Cartridge engaging assembly with rack drive thumb actuator system

摘要

A cartridge engaging assembly (10) may include a frame (38) having a cartridge access end (46). A thumb assembly (40) for engaging and disengaging a cartridge (14) is slidably mounted to the frame (38) so that the thumb assembly (40) is capable of moving toward and away from the cartridge access end (46) of the frame (38). A rack and pinion drive assembly (42) is operatively associated with the thumb assembly (40) and moves the thumb assembly (40) toward and away from the cartridge access end (46) of the frame (38).