Protecting a read/write head from damage
First Claim
1. A disk storage device, comprising:
- a base;
rotative drive means mounted on said base for rotating a data storage disk, said rotative drive means having a spindle for rotating said data storage disk;
a read/write head for reading data from and writing data to said storage disk;
a carriage that is movably mounted on said base, said read/write head being supported on said carriage;
carriage moving means mounted on said base for radially moving said carriage between an inner access region and an outer data-free region;
support means mounted on said carriage for retractably supporting said read/write head; and
actuator means for actuating said support means to rotate said read/write head between a non-retractable operative position and a retracted inoperative position in which said read/write head is protected from damage or dirt, wherein said head is retracted to said retracted position when said carriage moves said head to said outer data-free region.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disk storage device, such as a magnetic disk storage device, for reading data from and writing data to a magnetic data storage disk includes a spindle onto a base for rotating the magnetic storage disk and a read/write head for reading data from and writing data to the magnetic storage disk. The read/write head is supported on a carriage which is movably mounted on the base for radially moving with respect to the spindle. A support plate is mounted on the carriage for retractably supporting the read/write head. An actuator mechanism actuates the support plate to move the read/write head between a nonretractable, operative position and a retracted, inoperative position. When the disk is not accessed by the read/write head, the read/write head is held in the retracted, inoperative position. Therefore, when the disk is replaced with another disk, the read/write head is prevented from being damaged or smeared with dust or dirt by contact with the disk.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A disk storage device, comprising:
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a base; rotative drive means mounted on said base for rotating a data storage disk, said rotative drive means having a spindle for rotating said data storage disk; a read/write head for reading data from and writing data to said storage disk; a carriage that is movably mounted on said base, said read/write head being supported on said carriage; carriage moving means mounted on said base for radially moving said carriage between an inner access region and an outer data-free region; support means mounted on said carriage for retractably supporting said read/write head; and actuator means for actuating said support means to rotate said read/write head between a non-retractable operative position and a retracted inoperative position in which said read/write head is protected from damage or dirt, wherein said head is retracted to said retracted position when said carriage moves said head to said outer data-free region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A disk storage device, comprising:
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a base; rotative drive means mounted on said base for rotating a data storage disk, said rotative drive means having a spindle for rotating said data storage disk; a head for at least reading data from said storage disk or writing data to said storage disk; a carriage that is movably mounted on said base, said head being supported on said carriage; carriage moving means mounted on said base for radially moving said carriage between an inner access region and an outer data-free region; support means mounted on said carriage for retractably supporting said head; means for actuating said support means to rotate said head between a non-retractable operative position and a retracted inoperative position, wherein said head is retracted to said retracted position when said carriage moves said head to said outer data-free region; and a cleaning member that is mounted on said carriage for cleaning a functional surface of said head when said head is in said retracted inoperative position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A disk storage device, comprising:
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a spindle for rotating a storage disk; a head for at least reading data from said storage disk or writing data to said storage disk; a carriage for radially moving said head between an inner access region and an outer data-free region; means for rotating said head between a nonretractable operative position and a retracted inoperative position with respect to said storage disk wherein said head is retracted to said retracted position when said carriage moves said head to said outer data-free region; and a cleaning member for cleaning a functional surface of said head when said head is in said retracted inoperative position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A disk storage device, comprising:
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a data storage disk; a head for accessing said data storage disk; means for supporting said head for a radial movement with respect to said disk between a radially inner access region and a radially outer data-free region; and means for actuating said supporting means to rotate said head between a non-retracted, operative position and a retracted, inoperative position, wherein said head is retracted to said retracted position when said supporting means supports said head in said outer data-free region. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification