IP Library Patent Application 13273437
Patent Application
App. No. 13/273,437

TRANSFER TOOL FOR CLAMPING A DISK DRIVE SUSPENSION TO AN ACTUATOR ARM

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/273,437
Abstract

A transfer tool is disclosed for clamping a disk drive suspension to an actuator arm. The transfer tool comprises a first actuator operable to actuate at least one push pin to compress a spring of a suspension clamp, and a second actuator operable to actuate a driving pin, wherein the driving pin for rotating a latching member of the suspension clamp about a pivot.

Claims (44)

1 . A transfer tool for clamping a disk drive suspension to an actuator arm, the transfer tool comprising:

a first actuator operable to actuate at least one push pin to compress a spring of a suspension clamp; and

a second actuator operable to actuate a driving pin, wherein the driving pin for rotating a latching member of the suspension clamp about a pivot.

2 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein when locking the suspension to the transfer tool, the transfer tool is operable to:

actuate the push pin to compress the spring of the suspension clamp; and

actuate the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to an unclamped position.

3 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 2 , wherein when unlocking the suspension from the transfer tool and clamping the suspension to the actuator arm, the transfer tool is operable to:

actuate the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to a clamped position; and

actuate the push pin to decompress the spring of the suspension clamp so that the latching member engages the actuator arm.

4 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first actuator comprises a piston actuated by a sliding cam.

5 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 4 , wherein the sliding cam is actuated by a user operating a lever assembly.

6 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second actuator comprises a rotatable arm actuated by a sliding cam.

7 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 6 , wherein the sliding cam is actuated by a user operating a lever assembly.

8 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 6 , wherein the sliding cam actuates at least one gripper arm for gripping the suspension.

9 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 8 , wherein when locking the suspension to the transfer tool, the transfer tool is operable to:

actuate the gripper arm to grip the suspension;

actuate the push pin to compress the spring of the suspension clamp; and

actuate the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to an unclamped position.

10 . The transfer tool as recited in claim 9 , wherein when unlocking the suspension from the transfer tool and clamping the suspension to the actuator arm, the transfer tool is operable to:

actuate the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to a clamped position;

actuate the push pin to decompress the spring of the suspension clamp so that the latching member engages the actuator arm; and

actuate the gripper arm to ungrip the suspension.

11 . A method of operating a transfer tool for clamping a disk drive suspension to an actuator arm, the method comprising:

actuating at least one push pin to compress a spring of a suspension clamp; and

actuating a driving pin to rotate a latching member of the suspension clamp about a pivot.

12 . The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein when locking the suspension to the transfer tool, method comprising:

actuating the push pin to compress the spring of the suspension clamp; and

actuating the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to an unclamped position.

13 . The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein when unlocking the suspension from the transfer tool and clamping the suspension to the actuator arm, the method comprising:

actuating the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to a clamped position; and

actuating the push pin to decompress the spring of the suspension clamp so that the latching member engages the actuator arm.

14 . The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first actuator comprises a piston actuated by a sliding cam.

15 . The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the sliding cam is actuated by a user operating a lever assembly.

16 . The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the second actuator comprises a rotatable arm actuated by a sliding cam.

17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the sliding cam is actuated by a user operating a lever assembly.

18 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the sliding cam actuates at least one gripper arm for gripping the suspension.

19 . The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein when locking the suspension to the transfer tool, the method comprising:

actuating the gripper arm to grip the suspension;

actuating the push pin to compress the spring of the suspension clamp; and

actuating the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to an unclamped position.

20 . The method as recited in claim 19 , wherein when unlocking the suspension from the transfer tool and clamping the suspension to the actuator arm, the method comprising:

actuating the driving pin to rotate the latching member of the suspension clamp about the pivot to a clamped position;

actuating the push pin to decompress the spring of the suspension clamp so that the latching member engages the actuator arm; and

actuating the gripper arm to ungrip the suspension.

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 Nov 30, 2011
From: BANSHAK, WALTER G., JR.; SEYMOUR, MARK S.; DOUGHERTY, MITCHELL D.; HALES, GEOFFREY A.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 027305/0229 →