Patent ID: 7643249

Claim:
A slider supporting member for supporting a slider in a floating condition above a recording medium comprising: a first supporting portion; and a second supporting portion fixed to the first supporting portion, wherein a conductive pattern is formed in the second supporting portion, the conductive pattern being disposed on a thin leaf spring having elasticity with an insulating layer therebetween, and the second supporting portion includes a holding portion for holding a slider having magnetic elements for at least one of recording or replaying, wherein a plurality of fixing portions are formed in the holding portion both on a side facing towards terminal portions of the slider and on the opposite side facing towards terminal portions of the slider, each of the fixing portions being gradually inclined in a direction closer to the slider from a surface of the holding portion towards a side facing a recording medium and from base end portions of the fixing portions towards tip end portions of the fixing portions, wherein tip end portions of the conductive patterns are exposed from tip ends of the fixing portions located on the side facing towards terminal portions of the slider, and wherein when the slider is sandwiched between the plurality of fixing portions, the slider is held in the holding portion by a elastic pressing force caused by elasticity of the fixing portions and the slider is electrically connected to the conductive pattern by contacting the terminal portions of the slider with the tip end portions of the conductive patterns exposed from the tip end portions of the fixing portions.