Michael Rudy - Huntington Beach CA Paul Cary - Santa Ana CA Arthur A. Roth - Santa Ana CA
Assignee:
Filenet Corporation - Costa Mesa CA
International Classification:
G11B 548 G11B 1700
US Classification:
369 36
Abstract:
In a system for storing and retrieving cartridges, a plurality of cartridges are placed in plural slots of diverse location and orientation. A rotatable carriage contains a first and second gripping mechanism, either of which extends to engage and slidably retract an cartridge from a first storage slot into the carriage. The carriage can rotate the cartridge to the orientation of a second slot. A vertical and horizontal transport mechanism moves the carriage to the second slot whereupon the position and orientation of the carriage with respect to the second slot is verified. The gripping mechanism then retractably extends and releases the cartridge into the second slot, whereupon the gripping mechanism retracts into the carriage. The use of a first and second gripping mechanism allows expedited manipulation and transportation of the cartridges. Sensors verify the alignment of the carriage with respect to the various slots.
Michael Rudy - Huntington Beach CA Paul Cary - Santa Ana CA Gary S. Anderson - Garden Grove CA Arthur A. Roth - Santa Ana CA
Assignee:
Filenet Corporation - Costa Mesa CA
International Classification:
G11B 1700 G11B 548
US Classification:
369 36
Abstract:
In a system for storing and retrieving cartridges, a plurality of cartridges are placed in plural slots of diverse location and orientation. A rotatable carriage contains a first and second gripping mechanism, either of which extends to engage and slidably retract a cartridge from a first storage slot into the carrriage. The carriage can rotate the cartridge to the orientation of a second slot. A vertical and horizontal transport mechanism moves the carriage to the second slot whereupon the position and orientation of the carriage with respect to the second slot is verified. The gripping mechanism then retractably extends and releases the cartridge into the second slot, whereupon the gripping mechanism retracts into the carriage. The use of a first and second gripping mechanism allows expedited manipulation and transportation of the cartridges. Sensors verify the alignment of the carriage with respect to the various slots.