US4079427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible magnetic disc recording technique
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1976-01-07
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-01-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of a flexible information storage disc. The apparatus which may be in the form of a cartridge is comprised of a body having a spring-flexible cylindrical surface wherein the flexible disc is rotated over the cylindrical surface with the lower major surface of such disc facing the cylindrical surface so that rotation of the disc causes the disc to conform to the curvature of the body. A recording and/or playback head is selectively passed over the upper major surface of the disc for reading and/or writing information on the disc as it rotates, said cylindrical surface being capable of flexing under pressure of said head.
Inventors
- 👤 Don Cowan Mann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:04
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/03; G11B23/033; G11B17/00; G11B17/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of flexible information storage media having upper and lower opposite major surfaces comprising: (a) a body having a spring-flexible cylindrical surface; (b) rotational means associated with said spring-flexible cylindrical surface for rotating said information storage media over said cylindrical surface with the lower major surface of said information storage media facing said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said information storage media causes said media to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface; and (c) a recording and/or reading head mounted in a predetermined position with respect to the cylindrical surface of said body for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of said information storage media when said media is in rotation, said cylindrical surface being capable of flexing under pressure of said head.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of flexible information storage media having upper and lower opposite major surfaces comprising: (a) a body having a spring-flexible cylindrical surface; (b) rotational means associated with said spring-flexible cylindrical surface for rotating said information storage media over said cylindrical surface with the lower major surface of said information storage media facing said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said information storage media causes said media to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface; and (c) a recording and/or reading head mounted in a predetermined position with respect to the cylindrical surface of said body for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of said information storage media when said media is in rotation, said cylindrical surface being capable of flexing under pressure of said head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flexible information storage media is a flexible disc shaped member having means in the central portion thereof providing a coupling to said rotational means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means in the central portion of said disc shaped member includes at least one opening therein for selective engagement by said rotational means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said disc member includes a magnetic flux responsive coating formed on the upper major surfaces thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein rotation of said information storage media generates a fluid cushion between the lower major surface of said media and said cylindrical surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cylindrical surface has a parabolic directrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cylindrical surface has a circular directrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body is comprised of a flexible plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body is comprised of a mylar material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for recording and/or reading information on the upper coated major surface of a magnetic field responsive coated flexible magnetic information storage disc shaped member having upper and lower opposite major surfaces comprising: (a) a body having a spring-flexible cylindrical surface; (b) rotational means associated with said spring-flexible cylindrical surface for rotating said flexible disc over said cylindrical surface with the lower major surface of said disc facing said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said flexible disc causes said disc to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface; and (c) an electrically controlled recording and/or play-back head mounted in a predetermined position with respect to the cylindrical surface of said body for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of said disc while said disc is in rotation, said cylindrical surface being capable of flexing under pressure of said head.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for recording and/or reading information on the upper coated major surface of a magnetic field responsive coated flexible magnetic information storage disc shaped member having upper and lower opposite major surfaces comprising: (a) a body having a spring-flexible cylindrical surface; (b) rotational means associated with said spring-flexible cylindrical surface for rotating said flexible disc over said cylindrical surface with the lower major surface of said disc facing said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said flexible disc causes said disc to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface; and (c) an electrically controlled recording and/or play-back head mounted in a predetermined position with respect to the cylindrical surface of said body for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of said disc while said disc is in rotation, said cylindrical surface being capable of flexing under pressure of said head.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein rotation of said information storage media generates a fluid cushion between the lower major surface of said media and said cylindrical surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said cylindrical surface has a parabolic directrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said cylindrical surface has a circular directrix.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said body is comprised of a flexible plastic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said body is comprised of a mylar material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
171 words
A flexible disc cartridge comprising: (a) a flexible disc shaped member having upper and lower opposite major surfaces with a magnetic field responsive coating formed on the upper major surface thereof; and (b) a housing, said housing including: (i) a member having a flexible cylindrical surface, said disc member contained within said housing with the lower major surface of said disc shaped member facing said flexible cylindrical surface and being free to rotate thereon; (ii) a first opening for receiving a rotational means, said rotational means for rotating said disc member over said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said disc member causes said disc member to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface; and (iii) a second opening above said first major surface for receiving a recording and/or reading head, said recording and/or reading head for recording and/or reading information by means of the magnetic field responsive coating on the upper major surface of said disc shaped member, said cylindrical surface being capable of flexing under pressure of said head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
171 words
A flexible disc cartridge comprising: (a) a flexible disc shaped member having upper and lower opposite major surfaces with a magnetic field responsive coating formed on the upper major surface thereof; and (b) a housing, said housing including: (i) a member having a flexible cylindrical surface, said disc member contained within said housing with the lower major surface of said disc shaped member facing said flexible cylindrical surface and being free to rotate thereon; (ii) a first opening for receiving a rotational means, said rotational means for rotating said disc member over said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said disc member causes said disc member to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface; and (iii) a second opening above said first major surface for receiving a recording and/or reading head, said recording and/or reading head for recording and/or reading information by means of the magnetic field responsive coating on the upper major surface of said disc shaped member, said cylindrical surface being capable of flexing under pressure of said head.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said cylindrical surface has a parabolic directrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said cylindrical surface has a circular directrix.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible plastic material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |