US4379315A — Carriage loading arm assembly having two magnetic…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 458 words

Apparatus for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a rotatable flexible planar magnetic recording media comprising a carriage having a first end and a second end; a first transducer coupled to said first end of the carriage through a differential torsion spring support means, said carriage being adapted to position said first transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with one side of a said media, said differential torsion spring support means being adapted to support said first transducer against the one side of a said media in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said media and the other of which is normal to a said media and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said media; a loading arm having a first end and a second end with said first end being pivotally connected to said second end of the carriage, said loading arm being positioned relative to the other side of a said media and adapted to have its second end movable toward and away from the other side of a said media; a second transducer coupled to said second end of the loading arm through a gimbal support means, said loading arm being adapted to position said second transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with the other side of said media, said gimbal support means being adapted to support said second transducer in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about all three of the axes with respect a said media; and means operatively coupled to said carriage and said loading arm for moving said second end of the loading arm toward the other side of said media to position said second transducer into contiguous engagement with the other side of a said media and to urge a said media into contiguous engagement with the first transducer positioning a said media in close operative relationship therebetween, said first transducer and said second transducer being responsive to a said media being rotated therebetween such that the variations in flexure of a said media along the axes which are radial and normal to a said media are compensated primarily by movement of the second transducer against its gimbal support means and partially by movement of the first transducer against its differential torsion spring support means and variations in flexure of a said media along the third axis circumferential thereto are compensated by movements of each transducer against its associated supported means to maintain contiguous engagement between each said of a said media and its respective transducer.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 458 words

Apparatus for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a rotatable flexible planar magnetic recording media comprising a carriage having a first end and a second end; a first transducer coupled to said first end of the carriage through a differential torsion spring support means, said carriage being adapted to position said first transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with one side of a said media, said differential torsion spring support means being adapted to support said first transducer against the one side of a said media in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said media and the other of which is normal to a said media and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said media; a loading arm having a first end and a second end with said first end being pivotally connected to said second end of the carriage, said loading arm being positioned relative to the other side of a said media and adapted to have its second end movable toward and away from the other side of a said media; a second transducer coupled to said second end of the loading arm through a gimbal support means, said loading arm being adapted to position said second transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with the other side of said media, said gimbal support means being adapted to support said second transducer in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about all three of the axes with respect a said media; and means operatively coupled to said carriage and said loading arm for moving said second end of the loading arm toward the other side of said media to position said second transducer into contiguous engagement with the other side of a said media and to urge a said media into contiguous engagement with the first transducer positioning a said media in close operative relationship therebetween, said first transducer and said second transducer being responsive to a said media being rotated therebetween such that the variations in flexure of a said media along the axes which are radial and normal to a said media are compensated primarily by movement of the second transducer against its gimbal support means and partially by movement of the first transducer against its differential torsion spring support means and variations in flexure of a said media along the third axis circumferential thereto are compensated by movements of each transducer against its associated supported means to maintain contiguous engagement between each said of a said media and its respective transducer.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a ramp shield positioned at the first end of the carriage assembly and adapted to enclose the first transducer to permit independent movement of the first transducer along axes which are normal, radial and circumferential to the media.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 60 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the differential torsion spring support means comprises: an annular shaped member; a central support member which extends across the diameter of the annular shaped member; and a base plate located intermediate the central support member and having an elongated slot formed therein which extends in a spaced parallel relationship to the central support member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first transducer includes tabs extending from the surface thereof which is opposite to the surface adapted to be positioned in contiguous engagement with one side of a media and wherein said tabs are adapted to be inserted into and passed through the elongated slot.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 97 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said differential torsion spring support means has a plurality of alignment apertures formed through the annular shaped member and further comprising a housing having a hollowed out central area and a plurality of alignment pins extending from one end thereof, said alignment pins being adapted to pass through the alignmemt apertures in the annular shaped ring of the differential torsion spring support means to support the differential torsion spring support means and the said first transducer mounted thereon for movements along axes which are radial, normal and circumferential to the media.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said differential torsion spring support means is formed of type 304 stainless steel.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said central support member of the differential torsion spring support means is deflected approximately 0.001 inch in a plane normal to the media when the second transducer is loaded against the first transducer having the media located therebetween.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for urging said loading arm toward and away from said media is a spring.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 378 words

