Multi-track head with shielding elements interconnected with low resistance conductive paths

Claim 1

A magnetic head assembly consisting of a magnetic read head, a magnetic write head and electrically conductive shielding co-operating with said magnetic heads to reduce the level of signals induced directly in the read head as a result of energisation of the write head, said assembly including a plurality of first electrically conductive non-magnetic shield elements of planar form and a plurality of planar laminations of magnetic material arranged in a stack with the conductive elements and the magnetic laminations parallel to one another, the magnetic laminations being positioned alternately with the conductive elements and said stack extending between said read head and said write head; a second electrically conductive non-magnetic shield element positioned so that the read head lies between said stack and said second element; a third electrically conductive non-magnetic shield element positioned so that the write head lies between said stack and said third element; each conductive shield element having first and second ends, the first ends of adjacent elements lying in close proximity and the second ends of adjacent elements lying in close proximity; and including a first electrically conductive layer plated on to all of said first ends and extending without interruption between said first ends of said conductive elements and a second electrically conductive layer plated on to all of said second ends and extending without interruption between said second ends, said conductive elements and said conductive layers providing continuous low resistance electrically conductive paths extending around said read head and said write head for circulating currents induced in the conductive shielding.