Abstract: A positioning system for a magnetic disk storage system. A first and second lead screw connected to their respective stepper motors are mechanically connected by a lever arm that adds these motions. The first stepper motor is controlled by an open loop control circuit and the second stepper motor is controlled by a closed loop circuit that reads servo information off the magnetic disk. The head is constantly repositioned to follow track eccentricities and can accurately read very closely spaced tracks on non-rigid disks.

Abstract: A floppy disk drive mechanism includes a clamping lever which is turned to align the floppy disk with a drive spindle and clamp it thereto. The clamping lever is not accessible until the disk has been fully inserted into the drive mechanism thus minimizing damage as may occur by operating the clamping mechanism when the disk is not fully inserted. Further, turning of the accessible handle causes a rotational clamping device to be moved vertically downward along a line perpendicular to the plane of the floppy disk so as to further align the disk with the drive spindle and clamp it thereto. The clamping lever also is not accessible when in the fully clamped condition. An overcenter link holds the clamping mechanism in the fully clamped condition and a lock-out prevents ejection of said disk during operation. By pushing a release button, the over-center link is disengaged and a spring-loaded mechanism unclamps the clamping mechanism and raises the read/write head free of the disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning magnetic record/playback heads in a floppy disk data storage and retrieval devices and including a carriage 12 upon which heads 14 and 16 are mounted, and a linear guidance mechanism comprising a fixed guide rod 18, a spring-loaded guide rod 20, and three carriage mounted bearing assemblies 25. The spring-loaded guide rod 20 is biased toward the fixed guide rod 18 and forces two of the bearing assemblies 25 against the fixed guide rod 18 by action through the third bearing assembly. Each bearing assembly 25 comprises two spherical balls 28 and 30 which are mounted in spherical seats 32 and spin in reaction to translation of the carriage 12. Radial positioning of carriage 12 and the attached heads is accomplished by a lead screw 22 driven by a stepper motor 24 which is coupled to the carriage through a zero backlash nut follower 75.