Data cartridge interlock and release system

A data cartridge handling and storage caddy (300) for removing and handling more than one data cartridge (200) outside of an autochanger and for installing more than one data cartridge (200) into an autochanger. The data cartridge handling and storage caddy (300) has two different leaf springs. The first is a lock spring (408) and locks data cartridges (200) into the caddy (300) and does not permit the data cartridges (200) to be removed unless the lock spring (408) is disabled. The second is a detent spring (410) and secures the data cartridges (200) within the caddy (300) whenever the lock spring (408) is disabled. The detent spring (410) is strong enough to hold the data cartridges (200) within the caddy (300) against gravity and vibration, yet slight enough to permit a user or the autochanger to pull a cartridge (200) out of the caddy (300) when the lock spring (408) is disabled. The detent spring (410) is not disabled when the lock spring (408) is disabled. The detent spring (410) holds other data cartridges (200) securely within the caddy (300) when the lock spring (408) is disabled and the user or autochanger installs or removes one of the data cartridges (200).