Abstract: In a recording medium drive, a frame on which a deck is attached and a printed circuit board are equipped on a bottom chassis in the drive body, and an indicating display device such as a fluorescent display tube is connected to the printed circuit board and arranged at a position corresponding to a window of a front panel. Projections for locking are formed integrally to the frame, and the fluorescent display tube is caught between the front panel and the projections for locking so as to be positioned. This allows the indicating display device to be held by a simple configuration, and manhours required for manufacture to be reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic head wear-rate measuring apparatus for measuring the rate of head wear in noncontact form arranged to be opposed to a magnetic head and to serve as a part of oscillating elements of an oscillator circuit. A magnetic resistance of a magnetic circuit at a rotational position where the magnetic head faces the magnetic sensor, changes according to the degree of extension of the magnetic head from the surface of the drum, and the change in magnetic resistance acts as a variation in oscillating frequency. A counter is supplied with a pulse of a measured oscillating frequency and produces a pulse having a pulse width up to the counting of a predetermined number of pulses. The counter output is supplied to a second counter where the number of reference clocks lying within the pulse width is counted and used as measured data.

Abstract: A front input/output module is provided. The front input/output module, as disclosed in this invention, is adapted to a computer, provided with a chassis and a motherboard. The front input/output module comprises a tray, a printed circuit board and at least one interface device. The tray is detachably disposed inside the chassis. The printed circuit board is disposed on the tray and electrically connected with the motherboard. The interface device, having a connector, is disposed on the tray and electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The connector is exposed when the tray is disposed inside the chassis.

Abstract: In order to release a reel hub lock by operating a lock lever (41) in response to rotation of a ring cam (51), a reel hub lock releasing (30) mechanism comprises a seesaw-type release lever (31) rotatably disposed on a back surface of a chassis (12) around a fulcrum part (311) at a center thereof. The seesaw-type release lever comprises first and second plate bodies (312, 313) extending from the fulcrum part toward both sides. The first plate body has, at a tip thereof, an engaging projection (34) engaged with a cam groove (51a) of the ring cam. The second plate body has, at a tip thereof, a lever operating projection (33) which projects upward to operate the lock lever. Disposed around the fulcrum part, a spring (35) is for preventing a part from falling away to fit the seesaw-type release lever to the chassis.

Abstract: A technique is provided for coupling and uncoupling modular devices with electronic and computing devices. A latch is coupled to a release member, which operates to release the latch from a mate latch by bending the release member to move the latch laterally away from the mate latch. The release member also may have grips for tool-lessly bending the release member to release the latch from the mate latch, and for removing the desired device. The technique also may embody a modular device having the latch and release member, or it may embody an overall system having the modular device disposed in a receptacle.

Abstract: A hard disk cartridge not inclinable during removing mainly has a frame; more particularly, a slidable pull rod disposed at the center on a face plate thereof has a row of teeth located at distal ends of two lateral sides thereof; two elongate swing blocks are disposed with one end of each of the swing block forms a circular convex portion disposed with teeth and the other end thereof forms a hook portion. The pull rod pushes forwards or rearwards to fitly drive the swing blocks on two lateral sides via the teeth thereby making the hook portion protrude or retract so as to achieve a clipping objective. The present invention has simplified parts, exerts even force and is not subjected to incline.

Abstract: An information storage device (10, 510, 610, 710) includes a cradle (12, 512, 612, 712) which can removably receive a cartridge (11, 411, 511, 611, 711) that contains a rotatable hard disk (91, 326-327). The cartridge contains a pivotal actuator arm (101), which supports a read/write head (107, 331-334) for movement adjacent the disk. Circuitry is provided within the sealed housing (59), including a preamplifier (111) for the head. A connector (71) is provided on the exterior of the housing, and is coupled to electrical components within the cartridge, including the head and preamplifier. Structure is provided to prevent static electricity from damaging electrical components when the cartridge is not installed in a cradle. One approach is to provide an electrostatic discharge buffer (112) between the connector and electrical components within the cartridge.

Abstract: A disk drive having an actuator-activated pumping mechanism is disclosed. The pumping mechanism creates a low pressure operating environment for the disk drive in order to enhance the performance of the drive at higher rotational operating speeds. Through the use of an engaging element, the actuator motor acts to drive a pumping element. This design does not use a separate electrical motor to evacuate the disk drive housing. Instead, the natural motion of the actuator provides the necessary power to drive the pumping element.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning a tape media, such as a magnetic tape. The system preferably includes first and second cleaning heads. The first cleaning head has a plurality of spaced ridges defining a curved, tape-receiving face. The second cleaning head has including a plurality of lands spaced by shallow cavities configured to establish a sub-ambient condition. During use, a tape is transversed over the first cleaning head, with contact at leading edges formed by the ridges removing relatively large and loose particles. Relative to the second cleaning head, the tape partially wraps about a leading corner of the lands, due to the sub-ambient condition within the shallow cavities, facilitating removal of small, tacky debris. Processing by the cleaning heads simulates multiple passes over a magnetic head, thereby stabilizing magnetic tape. In alternative embodiments, the system includes only one of the first or second cleaning heads.

Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a laminate of three materials in a variety of configurations having from three to five layers. The materials are stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Each layer is essentially homogeneous, but may be formed with one or more holes or voids prior to the formation of the laminate. The voids can be used to eliminate the need for double-sided etching or to make small features which would otherwise be unavailable with conventional manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the cassette type of a cassette, which contains a recording medium in the form of tape for recording and/or replaying information using an apparatus having a measurement device for measuring the tape thickness and the tape length of the recording medium, and for producing a control variable for indicating the cassette type or for initiating cassette-type-dependent functions of the apparatus. The steps include determining a value for the tape thickness, determining a value for the tape length, and logically linking the value for the tape thickness and the value for the tape length to one another, to ascertain the cassette type.

Abstract: A data eraser applies a strong magnetic field to a magnetic disk while suppressing the strength of a magnetic field applied to a spindle motor. The data eraser includes an upper magnet fixer, a lower magnet fixer, and a linkage. The upper magnet fixer fixes one set of permanent magnets and the lower magnet fixer fixes another set of permanent magnets. The plate members are provided at the tips of the upper and lower magnet fixers. The plate members are made of a soft magnetic material, for example, JIS SS400, respectively. Each of these plate members functions as a yoke.

Abstract: A cleaning device (1) for cleaning a video head and drum of a video recorder and/or playback unit comprises a housing (6) within which a carrier arm (28) is pivotally mounted and carries a cleaning brush (29) and is pivotal from a retracted position (28) within the housing (6) to a treating position with the cleaning brush (29) in cleaning engagement with the drum (2) under the action of a torsion spring (33). A retaining rib (48) extending inwardly from a lid (20) of the housing (6) acts on the cleaning brush (29) for retaining the carrier arm (28) and the cleaning brush (29) in the retracted position. An abutment edge (50) on the carrier arm (28) is positioned so that as the housing (6) is being lowered into a cassette receiving area (5) of the video recorder and/or playback unit, the abutment edge (50) is located behind a tape withdrawal roller (3) prior to the retaining rib (48) disengaging the cleaning brush (29).

Abstract: The invention disclosed a mounting structure for supporting data storage device via sliding and securing mechanisms, wherein sliding rails and at least one securing hole are installed to each parallel side of the data storage device. The mounting structure comprises a case, one pair of sliding slots and at least one recess. The case serves as a container for the data storage device. One pair of sliding slots, formed at internal side of the case is arranged for the sliding rails of the data storage device to slide onto. The recess, formed at external side of the case, is next to an opening formed through the case thereof. When the data storage device slides in the case, the position of the opening is in line with the position of the securing hole thereof. As a result, the data storage device is mounted to the case through the opening and the securing hole with screws.

Abstract: An active noise reduction system for reducing the acoustic noise generated by a hard disk drive or generated external of a hard disk drive. The active noise reduction system is integrated into the hard disk drive and produces an acoustic waveform that is 180 degrees out-of-phase with the acoustic noise being generated, for example, by the spindle motor and VCM. The acoustic noise is received directly through a microphone or indirectly through the read/write head, spindle motor driver, or VCM driver. The acoustic noise is processed by electronics and the noise canceling waveform is either retrieved from the hard disk drive's memory, disk, or generated by the electronics. The noise canceling waveform is then broadcasted through one or more transducers that are integrated in the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a five layer laminate of stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Prior to lamination, the steel layer has preformed voids which may have various configurations. The voids are provided for intentionally weakening high strain flexure areas in the suspension so that strain energy can be dissipated more effectively.

Abstract: A method to control the inside environment of a cartridge is disclosed. The method includes providing a cartridge having a first chamber for the data storage media and a second chamber for material to control contaminants inside the cartridge. A selectively openable structure permits communication of the air within the first chamber to the material in the second chamber to decontaminate the first chamber.

Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a laminate of three materials in a variety of configurations having from three to five layers. The materials are stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Each layer is essentially homogeneous, but may be formed with one or more holes or voids prior to the formation of the laminate. The voids allow dielectric material to be removed from the area beneath the conductors to simplify processing and reduce the cost of the suspensions. The voids can also form a window through which conductors can be shorted to other conductive layers to form an electrostatic discharge shunt. Alternatively, the shorting of conductors can be used as a cross-over for various conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a data storage device to a stationary planar support surface using an attachment member having a first side attached to the data storage device and a second side operable to attach to the stationary planar support surface. The attachment member is positioned about a center-of-mass of the data storage device so as to impede the rotation of the disc drive about the center-of-mass.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a base, a disk, an actuator arm comprising a tang attached to a base end of the actuator arm, a head attached to a distal end of the actuator arm, a voice coil motor for rotating the actuator arm about a pivot to position the head radially over the disk, and a crash stop comprising injection molded plastic formed into a body piece having a protruding first arm and a protruding second arm. The body piece of the crash stop is attached to the base of the disk drive. The first protruding arm comprises a magnet at least partially embedded into the plastic for latching the tang of the actuator arm to the first protruding arm. The plastic is formed around the magnet such that at least part of the plastic is between the magnet and the tang. The second protruding arm presents a physical barrier to the tang to limit the stroke of the actuator arm.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus configured to allow an externally generated magnetic field to simultaneously erase a portion of the information on a disk, or a plurality of disks, within a magnetic storage device. The invention allows high throughput of erased magnetic storage devices, as in a mass production environment. Additionally, the invention allows a variety of magnetic storage device configurations in that the erasing is non-intrusive to the housing of the magnetic storage device and does not depend on the number of disks within the magnetic storage device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for visually indicating a usage of a magnetic tape that is included in a magnetic tape cartridge. The apparatus includes a take-up spindle for receiving magnetic tape when the magnetic tape is moving in a forward motion. The apparatus also includes a meter assembly having a meter coupled to the take-up spindle. In a first embodiment, the meter is incremented only in response to each full rewind of the magnetic tape. In a second embodiment, the meter is incremented in an amount that is directly proportional to the amount of each rewind of the tape.

Abstract: The record position information of broadcasts is used to evaluate the blank length from the tape head up to the record start position of the first broadcast. The blank length from the record end position of the broadcast up to the record start position of the next broadcast is evaluated. The blank lengths are compared up to the last broadcast sequentially to detect the longest blank section. The longest blank section is compared with the blank lengths from the record end position of the last broadcast up to the tape end, and the longer one is discriminated to be the blank section of the longest blank length. The maximum available record time which depends on the recording mode is calculated from the longest blank length, and it is displayed. The maximum available record time of the recording medium can readily be detected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the position of magnetic tape within a magnetic tape cassette to ascertain whether the magnetic tape is in a rewound position within the cassette is provided. In a first aspect of the present invention, the magnetic tape cassette has two internal magnetic tape take-up reels. The magnetic tape stored on the tape-up reels is detected. The rewound status of the tape is determined by whether the magnetic tape is detected on only one reel or on both reels. In a second aspect of the present invention, a preselected amount of magnetic tape is detected within the magnetic tape cassette. The magnetic tape cassette is oriented and the position of the detected magnetic tape is determined relative to the orientation of the magnetic tape cassette. In a third aspect of the present invention, an electronically detectable member positioned in a known location of the cassette is detected. A preselected amount of magnetic tape within the cassette is detected.

Abstract: A shock mount structure facilitates shock absorption for a device. An outrigger, preferably two wing-like outriggers at diametrically opposite sides of the device, is mounted to the device at an attachment point, and is positioned between two contacting force absorbing members, distributing the shock force to the force absorption members, and supporting the device against slippage with respect to the force absorption members. Leaf spring tabs are formed within the cartridge shell, spaced from an edge of the cartridge shell to allow their flexure. The force absorption members are positioned between the device and the leaf spring tabs, contacting the tabs, such that the tabs assist in absorbing shock force directed at the leaf spring tabs.

