Abstract: A support assembly for the motor of a removable cartridge disk drive which positively elevates and retracts the spindle thereof for connection and disconnection from the hub of the disk without requiring electrical power for the operation. The support assembly includes a pair of cams on siding members to provide the movement.

Abstract: An interface between a removable cartridge containing a rigid disk for storage of data and a disk drive. The cartridge includes a normally closed and locked pivoting arcuately shaped shutter to cover a disk access window and an opening for a hub of the disk for spinning. The disk drive includes a shutter opener arm for unlocking and opening the shutter as the cartridge is inserted therein, a magnetic spindle with connecting mechanism for extending the spindle into contact with the hub and retracting it out of contact, and an abutment surface to deactivate a disk immobilizer when the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive.