US3697965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic disc head assembly
Assignee: Unisys Corp
•
Filing: 1970-07-10
•
Granted: 1972-10-10
•
Expires: 1990-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic head assembly suitable for use in high density magnetic disc data storage systems. The head assembly includes a pad adapted to fly close to the disc surface on an air bearing having a thickness on the order to 100 microinches. The pad is carried by a spring gimbal which exhibits rotary compliance about perpendicular longitudinal and lateral axes to permit the pad to follow the disc terrain. The spring gimbal comprises an open substantially rectangular frame formed of thin spring stock. The gimbal frame is cantilevered about one of its short sides from a positioner arm mounted for radial movement with respect to a disc surface. The pad is carried by a pair of reverse cantilevered arms forming part of the gimbal frame and extending perpendicularly from the free short side thereof. A pivot bearing is provided to resiliently bear against the pad to urge it toward the disc surface only when the pad is intended to be in flying position.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence Huetten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:31
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/012; G11B5/127; G11B5/265; G11B5/2652; G11B5/2654; G11B5/2655; G11B5/2657; G11B5/48; G11B5/58; G11B5/60; G11B5/6005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A head assembly suitable for use in a data storage system including a mounting arm positioned adjacent to a flat movable recording surface, said assembly comprising: substantially rectangular frame formed of thin spring stock and having a first side thereof adapted to be secuRed to said mounting arm so as to cantilever said frame about said first side; said frame including first and second arms cantilevered from a second side of said frame, opposite to said first side, and extending toward said frame first side; a pad secured between the free ends of said first and second arms; and means susceptible to a force applied perpendicular to the plane of said frame for rotating said frame about said first frame side and said first and second arms about said second frame side for maintaining the angle of said pad substantially constant as the displacement between said pad and a fixed plane parallel thereto is varied in response to the application of said force; said means susceptible to a force including a mounting bar on said frame extending substantially parallel to said first and second frame sides and disposed therebetween; a stop arm cantilevered from said mounting bar extending toward said second frame side; a spring arm cantilevered from said mounting bar extending toward said second frame side and biased against said stop arm; and a pivot bearing carried by said spring arm and positioned so as to engage said pad.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
A head assembly suitable for use in a data storage system including a mounting arm positioned adjacent to a flat movable recording surface, said assembly comprising: substantially rectangular frame formed of thin spring stock and having a first side thereof adapted to be secuRed to said mounting arm so as to cantilever said frame about said first side; said frame including first and second arms cantilevered from a second side of said frame, opposite to said first side, and extending toward said frame first side; a pad secured between the free ends of said first and second arms; and means susceptible to a force applied perpendicular to the plane of said frame for rotating said frame about said first frame side and said first and second arms about said second frame side for maintaining the angle of said pad substantially constant as the displacement between said pad and a fixed plane parallel thereto is varied in response to the application of said force; said means susceptible to a force including a mounting bar on said frame extending substantially parallel to said first and second frame sides and disposed therebetween; a stop arm cantilevered from said mounting bar extending toward said second frame side; a spring arm cantilevered from said mounting bar extending toward said second frame side and biased against said stop arm; and a pivot bearing carried by said spring arm and positioned so as to engage said pad.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The head assembly of claim 1 including a button mounted on said stop arm; and means for applying a force to said button for rotating said frame about said first frame side and said first and second arms about said second frame side.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The head assembly of claim 2 including a hole defined in said spring arm; and wherein said button mounted on said stop arm projects through said hole defined in said spring arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The head assembly of claim 3 wherein said means for applying a force includes a cam means mounted for movement relative to said button and having a cam surface for bearing against said button for rotating said frame about said first frame side in response to an initial movement of said cam means and for moving said stop arm away from said spring arm in response to a further movement of said cam means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The head assembly of claim 1 wherein said first frame side is bifurcated to define first and second branches capable of exhibiting resilient movement with respect to each other in the plane of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
An assembly exhibiting rotary compliance about first and second perpendicular axes and useful for supporting a pad intended to fly close to a moving recording surface, said assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular frame formed of thin spring stock having a pair of longer sides and a pair of shorter sides; means cantilevering said frame about a first of said shorter sides thereof; said frame including first and second arms projecting from said second shorter side toward said first shorter side; means supporting said pad between the free ends of said first and second arms; said frame further including a spring mounting bar formed therewith extending parallel to said shorter sides and disposed therebetween; a spring arm cantilevered about a first end secured to said spring mounting bar; and a pivot bearing secured to the second end of said spring arm for bearing against said pad.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
An assembly exhibiting rotary compliance about first and second perpendicular axes and useful for supporting a pad intended to fly close to a moving recording surface, said assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular frame formed of thin spring stock having a pair of longer sides and a pair of shorter sides; means cantilevering said frame about a first of said shorter sides thereof; said frame including first and second arms projecting from said second shorter side toward said first shorter side; means supporting said pad between the free ends of said first and second arms; said frame further including a spring mounting bar formed therewith extending parallel to said shorter sides and disposed therebetween; a spring arm cantilevered about a first end secured to said spring mounting bar; and a pivot bearing secured to the second end of said spring arm for bearing against said pad.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The assembly of claim 6 including a substantially rigid arm cantilevered about a first end secured to said spring mounting bar and bearing against said spring arm for normally spacing said pivot bearing from said pad; and means for disengaging said stop arm from said spring arm to permit said spring arm to resiliently urge said pivot bearing against said pad.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said means for disengaging includes a button secured to said stop arm projecting through a hole defined in said spring arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The assembly of claim 8 including cam means mounted for movement relative to said button and having a cam surface for bearing against said button for rotating said frame about said first frame side in response to an initial movement of said cam means and for moving said stop arm away from said spring arm in response To a further movement of said cam means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
The head assembly of claim 6 including first and second pairs of pole pieces carried by said pad; said pole pieces of said first pair being spaced to define a gap having a certain length extending in the direction of movement of said recording surface and a certain width extending perpendicular thereto; said pole pieces of said second pair being spaced to define a gap having a width equal to the width of the gap defined by the pole pieces of said first pair and a length significantly greater than the length of the gap defined by the pole pieces of said first pair to produce flux between the pole pieces of said second pair extending beyond the fringes of the gap defined therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |