Abstract: An optical data storage device having at least two removable rotatable disks and at least one actuator assembly for writing data onto each side of the disks and reading the data recorded on each side of the disks is provided. The disks are rotated by a dual stator/dual rotor spindle motor. The actuators are driven by a dual coil/dual moving magnet actuator.

Abstract: A data storage device having at least one rotatable disk and at least one actuator arm assembly for writing data onto the disk and reading the data recorded on the disk is provided. The data storage device comprises a first plate with the spindle motor being secured only to the first plate. A first actuator arm assembly is secured only to the first plate. A second plate is secured to the first plate. A second actuator arm assembly secured only to the second plate.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided having at least one disk rotated by a spindle motor and at least one actuator arm assembly rotatable in response to a voice coil motor about a pivot point for moving a magnetic head on an actuator arm for writing data onto the tracks of the disk and reading the data recorded on the tracks of the disk. The data storage device comprises a first plate, the spindle motor being secured to the first plate and a second plate secured to the first plate, the actuator arm assembly being secured to the second plate. A method for mounting at least one actuator assembly within a data storage device is also provided.

Abstract: A combined storage system is provided. The combined storage system comprises a fixed data storage device. The fixed data storage device has a spindle shaft for rotating at least one disk and a top plate cover for covering the disk with the spindle shaft extending through the top plate cover. A removable data storage device is attached to the fixed data storage device with the removable data storage device receiving a disc and the spindle shaft rotating the disc.

Abstract: A data storage device having a first data storage disk and a first actuator arm assembly having at least one arm is provided. Each of the arms have a distal end carrying a read/write transducer head for reading information from and writing information to only the first data storage disk. The data storage device comprises a second data storage disk and a second actuator arm assembly having at least one arm. Each arm has a distal end carrying a read/write transducer head with the read/write transducer head reading information from and writing information to only the second data storage disk.

Abstract: A hard disk drive apparatus is disclosed which utilizes at least a pair of actuator assemblies each of which includes a plurality of separate actuator arms and spacers stacked on a tubular sleeve which is bearing supported on a stationary actuator shaft. The arms and spacers are preferably ceramic with head leads and preamplifiers carried on the arm. Each actuator stack has heads oriented in only one direction to minimize the spacing between the hard disks.The head disk assembly is built up on the baseplate by installation of layers of actuator arms, spacers and hard disks. The assembled head disk assembly is enclosed between the generally flat baseplate and a top plate by a peripheral housing therearound.The disks are rotated by a dual stator motor located between the baseplate and the top plate with one stator mounted to the baseplate and the other stator mounted to the top plate.

Abstract: A hard disk drive for providing memory storage for a computer includes a rotatable stack of disks and a plurality of rotary actuator arms mounting magnetic heads for movement radially of the disks to read/write magnetically encoded data on each surface thereof. The actuator arms which extend between adjacent spaced disks are pivotally mounted in a scissor-like arrangement so that the radial tracking movement of the heads thereon occurs in angularly spaced locations in the disk stack. The rotary actuators are driven by a pair of drive arms extending in opposed relationship from the actuator pivot axis.

Abstract: A hard disk drive module for providing memory storage for a computer includes a centrally positioned rotatable stack of disks and a plurality of rotary actuator arms mounting magnetic heads for movement radially of the disks to read/write magnetically encoded data on each surface thereof. The actuator arms which extend between adjacent spaced disks are provided by plural-arm assemblies individually pivotally mounted at each of the four corners of the module so that the radial tracking movement of the heads thereon occurs in angularly spaced locations in the disk stack. Each actuator assembly is driven by a drive arm extending at an acute angle with the longitudinal axes of the associated actuator arms so as to minimize the required space on the module for the drive elements.

Abstract: A tape drive assembly includes a compact rectangular housing mounting a fixed take-up reel. A removable supply reel is mounted on a pivotable carrier which is adapted to be swung into a closure position on the housing to place the supply reel in operative position adjacent the take-up reel. In such operative position the supply reel is frictionally engaged by an endless drive belt which also frictionally engages the take-up reel so as to drive both reels and cause the tape to be fed therebetween in a path that passes adjacent a read/write head. The drive belt is formed of a viscoelastic material so that it is maintained on its supporting rollers under tension with the supply reel in or out of engagement with it and so that a constant tension is maintained on the drive belt, and hence the tape, at different driving speeds.