Abstract: An optical disk drive module installed in a flat panel display personal computer is provided for lifting up and lowering a disk drive. The optical disk drive module includes a chassis module, a drive carrier, a cover, a switch, a control unit, and an electromagnetic switch. When the switch is depressed, the switch will generate a trigger signal, the control unit will receive the trigger signal and generate a corresponding pulse, the pulse will cause the electromagnetic switch to separate from the cover, and then the drive carrier will swing away from the chassis module to lower the disk drive.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a magnetic tape as a recording medium such that, when holding by a holding mechanism is released at the position where a cover member is closed and a magnetic head is moved between a contact position, where contact with a magnetic tape which travels by a traveling mechanism provided in the apparatus body is obtained, to a position distant from the magnetic tape or when the magnetic tape is pinched by the traveling mechanism, the pinching of the magnetic tape by the traveling mechanism is released and the magnetic head is moved to a distant position. In this manner, even if the apparatus is stopped when the power source is shut off while the FWD reproducing mode or the REV reproducing mode is kept set, the magnetic tape can be safely and securely extracted from the attachment section.

Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.

Abstract: An isolation mounting system attaches a computer component, such as a disk drive, to the structure of a computer system. In an embodiment, the isolation mounting system comprises a post bracket attached to the computer component, a plurality of isolators attached to posts extending from the post bracket, and a socket bracket attached to the isolators and to the structure of the computer system. An opening in the isolators fits over, onto, or around the posts of the post bracket. Outer surfaces of the isolators fit within receptacles of the socket bracket.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for dampening vibration of a disk drive using a dampening member which is co-planar with a mid-plane of the disk drive, and which has at least a portion extending from a carrier toward a main assembly when the carrier is installed within the main assembly in order to dampen vibration of the disk drive when the disk drive is in operation. The use of the dampening member in this location results in vibration dampening which is superior to conventional disk drive mechanisms. In particular, since the dampening member is co-planar with the mid-plane of the disk drive, the dampening member dampens vibration along a critical direction providing substantial vibration isolation. Accordingly, disk drives configured in accordance with the invention are capable of providing high performance even in high rotation speed (i.e., high RPM) and high density configurations.

Abstract: For any specific, hard disk drive that occupies a specific logical position within a computer system, A Hard Disk Drive Selector is disclosed that permits the replacement of one physically distinct, permanently mounted hard disk drive for another physically distinct, permanently mounted hard disk drive within the specific logical position occupied. The Selector simultaneously controls the addressing traces, the control/command traces and the power supply connections to all hard disk drives connected to it. The selector operates by closing the address, command/control, and power circuits to the chosen hard disk drive while opening these circuits to all other hard disk drives connected to the selector. The choice of hard disk drive is made prior to “booting” the computer system and the choice is maintained until the computer system is turn off.

Abstract: A media meter mounts to a surface of a removable storage media or other product, and provides a visual indication of one or more parameters of the storage media or other product. The media meter includes circuitry that detects status signals transmitted by rf transmissions or directly connected by wires between an auxiliary memory device mounted on the storage media or product, or receives status signals via rf transmissions directly from the auxiliary memory. As another alternative, the media meter may be integrated with the auxiliary memory to receive status signals directly from the auxiliary memory. The status signals indicate the capacity of the storage media, the number of read and/or write errors that have occurred during back-up and retrieval, the number of times the storage media has been loaded with data or other information, and other dynamically-varying parameters.

Abstract: A diskette incorporating a flat disk-shaped permanent magnet generator is disclosed. This permanent magnet generator comprises a rotor having a permanent magnet that can rotate together with a hub; the permanent magnet having a plurality of rotor magnetic poles on the circumference thereof, and a stator comprising a plurality of magnetic pole teeth having on one end thereof stator magnetic poles that can face the rotor magnetic poles via a magnetic gap. The magnetic pole teeth extend from the stator magnetic poles outside of the rotor, with stator coils wound on the extended portions of the magnetic pole teeth and the outside ends of the magnetic pole teeth connected to each other by a back yoke. The thickness of the outward extending magnetic pole teeth is smaller than the thickness of the permanent magnet. The diskette should preferably be a 3.5″ floppy disk.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for loading and securing a disc drive head disk assembly (HDA) in a servo track writing apparatus. The HDA includes a base, a disc stack coupled to a spindle rotatably attached to the base by a spindle shaft, and an actuator assembly pivotally attached to the base at a pivot shaft. Attached to one end of the actuator assembly proximal the disc stack is at least one transducer for reading/writing information from/to the discs. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a vacuum block having an air bearing and a vacuum stiffener. The vacuum stiffener is selectively used simultaneously with the air bearing to preload the latter. Alternatively, the vacuum stiffener is used independently of the air bearing to vacuum couple the vacuum block to a guide surface. By allowing both vacuum preload and vacuum coupling, the vacuum block of the present invention provides precise HDA placement and retainment with little or no manual operator intervention.

