Mechanism for centering and clamping a floppy disc
AssigneeMagnum Division of Tandon Corporation
InventorNorman M. Puls
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A positioning and clamping system for floppy disc recording media utilizes a tapered positioner cone having extremely pliant petals. The cone defines a nominal circumference which is greater than the disc aperture, and the petals yield to conform to disc placement. Centering is accomplished before clamping by a radial return of the petals to balanced positions, acting against the unclamped disc. The geometry of the cone and follower are such that forces that would tend to distort the cone are minimized.
Claims10
A positioner system for floppy disc drives having a rotatable center spindle comprising:
- a positioner element comprising a multiple-petal cone insertable within the central aperture of a floppy disc, a portion of the outer cone surface defined by the petals being greater in diameter than the nominal dimension of the interior aperture of the floppy disc, the petals being sufficiently compliant to be bent inwardly by the floppy disc edge upon insertion without distorting the floppy disc and to thereafter restore the unclamped disc to concentricity;
- and
- follower means mounted adjacent the positioner element and movable to engage the petals thereof to urge the petals downwardly to clamp the floppy disc against the spindle.
A positioner system for floppy disc drives having a rotatable center spindle including an annular rim and over which is a floppy disc is positioned comprising:
- a positioner element comprising a multiple-petal cone, each petal including an outer surface including a major portion lying along a conical surface about a central axis and converging to an insert end for the positioner element and an adjoining minor portion at the divergent end lying along a cylindrical surface that is nominally greater in diameter than the nominal dimension of the interior of the floppy disc, the petals of the positioner element being sufficiently compliant to be bent inwardly by the floppy disc edge upon initial contact and the oversize element then restoring the disc to concentricity with the central axis;
- and
- a follower element mounted concentrically relative to the positioner element and within the petals thereof, the follower element being movable along the central axis relative to the positioner element, to urge the petals downwardly after insertion of the positioner to the cylindrical portion of the positioner outer surface, such that the disc, positioner element and follower are thereafter clamped to the spindle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.