Stackable actuator assembly having spring retaining system

An actuator, comprising:

• a first actuator arm including a first load beam, a first arm member, and a first retainer spring including a first notch, the first retainer spring having a bias in a direction away from the first actuator arm;
• a second actuator arm including a second load beam, second arm member, and a second retainer spring including a second notch, the second retainer spring having a bias in a direction away from the second actuator arm;
• a support member coupled to the first and second actuator arms and having a lock member;
• a bearing assembly supporting the arms and the support member for rotation about an axis;
• wherein the actuator arms are secured from rotation relative to each other by each said notch engaging the lock member and secured abutting the lock member by said bias of the first and second retainer springs against the lock member.

An actuator assembly, comprising:

• a first head arm assembly, including an arm body having a first end and a second end, the first end having a load beam attached thereto, the second end including a first leaf spring exerting a bias force in a direction away from the arm assembly;
• a spacer element positioned on one side of the first head arm assembly, the spacer element including a dowel;
• a second head arm assembly, including an arm body having a first end and a second end, the first end having a load beam attached thereto, the second head arm assembly positioned on a second side of the spacer element, the second end including a second leaf spring exerting a bias force in a direction away from the second arm assembly;
• and
• a bearing cartridge, coupled to the first head arm assembly, and the second head arm assembly, with the first and second head arm assemblies being secured to each other and to the spacer element by the bearing cartridge, the dowel engaging said leaf springs such that each of the arm bodies is prevented from rotation relative to the spacer by the bias of said springs.

An actuator assembly, comprising:

• first and second head arm assemblies, each assembly comprising a mounting arm, a load beam and a read/write head, the load beam having a first end coupled to the mounting arm and a read/write head coupled to a second end, each assembly further including a leaf spring having a bias away from the mounting arm, the leaf spring extending from the mounting arm and including a notch;
• a spacer positioned between the first and second head arm assemblies, the spacer including a post positioned such that the post engages the notch in the leaf springs when the heads on each of the first and second head arm assemblies are in alignment, the bias of the leaf spring retaining the notch in engagement with the post;
• and
• a bearing cartridge securing the mounting arms and the spacer.