Patent ID: 7312954

Claim:
A stacked suspension assembly for a data storage drive, comprising: at least two relatively thin and elongated suspension members, wherein each suspension member has a proximal portion having a bearing hole with a diameter and an inner edge therethrough, a deformation structure adjacent to the bearing hole, and a distal portion having a load beam; at least one spacer positioned between the at least two suspension members to separate adjacent suspension members, wherein each spacer has a bearing hole therethrough; a relatively thick ring bearing having inner and outer races extending into the bearing holes of the at least two suspension members and spacer, wherein the outer race has an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the suspension member bearing holes and a height that is greater than the thickness of the suspension member at the bearing hole, and wherein the outer race is in direct frictional engagement with the inner edge of the bearing hole of the suspension members and spacer and the deformation structure on each suspension member is physically deformed by the frictional engagement; and an actuator shaft extending into and engaged with the inner race of the bearing.