Modular data storage system with expandable vertical lift mechanism

The present invention relates generally to data storage systems for handling and storing data storage media devices such as data cartridges, and more particularly to a modular data storage system having an expandible vertical lift mechanism. A data storage system comprising: a plurality of vertically stacked modular housing units, each modular housing unit comprising a plurality of data storage media receiving devices; a data storage media handling device adapted to laterally displace media between the media receiving devices; a vertical lift mechanism attached to the data storage media handling device and adapted to vertically displace the handling device along a vertical displacement path extending adjacent to the vertically stacked modular housing units and comprising a drive assembly fixedly positioned with respect to the modular housing units and a linkage mechanism connected between the drive assembly and the handling device.