CA2211559A1 - A device for releasably securing a read and/or write head - Google Patents
A device for releasably securing a read and/or write headInfo
- Publication number
- CA2211559A1 CA2211559A1 CA002211559A CA2211559A CA2211559A1 CA 2211559 A1 CA2211559 A1 CA 2211559A1 CA 002211559 A CA002211559 A CA 002211559A CA 2211559 A CA2211559 A CA 2211559A CA 2211559 A1 CA2211559 A1 CA 2211559A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- carriage
- head
- ticket
- frame
- card
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/08—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by means detecting the change of an electrostatic or magnetic field, e.g. by detecting change of capacitance between electrodes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B25/00—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus
- G11B25/04—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus using flat record carriers, e.g. disc, card
- G11B25/043—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus using flat record carriers, e.g. disc, card using rotating discs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B21/00—Head arrangements not specific to the method of recording or reproducing
- G11B21/16—Supporting the heads; Supporting the sockets for plug-in heads
- G11B21/26—Means for interchange or replacement of head or head element
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B25/00—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus
- G11B25/04—Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus using flat record carriers, e.g. disc, card
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/10—Structure or manufacture of housings or shields for heads
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
- G11B5/50—Interchangeable mountings, e.g. for replacement of head without readjustment
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
- Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
- Magnetic Heads (AREA)
- Adornments (AREA)
- Conveying Record Carriers (AREA)
Abstract
A device for releasably securing a magnetic, electronic or optical read and/or write head to a card or ticket transport system, comprises a resilient frame (1), a carriage (2) for the head, and mounting means (4, 5) for mounting the carriage on the frame, the mounting means comprising a pair of rolling element bearing axially loaded by the restoring force of the resilient frame. The carriage is pivotally moveable about a first axis (7) parallel to the direction of transport of any ticket and not pivotally moveable in the direction of transport. The device may further comprise a magnetic head (3) in a resilient housing (12) and biasing means (11), the head being pivotally moveable about a second axis (6) substantially parallel to the first axis. In operation, the biasing means biases the magnetic head towards any card or ticket.
Description
CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
WO 96/23273 Pc rlGB9slo267l A DEVICE FOR RELEASABLY SECURING A READ AND/OR WRITE HEAD
The invention relates to a device for releasably securing a read and/or write head to other apparatus. The invention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to m~netic read and write heads associated with card or ticket transport apparatus in a card or ticket reading system.
The nature of ticket or card reading systems (for ex~mple in access control systems having many parallel ch~nnPlc in particular) is such that during busy periods it is e.ssenti~l that ch~nn~lc are not taken out of service for maintenance or repair. This results in queues developing which may give rise to safety problems in the event of an evacuation, or security problems associated with ticket theft or pick-pockets. In addition, repair personnel 10 may be unwilling to spend long periods of time in areas such as subway tnrnctil~.s because of the threat of assault. Providing more çh~nnelc than are strictly neces.c~ry to allow for breakdowns is an unpopular solution to this problem with the system operating authorities who wish to purchase the miniml1m number of tllrnstil~s or access control barriers for a given location to minimi7~ capital expenditure. To help reconcile these conflicting 15 rlPm~nrlc it is desirable to design ticket transport systems which can be m~int~in~d quickly and easily in-situ without using special tools or relying on skilled maintenance personnel who have to work for long periods at the card or ticket transport apparatus.
In card or ticket reading systems, read and/or write heads (generally optical ormagnetic) are usually ~tt~ch~d to a card or ticket transport apparatus adjacent a train of 20 rollers, wheels or belts which guide and drive the card or ticket through the apparatus and past the heads in use. In such systems using m~gnPtic coding, it is important that the magnetic head can be urged into contact with the card or ticket whilst it moves past. It is important to be able to set the force urging 1he head into contact with the ticket accurately to the minimum required to give reliable reading, thereby minimi7ing frictional 25 wear of the head and prolong its useful life. A furlher r~u-le~llent of card or ticket ~r reading systems is to limit movement of the read or write head in the direction of ticket or card transport. In a m~gn~tic read/write system, if the ticket is m~gnPtic~lly coded with a coding density of (for example) 75 bits per inch, a normal design toler~n~e for lateral movement of the m~gnPtic head in the direction of ticket motion of 8% of the code CA 02211~S9 1997-07-2~
Wo 96/23273 pcrlGs9slo267l pitch tr~n~l~tçs to a m~ximnm movement in this direction of a~proxi~ t~Ply plus or minus 25 microns.
In a known device disclosed in US 4,377,828, a fixed m~gnetic head housing is coupled to an adjustable pressure pad which is used to bias the ticket towards a further 5 opposing read and/or write head. The size of the gap between the pad and the further head is adjusted by means of a screw.
The present invention provides a device for releasably securing a read and/or write head to a card or ticket transport system, the device compri.~ing a frame ~tt~ch~hlP to the 10 system, a carriage for the head, and mounting means for mounting the carriage on the frame, at least one of the c~rri~ge and the frame being reciliPnt the mounting means cnmpri.~ing a pair of rolling çkPm~nt bearings being loaded axially by the restoring force of the resilient frame and/or carriage when the c~rri~g~p~ is mounted on the frame, the carriage being moveable in a direction subst~nti~lly normal to a major surface of any card 15 or ticket in said card or ticket transport system in use.
This arrangement can provide a minimum and con~ tçnt re~ist~nce to movement perpendicular to the direction of ticket or card transport to ensure that additional frictional force components do not result in accelerated head wear. Manual setting of the bearing load can be elimin~t~l using this arr~ngement Such manual load sefflng is a time20 consuming task which requires a technician with considerable practical experience.
The carriage and the frame are preferably a snap-fit. This can enable devices tobe re,pl~ced easily and quickly for m~intPn~nce or repair without the need for hand tools or a particularly skilled technician working on the ticket transport equipment.
The device preferably further compricçs a m~gnPtic read or write head, a resilient 25 housing for the head and further mounting means for mounting the housing on the c~rri~ge, the said head being pivotable about at least one axis substantially parallel to the said direction of transport. This can enable the reading of and/or writing to tickets or cards having a wide range of thicknPsses or to enable the m~gnPtic head to move in a direction substantially normal to a major surface of the card or ticket to cope with warped or creased 30 cards or tickets or uneven surfaces whilst m~int~ining low friction movement and the advantages of quick and easy ch~nging of a device for m~inten~n~e or repair or repl~cemPnt.
CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
The further mounting means preferably comprises a pair of rolling element be~ringc being loaded axially when the housing is mounted on the carnage. The housing andfurther mounting means are preferably a snap-fit.
The device advantageously includes biasing means being arranged such that the ~ ., S carriage and/or ms~gnPtic head is biased towards any card or ticket present in the t~ansport system in operation. This can result in more reproducible reading and writing to warped or creased cards or tickets or to uneven surfaces. The biasing means can convelliently compri.ces a resilient member provided between the carriage and the frame. The biasing means is preferably constituted by a spring.
In a pr~rel,ed embo~liment~ the c.~rri~ge and/or head movement is limited by themounting means in the plane of the direction of transport of the card.
The c~ ge is preferably substantially rigid whilst the frame is rçcilient Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of e.~mple only, withreference to the accompanying di~gr~mm~tic drawings, in which Figure l shows a front and an end elevation of a device according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a front and an end elevation of the m~gnPtic head and housing portion of the device of Figure 1, 20 Figure 3 shows a front elevation of the carriage portion of the device of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a plan view of the carriage of Figure 3 without the mounting means, and Figure 5 shows an oblique view of the c~rri~ge of Figure 3.
In these Figures, to avoid ambiguity corresponding component parts are given the25 same reference numerals in all the Figures.
In Figure 1, a device for relP~c~bly securing a m~gnPtic read and/or write head to a card or ticket transport system is shown in a front elevation 18 and in an end elevation 19 looking along the direction of transport of the card or ticket. The device comprises a 30 resilient frame 1, a carriage 2 for the head 3, and mounting means (which cannot be seen in this Figure, but are shown in Figure 3 as elP.mP.nt.C 4 and S) for mounting the carriage on the frame. The mounting means 4 and 5 in the present eY~mrlP both comprice rolling CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
element be~ringc - in the present example commercial quality steel ball be~ring~ being loaded axially in operation by the restoring force of the resilient frame such that the carriage is moveable about a first axis 6 (shown in Figure 3) ~bs~ lly parallel to the direction of transport of any card or ticket in said ticket transport system in operation. The S arrangement of the mounting means is such that the c~rri~ge is limited from being pivotally moveable in the plane of the paper of the front elevation 18 of Figure 1, i.e. in a plane s~lkst:~nti~lly parallel to the direction of transport. The figure also shows electri~:llly conductive wire 23 and a connPctor 24 for connPcting the head to control means (not shown).
The type of be~rin~.~ used in the device possess both radial and axial intPrn~l clP~r~nces which are completely removed in the design of the bearing mountings by axially loading the be~ring.c. The type of bearing chosen and the low axial loading provided permits con.~ictPntly low rotational resistance to be obtained at the same time as removing the clearances as noted above. This limits lateral movement of the magnetic head in the 15 direction of ticket travel to plus or minus 25 microns. The actual range of movement pçrmittP~ and the amount of axial loading provided can be easily changed by ch~nging the design (for ex~mrlP the m~tPri~l and/or the ~limen~ions) of the frame or of the carriage or both. The figure of plus or minus 25 microns given for the present ex~mrlP is purely illustrative and does not limit the scope of the invention. Smaller or larger distances may 20 be chosen.
In the example shown in Figure 1, the c~rri~ge is made of a rigid m~tPri~l such as ~lnminillm and the resilient frame is made from a thermoplastic m~tPri~l Although either the frame or the carriage or both could be made from a resilient m~tçri~l such as a thermoplastic to produce the restoring force to axially load the rolling çlPmPnt bearing 25 mount or mounts, for the most accurate and reproducible reading of m~gn~tically encoded tickets the use of a rigid carriage and resilient frame is preferred. This minimi7es head motion in the direction of transport of the ticket or card.
In the ç~r~mlllP of Figure 1 the device includes a m~gnPtic read head 3 and further mounting means (8, 9 shown in Figure 3) for mounting the said head on the c~rri~ge, the 30 said head being rotatable about a second axis 7 (shown in Figure 3) snhst~nti~lly parallel to the first axis 6. The mounting means 8 and 9 are again axially loaded rolling el~mPnt CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
wo 96123273 pcrlGBsslo267l bearings as described above. The device includes a housing 12 which carries the m~gnptic head.
The housing 12 and the magnetic read head 3 are shown in greater detail in Figure J 2. The housing has been de~ign~d to be resiliPnt and a snap-fit over the cylindrical outer S race of the bearing such that during snap fitting the correct axial loading of the bearing is ~ tom~ti~lly obtained through the restoring force of the deforming housing. Figure 4 shows a view from below of the c~rri~e of Figure 3 with the rolling element be~rings 4, 5, 8 and 9 removed. The rolling ehPmPnt bearin~c are a push fit onto the pins 20 att~ched to the c~rri~ge Each pin is provided with a shoulder 21 which engages with the inner 10 races of the corresponding bearing. When assembled the outer race of each bearing is arranged to abut a shoulder provided on either the housing or the frame, thereby providing the axial lo~rling The head and housing assembly can thus be easily removed for replacement without the need for tools of any kind. The ~rr~n~ement also elimin~tes the need for a skilled technician to set the loading force of the rolling element be~ring.~ using 15 for ex~mpl~ a screw thread.
The device of Figure 1 further includes biasing means 11 being arranged such that the carriage and m~gnPtic head is biased towards any card or ticket present in the transport system in operation. In the present example this biasing means compri.~çs a compression spring sitl-~t~d between the frame and the carriage. However, other biasing means such 20 as a weight (the magnetic head plus the housing could be used as at least part of this weight if the axes 6 and 7 are not in vertical ~lignme~t), or a resilient member such as a rubber rod or a leaf or helical spring placed between the carriage and another body may be used ~ltprn~tively or in addition. The oblique view of the carriage 2 shown in Figure S illustrates the presence of a notch 14 which is used l;o locate one end of the spring or 25 resilient member in use.
The housing 12 need not substantially surround the m~gnPtic head, the housing carries the head and enables the head to be easily mounted onto the c~rri~ge. M~gnPtic heads each in a housing would typically be kept as integral replaceable units for use as spare parts. M~gnPtic read heads and m~gnPtic write heads may be mounted in the system 30 using a device according to the invention. Heads which do not use magnetism to read or write may be used as an ~lt~rn~tive falling within the scope of the present invention. For ex~mple optical or electronic heads may be provided if desired.
CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
The present invention can provide accurately controllable limit~tion of the movement of the head in a plane sllbst~nti~lly parallel to the direction of movement of the card or ticket, whilst simultaneously providing a minimum and consistent rç~i~t~n~e to movement orthogonal to the direction of ticket or card transport so that additional frictional 5 force components do not result in accelerated head wear. M~ny~l setting of the bearing load is not nloctçss~ry using this arrangement. The device is simple to m~mlf~cture. The axial loading is cle~i~ned to be achieved by the restoring force of the resilient components.
When the carriage and the frame and/or the c~rri~ge and the housing are a snap-fit, the carriage unit and/or the housing and head unit can be replaced very easily and quickly for 10 m~intçn~n~e or repair without hand tools or a skilled terhnici~n working on the ticket transport equipment. In practice, such devices are usually mounted on pivotable bodies which are releasably secured to the ticket reading system such that they can be swung out of the line of the card or ticket transport for access during m~inten~nce In summary, a device for releasably securing a m~gnP.tir, electronic or optical read 15 and/or write head to a card or ticket transport system, compri~es a resilient frame (1), a carriage (2) for the head, and mounting means (4, 5) for mounting the carriage on the frame, the mounting means compri~ing a pair of rolling elP.ment bearing axially loaded by the restoring force of the resilient frame. The c~rri~ge is pivotally moveable about a first axis parallel to the direction of transport of any ticket and not pivotally moveable in the 20 direction of transport. The device may further comprise a m~gnetic head (3) in a resilient housing (12) and biasing means (11), the head being pivotally moveable about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. In operation, the biasing means biases the magnetic head towards any card or ticket.
,.
WO 96/23273 Pc rlGB9slo267l A DEVICE FOR RELEASABLY SECURING A READ AND/OR WRITE HEAD
The invention relates to a device for releasably securing a read and/or write head to other apparatus. The invention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to m~netic read and write heads associated with card or ticket transport apparatus in a card or ticket reading system.
The nature of ticket or card reading systems (for ex~mple in access control systems having many parallel ch~nnPlc in particular) is such that during busy periods it is e.ssenti~l that ch~nn~lc are not taken out of service for maintenance or repair. This results in queues developing which may give rise to safety problems in the event of an evacuation, or security problems associated with ticket theft or pick-pockets. In addition, repair personnel 10 may be unwilling to spend long periods of time in areas such as subway tnrnctil~.s because of the threat of assault. Providing more çh~nnelc than are strictly neces.c~ry to allow for breakdowns is an unpopular solution to this problem with the system operating authorities who wish to purchase the miniml1m number of tllrnstil~s or access control barriers for a given location to minimi7~ capital expenditure. To help reconcile these conflicting 15 rlPm~nrlc it is desirable to design ticket transport systems which can be m~int~in~d quickly and easily in-situ without using special tools or relying on skilled maintenance personnel who have to work for long periods at the card or ticket transport apparatus.
