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. 09, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 29, 1999
David Michael, Auburndale, MA (US);
Larry E. Wittig, Lexington, MA (US);
William D. Robertson, Charlton, MA (US);
Joaquim A. Bento, Franklin, MA (US);
Maxtor Corporation, Longmont, CO (US);
Abstract
An actuator latching mechanism for a disk drive device is provided. The latching mechanism includes a rotatable body portion, a rigid air vane portion and a latching arm. When a data storage disk of the disk drive is not being rotated, the latching mechanism maintains a transducer actuator assembly of the disk drive in a locked position by engaging the transducer actuator assembly in the latching arm. When the data storage disk is rotated, airflow is generated proximate to the surface of the disk, in the same direction in which the disk is rotated. The latching mechanism is disposed in a space between the edge of the data storage disk and a side wall of the housing so that the peripheral effects of the airflow exerts a force on the air vane portion, rotating the latching mechanism towards the side wall to release the actuator assembly from the latching arm. Once disk rotation stops, the air vane portion returns to its original position and the latching arm engages the actuator assembly in the locked position.