Background of the Invention Compact disc storage and retrieval has become a significant factor for consideration in view of the proliferation of use of these discs for data storage in association with digitized information that must be readily available in computer applications. An accepted manner of storing these discs is exemplified in magazine storage structures wherein a plurality of storage sites such as vertically arranged shelves accessible from an access channel each accommodate one disc. A disc transport apparatus generally resides within the access channel and travels therein to retrieve as well as replace discs at respective storage sites. In a magazine storage structure that has a plurality of storage banks each housing a plurality of storage sites, the disc transport apparatus may include a number of separate transport devices equal to the number of single or opposing storage banks, depending upon specific construction, with one transport device dedicated to a single vertical path in the access channel. As a result, a plurality of transport devices must be employed in order to service the multitude of storage banks.

Because the above-described manner of retrieving compact discs stored in magazine configuration is mechanically complicated as well as relatively expensive because of multiplicity of devices, it is apparent that a need is present for a compact disc storage system wherein a single disc transport device can service a plurality of storage magazines for retrieval and delivery of discs. Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a compact disc storage system comprising a plurality of storage banks on each side of an access channel housing one disc transport apparatus movable both vertically and horizontally among storage sites.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact disc storage system wherein the single disc transport apparatus has a disc movement arm extending rotatably outwardly therefrom with a distal end capable of engaging a stored disc.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact disc storage system wherein the disc movement arm rotates to thereby rotationally transfer horizontal transport apparatus movement into outward movement of an engaged disc from a storage site into the access channel.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is a compact disc storage and transport system for a computer installation. The system comprises a disc storage magazine structure having at least one storage bank providing a plurality of disc storage sites arranged as a column and accessible from an access channel through storage site openings. A disc transport apparatus is disposed within the access channel for retrieving and individually transporting discs from respective storage sites. The transport apparatus comprises a mount component horizontally movable in an X- axis and vertically movable in a Z-axis within the access channel and having a disc movement arm extending rotatably outwardly. This movement arm has a distal engager engageable with a disc situated at any disc storage site for movement of that disc into the access channel in a Y-axis for subsequent transport. Specific movement occurs as the mount component moves horizontally in the X-axis while the arm rotates on the mount component to thereby rotationally transfer horizontal mount component movement into outward movement of the engager in the Y-axis from the storage site into the access channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the distal engager is capable of engaging a hub portion, and most preferably the central hole, of a disc, and each disc storage site cooperatively has an open central channel leading from the access channel to expose from beneath the hub portion of a disc there situated for such engagement. In a second preferred embodiment, the distal engager is engageable with a disc carrier structure bearing a disc and situated at any disc storage site for movement of the disc and its carrier structure into the access channel in a Y-axis for subsequent transport. As is evident, the disc transport apparatus of the present invention is capable of retrieving and transporting a plurality of compact discs among storage and data retrieval sites.

Brief Description of the Drawings An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a top plan view of a compact disc storage and transport system where a disc transport apparatus has engaged a stored compact disc; Figure 2 is an illustration as in Figure 1 with partial extraction of the compact disc from its storage site; Figure 3 is an illustration as in Figure 1 with continued extraction of the compact disc from its storage site; Figure 4 is an illustration as in Figure 1 with complete extraction of the compact disc from its storage site; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a side elevation view of a disc storage bank; and Figure 6 is a side elevation view of a disc movement arm in association with a disc transport apparatus.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1-4, two disc storage magazine structures 10,12 are shown with an access channel 14 disposed therebetween. Each enclosure structure 10,12 houses three identical storage banks 16 each comprising a plurality of disc storage shelf sites 18 arranged as a column (Figure 5) and accessible from the access channel 14 through storage site openings 20. The access channel 14 accommodates a disc transport apparatus 22 movable horizontally (X-axis) and vertically (Z-axis) as known in the art within the channel 14 to travel among the storage banks 16 and respective shelf sites 18 for disc transport. A disc movement arm 24 rotatably extends from a mount component 26 of the transport apparatus 22, and has disposed at its distal end 28 (Figure 6) an upwardly

tapered cylindrical hub 30 for engagement with the center hole 32 of the hub portion 34 of a compact disc 36 to be extracted. It is to be understood that the term"disc" as used herein includes a disc carrier as known in the art wherein the carrier is likewise provided with an aperture such as a slot which is complimentary in dimension to a projection from the disc movement arm 24 to thereby engage the carrier for movement as described below.

Operationally, the cylindrical hub 30 travels beneath the shelf site 18 of a selected disc 36 through a central slot 38 of the shelf 18 leading from the access channel 14 as the disc movement arm 24 travels to engage the disc 36. Once the cylindrical hub 30 is in alignment with the hole 32 of the disc 36, the arm 24 moves upwardly a sufficient distance to permit entry of the cylindrical hub 30 into the hole 32 and slightly lift the disc 36 off of the shelf 18. Thereafter, and as sequentially depicted in Figures 2,3 and 4, the disc 36 is extracted from its storage site. In particular, the mount component 26 of the transport apparatus 22 moves horizontally in the X-axis 40 while the movement arm 24 rotates at its base 38 through connection to a servo motor or the like to thereby cause movement of the disc 36 along the Y-axis 42 toward and into the access channel 14. After full extraction of the disc 36 into the access channel 14, the transport apparatus 22 moves within the channel 14 as directed to deliver the disc 36 at a chosen destination. Such movement of the transport apparatus 22 within the channel 14 is accomplished as is known in the art and as employed in conventional disc retrieval as would be appreciated by the skilled artisan. Reversal of the above described sequence permits an operator to replace a disc 36 at a chosen shelf 18.

It is to be noted that the disc movement arm 24 can rotate a full 360 degrees. However, because the access channel 14 here shown is no wider than the width

dimension of the three adjacent storage banks 16, it is necessary that the arm 24 first be directed into a shelf 18 of a center storage bank 16 and then backed out by the mount component 26 if the arm 24 (as well as a disc carried thereby) is to be positionable on each side of the mount component 26. Conversely or additionally, the access channel 14 can be constructed to extend laterally at least the width of the transport apparatus 22 to thereby permit shelf access for the arm 24 without first effectuating full rotational re-positioning of the arm 24 to achieve access to all shelves 18. In this manner, the disc movement arm 24 can serve all laterally adjacent storage sites. Conventional vertical movement of the transport apparatus 22 within the access channel 14 delivers a disc 36 engaged by the arm 24 to another storage site or to a disc reader site associated with the storage magazine structures 10,12 for data retrieval.

While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.