Patent ID: 7967662

Claim:
An apparatus for lapping sliders comprising: a rotatable lapping plate for lapping elements that are to be formed into sliders, a pushing force adjusting member that has an internal space therein and that extends vertically along an lapping plate axis that is perpendicular to the lapping plate, a pusher for pressing the elements, the pusher being connected to the pushing force adjusting member, and gas supply means for supplying a gas into the internal space, the gas supply means being connected to the pushing force adjusting member, wherein the pushing force adjusting member comprises a first part that includes a connection with the pusher, a second part that includes a coupling between the internal space and the gas supply means, and an axially deformable part that is located between the first part and the second part, wherein a length of the axially deformable part changes in a direction of the lapping plate axis in accordance with pressure in the internal space such that deformation of the axially deformable part causes a change in the pushing force of the pushing force adjusting member against the pusher, the first part has a cylindrical shape which has a closed end that is located on a side of the connection with the pusher, and which has an open end that is located on a side opposite to the connection; the second part has a cylindrical shape which has an open end that is located on a side of the coupling with the gas supply means, and which has another open end that is located on a side opposite to the coupling; and the axially deformable part includes: a first circular part which has the lapping plate axis as a center axis thereof, wherein an inner circumference of the first circular part corresponds to an outer circumference of the end of the first part, the end being located on the side that is opposite to the connection; a second circular part which has the lapping plate axis as a center axis thereof, wherein an inner circumference of the second circular part corresponds to an outer circumference of the end of the second part, the end being located on the side that is opposite to the coupling; and a cylindrical part that connects the first circular part with the second circular part along outer circumferences thereof.