Head suspension flexure with inline lead portions positioned at a level between levels of first and second surfaces of the spring metal layer

1. An integrated lead head suspension flexure comprising:

a spring metal layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a proximal end, and a distal end including a head slider-receiving portion;

a dielectric layer including first dielectric portions on the spring metal layer and second dielectric portions unbacked by the spring metal layer; and

a plurality of conductive leads on the dielectric layer, each lead extending from the proximal end of the spring metal layer to a bond pad adjacent to the head slider-receiving portion on the distal end of the spring metal layer, and including a first lead portion on the first dielectric portion, and a second lead portion on the second dielectric portion,

wherein at least part of the second dielectric portion and/or at least part of the second lead portion of each conductive lead is positioned at a level between levels of the first and second surfaces of the spring metal layer.

2. The flexure of claim 1 wherein the second dielectric portion includes first and second surfaces, and wherein a level of at least one of the first and second surfaces of the second dielectric portion is positioned at a level between levels of the first and second surfaces of the spring metal layer.

3. The flexure of claim 2 wherein:

the first surface of the second dielectric portion is positioned at a level between levels of the first and second surfaces of the spring metal layer; and

the second lead portion is disposed on the first surface of the second dielectric portion.

4. The flexure of claim 1 wherein:

the spring metal layer includes a base region, a pair of flexure arms extending distally from the base region, and a flexure tongue separated from the flexure arms by a gap extending from the first surface to the second surface of the spring metal layer; and

the second dielectric portion and the second lead portion are at least partially disposed within the gap.

5. The flexure of claim 1 wherein the second dielectric portion and the second lead portion are positioned substantially entirely at levels between levels of the first and second surfaces of the spring metal layer.

6. The flexure of claim 1 wherein the spring metal layer has a neutral axis, and the second lead portion is positioned more proximate the neutral axis than the first lead portion.

7. The flexure of claim 1 and further comprising:

a second dielectric layer over the one or more conductive leads; and

a plurality of second conductive leads on the second dielectric layer.

8. An integrated lead head suspension flexure comprising:

a spring metal layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a proximal end, and a distal end including a head slider-receiving portion;

a dielectric layer having first portions disposed on the spring metal layer; and

a plurality of conductive leads extending from the proximal end of the spring metal layer to the bond pad adjacent to the head slider-receiving portion on the distal end of the spring metal layer, including a first lead portion on the first portion of the dielectric layer and a second lead portion unbacked by the spring metal layer, wherein at least part of the second lead portion is positioned at a level between levels of the first and second surfaces of the spring metal layer.

9. The flexure of claim 8 wherein the second lead portion includes at least a first surface positioned at a level between levels of the first and second surfaces of the spring metal layer.

10. The flexure of claim 8 wherein the dielectric layer further includes a second dielectric portion, and wherein the second lead portion is disposed on the second dielectric portion.