Drive connection between linear actuator and rotatable drive shaft of reversible motor

Abstract

A connector for coupling the drive shaft of a reversible motor to a linear actuator, such as an actuator which carries a magnetic read-write head of a magnetic disk drive system. The actuator has a generally flat side plate at one side of the drive shaft of the motor. A flexible, metallic band is wrapped around the drive shaft and one end of the band is secured to one end of the side plate. The opposite end of the band extends through a slot in the band and is doubled upon itself near its opposite end to form a U-shaped recess near the opposite end of the side plate. A bore extends into the opposite end of the plate and receives a pin which is biased outwardly by a spring, and the outer end of the pin engages a cylindrical cross bar which bears against the inner surface of the band portion which forms the U-shaped recess. The opposite end of the band is secured to the side plate. The spring, pin and bar exert a tension force on the band to prevent backlash and to compensate for ambient temperature variations.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.