Fluid ingress resistant magnetic stripe reader assembly

Abstract

A magnetic stripe reader assembly for a point of sale terminal is provided. In some embodiments, the magnetic stripe reader assembly includes a holder configured to retain a magnetic head within the terminal and restrict access to electronic components.

1 . An point of sale terminal comprising: 
 a housing;    an electronics compartment within the housing;    a magnetic stripe reader coupled to the housing, the reader including a holder secured within the terminal, wherein the holder includes a cavity in which a magnetic head is mounted for translational movement, the cavity surrounding the magnetic head to isolate the head from the electronics compartment, and further wherein the cavity includes an opening to allow a flexible printed circuit board to pass through the holder and into the electronics compartment.    
   
   
       2 . The terminal of  claim 1  wherein the opening is offset from the lower surface of the cavity.  
   
   
       3 . The terminal of  claim 1  further comprising a gasket adjacent to the opening.  
   
   
       4 . The terminal of  claim 3  wherein the gasket is adhered to the back of the cavity.  
   
   
       5 . The terminal of  claim 1  wherein the housing includes flanges, and further wherein the holder includes flanges that mate against the flanges on the terminal housing.  
   
   
       6 . The terminal of  claim 1  wherein the holder includes an alignment assembly for locating a head of the magnetic stripe reader.  
   
   
       7 . The terminal of  claim 6  wherein alignment assembly includes locating pins for the head.  
   
   
       8 . The terminal of  claim 7  wherein the pins are integrally formed within the holder.