Patent ID: 6252738
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A disc drive apparatus comprising:a housing including a base section and a top section, wherein the base section and the top section mate to form an internal environment;a hub comprising a cylindrical member having a first diameter and a tapered end that has a top surface, the top surface defining a plurality of indents therein, wherein the tapered end is tapered from a second diameter adjacent to the top surface to the first diameter of the cylindrical member, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, wherein the hub is capable of supporting at least one storage disc about the cylindrical member within the internal environment of the housing, the storage disc having a planar surface; anda continuous removable clamp ring positioned around the tapered end of the hub, the clamp ring having an interior surface, a bottom surface, and an internal diameter that is larger than the second diameter when the clamp ring is heated and smaller than the second diameter when the clamp ring is cooled, the clamp ring being positioned on the hub by being fitted over the second diameter of the tapered end when the clamp ring is heated, the interior surface of the clamp ring contracting against the tapered surface as the clamp ring cools to force the bottom surface of the clamp ring into coplanar contact with the planar surface of the storage disc to generate a uniformly distributed axial load on the disc to secure the storage disc about the cylindrical member, wherein the clamp ring can be removed from the hub by application of outward force applied through the indents against the clamp ring.