Avatar Systems LLC

Iomega Corporation

Other

Maxtor Corporation

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba

Seagate Technology Incorporated

Michael C McGrath

David Taylor

James D Fahey

Joseph C Cardona

Joseph M McGrath

Timothy O Avery

Josephine McGrath

Yanning Liu

David Marcus Tung

Yanchu Xu

Mark Heimbaugh

Dan Cautis

Kenneth J Nelson

Lawrence Lee, Jr

In a voice coil motor (VCM) of a disk drive, a coined feature formed on a ferromagnetic plate reduces magnetic flux leakage from a disk drive without increasing the weight of the drive or adding complexity to the manufacturing process. The coined feature is shaped and positioned to alter the path of magnetic flux lines produced by the VCM in a way that significantly reduces the flux leakage from the VCM. The coined feature may be formed without adding material to the ferromagnetic plate by the same stamping process used to fabricate the plate.

Disk drive having reduced magnetic flux leakage

A latch () for a disk drive head positioner assembly () is disclosed. A latch assembly () is mounted on a printed circuit board (), and is thereby disposed exteriorly of the disk drive (). This latch assembly () includes a coil (), a first pole (), and a second pole (). A latch housing () includes a pair of blind holes () for receiving the poles (). The latch () also includes an armature () that is disposed within an interior space () of the disk drive () and that is rotatably supported by the latch housing (). This armature () includes a permanent magnet () and a stop (). The armature () is rotated to either dispose the stop () in the path of or out of the path of a tail () of the head positioner assembly () (the latched and unlatched positions, respectively).

Disk drive latch with external coil

The present invention is directed to a load/unload ramp assembly which is interconnectable with a base plate of a dynamic load/unload-type disk drive. The load/unload ramp assembly generally includes a load/unload ramp and at least one base plate attachment cantilever. A fastener shaft is directed past each of the base plate attachment cantilevers and into a fastener receptacle on the base plate. A fastener head simultaneously exerts a force on each of the base plate attachment cantilevers that are engaged by the head to deflect such base plate attachment cantilevers toward the base plate, to in turn dispose the load/unload ramp assembly in forcible engagement with the base plate.

Method of interconnecting a load/unload ramp assembly with a base plate of a disk drive

A latch apparatus is configured to latch an actuator arm assembly that can position a read/write head relative to a data storage disk in a disk drive. The latch apparatus includes a latch arm, a coil, a permanent magnet, and a latch control circuit. The latch arm is configured to be moved between a closed position that inhibits movement of the actuator arm assembly in a landing zone and an open position that does not inhibit movement of the actuator arm assembly in the landing zone. The coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic force on the latch arm responsive to a coil current. The permanent magnet is configured to generate a magnetic force on the latch arm that is substantially opposed to the electromagnetic force from the coil. The latch control circuit is configured to increase according to defined open current profiles over a defined opening time period the coil current to at least an upper defined level to cause the coil to move the latch arm from the closed position to the open position. The latch control circuit is further configured to decrease according to defined close current profiles over a defined closing time period the coil current to no more than a lower defined level to cause the permanent magnet to move the latch arm from the open position to the closed position.

Latch apparatus for latching an actuator arm assembly in a disk drive

Attachment method and apparatus for load/unload ramp of a dynamic load disk drive

A latch system for a removable cartridge and disk drive is provided. The cartridge is hinged at the back so as to pivot apart about an axis that is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the disk. A pair of latches are disposed on opposing sides of the cartridge outboard of a labyrinth seal. Each of the latches includes an upper and a lower protrusion that acts as a catch that are insertable into corresponding apertures in the cartridge. The latches a spring-loaded toward a closed position. A load ramp for loading and unloading heads is fixed in the drive and contacts and engages a first latch, and a second unlatching member is fixed in the drive and contacts and engages the second latch. Employing the load ramp to unlatch one side of the cartridge conserves space within the cartridge.

Combination load ramp and unlatching mechanism for a removable disk cartridge

A data recording cartridge that includes a shell that protects a data recording medium from damage and from particulate contamination is disclosed. When the cartridge is in a closed position, the top shell and bottom shell form a seal to exclude particulate matter from the data recording medium. Because the seal encloses the perimeter of the data recording medium, both internally generated and external particulates do not contaminate the data recording medium. A drive for opening and operating the cartridge is also disclosed. Another aspect of the present invention includes a hub having an enlarged center hollow, and a spindle motor having a top protrusion that fits into the enlarged center hollow. A spindle motor top bearing juts into the underside of a cavity created by the protrusion, thereby more efficiently using vertical space.

