IP Library Granted Patent US 7,729,091
Granted Patent B1
US 7,729,091 · App. 11/294,732 · Granted Jun 1, 2010

Clip for mounting a flex cable within a head stack assembly

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,729,091
App. No.
11/294,732
Granted
Jun 1, 2010
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method and system or mounting a flex cable within a head stack assembly is disclosed. The flex cable has a width. The method and system include providing a top portion and a bottom portion coupled to the top portion. The top portion includes a first top slot and a second top slot therein. The first top slot and the second top slot form a non-zero acute angle. The bottom portion includes a first bottom slot and a second bottom slot therein. The first bottom slot is substantially aligned with the first top slot. The second bottom slot is substantially aligned with the second top slot. A maximum first distance between the first top slot and the first bottom slot equals or exceeds the width. A second maximum distance between the second top slot and the second bottom slot equals or exceeds the width.

Claims (13)

1. A clip for mounting a flex cable within a head stack assembly, the flex cable having a width, the clip comprising:

a top portion, the top portion including a first top slot and a second top slot therein, the first top slot and the second top slot forming a non-zero acute angle;

a bottom portion coupled to the top portion, the bottom portion including a first bottom slot and a second bottom slot therein, the first bottom slot being substantially aligned with the first top slot to face and oppose the first top slot, the second bottom slot being substantially aligned with the second top slot to face and oppose the second top slot, a first maximum distance between the first top slot and the first bottom slot equaling or exceeding the width; a second maximum distance between the second top slot and the second bottom slot equaling or exceeding the width; and

a member coupling the top portion to the bottom portion;

wherein the member resides between the first top slot and the second top slot and between the first bottom slot and the second bottom slot, and wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are a single monolithic piece rather than an assembly of sub-components.

2. The clip of claim 1 wherein the angle is at least five degrees and not more than thirty degrees.

3. The clip of claim 2 wherein the angle is at least seven degrees and not more than seventeen degrees.

4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is plastic.

5. The clip of claim 1 wherein the top portion, the bottom portion, and the member form a substantially I-shaped structure.

6. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip has a height of two millimeters more than the width.

7. The clip of claim 1 wherein the first maximum distance is 0.025 mm more than the width.

8. The clip of claim 7 wherein the second maximum distance is 0.025 mm more than the width.

9. The clip of claim 1 wherein the member resides between the first top slot and the second top slot and between the first bottom slot and the second bottom slot, forming a substantially I-shaped structure.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 038744 FRAME 0481 Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 058982/0556 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 045501/0714 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038722/0229 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0281 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0481 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2005
From: HUANG, LIDU; CHANG, SEUNGMAN
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 017326/0650 →