US4875117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital head positioner assembly
Assignee: Research Investment Network Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-29
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Granted: 1989-10-17
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Expires: 2008-12-29
Abstract
Abstract The head positioner for a Winchester type hard disk drive digital storage system includes a main rotating metal body portion having outwardly extending, integral, head positioning arms. The magnetic heads for reading and writing information on the hard disks are mounted on springy members which are referred to as "load beams". In order to reduce vibration, and to increase the accuracy of positioning of the heads on the disks, the outwardly extending arms from the main metallic body of the head positioner unit extend outwardly from the central axis of rotation for a distance which is substantially greater than the additional outward extent of the spring load beams upon which the magnetic heads are supported. Preferably the outward extent of the rigid arms is in the order of twice the length of the springy load beams. In addition, the bearings for supporting the rotating head positioning assembly are preferably mounted directly to the metallic body of the head positioner assembly. The springy load beams which support the magnetic heads may be secured to the ends of the outwardly extending arms by the placement of preformed exterior filler metal buttons over the holes in the ends of said load beams which join with said integral arms' tapered ends whereby a means for generating a solid phase metallurgical bond generates a solid phase metallurgical bond between said buttons and said integral arms thereby securing said load beams and the associated magnetic heads to said integral arms.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold Slezak
- 👤 Lloyd Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C35/00; F16C35/04; F16C35/06; F16C35/07; F16C35/073; G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/54; F16C19/00; F16C19/02; F16C19/04; F16C19/06; F16C19/54; F16C2370/00; F16C2370/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A Winchester type digital storage system comprising: a plurality of hard storage disks spaced apart from one another and mounted coaxially, said disks having magnetizable surfaces; means for rotating said storage disks; a plurality of magnet heads for reading and writing digital information on the surfaces of said disks; head positioning means for mounting said heads in proximity to the surfaces of said disks, and for shifting the position of said heads across said disks, said head positioning means including individual spring load beam mounting means for each head, and a main rotable integral metal positioner body member, said integral metal positioner member having a central opening; bearing means engaging said central opening for rotatably mounting said positioner member about a central axia; said positioner body member including rigid integral arms extending outwardly to support said spring mounting means, said integral arms and said body member being a single homogeneous structure free of any joints; the outward extent of said rigid arms from said central axis being substantially greater than the length of said spring mounting means; and said load beam mounting means having holes at their inner ends overlying said arms, and being secured to the ends of said arms by mounting plates overlying said holes, with material from said mounting plates extending through the holes in said load beam means and into rigid bonding engagement with said arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A Winchester type digital storage system comprising: a plurality of hard storage disks spaced apart from one another and mounted coaxially, said disks having magnetizable surfaces; means for rotating said storage disks; a plurality of magnet heads for reading and writing digital information on the surfaces of said disks; head positioning means for mounting said heads in proximity to the surfaces of said disks, and for shifting the position of said heads across said disks, said head positioning means including individual spring load beam mounting means for each head, and a main rotable integral metal positioner body member, said integral metal positioner member having a central opening; bearing means engaging said central opening for rotatably mounting said positioner member about a central axia; said positioner body member including rigid integral arms extending outwardly to support said spring mounting means, said integral arms and said body member being a single homogeneous structure free of any joints; the outward extent of said rigid arms from said central axis being substantially greater than the length of said spring mounting means; and said load beam mounting means having holes at their inner ends overlying said arms, and being secured to the ends of said arms by mounting plates overlying said holes, with material from said mounting plates extending through the holes in said load beam means and into rigid bonding engagement with said arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A Winchester-type digital storage system as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting plates are secured to the ends of said arms by ultrasonic welds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 1 wherein holes in said load beams use non-circular, whereby rotation of said load beams relative to said arms is inhibited.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
212 words
A Winchester type digital storage system comprising: at least three hard storage disks spaced apart from one another and mounted coaxially, said disks having magnetizable surfaces; means for rotating said storage disks; a plurality of magnetic heads for reading and writing digital information on the upper and lower surfaces of each of said disks; head positioning means for mounting said heads in proximity to the surfaces of said disks, and for shifting the position of said heads across said disks, said head positioning means including individual spring load beam mounting means for each head, and a main rotatable integral metal positioner body member, said integral metal positioner member having a central opening; bearing means engaging said central opening for rotatably mounting said positioner member about a central axis; said positioner boy member including at least four rigid integral arms extending outwardly to directly support said spring mounting means, said integral arms and said body member being a single homogeneous structure free of any joints; said spring mounting means having holes in the inner ends thereof, and metal plate means extending through said hole in said spring mounting means and being ultrasonically welded to the ends of each of said integral mounting arms; and said spring mounting means being welded to said plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