Abstract: A hot-pluggable disk drive is supported on a carrier structure that is slidably and removably insertable rearwardly into a sheet metal cage portion of a computer system to releasably couple an SCA connector on the rear end of the drive to a corresponding electrical connector on a backplane structure within a rear interior portion of the cage. The carrier structure includes a base wall upon which the disk drive rests, and a pair of transverse side walls disposed on opposite side edge portions of the base wall. To substantially reduce self-induced, performance degrading operational vibration of the inserted drive about the rotational axis of its platter section, outward projections are formed on the opposite side wall portions of the carrier in a forwardly offset relationship with the rotational axis of the drive. As the drive is inserted into the cage, these projections slidingly engage and form an interference fit with inwardly bent opposing side wall portions of the cage.

Abstract: A method of designing an actuator arm of a head stack assembly for use in a disk drive is disclosed. The disk drive comprises a disk, the actuator arm for positioning a head over the disk while the disk is rotating at a selected spin-rate. The actuator arm having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a selected thickness, and the head stack assembly having a structural resonance frequency. The disk is rotated such that the disk generates air flow around the actuator arm while the disk is spinning at the selected spin-rate. The actuator arm positions the head over the disk while the disk is spinning at the selected spin-rate, wherein the air flow travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the actuator arm such that the air flow causes vortex shedding at a vortex shedding frequency resulting in an undesirable force being applied to the actuator arm when the vortex shedding frequency is aligned with the structural resonance frequency.

Abstract: A library apparatus accommodating a number of cartridges containing memory mediums is used for automatically cleaning a hand of an accessor robot that transfers a plurality of cartridges and is provided in the library apparatus. A control unit is provided to control the movement of the accessor robot. The control unit counts the number of times the hand is used to determine when the hand is to be cleaned.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating the front panel of a car audio system. The apparatus includes a guide rack, a main chassis, a front chassis, a trim plate, a front panel and a linkage. The guide rack is comprised of a rack body and a slide link. The main chassis is provided at its right side with a plurality of rack shafts and a damper gear. The front chassis covers the open front of the main chassis, and is provided with two vertical link guide slots, two link tabs, a link guide recess, a spring holder and auxiliary spring holders. The trim plate covers the front surface of the front chassis, and is provided at its both sides with two vertical link guide slots. The front panel, to which a control panel is attached, is provided with a plurality of link holders and a link guide recess. The linkage connects the front chassis and the front panel, and selectively locks and unlocks the guide rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a readback signal obtained from a storage medium using a magnetoresistive (MR) element restores a thermal signal component of the signal. A readback signal obtained from the storage medium comprises a thermal component representing a thermal response of the MR element, and may further comprise a magnetic component representing servo or user data. The readback signal is filtered so as to degrade the thermal component of the signal, typically by amplification circuitry exhibiting a highpass filtering behavior. The highpass filtered readback signal is further filtered using a lowpass filter. The filtered signal is sampled, and a sliding window comprising a series of binary values is applied to groups of the signal samples to produce a plurality of signal sample values for each of the signal sample groups.

Abstract: A computer enclosure includes a housing (200) and a drive bracket (10). The housing has a pair of opposite side panels (260). Each side panel defines a guiding slot (266) and a retaining recess (268). The drive bracket has a base (20) from which a pair of side walls (40) extends. Each side wall has an external guiding pivot (42) rotatably received in a corresponding guiding slot, to allow the drive bracket to rotate with respect to the housing between a first position and a second position. In the first position, ample access to an interior space of the housing is available. In the second position, the drive bracket is fully and securely installed within the housing. Each side wall of the drive bracket also has an external retaining post (44) received in the corresponding retaining recess, to firmly secure the drive bracket in the second position.

Abstract: A permanent magnet generator incorporated in a diskette that can be inserted into a floppy disk drive is disclosed. In the permanent magnet generator, electric power is generated as a rotor is caused to rotate at a revolution twice to ten times as high as that of the drive shaft of a floppy disk drive by transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft to a rotor via a speed increasing mechanism incorporated in a diskette. Since the cogging torque of the generator is reduced, the rotor can be caused to rotate with a small drive torque. This allows the generator to produce a high output.

Abstract: A pocket recorder is provided for use by aircraft passengers and others that might encounter a tragic experience. The recorder is operated mechanically with a spring drive and includes an audio recording tape. A floatation balloon is contained with the recorder for ejection at a selected depth below the surface of water such as an ocean to provide buoyancy to the recorder to provide an aid in the recovery process.

Abstract: A tape end detector for detecting a tape end by detecting difference between the optical transmissivity of a transparent tape leader and the optical transmissivity of a magnetic substance applied part using phototransistors. The tape end detector includes a first resistor connected between a positive power source and an analog input terminal, a second resistor connected between the analog input terminal and the ground, a first phototransistor the collector of which is connected to an output terminal and the emitter of which is connected to the analog input terminal, and a second phototransistor the collector of which is connected to the analog input terminal and the emitter of which is connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for efficiently testing magnetic media in which a read level test is performed using an approximation for an average signal level in determining a test threshold and while reading data and testing against the approximate average read signal level, the data signal level is averaged to determine the real average read signal and this value is then used to adjust the results of the comparisons performed against the approximate average read level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic disk drive that uses a back electromotive force sensor that detects the back electromotive force produced in a VCM actuator without being affected by fast changes of current during a high-speed control sampling cycle, and that enables configuration of a fast, high-band speed control system.

Abstract: In a recording medium drive, a frame on which a deck is attached and a printed circuit board are equipped on a bottom chassis in the drive body, and an indicating display device such as a fluorescent display tube is connected to the printed circuit board and arranged at a position corresponding to a window of a front panel. Projections for locking are formed integrally to the frame, and the fluorescent display tube is caught between the front panel and the projections for locking so as to be positioned. This allows the indicating display device to be held by a simple configuration, and manhours required for manufacture to be reduced.

Abstract: The invention is directed to latching techniques that respond to ergonomically pleasing user movements, and that are well-suited for maintaining low manufacturing costs. One arrangement of the invention is directed to a disk drive assembly having a housing, a disk drive attached to the housing, and a lever that secures the housing to and releases the housing from a main assembly. The lever includes a frame pivotably that is coupled to the housing at a pivot point that defines a pivot axis. The lever further includes a latch that is coupled to the frame. The latch selectively engages with the housing and disengages from the housing. The latch includes an actuation portion that requires movement in a direction along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis to disengage the latch from the housing. Accordingly, if the pivot axis is horizontally-oriented, a user can move the actuation portion in a vertical direction, e.g.

Abstract: A fixing device of a disk driver comprises a first body, a second body and two fixing elastic pieces. The first body has a bottom plate, one side of the bottom plate is connected to lateral plate, and fixing pins protrude from an inner wall of the lateral plate. The second body has a bottom plate, one side of the bottom plate is connected to a lateral plate, and fixing pins protrudes from an inner wall of the lateral plate. Two fixing elastic piece connected to the lateral plates of the first body and the second body, one end of each fixing elastic piece is formed with a buckling portion and a movable portion. The first body and the second body are assembled movably. A disk driver is disposed on the first body and the second body so that the fixing pins of the first body and the second body are inserted into respective holes preset at the two sides of the disk driver.

Abstract: A tape drive ejection assembly that controls ejection of a tape cartridge to prevent over ejection errors in a tape drive. The ejection assembly comprises an ejection carriage, a carriage pin, a rotary damper and a spring mounted on a frame. The ejection carriage slides within the frame during insertion and ejection of the tape cartridge. The spring connects between the frame and the ejection carriage and provides the force to eject the tape cartridge. The rotary damper controls movement of the ejection carriage within the frame during ejection of the tape cartridge. The carriage pin includes a rib configured to form a snap connection with the tape cartridge during loading of the tape cartridge. The snap connection between the rib and the tape cartridge secures the tape cartridge to the ejection carriage during and after ejection of the tape cartridge. The connection is not released until a significant external force is applied on the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus of a data storing device comprises a lower case an upper case, and two combining elastic pieces. The left and right sides of this lower case each has a combining portion having a combining elastic piece thereon. The upper case is installed above the lower case; and two combining elastic pieces each has a buckling portion and a movable portion, the movable portion can drive the buckling portion, and the two combining elastic pieces is connected to left and right sides of the upper case. The data storing device can be disposed between the upper case and the lower case, and then the buckling portions of the combining elastic pieces connected to the left and right sides of the upper case are buckled to the combining holes of the lower case so that the data storing device is clamped and fixed between the upper case and lower case.