Larry James Tucker

US Patent:

60468858, Apr 4, 2000

Filed:

Apr 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/055220

Inventors:

Kim Aimonetti - San Jose CA
Kevin Hanrahan - Santa Barbara CA
William P. Heist - Morgan Hill CA
Ryan Schmidt - Santa Barbara CA
Larry Tucker - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc. - Goleta CA

International Classification:

G11B 554

US Classification:

360104

Abstract:

A base plate having a hub, a flange having an outer flange region at an outer periphery of the flange and a clamping region at an inner periphery of the flange that is contiguous with the hub. The flange has a modified region that at least partially surrounds and is contiguous with the clamping region, the modified region having a stress reducing configuration such that the clamping region is thicker than the outer flange region. The modified region may be a circular or linear step, and can be on either side of the flange. The step fits the contour of a load beam and the flange is welded to the load beam. The load beam thickness is the same as or less than the thickness of the step.

US Patent:

58422706, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Mar 18, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/618039

Inventors:

Larry E. Tucker - Fremont CA
William P. Heist - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Read-Rite Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

B23Q 15007
B21D 1110
G11B 5127
G11B 548

US Classification:

29705

Abstract:

The gram load of head gimbal assemblies (HGA) of a head stack assembly (HSA) is adjusted before the HSA is installed in a disk drive. Each HGA includes an elongated flexible member having a bend that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the HGA. The apparatus includes means for removably mounting the HSA for movement in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the selected HGA to a Gram Load Adjusting (GLA) station, means to restrain movement of the HGA during gram load adjustment, a force-transmitting bar having an elongated bearing edge, means for positioning the bar with the edge parallel to the bend and in force-transmitting contact with the bend area of the flexible element, and means for moving the edge to adjust the gram load to a desired value.

US Patent:

54654777, Nov 14, 1995

Filed:

Apr 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/231402

Inventors:

Larry E. Tucker - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Read-Rite Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11B 5127

US Classification:

29603

Abstract:

A method of assembling a head stack on a pivot bearing for use in a head positioning mechanism of a disk drive in which a plurality of different head stack components are clamped on the bearing comprises providing a plurality of head stack components, each having an opening for receiving the bearing. The head stack assembly includes two pairs of head arms, spacers and a flat coil member. A caddy positions the components with their respective openings disposed on a common axis. The head arm assemblies are positioned in the caddy with the openings biased against each other and disposed on the common axis. The flat coil member is placed between the pairs of arm assemblies with its opening on the common axis. The head stack components in the caddy are angularly aligned on the common axis. A threaded end of the bearing is inserted through the openings and receives a clamping nut which is tightened to clamp the components on the bearing for conjoint movement with the flat coil component.

US Patent:

56548516, Aug 5, 1997

Filed:

Jul 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/505382

Inventors:

Larry E. Tucker - Fremont CA
William P. Heist - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Read-Rite Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11B 548

US Classification:

360104

Abstract:

A head arm assembly for use in a disk file includes an elongated thin element having one end supporting a head gimbal assembly (HGA) which is biased toward a recording surface of a magnetic disk during normal operation. The element is preferably made of a metal that has a flex characteristic predetermined in accordance with selected specifications of the head arm. The opposite end of the element is provided with an etched out opening for a pivot bearing and is encased in a moldable material having a different and more rigid flex characteristic. The head arm assembly is provided with the required two flex characteristics for successful operation but does not require the precise joining of two separate and distinct metal elements.

US Patent:

54107946, May 2, 1995

Filed:

Apr 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/231157

Inventors:

Larry E. Tucker - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Read-Rite Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

B25B 2414

US Classification:

292815

Abstract:

A tool for assembling a head stack on a pivot bearing of a magnetic head positioning mechanism in which a caddy and base combination cooperate to position a plurality of different head stack components in an aligned relationship to permit the pivot bearing to be inserted through an opening in each component adapted to receive the bearing. The head stack components to be positioned include two pairs of head arm assemblies, spacers and a flat coil member. The component caddy is readily removable from the caddy base. The caddy and base include vertical projections that define a slot for receiving each of the head arm assemblies with the ends of each pair containing the openings biased against each other and the openings disposed on the common axis.

US Patent:

59437618, Aug 31, 1999

Filed:

Mar 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/135516

Inventors:

Larry E. Tucker - Fremont CA
William P. Heist - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Read-Rite Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11B 542

US Classification:

2960303

Abstract:

The gram load of head gimbal assemblies (HGA) of a head stack assembly (HSA) is adjusted before the HSA is installed in a disk drive. Each HGA includes an elongated flexible member having a bend that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the HGA. The apparatus includes means for removably mounting the HSA for movement in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the selected HGA to a Gram Load Adjusting (GLA) station, means to restrain movement of the HGA during gram load adjustment, a force-transmitting bar having an elongated bearing edge, means for positioning the bar with the edge parallel to the bend and in force-transmitting contact with the bend area of the flexible element, and means for moving the edge to adjust the gram load to a desired value.