l a reversable ~;tep mct,::,r 7~3 n Arl anchc:lring c"mponent 8CJ is m,-,untedl-ln the pi~vcltirlcl rc,cl 74~ ~rhe an~:t"::,rir-,g c,.,mpl.lnent ~3C) has an anch,,ri.nq tonglle ~ ans an ahutment torlclue 8c~ Si.nc:e the pivc~tincl r"ci 7c;. is pc,siti"ned substantictlly l,.,wer thc-tn the supporti.ng ring 3~:~, as the pivoti.ncl rc~d 74 is pivoted by the mr.~tor 7~ accc,rcling t,-,c-trr,:,ws 86 c,f figure 3a, the anchl-lrirlLI tclnylle ~3~ describes an arc whlch pushes it thr"ugh the hl...llll-lw channel 7C~ thus securing itself to the pocket 41~ befr.,re pivc~ting it gC) degrees around the supp4rting ring 3c,t as illustrc-tted in figllre ~3a. The abutment tongue ~34 i5 prr,vided with rksilient ahutment disc ~ adapted to abut ctgair7st the e~terior surfc-~tLe of the aclctF)tr/r 66 stabilizing the pocket 4C~ when it is pivr.,ted bc-tck to its c,riginc-tl positirlrl r.,f figure g.
FicJures 3, ~3a c-tnd 1~ alsc, illustrate an alternative tc, the methc,d c,f fi~atic,n of the suppc~rtinq ring 34 t" the turntable ~6.
As: carl be seen mc,re specifically in ficiure 1~), The ring 34 i5 cclrrtin!~ous and is kept in a peripherally spacecl relationship with the turntable ~6 hy a flat C~trip of material g4 welded tc, the rinq 34 and b,-/lted to the turntable ~ by a joining element ~3~.
~ ~ .
Figures 13J 13a, 14 and 15 illustrate yet anc.ther embodiment of :the ejection mechanism 44. The type cf p~ ket 40" illustrated :~ :
: .. . .. : - .. .. : -........ .
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. . : . , ~ .. , , . ... .. :
. . . : : . : :
.. . .- .. ... .
: : , .: : . - : :
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, : . . -, ~, :. ~ . . :'' . :
.. :: ~ . -: . -. . .: , .-, : . , ~ . . : ::
. : . : : ~ : - : . . . :
20717~1 ln ii.CIUre 1.7 Il~;f.:.`d W1 th th i~i F.:~mL~ C:l:.l ment hav~:. ..~n~:~F:Ierlincl41 c.~t their f Irl.~l r~ t f.~1 ICi i. r~5t f.:~ f rl t th(.-.~ tclFi r:l5 Wr.:lCi thP C~ if.:~ Wi. trh trle p~r evi.c:u r:;
emtlCI(-.I i.mf.~ nt-.
As i.l]n~e..trated in figureci i3 anc.l:l~3a, the pr~ckete. 4l:) c~re nl.t pi.YC:~f;eCi but rather tranc;latecl thrr.ugh the cilc.lt 18~ The p ck:ets 4(:~
h-lve r..l ]. SC:I r.:~ r,-:::k: li.k:e member .J8 e~tenclinc3 :i.nte-3rally frcm thei.r L:~ack wcl:Llc; lC~ ~Ihe turntable lC~ is annl..llar i.n C;r,ape, the ci:i.stance bel;ween the i.nner .nd cluter raclil..~c; -..f the turntable being 6ubstantieally equal tc. the si~e .f the pc.ck:et 4C~ .
~rhe suppr.rtinflrirlg .-.f the previ.-.us embclcJiment is replacecl in this emb.-.dimer~t by an inner annular wall lC)~ fi~eci inside the inner radius ..f the turntable lC3~ tcl the base rt;- by cicrews lC~ The ejerti..n mechanism which is pc.sitic.ned inside the annulelr wall 10 cc.lmprises a hrr,k: hapeci transleatinLl tc.nc~ue lC~8 cili.cii.ngly mr..untecd c:,n an endless screw 110 and a glliLIe rcd 11~ l~r,e endless sLrew is mechanically cc~upled tc- a step mcltc.r 114~ The translatinc~ t--.nclue 108 is adapteLd tc. translate accc,rLli.nLl tc, arrclw6 116 0~ fiL~ure 13a thrc,uc~h an aperture 118 prc~vided in the annular wall lC)4 and illustrateLI mc.~re speLifically in fiLlure 15.
The cc.nficJuratic~n l~f the hc~c.~l-like member ~8 clf the pcckets 4C)" and c,f the hclok shaped treanslating tc.,ngue lC)8 being clmplementary as seen in fiLlures 13 e~nd 13a, the pcckets are allc.weci to rc,tate,::,n the turntable lC)r~ withc.ut any cbstruLticln~ The annular wall 1C~4 is adapted tc, wcrk in t.lnjuncticn with the hclclk like member ~8 tc, prevent the centrifugal fc.rce frc.m pullinLl the pc/ckets tc.ward the periphery clf the turntable lC)~
: When the pre-selected pccket ~0' is pc.sitic.ned in frc.nt clf the , :~
::
~ . ~
' ,,,, ,. : ~ . - . . :. . .
' , : .'' ' ', ':, ~
:: : :. : .
.
20717~1 t .~ y tllf~ .tl:::~ c:l~ tf..~ r~ t~ 3 t~ r~C.i~ ii.r~cl tr~r~ P 1~:)3 ~; thrf? c~rledly m~:~vr.!c:l a:Lc:,rlcl the enl::l:le~:;t; ;c:rf~w :L:LC~ tt"..lt; pl.lcihi.ncl the pl-:lcl f~t 41:)" partially c.~c:r 1..l5Ci the c; :Lr::~t t~l a~c; 5 een in fi.qllre l~a anci When the m:~t...r l:L4 r~3tateCJ the sc:rew ll;:~in thel::lther r:~tatinc d inr ecticn, C.;ince the c:c.mpc.nents 7~3 ar~ 3 are bc:lth t"::~}:.k c.;hapedy trhe trc-~nt..~lt-~ti.nsl t,.ncll.le lC)~:3 pullt~ back the pc~cket 4~:1" t,: i t 5 ,-,rigint:ll p.::lt~i.ti...rl at; i.llustrated in fi.s~ re 13~
Sinc:e n..l pi.vl::,ting ac:ti..-ln is i.nv;-.lved, wi.tl-, tr,i.s emb-::.climenty the actual heiyr,t ..,f the stc:,rasle unit 1;:~ can be grec-.~tly redured~
As illustrc-.~ted in fi.c.lure 1~3, the stc.racle unitC; lC) cc~n be stacked up ,-.ne .-,n t.-.p ..,f the c~ther whenever c.lreater stc.raye capt3city in recluirec:l. When vertically stac.k:ecl up, the units lC) are electr,-.nict-~lly li.nked tc r~ne arl.-ther hy a set .-.f cable 116. The cab].es carry infc.rmatic.n as t.-. the p.-lsiticr7ninsl .-.f a specific pr-lc~;et ~C1 tr t~,e r.mputer termlnal 14 and carry the apprc-pri.3te cperative cr.:.mme~nds t--. the turntable 16 ancl r-~jectic.n mechanism 44 r.f a c~iv~3n unit lC1~
The cc3bles 116 w4rk in series and jc.ined respsctively the ..utlet sc.cket li8 and the inlet sc.cket l~C1 ..f tWCI adjacently ~uperpr.sed units 10.
A5 can be seen in fic-lure 1~ 16 and 17y the pc.cketc; 4C1, 4C) and 4:~" each have a pair ~f side walls 1~ which taper inwardly t4warcls central vertic~31 a~is c.f the unit 10~ This cclnfi.c~ure~tic~n all~ws smaller hut thih:er panel-shaped.-.bjects suchl3s cr.nventic.ne~
fl.-.ppy discs tc. be squee~ed between the wal 15 1~ in the tapered ~ectlon and larcler but narrc.wer c.bjects such as S 1/4 f14ppy disc , ~. . , . :
: . , ., - ,.
.. .. . . . . .. ... . . . ... . . .
: -. : , . . :
. ~, , .
'' ' ' ', t1:l be l~ L:I.y e r,c~ ;e~ ir~ide t~,e p,..c:~;ecY
~,, , ; : : , .: , :
Claims (8)
1-. A storage and retrieval device for computer discs and a multitude of other objects, adapted to be controlled by a computer terminal for selectively identifying a particular object in said device, said device comprising, - a turntable supporting a plurality of radially juxtaposed flat pockets, each pocket having a hook member on its periphery and a lateral opening for receiving one disc, - a cover over said turntable having a vertical slot on its periphery, said slot having a width for allowing the sliding of only one of said pockets, - a motor for rotating said turntable, - means for stopping said turntable at predetermined angular position corresponding to a selected pocket facing said slot, - means for hooking said hook member of said selected pocket and for sliding said selected pocket through said slot partially out of said cover for allowing the manual withdrawal of the disc from the said selected pocket through said lateral opening, and - means for returning said pocket under said cover on said turntable, whereby, upon control; by said computer, said motor rotates said turntable to p[osition said selected pocket in front of said slot, and slide said selected pocket through said slot.
