Abstract: A test apparatus for measuring the relative flatness of a side of an object. The test apparatus includes an electronic probe immobilized in a surface plate such that the contact member of the electronic probe is adjacent to the plane of the surface plate. The use of a surface plate directly eliminates the dial indicator and the trio of stands and their problematic features such as translating the flatness of the surface plate. The use of a high resolution probe permits the relative flatness of the surface plate to be taken into account for the first time. For example, to enhance the accuracy of the relatively high resolution of which the electronic probe is capable of measuring, the flattest portions of the testing surface of the surface plate are determined and the bore in which the electronic probe is set is drilled in one of the "most flat" portions.

Abstract: A novel inertial actuator latch assembly adapted for use within the compact housing configuration of a very small form factor data storage system comprises an actuator latch and a separate latch spring. A portion of an inertia member of the actuator latch extends over a portion of a surface of the data storage disk and is separated therefrom by a clearance gap having a size typically on the order of tenths of a millimeter. A novel tilt limiting apparatus prevents deleterious contact between the inertia member and the sensitive surface of the data storage disk in response to a strong external rotational shock force being exerted on the data storage system housing. Automatic registration and coupling features provide for easy and efficient installation of the tilt limiting inertial actuator latch assembly in a top-down assembly process.

Abstract: A disk drive or direct access storage device (DASD) of the type having multiple disks and multiple actuator arms, both the disks and the actuator arms assembled in a stacked manner, advantageously assembled with the locating surface or flange of the actuator disposed on the opposite side of the stacked actuator arms from the side of the disk stack having the locating surface or flange for the disk hub. This opposite flange design results in a substantial reduction in the effects of tolerance buildup and therefore permits the design of the disk drive equal in all other respects to a conventional same side flange arrangement, but permitting additional disks, lower height, less tightly defined tolerances on components or the use of cheaper manufacturing techniques and technologies for recording data.

Abstract: A resilient and compliant shock rail is provided on the sides of the bottom cover for a PCMCIA standard Direct Access Storage Device. The shock rails, being of a resilient and easily deformable material, lengthen the impact time and attenuates the shock forces exerted on the DASD, thereby bringing the deceleration forces to acceptable levels. The shock rail may be further provided with low friction surfaces by bonding thin metal plates to the top and bottom surfaces of the shock rails to ease insertion and withdrawal of the PCMCIA DASD. The shock rail is provided with reinforcing members to insure that the keying scheme required for proper insertion is effective.

Abstract: A clamp for securing one or more data storage disks to a hub is formed as a slightly frusto-conical shaped annulus of resilient material with inwardly and upwardly extending lobes that are displaced radially outward during installation about a hub. Clamping force is derived from the compression of the lobes which are captured by the hub and the twisting of the annulus from the frusto-conical configuration to a substantially radial orientation. The clamp is formed of a material that is softer than the disk to cause the clamp to be compliant and conform to the disk irregularities and thereby avoid compromising disk flatness. The clamp component material composition is also modified to achieve a coefficient of linear expansion that is identical to the disk. The outer periphery of the clamp presents an interrupted flange that permits a tool to engage the clamp, perform the assembly about the hub and be disengaged using automated equipment.

Abstract: A compliant tape guide in a tape cartridge loads edge of a tape with an optimum pressure and a minimum of vibration by a series of compliant spring arms which transmit a guiding load to the edge through a flexible metal foil. The metal foil contacts the tape over a specified arc length in which the tape is supported by a curved guide bearing.

Abstract: A clamp for securing one or more data storage disks to a hub is formed as a slightly frusto-conical shaped annulus of resilient material with inwardly and upwardly extending lobes that are displaced radially outward during installation about a hub. Clamping force is derived from the compression of the lobes which are captured by the hub and the twisting of the annulus from the frusto-conical configuration to a substantially radial orientation. The clamp is formed of a material that is softer than the disk to cause the clamp to be compliant and conform to the disk irregularities and thereby avoid compromising disk flatness. The clamp component material composition is also modified to achieve a coefficient of linear expansion that is identical to the disk. The outer periphery of the clamp presents an interrupted flange that permits a tool to engage the clamp, perform the assembly about the hub and be disengaged using automated equipment.

Abstract: A magnetic tape has three evenly spaced-apart longitudinally-extending servo track areas. Four equal-sized longitudinally-extending data track areas are disposed between said servo track areas and between longitudinal edges of the tape and one of said longitudinally-extending data track areas. For track following, all servo track areas are simultaneously sensed for producing one head positioning signal. Data tracks are arranged into four groups of tracks, one-half of the data tracks in each group are concurrently accessed. The data tracks on the tape are arranged in clusters. Each cluster has one track from each of the groups of tracks. Two laterally-adjacent track clusters constitute four data track wraps for serpentine scanning of data tracks. The concurrent track accessing respectively occurs in first and second halves of a data track wrap (there is a number of wraps equal to one half the number of track clusters). Each servo area indicates two lateral positions of the tape to the head.

Abstract: A tape cartridge having a high performance tape path therein. The tape cartridge includes one or more gas bearing tape guides and/or one or more recesses in an edge of a gas/tape bearing surface. The gas bearing assemblies include a plenum having a metal foil gas bearing surface bonded thereto using a die-cut adhesive sheet. The compliant members are each inserted into a recess adjacent the edge of the bearing surface to permit edge guiding while providing lateral support for the tape immediately before and after the recesses in the direction of tape movement.

Abstract: A tape reel brake which is mounted in a well in the top of a tape reel hub. The well is inside the tape bearing surface of the hub. The brake is mounted to be compliantly biased away from the base of the well. The hub is seated against a first inside surface of a tape cartridge housing. The hub and brake are seated in the tape cartridge such that teeth on the periphery of the brake are biased against the opposite inside surface of the cartridge housing about the periphery of an opening therein. The biasing of the brake against the opposite inside surface both prevents the rotation of the reel and shields out dust when the tape cartridge is removed from a tape drive. To rotate the reel, a tape drive clutch enters the opening in the opposite inside surface and depresses the brake into the well to mate with a smaller diameter portion of the hub or a recessed portion of the brake.

Abstract: A tape path having an implicit squeeze bearing. In such a tape path, one end of the tape is wound upon a first reel, the tape extends around one or more guides, briefly comes into close proximity with itself at the outer wrap of the tape wound upon the first reel, and is wound upon a second reel. By coming within close proximity with itself, the tape forms an implicit squeeze bearing which damps tape tension variation, inhibits the transmission of vibrations from one reel to the other, and eliminates the entrapment of entrained air without any additional rollers or other components. The tape path is suitable for use in a peripheral storage device, such as a magnetic tape drive, and is compatible with a variety of tape cartridge configurations.

Abstract: At times a person may wish to lie on a chaise lounge in a prone position. The chaise lounge has a head support section that includes a head rest. The head rest has a T-shaped or triangular opening for accommodating the person's face. The head support section also has an area of reduced width to accommodate the person's arms. The person can thus hold and read a book or magazine located below the chaise lounge.

Abstract: A shoulder protection device releasably mountable within the U-shaped channels of a ladder to provide support during shoulder supported transportation thereof, including a mounting arrangement for releasably mounting the device within the U-shaped channel of a ladder, a recess formed in the device to accommodate ladders having a pivotably mounted cross-brace and a shim assembly for permitting the device to be mounted on ladders having various U-shaped channel depths and various cross-brace constructions. The device may also include a strip that will protect the clothing of the user of the device, a tether and/or storage arrangement for holding the device to the ladder.

Abstract: An adjustable breast bridge includes a pair of upright members, a rectangular span member, adjustable fasteners connecting the support members and span member together in an inverted U-shaped configuration in which the bridge is adapted to straddle a breast of any size. Each support member has a vertically adjustable slot which can be raised or lowered as desired to any desired distance above the base of the bridge, as indicated by millimeter calibrations on the outer sides of the support members. The marking tool can be inserted through the support member slots and used to draw a line on the breast surface a precise distance above and parallel to the base of the bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for extricating an individual from a hazardous location or situation which includes a mechanism for selectively grappling various portions of the individual's body and a generally elongated frame having a substantially longitudinal extent which can be varied in length and which supports the body grappling mechanism. The elongated frame allows an individual to use the grappling mechanism to grapple a portion of the body of the individual who is in a jeopardized situation from a position of safety without jeopardizing both individuals. The body grappling mechanism includes a torso engaging mechanism and a limb engaging mechanism, both of which extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the frame of the apparatus. The torso engaging mechanism is contoured to define at least one torso receiving concavity having a lateral extent, with respect to the frame, which is selectively sized and configured to retainingly receive the torso of an average individual.