212 words
A Winchester type digital storage system comprising: at least three hard storage disks spaced apart from one another and mounted coaxially, said disks having magnetizable surfaces; means for rotating said storage disks; a plurality of magnetic heads for reading and writing digital information on the upper and lower surfaces of each of said disks; head positioning means for mounting said heads in proximity to the surfaces of said disks, and for shifting the position of said heads across said disks, said head positioning means including individual spring load beam mounting means for each head, and a main rotatable integral metal positioner body member, said integral metal positioner member having a central opening; bearing means engaging said central opening for rotatably mounting said positioner member about a central axis; said positioner boy member including at least four rigid integral arms extending outwardly to directly support said spring mounting means, said integral arms and said body member being a single homogeneous structure free of any joints; said spring mounting means having holes in the inner ends thereof, and metal plate means extending through said hole in said spring mounting means and being ultrasonically welded to the ends of each of said integral mounting arms; and said spring mounting means being welded to said plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 4 wherein holes in said load beams use non-circular, whereby rotation of said load beams relative to said arms is inhibited.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 4 wherein said metal plate means is formed of the same material as said arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 6 wherein said plate means and said arm are formed of aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 4 wherein said plate means and said arm form an ultrasonically welded solid phase metallurgical bond.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 4 wherein said plate means is formed of an aluminum alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 4, said load beams include means for mechanically preventing movement of said load beams relative to said arms during ultrasonic welding.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for preventing movement is implemented by tabs on said load beams extending over the edges of said arms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 5 wherein said hole is hexagonal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 5 wherein said hole is square.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 5 wherein said hole has a square spline-type configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
151 words
A Winchester type digital storage system comprising: at least three hard storage disks spaced apart from one another and mounted coaxially, said disks having magnetizable surfaces; means for rotating said storage disks; a plurality of magnetic heads for reading and writing digital information on the upper and lower surfaces of each of said disks; head positioning means for mounting said heads in proximity to the surfaces of said disks, and for shifting the position of said heads across said disks, said head positioning means including individual spring load beam mounting means for each head; said positioner body member including at least four arms extending outwardly to directly support said spring mounting means; and said spring mounting means having holes in the inner ends thereof, and metal plate means extending through said hole in said spring mounting means and being ultrasonically welded to the ends of each of said integral mounting arms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
151 words
A Winchester type digital storage system comprising: at least three hard storage disks spaced apart from one another and mounted coaxially, said disks having magnetizable surfaces; means for rotating said storage disks; a plurality of magnetic heads for reading and writing digital information on the upper and lower surfaces of each of said disks; head positioning means for mounting said heads in proximity to the surfaces of said disks, and for shifting the position of said heads across said disks, said head positioning means including individual spring load beam mounting means for each head; said positioner body member including at least four arms extending outwardly to directly support said spring mounting means; and said spring mounting means having holes in the inner ends thereof, and metal plate means extending through said hole in said spring mounting means and being ultrasonically welded to the ends of each of said integral mounting arms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 15 wherein holes in said load beams use non-circular, whereby rotation of said load beams relative to said arms is inhibited.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 15 wherein said load beams include means for mechanically preventing movement of said load beams relative to said arms during ultrasonic welding.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 17 wherein said means for preventing movement is implemented by tabs on said load beams extending over the edges of said arms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A digital storage system as defined in claim 15 wherein said plate means and said arm form an ultrasonically welded solid phase metallurgical bond.
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) | 1992-10-16 | 1993-04-17 | 1993-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-16 | 1997-04-17 | 1997-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-16 | 2001-04-17 | 2001-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |