Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for latching the read/write heads of a magnetic disk memory in a parking zone. The mechanism permits the heads to operate in the read/write mode within small distances of the parking zone and requires no additional electrical power. The mechanism includes a spring pawl cantilevered from the head/arm assembly and a latch plate pivotally mounted on the disk memory housing. In the latched condition of the head/arm assembly, the tip of the pawl engages a small abutment surface on the latch plate which is spring biased to arrest the motion of the assembly. Unlatching is effected by actuating the head/arm assembly to overcome the bias of the latch plate spring.

Abstract: A flexible conductor strip is provided for connecting a pivotally mounted electrical element, such as the armature of a sector motor, to fixed terminals supplying control signals to the electrical element. The conductor strip includes an arcuate segment having end terminations for connection to the electrical element and to the control signal terminals. The arcuate segment is curved into a generally U-shaped configuration, thereby coinciding substantially with the surface of the frustum of an imaginary right circular cone whose axis extends substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the electrical element and whose vertex lies substantially on that pivot axis.