Abstract: A data storage cartridge is positioned in a disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the X and Y dimensions by contact between an alignment opening in the cartridge and an XY alignment pin in the disk drive and in the theta (rotational) dimension by contact between an edge of the cartridge and a theta datum in the disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the Z dimension by contact between the cartridge and at least three Z datums.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a housing, a cartridge tray, and a cam plate. The cartridge tray is adapted to hold a cartridge that includes a data storage disk. The housing has a pair of vertical cartridge tray pin slots which hold tray pins that are part of the cartridge tray. The cam plate includes a pair of cam slots formed at an oblique angle to the cartridge tray pin slots. The tray pins extend through the cam slots into the cartridge tray pin slots. Movement of the cam plate back and forth causes the tray pins and cartridge tray to move vertically between a loaded position, where data can be read from or written to the data storage disk, to an unloaded position. The use of two cartridge tray pins allows the cartridge tray to rotate about an axis defined by the tray pins, and this action assists in locating the cartridge precisely in a repeatable position, in contact with a plurality of datums, when it is fully loaded.

Abstract: A disk drive contains a pair of spring elements which act as eject limiters, engaging catches on a cartridge to prevent the cartridge from being completely ejected from the drive. The cartridge contains a data storage disk which could be damaged if, for example, the cartridge were to fall to the floor. After the cartridge has been retained by the eject limiters, the user may manually withdraw the cartridge from the disk drive.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge is positioned in a disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the X and Y dimensions by contact between an alignment opening in the cartridge and an XY alignment pin in the disk drive and in the theta (rotational) dimension by contact between an edge of the cartridge and a theta datum in the disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the Z dimension by contact between the cartridge and at least three Z datums.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a housing, a cartridge tray, and a cam plate. The cartridge tray is adapted to hold a cartridge that includes a data storage disk. The housing has a pair of vertical cartridge tray pin slots which hold tray pins that are part of the cartridge tray. The cam plate includes a pair of cam slots formed at an oblique angle to the cartridge tray pin slots. The tray pins extend through the cam slots into the cartridge tray pin slots. Movement of the cam plate back and forth causes the tray pins and cartridge tray to move vertically between a loaded position, where data can be read from or written to the data storage disk, to an unloaded position. The use of two cartridge tray pins allows the cartridge tray to rotate about an axis defined by the tray pins, and this action assists in locating the cartridge precisely in a repeatable position, in contact with a plurality of datums, when it is fully loaded.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a pivot cartridge and a molded plastic actuator body. The cartridge includes a shaft and has an outer surface that is generally cylindrical and includes first and second ring-shaped portions and a necked-down portion separating the first and second ring-shaped portions. The body has a bore hole with an inner cylindrical surface that is deformable to expand from a first diameter to a second diameter. Each of the first and second ring-shaped portions has the second diameter and is disposed in an interference fit with the inner cylindrical surface.