Patent US5339209A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5339209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plug-in actuator latch mechanism
Assignee: Maxtor Corp
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Filing: 1993-11-05
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Granted: 1994-08-16
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Expires: 2013-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A card sized portable hard disk drive which has a latch mechanism that locks the actuator arm when the card is detached from a computer.
Inventors
- 👤 F. Eugene Dion
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:53
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G11B33/121; G11B21/00; G11B21/16; G11B21/22; G11B33/02; G11B33/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A hard disk drive card unit that can be coupled to a first connector of a computer, comprising: a housing having a second connector adapted to be mated with the first connector; a magnetic disk operatively connected to said housing; an actuator arm assembly coupled to said housing and adapted to move a magnetic head relative to said magnetic disk; and, a latch means that is coupled to said magnetic head and contacts the first connector of the computer such that said latch means moves said magnetic head and secures said magnetic head to prevent further movement of said magnetic head, when said second connector is detached from the first connector and said latch means is moved out of contact with the first connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A hard disk drive card unit that can be coupled to a first connector of a computer, comprising: a housing having a second connector adapted to be mated with the first connector; a magnetic disk operatively connected to said housing; an actuator arm assembly coupled to said housing and adapted to move a magnetic head relative to said magnetic disk; and, a latch means that is coupled to said magnetic head and contacts the first connector of the computer such that said latch means moves said magnetic head and secures said magnetic head to prevent further movement of said magnetic head, when said second connector is detached from the first connector and said latch means is moved out of contact with the first connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
The card unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said latch means includes a first latch connected to said housing and adapted to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, a second latch connected to said housing and adapted to move said actuator arm assembly between a read/write zone and a landing zone of said magnetic disk, and a push rod coupled to said first latch and said second latch so that said second latch moves said actuator arm assembly to said landing zone when said first latch moves from said unlocked position to said locked position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The card unit as recited in claim 2, wherein said latch means includes biasing means for biasing said first latch into said locked position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The card unit as recited in claim 3, wherein said first latch include a pawl adapted to engage the first connector and move said first latch into said unlocked position when said second connector is mated with the first connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The card unit as recited in claim 4, wherein said latch means includes a bell crank connected to said housing and coupled to said second latch, said bell crank having a cam follower which can move within a cam slot in said push rod so that said second latch moves said actuator arm assembly to said landing zone when said first latch moves to said locked position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The card unit as recited in claim 2, wherein said latch means further includes a first detent attached to said actuator arm assembly and a second detent mounted to said housing, said detents engage and become locked when said actuator arm assembly is moved to said landing zone of said magnetic disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer assembly, comprising: a computer chassis that has a slot; a first connector located within said slot, said first connector having a latch engagement surface; a housing having a second connector adapted to be mated with said first connector; a magnetic disk operatively connected to said housing; an actuator arm assembly coupled to said housing and adapted to move a magnetic head relative to said magnetic disk; and, latch means for engaging said latch engagement surface of said first connector and securing and preventing movement of said magnetic head when said latch means is disengaged from said latch engagement surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer assembly, comprising: a computer chassis that has a slot; a first connector located within said slot, said first connector having a latch engagement surface; a housing having a second connector adapted to be mated with said first connector; a magnetic disk operatively connected to said housing; an actuator arm assembly coupled to said housing and adapted to move a magnetic head relative to said magnetic disk; and, latch means for engaging said latch engagement surface of said first connector and securing and preventing movement of said magnetic head when said latch means is disengaged from said latch engagement surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
The card unit as recited in claim 7, wherein said latch means includes a first latch pivotally connected to said housing and adapted to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, a second latch connected to said housing and adapted to move said actuator arm assembly between a read/write zone and a landing zone of said magnetic disk, and a push rod coupled to said first and second latch so that said second latch moves said actuator arm assembly to said landing zone when said first latch moves from said unlocked position to said locked position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The card unit as recited in claim 8, wherein said latch means further includes a first detent attached to said actuator arm assembly and a second detent mounted to said housing, said detents engage and become locked when said actuator arm assembly is moved to said landing zone of said magnetic disk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The card unit as recited in claim 9, wherein said latch means includes biasing means for biasing said first latch into said locked position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The card unit as recited in claim 10, wherein said first latch include a pawl adapted to engage said latch engagement surface and move said first latch into said unlocked position when said second connector is mated with said first connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The card unit as recited in claim 11, wherein said latch means includes a bell crank connected to said housing and coupled to said second latch, said bell crank having a cam follower which can move within a cam slot in said push rod so that said second latch moves said actuator arm assembly to said landing zone when said first latch moves to said locked position.
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) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |