Abstract: An improved inertial latching system for the actuator in a disc drive. The inertial latching system of the present invention includes an unbalanced inertial member which rotates in response to translational or rotational mechanical shocks applied to the disc drive. The inertial member rotates in either a first or second direction, dependent on the direction of the applied mechanical shock, and includes corresponding first and second contact surfaces for engaging a cooperative feature on the moving portion of the actuator. The contact surfaces are configured to act as camming surfaces which compensate for tolerance clearances in the latching system and provide latching power proportional to the amount of applied mechanical shock. The inertial member also includes a centering mechanism for returning the inertial member to a passive rest position in the absence of and at the termination of applied mechanical shocks.

Abstract: A landing zone inertial latch which prevents the rotation of an actuator arm of a disc drive following a shock and has a latch mechanism whose axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the actuator arm. The latch mechanism is self-energizing so that the latch remains out of the way during normal operation of the inertial latch, but then is energized by the shock to prevent the actuator arm and, in particular, the transducer from leaving the landing zone during a shock. The landing zone inertial latch is small and compact since the inertia of the latch is not required to hold the actuator arm. A landing zone inertial latch is also provided which can prevent rotation of the actuator arm in either direction.

Abstract: Magnetic hard discs are clamped on a disc spacer by integral spacer flanges. The spacer's diameter is slightly larger than the disc interior diameter thereby providing a radial clamping load. The discs are fit onto the spacer either by providing a small gap in the annulus of the spacer ring or by first cooling the spacer. The entire disc spacer and disc assembly is mounted on the drive spindle as a unit. A disc clamp clamps the assembly to a spindle flange by means of a lip on the interior of the spacer. The lip is preferably spaced axially below the top surface of the top most disc so that both the clamp and the clamp's mounting screw can be placed axially below the top surface of the top disc to thereby provide a low profile spindle/disc stack assembly. In another embodiment, the lip has an inclined surface to impart an additional radial load force to the top disc.

Abstract: A landing zone inertial latch which prevents the rotation of an actuator arm of a disc drive following a shock and has a latch mechanism whose axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the actuator arm. The latch mechanism is self-energizing so that the latch remains out of the way during normal operation of the inertial latch, but then is energized by the shock to prevent the actuator arm and, in particular, the transducer from leaving the landing zone during a shock. The landing zone inertial latch is small and compact since the inertia of the latch is not required to hold the actuator arm. A landing zone inertial latch is also provided which can prevent rotation of the actuator arm in either direction.

Abstract: A magnetic crash stop and latch for limiting the motion of a transducer positioner assembly within a disc drive. The disc drive system has a transducer positioner assembly located within a housing for positioning one or more read/write transducers relative to a recording media within the housing. The apparatus includes components for latching an actuator assembly in a disc drive. A parking force is created by selectively attaching a small magnet (or one or two small ferrous metal slugs) to the end of the actuator arm portion of the actuator assembly having the voice coil motor (VCM). The small magnet (or slugs) operating in combination with the fixed magnetics of the VCM produces torque on the actuator assembly when the small magnet passes outside (or the slugs pass inside) of the magnetic field generated by the fixed magnetics. The resultant torque is utilized to move the actuator arm to contact a latch means.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel latch and air vane system for a disk drive actuator assembly which releases automatically in response to the aerodynamic force generated by the rotation of the storage disk. The latch and air vane system latches and recaptures the actuator assembly and holds the arm and transducer supported thereby in a fixed position. The latch and air vane system comprises a latch journaled for rotation immediately adjacent the disk and including a latch arm extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the actuator assembly when the actuator assembly is at rest with the transducer resting on the landing zone, a center shaft to allow the latch to rotate, and an air vane. The latch arm has a latch finger at one end thereof engaging a notch on the perimeter of the actuator assembly pivot region.

Abstract: The above objectives are achieved in the present invention by providing a top cover and base which are attached at only three points, and which incorporate a number of limiting surfaces on each, cooperating with mating surfaces on the other, to define the proximity of the two parts as assembled, and thus limit and determine the compression of the gasket between the two parts.

Abstract: A crash stop is provided formed of a cast metal body having a contact surface made of butyl rubber material selected and dimensioned to provide easily controllable impact and shock absorbency characteristics. The adjustment of the limit of motion of the actuator is accomplished by mounting the crash stop to a fixed portion of the actuator or other stationary part of the disc drive in a manner that allows the crash stop to be rotated about an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the axis of motion of the actuator, and providing a contact surface which is an arc of a circle centered on an axis parallel to, but not coincident with, the axis of rotation of the crash stop. Thus, rotation of the crash stop about its mounting axis presents a contact point with the moving portion of the actuator that varies in distance from the mounting axis.

Abstract: A magnetic latching mechanism is provided including a permanent magnet imbedded in and completely surrounded by rubber or other resilient material. This combination is fixedly mounted to the housing or other non-moving portion of the disc drive and a small metal plate of magnetizable material is mounted to the moving actuator mechanism at a position such that it will come into contact with the crash stop and latch mechanism when the actuator is at its desired park position. The rubber or other resilient material provides the desired "soft" contact for the crash stop and the thickness of the rubber at the contact point controls the amount of latching force applied by the magnet to the metal plate. Since the latching action is purely magnetic, there is no solenoid needed to release the latch. When power is applied and the disc has attained the speed necessary to "fly" the heads, the actuator motor is used to overcome the magnetic force of the latch.

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.