Shutterless data recording cartridge and drive for using same

A disk hub for a removable cartridge is disclosed that has an enlarged center hollow, and a spindle motor is also disclosed that has a top protrusion that fits into the enlarged center hollow. The center hollow and protrusion have diameters at least as large as the outside diameter of a spindle motor top bearing. While the spindle motor is engaged to the hub, the top bearing projects into the center hollow, thereby efficiently using vertical space.

Disk hub for a removable cartridge and spindle motor for using same

An adjustable, sturdy upper body support assembly for keyboard operators includes a pair of adjustable armrests mounted on a rigid frame which can be incorporated into a standalone system or into a workstation system. In one embodiment, the support assembly is positioned adjacent and partially underneath a piece of furniture. The support assembly in this embodiment includes a counter-balance member which is adjustable and can be positioned adjacent an underside surface of the piece of furniture. The piece of furniture interacts with the counter-balance member to prevent the assembly from tipping when the user rests part of their upper body, including their arms, on the armrests. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a support frame and an upper body support apparatus. The upper body support apparatus is movably engaged with the support frame to permit the apparatus to be moved underneath a piece of furniture when not in use.

Upper torso support for a workstation

An engagement interface between a removable cartridge containing a rigid disk for storage of data and a disk drive. The cartridge includes an opening for a hub of the disk for spinning and the disk drive has a magnetic spindle with connecting mechanism for extending the spindle into contact with the hub and retracting it out of contact. The cartridge also includes a disk immobilizer to hold the disk with its hub centered in the opening when the cartridge is outside the disk drive, and a detachable mechanical interconnection between the hub and the housing to retain the hub generally centered in the opening when the disk immobilizer is deactivated as the cartridge is inserted in the disk drive but before the spindle has engaged the hub for instances when the cartridge is inserted in the disk drive with other than a vertical orientation.

Removable disk to drive engagement

An adjustable, sturdy upper body support system for keyboard operators includes a pair of adjustable arm rests mounted on a rigid frame which can be incorporated into a standalone system or into a desk workstation system. In either embodiment, the frame includes a portion extending forward under the arm rests to prevent the device from tipping. The arm rests can be pivoted about two axes relative to a U-shaped frame slidable within a primary frame underneath a keyboard platform. The standalone version includes outwardly diverging feet for added maneuverability and can be positioned underneath an existing desk. In one version, the upper body support is mounted to a height adjustable desk workstation. Another combined upper body support and desk system includes a height adjustable desk positionable with respect to the arm rests.

An engagement interface between a removable cartridge containing a rigid disk for storage of data and a disk drive that maintains the disk immobilized during insertion into the disk drive so that the drive can be oriented in any direction with respect to gravity. The cartridge includes an opening for a hub of the disk for spinning and the disk drive has a magnetic spindle with connecting mechanism for extending the spindle into contact with the hub and retracting it out of contact. The cartridge also includes an overcenter disk immobilizer to hold the disk with its hub centered in the opening when the cartridge is outside the disk drive and to release the disk when the cartridge is within the disk drive and the hub is engaging the spindle.

Immobilizer for a data storage disk in a cartridge using an overcenter

A support assembly for the motor of a removable cartridge disk drive which positively elevates and retracts the spindle thereof for connection and disconnection from the hub of the disk without requiring electrical power for the operation. The support assembly includes a pair of cams on siding members to provide the movement.

Motor support assembly for a disk drive

An interface between a removable cartridge containing a rigid disk for storage of data and a disk drive. The cartridge includes a normally closed and locked pivoting arcuately shaped shutter to cover a disk access window and an opening for a hub of the disk for spinning. The disk drive includes a shutter opener arm for unlocking and opening the shutter as the cartridge is inserted therein, a magnetic spindle with connecting mechanism for extending the spindle into contact with the hub and retracting it out of contact, and an abutment surface to deactivate a disk immobilizer when the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive.

Growing community of inventors

Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Michael C McGrath