Abstract: A magnetic disk drive has a linear actuator with crash stops molded in the retainer plate of the drive. The retainer plate holds various components in the drive. The crash stops include two leaves which have sufficient resiliency to absorb the impact energy of the carriage. The retainer plate has a recess at the base of the leaves which provides additional length to each leave to provide resilience, the components held by the container plate dissipate the impact energy of stopping.

Abstract: A disk cartridge comprises a disk-shaped storage medium and an outer casing that houses the storage medium. The outer casing has a head access opening for providing access by the read/write heads of a disk drive to the disk-shaped storage medium within the casing. Head loading/unloading ramps are provided in the cartridge proximate the head access opening for loading and unloading the read/write heads of the disk drive to and from the storage medium.

Abstract: A movable platform is mounted on opposing guide rails within a disk drive. A head actuator and spindle motor are mounted on the movable platform. The platform moves on the guide rails from a forward position to a rearward position upon insertion of a disk cartridge into the disk drive. As the platform moves toward the rearward position, the elevation of the platform changes in order to bring the spindle motor into engagement with the hub of the disk cartridge. A latch member is pivotally mounted on one of the guide rails for latching the platform in its forward position when the disk drive is not in use.