Sycor, Inc.

Samuel A Morgan

Otto R Butsch

Samuel N Irwin

Raymond P Kavlick

A data recorder/reproducer device for disc media, particularly limply flexible magnetic disc media, having a pair of door-like structures mounted on opposite sides of a supportive frame, each such structure defining a narrow slit-space for receiving a recording disc and its envelope and mounting the same for recording, with a drive shaft supported on the frame centrally thereof, having a drive hub at either end aligned with the central opening in the recording disc, such that both discs are driven by the same drive train. The device has at least two recording heads, one for each disc, and the heads are articulated for selective control of movement toward or away from their particular disc, into or out of transducing relation thereto; also, the heads are mounted for translational movement across the face of their respective discs, generally radially thereof. In a preferred embodiment, there are four such heads, one for each side of each disc, so that all four sides may be recorded in a selective manner, each such head being movably articulated.

Disc recorder with lead screw drive

Housing for a data entry terminal

A data recorder/reproducer device, particularly for utilizing flexible magnetic disc media, is adapted to carry a recording head along at least one side of the disc. Translational drive means including a lead screw or worm driven by a stepper motor has a follower mounted thereon to which the recording heads are connected, for movement across the face of the disc generally radially thereof. Position-retaining means are provided for the follower, biased between it and the lead screw with sufficiently high spring force to prevent overtravel of the follower and to maintain accurate positioning of the follower and the heads moved thereon, and having a spring rate which prevents decoupling of the position-retaining means during rapid starts and stops of the lead screw. As a result, during each time interval between segments of rotation of the worm, the stepper motor may be de-energized, thereby eliminating a primary source of unnecessary and undesired heat, and at the same time reducing power consumption, leading to improved reliability and generally superior performance.

Method and means for moving recording heads in disc-type recorders

Flexible disc recorder construction

A data recorder/reproducer device for flexible magnetic disc media, having a door-like structure mounted on a supportive frame. The door structure receives a recording disc and is adapted to carry a recording head at one or both sides of the disc. The heads are articulated for selective control of movement toward or away from the disc, into or out of transducing relation and also for translational movement across the face of the disc, generally radially thereof. The device includes novel interlocking actuator means which prevent opening of the door or doors except when the heads, positioned by a translational drive means, are in a predetermined 'home' or start position at the edge of the disc, thereby preventing the inadvertent erasure or other loss or destruction of the recorded information.

Disc receiver interlock for disc recorders

A data recorder/reproducer device for flexible magnetic disc media, has a door-like structure mounted on a supportive frame. The door structure has a hollow interior which receives a recording disc, and is adapted to carry recording heads at each side of the disc. The heads may be articulated for selective controlled movement toward or away from the disc, into or out of transducing relation. The heads are also mounted for translational movement across the face of the disc, generally radially thereof. The device also includes novel linking means for connecting translational drive means to the heads to allow articulated movement of the heads and of the door-like structure without disturbing the translational position of the heads. Referencing means is also provided for positioning the heads with respect to the surface of the disc by establishing a reference position with respect to the door structure.

Method and apparatus for mounting and positioning magnetic recording

A diametrically-enlargeable cylindrical drum portion, preferably comprised of a plurality of movable segmental elements, each of U-shaped or other configuration having a pair of spaced legs or sides, which are resiliently flexible toward one another, mounted in a circuitous pattern on a rotatable member to form outwardly-projecting inner and outer generally concentric annular shoulder formations. The outer such formation provides a segmented hub for receiving a disc by its center opening, such hub being expandable against the opening in the disc to center the latter, as a result of moving a tapered actuator against the inner such annular formation, such actuator preferably comprising a conically angled ridge formation on a rotatable element which is movable into registering contact with the first such member.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Samuel A Morgan