Load beam head gimbal assembly with a bend region including a segment for shifting the center of gravity

A load beam for use in a head gimbal assembly comprising:

• a base plate attachment segment;
• a bend region extending from said base plate attachment segment for providing the load beam with a predetermined preload spring force and for increasing the lateral stiffness of the load beam;
• said bend region being defined by two side edges that are substantially symmetrical relative to a central axis of the load beam;
• said bend region being formed of at least a first segment for providing said bend region with an expanded width relative to said base plate attachment segment;
• and
• a forward section extending from said bend region, so that the center of gravity of said bend region and forward section is shifted toward said base plate attachment to improve the shock performance of the load beam;
• wherein said forward section includes a tapered forward section plate;
• a single central channel formed at least partly in said tapered plate along said central axis and located in a nodal area of a first torsion vibration mode of the load beam;
• and first and second sets of multiple side openings located on opposite sides of said central axis respectively and positioned outside said nodal area of the first torsion vibration mode of the load beam.