US 6,018,433 A · Disk cartridge and data storage device with incompatible disk cartridge insertion protection

Abstract

A data storage device comprises a cartridge receiving stop having a middle surface and angled outer edges for inhibiting the insertion of incompatible disk cartridges into the data storage device. A disk cartridge adapted for use in the data storage device has opposite front corners. The opposite front corners of the disk cartridge have a non-square shape adapted to avoid interference with the angled outer edges of the cartridge receiving stop. The data storage device may further comprise means for enabling a function of the data storage device upon insertion of a disk cartridge having non-square front corners into the disk drive. The disk cartridge may further comprise a projection positioned on the front peripheral edge of the disk cartridge and adapted to engage an operating member of the enabling means on the middle surface of the cartridge receiving stop.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A disk cartridge adapted for insertion into a data storage device having a cartridge receiving stop, said cartridge receiving stop having first and second receiving projections formed on a substantially flat middle surface and having angled outer edges that project at a predetermined angle from said substantially flat middle surface toward an insertion opening of the data storage device, said disk cartridge comprising:

an outer casing comprising:
a top surface having a substantially flat middle region and angled peripheral regions;
a substantially flat bottom surface defining an opening;
a back wall having a rear peripheral edge;
a front wall having a front peripheral edge;
and
side walls which meet said front wall at non-square shaped front corners and meet said back wall at rear corners;
a first engaging projection formed on said front wall, said first engaging projection adapted to engage the first receiving projection of the cartridge receiving stop;
a second engaging projection formed on said front wall, said second engaging projection adapted to engage the second receiving projection of the cartridge receiving stop;
and
a disk rotatably mounted in said disk cartridge, a hub of said disk being exposed by said opening of said bottom surface.

8 more elements

A data storage device having an insertion opening for receiving a disk cartridge having a front wall and side walls meeting at opposite front corners having a non-square shape, said front wall having first and second engaging projections, said data storage device comprising:

a spindle motor for rotating a storage medium within said disk cartridge at a predetermined operating speed;
and
a cartridge receiving stop having a middle surface, first and second receiving projections formed on said middle surface and angled outer edges that project from said middle surface at a predetermined angle toward the insertion opening of said data storage device,
wherein said first and second receiving projections engage said first and second engaging projections of said disk cartridge upon insertion of said disk cartridge into said data storage device to position said disk cartridge such that a hub of said disk cartridge is aligned with said spindle motor and to enable an operation of said data storage device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Disk cartridge and data storage device with incompatible disk cartridge insertion protection

Life of this patent

Disk cartridge and data storage device with incompatible disk cartridge insertion protection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20