US5508864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexures which reduce friction in an actuator for a data storage device
Assignee: Iomega Corp
•
Filing: 1994-10-18
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Granted: 1996-04-16
•
Expires: 2014-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium includes a carriage and a subcarriage. Flexible springs mount the subcarriage to the carriage. A voice coil motor has a coil mounted on the subcarriage. Initial energization of the coil causes linear movement of the carriage flexing the springs to produce small incremental movement of the heads. Further energization of the coil causes movement of the subcarriage on the bushings to provide coarse adjustment of the actuator.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Briggs
- 👤 David E. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:24
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/4806; G11B5/4833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium comprising: a carriage, said heads being mounted on said carriage; a subcarriage; flexible springs mounting said subcarriage to said carriage; bearing means mounting said subcarriage for linear movement; and a magnetic motor for driving said carriage into and out of engagement of said heads with said medium so that initial linear movement is by said carriage flexing said springs and further, larger, linear movement is on said bearing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium comprising: a carriage, said heads being mounted on said carriage; a subcarriage; flexible springs mounting said subcarriage to said carriage; bearing means mounting said subcarriage for linear movement; and a magnetic motor for driving said carriage into and out of engagement of said heads with said medium so that initial linear movement is by said carriage flexing said springs and further, larger, linear movement is on said bearing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The actuator recited in claim 1 further comprising: a central guide track, said bearing means including bushings mounting said subcarriage for linear movement along said guide track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The disk drive recited in claim 2 wherein said track is a cylindrical member and said subcarriage has bushings through which cylindrical guide track passes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drive recited in claim 3 wherein said magnetic motor includes a coil mounted on said subcarriage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The drive recited in claim 1 wherein said flexible springs include two rectangular flexure members positioned at opposite ends of said subcarriage and joining said subcarriage to said carriage so that linear movement of said carriage with respect to said subcarriage is accompanied by flexure of said flexure members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The drive recited in claim 5 wherein said flexure members are rectangular stainless steel members which are thin enough to be flexible, one end of each flexure member being connected to said subcarriage and the other end being connected to said carriage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |