Abstract: Disclosed is a novel flying head supported on a stationary, rigid arm to present a "hydrodynamic" head-face to a passing flexible record segment, the segment being induced by this face to automatically assume a prescribed, relatively controlled configuration and spacing relative to the head-face.

Abstract: A flexible disk pack having a pair of floppy end plates. The end plates are adapted to assume a Delta or tapered shape when they are rotated with the record pack. Each of the end plates is formed of at least two stacks of contiguous flexible disks separated by wedge spacers. The thickness and mass of the outer stack of each end plate is determined by the stiffness desired while the thickness and mass of the inner stack is selected to cause it to bend smoothly toward the outer stack allowing for pneumatic stability during partitioning.

Abstract: Improved transducing techniques and arrangements; the embodiments particularly adapted for co-action with disk drive apparatus for handling flexible disk packs, and including a partitioning shield, flexure-bar mounted transducer head under the shield, along with disk-cleaner/stabilizer means--especially where these are arrayed in the form of a double-opposed transducer assembly adapted to be so manipulated into the pack as to double-partition the pack away from a selected disk on which opposed dual-transducing operations may be carried out.Such arrangements eliminate the need for separate pressure-pads, incorporating them on opposed-heads adapted to transduce on both sides of a record mounted on the ends of respective pivotable flexure-bars. Such cleaner/stabilizers can be opposed, engaged an intermediate record, squeezingly.

Abstract: Improved flexible disk pack magnetic storage systems and associated elements are illustrated as adapted for pneumatic partitioning and indicate, among other features, the use of spacer segments in the gap between adjacent flexible disks these being pre-attached to each disk to isolate the axial pressurized air streams from non-selected gaps and also to provide a reference surface for registration of the disks in the course of compressing the stack together.

Abstract: Improved disk pack media for data storage is illustrated as comprising a pack of flexible magnetic recording disks which may be partitioned "end-wise".The disk pack is flanked top and bottom by respective "dummy packs" and end-plates, the end-plates being formed simply from a stack of contiguous flexible disks.

Abstract: Improved disk drive equipment is illustrated, being characterized by improved end-wise pneumatic partitioning means for deflecting selected flexible magnetic recording disks and featuring improved "external" pneumatic partition means for directing partitioning air to be injected end-wise and axially up the pack as a jet stream through bores in the disks and spacers into a gap between any two disks--these bores terminating at respective gaps where the spacer means is radially cut-out to divert the axial air stream to its associated inter-disk gap.

Abstract: Improved disk drive equipment is illustrated, being characterized by improved partitioning apparatus for partitioning flexible magnetic recording disks and featuring improved "external" distributor apparatus for distributing partitioning air to be injected as a jet stream from the pack-hub region into a gap between any two disks--this apparatus constituting external, rotationally-stabilized jet-select apparatus which avoids the problems and inconvenience of alternate techniques, such as axially positioning a distributor piston within the pack-hub or rotationally positioning (phasing) a rotating jet nozzle relative to the rotating pack.

Abstract: An improved "floppy cartridge" is described comprising a jacket especially adapted for containing a pack of flexible disks, this jacket accommodating convenient insertion and withdrawal of the disk pack, while also permitting rotation and associated partitioning of the pack, as well as head-insertion and transducing on a selected disk--all with the pack kept contained within the jacket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel flying head supported on a stationary, rigid arm to present a "hydrodynamic" head-face to a passing flexible record segment, the segment being induced by this face to automatically assume a prescribed, relatively controlled configuration and spacing relative to the head-face.

Abstract: Described is a pair of "compound pz-flexures" mounting, and driving, a magnetic recording transducer for controlled reciprocation, with the flexures under suitable driving voltage, executing "S-bends" during flexure so as to keep transducer reciprocation relatively rectilinear.

Abstract: Improved flexible disk pack magnetic storage systems and associated elements are illustrated as adapted for end-wise pneumatic partitioning and indicate, among other features, the use of "rim means" in the gap between adjacent flexible disks to better isolate the axial pressurized air streams from non-selected gaps and also to provide a reference surface for registration of the disks in the course of compressing the stack together.

Abstract: Improved flexible disk pack magnetic storage systems and associated elements are illustrated as adapted for end-wise pneumatic partitioning of a pack of flexible record disks and indicate, among other features, the use of "isolation packs" flanking the record pack to better isolate it, and especially the outer record-disks, from an outer pair of end-plates between which the isolation packs are disposed, the size and composition of each isolation pack being optimized and the gaps between isolation disks preferably coupled, pneumatically, to prescribed record-gaps and varied in height, with "large" isolation gaps coupled to "record-gaps" that are more difficult to partition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel rigid flying head supported on a prescribed foil to present a "compound-foil" face to a passing flexible record segment, the segment being thus induced to automatically assume a prescribed, relatively controlled "approach zone" and associated constant spacing relative to the head face.

Abstract: Improved disk drive equipment is illustrated, being characterized by improved partitioning means for partitioning a pack of flexible magnetic recording disks, the partitioning means featuring "pneumatic commutator" means for distributing air streams to various inter-disk gaps in the pack--this commutator means constituting part of an external, rotationally stabilized jet-select apparatus.

Abstract: Improved transducing techniques and arrangements; the embodiments particularly adapted for co-action with disk drive apparatus for handling flexible disk packs, and including a partitioning shield, flexure-bar mounted transducer head under the shield, along with disk-cleaner/stabilizer means--especially where these are arrayed in the form of a double-opposed transducer assembly adapted to be so manipulated into the pack as to double-partition the pack away from a selected disk on which opposed dual-transducing operations may be carried out.Such arrangements eliminate the need for separate pressure-pads, incorporating them on opposed-heads adapted to transduce on both sides of a record mounted on the ends of respective pivotable flexure-bars. Such cleaner/stabilizers can be opposed, engaged an intermediate record, squeezingly.

Abstract: A multi-disk floppy disk pack; also shown in an embodiment particularly adapted for co-action with disk drive apparatus for handling flexible disk packs, and including a partitioning diverting shield, flexure-bar mounted transducer head under the shield, along with disk-cleaner/stabilizer means--these being shown arrayed as a double-opposed transducer assembly adapted to be so manipulated into the pack as to double-partition the pack away from a selected disk on which opposed dual-transducing manipulations may be effected. Such stabilizer means operates up-stream of the head to reduce disk-flutter, etc.

Abstract: In a salient embodiment, an improved fine-positioning arrangement for mounting a recording transducer arm, comprising one or several pairs of "opposed" "piezo-flexures".

Abstract: Disk drive characterized by improved means for partitioning flexible magnetic recording disks with "external" pneumatic director means for selecting a partitioning jet stream and directing it into the pack-hub, and beyond into the gap between any two disks--this means constituting rotationally-stabilized jet-select apparatus and associated jet-distributor structure.The invention avoids the problems and inconvenience of such alternate techniques as axially positioning a distributor piston within a pack-hub or of rotationally positioning (phasing) a jet nozzle relative to the co-rotating pack.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel rigid flying head presenting a "compound-foil" face to a passing flexible record segment which is induced to automatically assume a prescribed, relatively controlled "approach zone" and associated constant spacing relative to the head face.

Abstract: Improved for subassembly partitioning, particularly as adapted for inclusion in disk drive apparatus for handling flexible disk packs, these packs preferably comprising flexible hole-encoded, disks compactly stacked in contiguous, superposed registration and packaged in a protective jacket; the subassembly, in one preferred embodiment, comprising a pair of double, nested separator-plungers, each pair being adapted to operate through the encoded hole pattern to selectively and automatically partition the disk pack as well as "center" a selected disk, thereby enabling the associated entry and manipulation of a double-opposed transducer assembly into the pack, enveloping the so-centered disk.