Magnetic head device for data cartridge

A magnetic head device for high density recording and reproducing in a data cartridge, comprising three magnetic head elements bonded together so as to form a unitary body and arrayed serially along a line in a direction of relative movement between the three magnetic head elements and a magnetic recording medium, and magnetic circuit separation grooves positioned between the magnetic head elements, each groove having a V-shaped cross section and being exposed to the magnetic recording medium;

• wherein:
• one of the magnetic head elements comprises a recording head having a recording magnetic gap,
• another of the magnetic head elements comprises a reproducing head having a reproducing magnetic gap,
• the recording head is formed of two core halves bonded together and having high saturation magnetic flux density metal films bonded directly onto respective magnetic gap forming faces of the core halves,
• the middle magnetic head element of the three serially arrayed magnetic head elements formed of core halves which are inclined toward each other and having outer inclined faces which are inclined toward each other;
• each of the outermost magnetic head elements of the three serially arrayed magnetic head elements being formed of core halves bonded together, the magnetic cores of the outermost magnetic head elements forming magnetic gaps having inclined gap forming faces, the gap forming faces of the magnetic gaps extending in a depth direction in a manner non-parallel to one another;
• the magnetic cores of the outer magnetic head elements being obliquely bonded to the outer inclined faces of the middle magnetic head element;
• each of the magnetic head elements having back cores bonded to back sides thereof to form closed magnetic circuits;
• the magnetic core halves of the middle magnetic head being distinct and different from the core halves of the outer magnetic heads.