Disc drive ramp that accomodates shipping comb

Abstract

A method of assembling disc drive components involving the use of a shipping comb to deliver one or more head gimbal assemblies to a ramp in a disc drive. The shipping comb is configured to engage the head gimbal assembly by its load beam. The load beam is part of a head gimbal assembly which includes a suspension such that the load beam extends from the head gimbal assembly away from the suspension. In the assembly process, a proximal end of the shipping comb is brought into abutment with a distal end of the ramp. The shipping comb may have first features at its proximal end which are configured for mating with second features at the distal end of the ramp.

1 . A method of assembling disc drive components, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing a shipping comb;    (b) providing a head gimbal assembly including a suspension;    (c) engaging a load beam to the shipping comb, wherein the load beam extends from the head gimbal assembly away from the suspension;    (d) providing a ramp;    (e) disengaging the load beam from the shipping comb; and    (f) engaging the load beam to the ramp.    
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1  further comprising a step (g) of bringing the shipping comb into abutment with the ramp.  
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 2  wherein the bringing step (g) further includes bringing a proximal end of the shipping comb into abutment with a distal end of the ramp.  
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 2  wherein the bringing step (g) further includes mating first features on the shipping comb with complementary second features on the ramp.  
     
     
         5 . In a disc drive comprising: 
 at least one disc;    a ramp with a distal end facing away from the at least one disc;    at least one head gimbal assembly comprising: 
 a load beam; and  
 a suspension, wherein the load beam extends from the at least one head gimbal assembly away from the suspension; and  
   a shipping comb for delivering the at least one head gimbal assembly to the ramp, wherein the shipping comb comprises at least one tooth configured to engage the load beam.    
     
     
         6 . In a disc drive of  claim 5 , the shipping comb further including a proximal end formed by the at least one tooth, the proximal end being configured for abutment with the distal end of the ramp.  
     
     
         7 . In a disc drive of  claim 6 , the shipping comb further including first features at the proximal end configured for mating with second features at the distal end of the ramp.  
     
     
         8 . A shipping comb for use with a disc drive having a ramp for receiving a head gimbal assembly, the shipping comb comprising: 
 at least one tooth which engages the head gimbal assembly; and    means for spatially aligning the head gimbal assembly with the ramp.