US3864749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuated spring mechanism for positioning magnetic heads
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-12
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A spring actuated magnetic head positioning system mounted upon an arm extending over the surface of a rotatable magnetic disk is disclosed for advancing the magnetic head into its operating position adjacent the magnetic surface. The spring positioning mechanism is contained within a housing, one end of which resiliently supports the magnetic head. The other end of the housing supports a remotely controlled actuator for actuating the spring positioning mechanism. The spring positioning mechanism is preloaded and held within a fixed and predetermined compressed length when retracted. In its operating position, the spring is translated toward the magnetic disk and further compressed to provide the force necessary to hold the magnetic head in position against the opposing force produced by the air pressure existing between the magnetic head and the rotating magnetic disk.
Inventors
- 👤 Alpheus F Stansell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:54
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/54; G11B5/58; G11B5/60; G11B5/6005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An actuating device for moving a magnetic head toward or away from a magnetic medium comprising in combination: a. spring means having first and second ends, both said first and second ends being movable toward or away from said magnetic medium; b. a first movable member adjacent the first end of said spring means, said first movable member being adapted for coupling the first end of said spring means to said movable head; c. a second movable member adjacent the second end of said spring means, said second movable member being adapted for moving the second end of said spring means between first and second positions, the second position of the second end of said spring means being closer to said magnetic medium than the first position of the second end of said spring means; d. means mechanically intercoupled between said first and second movable members for maintaining said spring means in compression and setting the maximum spacing between the first and second ends of said spring means; and e. controllable means coupled to said second movable member for moving said second movable member between said first and second positions, said second position being chosen so that the force urging said head towards said medium at said second position is substantially independent of said controllable means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An actuating device for moving a magnetic head toward or away from a magnetic medium comprising in combination: a. spring means having first and second ends, both said first and second ends being movable toward or away from said magnetic medium; b. a first movable member adjacent the first end of said spring means, said first movable member being adapted for coupling the first end of said spring means to said movable head; c. a second movable member adjacent the second end of said spring means, said second movable member being adapted for moving the second end of said spring means between first and second positions, the second position of the second end of said spring means being closer to said magnetic medium than the first position of the second end of said spring means; d. means mechanically intercoupled between said first and second movable members for maintaining said spring means in compression and setting the maximum spacing between the first and second ends of said spring means; and e. controllable means coupled to said second movable member for moving said second movable member between said first and second positions, said second position being chosen so that the force urging said head towards said medium at said second position is substantially independent of said controllable means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The actuating device as defined by claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a pneumatically controllable means coupled to said second movable member for moving said second movable member between said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The actuating device as defined in claim 1 wherein said controllable means comprises an electromagnetically controllable means coupled to said second movable member for moving said second movable member between said first and second positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The actuating device as defined by claim 1 wherein said spring means is a coil spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The actuating device as defined by claim 1 wherein said first movable membeR adjacent the first end of said spring means includes a piston slideably mounted to move toward or away from said magnetic head and a piston pin located between said piston and said magnetic head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The actuating device as defined by claim 5 further comprising housing means for supporting and guiding said first movable member including said piston and said piston pin, said housing means including stop means for determining the second position of the second end of said spring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The actuating device as defined by claim 6 wherein the movable magnetic head is resiliently mounted to said housing means adjacent one end of said piston pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The actuating device as defined by claim 6 comprising controllable means for moving said second movable member toward or away from said magnetic medium causes the second end of said spring means to move between said first and second positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
220 words
An actuating device for moving a magnetic head toward or away from a magnetic medium comprising in combination: a. housing means having first and second ends; b. resilient means for mounting said magnetic head to the first end of said housing means; c. a coil spring situated within said housing means, said coil spring situated within said housing means, said coil spring having first and second ends, the axis of said coil spring extending perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic medium; d. piston means slideably mounted within said housing means between the first end thereof and the first end of said coil spring; e. a piston pin slideably mounted within said housing means and extending between said piston means through the first end of said housing means to said resiliently mounted magnetic head; f. a movable member slideably mounted within said housing between the second end thereof and the second end of said coil spring; g. means mechanically intercoupled between said piston means and said movable member for compressing said coil spring and setting the maximum spacing between the first and second ends of said coil spring; and h. controllable means attached to said housing means, said controllable means being coupled to said movable member for moving the second end of said coil spring between first and second positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
220 words
An actuating device for moving a magnetic head toward or away from a magnetic medium comprising in combination: a. housing means having first and second ends; b. resilient means for mounting said magnetic head to the first end of said housing means; c. a coil spring situated within said housing means, said coil spring situated within said housing means, said coil spring having first and second ends, the axis of said coil spring extending perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic medium; d. piston means slideably mounted within said housing means between the first end thereof and the first end of said coil spring; e. a piston pin slideably mounted within said housing means and extending between said piston means through the first end of said housing means to said resiliently mounted magnetic head; f. a movable member slideably mounted within said housing between the second end thereof and the second end of said coil spring; g. means mechanically intercoupled between said piston means and said movable member for compressing said coil spring and setting the maximum spacing between the first and second ends of said coil spring; and h. controllable means attached to said housing means, said controllable means being coupled to said movable member for moving the second end of said coil spring between first and second positions.
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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |