Abstract: A support assembly includes a base layer, a circuit defined along the base layer, and a first material molded on at least a portion of the base layer. The first material substantially forms a shape of at least a portion of the support assembly. Further disclosed is a molded suspension assembly. The molded suspension assembly includes a thin and elongate metallic substrate and a non-metallic material molded along at least a portion of one side of the metallic substrate. The non-metallic material interlocks with the metallic substrate. The molded suspension assembly includes a transducer support area at or near a first end of the molded suspension assembly.

Abstract: A suspension is provided, which has proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. A rotating hinge rotates the distal end about the longitudinal axis in response to vertical motion of the distal end relative to the proximal end. In one example, the suspension includes a preformed twist deformation, which rotates the distal end about the longitudinal axis relative to the proximal end axis in a direction opposite to rotation by the rotating hinge, in response to the vertical motion.

Abstract: A suspension is provided, which has a base, a load beam and a hinge structure. The hinge structure and at least one of the base and the load beam are formed of a single continuous piece of multiple layer laminate material, which includes first and second layers. The hinge structure includes a first beam formed by the first layer and a second beam formed by the second layer. The first layer is absent along the second beam and the second layer is absent along the first beam such that the first and second beams are vertically offset from one another. The first and second beams extend between the base and the load beam.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a unified suspension that includes an integral, continuous laminate, which has a thick actuator arm portion, a thin pre-load portion, and a beam portion, all formed of the same single laminate. The pre-load portion is integrally connected to the actuator arm portion, is thinner than the actuator arm portion, and is configured to apply a pre-load force. The beam portion is integrally connected to the pre-load portion, and is configured for attaching a gimbal to it. This integral, continuous laminate substantially lowers the mass of the suspension, provides excellent shock, resonance and lift tab performance, lowers power consumption requirements, and simplifies the complexity and cost of manufacturing components for a suspension and for assembling the components of the suspension together and into a larger system of which the suspension is a part.