Abstract:
A magnetic head assembly with dual parallelogram supporting structure device and method of making the same has a single or multiple track magnetic stripe read head transducer mounted to a support structure by a dual parallelogram spring structure. This dual spring structure allows the head to move perpendicularly and rotationally to the magnetic stripe while preventing the head from rotating in the y direction, namely, preventing lateral movement. The novel magnetic head assembly is produced using a rapid and accurate assembly without the use of mounting screws in single and multiple track configurations. The unique spring also reduces wear on the magnetic heads which increases the functional life of the unit. The simple construction allows inexpensive manufacture of the magnetic head assembly, yet the durability of available manufacturing materials and the structure of the spring provide the magnetic head assembly with a long useful life, requiring little or no maintenance expense or upkeep.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved magnetic head transducer assembly with a torsion box spring frame and method of making same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic head transducer assembly which enables reduction of lateral movement caused by head mounts supporting the magnetic transducer during the reading and writing of information on a single or multiple track magnetic stripe. The novel magnetic head mounting assembly device is comprised of a single or multiple track magnetic tripe read head transducer mounted to a support structure by means of a dual parallelogram spring structure. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Our society is becoming increasingly dependent upon information encoded within magnetic stripes used in such applications as credit cards, security cards and a variety of related magnetic media. Often these cards become warped during the course of usage and exposure to environmental factors. Today&#39;s rapid paced informational society is placing increased demands on electronic equipment to perform accurately, dependably, quickly and economically, even under such circumstances. 
     The necessity and usefulness of devices which encode and decode the information on such cards are well known. Examples of another type and kind of device for decoding information on magnetic strips is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,734. 
     In general, the structure and function of most magnetic stripe readers and encoders involve a single or multiple transducer heads mounted on a support structure. This support structure allows for limited movement of the head against the magnetic stripe. 
     Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,734. The device a magnetic strip head assembly comprised of a support for transducer heads with leaf springs which permit the transducer head to move on a single axis to conform to any deformities in a card supporting a magnetic stripe. 
     The device is unidirectional in its usage when encoding and decoding information on and from magnetic stripes. Any attempt to run the card in the opposite direction leads to lateral movement, or jitter, of the transducer head making encoding and decoding of information impossible due to the fact that the transducer head is not in constant contact with the magnetic stripe. 
     In addition, the configuration of the device only allows for transducer head movement on the x axis and does not compensate for warping along the z axis. There is no mechanism provided for this device which would restrict movement of the head on the longitudinal or y axis. This longitudinal movement of the transducer head leads to jitter in the encoding and decoding process which cause variations in the placement of the encoded data bits. 
     Furthermore, the structure and configuration of the leaf springs cause wear on the assembly. The assembly is relatively work intensive to manufacture and both of these factors make the assembly expensive to maintain, replace and manufacture. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device and method for making same for a magnetic head mounting device and method of making same that would provide for movement in the z and x axes of the magnetic head force against the magnetic media with a parallel action, with restrictive movement on the y axes to prevent longitudinal movement while reading or encoding the data off of or on to magnetic media and which would be durable and economically manufactured. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved magnetic head transducer assembly device and method for making same. This magnetic head assembly would greatly reduce lateral movement or jitter of the magnetic head during the process of encoding and reading information stored on magnetic stripes by providing a double parallelogram torsion box spring frame for mounting the magnetic head. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide accurate encoding and decoding of data and processing of data by precisely measuring the distance between flux reversals allowing for overwrite or modifications of encoded data. 
     It is a yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device and method for making same, magnetic head transducer assembly, with a snap action installation for head and spring assembly for easy and economical assembly. 
     Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a new and improved magnetic head transducer assembly and method of making same. This magnetic head assembly would have a single or multiple track magnetic stripe read head transducer mounted to a support structure by means of a dual parallelogram spring structure. The spring enables torsional and perpendicular movement of the magnetic head transducer during magnetic strip card transduction operations while preventing the head from rotating. The novel magnetic head assembly is provided with a means for rapid assembly without the use of mounting screws in single and multiple track configurations. The unique spring also reduces wear on the magnetic heads which increases the functional life of the unit. It also prevents the transducer from vibrating due to the action of springs on both sides of the transducer. This allows for the bi-directional reading and encoding without contributing to jitter. The novel locking means for the assembly allows inexpensive manufacture of the magnetic head assembly, yet the durability of available manufacturing materials and the structure of the spring provide the magnetic head assembly with a long useful life with little or no maintenance expense involved with upkeep. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood, by reference to the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational perspective view of the novel magnetic head assembly; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially cut away front elevational perspective view of the novel magnetic head assembly according to the present invention revealing the end cap track as it would appear when mounted in the support structure; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational perspective view of a dual parallelogram supporting spring structure according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a posterior elevational perspective view of the of a dual parallelogram supporting spring structure according to the present invention showing x axis and rotational movement of the spring structure; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the novel of a dual parallelogram supporting spring structure according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the novel of a dual parallelogram supporting spring structure according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a posterior view of a of a dual parallelogram supporting spring structure, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the of a dual parallelogram supporting spring structure according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a posterior elevational perspective view of the novel end cap according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevational perspective view of the novel end cap according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 front view of the novel end cap according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of the novel end cap according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a posterior view of the novel end cap according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a top view of another embodiment of the magnetic head mounting assembly device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevational perspective view of another embodiment of the magnetic head mounting assembly device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a front view of another embodiment of the magnetic head mounting assembly device according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of another embodiment of the magnetic head mounting assembly device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a new magnetic head mounting assembly  10  which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the magnetic head mounting assembly  10  has a card slot  12  to accept magnetic strip media which longitudinally bisects the card head support rail housing  14 . The mounting holes  16  and  17  accept a variety of means of connections including but not limited to pins, welds, screws, rivets or retainer clips that may be used to attach the assembly to an external housing. The wire termination exit groove  18  provides access for wires from the magnetic head transducer  22  to a decoding printed circuit board. The dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  provides a support structure for the magnetic head transducer  22  by providing a cradle, the spring structure  24  (torsion box). The novel dual spring structure  20  allows the head to move perpendicularly and torsionally to the magnetic stripe while preventing the head from rotating thus preventing head mount induced jitter during the flux reading and writing process. This flexibility of movement prevents wear on the magnetic head transducer  22  and lengthens the useful life same. 
     The end caps  26  and  28  attach frictionally to the end portions of the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20 . The end caps have a plurality of end cap track mating protrusions  34  which fit into a plurality of molded in track locating grooves  32  located on the supporting card rail  14 . The end cap integral locking mechanism  46  then provides a snug anchor which prevents accidental movement of the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  after it has been mounted on the supporting card rail  14 . The novel locking means facilitates quick, uniform and economical methods for assembly and manufacture. 
     The housing head positioning rails  38  and  42  are located on either side of the magnetic head access aperture  44 . The housing head positioning rails  38  and  42  act as head penetration stops for the magnetic head transducer  22 . The magnetic head access aperture  44  allows the magnetic head transducer  22  to be in contact with the magnetic stripe on the magnetic stripe media as it passes through the card slot  12 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 2 to illustrate the magnetic head mounting assembly  10  and especially to show the end cap integral locking mechanism  46  and the plurality of end cap track mating protrusions  48  on the outer periphery of the end caps  26  and  28  as seen in this partially cut away front elevational perspective view. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, this view of the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  illustrates the structure of the unique mechanism. The upper head mount surface  52  and lower head mount surface  54  are connected by means of the two vertical leaf support frames as illustrated by leaf support frame  50 . These are the surfaces which will be in direct contact to the magnetic head transducer  22 . The leaf spring torsional members  62  and  64  are located between end cap retaining surfaces  56  and  58  and the vertical leaf support frames as illustrated by leaf support frame  50 . The upper head mount surface  52  and the lower head mount surface  54  are connected to the end cap retaining surfaces  56  and  58  by means of the horizontal leaf spring members  66 ,  68 ,  72  and  74 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 4, this view of the novel dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  illustrates the movement of the novel dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20 . Arrows  84  indicate torsional movement of the novel dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  which is facilitated by concurrent flexion of the leaf spring torsional members  62  and  64  as well as the leaf spring members  66 ,  68 ,  72 , and  74 . Arrows  82  indicate perpendicular movement of the novel dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  which would be greatest in the centrally located upper head mount surface  52 , lower head mount surface  54  and leaf support frames as exemplified by leaf support frame  50 . The end cap retaining surfaces  56  and  58  would display the least amount of either perpendicular or torsional movement when mounted. While the novel dual parallelogram supporting spring structure would provide perpendicular and torsional movement, it restricts longitudinal movement of the magnetic head transducer  22 , thus restricting jitter (variations in the placement of the encoded data bits) in the decoding process. 