In card or ticket reading systems, read and/or write heads (generally optical ormagnetic) are usually ~tt~ch~d to a card or ticket transport apparatus adjacent a train of 20 rollers, wheels or belts which guide and drive the card or ticket through the apparatus and past the heads in use. In such systems using m~gnPtic coding, it is important that the magnetic head can be urged into contact with the card or ticket whilst it moves past. It is important to be able to set the force urging 1he head into contact with the ticket accurately to the minimum required to give reliable reading, thereby minimi7ing frictional 25 wear of the head and prolong its useful life. A furlher r~u-le~llent of card or ticket ~r reading systems is to limit movement of the read or write head in the direction of ticket or card transport. In a m~gn~tic read/write system, if the ticket is m~gnPtic~lly coded with a coding density of (for example) 75 bits per inch, a normal design toler~n~e for lateral movement of the m~gnPtic head in the direction of ticket motion of 8% of the code CA 02211~S9 1997-07-2~
Wo 96/23273 pcrlGs9slo267l pitch tr~n~l~tçs to a m~ximnm movement in this direction of a~proxi~ t~Ply plus or minus 25 microns.
In a known device disclosed in US 4,377,828, a fixed m~gnetic head housing is coupled to an adjustable pressure pad which is used to bias the ticket towards a further 5 opposing read and/or write head. The size of the gap between the pad and the further head is adjusted by means of a screw.
The present invention provides a device for releasably securing a read and/or write head to a card or ticket transport system, the device compri.~ing a frame ~tt~ch~hlP to the 10 system, a carriage for the head, and mounting means for mounting the carriage on the frame, at least one of the c~rri~ge and the frame being reciliPnt the mounting means cnmpri.~ing a pair of rolling çkPm~nt bearings being loaded axially by the restoring force of the resilient frame and/or carriage when the c~rri~g~p~ is mounted on the frame, the carriage being moveable in a direction subst~nti~lly normal to a major surface of any card 15 or ticket in said card or ticket transport system in use.
This arrangement can provide a minimum and con~ tçnt re~ist~nce to movement perpendicular to the direction of ticket or card transport to ensure that additional frictional force components do not result in accelerated head wear. Manual setting of the bearing load can be elimin~t~l using this arr~ngement Such manual load sefflng is a time20 consuming task which requires a technician with considerable practical experience.
The carriage and the frame are preferably a snap-fit. This can enable devices tobe re,pl~ced easily and quickly for m~intPn~nce or repair without the need for hand tools or a particularly skilled technician working on the ticket transport equipment.
The device preferably further compricçs a m~gnPtic read or write head, a resilient 25 housing for the head and further mounting means for mounting the housing on the c~rri~ge, the said head being pivotable about at least one axis substantially parallel to the said direction of transport. This can enable the reading of and/or writing to tickets or cards having a wide range of thicknPsses or to enable the m~gnPtic head to move in a direction substantially normal to a major surface of the card or ticket to cope with warped or creased 30 cards or tickets or uneven surfaces whilst m~int~ining low friction movement and the advantages of quick and easy ch~nging of a device for m~inten~n~e or repair or repl~cemPnt.
CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
The further mounting means preferably comprises a pair of rolling element be~ringc being loaded axially when the housing is mounted on the carnage. The housing andfurther mounting means are preferably a snap-fit.
The device advantageously includes biasing means being arranged such that the ~ ., S carriage and/or ms~gnPtic head is biased towards any card or ticket present in the t~ansport system in operation. This can result in more reproducible reading and writing to warped or creased cards or tickets or to uneven surfaces. The biasing means can convelliently compri.ces a resilient member provided between the carriage and the frame. The biasing means is preferably constituted by a spring.
In a pr~rel,ed embo~liment~ the c.~rri~ge and/or head movement is limited by themounting means in the plane of the direction of transport of the card.
The c~ ge is preferably substantially rigid whilst the frame is rçcilient Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of e.~mple only, withreference to the accompanying di~gr~mm~tic drawings, in which Figure l shows a front and an end elevation of a device according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a front and an end elevation of the m~gnPtic head and housing portion of the device of Figure 1, 20 Figure 3 shows a front elevation of the carriage portion of the device of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a plan view of the carriage of Figure 3 without the mounting means, and Figure 5 shows an oblique view of the c~rri~ge of Figure 3.
In these Figures, to avoid ambiguity corresponding component parts are given the25 same reference numerals in all the Figures.
In Figure 1, a device for relP~c~bly securing a m~gnPtic read and/or write head to a card or ticket transport system is shown in a front elevation 18 and in an end elevation 19 looking along the direction of transport of the card or ticket. The device comprises a 30 resilient frame 1, a carriage 2 for the head 3, and mounting means (which cannot be seen in this Figure, but are shown in Figure 3 as elP.mP.nt.C 4 and S) for mounting the carriage on the frame. The mounting means 4 and 5 in the present eY~mrlP both comprice rolling CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
element be~ringc - in the present example commercial quality steel ball be~ring~ being loaded axially in operation by the restoring force of the resilient frame such that the carriage is moveable about a first axis 6 (shown in Figure 3) ~bs~ lly parallel to the direction of transport of any card or ticket in said ticket transport system in operation. The S arrangement of the mounting means is such that the c~rri~ge is limited from being pivotally moveable in the plane of the paper of the front elevation 18 of Figure 1, i.e. in a plane s~lkst:~nti~lly parallel to the direction of transport. The figure also shows electri~:llly conductive wire 23 and a connPctor 24 for connPcting the head to control means (not shown).
The type of be~rin~.~ used in the device possess both radial and axial intPrn~l clP~r~nces which are completely removed in the design of the bearing mountings by axially loading the be~ring.c. The type of bearing chosen and the low axial loading provided permits con.~ictPntly low rotational resistance to be obtained at the same time as removing the clearances as noted above. This limits lateral movement of the magnetic head in the 15 direction of ticket travel to plus or minus 25 microns. The actual range of movement pçrmittP~ and the amount of axial loading provided can be easily changed by ch~nging the design (for ex~mrlP the m~tPri~l and/or the ~limen~ions) of the frame or of the carriage or both. The figure of plus or minus 25 microns given for the present ex~mrlP is purely illustrative and does not limit the scope of the invention. Smaller or larger distances may 20 be chosen.
In the example shown in Figure 1, the c~rri~ge is made of a rigid m~tPri~l such as ~lnminillm and the resilient frame is made from a thermoplastic m~tPri~l Although either the frame or the carriage or both could be made from a resilient m~tçri~l such as a thermoplastic to produce the restoring force to axially load the rolling çlPmPnt bearing 25 mount or mounts, for the most accurate and reproducible reading of m~gn~tically encoded tickets the use of a rigid carriage and resilient frame is preferred. This minimi7es head motion in the direction of transport of the ticket or card.
In the ç~r~mlllP of Figure 1 the device includes a m~gnPtic read head 3 and further mounting means (8, 9 shown in Figure 3) for mounting the said head on the c~rri~ge, the 30 said head being rotatable about a second axis 7 (shown in Figure 3) snhst~nti~lly parallel to the first axis 6. The mounting means 8 and 9 are again axially loaded rolling el~mPnt CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
wo 96123273 pcrlGBsslo267l bearings as described above. The device includes a housing 12 which carries the m~gnptic head.
The housing 12 and the magnetic read head 3 are shown in greater detail in Figure J 2. The housing has been de~ign~d to be resiliPnt and a snap-fit over the cylindrical outer S race of the bearing such that during snap fitting the correct axial loading of the bearing is ~ tom~ti~lly obtained through the restoring force of the deforming housing. Figure 4 shows a view from below of the c~rri~e of Figure 3 with the rolling element be~rings 4, 5, 8 and 9 removed. The rolling ehPmPnt bearin~c are a push fit onto the pins 20 att~ched to the c~rri~ge Each pin is provided with a shoulder 21 which engages with the inner 10 races of the corresponding bearing. When assembled the outer race of each bearing is arranged to abut a shoulder provided on either the housing or the frame, thereby providing the axial lo~rling The head and housing assembly can thus be easily removed for replacement without the need for tools of any kind. The ~rr~n~ement also elimin~tes the need for a skilled technician to set the loading force of the rolling element be~ring.~ using 15 for ex~mpl~ a screw thread.
