Patent · US Expired

Combination load ramp and unlatching mechanism for a removable disk cartridge

US6268982A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 5, 1999
Grant dateJul 31, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 5, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B23/0308
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A latch system for a removable cartridge and disk drive is provided. The cartridge is hinged at the back so as to pivot apart about an axis that is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the disk. A pair of latches are disposed on opposing sides of the cartridge outboard of a labyrinth seal. Each of the latches includes an upper and a lower protrusion that acts as a catch that are insertable into corresponding apertures in the cartridge. The latches a spring-loaded toward a closed position. A load ramp for loading and unloading heads is fixed in the drive and contacts and engages a first latch, and a second unlatching member is fixed in the drive and contacts and engages the second latch. Employing the load ramp to unlatch one side of the cartridge conserves space within the cartridge.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.