Abstract: A disk drive suspension has a longitudinal axis that defines inner and outer edges of the suspension. A flexure having a head gimbal assembly is aligned with the axis and spring-loaded to the suspension. A single limiter extends from the flexure through an opening in the suspension to hook to the suspension. The limiter limits the planar separation between the flexure and the suspension. The limiter is offset from the axis such that it is located much closer to the inner edge. During the unloading of the suspension from the disk, a tab on the suspension engages a ramp to begin to lift the suspension away from the disk. As the suspension is lifted, the flexure and head gimbal assembly have limited planar separation from the suspension due to the limiter. Since the limiter is offset from the axis, the surface of the head gimbal assembly is skewed relative to the disk.

Abstract: The present invention provides a head supporting arm that allows for laser tacking while having a merging lip and limiters for loading/unloading respectively. A head supporting arm according to the present invention includes a load beam, and a flexure connecting the load beam to a slider. The load beam having a dimple for generating a gimbal motion between the flexure and the slider. The slider having a head connected to its one end. The head supporting arm of the present invention further including an exposure opening formed in the load beam. The exposure opening allowing for the exposing of the bonding portion of the flexure that is bonded to the other end of the slider. The exposure opening further providing an opening to extend the limiters formed unitarily with the flexure 36 onto a surface of the load beam that is opposite to the surface on which the flexure 36 is provided. The extended limiters are hooked to the load beam at the opposite surface.

Abstract: If a large external impact is applied to a magnetic disc apparatus, a slider jumps from a disc surface and rotates. When the slider jumps and rotates, its edges re-contact the disc surface to damage this surface. To reduce the rotation angle of the slider to control its position if an impact is effected, the present invention provides a roof on a load arm to reduce the contact angle at which the slider contacts the disc surface in order to relax the impact upon a contact.

Abstract: In one embodiment the apparatus is a head gimbal assembly for use in a disk drive having a load/unload ramp, and includes a load beam having a pivot point, a flexure/slider assembly having a flexure and a slider, at least one limiter mounted between the flexure/slider assembly and the load beam, and a lifter tab extending from the load beam so as to be engagable with the load/unload ramp. The flexure is connected to the load beam and to the slider. The slider is positioned by the flexure to be capable of moving about the pivot point. The at least one limiter is positioned to limit movement of the flexure/slider assembly relative to the load beam. The head gimbal assembly can have a low profile by having the lifter tab extend from the load beam substantially at or below the upper surface of the load beam.

Abstract: An information handling system, such as a disk drive, includes a base, a disk stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The actuator assembly also includes a load spring and a slider attached to said load spring. A ramp is also attached to the base near the disk stack. The ramp is used to load and unload the sliders to and from the disk. The slider and load spring are attached to form a gimballing connection between the slider and the load spring. A motion limiting device is attached to either the slider or the load beam to limit the pitch and roll of the slider with respect to the load spring at the gimballing connection. The motion limiters can be added to the load spring or the slider or both. An actuator assembly may also include a stiff lead. A slider including at least one transducer is attached to the stiff lead. The slider also has at least one pad electrically connected to the transducer.

Abstract: A magnetic-disc apparatus for recording or reproducing information in which a slider loading a magnetic-head is supported on a magnetic disc. A supporting mechanism for supporting the slider on the magnetic-disc includes a first supporting member mounting the slider and a second supporting member connected with the first supporting member. The first supporting member includes a mounting portion for mounting the slider, at least one flexible finger portion provided at opposite sides of the mounting portion and a connecting portion connected to the second supporting member. The second supporting member including at a tip portion, a constricted portion extended to an end direction having a narrow width than that between inner side edges of the two flexible finger portions and a projecting portion projecting from the constricted portion to the direction of width. The projecting portion is overlapped with the flexible finger portion in the outward direction of surface.

Abstract: A head suspension includes a planar load beam, and a gimbal extending from, and formed integrally with the load beam. The gimbal has a slider loader on which a head slider is adapted to be attached. Also included in the head suspension is a reinforcing plate cooperatively attached to the load beam.