A carriage-loading arm assembly for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a double sided floppy disc comprising a first transducer coupled to one end of the carriage through a differential torsion spring support means wherein said carriage is adapted to position said first transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with one side of a said disc, said differential torsion spring support means being adapted to support said first transducer against the one side of a said disc in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said disc and the other of which is normal to a said disc and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said disc; a second transducer coupled to one end of the loading arm through a gimbal support means wherein said loading arm is adapted to position said second transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with the other side of said disc, said gimbal support means being adapted to support said second transducer in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about all three of the axes with respect to a said disc; and means operatively coupled to said carriage and said loading arm for moving said loading arm having said second transducer mounted thereon toward the other side of a said disc to position said second transducer into contiguous engagement with the other side of a said disc and to urge a said disc into contiguous engagement with the first transducer positioning a said disc in close operative relationship therebetween enabling said first transducer and said second transducer to be responsive to a said disc being rotated therebetween such that the variations in flexure thereof along axes which are radial and normal to a said disc are compensated primarily by movement of the second transducer against its gimbal support means and partially by movement of the first transducer against its differential torsion spring support means and variations in flexure of a said disc along the third axis circumferential thereto and compensated by movements of each transducer against its associated support means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 378 words

A carriage-loading arm assembly for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a double sided floppy disc comprising a first transducer coupled to one end of the carriage through a differential torsion spring support means wherein said carriage is adapted to position said first transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with one side of a said disc, said differential torsion spring support means being adapted to support said first transducer against the one side of a said disc in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said disc and the other of which is normal to a said disc and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said disc; a second transducer coupled to one end of the loading arm through a gimbal support means wherein said loading arm is adapted to position said second transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with the other side of said disc, said gimbal support means being adapted to support said second transducer in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about all three of the axes with respect to a said disc; and means operatively coupled to said carriage and said loading arm for moving said loading arm having said second transducer mounted thereon toward the other side of a said disc to position said second transducer into contiguous engagement with the other side of a said disc and to urge a said disc into contiguous engagement with the first transducer positioning a said disc in close operative relationship therebetween enabling said first transducer and said second transducer to be responsive to a said disc being rotated therebetween such that the variations in flexure thereof along axes which are radial and normal to a said disc are compensated primarily by movement of the second transducer against its gimbal support means and partially by movement of the first transducer against its differential torsion spring support means and variations in flexure of a said disc along the third axis circumferential thereto and compensated by movements of each transducer against its associated support means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 55 words

The carriage-loading arm assembly of claim 9 further comprising a ramp shield enclosing the first transducer to permit the first transducer to slightly protrude therethrough into engagement with one side of a said disc and to permit independent movement of the first transducer along the axes which are normal, radial and circumferential to the disc.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 59 words

The carriage-loading arm assembly of claim 10 wherein the differential torsion spring support means comprises: an annular shaped member; a central support member which extends across the diameter of the annular shaped member; and a base plate located intermediate the central support member and having a spaced elongated slot which is parallel to the central support member formed therein.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 336 words

In combination, a first transducer having a plano-concave surface which is adapted to be positioned in operative engagement with the one side of a rotatable flexible planar magnetic recording media; a differential torsion spring support means operatively coupled to said first transducer and being adapted to support said first transducer against one side of a said media in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said media and the other of which is normal to a said media and in a fully compliant relationship with a low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said media; a second transducer having a slider contact surface which is adapted to be positioned in operative engagement with the other side of a said media; a gimbal support means operatively coupled to said second transducer and being adapted to support said second transducer in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about all three of the axes with respect to a said media; and a carriage-loading arm assembly which is adapted to have a said flexible planar magnetic recording media positioned between the carriage and loading arm assembly and wherein the carriage is adapted to be driven radially relative to the one side of a said media and wherein said loading arm is pivotally connected to said carriage and includes means for moving said loading arm toward and away from the other side of said media, said carriage having said first transducer and said differential torsion spring support means mounted thereon wherein said carriage is adapted to position said first transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with said one side of said media, said loading-arm assembly having said second transducer and said gimbal support means mounted thereso wherein said loading arm is adapted to position said second transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with said other side of a said media.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 336 words

In combination, a first transducer having a plano-concave surface which is adapted to be positioned in operative engagement with the one side of a rotatable flexible planar magnetic recording media; a differential torsion spring support means operatively coupled to said first transducer and being adapted to support said first transducer against one side of a said media in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said media and the other of which is normal to a said media and in a fully compliant relationship with a low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said media; a second transducer having a slider contact surface which is adapted to be positioned in operative engagement with the other side of a said media; a gimbal support means operatively coupled to said second transducer and being adapted to support said second transducer in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about all three of the axes with respect to a said media; and a carriage-loading arm assembly which is adapted to have a said flexible planar magnetic recording media positioned between the carriage and loading arm assembly and wherein the carriage is adapted to be driven radially relative to the one side of a said media and wherein said loading arm is pivotally connected to said carriage and includes means for moving said loading arm toward and away from the other side of said media, said carriage having said first transducer and said differential torsion spring support means mounted thereon wherein said carriage is adapted to position said first transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with said one side of said media, said loading-arm assembly having said second transducer and said gimbal support means mounted thereso wherein said loading arm is adapted to position said second transducer in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with said other side of a said media.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 60 words

The combination of claim 12 wherein said differential torsion spring support means includes an annular shaped member; a central support member which extends across the diameter of the annular shaped member; and a base plate located intermediate the central support member and having an elongated slot formed therein which extends in a spaced parallel relationship to the central support member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 302 words

A carriage-loading arm assembly for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a double sided floppy disc, the loading arm having one of the two transducers operatively coupled to one end thereof and wherein the loading arm is adapted to position the one of the two transducers in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with a selected side of the disc and the other of the two transducers being operatively coupled to one end of the carriage and wherein the carriage is adapted to position the other of the two transducers in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with the other side of the disc opposite to the selected side and means operatively coupled to the carriage and the loading arm for moving the loading arm having the one of the two transducers mounted thereon toward the selected side of the disc to position the one transducer into contiguous engagement with the selected side of the disc and to position the other of the two transducers into operative relationship with the other side of the disc, the carriage-loading arm assembly comprising at least one differential torsion spring support means for operatively coupling at least one of the two transducers to at least one of the carriage and the loading arm, said differential torsion spring support means being adapted to support said at least one of the two transducers against its associated side of a said disc in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said disc and the other of which is normal to a said disc and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said disc.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 302 words

A carriage-loading arm assembly for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a double sided floppy disc, the loading arm having one of the two transducers operatively coupled to one end thereof and wherein the loading arm is adapted to position the one of the two transducers in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with a selected side of the disc and the other of the two transducers being operatively coupled to one end of the carriage and wherein the carriage is adapted to position the other of the two transducers in different data transfer positions relative to and in engagement with the other side of the disc opposite to the selected side and means operatively coupled to the carriage and the loading arm for moving the loading arm having the one of the two transducers mounted thereon toward the selected side of the disc to position the one transducer into contiguous engagement with the selected side of the disc and to position the other of the two transducers into operative relationship with the other side of the disc, the carriage-loading arm assembly comprising at least one differential torsion spring support means for operatively coupling at least one of the two transducers to at least one of the carriage and the loading arm, said differential torsion spring support means being adapted to support said at least one of the two transducers against its associated side of a said disc in a semi-compliant relationship with high flexure stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to a said disc and the other of which is normal to a said disc and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to a said disc.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 46 words

The carriage-loading arm assembly of claim 14 wherein the other of the two transducers is operatively coupled to the carriage by said differential torsion spring means and wherein the one of the two transducers is operatively coupled to the loading arm by a gimbal support means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1986-04-04	1986-10-04	1987-04-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1990-04-04	1990-10-04	1991-04-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1994-04-04	1994-10-04	1995-04-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Carriage loading arm assembly having two magnetic transducers for a double sided floppy disc

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