US 5,173,596 A · Paper card reader/validator

Abstract

A card reader and validator for use in wagering terminals includes a housing with a paper path. A paper drive surface of a drive wheel projects into the paper path. A platen assembly includes a pressure roller for pressing paper against the paper drive surface of the drive wheel and a platen surface for pressing paper agianst the paper path at a processing zone. The platen assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing in a manner such that it is biased toward the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in one direction and is lifted away from the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in the opposite direction. Corresponding ribs in the platen surface and paper path flatten the paper in the processing zone to facilitate the reading of optical marks on the paper by optical sensors. An ink jet printhead is provided for printing indicia on a portion of paper traveling through the paper path. A wick mounted to the platen assembly absorbs ink from the ink jet printhead during a purge cycle.

Claims21

Dependent claims

Apparatus for transposing a paper card or ticket across a processing zone comprising:

a housing including a paper path;
means having a paper drive surface for driving paper through said paper path;
a platen assembly including a pressure roller for pressing paper against said paper drive surface and a platen surface for pressing paper against said paper path at said processing zone;
and
means for pivotally mounting said platen assembly to said housing wherein said platen surface is biased toward said paper path when the paper drive surface advances in one direction and is lifted away from said paper path when the paper drive surface advances in the opposite direction.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Paper card reader/validator

Life of this patent

Paper card reader/validator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21