Iomega Corporation

Carl Hale

Ralph Lee Sonderegger

David E Jones

Mark S Thayne

John C Briggs

Thomas J Angellotti

Carl E Ellis

Reed J Moody

An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring. The disk drive motor can be inserted into the aperture in the chassis with the member depressing the spring. The disk drive motor can then be rotated to mate the threads of the disk drive motor with the threaded ring. When rotated, the slotted member releases the spring. The spring prevents rotation of the disk drive motor past a predetermined point and thereby prevents the motor from becoming dislodged from the chassis. When inserted into the disk drive, the motor can be moved between a loaded and an unloaded position.

Operating system for operating an eject system and a head retraction system of a disk drive

This invention includes a method of assembling a baffle disposed on a casing to an emitter/detector housing. The emitter/detector housing contains an emitter and a detector that are used to detect the presence of a retroreflective marker on a disk cartridge. Preferably, the method of this invention includes aligning the casing and the baffle with the housing, and slidably engaging the casing with the housing. Once the casing and the housing are engaged, an interference fit is preferably created between the housing and the casing. After the baffle has been attached to the housing, the housing and the baffle may be connected to a circuit board. This circuit board may then be attached to a disk drive.

Method of assembling a baffle to a detector for detecting a

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North Ogden, UT, United States of America

Carl Hale