Stationary head tape drive

The present invention is an end loaded tape drive for an elongate tape cartridge having a door in one of its sides proximate one end of the cartridge. The tape drive includes an elongate table mounted at least partially within an elongate housing upon which the cartridge may rest. The table is movable in an x-y plane defined by an x axis and a y axis. The drive includes a magnetic head which is fixed against movement in an x-y plane. A cartridge door opening mechanism is provided for opening the access door of the cartridge sufficiently to provide access to the tape by the magnetic head. Movement of the table in the y direction actuates the door opening mechanism and movement of the table in the x direction positions the tape in a read/write position. A motor is further provided for moving the length of tape within the cartridge along the magnetic head when the tape is in the read/write position.