Abstract: A disc unit in which a disc which is inserted into the data storage disc unit in a wrong direction or upside down is automatically discharged from the disc unit. Such a wrong insertion of the disc is detected in response to an index signal generated every time the disc makes one rotation or by detecting an aperture of a disc cassette in which the disc is accommodated.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for actuating the read-write heads of a disk file in which a plurality of support rails having resilient bushings at either end support on their central portions a carriage for the read-write heads and on their resilient bushings the support structure for the magnets which drive the carriage during operation. Reaction forces arising in the magnets are thereby isolated from the support rails and the frame.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus in a video tape recorder has first and second tape drawing mechanisms movably supported between an unloading position, in which they are accommodated within respective recesses in a tape cassette containing magnetic tape, and a loading position in which a portion of the magnetic tape is urged around a tape guide cylinder. At least one of the tape drawing mechanisms includes a tape drawing member and a tape guide member. A tape protective member for preventing any possible entry of a portion of the magnetic tape in between the tape drawing member and the tape guide member is mounted on top of the tape guide member so as to partially overhang the tape drawing member.

Abstract: An apparatus has a part which can be moved to an operating position by an actuating device, in response to movement of a button to an on position. Upon movement of the part to its operating position, a latching member directly associated with the part latches the button in its on position. Upon sensing a predetermined condition in the apparatus, a control member prevents the transmission of the actuating movement by the actuating device to the part, and a user becomes aware that the part has not moved to its operating position because the button does not become latched in its on position.

Abstract: A dynamic latching mechanism for a disc drive includes a latch rotatable about a pivot which captures an extension on the carriage. The latch is mounted in a frame directly attached to the disc drive housing. A spring loaded plunger normally is biased against the latch to hold it in place and thus restrain the carriage after the extension has been captured and power removed. A solenoid withdraws the plunger and allows release of the carriage. A brake plate is provided sliding on the plunger. A protrusion which extends from the latch frame and thus the disc drive housing cooperates with an edge of the brake plate. In the event of sudden shock to the housing, the shock force is transmitted to the protrusion which tilts the brake plate, freezing the plunger against the latch and preventing the latch from releasing from the extension on the carriage, so that the carriage is properly restrained even in the event of a significant shock.

Abstract: A "Winchester" type magnetic disk memory apparatus is disclosed that includes an air recirculation system in the clean chamber that assures positive pressure at all points of potential leakage. In conjunction with that feature, the head assembly positioning mechanism is located outside the clean chamber to provide substantial improvements in contamination control. Significant advantages in the manufacture and maintenance of the apparatus also result.

Abstract: A disk recording-reproducing device including a clamp mechanism and eject mechanism for a disk, which is characterized by an eject board abutable on an insertion front end of the disk and urged toward an insertion opening for the disk, a lock mechanism for locking the eject board when the disk is inserted up to a drive position, a lock-release member for releasing the locked state of the eject board, and a cam member rotatable as it is rubbed by the lock-release member at the time of insertion of the disk. Either the cam member or the lock-release member is movable in cooperation with the eject board to shift in the direction of insertion and ejection of the disk, and the other is movable in cooperation with the clamp mechanism to shift substantially perpendicularly to the revolution plane of the cam member, whereby a comparatively large dimensional clearance is allowed for the cam member and lock-release member.

Abstract: An enclosure for a rigid disk data file is shown which includes a base casting and a cover that interface along planar surface that is not perpendicular to the axis of the spindle supporting the data disks. The base casting at one side extends axially along the disk stack and has the transducer positioning actuators mounted through openings therein. At the opposite side, the disk stack is fully exposed to permit easy access to the disk surface for procedures such as servo writing during manufacture of the drive. This structure makes possible concurrent operation of the product heads and servo writing heads.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a magnetic disc housed in a cassette, in which the cassette is received and placed by a cassette holder at a predetermined loading position for the signal recording and/or reproduction where a magnetic head is provided. The head is moved relative to the disc by a head moving mechanism driven by a motor, while the holder is moved by a loading mechanism which is selectively connectible with the motor through a clutch mechanism. Thus, the head moving motor is also utilized as a cassette loading motor.

Abstract: An interconnection assembly permits a Winchester-type rigid magnetic disk storage unit, inclusive of the disk drive mechanism, to be plug-in removable from a systems unit or an add-on peripheral data storage subsystems unit of a personal computer system.

Abstract: A housing for a magnetic disk memory comprising a disk pack rotatably seated at both sides and a rotational positioner is subdivided along a parting plane parallel to the axes of the disk pack and the rotational positioner, being subdivided into a tub-shaped supporting shell and into a cover. Both bearing locations for the disk pack lie just within the edge of the supporting shell and the immersion depth of the rotational positioner into the supporting shell is as small as possible. As a base, the supporting shell comprises an end wall inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the parting plane, the inside of the end wall, however, comprising an attachment surface aligned parallel with the parting plane in the attachment region of the rotational positioner. Outwardly directed webs are provided on the outer surface of the end wall and extend at right angles with respect to one another for the purpose of reinforcement.

