Abstract: A circuit may be configured to reduce the amount of space used on a storage device when a transducer having a reader and writer passes from a writable data field to a read-only field by enabling both the reader and writer simultaneously. The circuit can be configured to reduce to a threshold level the noise on a read signal that can occur when the reader is over a read-only field and the writer is over a writable data field, and can ignore the read data when both the writer and reader are enabled simultaneously over a writable data field.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly having a base, a cover, a post extending from the base toward the cover, and a latch movably mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to support the cover, and prevent the cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch from contacting both the cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the cover above the latch.

Abstract: A bracket for a hard disc drive combining three separate functions, a ramp, a latch and a connector bracket into a single assembly. The bracket assembly, mounted with ramp and latch, secures and seals the electrical connector connecting the flexible printed circuit on the head side of the actuator. Traditionally, latches are on the coil side of the actuator. Moreover, the combination bracket improves manufacturability while reducing overall cost for the disc drive. The assembly can be purchased complete from a supplier.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a hard disk drive (HDD) retains a rotatable swing arm of the HDD in place when a magnetic head of the HDD is parked. The actuator latch system includes a portion of the swing arm that defines a notch at an end portion of a swing arm, and a latch lever that has first and second hooks at one end thereof. The latch lever is disposed on the base member adjacent the end portion of the swing arm and is supported so as to be rotatable. The first hook is disposed to contact the swing arm within a short period of time after a shock transmitted to the swing arm while the magnetic head is parked causes the swing arm to rotate in one direction. Thus, the impulse on the swing arm is minimized and the reliability of the actuator latch system is enhanced.

Abstract: An HDD includes a base, a swing arm, a VCM coil disposed on the rear end portion of the swing arm, a lower yoke and an upper yoke disposed below and above the VCM coil, at least one magnet attached to the yokes, and a latch lever levitated by the at least one magnet. The latch lever includes a hook at one end and a counterbalance at another end. A first magnetic retractor is installed on the counterbalance to apply torque to the latch lever. The first retract member is disposed such that the vertical component of the net magnetic force applied to the first retractor by the magnet(s) is about 0 when the latch lever is located at a position at which a first air gap and a second air gap exist, respectively, immediately below and above the latch lever.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base, an actuator arm pivotably installed on the base, and a latch device to latch the actuator arm at a parking position. The latch device includes a latch stop that protrudes from a side wall of the base and has an inclined surface, and a latch lever pivotably installed on the base and contacts and slides along the inclined surface of the latch stop during the rotation in an unlatching direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention securely latch an actuator rotated by an external impact. In an embodiment of the present invention, a latch and an actuator have a structure in which the latch can latch the actuator at two different swing angles. The swing angle of the latch is an angle in rotation centered on a rotational shaft (rotation angle). The latch may be engaged with the actuator at a shallow angle, or the latch may be engaged with the actuator at a deeper angle. Since the latch is able to latch the actuator at different swing angles, the actuator can be securely latched.

Abstract: A novel actuator latch includes a catch portion interfering with actuator rotation with the latch in a closed position. The latch includes a first stop portion that is in contact with a fixed member with the latch in the closed position. The latch includes a pusher portion that is in contact with the actuator with the latch in the closed position and with the actuator in an extreme rotational position. The latch includes a second stop portion comprising a cantilevered finger having a supported end and a free distal end. The free distal end is in contact with the second fixed member with the latch in the open position. Neither the catch portion nor the pusher portion is disposed on the cantilevered finger.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a hard disk drive selectively locks in place and releases a rotatable swing arm having a front end portion supporting a magnetic head and a rear end portion on which a voice coil motor (VCM) coil is disposed. The actuator latch system includes a notch in the rear end portion of the swing arm, and a rotatable latch lever having a front end portion including a hook and a magnet. The hook is received in the notch in the rear end portion of the swing arm to arrest rotation of the swing arm in a predetermined direction. The magnet of the latch lever faces a section of the VCM coil such that when the hard disk drive is started, the latch lever is rotated by a force generated due to current flowing through the section of the VCM coil faced by the magnet and the magnetic field generated by the magnet. The rotation of the latch lever prevents the hook from interfering with the rotation of the swing arm in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a disk drive, having a notch positioned at a first end portion of the swing arm, a latch lever rotatably installed in a base member, a first core provided on a second end portion of the swing arm, and a second core provided at a counterbalance of the latch lever. The first and second cores apply a torque to the swing arm and latch lever, respectively, in a first direction by a magnetic force of the magnet. The latch lever has a latch pivot, a latch arm provided at a first side of the latch pivot and having a hook to be caught by the notch when the actuator is locked, and the counterbalance provided on a second side of the latch pivot. The latch arm of the latch lever is elastically deformed when contacted by the swing arm during parking of the head.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inertia latch mechanism capable of omitting erection of a pin for swinging an inertia lever. An inertia lever for use in the inertia latch mechanism is constituted of: a lever body swinging by inertia when an impact is applied thereto; a fixture fixed to a case of a disk drive device; and a plate spring member for connecting the lever body and the fixture and permitting swing of the lever body.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a case having a bottom wall, a disk-shaped recording medium located in the case, a drive motor which is located in the case and supports and rotates the recording medium, a head which performs information processing for the recording medium, a head actuator, and an inertial latch mechanism which latches and holds the head actuator in a retracted position when an external force is subjected. The inertial latch mechanism is modularized and includes a base plate, a first pivot and a second pivot set up on the base plate, a latch arm supported for rocking motion around the first pivot, an inertial arm which is rockably supported on the second pivot, and a stopper portion which prevents the latch arm and the inertial arm from slipping off the first and second pivots.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive apparatus includes a base, a recording medium, a drive motor, a head, a carriage, and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a latch member, which is supported on the base to be movable between a latch position and a release position, and a latch stop provided on the base and configured to regulate the movement of the latch member in a direction of the latch position. The latch member has a first abutment portion which abuts the carriage and moves the latch member from the release position to the latch position according to the movement of the carriage, when the carriage moves from the information processing position to the retracted position, a latch hook capable of latching the carriage at the latch position, and a second abutment portion which confronts to the latch hook with a gap at the latch position.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a disk drive, having a notch positioned at a first end portion of the swing arm, a latch lever rotatably installed in a base member, a first core provided on a second end portion of the swing arm, and a second core provided at a counterbalance of the latch lever. The first and second cores apply a torque to the swing arm and latch lever, respectively, in a first direction by a magnetic force of the magnet. The latch lever has a latch pivot, a latch arm provided at a first side of the latch pivot and having a hook to be caught by the notch when the actuator is locked, and the counterbalance provided on a second side of the latch pivot. The latch arm of the latch lever is elastically deformed when contacted by the swing arm during parking of the head.

Abstract: An actuator latch device for locking an actuator of a hard disk drive, the actuator having a swing arm rotatably installed at a base member, a voice coil motor (VCM) coil provided at one end of the swing arm, and magnets oppositely arranged at the VCM coil. The actuator latch device includes a notch provided at one end of the swing arm; a latch lever, which is rotatably installed at a base member, having at a first end thereof a hook interfering with the notch to restrict one way rotation of the swing arm, and a counterbalance device at a second end thereof; and a stopper provided in the base member to block the counterbalance device to restrict a rotation of the latch lever.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a disk drive, having a notch positioned at a first end portion of the swing arm, a latch lever rotatably installed in a base member, a first core provided on a second end portion of the swing arm, and a second core provided at a counterbalance of the latch lever. The first and second cores apply a torque to the swing arm and latch lever, respectively, in a first direction by a magnetic force of the magnet. The latch lever has a latch pivot, a latch arm provided at a first side of the latch pivot and having a hook to be caught by the notch when the actuator is locked, and the counterbalance provided on a second side of the latch pivot. The latch arm of the latch lever is elastically deformed when contacted by the swing arm during parking of the head.

Abstract: An actuator latch apparatus for a hard disk drive (HDD). The actuator latch apparatus includes a first latch formed on one end portion of a swing arm, a notch formed on the one end portion of the swing arm and spaced a predetermined interval from the first latch in a pivoting direction of the swing arm, and a latch lever pivotably installed on a base member. The latch lever includes a second latch contacting the first latch when the swing arm pivots in a first direction, and a hook engaging with the notch when the swing arm pivots in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Facing surfaces of the first latch and the second latch are inclined such that the first latch and the second latch slide into contact with each other when the swing arm pivots in the first direction.

Abstract: A rotating disk storage device has a stopper mechanism and a latch mechanism for diminishing a shock imposed on an actuator head suspension assembly (AHSA) and permits positive retraction of the AHSA upon occurrence of an external shock or runaway. In one embodiment, the latch mechanism comprises an AHSA which is supported pivotably, a stopper which restricts a pivotal movement in a pivot direction of the AHSA, an inertia member adapted to move pivotally in a corresponding pivot direction when the AHSA moves pivotally in the pivot direction while causing the stopper to be deformed elastically, and a latch member which has an engaging portion and which, upon receipt of the torque from the inertia member, moves pivotally in a direction opposite from the corresponding pivot direction, and causes the engaging portion to move to a latching position. Shock energy of the AHSA is attenuated by both stopper and inertia member.

Abstract: A rotating disk storage device has a mechanism for latching an actuator head suspension assembly (AHSA) positively in a retraction area upon occurrence of an external shock or runaway. In one embodiment, a latch mechanism comprises an AHSA which is supported pivotably, an elastic member which restricts a pivotal movement of the AHSA in a pivot direction A1 of the AHSA, an inertia member adapted to move pivotally in a corresponding pivot direction B2 when the AHSA moves pivotally in the pivot direction A1 while deforming the elastic member elastically, and a latch member having an engaging portion and adapted to move pivotally in a direction A2 opposite from the corresponding pivot direction B2 upon receipt of torque from the inertia member, thereby causing the engaging portion to move to a latching position. The AHSA has two to-be-engaged portions, i.e., a first to-be-engaged portion and a second to-be-engaged portion.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a latch mechanism. A lever and a weight are supported on a first shaft. The lever defines first and second operating spots distanced from the first shaft by first and second distances, respectively. The weight is distanced from the first shaft by a third distance shorter than the first and second distances. A swinging member is supported on a second shaft at a position defined between the first and second operating spots within a space between the lever and the cover of the enclosure. Even if impact acts on the disk drive, the lever is received on the swinging member between the first and second operating spots. The lever is prevented from moving in the axial direction of the first shaft. Contact is reliably prevented between the lever and the cover. Generation of noise can thus be avoided.

Abstract: This recording medium drive has an actuator member which rotationally moves around a first shaft, a latch stop member fixed to the housing, and a latch member which rotationally moves around a second shaft. The actuator member, having a locked member, and the latch member has a locking member which restrains the rotational movement of the actuator member and a coefficient of repulsion between the latch stop member and the latch member is a coefficient of repulsion such that, in the event that the housing receives an impact when the actuator is in a standby state, the locking member of the latch member reaches a lockable rotation angle before the locked member of the actuator member reaches the lockable rotation angle. In the event that various impacts are applied, it is possible to prevent the actuator member from jumping out to the recording medium.

Abstract: A lever and a weight are supported on a first shaft for swinging movement in a latch mechanism. The weight gets closer to a head actuator member based on swinging movement in a first direction. A restriction member restricts the swinging movement of the weight in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A swinging member is contacted with the lever swinging around the first shaft so that the swinging member gets into a predetermined path of the head actuator member through the swinging movement around the second shaft. The disk drive always allows the weight, the lever and the swinging member to start swinging from corresponding inoperative positions, even if the disk drive suffers from a sequential driving force in opposite directions due to impact. A head slider at the tip end of the head actuator member is reliably prevented from colliding against the disk.

Abstract: An inertia latch mechanism has a latch arm, which latches a head actuator in a retreated position, and an inertia arm, which is rockably supported around a second pivot and rotates the latch arm to a latch position by rotating around the second pivot when subjected to an external force. A voice coil motor has a lower yoke, a top yoke, a voice coil attached to the head actuator and situated between the yokes, and a permanent magnet provided on at least one of the yokes. The top yoke has an arm retaining portion which extends overlapping the second pivot and that part of the inertia arm which is situated near the second pivot and restrains the inertia arm from slipping off the second pivot. The arm retaining portion is stepped to be one level higher than the top yoke.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a case having a bottom wall, a disk-shaped recording medium located in the case, a drive motor which is located in the case and supports and rotates the recording medium, a head which performs information processing for the recording medium, a head actuator, and an inertial latch mechanism which latches and holds the head actuator in a retracted position when an external force is subjected. The inertial latch mechanism is modularized and includes a base plate, a first pivot and a second pivot set up on the base plate, a latch arm supported for rocking motion around the first pivot, an inertial arm which is rockably supported on the second pivot, and a stopper portion which prevents the latch arm and the inertial arm from slipping off the first and second pivots.

Abstract: An actuator latch system of a disk drive to lock an actuator having a swing arm installed at a base member, a voice coil motor coil joined to an end portion of the swing arm, and a magnet facing the voice coil motor coil, including a first and a second latch portion provided at the end portion of the swing arm; a latch lever provided at the base member, the latch lever having a first end portion engaged with the first latch portion when the latch lever pivots a first direction, and a second end portion engaged with the second latch portion when the latch lever pivots a second direction; a projection projecting from an edge of the magnet; and a magnetic latch pin provided at an end portion of the swing arm so that a magnetic force operates between the latch pin and the projection.

Abstract: A memory device for recording, playback, and erasure of data through the application of an optical head along a memory medium includes a head carriage and a carriage lock. The head carriage moves the optical head along the surface of the memory medium, and the carriage lock prevents movement of the head carriage in response to a specific shock force. The carriage lock utilizes mechanical energy received from the shock force itself to prevent the movement of the head carriage.

Abstract: In a state wherein an actuator is located at a shunt position, when an apparatus is subjected to an external shock, the actuator tries to swing due to a rotational moment. An inertia arm generates a rotational moment simultaneously with the actuator. Both the rotational moments competes with each other at an engaging point of the inertia arm side with the actuator side to absorb the external shock. Further the actuator tries to excessively swing exceeding the limit of the original swing range during the operation of the apparatus. In order to prevent this, the inertia arm is used.

Abstract: To provide a disk drive system provided with an inertial latching mechanism which has high reliability and can be arranged in a thin-model disk drive system. There is provided an inertial arm (7) engaging an actuator (22) when a head arm (25) is in or near a parking position and releasing engagement 3with the actuator (22) when the head arm (25) is in or near a position close to a disk (1) and energizing means for holding a position of the inertial arm (7) in a position where the engagement with the actuator (22) is released. Even if a rotational shock is externally applied when the actuator (22) remains in the parking position, moment of rotation is applied on each of the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) in the same direction, the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) mutually restrain their operations at an engaging part, and the oscillation of the actuator (22) to a data area can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention prevents the deterioration of the read/write performance of a hard disk drive due to the interference between an inertial latching mechanism and an actuator when a head slider holding a magnetic head is located at a read/write position. A latching arm 22 provided with a projection 23 and included in an inertial latching mechanism 20, and a part 161 of a coil holding arm 16a included in an actuator are formed in shapes such that the latching arm 22 provided with the projection 23 does not interfere with the coil holding arm 16a having the part 161 when a head slider mounted on the actuator is located at a read/write position on a magnetic disk.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed employing a constant contact inertial latch for latching an actuator arm assembly while the disk drive is powered down to protect against physical shocks. The inertial latch comprises a body having a protruding arm and a pivot surface. When the actuator arm assembly is in the latched position, the protruding arm is in constant contact with the actuator arm assembly applying a latching force to the actuator arm assembly.

Abstract: An actuator arm latch assembly for a disk drive is disclosed which restrains movement of a disk drive actuator arm assembly during exposure of the disk drive to a shock event. In one embodiment, the actuator arm latch assembly is activated by the disk drive being exposed to a shock event that is directed along/about a first shock axis (e.g., within a reference plane that contains a disk drive base plate), and also is activated when the disk drive is exposed to a shock event that is directed along/about a second shock axis that is both non-parallel and non-colinear with the first shock axis (e.g., within a reference plane that is disposed at an angle to the disk drive base plate, and including perpendicular thereto).

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a disk in which information is recorded, a carriage arm having a head slider provided at a tip thereof, the head slider moving over the disk during a read/write operation and being placed at an evacuated position outside an area of the disk during a halt of the disk apparatus, and a support base. An inertia latch mechanism slides on the support base from an original position to a latch position in response to an impacting force so as to latch the carriage arm when the disk apparatus is impacted, and slides on the support base from the latch position to the original position by disengaging from the carriage arm after dissipation of the impacting force. The support base and the inertia latch mechanism are in contact with each other through at least one raised portion that prevents a single surface-to-surface contact from being dominant between the support base and the inertia latch mechanism.

Abstract: To provide a disk drive system provided with an inertial latching mechanism which has high reliability and can be arranged in a thin-model disk drive system. There is provided an inertial arm (7) engaging an actuator (22) when a head arm (25) is in or near a parking position and releasing engagement with the actuator (22) when the head arm (25) is in or near a position close to a disk (1) and energizing means for holding a position of the inertial arm (7) in a position where the engagement with the actuator (22) is released. Even if a rotational shock is externally applied when the actuator (22) remains in the parking position, moment of rotation is applied on each of the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) in the same direction, the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) mutually restrain their operations at an engaging part, and the oscillation of the actuator (22) to a data area can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention prevents the deterioration of the read/write performance of a hard disk drive due to the interference between an inertial latching mechanism and an actuator when a head slider holding a magnetic head is located at a read/write position. A latching arm 22 provided with a projection 23 and included in an inertial latching mechanism 20, and a part 161 of a coil holding arm 16a included in an actuator are formed in shapes such that the latching arm 22 provided with the projection 23 does not interfere with the coil holding arm 16a having the part 161 when a head slider mounted on the actuator is located at a read/write position on a magnetic disk.

Abstract: The invention prevents the deterioration of the read/write performance of a hard disk drive due to the interference between an inertial latching mechanism and an actuator when a head slider holding a magnetic head is located at a read/write position. A latching arm 22 provided with a projection 23 and included in an inertial latching mechanism 20, and a part 161 of a coil holding arm 16a included in an actuator are formed in shapes such that the latching arm 22 provided with the projection 23 does not interfere with the coil holding arm 16a having the part 161 when a head slider mounted on the actuator is located at a read/write position on a magnetic disk.

Abstract: In a state wherein an actuator is located at a shunt position, when an apparatus is subjected to an external shock, the actuator tries to swing due to a rotational moment. An inertia arm generates a rotational moment simultaneously with the actuator. Both the rotational moments competes with each other at an engaging point of the inertia arm side with the actuator side to absorb the external shock. Further the actuator tries to excessively swing exceeding the limit of the original swing range during the operation of the apparatus. In order to prevent this, the inertia arm is used.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an inertial latch for an actuator of a disk drive that includes: an inertial lever, which inertial lever includes: (a) a first and a second pivot structure that are disposed to enable the inertial lever to rotate about a first or a second center of rotation; (b) a first and a second magnetically attractive member that are disposed to enable the inertial lever to move to a predetermined position in the absence of a rotational shock; and (c) a latch disposed to latch an actuator lock mechanism of the actuator.

Abstract: To provide a disk drive system provided with an inertial latching mechanism which has high reliability and can be arranged in a thin-model disk drive system. There is provided an inertial arm (7) engaging an actuator (22) when a head arm (25) is in or near a parking position and releasing engagement with the actuator (22) when the head arm (25) is in or near a position close to a disk (1) and energizing means for holding a position of the inertial arm (7) in a position where the engagement with the actuator (22) is released. Even if a rotational shock is externally applied when the actuator (22) remains in the parking position, moment of rotation is applied on each of the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) in the same direction, the actuator (22) and inertial arm (7) mutually restrain their operations at an engaging part, and the oscillation of the actuator (22) to a data area can be avoided.

Abstract: A latch for securing an actuator arm of a hard disk drive. The latch has a catch portion that can engage a latch portion of the actuator arm. The latch also has a pusher portion and a crash stop portion that engage the actuator arm during movement into a latched position and prevent the latch from rebounding away from the arm. The pusher and crash stop portions eliminate the need for a separate crash stop in the disk drive. Eliminating the separate crash stop component reduces the complexity and cost for mass producing the disk drive.

Abstract: The present invention includes a disc drive including an integral inertial latch comprised of a single material having a fixed pivot, an inertial mass and at least one spring. The at least one spring attaches the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. In one embodiment the disc drive has an integral inertial latch that includes a plurality of spoke springs that radiate outwardly from the fixed pivot to a ring shaped inertial mass. In one embodiment the disc drive includes an integral inertial latch that includes two leaf springs that attach the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. The inertial mass translates perpendicular to the fixed pivot.

Abstract: In an actuator latch used with a hard disk drive to lock an actuator in a non-pivoting position when a magnetic head installed at the actuator is positioned in a parking zone of a hard disk, the actuator latch includes a hooked portion provided at one side of the actuator and having first and second hook steps disposed to face each other, a locking member having a hook portion which is coupled to the hooked portion as the actuator moves to the parking zone, the hook portion coupled to the hooked portion being interfered with the first hook step when the actuator rotate clockwise and with the second hook step when the actuator rotate counterclockwise, and an elastic member elastically supporting the locking member to be capable of rotating and providing a restoring force to the locking member with respect to both clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the locking member.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a disk, an actuator arm, a head attached to the actuator arm, a voice coil motor, a parking latch for latching the actuator arm in a latched position in order to park the head during a non-operating mode, a post, and an inertial latch for maintaining the actuator arm in the latched position when the disk drive is subjected to a physical shock. The inertial latch comprises a body having a protruding arm and a pivot surface, wherein during the physical shock the body rotates about the pivot surface such that the protruding arm engages the actuator arm. The body of the inertial latch further comprises a strip-spring comprising a first end inserted into a first receptor and a second end inserted into a second receptor such that the strip spring has an initial arc displacement when installed into the body of the inertial latch.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a stop, a head stack assembly and a latch having a latch arm that is movable between a closed position and an open position. The latch includes a first retainer that urges the latch arm toward the open position, and a second retainer that urges the latch arm toward the closed position. The latch includes a mover that contacts the latch arm upon a sufficient shock to the disk drive and causes the latch arm to move to the closed position. The disk drive includes an actuator motor that momentarily urges the head stack assembly against the latch during startup of the disk drive, thereby moving the latch arm to the open position.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, an actuator arm, a head attached to the actuator arm, a voice coil motor, a parking latch for latching the actuator arm in a latched position in order to park the head during a non-operating mode, and a flex circuit having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the actuator arm. The disk drive further comprises an inertial latch for maintaining the actuator arm in the latched position when the disk drive is subjected to a physical shock. The inertial latch comprises a body having a protruding arm and defining a pivot axis. The inertial latch further comprises a support member coupled to the base, the support member comprising a connecting surface for connecting to the second end of the flex circuit, and a restraining member connected to the body of the inertial latch proximate the pivot axis, wherein the restraining member vertically restrains the inertial latch.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inertia latch mechanism capable of omitting erection of a pin for swinging an inertia lever. An inertia lever for use in the inertia latch mechanism is constituted of: a lever body swinging by inertia when an impact is applied thereto; a fixture fixed to a case of a disk drive device; and a plate spring member for connecting the lever body and the fixture and permitting swing of the lever body.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a disk in which information is recorded, a carriage arm having a head slider provided at a tip thereof, the head slider moving over the disk during a read/write operation and being placed at an evacuated position outside an area of the disk during a halt of the disk apparatus, a support base, and a inertia latch mechanism which slides on the support base from an original position to a latch position in response to an impacting force so as to latch the carriage arm when the disk apparatus is impacted, and slides on the support base from the latch position to the original position by disengaging from the carriage arm after dissipation of the impacting force, wherein the support base and the inertia latch mechanism are in contact with each other through at least one raised portion that prevents a single surface-to-surface contact from being dominant between the support base and the inertia latch mechanism.

Abstract: An inertial latch for a linear actuator disk drive includes a carriage assembly carrying read/write heads linearly into and out of engagement with a recording medium. An arm rotating about a pivot has one end which engages the latch, and a counterweight on the other end of said arm. A key on the counterweight slides linearly in a slot as the carriage assembly moves linearly. The key fits into a keying portion of the slot which constrains said counterweight so that it cannot move if it is tilted by gravity or shock.

Abstract: An inertial latch that reduces the likelihood of damage due to secondary bouncing of the latch off of the actuator. An information system including a disc drive having a inertial lock including a latch and a latch receiver. The latch receiver located on the latch end of an actuator having a plurality of mating surfaces that engage with the latch. The latch may also have a plurality of teeth defining mating surfaces. The plurality of teeth may define a plurality of notches and opposed pairs of mating surfaces. The opposed pairs of mating surfaces may have a first mating surface and a second mating surface. The latch may have a latch point with opposed sides having a first opposed side and a second opposed side. The first mating surface may be engagable with the first opposed side and the second mating surface may be engagable with the second opposed side.

Abstract: A single latch that can secure an actuator arm when a hard disk drive has a clockwise rotational acceleration, or a counterclockwise rotational acceleration. The latch has a first end that can engage a first latch portion of the actuator arm when the disk drive has a clockwise rotational acceleration. The same latch also has a second end that can engage a second latch portion of the actuator arm when the disk drive has a counterclockwise rotational acceleration.

Abstract: A single latch that can secure an actuator arm when a hard disk drive has a clockwise rotational acceleration, or a counterclockwise rotational acceleration. The latch has a first end that can engage a first latch portion of the actuator arm when the disk drive has a clockwise rotational acceleration. The same latch also has a second end that can engage a second latch portion of the actuator arm when the disk drive has a counterclockwise rotational acceleration.