The device of Figure 1 further includes biasing means 11 being arranged such that the carriage and m~gnPtic head is biased towards any card or ticket present in the transport system in operation. In the present example this biasing means compri.~çs a compression spring sitl-~t~d between the frame and the carriage. However, other biasing means such 20 as a weight (the magnetic head plus the housing could be used as at least part of this weight if the axes 6 and 7 are not in vertical ~lignme~t), or a resilient member such as a rubber rod or a leaf or helical spring placed between the carriage and another body may be used ~ltprn~tively or in addition. The oblique view of the carriage 2 shown in Figure S illustrates the presence of a notch 14 which is used l;o locate one end of the spring or 25 resilient member in use.
The housing 12 need not substantially surround the m~gnPtic head, the housing carries the head and enables the head to be easily mounted onto the c~rri~ge. M~gnPtic heads each in a housing would typically be kept as integral replaceable units for use as spare parts. M~gnPtic read heads and m~gnPtic write heads may be mounted in the system 30 using a device according to the invention. Heads which do not use magnetism to read or write may be used as an ~lt~rn~tive falling within the scope of the present invention. For ex~mple optical or electronic heads may be provided if desired.
CA 02211~9 1997-07-2~
The present invention can provide accurately controllable limit~tion of the movement of the head in a plane sllbst~nti~lly parallel to the direction of movement of the card or ticket, whilst simultaneously providing a minimum and consistent rç~i~t~n~e to movement orthogonal to the direction of ticket or card transport so that additional frictional 5 force components do not result in accelerated head wear. M~ny~l setting of the bearing load is not nloctçss~ry using this arrangement. The device is simple to m~mlf~cture. The axial loading is cle~i~ned to be achieved by the restoring force of the resilient components.
When the carriage and the frame and/or the c~rri~ge and the housing are a snap-fit, the carriage unit and/or the housing and head unit can be replaced very easily and quickly for 10 m~intçn~n~e or repair without hand tools or a skilled terhnici~n working on the ticket transport equipment. In practice, such devices are usually mounted on pivotable bodies which are releasably secured to the ticket reading system such that they can be swung out of the line of the card or ticket transport for access during m~inten~nce In summary, a device for releasably securing a m~gnP.tir, electronic or optical read 15 and/or write head to a card or ticket transport system, compri~es a resilient frame (1), a carriage (2) for the head, and mounting means (4, 5) for mounting the carriage on the frame, the mounting means compri~ing a pair of rolling elP.ment bearing axially loaded by the restoring force of the resilient frame. The c~rri~ge is pivotally moveable about a first axis parallel to the direction of transport of any ticket and not pivotally moveable in the 20 direction of transport. The device may further comprise a m~gnetic head (3) in a resilient housing (12) and biasing means (11), the head being pivotally moveable about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. In operation, the biasing means biases the magnetic head towards any card or ticket.
,.
Claims
1. A device for releasably securing a read and/or write head to a card or tickettransport system, the device comprising a frame (1) attachable to the system, a carriage (2) for the head, and mounting means (4, 5) for mounting the carriage on the frame, at least one of the carriage and the frame being resilient, the mounting means comprising a pair of rolling element bearings being loaded axially by the restoring force of the resilient frame and/or carriage when the carriage is mounted on the frame, the carriage being moveable in a direction substantially normal to a major surface of any card or ticket in said card or ticket transport system in use.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the carriage is pivotable about an axis (7) substantially parallel to the said direction of transport.
3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage and/or frame and mounting means are a snap-fit.
4. A device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a magnetic read or write head (3), a resilient housing (12) for the head, and further mounting means (8,9) formounting the housing on the carriage, the head being pivotable about at least one axis (6, 7) substantially parallel to the said direction of transport.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the further mounting means comprises a pair of rolling element bearings being loaded axially when the housing is mounted on the carriage.
6. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the housing and the further mounting means are a snap-fit.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim including biasing means (11) beingarranged such that the carriage and/or magnetic head is biased towards any card or ticket present in the transport system in operation.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which the biasing means comprises a resilient member provided between the carriage and the frame.
9. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which the biasing means comprises a spring.10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage is substantially rigid whilst the frame is resilient.
