Patents by Inventor Eiji Watadani

Eiji Watadani has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7764467
    Abstract: A suspension for a disc drive has a load beam, a flexure, a slider, etc. A tongue portion and a pair of outrigger portions are formed on the flexure. Slits are formed between the outrigger portions and opposite side edges of the tongue portion. The tongue portion and the outrigger portions are connected by connecting portions. Limiter members are formed on the load beam. Each limiter member has a bent portion, which is inserted in its corresponding slit, and an extending portion. The extending portion faces its corresponding connecting portion. A trace member is electrically connected to the slider. The trace member passes outside the limiter members and extends along the outrigger portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Eiji Watadani, Kenichi Takikawa
  • Patent number: 7751152
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive is thin from an arm to a head and involves a minimum step between the arm and a load beam. The head suspension includes a load beam that includes a rigid part and a resilient part. The load beam applies load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. The head is connected to read/write wiring patterns of a flexure. The flexure supports the head and is attached to a disk-facing surface of the rigid part. An arm is attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and is turned around a spindle. The arm supports the resilient part that is attached to a base end of the rigid part. A disk-facing surface of the arm is arranged within the total of thicknesses of the rigid part and head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Eiji Watadani, Ichiro Takadera
  • Patent number: 7688549
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive is thin from an arm to a head and involves a minimum step between the arm and a load beam. The head suspension includes a load beam that includes a rigid part and a resilient part. The load beam applies load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. The head is connected to read/write wiring patterns of a flexure. The flexure supports the head and is attached to a disk-facing surface of the rigid part. An arm is attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and is turned around a spindle. The arm supports the resilient part that is attached to a base end of the rigid part. A disk-facing surface of the arm is arranged within the total of thicknesses of the rigid part and head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Watadani, Masao Hanya
  • Patent number: 7688550
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive includes a base to be attached to a carriage of the head disk drive and turned around a spindle. A load beam includes a rigid part and a resilient part separated from the rigid part, to apply load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. A base end of the rigid part is connected to the resilient part that is supported with the base. A flexure has read/write wiring patterns connected to the head, the flexure supporting the head and attached to the load beam. A joint is provided on the rigid part, to be connected to the resilient part. A protrusion formed on each side edge. Reinforcing part each expands and connects between each of the protrusions and the rigid part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Tada, Masao Hanya, Kenichi Takikawa, Eiji Watadani
  • Patent number: 7650685
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a head suspension for a hard disk drive includes a rigid part chain product manufacturing step forming a rigid part chain product where rigid parts are provided continuously, a flexure manufacturing step forming the flexure integrated with the resilient part and the reinforcing parts, a base manufacturing step forming the base, a stacking and coupling step stacking and connecting the rigid part chain product, the resilient part chain product, the bases, and the flexures, to form the stacked set, and a cutting step cutting and separating respective head suspensions from a stacked set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Tada, Masao Hanya, Kenichi Takikawa, Eiji Watadani
  • Patent number: 7649716
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive has an arm to be attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and turned around a spindle, a load beam including a rigid part and a resilient part, to apply load onto a head that is arranged at a tip end thereof to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive, a base end of the rigid part supported on the arm side through the resilient part, and a flexure having read/write wiring patterns connected to the head, the flexure supporting the head and attached to a disk side face of the rigid part, the resilient part at least separated from the arm side and fixed to an opposite disk side face on the arm side and the flexure fixed to a disk side face on the arm side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Eiji Watadani, Ichiro Takadera
  • Patent number: 7636221
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive is capable of improving shock property of the hard disk drive while miniaturizing the hard disk drive. A head suspension has a base plate to be attached to a carriage and turned around a spindle of the carriage, a load beam which includes a beam and a hinge, a base end of the beam being supported to the base plate through the hinge and which applies a load onto a head for writing and reading data to and from a disk at a front end side thereof, and a flexure which connects the head to writing and reading wires and supports the head and which is attached to the load beam, where the hinge is set to be relatively thicker than the beam so that the load beam is made thin and the load is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Watadani, Masao Hanya, Takumi Karasawa
  • Patent number: 7586714
    Abstract: A head suspension includes an arm turned around a spindle, the load beam, and a flexure. The load beam includes a rigid part, a resilient part, and a head. The rigid part has a body and a joint. The joint is connected to a first end of the resilient part that is supported with the arm. The head is for writing and reading data to and from a disk and is positioned at a front end of the load beam to receive load from the load beam. The flexure is attached to the load beam and supports the head. A rail is formed along each side edge of the body of the rigid part and rises in a thickness direction of the body. The first end of the resilient part has extensions that extend over the joint of the rigid part toward the body of the rigid part. The extensions are fixed to the body of the rigid part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Watadani, Masao Hanya
  • Publication number: 20070247760
    Abstract: A suspension for a disc drive has a load beam, a flexure, a slider, etc. A tongue portion and a pair of outrigger portions are formed on the flexure. Slits are formed between the outrigger portions and opposite side edges of the tongue portion. The tongue portion and the outrigger portions are connected by connecting portions. Limiter members are formed on the load beam. Each limiter member has a bent portion, which is inserted in its corresponding slit, and an extending portion. The extending portion faces its corresponding connecting portion. A trace member is electrically connected to the slider. The trace member passes outside the limiter members and extends along the outrigger portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Eiji Watadani, Kenichi Takikawa
  • Publication number: 20070041130
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive has an arm to be attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and turned around a spindle, a load beam including a rigid part and a resilient part, to apply load onto a head that is arranged at a tip end thereof to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive, a base end of the rigid part supported on the arm side through the resilient part, and a flexure having read/write wiring patterns connected to the head, the flexure supporting the head and attached to a disk side face of the rigid part, the resilient part at least separated from the arm side and fixed to an opposite disk side face on the arm side and the flexure fixed to a disk side face on the arm side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Eiji Watadani, Ichiro Takadera
  • Publication number: 20060260119
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a head suspension for a hard disk drive includes a rigid part chain product manufacturing step forming a rigid part chain product where rigid parts are provided continuously, a flexure manufacturing step forming the flexure integrated with the resilient part and the reinforcing parts, a base manufacturing step forming the base, a stacking and coupling step stacking and connecting the rigid part chain product, the resilient part chain product, the bases, and the flexures, to form the stacked set, and a cutting step cutting and separating respective head suspensions from a stacked set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Tada, Masao Hanya, Kenichi Takikawa, Eiji Watadani
  • Publication number: 20060250725
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive includes a base to be attached to a carriage of the head disk drive and turned around a spindle. A load beam includes a rigid part and a resilient part seperated from the rigid part, to apply load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. A base end of the rigid part is connected to the resilient part that is supported with the base. A flexure has read/write wiring patterns connected to the head, the flexure supporting the head and attached to the load beam. A joint is provided on the rigid part, to be connected to the resilient part. A protrusion formed on each side edge. Reinforcing part each expands and connects between each of the protrudions and the rigid part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Tada, Masao Hanya, Kenichi Takikawa, Eiji Watadani
  • Publication number: 20060232887
    Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive is capable of improving shock property of the hard disk drive while miniaturizing the hard disk drive. A head suspension has a base plate to be attached to a carriage and turned around a spindle of the carriage, a load beam which includes a beam and a hinge, a base end of the beam being supported to the base plate through the hinge and which applies a load onto a head for writing and reading data to and from a disk at a front end side thereof, and a flexure which connects the head to writing and reading wires and supports the head and which is attached to the load beam, where the hinge is set to be relatively thicker than the beam so that the load beam is made thin and the load is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Watadani, Masao Hanya, Takumi Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20060221503
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive is thin from an arm to a head and involves a minimum step between the arm and a load beam. The head suspension includes a load beam that includes a rigid part and a resilient part. The load beam applies load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. The head is connected to read/write wiring patterns of a flexure. The flexure supports the head and is attached to a disk-facing surface of the rigid part. An arm is attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and is turned around a spindle. The arm supports the resilient part that is attached to a base end of the rigid part. A disk-facing surface of the arm is arranged within the total of thicknesses of the rigid part and head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Watadani, Masao Hanya
  • Publication number: 20060221504
    Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive is thin from an arm to a head and involves a minimum step between the arm and a load beam. The head suspension includes a load beam that includes a rigid part and a resilient part. The load beam applies load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. The head is connected to read/write wiring patterns of a flexure. The flexure supports the head and is attached to a disk-facing surface of the rigid part. An arm is attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and is turned around a spindle. The arm supports the resilient part that is attached to a base end of the rigid part. A disk-facing surface of the arm is arranged within the total of thicknesses of the rigid part and head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Eiji Watadani, Ichiro Takadera
  • Publication number: 20060209463
    Abstract: A head suspension includes an arm turned around a spindle, the load beam, and a flexure. The load beam includes a rigid part, a resilient part, and a head. The rigid part has a body and a joint. The joint is connected to a first end of the resilient part that is supported with the arm. The head is for writing and reading data to and from a disk and is positioned at a front end of the load beam to receive load from the load beam. The flexure is attached to the load beam and supports the head. A rail is formed along each side edge of the body of the rigid part and rises in a thickness direction of the body. The first end of the resilient part has extensions that extend over the joint of the rigid part toward the body of the rigid part. The extensions are fixed to the body of the rigid part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Watadani, Masao Hanya
  • Patent number: 6763552
    Abstract: A shaft lock apparatus, whose tilt angle between the apparatus's shaft and its rotating member is adjusted by a stable friction torque, and whose structure is simple. It is furnished with a rotating member (2) through which a shaft (1) passes in a condition of free rotation, and with elastic pressure members (3) and (4) through which the shaft (1) passes in a condition of bound rotation so as to keep the angle between the rotating member (2) and the shaft (1) at a desired degree by pressing against the rotating member (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Kitamura, Makoto Saitoh, Eiji Watadani, Hiroshi Ikeda, Naohiko Otake
  • Publication number: 20030086207
    Abstract: A pair of side rails with an L-shaped cross section are formed individually on the opposite side edge portions of a load beam. Each side rail includes a low rail portion and a high rail portion higher than the low rail portion. The low and high rail portions are situated in a region nearer to the distal end portion of the load beam with respect to its longitudinal direction than the center of gravity of the load beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Watadani, Noriyuki Saito, Masao Hanya