Abstract: A magnetic head support mechanism comprises: a magnetic head for writing and reading data relative to a magnetic disk; a slider having a flying surface for flying over a surface of the magnetic disk, the slider having the magnetic head mounted thereon; a mounting portion on which the slider is mounted; a transverse frame connected to one end of the mounting portion; two flexible finger portions which extend respectively from opposite ends of the transverse frame, and are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the mounting portion; a beam portion connected at one end thereof to ends of the flexible finger portions; a spring portion connected at one end thereof to the other end of the beam portion; an arm mounting portion connected to the other end of the spring portion; and a slider posture control mechanism connecting a reverse surface of the slider at an air inflow-side end thereof to the beam portion.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed which has a head loading/unloading mechanism which, at load time, moves a head from a head parking member over a disk (loading) and, at unload time, moves it back to the head parking member (unloading). The head parking member has an unload surface on which an unloading tab slides on as an actuator moves which has the head mounted on it and a parking area which is formed to be continuous with the unload surface and provides a place where the unloading tab comes to rest. Further, the head parking member has a limiting member formed to cover the parking area and a portion of the unload surface continuous with the parking area for restricting the movement of the unloading tab in the vertical direction with respect to the unload surface.

Abstract: Disk drive suspensions having limiters with both high shock and load/unload capability are readily assembled by deflecting a normally upstanding tab on the flexure tongue into a slot on the load beam, or vice-versa, where it irreversibly engages the load beam upon returning to its upright condition.

Abstract: The disengagement of a disk drive suspension limiter from the load beam is blocked by the provision of a tab that interfits with the load beam against separation during intended engagement.

Abstract: A suspension limiter for limiting travel of a read/write transducer gimbal in a disc drive is disclosed that positively engages or interlocks with a feature of the load beam supporting the gimbal, or vice versa, to preclude disengagement of the limiter during an abnormal external shock event. One embodiment has a hook on the load beam that fits within a hole gimbal to interlock the two together. Another embodiment has a hook on the gimbal that fits within a hole in the load beam during a shock event. Another embodiment has tabs on the gimbal that hook over a notch in side fingers extending from the end of the load beam on either side of the gimbal. Another embodiment has a hooked tab on the load beam that extends through an aperture in the gimbal to interlock the gimbal and load beam together during a shock load event. Each of the embodiments prevents catastrophic plastic deformation of the gimbal during such events.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension has a longitudinal axis that defines inner and outer edges of the suspension. A flexure having a head gimbal assembly is aligned with the axis and spring-loaded to the suspension. A single limiter extends from the flexure through an opening in the suspension to hook to the suspension. The limiter limits the planar separation between the flexure and the suspension. The limiter is offset from the axis such that it is located much closer to the inner edge. During the unloading of the suspension from the disk, a tab on the suspension engages a ramp to begin to lift the suspension away from the disk. As the suspension is lifted, the flexure and head gimbal assembly have limited planar separation from the suspension due to the limiter. Since the limiter is offset from the axis, the surface of the head gimbal assembly is skewed relative to the disk.

Abstract: A base mounting portion connects the gimbal spring to a load beam and thereby to the actuator of the disc drive which positions the gimbal and slider over a desired track on the disc. The gimbal includes opposed spaced flexure arms which are formed of elongated members, each having a proximal end and a distal end which define an opening therebetween. The proximal ends of the flexure arms are operably coupled to the base, and the distal ends are cantilevered. A mounting tab is positioned between the ends of the flexure arms and supports the slider. Bridge sections are provided which connect the distal ends of the flexure arms to the mounting tab, the bridge sections extending at an angle relative to the flexure arms and being angled back toward the base section of the gimbal. The bridge sections support a limiter extending over said load beam to limit vertical movement of said load beam.

Abstract: A disc drive head gimbal assembly includes a load beam, a gimbal, a disc head slider carrying a tranducing element and a displacement limiter. The load beam has a distal end, a cross member extending across an opening at the distal end, and a load point on the cross member. The gimbal includes a flexure arm to which the disc head slider is mounted for pitch and roll motion about the load point. The displacement limiter includes a pair of first limiter members attached to the cross member adjacent the load point and a pair of second limiter members attached to the gimbal. Each of the second limiter members are positioned to engage one of the first limiter members to limit the vertical displacement of the disc head slider relative to the load beam.

Abstract: A suspension for disc drive having a load beam and a flexure is provided with a limiter mechanism for regulating the movement of the flexure. The flexure includes a tongue portion provided with a magnetic head slider and a pair of outrigger portions situated individually on the opposite sides of the tongue portion. The limiter mechanism is provided with a nipping portion that is formed by bending part of the load beam. The nipping portion includes a first checking portion facing one surface of the flexure across a gap, a connecting portion situated ahead of the flexure, and a second checking portion extending rearward from the connecting portion and facing the other surface of the flexure across a gap.

Abstract: In a suspension comprising a limiter, the limiter is provided with arm portions. These arm portions project outside to-be-supported portions of a flexure from the opposite sides of the distal end portion of a beam portion, extend ahead of the to-be-supported portions, and face the respective one-side surfaces of the to-be-supported portions, individually. Formed between the arm portions is an aperture that is wide enough to receive a bonding jig. Formed on the respective inside portions of the distal ends of the arm portions are bent portions, which are bent in the thickness direction so as to be directed from the one-side surfaces of the to-be-supported portions toward the other-side surfaces. Opposite portions extend rearward from the respective distal ends of the bent portions, individually. These opposite portions face the respective other-side surfaces of the to-be-supported portions, individually.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly of a flexure and a flexure support, the flexure having a tongue adapted to carry in gimbaling relation a slider in operating proximity to a disk, the flexure support and the flexure tongue defining cooperating structures which limit motion of the tongue relative to the disk to a predetermined range.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly of a flexure and a flexure support, the flexure having a tongue adapted to carry in gimbaling relation a slider in operating proximity to a disk, the flexure support and the flexure tongue defining cooperating structures which limit motion of the tongue relative to the disk to a predetermined range.

Abstract: A base mounting portion connects the gimbal spring to a load beam and thereby to the actuator of the disc drive which positions the gimbal and slider over a desired track on the disc. The gimbal includes opposed spaced flexure arms which are formed of elongated members, each having a proximal end and a distal end which define an opening therebetween. The proximal ends of the flexure arms are operably coupled to the base, and the distal ends are cantilevered. A mounting tab is positioned between the ends of the flexure arms and supports the slider. Bridge sections are provided which connect the distal ends of the flexure arms to the mounting tab, the bridge sections extending at an angle relative to the flexure arms and being angled back toward the base section of the gimbal. The bridge sections support a limiter extending over said load beam to limit vertical movement of said load beam.

Abstract: A shock limiter system for a head suspension configured to engage with an external structure in a rigid disk drive. The head suspension has a flexure with a head slider oriented in a first direction over a disk surface. The head suspension includes a load beam having a mounting region, a rigid region and a spring region located between the mounting region and rigid region. The rigid region and the flexure define a distal region of the head suspension. The shock limiter system comprises a shock limiter extending from the distal region in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. The shock limiter is positioned on the distal region to engage with the external structure to limit movement of the head suspension away from the disk surface during a shock event.

Abstract: The disengagement of a disk drive suspension limiter from the load beam is blocked by the provision of a tab that interfits with the load beam against separation during intended engagement.

Abstract: Disk drive suspensions having limiters with both high shock and load/unload capability are readily assembled by deflecting a normally upstanding tab on the flexure tongue into a slot on the load beam, or vice-versa, where it irreversibly engages the load beam upon returning to its upright condition.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for mounting and supporting a head in a disc drive which includes a preloaded gimbal assembly. The preloaded gimbal assembly acts, during certain applied mechanical shock events, to prevent separation of the head and the disc which can lead to damaging contact between the head and the disc. Various design and manufacturing considerations necessary to implementation of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: An information handling system, such as a disk drive, includes a base, a disk stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The actuator assembly also includes a load spring and a slider attached to said load spring. A ramp is also attached to the base near the disk stack. The ramp is used to load and unload the sliders to and from the disk. The slider and load spring are attached to form a gimballing connection between the slider and the load spring. A motion limiting device is attached to either the slider or the load beam to limit the pitch and roll of the slider with respect to the load spring at the gimballing connection. The motion limiters can be added to the load spring or the slider or both. An actuator assembly may also include a stiff lead. A slider including at least one transducer is attached to the stiff lead. The slider also has at least one pad electrically connected to the transducer.

Abstract: If a large external impact is applied to a magnetic disc apparatus, a slider jumps from a disc surface and rotates. When the slider jumps and rotates, its edges re-contact the disc surface to damage this surface. To reduce the rotation angle of the slider to control its position if an impact is effected, the present invention provides a roof on a load arm to reduce the contact angle at which the slider contacts the disc surface in order to relax the impact upon a contact.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension load beam suspension comprising a load beam and a flexure has an elongatable portion on the flexure frame attached to the flexure tongue tip for elongation by flexure tongue movement such that the flexure tongue is tethered against unduly large excursions but free to gimbal in the normal way as well.

Abstract: A transducer suspension system is comprised of a load beam and a flexure. The flexure has a platform for receiving a transducer head. The platform has a forward portion which has a forward facing tab which engages an aperture in the load beam above. The rear portion of the platform has a pair of forward facing rear tabs which engage an aperture in the load beam above. The tabs limit the motion of the flexure during violent shocks, thereby preventing damage to the flexure.

Abstract: A suspension assembly with a pitch motion limiter, for a magnetic disk drive. The suspension comprises a load beam having a load/unload cam follower at a distal end, and having a load gimbal; a flexure mounted on the load beam, the flexure having a free end adjacent the load gimbal, and the flexure having a gimbal surface facing the load gimbal and having a head slider mounting surface opposite the gimbal surface for mounting a head slider having a trailing edge; and a pitch limiter for limiting the maximum pitch motion of the flexure free end with respect to the load beam. The pitch limiter comprises a pair of tabs on the load beam at opposite sides of, and aligned with, the load gimbal, and the tabs projecting in a direction perpendicular to the head slider trailing edge, and a pair of frames on the flexure at opposite sides of the load gimbal, each of the frames aligned with and completely surrounding a corresponding one of the tabs.

Abstract: If a large external impact is applied to a magnetic disc apparatus, a slider jumps from a disc surface and rotates. When the slider jumps and rotates, its edges re-contact the disc surface to damage this surface. To reduce the rotation angle of the slider to control its position if an impact is effected, the present invention provides a roof on a load arm to reduce the contact angle at which the slider contacts the disc surface in order to relax the impact upon a contact.

Abstract: The disengagement of a disk drive suspension limiter from the load beam is blocked by the provision of a tab that interfits with the load beam against separation during intended engagement.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes a suspension of the type supporting a slider and a flex circuit. The suspension is formed of a load beam that supports the flex circuit, and a resilient flexure which is secured to the load beam and which supports the slider. The load beam is comprised of a flexure portion that defines a rear motion limiter and that engages the flex circuit and limits the slider movement when the head gimbal assembly is exposed to a shock load. The rear motion limiter extends intermediate the flex circuit and the flexure. The flex circuit includes a flexure section which is separated from the rear motion limiter by a gap, such that under a shock load condition, the gap collapses for limiting the travel of the slider along a first direction. The front motion limiter can be formed of one or a plurality of tabs or wings that extend integrally from the load beam.

Abstract: A head suspension for supporting a head slider over a disk surface within a rigid disk drive includes a load beam with a flexure at a distal end of the load beam. The head suspension includes a motion limiter for restricting the range of motion of the flexure relative to the load beam. Toward this end, the motion limiter of the present invention includes a hook formed by bending a cantilever arm of the flexure to position a hook tip of the hook substantially over a load point of the suspension. The motion limiter constrains the load beam between the hook tip and the flexure in order to limit vertical displacement of the flexure relative to the load beam, as can occur through deflections caused by a shock load, through excessive pitch and roll motion of the flexure, or through operational movement of the head suspension assembly within the disk drive.