Abstract: A head positioning device for positioning a magnetic head of a tape drive wherein the positioning device has a base mounted stationary with respect to a tape circulating past the magnetic head. The positioning device further has a magnet assembly extending upward from the base. The magnet assembly is surrounded by a motor coil which receives electrical current to cause the motor coil to move up and down under influence of the magnet assembly. The device also has a magnet housing substantially enclosing the magnet assembly and the motor coil therein. The magnet housing has a vertical slot arranged on the side of the magnet housing opposite the magnetic head for pass through of a coil holder connected to the coil. Vertical force is transmitted from the coil to the coil holder outside of the magnet housing wherein the coil holder is connected to the magnetic head for vertically positioning the head with respect to the base.

Abstract: A device for positioning a magnetic head to magnetic tape which includes two spaced apart plates connected by two front cylindrical outriggers and a rear threaded shaft. A magnetic head assembly is resiliently held between the threaded shaft and the two outriggers by a beam type plate spring having on a back side a nut or threaded follower which engages the threaded shaft. A stepper motor connected to a worm gear drives the threaded shaft into axial rotation which by being meshed with the follower raises and lowers the follower, and thus the magnetic head, with respect to the threaded shaft. The magnetic head provides two V-shaped regions which guide head movement on one outrigger and a flat bearing surface on the opposite side to slide on the second outrigger, forming a precisely set three point guiding of the magnetic head.