     Considering now a top view of the novel dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  in FIG. 5, the upper head mount surface  52  with leaf support frames as exemplified by leaf support frame  50  is illustrated. The leaf spring torsional members  62  and  64  as well as the leaf spring members  66  and  74  are attached to the end cap retaining surfaces  56  and  58 . 
     A posterior view of the novel dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  is illustrated in FIG.  6 . The horizontal leaf spring torsional members  62  and  64  and the leaf spring members  66 ,  68 ,  72 , and  74  attach to the end cap retaining surfaces  56  and  58 . The portions of the vertical leaf support frames as exemplified by leaf support frame  50  are seen as well as the side views of the upper head mount surface  52  and the lower head mount surface  54 . 
     FIG. 7 is an anterior view of the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  with vertical leaf support frames as exemplified by leaf support frame  50  on either side and supporting the upper head mount surface  52  and the lower head mount surface  54 . The horizontal leaf spring torsional members  62  and  64  and the leaf spring members  66 ,  68 ,  72 , and  74  attach to the end cap retaining surfaces  56  and  58 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 8, an end view of the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20 , which shows the end cap retaining surface  56 , leaf support frame  50 , and the leaf spring members  66  and  68 . 
     Considering now FIG. 9, an elevated posterior perspective view of an end cap  26 , showing the end cap integral locking mechanism  36  which incorporates a plurality of locking mechanism tabs  102 . The top of the end cap frame together with the spring end cap retaining block provide a frictional fit with the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20 . A plurality of end cap track mating protrusions  34  slide into a plurality of molded in track locating grooves  32  on the card head support rail housing  14  thus providing a frictional fit. The track locating/identifying tab  104  aids the assembler as a quick reference to placement of the end cap in a marked groove on the head support rail housing thus preventing the possibility of misalignment of the two end caps  26  and  28  relative to one another during assembly. The friction fit tab  106  provides additional friction between the end cap tracking protrusions  34  and the plurality of molded in track locating grooves  32  on the card head support rail housing  14 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 10, which illustrates an elevated frontal perspective view of an end cap  26 . The end cap integral locking mechanism  36  can be seen along with the track locating/identifying tab  104 . The spring end cap retaining block  94  along with the spring retaining slots  96  and  98  provide a friction fit mechanism for the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20 . 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of an end cap  26 . The space between the end cap frame  92  and the spring end cap retaining block  94  form the spring retaining slots  96  and  98 . The end cap retaining surface  56  of the dual parallelogram supporting spring structure  20  fits snugly around the spring end cap retaining block  94  forming a snug frictional fit and into the spring retaining slots  96  and  98 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 12, a side view of an end cap  26 , shows the end cap frame  92  and the spring end retaining block  94 . The end cap integral locking mechanism  36  which support a plurality of end cap track mating protrusions  34  is also illustrated. 
     A top view of an end cap  26  is illustrated in FIG.  13 . The end cap integral locking mechanism  36  with the plurality of locking mechanism tabs can be seen. The plurality of end cap tracking mating protrusions  34  has a track locating/identifying tab for ease of assembly along with a friction fit tab  106 . 
     Another possible embodiment  110  of the magnetic head mounting assembly is illustrated is shown in FIG.  14 . Here, a top view of another embodiment illustrates a card slot  112  with support rail housing  122  and  124 . 
     FIG. 15 is an elevated frontal perspective view of the second possible embodiment  110  of the magnetic head mounting assembly showing a magnetic head access aperture  144  with support rail housing  122  and  124  on either side of the magnetic head access aperture  144 . The support rail housing  122  and  124  have a plurality of molded in track locating grooves  132 . The threaded holes  126  and  128  provide access for screws. The mounting holes  116  and  118  may accommodate a variety of attachment mechanisms including but not limited to pins, welds, screws, rivets or retainer clips for attachment to an external housing. 
     Referring now to FIG. 16 which is a front view of the second possible embodiment  110  of the magnetic head mounting assembly. Again, the magnetic head access aperture  144  with support rail housing  122  and  124  on either side of the magnetic head access aperture  144 . The support rail housing  122  and  124  have a plurality of molded in track locating grooves  132 . The threaded holes  126  and  128  provide access for screws. This magnetic head mounting assembly may be mounted to a separate housing by means of a variety of mechanisms through the mounting holes  116  and  118 . 
     Considering now FIG. 17, a side view of the second possible embodiment  110  of the magnetic head mounting assembly, which clearly shows the card slot  112 , support rail housing  124  and a threaded hole  128 . 
     It should be understood, however, that even though these numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, chemistry and arrangement of parts within the principal of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.