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 lower cost metal layer free flexible conductive laminate segment is connected to a relatively smaller amount of the more expensive metal layer containing flexible conductive laminate segment to connect a slider to signal circuitry in a cost efficient way while avoiding biasing of the slider movement by the conductor.

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: A disk drive suspension has a lower stiffness gimbal flexure formed in one piece with a load beam by setting off the flexure frame from the load beam rigid portion, reducing the frame thickness by partial etch, maintaining the flexure tongue thickness at that of the load beam rigid portion, and completing the flexure frame with flexible conductor connected to the distal end of the frame, metal layer in the flexible conductor being removed to maintain low stiffness while connecting the flexible conductor to the flexure tongue in motion limiting relation.

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 disk drive suspension comprising a load beam utilizing a piezoelectric microactuator has bendable arcuate spring portion elements which further curl or flatten in response to contraction or expansion of the piezoelectric microactuator to facilitate greater distance beam displacement at lower levels of voltage.

Abstract: As manufactured disk drive head suspension load beams are modified for facile permanent adjustment in pitch characteristic by a localized reduction in material in the load beam forward portion web and/or rails within a transverse locus to facilitate deflection of the load beam to a different pitch characteristic.

Abstract: An ultra compact disk drive suspension for supporting a read-write head slider at a disk surface comprising a load beam having generally an E-shape with a base, and extending from the base a center portion, a left portion and a right portion all generally extending in a first horizontal plane, a flexure generally extending in a second horizontal plane vertically spaced from the first horizontal plane, the flexure being attached to the left and right load beam portions, the load beam having a dimple in contact with the flexure, a head slider supported by the flexure in disk surface opposed relation, and a mounting plate extending in a third horizontal plane, the mounting plate being attached to the load beam at the left and right portions only.

Abstract: Assembly of wireless conductors onto load beams by putting up the wireless conductors in a pattern that is a multiple of the number of load beams on a fret, and indexing the pattern of wireless conductors corresponding multiple times for a succession of load beam frets in a laser welding station and welding after each indexing.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension has a noncantilevered flexure adapted to rotate about a dimple, the flexure comprising an open frame fastened by opposed tabs to a load beam, the flexure having a gimbal panel carrying the slider and connected fore and aft to the open frame for gimbaling response to slider movement providing the ease of manufacturing of an integrated flexure with the responsiveness of a dimple-type suspension.

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: A disk drive suspension load beam having reduced mass for lessened shock in use and progressively modified stiffness and torsion values from its rearward portion to its forward portion is provided by trenching the rearward and/or intermediate portions to form on the flexure bearing, or opposite, face of the load beam a longitudinal series of transverse grooves in the rearward portion and in the intermediate portion inside the edge margin thereof, suitably cross-ribbed for stiffness, the rearward portion trenches being on the opposite face unless the intermediate portion is also trenched.

Abstract: Extended arcuate travel of the flexure in a disk drive suspension head gimbal assembly is provided by reducing the load beam body thickness in the areas where the load beam body normally interferes with full arc traverse, by etching some or all of the load beam material away in the interference areas.

Abstract: Unduly large travel of a flexure resulting in overflexure or the permanent loss of dimple contact between flexure and load beam in a disk drive suspension is blocked by having the flexure and load beam loosely coupled by a blocking structure which freely permits desired movement, within a predetermined range, but blocks other movement, by defining a gap between flexure and load beam equal to or less than the maximum tolerable amount of travel against movement beyond the predetermined range.

Abstract: Load beam for supporting a terminally disposed flexure carrying a head slider in operative association with a removable disk drive and an actuator for shifting the load beam along its longitudinal axis, the load beam being formed of a single member and having an integrally formed laterally projecting cam follower unitary therewith for effective lifting of the head slider from the disk.

Abstract: Disk drive suspension in which roll and pitch biases are minimized by routing the wire bundle of oppositely twisted wire pairs in a groove extending along the longitudinal axis of the load beam, and then each of the pairs separately about the suspension flexure for connection to the head.

Abstract: The efficiency of wire bundle conductors is realized in a disk drive suspension without wire bundle biasing of the slider movement by interposing a section of flexible conductive laminate conductor between the wire bundle terminus and the slider, thereby obtaining the nearly bias free connection of the flexible conductive laminate conductor to the slider and as well substantially the superior electrical performance of the wire bundle conductor.

Abstract: An improved resonance and non-operating shock performance, low debris-generating disk drive suspension head gimbal assembly for positioning a head at a disk in which the load beam body is locally relieved or deflected to provide shelter for the portion of the flexure usually in the path of the lift arm against debris causing contact of the lift arm with the flexure edges and distortion of the flexure from lift arm contact in a load beam unsupported condition. The local relief reduces the load beam mass for high shock performance; the modification of the load beam contour improves stiffness and thereby improves resonance qualities.

Abstract: Optimized stiffness in a disk drive suspension comprising a load beam and a flexure structure is realized by forming the flexure structure from a flexure and a flexible conductor in which the conductor is a laminate of conductive metal and plastic and has an easily controlled and relatively higher spring constant, while the flexure has a relatively lower spring constant.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly in which the spacing of the slider in operative proximity to the disk is determined by the additive height of separate opposed dimples on the flexure and load beam, respectively, engaged in a common locus of engagement, the flexure having in addition a local deflection to offset the outer flexure portion carrying the dimple from the inner flexure portion.