Tape head actuator assembly having a shock suppression sleeve

Abstract

A magnetic tape head actuator assembly has a stepper motor having a threaded output shaft and a bracket for supporting a tape head assembly. The bracket includes a pair of outwardly extending flanges. The flanges each have a bore, whereby the bores are axially aligned and dimensioned to accept the output shaft therethrough. The bracket further has an integral platform portion oriented normal to the threaded output shaft for mounting a tape head assembly. A threaded split nut positioned intermediate the bores is rigidly attached to the bracket and engages the threaded output shaft for movement of the bracket back and forth along the shaft. The nut further has an annular groove encircling its outer perimeter, wherein a circular spring positioned therein provides an inwardly directed compressive force on the nut. A unitary shock suppression sleeve that has a hollow interior portion dimensioned to accept the output shaft of the stepper motor provides an expansion resistant force on the split nut during atypical mechanical shock impacts. Moreover, the shock sleeve is spring biased to adaptively engage the split nut over a reasonable live span of the nut. In the event of a mechanical shock impact, a ramped interior portion of the sleeve provides a reactionary force on the nut for resisting the expansion thereof, thus substantially eliminating, split nut backlash.