US5012371A — Disk drive crash stop/actuator latch

Claim 1

Independent Claim 178 words

A limit stop/latching assembly in a disk storage system having a movable actuator carriage, said assembly comprising: crash stop means for limiting travel of said actuator carriage at a fixed stop position and having a first abutment surface defining said stop position; a stop member movable with said actuator carriage in a path of travel of said actuator carriage to abut said first abutment surface at said stop position; latch means having a second abutment surface for selectively latching said stop member at said stop position, said latch means including first and second mounting pins and a latch member; and means for moving said latch means between a free position out of said path of said stop member and a latched position with said second abutment surface abutting said stop member and facing said first abutment surface across said path to latch said stop member at said stop position, said moving means moving said latch member about said first mounting pin in rotary travel such that movement of said latch means is confined by said second mounting pin.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 178 words

A limit stop/latching assembly in a disk storage system having a movable actuator carriage, said assembly comprising: crash stop means for limiting travel of said actuator carriage at a fixed stop position and having a first abutment surface defining said stop position; a stop member movable with said actuator carriage in a path of travel of said actuator carriage to abut said first abutment surface at said stop position; latch means having a second abutment surface for selectively latching said stop member at said stop position, said latch means including first and second mounting pins and a latch member; and means for moving said latch means between a free position out of said path of said stop member and a latched position with said second abutment surface abutting said stop member and facing said first abutment surface across said path to latch said stop member at said stop position, said moving means moving said latch member about said first mounting pin in rotary travel such that movement of said latch means is confined by said second mounting pin.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 1; wherein said latch means includes the latch member having an abutment extending in a direction that intersects the travel direction of said actuator carriage and presenting said second abutment surface generally perpendicular to said travel direction.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 1; wherein said actuator carriage is mounted for rotary travel for moving said stop member in said path.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 3; wherein said latch means is mounted for rotary travel eccentric to said rotary travel of said acutator carriage.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 63 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 1; wherein said crash stop means includes a crash stop pin fixedly mounted with respect to said actuator carriage and a spring member having an elongated spring portion adapted to abut said crash stop pin and extend therebeyond across said path, a surface of said spring member constituting said first abutment surface defining said stop position.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 58 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 5; wherein said crash stop pin includes a stepped surface having a first step at a first radius for receiving said spring portion to define said stop position, said stepped surface further having a second step at a second radius for receiving said spring portion to define a second stop position.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 5; wherein said spring member includes a coil spring having said elongated spring portion as a substantially straight end portion extending therefrom.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 57 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 1; wherein said latch member includes first and second extended slots for matingly receiving said first and second mounting pins, respectively, said second extended slot extending in a curve defining the direction of rotary travel of said latch member, and said first slot extending generally perpendicular to said second slot.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 8; wherein said means for moving includes solenoid means for moving said latch member about said first mounting pin.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 63 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 8; wherein said crash stop means includes a crash stop pin fixedly mounted with respect to said actuator carriage and a spring member having an elongated spring portion adapted to abut said crash stop pin and extend therebeyond across said path, a surface of said spring portion constituting said first abutment surface defining said stop position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 10; wherein said second mounting pin constitutes said crash stop pin.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 179 words

A rotary disk storage system comprising: a plate; a shaft mounted at a first point on said plate; a rotary actuator carriage mounted for rotary travel about said shaft and having a stop member extending therefrom; a crash stop pin mounted at a second point on said plate; crash stop means for limiting rotary travel of said actuator carriage at a stop position, said crash stop means having an abutment surface defining said stop position and said abutment surface being positioned by said crash stop pin; latch means for selectively latching said stop member at said stop position, said latch means including first and second mounting pins and a latch member; and means for moving said latch means between a free position out of contact with said actuator carriage and a latched position in which said latch means latches said stop member against said abutment surface at said stop position, said moving means moving said latch member about said first mounting pin in rotary travel such that movement of said latch means is confined by said second mounting pin.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 179 words

A rotary disk storage system comprising: a plate; a shaft mounted at a first point on said plate; a rotary actuator carriage mounted for rotary travel about said shaft and having a stop member extending therefrom; a crash stop pin mounted at a second point on said plate; crash stop means for limiting rotary travel of said actuator carriage at a stop position, said crash stop means having an abutment surface defining said stop position and said abutment surface being positioned by said crash stop pin; latch means for selectively latching said stop member at said stop position, said latch means including first and second mounting pins and a latch member; and means for moving said latch means between a free position out of contact with said actuator carriage and a latched position in which said latch means latches said stop member against said abutment surface at said stop position, said moving means moving said latch member about said first mounting pin in rotary travel such that movement of said latch means is confined by said second mounting pin.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 50 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 12; wherein said latch means is mounted for rotary travel in a plane parallel to a plane of rotary travel of said rotary actuator carriage, said rotary travel of said latch means being eccentric to said rotary travel of said actuator carriage.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 102 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 12; wherein said latch means has a second abutment surface for selectively latching said stop member at said stop position, wherein said stop member is movable in a path by rotary travel of said actuator carriage, and wherein said free position of said latch means is out of said path of said stop member and said latched position of said latch means presents said second abutment surface abuting said stop member and facing the first-mentioned abutment surface of said crash stop means across said path to latch said stop member at said stop position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 46 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 12; wherein said crash stop means includes a spring member having an elongated spring portion adapted to abut said crash stop pin so as to be positioned thereby, a surface of said spring member constituting said abutment surface.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 58 words

A limit stop/latching assembly according to claim 15; wherein said crash stop pin includes a stepped surface having a first step at a first radius for receiving said spring portion to define said stop position, said stepped surface further having a second step at a second radius for receiving said spring portion to define a second stop position.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 64 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 12; wherein said latch member includes first and second extended slots for matingly receiving said first and second mounting pins, respectively, said second slot extending in a curve which is a segment of a circle defining the direction of rotary travel of said latch member, and said first slot extending generally perpendicular to said second slot.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 17; wherein said second mounting pin constitutes said crash stop pin.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 128 words

A rotary disk storage system comprising: a rotary actuator carriage mounted for rotary travel about a shaft and having a stop pin extending therefrom; crash stop means for limiting rotary travel of said actuator carriage at a stop position, said crash stop means having an abutment surface defining said stop position; latch means for selectively latching said stop pin at said stop position, said latch means including a latch member and, first and second mounting pins; and means for moving said latch means about said first mounting pin in rotary travel such that movement of said latch means is confined by said second mounting pin between a free position and a latched position at which said stop pin is latched against said abutment surface at said stop position.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 128 words

A rotary disk storage system comprising: a rotary actuator carriage mounted for rotary travel about a shaft and having a stop pin extending therefrom; crash stop means for limiting rotary travel of said actuator carriage at a stop position, said crash stop means having an abutment surface defining said stop position; latch means for selectively latching said stop pin at said stop position, said latch means including a latch member and, first and second mounting pins; and means for moving said latch means about said first mounting pin in rotary travel such that movement of said latch means is confined by said second mounting pin between a free position and a latched position at which said stop pin is latched against said abutment surface at said stop position.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 111 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 19; wherein said stop pin is movable in a path by rotary travel of said actuator carriage to abut said abutment surface of said crash stop means, and wherein said latch means has a second abutment surface for selectively latching said stop pin at said stop position, said latch means at said free position being out of said path of said stop pin and said latch means at said latched position presenting said second abutment surface abuting said stop pin and facing the first-mentioned abutment surface of said crash stop means across said path to latch said stop pin at said stop position.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 59 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 19; wherein said latch member includes first and second extended slots for matingly receiving said first and second mounting pins, respectively, said second slot extending in a curve generally aligned with the direction of rotary travel of said latch member, and said first slot extending generally perpendicular to said second slot.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 26 words

A rotary disk storage system according to claim 19; wherein said moving means includes solenoid means for moving said latch member about said first mounting pin.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-04-29	1994-10-29	1995-04-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-04-29	1998-10-29	1999-04-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-04-29	2002-10-29	2003-04-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Disk drive crash stop/actuator latch

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