A storage system (10), including a transport assembly (18) for
moving
a plurality of cartridges (26) between a storage rack (12) and a
tape drive (14) includes a guide (32), a transport mover (30),
a transporter (28) and a cartridge mover (34). The guide (32)
extends between the storage rack (12) and the tape drive (14). The
transport mover (30) moves the transporter (28) along the guide (32)
between the storage rack (12) and the tape drive (14). The transporter
(28) selectively receives the cartridges (26) and includes a first
transport receiver (36A) and a second transport receiver (36B) that
can each receive and transport one of the cartridges (26). With this design,
while one cartridge (26) is being used by the tape drive (14) the
transport assembly (18) can retrieve another cartridge (26) from
the storage rack (12) for immediate insertion into the tape drive (14)
upon rewinding of the first cartridge (26). As a consequence, the transport
assembly (18) facilitates an increase in throughput of the storage system (10).