Abstract: Magnetic tape apparatus is disclosed herein and comprises a drum, structure for supporting and rotating the drum, at least one transducer extending past the surface of the drum adapted to rotate with the drum and move parallel to the axis of the drum and a leader for presenting the tape to the drum. The apparatus includes a take-up reel and structure for receiving and driving a supply reel. A leader is provided which extends from the take-up reel to the inserted supply reel to engage and thread the tape over the drum to the take-up reel.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus is disclosed in which the tape is held stationary on the surface of a drum while the drum is rotated at a high velocity, thereby providing an air bearing for supporting the tape adjacent a rotating recording head. The tape is spaced from the drum because of an air bearing. To minimize the gap between drum and tape, grooves or notches are formed in the transducer head to cause the tape to cup or deflect down toward the head in the area of the transducer. The transducer heads in a multiple transducer arrangement are especially mounted on a parallelogram-shaped brace arrangement to eliminate undesirable lateral deflection of the heads during recording.

Abstract: A tape apparatus for recording and reproducing on a magnetic tape longitudinally disposed blocks of parallel multiple tracks of predetermined length. The apparatus includes a rotating drum and means for presenting predetermined lengths of tape to said drum. The rotating drum supports the tape upon a self-generating air bearing. Magnetic heads extend through the drum to rotate with the drum and cooperate with the tape to record and reproduce longitudinal tracks on the tape. The heads are movable longitudinally along the drum to record a plurality of adjacent longitudinal tracks. The tape is maintained under predetermined tension to maintain a constant air cushion between the tape and drum.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus is disclosed herein and comprises a drum, means for supporting and rotating the drum, at least one transducer extending past the surface of said drum adapted to rotate therewith in a given plane, and means for presenting tape to said drum with its longitudinal axis parallel to said plane. Means are also provided adjacent the transducer for venting air from the air cushion between the rotating drum and the tape at the region of the transducer to bring the tape closer to the face of the transducer and at least one groove formed on the face of the transducer is used for venting air from the cushion between the transducer and tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically threading web material, e.g., magnetic tape, from a replaceable supply reel to a non-replaceable take-up reel of a web transport device, in which the web path is nonlinear and relatively complex as a result of various components, e.g., magnetic transducer tape guides, which act on the web while it is being transported.The apparatus comprises a coupling device and a mechanism for moving and guiding the coupling device between the supply reel and the take-up reel. The coupling device couples to a leader block attached to the tape at the supply reel. The mechanism moves and guides the coupling device to thread the tape over the predefined tape path and positions the leader block wholly within a radially disposed slot in the hub of the take-up reel. The coupling device remains attached to the moving mechanism and coupled to the leader block when the leader block is rotated with the take-up reel.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for magnetic heads used with fixed magnetic discs. The heads are supported from one end of arms in a support assembly which is pivoted at the other end. Drive forces are applied directly to each of the arms through the support assembly at the center of percussion between the pivot and the heads. Drive forces are generated by a drive assembly including a coil and permanent magnets.

Abstract: A drive assembly for driving disc, tape or disc-tape hybrid apparatus. A tape apparatus for mass storage in which rotating heads record longitudinal adjacent tracks of predetermined length on a tape to form blocks of recorded data. The tape is advanced to write or read a plurality of blocks. Also provided is a hybrid apparatus which combines the tape apparatus and disc apparatus in a unit which is driven from a common drive assembly.

Abstract: A tape transport for presenting tape from a replaceable tape roll to a rotating drum. The transport includes a belt for moving the tape between the tape roll and a take-up reel and maintaining the tape on the drum with uniform pressure.

Abstract: Means and method for securing, in a predetermined location within a housing of a substantially stationary safe or the like and controlling access to the interior of, a portable currency or document depository having a slidable door that is normally locked closed. After insertion of the depository at said location, a barrier arm is rotated down to block removal of the depository and rotate a member into operative engagement with the door. A key irremovably carried by said arm is then insertable to unlock the door. The door is now opened by moving the member translationally one way, allowing access to the interior of the depository. The member must be moved the opposite way to close the door, and the door must be relocked by the key before the key can be withdrawn and the barrier arm rotated up to permit removal of the now relocked depository.