Abstract: A flexible magnetic disc drive apparatus comprising a housing including a front plate, a drive spindle rotatably mounted to the housing for rotatably driving a magnetic disc, an elongated frame including opposed rails, opposed first and second ends, and a crossbar extending between the rails and forming a stop, the frame being disposed over the spindle with its second end pivotally mounted to the housing, a latch hingedly mounted to the first end and coupled to the front plate such that the latch is movable between a closed and an open position, a spindle-clamping assembly, an elongated member formed of a resilient material and mounted to the frame proximate the first end such that its distal end is adapted to be engaged by the crossbar when the latch is moved to the open position, the member serving to carry the spindle-clamping assembly and to bias it towards the spindle, whereby when the disc is supported on the spindle and the latch is in the closed position, the member biases the spindle-clamping assembl

Abstract: Character belt apparatus for use on a line printer and including a thin, flexible metal belt formed into an endless band for carrying replaceable character slugs affixed thereto at regular intervals. Each character slug has a front side on which an alphanumeric character is provided and a rear side which is recessed in a particular manner so as to mate with a mounting and fastening element that is itself affixed to the belt by spot welding or the like. Although the fastening mechanism of the element may vary from embodiment to embodiment, in each case the matingly engaging surfaces of the element and slug provide for accurate positioning of the slug relative to the belt in both the longitudinal and transverse belt directions. In one embodiment a screw is used to fasten the slug in registration with a nut type element plate. In second and third embodiments, spring clip type elements mount and affix specially adapted character slugs to the belt.