2-. A storage and retrieval device for numerous objects as recited in claim 1, comprizing an annular guiding ring rigidly connected to sais turntable an coaxially mounted adjacent the periphery of the turntable, said hook members pivotally gripping said rings, said hooking means gripping the hook member of said elected pocket around said ring between a first position wherein said opening is facing upwardly and the second position wherein said opening is radially protrubing through said slot, whereby said hooking means pivots said selected pocket into said second position for allowing prehension of said selected pocket.
3-. A storage and retrieval device for numerous objects as recited in claim 2 each of said hook members comprises a tongue member outwardly extending from said pocket in the direction of said cover, said hooking means comprizing a gripping element having a pair of pivotally mounted jaws located of a said slot, an electric motor connected to said jaws for reversibly pivoting said jaws, whereby when said selected pocket is positioned in front of said slot, said tongue member of said selected pocket comes into register between said jaws and is pivoted by said motor around said guiding rod for bringing said selected pocket out of said slot.
4-. A storage and retrieval device for numerous objects as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said hook members is a hollow gripping adaptor outwardly extending from said pocket in the direction of the cover at about mid-height of said pocket, said adaptor defining a vertical channel and a downwardly extending finger, said hooking means comprising a rod and a step motor rotatably linked to said rod, and anchoring component mounted on said rod, said anchoring component comprising an anchoring tongue adapted to enter in said channel and pivot said selected pocket around said annular ring to said second position.
5-. A storage and retrieval device for numerous objects as recited in claim 4, comprising a rotatable abutment disc mounted in said hooking means in front of said anchoring tongue, said being adapted to abut against said hook member when the selected pocket is in its said first position.
6-. A storage and retrieval device for numerous objects as recited in claim 1, wherein said hook member is secured to an edge of said pockets which is inwardly positioned away from said cover, translating means for radially moving said selected pocket between a first position inside said cover an a second position partly projecting through slot, said translating means comprising a step motor and an endless screw connected to said motor, said hooking means being mounted on said endless screw for engaging said hook member when said selected pocket faces said slot, wherein said motor is adapted to move said selected pocket between said first and second positions.
7-. A storage and retrieval device for numerous objects as recited in claim 6, comprising an annular guiding wall located inside the inner periphery defined by the inner edges of the pockets away from the cover, said guiding wall forming an abutment for the hook member projecting form the pockets whereby the pockets are prevented from centrifugally sliding off said turntable.
8-. A storage and retrieval device for numerous bojects as recited in claim 7, wherein said translating means comprises a translating tongue positioned inside said annular wall during the first position of said pockets, said annular wall being provided with an aperture for aloowing the translation tongue to move in and
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002071751A CA2071751A1 (en) | 1992-06-19 | 1992-06-19 | Computerized storage and retrieval device for discs, compact discs, micro-film, cassette |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002071751A CA2071751A1 (en) | 1992-06-19 | 1992-06-19 | Computerized storage and retrieval device for discs, compact discs, micro-film, cassette |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2071751A1 true CA2071751A1 (en) | 1993-12-20 |
Family
ID=4150050
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002071751A Abandoned CA2071751A1 (en) | 1992-06-19 | 1992-06-19 | Computerized storage and retrieval device for discs, compact discs, micro-film, cassette |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2071751A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0881643A1 (en) * | 1997-05-26 | 1998-12-02 | Tombo Trading International B.V. | Device for storage of disc-shaped articles |
| WO2001039192A1 (en) * | 1999-11-25 | 2001-05-31 | Plawa-Feinwerktechnik Gmbh | Home-archiving device and system |
-
1992
- 1992-06-19 CA CA002071751A patent/CA2071751A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0881643A1 (en) * | 1997-05-26 | 1998-12-02 | Tombo Trading International B.V. | Device for storage of disc-shaped articles |
| WO1998054723A1 (en) * | 1997-05-26 | 1998-12-03 | Tombo Trading International B.V. | Device for storage disc-shaped articles |
| WO2001039192A1 (en) * | 1999-11-25 | 2001-05-31 | Plawa-Feinwerktechnik Gmbh | Home-archiving device and system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19951219 |
|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19951219 |