US3634836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radial and horizontal magnetic-head-positioning mechanism
Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems America Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-17
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic-head-positioning assembly useful in a magnetic disc storage system. The positioning assembly is comprised of a linear motor coupled to a linearly movable carriage assembly including a mounting yoke. An arm set assembly is secured to the yoke for linear movement therewith. The arm set assembly is comprised of a backplate fixed to the yoke and a plurality of arm assemblies carried by the backplate. Each arm assembly includes a frame carrying one or more magnetic head assemblies and a cam rod linearly movable with respect to the head assemblies. Linear movement of the cam rod in a forward direction forces the magnetic heads to a landed position in which they are able to closely fly over a disc surface and cam rod movement in a rearward direction allows the heads to move away from the disc surface to an unlanded position. The cam rods are all tied to an arm set tie bar which is supported on the backplate for linear movement with respect thereto between a retracted position (heads unlanded) and an extended position (heads landed). Movement of the tie bar toward the extended position is opposed by a pair of springs which urge the tie bar toward the retracted position. Latching means are provided to latch the tie bar either in the extended or retracted position. The latching means are electrically controlled with electrical power being required both to release the tie bar for forward movement from the retracted position and to retain the tie bar latched in the extended position.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence Huetten
- 👤 Jerome W Gibson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:06
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/54; G11B5/55; G11B5/5521; G11B21/00; G11B21/02; G11B21/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A magnetic disc storage system comprising a plurality of spaced magnetic discs secured to a common hub mounted for rotation about the axis thereof; and a head-positioning assembly supported adjacent to said discs and including a plurality of magnetic heads each adapted to closely fly over the surface of a disc for writing data thereon and reading data therefrom, said assembly including: a carriage mounted for linear movement; a linear motor coupled to said carriage for imparting linear motion thereto; a plurality of arm assemblies each including a frame carrying one or more magnetic heads positionable in either an unlanded or landed position and cam means mounted on said frame movable from a first position to a second position in which said cam means bears against said heads and forces them into said landed position; means mounting said arm assemblies on said carriage for movement therewith; spring means urging said cam means to said first position; means for forcing said cam means against said spring means urging to said second position; and electrically actuatable latching means for latching said cam means in said second position whereby deactuation of said latching means permits said spring means to move said cam means to said first position to reposition said heads to said unlanded position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A magnetic disc storage system comprising a plurality of spaced magnetic discs secured to a common hub mounted for rotation about the axis thereof; and a head-positioning assembly supported adjacent to said discs and including a plurality of magnetic heads each adapted to closely fly over the surface of a disc for writing data thereon and reading data therefrom, said assembly including: a carriage mounted for linear movement; a linear motor coupled to said carriage for imparting linear motion thereto; a plurality of arm assemblies each including a frame carrying one or more magnetic heads positionable in either an unlanded or landed position and cam means mounted on said frame movable from a first position to a second position in which said cam means bears against said heads and forces them into said landed position; means mounting said arm assemblies on said carriage for movement therewith; spring means urging said cam means to said first position; means for forcing said cam means against said spring means urging to said second position; and electrically actuatable latching means for latching said cam means in said second position whereby deactuation of said latching means permits said spring means to move said cam means to said first position to reposition said heads to said unlanded position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for forcing said cam means includes an interposer supported for movement between a first position aligned with said cam means and a second position misaligned with said cam means; and electrically actuatable means for selectively moving said inTerposer to said first position whereat said linear motor can move said carriage to draw said cam means against said interposer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said head-positioning assembly further includes a backplate fixedly secured to said carriage for movement therewith; and a tie bar mounted on said back plate for linear movement with respect thereto between a retracted position and an extended position; and wherein said means mounting said arm assemblies includes means fixedly securing said arm assembly frames relative to said backplate and said arm cam means to said tie bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 3 wherein each of said cam means comprises an elongated rod having a first end connected to said tie bar; said rod having a head-engaging surface including a raised portion and a recessed portion
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said means for forcing said cam means includes an interposer supported for movement between a first position aligned with said tie bar and a second position misaligned with said tie bar; and electrically actuatable means for selectively moving said interposer to said first position whereat said linear motor can move said carriage to draw said tie bar against said interposer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said latching means includes means secured to said tie bar defining a latch arm receptacle; a latch member, having a latch arm, mounted for pivotal movement; and electrically responsive means for pivoting said latch member to engage said latch arm in said receptacle when said tie bar is in said extended position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said latch member includes a lever arm; and wherein said electrically responsive means includes a movable element engaged with said lever arm for pivoting said latch member to engage said latch arm in said receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 7 including spring means acting on said latch member for disengaging said latch arm from said receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
A head-positioning assembly useful in a magnetic disk storage system, said assembly including: a backplate mounted for linear movement; a tie bar mounted on said backplate for movement with respect thereto between a retracted position and an extended position; a plurality of arm assemblies, each including a frame carrying one or more magnetic head assemblies positionable in either an unlanded or landed position and cam means mounted on said frame movable from a retracted position to an extended position in which said cam means bears against said head assemblies and forces them into said landed position; means securing said arm assembly frames to said backplate; means securing said cam means to said tie bar; spring means for urging said tie bar to said first position; means for forcing said tie bar against said spring means to said extended position; and electrically actuatable latching means for latching said tie bar in said extended position whereby deactivation of said latching means permits said spring means to move said tie bar to said retracted position to thus reposition said head assemblies to said unlanded position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
182 words
A head-positioning assembly useful in a magnetic disk storage system, said assembly including: a backplate mounted for linear movement; a tie bar mounted on said backplate for movement with respect thereto between a retracted position and an extended position; a plurality of arm assemblies, each including a frame carrying one or more magnetic head assemblies positionable in either an unlanded or landed position and cam means mounted on said frame movable from a retracted position to an extended position in which said cam means bears against said head assemblies and forces them into said landed position; means securing said arm assembly frames to said backplate; means securing said cam means to said tie bar; spring means for urging said tie bar to said first position; means for forcing said tie bar against said spring means to said extended position; and electrically actuatable latching means for latching said tie bar in said extended position whereby deactivation of said latching means permits said spring means to move said tie bar to said retracted position to thus reposition said head assemblies to said unlanded position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
The head-positioning assembly of claim 9 wherein said means for forcing said tie bar includes an interposer supported for movement between a first position aligned with aid tie bar and a second position misaligned with said tie bar; and electrically actuatable means for selectively moving said interposer to said first position whereby said backplate can be drawn toward said interposer to engage said interposer and tie bar for moving said tie bar to said extended position relative to said backplate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The head-positioning assembly of claim 10 wherein said latching means includes means secured to said tie bar defining a latch arm receptacle; a latch member, having a latch arm, mounted for pivotal movement; and electrically responsive means for pivoting said latch member to engage said latch arm in said receptacle wHen said tie bar is in said extended position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The head positioning assembly of claim 11 wherein said electrically responsive means includes a control cable having a jacket and a central cable therein and movable with respect thereto; and means mounting said control cable with said central cable engaged with said latch member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3544980A
Cited
US3531788A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |