Appeal No. 1996-1655
Application 08/036,157
BACKGROUND
The subject matter on appeal is directed to a load beam used in a head suspension assembly
attached to a rigid arm, wherein the suspended head is a magnetic head for reading/recording
information contained on a rotating magnetic disk. As indicated in the specification (see Figures 1 and
2 and page 2), wires (16) extend down the load beam (10) from a base plate end (the end containing
wire support pad 12) to a flexure end (18). Appellant recognizes two difficulties with prior art head
suspension assemblies: (1) that the wires and the support pad represent an obstacle to minimizing
overall thickness of the assembly, and (2) that the edge of the support pad abrades the insulation of the
wires (see specification, page 5). In an effort to keep overall thickness of the head suspension
assembly down, and in the recognition that "[w]ire thickness generally represents an obstacle to
minimizing assembly thickness" (specification, page 5), appellant provides an assembly with a "support
pad partially thinned to a thickness less than the thickness of the load beam" (claim 1 on appeal). In
addition, for the purpose of preventing abrasion of wire insulation, appellant provides for a "well
radiused convex curvature cross-sectional profile at a perimeter edge of the support pad" (claim 1 on
appeal).
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007