Recording system with flexible magnetic recording disc

Abstract

A flexible disc is provided for the recording and playback of information on a recording surface thereof. The disc is contained within a cartridge housing which protects the recording surface. At least one opening is provided in the disc which engages with at least one pin member of a drive hub, the drive hub providing rotation to the disc. The outer perimeter of the opening in the disc is larger than the outer perimeter of the pin member so that the disc is free to move laterally along the pin. At least one surface of the cartridge housing acts as a smoothing plane; rotation of the disc causes the disc to rise above such surface creating an air cushion between the disc and surface. An opening is provided in the cartridge housing for receiving a recording and/or playback head; the head is moveable within such opening so that it may be selectively indexed to read and/or write information on a plurality of tracks as the disc rotates within the cartridge. A relatively thin flexible spring member is fixed to the opposite side of the cartridge housing for applying a bias against the rotating disc directly opposite the opening to provide adequate head-to-disc coupling pressure over a wide range of vertical head alignments and geometries. In one embodiment, the flexible spring member is comprised of a mylar material.