Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, a spindle rotatably attached to the base, and at least one disc attached to the spindle. A cover is attached to the base. The cover and the base form a disc enclosure for the spindle and the disc or discs. A pump mechanism is located within the disc enclosure. The pump mechanism reduces the pressure within the disc enclosure. A valve is located in one of the cover and the base and allows a gas or fluid to move out of the disc enclosure.

Abstract: A disc drive system includes a base or deck, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The disc stack includes a spindle, a hub attached to the spindle and discs attached to the hub. The spindle is attached to the base or deck using a fastener that passes into a threaded opening in the spindle. The spindle also includes several electrical contact pads. The base or deck has openings positioned near the electrical contact pads as well as an opening through which the fastener passes to mount the spindle to the base or deck. A printed circuit board is connected to the bottom of the base or deck. A connector is used to attach the electrical contact pads on the spindle to the electronics on the printed circuit board. The connector includes several contact elements. The contact elements extending through openings in the deck and contact a corresponding electrical contact pad on the spindle.

Abstract: According to the present invention spindle bearings are assembled with at least one annular gimbal to compensate for undesired components of bearing compression force. Specific devices and methods are directed to compensating for either (a) operational force variations such as those caused by temperature variation or (b) assembly-related force variations such as those caused by misalignment.

Abstract: A spindle motor for a disc drive data storage device in which the stator is isolated from the stationary portion of the motor used to attach the spindle motor to the disc drive housing by use of resilient members interposed between the stator and the stationary portion of the motor. In a preferred embodiment, the resilient members comprise a plurality of toroidal rings, or O-rings, and, in a first aspect of the invention, these rings are interposed radially between the stator and the stationary portion of the spindle motor and are axially constrained in relationship to the motor by a corresponding number of annular grooves formed in the stationary portion of the motor. In a second aspect of the invention, metal-to-metal contact between the stator and the stationary portion of the motor in the axial direction is eliminated through the use of a non-metallic washer at one end of the stator and an axial O-ring at the other end of the stator.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for assisting skiers up ski slopes by means of an endless loop rope, comprising a first portable frame assembly having a rope drive wheel and drive sprocket, a motor drive source which is attachable to the first frame assembly, and a second portable frame assembly having a rotatable rope return pulley, where both frame assemblies have provision for anchoring to the ground and the second frame assembly has provision for spooling and carrying the endless loop rope.