The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 24, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1996
Lloyd C Goss, Bloomington, MN (US);
Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, Hutchinson, MN (US);
Abstract
A suspension for positioning a floating read-write head assembly over selected tracks on the surface of a rotating data storage device. It includes a planar and resilient load beam having a proximal end portion that may be constructed for attachment to an actuator arm, a gimbal region located at a distal end portion constructed for supporting a read-write head assembly for gimballed motion relative to the surface of the data storage device, a spring region between the proximal end portion, and a rigid floor region located between the spring region and the gimbal region. The suspension also includes a sheet material shell region having side wall regions supporting a ceiling region over a face of the rigid floor region of the load beam. The wall regions may include longitudinally extending edge flanges projecting generally away from the ceiling region and from the rigid region, lip edges to facilitate attachment, and lift surfaces. The wall regions attach the shell to a face of the floor region of the load beam to cover at least the floor region and form into a stiffened monocoque region encasing a cavity between the load beam and the shell region. A method for manufacturing the suspension is also disclosed.