Abstract: A head assembly for an information storage device that includes a head slider with a read/write element for reading/recording information to/from a disk and a suspension for supporting the head slider. The suspension includes a generally planar sheet that extends in a longitudinal direction from a first end to second end and an arm attaching portion located near the first end of the generally planar sheet of said suspension. The arm attaching portion is adapted to be attached to a head arm. The suspension also includes a slider attaching portion positioned near the second end of the generally planar sheet of the suspension, where the slider attaching portion extends generally in the longitudinal direction and is surrounded by a generally U-shaped opening in the generally planar sheet. The slider attaching portion faces a securing surface of the head slider.

Abstract: A head slider of a disk drive has at least one or more slider rails on a base plate which extend lengthwise over the base plate and have surfaces for generating a hovering/floating force. Two or more pads are fitted to the surface of the base plate and protrude higher than the rail surfaces, but they are not on the rail surfaces, so dust which accumulates on the pads does not adversely affect the floating characteristics of the rails. In addition, the disk drive combines a cleaning zone on the disk surface with the above-mentioned pad arrangement on the head slider.

Abstract: A head slider including an inner rail, an outer rail parallel to the inner rail, a center rail formed in the vicinity of an air inlet end of the slider between the inner rail and the outer rail, and a groove defined between the inner rail and the outer rail for expanding air once compressed to generate a negative pressure. A longitudinal center line of at least an intermediate portion of each of the inner rail and the outer rail is inclined a given angle to a longitudinal center line of the slider so that an end portion of the intermediate portion on the side of the air inlet end is nearer to the inner side of a disk.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a durability of a magnetic disk includes the steps of (a) obtaining conditions under which a sliding contact state of a first head with respect to a surface of a first magnetic disk stabilizes, and (b) causing a second head to make sliding contact with a surface of a second magnetic disk under the conditions and evaluating a durability of the second magnetic disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a maximum static friction force is disclosed, in which the displacement of the relative positions of first and second objects due to the operation of a driving unit is suppressed for measuring an accurate static friction force characteristic.