11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage and/or headmovement is limited by the mounting means in the plane of the direction of transport of the card or ticket.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the carriage is pivotable about an axis (7) substantially parallel to the said direction of transport.
3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage and/or frame and mounting means are a snap-fit.
4. A device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a magnetic read or write head (3), a resilient housing (12) for the head, and further mounting means (8,9) formounting the housing on the carriage, the head being pivotable about at least one axis (6, 7) substantially parallel to the said direction of transport.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the further mounting means comprises a pair of rolling element bearings being loaded axially when the housing is mounted on the carriage.
6. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the housing and the further mounting means are a snap-fit.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim including biasing means (11) beingarranged such that the carriage and/or magnetic head is biased towards any card or ticket present in the transport system in operation.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which the biasing means comprises a resilient member provided between the carriage and the frame.
9. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which the biasing means comprises a spring.10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage is substantially rigid whilst the frame is resilient.
11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage and/or headmovement is limited by the mounting means in the plane of the direction of transport of the card or ticket.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9501685A GB2297417A (en) | 1995-01-28 | 1995-01-28 | A device for removably attaching a read or write head |
| GB9501685.3 | 1995-01-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2211559A1 true CA2211559A1 (en) | 1996-08-01 |
Family
ID=10768729
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002211559A Abandoned CA2211559A1 (en) | 1995-01-28 | 1995-11-15 | A device for releasably securing a read and/or write head |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0870270A1 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR19980701724A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU697724B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2211559A1 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB2297417A (en) |
| TR (1) | TR199600059A2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996023273A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3664644B2 (en) * | 2000-10-06 | 2005-06-29 | 日立オムロンターミナルソリューションズ株式会社 | Magnetic head support structure and magnetic card reader |
| FR2875634B1 (en) * | 2004-09-23 | 2009-02-20 | Sagem | DEVICE FOR HOLDING A MAGNETIC READING HEAD |
| JP5199181B2 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2013-05-15 | 日立オムロンターミナルソリューションズ株式会社 | Magnetic head support device and card processing device |
| ES2725854T3 (en) | 2010-12-07 | 2019-09-27 | Ingenico Group | Clamping device of a magnetic reading head |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB850028A (en) * | 1958-01-02 | 1960-09-28 | Tdk Electronics Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to apparatus for resiliently supporting a head of a machine for magnetically recording sound or for reproducing magnetically recorded sound |
| FR2522430B1 (en) * | 1982-02-26 | 1987-11-20 | Europ Composants Electron | MAGNETIC READ AND / OR WRITE DEVICE |
| FR2609829A1 (en) * | 1987-01-16 | 1988-07-22 | Bull Sa | MAGNETIC HEAD FOR READING OR WRITING MAGNETIC TRACK CARDS |
| AU3323493A (en) * | 1991-12-30 | 1993-07-28 | Verifone, Inc. | Card reader apparatus |
-
1995
- 1995-01-28 GB GB9501685A patent/GB2297417A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-11-15 KR KR1019970705120A patent/KR19980701724A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-11-15 CA CA002211559A patent/CA2211559A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-11-15 GB GB9523326A patent/GB2297418B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-11-15 WO PCT/GB1995/002671 patent/WO1996023273A1/en active Search and Examination
- 1995-11-15 AU AU38531/95A patent/AU697724B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-11-15 EP EP95936686A patent/EP0870270A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1996
- 1996-01-24 TR TR96/00059A patent/TR199600059A2/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2297417A (en) | 1996-07-31 |
| GB9523326D0 (en) | 1996-01-17 |
| AU697724B2 (en) | 1998-10-15 |
| TR199600059A2 (en) | 1996-08-21 |
| GB2297418B (en) | 1997-04-09 |
| EP0870270A1 (en) | 1998-10-14 |
| KR19980701724A (en) | 1998-06-25 |
| GB9501685D0 (en) | 1995-03-15 |
| GB2297418A (en) | 1996-07-31 |
| AU3853195A (en) | 1996-08-14 |
| WO1996023273A1 (en) | 1996-08-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |