US4600955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for stabilizing movement of a flexible disk over a magnetic head
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1983-10-31
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2003-10-31
Abstract
Abstract In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a flexible storage disk is rotated within a disk cartridge to move successive radial portions of the disk over an opening in the cartridge. The opening is disposed to provide limited radial access to the disk. A head-to-disk stabilizing assembly seals the opening, preferably at the exterior of the cartridge, to cause the formation of a Bernoulli pull down force on successive radial portions of the disk as each portion is rotated over the opening. Such pull down force momentarily deflects each portion of the rotated disk toward the opening, causing a deflected portion of the disk to remain substantially in contact with a magnetic recording or reproducing head movable along the opening, and thereby ensuring a stable head-to-disk relation.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis R. Regruit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:02
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/04; G11B17/041; G11B17/044; G11B17/046; G11B17/32; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/03; G11B23/033; G11B23/0332
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for use with a cartridge of the type (a) containing a flexible magnetic disk for storing information signals and (b) having an opening that provides limited radial access to the disk, the combination comprising: means for rotating the disk over the opening; a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information signals on the disk; means supporting said head for movement within the opening, radially across the disk; and means for sealing the opening, with said head in the opening, to substantially prevent air from entering the opening from the exterior of the cartridge, though allowing air to be removed from the opening to the interior of the cartridge, whereby rotation of the disk over the opening can remove air from the opening to generate a pull down force on the disk toward said head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for use with a cartridge of the type (a) containing a flexible magnetic disk for storing information signals and (b) having an opening that provides limited radial access to the disk, the combination comprising: means for rotating the disk over the opening; a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information signals on the disk; means supporting said head for movement within the opening, radially across the disk; and means for sealing the opening, with said head in the opening, to substantially prevent air from entering the opening from the exterior of the cartridge, though allowing air to be removed from the opening to the interior of the cartridge, whereby rotation of the disk over the opening can remove air from the opening to generate a pull down force on the disk toward said head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said sealing means seals the opening along the exterior of the cartridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said magnetic head has a tip for contacting the magnetic disk, and said supporting means supports said head with its tip located in the opening to allow the pull down force to deflect radial portions of the disk into the opening against said tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for use with a cartridge of the type (a) containing a flexible magnetic disk for storing information signals and (b) having an opening that provides limited radial access to the disk, the combination comprising: means for rotating the disk to move successive radial portions of the disk over the opening: pull down means, engageable with the cartridge, for sealing the opening substantially at the exterior of the cartridge to induce a pull down force on successive radial portions of the disk as each portion is rotated over the opening, to cause each portion to be momentarily deflected toward the opening; a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information signals on the disk; and means supporting said head for movement within the opening, radially with respect to each portion of the disk deflected toward the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for use with a cartridge of the type (a) containing a flexible magnetic disk for storing information signals and (b) having an opening that provides limited radial access to the disk, the combination comprising: means for rotating the disk to move successive radial portions of the disk over the opening: pull down means, engageable with the cartridge, for sealing the opening substantially at the exterior of the cartridge to induce a pull down force on successive radial portions of the disk as each portion is rotated over the opening, to cause each portion to be momentarily deflected toward the opening; a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information signals on the disk; and means supporting said head for movement within the opening, radially with respect to each portion of the disk deflected toward the opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as recited in claim 4, wherein said supporting means supports said magnetic head in contact with each portion of the disk deflected into the opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as recited in claim 4, wherein said pull down means includes means for overlapping the opening along the exterior of the cartridge to cause the opening to serve as a vacuum chamber as the disk is rotated over the opening.
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) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |