Abstract: A head-to-medium backer device (37) includes a rigid frame (38) supporting an elastically deformable leaf spring (40) for engaging a magnetic medium (16) to urge the medium into contact with a magnetic head (14). The rigid frame supports a pair of attachment elements (42, 44; 52; 54) which secure respective opposite ends (46, 48) of the leaf spring, the attachment elements being configured so that, when the leaf spring is installed therebetween, the leaf spring flexes to form a continuous arc (50) which is convex away from the rigid frame with the opposite ends of the leaf spring being secured against rotation relative to the rigid frame, whereby when the magnetic head is forced against a center portion of the arc, the center portion can be flexed toward the rigid frame while the opposite ends of the leaf spring remain fixedly secure against rotation relative to the frame.

Abstract: A recording head apparatus includes a first rigid frame (80); a magnetic head (14) supported by the first frame; a head-to-medium backer device (18; 37) including a second rigid frame (24; 38) supporting an elastically deformable leaf spring (20; 40) for engaging a magnetic medium (16) to urge the medium into contact with the head; a carrier (100) supported on the first frame for movement toward or away from the head, the backer device being supported by the carrier; and a spring member (110) for biasing the carrier toward the head, the carrier and backer device being moveable away from the head against the bias of the spring member to permit the head to be cleaned without requiring disassembly of the apparatus.