Abstract: Improvements in a single and dual stage wafer cushion is disclosed where the wafer cushion can use an edge hinge as a single first stage cushion and a second mid span hinge for the dual stage wafer cushion. This dual stage design gives two distinctly different cushioning forces as opposed to using a single stage design where the force is linear with the amount of compression that is being applied to the outer surfaces of the wafer cushion. The outside edge of the ring provides the greatest expansion such that only the outer edge of the ring makes contact with the outer edge of a wafer. The wafer cushion is a material that flexes and absorbs shocks before the shock is transferred to the wafer stack. The material minimizes debris or contaminants from embedding into the wafer cushion and also prevents sheading of material from the wafer cushion.

Abstract: A storage system is provided having at least one storage unit, the storage unit including an electrical power source, a communication source and a cover that defines, at least in part an interior space. The storage system operates with a media blade that comprises a plurality of data storage elements, the media blade moveable in a drawer like motion though a cooperating opening in the cover. The storage system further includes a motion accommodating conductor apparatus connecting the plurality of data storage elements to the electrical power source and the communication source such that power from the electrical power source and communication from the communication source may be provided to the media blade without interruption when the media blade is moved in the drawer like motion outward from at least partially within the interior space.

Abstract: A disk spacer coupled to an outer circumference of a hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive to support at least one data storage disk, wherein at least one groove generating flow of air toward an outer circumference of the disk is formed at an outer circumferential surface of the spacer. The groove is formed to be deeper from an arbitrary position on the outer circumferential surface of the spacer in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the disk, and has a blade surface extending from the deepest position to the outer circumferential surface. The blade surface is substantially perpendicular to a tangential line at the outer circumferential surface of the spacer. Thus, the flow of air toward the outer circumference of the disk is formed by the grove formed at the outer circumferential surface of the spacer. Also, the flow of air around the disk is made smooth so that the disk fluttering is reduced.

Abstract: An optical pickup dustproofing mechanism having a simple structure is provided in which an objective lens is shielded promptly and reliably and adhesion of dust or the like to the objective lens is prevented. A movable portion 34 is able to move along a shaft center direction of a clamper 26. Further, the movable portion 34 is connected to the clamper 26 so as to face a standby position of an optical pickup 20. When a disc 14 is not placed on a turn table 18, the movable portion 34 moves downwardly and shields the objective lens 22 positioned in the standby position. Since adhesion of dust or the like to the objective lens 22 is prevented, the amount of light transmitted onto a photodetector does not decrease and reading failure is prevented. Since the present invention is simply structured such that the movable portion 34 is connected to the clamper 26, as compared to a conventional dustproofing mechanism, the number of components decreases and the structure is simplified.

Abstract: A camera exposure control device reduces battery power consumption during film exposure at the picture shooting time for long exposure times greater than several seconds such as bulb shooting and time shooting. The camera exposure control device includes a power source line from a battery power source to a control device and the like. A DC/DC converter is also on the power line. The control device stops operation of the DC/DC converter during the long exposure time where the shutter time is longer than a predetermined time. In other words, the control device controls the operation of the DC/DC converter during film exposure at shooting times where the film exposure time is longer than several seconds. The control device interrupts the DC/DC converter during these long exposure times. Further, other electric parts such as IC's and devices that do not require electricity supplied during the long exposure times can be turned off by the control device.

Abstract: A spacer for use between two adjacent recorded discs in a stack of the discs includes a flat, circular, relatively rigid plate having opposed major surfaces and a hole through the center thereof. The plate has portions around its peripheral edge and the edge of the hole which are thicker than the rest of the plate and project beyond the major surfaces of the plate. The thicker portions of the spacer engage unrecorded surface portions of the adjacent recorded discs so as to space the recorded portions of the adjacent recorded discs from the major surfaces of the spacer plate to prevent dust, dirt and other contaminating particles from being pressed into or against the recorded portions of the recorded discs which may damage the recorded discs.

Abstract: A muting switch for co-operation with the phono sockets of a record player to short circuit the leads from the pick-up, which are connected to the phono socket, at all times except when a record is being played.