Patent ID: 6545839
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An ergonomic safety assist mechanism for removing a microdrive from a host system, the microdrive having a rotatable disk, a pivot actuator with an arm and a head for interacting with the disk, and a connector on one end for interconnection with the host system, the mechanism comprising:a flexible strap having a strap stationary end that is adapted to be mounted to the microdrive opposite the connector, a strap free end opposite the strap stationary end, and a slot located between the strap stationary and free ends; a flexible slide having a slide stationary end that is adapted to be mounted to the microdrive opposite the connector and adjacent to the strap, and a slide free end opposite the slide stationary end, wherein the slide extends through the slot in the strap; and wherein the mechanism has a stowed position wherein the strap and the slide are flush with the microdrive, and an extended position wherein the slide is adapted to be two grasped by a user and slidably moved through the, slot for extracting the microdrive from the host system.