Patent Abstract:
A method of limiting movement of a head suspension away from a disk surface, the head suspension used for supporting a head slider over the disk surface in a rigid disk drive, the method comprising the steps of providing a load beam for use in a head suspension, the load beam having a mounting region, a rigid region and a spring region located between the mounting region and rigid region; forming a shock limiter from the same piece of material as the spring region of the load beam, the shock limiter comprising a cantilevered portion overlapping an overlapped portion of the head suspension; forming a head suspension from the load beam; and mounting the head suspension in a bard disk drive suspending a head slider over the surface of the disk, such that when an impact load causes the head suspension to move away from the surface of the disk, the shock limiter limits such movement

Full Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/472,480, filed on Dec. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,684 and entitled “Head Suspension With Integral Shock Limiter.” 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a head suspension for supporting a head slider relative to a rotating disk in a rigid disk drive, and in particular, to a head suspension having a shock limiter integrally formed in the load beam. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In a dynamic rigid disk storage device, a rotating disk is employed to store information. Rigid disk storage devices typically include a frame to provide attachment points and orientation for other components, and a spindle motor mounted to the frame for rotating the disk. A read/write head is formed on a “head slider” for writing and reading data to and from the disk surface. The head slider is supported and properly oriented in relationship to the disk by a head suspension that provides both the force and compliance necessary for proper head slider operation. As the disk in the storage device rotates beneath the head slider and head suspension, the air above the disk also rotates, thus creating an air bearing which acts with an aerodynamic design of the head slider to create a lift force on the head slider. The lift force is counteracted by a spring force of the head suspension, thus positioning the head slider at a desired height and alignment above the disk which is referred to as the “fly height.” 
   Head suspensions for rigid disk drives include a load beam and a flexure. The load beam includes a mounting region at its proximal end for mounting the head suspension to an actuator of the disk drive, a rigid region, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region for providing a spring force to counteract the aerodynamic lift force generated on the head slider during the drive operation as described above. The flexure typically includes a gimbal region having a slider mounting surface where the head slider is mounted. The gimbal region is resiliently moveable with respect to the remainder of the flexure in response to the aerodynamic forces generated by the air bearing. The gimbal region permits the head slider to move in pitch and roll directions and to follow disk surface fluctuations. 
   In one type of head suspension the flexure is formed as a separate piece having a load beam mounting region which is rigidly mounted to the distal end of the load beam using conventional methods such as spot welds. Head suspensions of this type typically include a load point dimple formed in either the load beam or the gimbal region of the flexure. The load point dimple transfers portions of the load generated by the spring region of the load beam to the flexure, provides clearance between the flexure and the load beam, and serves as a point about which the head slider can gimbal in pitch and roll directions to follow fluctuations in the disk surface. 
   As disk drives are designed having smaller disks, closer spacing, and increased storage densities, smaller and thinner head suspensions are required. These smaller and thinner head suspensions are susceptible to damage if the disk drive is subjected to a shock load or if the suspension experiences excessive pitch and roll motion. Moreover, as the use of portable personal computers increases, it is more likely that head suspensions in these portable computers will be subjected to shock loads. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to design the head suspension so that it is less susceptible to excessive movements caused by shock loads and by pitch and roll motion, while still maintaining the necessary freedom of movement in the pitch and roll directions. In this manner, damaging contact between the head slider and the disk surface and permanent deformation of components of the head suspension can be prevented. 
   Mechanisms have been developed for limiting the movement of a free end of a cantilever portion of a flexure for protection against damage under shock loads. One such mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,500 to Dalziel. The Dalziel reference describes a limiter structure comprising a head slider having raised shoulders to which one or more elements are secured. The elements on the head slider overlap at least a portion of a top surface of the load beam to which the flexure is attached. 
   Another motion limiter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,085 to Prentice et al. The head suspension shown in Prentice includes a tab that extends from a free end of a cantilever portion of a flexure. The tab is fitted through an opening of the load beam to oppose the top surface of the load beam. 
   Another motion limiter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,205 to Aoyagi et al. The Aoyagi reference discloses a head suspension having a perpendicular hook at an end of a flexure. The hook is shaped to engage a transverse appendage at the distal end of a load beam to prevent the end of the flexure from displacing vertically too great a distance from the load beam. 
   Yet another motion limiter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,920 to Resh. The Resh reference discloses a head suspension assembly including a load beam, a recording head and a gimbal including a head mounting tab on which the recording head is mounted. A displacement limiter extends between the load beam and the gimbal for limiting vertical displacement of the gimbal in a direction toward the recording head relative to the load beam. 
   Additionally, mechanisms have been developed for limiting motion of the overall load beam relative to the disk. One such mechanism is shown in Japanese Patent No. 11-66766 to Kawazoe. The Kawazoe patent teaches a hard disk drive having a suspension including a lift prevention member formed in or attached to the mounting region of the load beam that prevents lifting of the flying head away from the hard disk due to an impact load. Another mechanism is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,837 to Norton. The Norton patent teaches a hard disk drive having a suspension arm and a separate limit stop to restrain movement of the suspension arm that is mounted adjacent the suspension arm. Other mechanisms for restraining suspension movement are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,804 to Riener et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,347 to Kouhei et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,793 to Resh. 
   A need still exists, however, for an improved head suspension including a mechanism capable of limiting motion of the suspension away from the surface of the disk due to impact and shock loading. Such a mechanism should work within the requirements of hard disk drive suspensions, including overall weight limitations, height limitations, manufacturability and functionality. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the ongoing need for improved head suspensions by providing a head suspension that includes an integral shock limiter. The head suspension is typically formed from a flexure and a load beam that has a mounting region, a rigid region and a spring region located between the mounting and rigid regions. The load beam includes a shock limiter integrally formed within the spring region as a cantilevered portion surrounded by a spring aperture used for adjusting the spring stiffness of the spring region. The cantilevered portion is configured to overlap a portion of the head suspension, such as the flexure, a portion of the load beam or a base plate mounted to the load beam at the mounting region. 
   A bend or radius is typically formed into the spring region in order to bias the head suspension toward the disk surface. A cantilevered portion of the shock limiter is formed to allow for a pre-determined gap between the shock limiter and the overlapped portion of the head suspension, when the suspension is held in its operating position. This gap allows for slight movement vertically before the shock limiter is engaged. Upon movement of the head suspension away from the disk surface due to an impact load, the head suspension flexes about the spring region and the rigid region of the load beam moves away from the disk surface. As the head suspension moves farther away from the disk surface, the cantilevered portion contacts the overlapped portion of the head suspension, thereby arresting the movement of the head suspension and limiting damage to the disk drive. The cantilevered portion may be reconfigured by bending to achieve the overlap with the overlapped portion of the head suspension. 
   The present invention provides a head suspension including a shock limiter integrally formed in the spring region of the load beam for limiting movement of the head suspension away from the surface of the disk over which the head suspension is suspended. Use of such an integral shock limiter provides the advantage of simultaneous formation with a spring aperture used to adjust the stiffness of the spring region. In addition, such a shock limiter allows for minimization of weight and manufacturing steps by utilizing material and processes already present in the fabrication of the head suspension. Yet another benefit of the shock limiter of the present invention is the ability to minimize load loss due to back bending of the spring region radius formed to provide gram loading at the head slider to counteract aerodynamic lifting forces on the head slider. These numerous benefits, along with the function of the shock limiter, set the present invention apart as a significant improvement in head suspension design. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  a top plan view of a hard disk drive including a head suspension assembly. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the head suspension assembly of  FIG. 1 , including one embodiment of an integral shock limiter in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the head suspension shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a head suspension including another embodiment of an integral shock limiter in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the head suspension of  FIG. 4  after reconfiguration of the integral shock limiter. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the d suspension of  FIG. 5 , taken along Line  6 — 6 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a head suspension including yet another embodiment of an integral shock limiter in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the head suspension of  FIG. 7  after reconfiguration of the integral shock limiter. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of the head suspension of  FIG. 8 , taken along Line  9 — 9 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a head suspension assembly, including another embodiment of a shock limiter in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the head suspension shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the head suspension of  FIG. 11 , taken along Line  12 — 12 . 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a head suspension assembly, including yet another embodiment of a shock limiter in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the head suspension shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the head suspension of  FIG. 14 , taken along Line  15 — 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to the attached Figures, it is to be understood that like components are labeled with like numerals throughout the several Figures.  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a rigid disk drive  12  that includes a head suspension assembly  8 . Head suspension assembly  8  resiliently supports a head slider  14  at a fly height above a rigid disk  16  during operation, as described above in the Background section. Head suspension assembly  8  is connected to a rotary actuator  18 , as is known, for accessing data tracks provided on the surface of rigid disk  16 . Head suspension assembly  8  could otherwise be utilized with a linear type actuator, as is also well known. 
     FIG. 2  shows head suspension assembly  8  in greater detail. Head suspension assembly  8  includes head suspension  10  in accordance with the present invention, slider  14 , and a base plate  22 . Head suspension  10  includes a load beam  20  and a flexure  30 . Base plate  22  can be conventionally fixed to an actuator mounting region  24  located at the proximal end  23  of the load beam  20 , such as by welding. The load beam  20  has a rigid region  28 , and a spring region  26  between the mounting region  24  and rigid region  28 . The spring region  26  typically includes a bend or radius  50 , and provides a load to the rigid region  28  with respect to mounting region  24 . Rigid region  28  is provided with stiffening rails  32 , as are well known, to enhance stiffness properties. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flexure  30  extends from the distal end  21  of load beam  20 , is constructed as a separate element of head suspension  10 , and is co-extensive with the rigid region  28  of the load beam  20 . Flexure  30  comprises a load beam mounting region  37  and a gimbal region  38  and is generally co-planar to the load beam  20 . The flexure  30  is secured to load beam  20  in a conventional manner, such as by welding load beam mounting region  37  to the rigid region  28  of the load beam  20 . 
   Rigid region  28  of load beam  20  includes a load portion  36  at its distal end  21 . Included in the load portion  36  is a load point  40  for transferring the load from load portion  36  to the gimbal region  38  of the flexure  30 . The load point  40  may be formed extending from the load portion  36  of the load beam  20  toward gimbal region  38 , or the load point  40  can be formed in gimbal region  38  to extend toward load portion  36  of load beam  20 . The load point  40  may be formed as a dimple, using conventional methods such as a forming punch. Alternately, the load point  40  may be formed by other structure, including an etched tower, a glass ball, or an epoxy dome. 
   The spring region  26  of the load beam  20  provides a spring force load to the slider  14  through the flexure  30  at the distal end  21  of the load beam  20 . This is typically accomplished through the pre-formed bend or radius  50  that is formed in a rotational direction for functionally biasing the slider  14  toward the surface of the disk  16  when the disk drive  12  is in use. The degree of the bend or radius  50  is determined by both the predetermined offset height of the slider  14  over the non-moving disk  16 , and the gram load needed to counteract the aerodynamic lift force generated on the slider  14  when the slider  14  flies over the moving disk  16  and to produce a desired fly height of the slider  14  over the moving disk  16 . 
   The spring region  26  may also include a spring aperture  60  used to adjust or tune spring characteristics (such as stiffness) of the spring region  26 , and thus the gram loading, by removal of spring region material. Such adjustment of the spring stiffness has the added benefit of reducing the overall weight of the head suspension  10 . 
   The spring region  26  is thus designed to provide a desired force toward the disk  16  to counteract a resulting aerodynamic lift force away from the disk  16 . However, when the disk drive  12  is subjected to shock or impact loads, such as those due to dropping of the drive  12  or other impact, the head suspension  10  may react by moving abruptly toward or away from the disk  16 . Such movement may cause the head slider  14  to crash into the disk  16 , and/or crash against other components within the disk drive  12 . Either type of head slider contact may damage the head slider  14  and/or the disk drive  12 . In addition, excessive movement of the head suspension  10  away from the disk  16 , and thus in the opposite direction of the bend or radius  50 , may cause permanent deformation of the bend or radius  50 , thereby changing the gram loading associated with the bend or radius  50  and affecting the function of the drive  12 . Such a change in the gram loading is typically known as “load loss.” 
   In order to help prevent catastrophic contact of the head slider  14  due to impact loads, as well as prevent load loss, a shock limiter  70  is integrally formed within the spring region  26 , in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the shock limiter  70  is formed from the spring region material as an elongated cantilevered portion extending from a proximal edge  62  of the spring aperture  60 . The shock limiter  70  connects to the spring region material at a proximal end  72  and extends toward the distal end  21  of the load beam  20  at a distal end  74 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the distal end  74  of the shock limiter  70  overlaps a proximal end  35  of the flexure  30 . 
   The spring aperture  60  is formed around the shock limiter  70  in a generally ‘U’ shaped configuration. Since the spring aperture  60  is responsible for adjustment of the spring stiffness in the spring region  26 , the size and shape of the spring aperture  60  around the shock limiter  70  may vary according to the spring force requirements of a particular head suspension  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the spring aperture  60  includes a pair of larger openings  64  flanking the proximal end  72  of the shock limiter  70 . The spring aperture  60  also includes an elongated portion  66  formed as a generally uniform gap around the sides and distal end  74  of the shock limiter  70 , overlapping a portion of the proximal end  35  of the flexure  30 , as well. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the bend or radius  50  is formed in the spring region  26 . The shock limiter  70  is formed to include a pre-determined gap between the distal end  74  of the shock limiter  70  and the rigid region  28  of the load beam  20 , when the head suspension  10  is in an operating position. When a shock load causes the head suspension  10  to move away from the disk  16 , the head suspension  10  flexes about the spring region  26  and the rigid region  28  of the load beam  20  moves toward the shock limiter  70 . As the head suspension  10  moves farther away from the disk  16 , the overlapped portion  35  of the flexure  30  contacts the shock limiter  70 , thus arresting the movement of the head suspension  10 , thereby minimizing the effects of the shock load induced movement. 
   Integral formation of the shock limiter  70  within the spring region  26  results in both the spring aperture  60  and the shock limiter  70  being formed simultaneously, thus eliminating the need for additional manufacturing steps. Additionally, integral formation of the shock limiter  70  eliminates the need for additional material being mounted to the head suspension  10  in order to provide limitation of movement during a shock loading, thereby keeping the overall weight of the head suspension to a minimum. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4–6 , in another embodiment of the present invention, a head suspension  110  is shown formed from a load beam  120  having a mounting region  124 , a rigid region  128  and a spring region  126  located between the mounting region  124  and rigid region  128 . Integrally formed within the spring region  126  is a shock limiter  170  surrounded by a spring aperture  160 . In this embodiment, the shock limiter  170  is also an elongated cantilevered portion connected to the spring region material at a proximal end  172 , but includes a transverse cross-piece  176  at a distal end  174 . The cross-piece  176  extends beyond the sides  177 ,  178  of the shock limiter  170 , giving the limiter  170  a generally ‘T’ configuration. 
   The spring aperture  160  conforms in shape to the configuration of the shock limiter  170 . In this embodiment, the spring aperture  160  includes an elongated portion  166  and a transverse opening  168  at the distal end  167  of the elongated portion  166 , formed as a generally uniform gap around the perimeter of the shock limiter  170 . In addition, the spring aperture  160  also includes enlarged side openings  164  formed adjacent the proximal end  172  of the shock limiter  170 . As described above, the size and shape of the spring aperture  160  may vary according to the spring force stiffness requirements of the head suspension  110 . 
   In this embodiment, instead of utilizing a flexure (not shown) as the contact surface for the shock limiter  170 , two transverse tab portions  127  formed by the configuration of the spring aperture  160  serve as the contact surface. In order to accomplish this, the shock limiter  170  is reconfigured, preferably by bending, to overlap these two tab portions  127 . The shock limiter  170  is bent at form lines  181 ,  182  and  183  (shown in phantom) to produce a ‘V’ notch  179  perpendicular to the plane of the head suspension  110 , best seen in  FIG. 6 . The effect of the ‘V’ notch  179  is to shorten the shock limiter  170 , thus moving the cross-piece  176  over the two tab portions  127 .  FIG. 5  shows the resulting configuration of the shock limiter  170 . 
   In the same manner as the embodiment described above, a bend or radius  150  is formed in the spring region  126 , and the shock limiter  170  is formed with a predetermined gap between the distal end  174  of the shock limiter  170  and the rigid region  128  of the load beam  120 . When shock or impact loading causes the head suspension  110  to move away from the disk  16 , the spring region  126  flexes and the rigid region  128  moves toward the shock limiter  170 . The two tab portions  127  then contact the shock limiter cross-piece  176 , arresting the movement of the head suspension  110  away from the disk  16 . The lateral spacing of the tab portions  127  provides additional stability to the head suspension  110  when subjected to torsional shock loads. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7–9 , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, a head suspension  210  is shown formed from a load beam  220  having a mounting region  224 , a rigid region  228  and a spring region  226  located between the mounting region  224  and rigid region  228 . Integrally formed within the spring region  226  is a shock limiter  270  surrounded by a spring aperture  260 . In this embodiment, the shock limiter  270  is also an elongated cantilevered portion connected to the spring region material at a proximal end  272 , but includes a transverse ‘U’ shaped cross-piece  276  at a distal end  274 . The ‘U’ shaped cross-piece  276  extends beyond the sides  277 ,  278  of the shock limiter  270  with two ‘L’ shaped fingers  273  and  275 , giving the limiter  270  a generally ‘Y’ configuration. 
   The spring aperture  260  also conforms in shape to the configuration of the shock limiter  270 . In this embodiment, the spring aperture  260  includes a rectangular portion  266  and a ‘U’ shaped transverse opening  268  at the distal end  267  of the rectangular portion  266 , formed as a generally uniform gap around the perimeter of the shock limiter  270 . In addition, the spring aperture  260  also includes enlarged side openings  264  formed adjacent the proximal end  272  of the shock limiter  270 . As described above, the size and shape of the spring aperture  260  may vary according to the spring force stiffness requirements of the head suspension  210 . As a result of the configuration of the spring aperture  260 , two side tabs  227  extend transversely into the spring aperture  260  and a distal tab  229  extends longitudinally into the spring aperture  260 . 
   In this embodiment, the contact surface for the shock limiter  270  is the distal tab  229 . In order to accomplish this, the shock limiter  270  is reconfigured, preferably by bending, to overlap this distal tab  229 . The two ‘L’ shaped fingers  273 ,  275  are bent perpendicular to the shock limiter  270  away from the load beam  220  at form lines  280 ,  281  (shown in phantom). As a result, the two fingers  273 ,  275  overlap the distal tab  229 .  FIG. 8  shows the resulting configuration of the shock limiter  270 . 
   In the same manner as the embodiments described above, a bend or radius  250  is formed in the spring region  226 , and the shock limiter  270  is formed with a predetermined gap between the distal end  274  of the shock limiter  270  and the rigid region  228  of the load beam  220 . When shock or impact loading causes the head suspension  210  to move away from the disk  16 , the spring region  226  flexes and the rigid region  228  moves toward the shock limiter  270 . The distal tab  229  then contacts the shock limiter fingers  273 ,  275 , arresting the movement of the head suspension  210  away from the disk  16 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 10–12 , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, a head suspension assembly  308  is shown. Head suspension assembly  308  includes head suspension  310  in accordance with the present invention, slider  314 , and a base plate  322 . Head suspension  310  includes a load beam  320  and a flexure  330 . Base plate  322  is shown mounting to an actuator mounting region  324  located at the proximal end  323  of the load beam  320  on the underside of the load beam  320 . The base plate  322  includes a proximal edge  380  and a distal edge  382 . 
   The load beam  320  is shown having a mounting region  324 , a rigid region  328  and a spring region  326  located between the mounting region  324  and rigid region  328 , as well as a spring aperture  360  formed within the spring region  326 . Integrally formed in the spring aperture  360  within the spring region  326  is a shock limiter  370  configured as an elongated cantilevered portion extending from a distal edge  363  of the spring aperture  360 . The shock limiter  370  connects to the spring region material at a distal end  374  and extends toward the proximal end  323  of the load beam  320  at a proximal end  372 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the proximal end  372  of the shock limiter  370  overlaps the distal edge  382  of the base plate  322 . 
   The spring aperture  360  is formed around the shock limiter  370  in a generally ‘U’ shaped configuration. Since the spring aperture  360  is responsible for adjustment of the spring stiffness in the spring region  326 , the size and shape of the spring aperture  360  around the shock limiter  370  may vary according to the spring force requirements of a particular head suspension  310 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the spring aperture  360  includes a pair of larger openings  364  flanking the distal end  374  of the shock limiter  370 . The spring aperture  360  also includes an elongated portion  366  formed as a generally uniform gap around the sides and proximal end  372  of the shock limiter  370 , overlapping a portion of the distal end  382  of the base plate  322 , as well. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , in a manner similar to the embodiments described above, a bend or radius  350  is formed in the spring region  326 . The shock limiter  370  is configured to include a pre-determined gap between the proximal end  372  of the shock limiter  370  and the mounting region  324  of the load beam  320 , when the head suspension  310  is in an operating position. When a shock load causes the head suspension  310  to move away from the disk  16 , the head suspension  310  flexes about the spring region  326  and the rigid region  328  of the load beam  320  also moves away from disk  16  resulting in the shock limiter  370  moving toward the mounting region  324 . As the head suspension  310  moves farther away from the disk  16 , the overlapped distal edge  382  of the base plate  322  contacts the shock limiter  370 , thus arresting the movement of the head suspension  310 , thereby minimizing the effects of the shock load induced movement. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 13–15 , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, a head suspension  410  is shown formed from a load beam  420  having a mounting region  424 , a rigid region  428  and a spring region  426  located between the mounting region  424  and rigid region  428 . Integrally formed within the spring region  426  is a shock limiter  470  surrounded by a spring aperture  460 . In this embodiment, the shock limiter  470  is also an elongated cantilevered portion connected to the spring region material at a distal end  474 . 
   The spring aperture  460  conforms in shape to the configuration of the shock limiter  470 . The spring aperture  460  includes an elongated portion  466  formed as a generally uniform gap around the perimeter of the shock limiter  470  and enlarged side openings  464  formed adjacent the distal end  474  of the shock limiter  470 . As described above, the size and shape of the spring aperture  460  may vary according to the spring force stiffness requirements of the head suspension  410 . 
   In this embodiment, instead of mounting a base plate  422  to the mounting region  424  of the load beam  420  on the underside, the base plate  422  is mounted in a similar manner to the topside of the load beam  420 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . In order utilize the base plate  422  as the contact surface for the shock limiter  470 , the shock limiter  470  is reconfigured, preferably by bending, to overlap the distal edge  482  of the base plate  422 . The shock limiter  470  is bent at form lines  485  and  486  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 14 ) to produce an offset  479  transverse to the plane of the head suspension  410 , best seen in  FIG. 15 . The effect of the offset  479  is to lift the shock limiter  470  above the base plate  422 .  FIG. 13  shows the resulting configuration of the shock limiter  470 . 
   In the same manner as the embodiments described above, a bend or radius  450  is formed in the spring region  426 , and the shock limiter  470  is formed with a predetermined gap between the proximal end  472  of the shock limiter  470  and the base plate  422 . When shock or impact loading causes the head suspension  410  to move away from the disk  16 , the spring region  426  flexes and the rigid region  428  also moves away from disk  16  resulting in movement of the shock limiter  470  toward the mounting region  424 . The proximal end  472  of the shock limiter  470  then contacts the base plate  422 , arresting the movement of the head suspension  410  away from the disk  16 . 
   As would be apparent to one skilled in the art, other suitable integral shock limiters may be formed within the spring region of the load beam and other portions of the head suspension used as contact surfaces to achieve the same results as those embodiments described above. It is to be understood that such shock limiters are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   A shock limiter, as described in the embodiments above, may be formed from the spring region of the load beam using fabrication methods generally known in the art. These fabrication methods include, but are not limited to, etching, stamping, and machining. Since the shock limiter may be formed simultaneously with the spring aperture, the same fabrication methods used for the spring aperture may also be used for the shock limiter. 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8