Frusto-conical magnetic recording disc

Claim 2

A data storage disc comprising a circular sheet of magnetically coated flexible material having a frusto-conical recording profile.

Claim 3

The disc of claim 1 wherein said disc when biased by rotating about a central axis assumes a first stable frusto-conical configuration, and wherein said frusto-conical configuration forms an angle with said central shaft of between about 86° and 89.5°.

Claim 4

The disc of claim 2 wherein said disc assumes a second stable frusto-conical configuration when a force parallel to the axis of rotation of said disc is applied to the surface of the disc, and wherein said frusto-conical configuration forms an angle with said central shaft of between about 90.5° and 94°.

Claim 5

The disc of claim 3 wherein the thickness of said disc is between about 0.001 inches to 0.003 inches.

Claim 6

The disc of claim 4 wherein said disc has a magnetic coating the thickness of which is between about 0.0001 inches and 0.0003 inches.

Claim 7

A data recording system comprising: at least one bistable flexible magnetically coated disc having a central passage therethrough, said disc when rotated being normally biased in a first stable configuration having a frusto-conical recording profile; rotatable mounting means to which said disc is attached; means for rotating said disc; a read/write head; and means for moving said head along a path which parallels said frusto-conical profile while said disc is rotating.

Claim 8

A data recording system comprising: at least one bistable flexible magnetically coated disc having a central passage therethrough, said disc when rotated being normally biased in a first stable configuration having a frusto-conical recording profile; rotatable mounting means to which said disc is attached; means for rotating said disc; a read/write head; and means for moving said head along a path which parallels said frusto-conical profile while said disc is rotating.

Claim 9

The data recording system of claim 6 further comprising: a Bernoulli plate, said Bernoulli plate being contoured to provide a surface concave with respect to said disc to thereby follow the aforesaid profile of said disc when in its first stable configuration.

Claim 10

The data recording system of claim 6 further comprising at least a second bistable flexible magnetically coated disc, said second disc being mounted on said mounting means and being spaced apart from said first disc; a first end plate having a central passage through which said mounting means passes, said first end plate having a surface which is convex with respect to said disc, a second end plate having a central passage through which said mounting means passes, said second end plate having a surface which is convex with respect to said disc and said first end plate; and means for selectively placing a single pair of adjacent discs in alternate bistable configuration so as to increase the spacing between the selected pair of adjacent discs, whereby said read/write head may be inserted into the spacing between the discs for disc selection.

Claim 11

The data recording system of claim 8 wherein said last named means includes a nozzle for directing an air stream between the selected pair of adjacent discs for disc selection.