Card reader apparatus with read head mounting structure and card guide

摘要

A reading head mounting arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a base having a top surface and extending from a side thereof an upright mounting member for mounting of a reading head in proper spaced relationship from the top surface of the base for reading of a information containing stripe attached to a card. Preferably, the base has downwardly projecting portions at either end thereof to provide on and off ramps for a credit card being slid over the base, whereby when the arrangement is installed in a magnetic stripe reading terminal having a slot for passage of a credit card past a magnetic stripe reading head, the change in elevation of the base relative to the remainder of the slot provides a user of the terminal with positive feedback that the card is properly positioned in the slot. Accuracy in positioning the strip for movement past the magnetic head is predetermined during the manufacture of the mounting arrangement. The arrangement is used for mounting of a magnetic read head which may then be utilized in a terminal for providing authorization by a card issuer of the use of the card.