Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for the very precise centering of a flexible recording disk (2) onto a disk-drive spindle (8), for clamping it firmly for spinning, and for the easy removal thereof. Disk (2) is provided with a reinforced center hole (4) so that it can be manufactured to a tight tolerance. Spindle (8) is provided with a precision-alignment cylinder (12) over which the disk must slide in order to rest on a spindle seat (6). Once disk (2) is resting on spindle seat (6), it is clamped there by a self-aligning, rotatable spindle cap (24), which is brought down on top of the disk. The disk is centered for sliding along the alignment cylinder through the action of a conical surface on cone (14). The cone (14) in its entirety may be part of spindle (8), or alternatively, in order to facilitate insertion and removal of the disk, part of the cone may be integral to the clamping-spindle cap (24), or be a retractable plug. Those parts which are movable are moved out of the way of the disk as it is slid in and out of the mechanism. A skid plate is provided to deflect the disk away from spindle (8) during insertion and removal and to keep it parallel to the spindle seat. This skid plate is moved out of the way after spindle cap (24) has clamped the disk to the spindle. The disk is centered by conical surface (14) as clamping-spindle cap (24) moves downward to drive the disk towards its seat (6) on the spindle (8). The clamping surfaces (6, 26) are kept parallel so that the final motion of the disk over the alignment cylinder (12) proceeds without binding. The skid plate is moved down out of the way so that spinning may proceed. Removal of the disk is accomplished in the reverse order. The rise of the disk skid plate upward serves to lift the disk off spindle (8) so that the disk may be pulled straight out.

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First Claim