Abstract: In this device for mounting a magnetic head, a block mounted thereto with the magnetic head is secured to a mount through magnets, so that the operations of mounting and removing the magnetic head can be easily carried out at a stroke. Furthermore, the magnets of the block and the magnets of the mount are shifted in position in a direction of setting the block aside, so that loosenesses between positioning holes formed in the block and positioning pins provided on the mount can be absorbed.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a disc-shaped flexible record-bearing medium such as a disc-shaped flexible magnetic sheet, which includes a loading device for placing the medium at a predetermined position for signal recording and/or reproduction, a recording and/or reproducing head arranged to confront the medium when the medium is placed at the predetermined position, a rotation mechanism for rotating the medium relative to the head, a stop member for stopping the rotation of the medium by the rotation mechanism, and a control system responsive to the stop member for causing the loading device to retract the medium from the predetermined position, whereby the medium is prevented from being deformed by the head in a condition in which the medium is not being rotated by the rotation mechanism.

Abstract: An adjusting means for tape guide elements or magnetic heads effects adjustment exclusively in a plane at right angles to a reference surface. A fine adjustment mechanism, in particular a micrometer screw device, provides high accuracy of adjustment over a sufficiently wide range. The adjusting means can be used in any kind of magnetic tape cassette. Advantageous embodiments of such magnetic tape cassettes also form part of the present invention. By using the novel adjusting means, azimuth and skew losses can be compensated for in a simple manner.

Abstract: A rotary head cylinder device with a fluid bearing having a lower cylinder, a fixed shaft supported at its bottom in a cantilever way, a sleeve rotatably fitted on the shaft and cylindrical rotary transformers arranged coaxially with the shaft, the shaft having herringbone groove patterns formed thereon with a larger surface area of the herringbone groove pattern on the free end side of the shaft than on the fixed end side thereof, thereby providing a compact structure.

Abstract: A rotary head device with a fluid bearing including an upper cylinder and lower cylinder, a sleeve provided on the lower cylinder, a rotary shaft rotatably inserted in the sleeve, and pairs of cylindrical rotary transformers are mounted on the upper and lower cylinders, with two spaced apart herringbone patterns of grooves (26A and 26B) formed either on the rotary shaft or on the inside surface of the sleeve, the length of the herringbone pattern of grooves being larger on the upper cylinder end of the shaft or sleeve, and smaller on a motor end of the shaft or sleeve.

Abstract: A device for loading or unloading a magnetic disc pack includes a lid pivotally supported by a main body of the magnetic recorder or reproducer; and an inner cassette holder pivotally supported on the main body or the lid, having a configuration in which the magnetic disc pack incorporating a magnetic disc can be received and which is capable of being separated from the lid or the main body to expose an opening, into which the magnetic disc pack is inserted when the lid is opened, and a push member for pushing the center core of the magnetic disc toward the rotary drive shaft. By the closing operation of the lid, the cassette holder is guided to a position where the center core of the magnetic disc can be coupled onto the rotary drive shaft and the push member is guided through a position where the push member pushes the center core of the magnetic disc and to a position where the push member is out of contact with the center core of the magnetic disc.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for digital data transfer with a tape cassette is designed to require no movement of a magnetic transducer head to establish data transfer contact between the head and a tape cassette. The tape cassette is inserted in the apparatus in the direction of a notional line intersecting at right angles the axes of rotation of the pair of hubs of the tape cassette. Upon full insertion in the apparatus the tape cassette has its apertured front side held opposite the transducer head. A cassette shift mechanism subsequently transports the loaded tape cassette in a direction normal to the notional line, into data transfer contact with the transducer head. A tape transport shift mechanism also operates to move a pair of motor driven spindles into driving engagement with the respective hubs of the tape cassette. The insertion of the tape cassette automatically triggers the operation of both cassette shift mechanism and tape transport shift mechanism.

Abstract: The support for a magnetic head rotating about an axis is relatively movable with respect to a circular cylindrical guide surface which guides the tape past the path of the rotating magnetic head. In the playing mode, the rotation axis is coaxial with the cylindrical guide surface axis. In a stand-by mode either the bearing support for the rotating head assembly, or the cylindrical guide surface, is moved radially a small distance away from the other such that the head remains in contact with the guide surface, but is clear of the path swept by the rotating magnetic head. When the two portions of the device are moved back into coaxial alignment for the playing mode, a position device locates them accurately so that the two axes coincide.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk cartridge comprises a cartridge casing and a magnetic recording disk accommodated therein for rotation. The magnetic recording disk consists of an annular magnetic recording medium and a center core secured thereto at the center thereof. The center core has an upper half and a lower half secured together sandwiching therebetween the magnetic recording medium. A base-less double-sided adhesive tape which consists only of an adhesive layer and has no base material is sandwiched between the magnetic recording medium and the lower half of the center core to positively secure the former to the latter.