US3721967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head carriage assembly for magnetic disk storage drive
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-02
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A carriage assembly useful with a head accessing mechanism in a magnetic disk storage system includes a base having parallel guide rails disposed in a triangular type configuration. The rails cooperate with a carriage body having a first set of bearings for riding on the top surface of the guide rails, and additional angled bearings that engage corresponding angled portions of the guide rails inboard of the periphery of the base. At least one of the angled bearings is spring loaded. The configuration is symmetrical about a vertical plane that is coincident with the direction of the axis along which the accessing mechanism travels.
Inventors
- 👤 R Englert
- 👤 R Fasano
- 👤 D Palmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:42
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/54; G11B5/55; G11B5/5521
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A disk storage apparatus having a carriage assembly for supporting magnetic heads that access selected data tracks on magnetic disks comprising: a carriage support base having a central longitudinal axis defining a direction of travel including a first front guide rail extending along and centered on said longitudinal axis, and second and third spaced rear guide rails disposed parallel to said first guide rail symmetrically about said axis, said three guide rails having flat top surfaces, said second and third rails having inner sloped surfaces along the sides closer to said axis, the first rail having sloped surfaces along each of its sides; and a movable cart being substantially symmetrical about said longitudinal axis, having a first set of roller bearings for travel along said flat rail surfaces, and a second set of angled roller bearings for engaging the inner sloped surfaces of said second and third rails, and the sloped surfaces of the sides of said first rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A disk storage apparatus having a carriage assembly for supporting magnetic heads that access selected data tracks on magnetic disks comprising: a carriage support base having a central longitudinal axis defining a direction of travel including a first front guide rail extending along and centered on said longitudinal axis, and second and third spaced rear guide rails disposed parallel to said first guide rail symmetrically about said axis, said three guide rails having flat top surfaces, said second and third rails having inner sloped surfaces along the sides closer to said axis, the first rail having sloped surfaces along each of its sides; and a movable cart being substantially symmetrical about said longitudinal axis, having a first set of roller bearings for travel along said flat rail surfaces, and a second set of angled roller bearings for engaging the inner sloped surfaces of said second and third rails, and the sloped surfaces of the sides of said first rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A disk storage apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said second set of bearings is located in a lower horizontal plane than said first set of bearings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said second set of bearings comprises a pair of front bearings and a pair of rear bearings, the bearings being angled in opposition to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein one of said front bearings and one of said rear bearings are spring-loaded to maintain close contact with its associated sloped side portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further including: magnetic disk means spaced from said carrier support base; means for supporting at least one magnetic head arm assembly, mounted to said cart; and an actuator for moving said cart and supporting means bidirectionally so that at least one head arm assembly accesses selected data tracks of said disk means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said actuator is a linear D.C. motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said supporting means is a T-block type assembly.
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) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |