Flexible magnetic disc recording technique

An apparatus for recording and/or reading information on the upper coated major surface of a magnetic field, responsive coated flexible magnetic information storage disc shaped member having upper and lower opposite major surfaces comprising:

• a. a stationary body having a rigid cylindrical smoothing plane surface and an opening formed therein at a predetermined position on said cylindrical surface;
• b. rotational means associated with said cylindrical surface for rotating said flexible disc over said cylindrical surface with the lower major surface of said disc facing said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said flexible disc causes said disc to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface with an air bearing therebetween;
• and
• c. an electrically controlled recording and/or playback head mounted above said cylindrical surface opposite said opening for recording and/or reading information on the upper major surface of said disc while said disc is in rotation, said head applying a preselected amount of pressure on the upper major surface of said flexible media in opposing relation to said air bearing causing said media to protrude into said opening.

A flexible disc cartridge comprising:

• a. a flexible disc shaped member having upper and lower opposite major surfaces with a magnetic field responsive coating formed on the upper major surface thereof;
• and
• b. a housing, said housing including:
• i. a stationary rigid member having a cylindrical smoothing plane surface, said disc member contained within said housing with the lower major surface of said disc shaped member facing said cylindrical surface and being free to rotate thereon,
• ii. a first opening for receiving a rotational means, said rotational means for rotating said disc member over said cylindrical surface wherein rotation of said disc member causes said disc member to conform to the curvature of said cylindrical surface with an air bearing therebetween;
• iii. a second opening above said first major surface for receiving a recording and/or reading head, said recording and/or reading head for recording and/or reading information by means of the magnetic field responsive coating on the upper major surface of said disc shaped member, and
• iv. a third opening in said cylindrical surface below said second major surface with at least a portion of said third opening directly opposite at least a portion of said second opening, said third opening for receiving said disc-shaped member as said recording and/or reading head applying a preselected amount of pressure on the upper major surface of said disc-shaped member in opposing relation to the air bearing created when said disc-shaped member is in rotation.