Abstract: A rack gear opening mechanism for an optical disk cartridge is provided. As the optical disk cartridge is loaded into a disk drive, a fixed pin in the disk drive is inserted into a housing in the cartridge. The insertion of the fixed pin causes a first gear to move clockwise, a second gear to move counterclockwise, and a third gear to move clockwise. The movement of the third gear clockwise engages a door rack gear attached to a shutter door in the cartridge. The door rack gear slideably moves the shutter door along a rail which opens a window in the cartridge to expose a portion of the optical disk.

Abstract: A magneto-optical (MO) disc drive including a novel suspension, slider body, airbearing surface, and magnetic head. The MO disc drive includes a fine-focus actuator block including an objective lens, wherein the coarse carriage block moves radially above a surface of an MO disc to position the objective lens. The MO disc drive also includes a flat suspension having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixedly attached to the fine-focus actuator block and the second end is attached to the coarse carriage block. A gimbal is moveably attached to an opening in a surface of the suspension and a magnetic head assembly is attached to the gimbal. The magnetic head assembly is loaded and unloaded by the load/unload mechanism independent of the objective lens and attached to the coarse actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading/writing data from/to a magnetic disk comprises an objective lens disposed in an actuator body for focusing laser light onto the magnetic disk. A magnetic head suspension assembly includes a magnetic recording head attached to the actuator body, a suspension arm having a proximate end fixedly attached to the actuator body, a distal end with a tab, and a gimbal located between the distal and proximate ends. The magnetic recording head is attached to the gimbal. A mechanism having an extending member moveable in a first direction engages and moves the tab until the magnetic recording head is placed in an unloaded position. The extending member moves in a second direction to release the tab such that the magnetic recording head is placed in a loaded position.

Abstract: A magneto-optical (MO) disc drive including a novel suspension, slider body, airbearing surface, and magnetic head. The MO disc drive includes a fine-focus actuator block including an objective lens, wherein the coarse carriage block moves radially above a surface of an MO disc to position the objective lens. The MO disc drive also includes a flat suspension having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixedly attached to the fine-focus actuator block and the second end is attached to the coarse carriage block. A gimbal is moveably attached to an opening in a surface of the suspension and a magnetic head assembly is attached to the gimbal. The magnetic head assembly is loaded and unloaded by the load/unload mechanism independent of the objective lens and attached to the coarse actuator.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved support structure for the components of a removable hard disk drive system, particularly for use in recording and archiving of digital video and other data. The invention generally makes use of a base formed by stamping sheet metal. This stamping process can be used to define cartridge engaging surfaces within the base, as well as mounting pads for the data transfer head support structure, spindle drive structure, a head load ramp, and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems, and methods for storing and archiving digital video and other data. A voice coil motor effects release of a removable hard disk cartridge from a disk drive. The voice coil motor is adapted for positioning a data transfer head along a recording surface of a rigid magnetic recording disk, and also moves the data heads from the recording surface to a "park" position away from the recording surface. This allows the disk to spin down within the cartridge while the cartridge is safely restrained inside the disk drive. Once it is safe to remove the cartridge from the drive, the voice coil motor can move beyond the park position to actuate a release linkage. The cartridge is typically expelled from the receiver of the disk drive by biasing springs. Hence, the present invention avoids the necessity to resort to a dedicated electromechanical actuator to expel the digital video cartridge from the disk drive.

Abstract: A device for properly aligning a removable hard disk cartridge with the moving parts and data transfer head of an associated disk drive. In particular, the device is for use in recording and archiving of digital video and other data. The device includes an integrated pair of elongate spring structures formed from a portion of a housing cover. The elongate springs are configured to extend from the cover to slidingly engage the removable hard disk cartridge. The springs fully constrain the position of the cartridge within the drive to avoid misalignment between the removable hard disk cartridge and the data transfer head and various other moving parts of the disk drive system.

Abstract: A disk drive has a support structure for maintaining alignment between a removable hard disk cartridge and the disk drive. Particularly, the disk drive and support structure are for use with recording and archiving digital video and other data. The support structure makes use of a series of engagable surfaces on both the cartridge and drive. These fixed surfaces can fully determine the position of the cartridge within the drive so as to avoid interference of the cartridge housing with the rotating disk, movable head support structures, and the like. Preferably, alternative insertion surfaces may be provided on the cartridge and disk drive housings to slidingly engage each other during manual insertion of the cartridge so as to promote normal engagement and disengagement of the spindle drive and disk hub structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a removable disk drive system. The apparatus provides a fastening frame (105) with an access portion (107) or opening. Disposed over the access portion is an access panel or door (100). The access panel (100) is coupled to the fastening frame (105) using coupling members (120). The coupling members (120) are mounting supports adapted to be flush with the access panel (100) such that when the access panel is integrated in to the fastening frame (105), the coupling members do not extend outward from the surface of the apparatus. A recess means (130) is defined on the access panel.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems, and methods for limiting the travel of a data transfer head along the recording surface of a removable hard disk, particularly for recording and archiving of digital video and other data. A tab of a moveable linkage limits radial travel of a head support arm radially along the recording surface. The linkage will preferably be also used to ensure that the data transfer head is retracted to a parked position when no cartridge is inserted in the drive, and the linkage will often include a biasing spring to help eject the cartridge from the drive. The biasing spring may also be used to resiliently rebound the recording head safely back toward the recording surface.

Abstract: A disk drive for use with a digital video disk has an adjustable head load ramp mounted to a housing. The head load ramp comprises a ramp body having a proximal end, a distal end and a cam surface near the distal end. An adjustment mechanism at the proximal end adjustably couples the ramp body to the housing, such that adjustment of the adjustment mechanism varies a height of the cam surface relative to the digital video disk by pivoting the ramp body at a pivot disposed between the proximal end and the distal end.