Michael J Rudy

US Patent:

46758569, Jun 23, 1987

Filed:

Jul 11, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/629686

Inventors:

Michael Rudy - Huntington Beach CA
Paul Cary - Santa Ana CA
Gary S. Anderson - Garden Grove CA

Assignee:

Filenet Corporation - Costa Mesa CA

International Classification:

G11C 1304
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.

US Patent:

46086790, Aug 26, 1986

Filed:

Jul 11, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/629693

Inventors:

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.

US Patent:

46850953, Aug 4, 1987

Filed:

Jul 11, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/629694

Inventors:

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.