Abstract: Disk drive suspension pitch static attitude is adjusted without increasing the stiffness of the suspension by defining reliefs in the laterally projecting tab continuations of the suspension metal layer in the form of full or partial gaps, notches and/or apertures that reduce mass of the tabs while retaining their functionality for twisting or bending the suspension to bring the suspension slider-supporting tongue into parallel relation with a disk surface.

Abstract: A protective mounting for a microchip on a suspension is provided by locating the microchip in an opening in the load beam extending from the edge rail side through to the slider side and attaching the microchip there to a flexible circuit conductor extending on the slider side.

Abstract: A novel flexure provides an improved disk drive suspension, the flexure having a different thickness of insulative film between its metal layer and respective ones of its read and write conductor circuits to vary the circuit impedances accordingly to different and optimum values for each type of circuit.

Abstract: A wireless-type disk drive suspension comprising a laminate of a spring metal, an insulative plastic film and trace conductors that exerts insufficient vertical force for the slider to operate effectively on the disk is provided with a secondary spring structure generally opposite the slider and that can incorporate a dimple to increase the suspension stiffness and the vertical force.

Abstract: An easily manufacturable disk drive suspension load beam lifter comprises a lift arm shifted laterally and vertically and cantilevered from the load beam by a web extending at an angle and for a distance from the load beam that is adjustable to provide a predetermined height and position for the lift arm above the disk.

Abstract: A two-piece load beam mounting system supports a load beam in operating proximity to a disk, the mounting system comprising a small mount less subject to flatness problems, the mount having a plate and a central boss, the mount plate having lateral and longitudinal dimensions less than the base portion corresponding dimensions, and a support having lateral and longitudinal dimensions to register with the base portion when the support is sandwiched between the mount and the load beam base portion in attached relation to each; the support and mount plate cooperating to have their combined height no greater than the height of the support to achieve a greater stiffness in the mount system without increasing the height.

Abstract: A recording head suspension is provided having a gimbaling dimple and a cooperating channel of greater longitudinal extension and substantially the same lateral extension as the dimple to permit rotation of the dimple and block substantial lateral movement and dislodgment of the dimple from the channel responsive to a lateral shock to the recording head suspension.

Abstract: PZT crystals are peripherally coated in manufacture by cutting a series of intersecting first kerfs in a wafer comprising a plurality of PZT crystal precursors, filling the kerfs with a coating resin, and cutting a second, narrower kerf in the locus of the first kerfs to separate the crystals while providing them a peripheral coating of the coating resin.

Abstract: A single piece suspension and actuator arm includes a load beam having an integrated flexure and hinge each formed of the same web as the load beam, the flexure being foldable at the hinge to lie over the load beam engaged therewith to secure the flexure in its folded over condition. The load beam defines an additional attachment structure that attaches to cooperating attachment structure on the actuator arm, with one or more of the attachment structures comprising a tab and slot arrangement.

Abstract: Disk drive suspension including an actuator, a modified base mounting plate fixed to the actuator to support a load beam, flexure and slider assembly cantilevered from the actuator in operative association with a disk. The modified base mounting plate further individually mounts each load beam on an actuator for separate demounting of one without demounting of the other.

Abstract: Excessive capacitive coupling in a wireless disk drive suspension having minimum dielectric film thickness for better mechanical properties is reduced by removing a portion of the wireless conductor immediately opposite the suspension conductors only to obtain reduced capacitive coupling and thus better electrical properties without sacrifice of mechanical properties.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly of a flexure and a flexure support, the flexure having a tongue adapted to carry in gimbaling relation a slider in operating proximity to a disk, the flexure support and the flexure tongue defining cooperating structures which limit motion of the tongue relative to the disk to a predetermined range.

Abstract: A very low cost disk drive suspension is a unitary structure carried in a strip with other structures that comprise a load beam and a flexure, the flexure having a head portion that forms a gimballing platform from inner and outer leaves carried on a frame leg, the load beam having an aperture with guiding fingers to receive and guide an axial connector that can be coined to mount the load beam on an actuator arm in lieu of using a mounting plate.

Abstract: A low manufacturing cost electrical connector for a disk drive suspension comprises lower cost, metal layer-free first flexible conductive laminate segment to connect to signal circuitry, a more expensive metal layer containing flexible conductive laminate second segment to connect to a slider, and a lower cost, easily variously shaped jumper segment supported on the actuator arm and coupled between said first and second segments to connect the slider to the signal circuitry in a manufacturing cost efficient way.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly of a flexure and a flexure support, the flexure having a tongue adapted to carry in gimbaling relation a slider in operating proximity to a disk, the flexure support and the flexure tongue defining cooperating structures which limit motion of the tongue relative to the disk to a predetermined range.

Abstract: Optimum pitch attitude during and between slider contact with a disk in a disk drive is provided by articulating the suspension load beam rigid portion intermediate its ends to flex in the unloaded condition to provide a small positive pitch to the slider and to provide a 0° pitch in the loaded condition when the slider is in operating contact with the disk.

Abstract: A flexible conductor is mounted to a suspension comprising a flexure and a load beam using a flowable adhesive-passing channel at a locus of flexible conductor attachment to the suspension and a flowable adhesive forced into the channel in a manner forming a crown of the adhesive over and around the channel inlet, and hardening the adhesive in bonding relation with the flexible conductor and the suspension, the adhesive crown mechanically locking the suspension load beam, flexure and flexible conductor in their desired alignment.

Abstract: The invention provides greatly shortened electrical paths for the wires or traces connecting a disk drive suspension slider to the preamplifier circuit chip without problems of chip wastage by supporting the disk drive suspension assembly of a slider, a flexure, a load beam and a mounting plate, all in operative association on the preamplifier circuit chip, and supporting the chip on the actuator arm.

Abstract: The invention provides continuing shunt protection of wireless suspension assemblies with a shunt structure that is readily attached to and detached from the contact pads or other exposed areas of the conductive traces of the flexible conductive laminate portion of the wireless suspension for use as needed to protect the MR and GMR elements/heads. The shunt structure comprises a conductive web to connect the conductive traces in parallel, and adhesive allowing the separable attachment of the web to the traces.

Abstract: In the manufacture of disk drive suspension flexures, an absence of exposed unplated conductive trace ends at the locus of severing individual flexures from a panel of flexures is achieved by reducing the cross section a portion of the conductive traces at the locus of severing so that the portion preferentially melts upon passage of a current through the conductive traces, severing the portion and encasing the severed ends in melted plastic from the flexure plastic film layer.