Protective cartridge case having zero-tension latch

Abstract

A protective cartridge case for housing a storage cartridge is provided. The protective cartridge case includes a housing having a top and bottom portion for enclosing a storage cartridge, the top and bottom portions having major surfaces that oppose each other along a vertical direction, and a latch member for selectively securing the top portion and bottom portion in a closed position. The latch member secures the top and bottom portion in a closed position with substantially zero tension on the latch member in the horizontal direction.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to protective cases for storage media devices, and more specifically to protective cases for containing and protecting storage tape cartridges having one or more reels.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]Magnetic tape cartridges have been used to conveniently and efficiently store and handle magnetic recording media for tape drives. One type of tape cartridge consists of a substantially rectangular exterior cartridge housing and a single reel containing a magnetic tape positioned within the housing. The cartridge housing includes an upper housing section and a lower housing section which substantially enclose the magnetic tape, which includes a cartridge leader. The cartridge leader becomes exposed through an opening in the cartridge housing during insertion of the cartridge into the tape drive. The tape drive is then able to engage and retrieve the tape from the cartridge for recording and / or playback.[0005]Such c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In some examples, the protective cartridge case may include additional absorbing members disposed adjacent minor side surfaces of the housing. The additional absorbing members are further disposed adjacent minor side surfaces of the storage cartridge and reduce forces and provide cushioning to the minor side surfaces of the storage cartridge in response to a shock event. The protective cartridge case may thereby provide protection to the storage cartridge along the axis of the reel as well as other directions (e.g., along the minor side surfaces).

[0010]According to another example, a protective cartridge case for housing a storage cartridge includes a housing for enclosing a tape cartridge having a reel disposed therein, the housing including a top portion and a bottom portion having opposing major inner surfaces in a closed position and living springs disposed on the inner surface of the top or bottom portion, the living springs for engaging a portion of the storage cartridge and flexing to provide protection to the storage cartridge (e.g., in response to a shock event). Additional living springs may be included with the top and bottom portion with the major inner surfaces or minor side surfaces thereof to provide protection to a storage cartridge therein.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional cartridge cases such as that disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,304, however, provide little protection to a cartridge therein due to a shock event, such as being dropped (which may cause damage to the cartridge or media therein resulting in lost data).

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