EXTENDABLE AND RETRACTABLE PAYMENT TERMINAL HOLDER

Abstract

A payment terminal holder is provided. A payment terminal holder for providing point of sale at a distance, comprising a baseplate supporting a track. A track plate coupled to the track such that the track plate is mobile between a first end of the track and a second end of the track. A payment terminal plate affixed to a front end of the track plate for facilitating a financial transaction. A handle affixed to a back end of the track plate and a mounting bracket affixed to a bottom of the baseplate.

Claims

1. A payment terminal holder for providing point of sale at a distance, comprising: a baseplate supporting a track; a track plate coupled to said track such that said track plate is mobile between a first end of said track and a second end of said track; a payment terminal plate affixed to a front end of said track plate for facilitating a financial transaction; a handle affixed to a back end of said track plate; and a mounting bracket affixed to a bottom of said baseplate.

2. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said track is a groove within said baseplate.

3. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said track is affixed to a top of said baseplate.

4. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein a cash compartment is affixed to said payment terminal plate.

5. The payment terminal holder of claim 4, wherein said cash compartment is removable.

6. The payment terminal holder of claim 4, wherein a cover is affixed to said cash compartment.

7. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein a payment terminal is fastened onto said payment terminal plate.

8. The payment terminal holder of claim 7, wherein one or more data or power cords from said payment terminal are housed within said track plate.

9. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said payment terminal is an electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminal.

10. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said payment terminal is a tablet.

11. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said payment terminal is a mobile smart device.

12. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said track plate may rotate about said track.

13. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said payment terminal plate may rotate about the track plate.

14. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket is affixed to a windowsill.

15. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket is affixed to an outer wall.

16. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket is affixed to an inner wall.

17. The payment terminal holder of claim 1, herein said mounting bracket is affixed to a counter.

18. A method of deploying said payment terminal holder to a user to initiate payment from claim 1, comprising: applying a force to said handle such that said track plate is moved from said back end of said track to said front end of said track.

19. A method of deploying said payment terminal holder of claim 14, wherein said payment terminal plate is oriented at an angle of declination once the payment terminal holder is fully extended.

20. A method of retracting said payment terminal holder from a user to complete a transaction of claim 1, comprising: applying a force to said handle such that said track plate is moved from said first end of said track to said second end of said track.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view 100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view 200 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view 300 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view 400 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view 500 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 6A illustrates a retracted view 600a in accordance with one embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 6B illustrates an extended view 600b in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

[0041] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0042] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view 100 of a retracted payment terminal holder as in one embodiment. The payment terminal holder provides the point of sale at a distance for users involved in the transaction. The terminal holder comprises a baseplate 102 supporting a track 104, where the track 104 is shown affixed to a top of the baseplate 102 in this embodiment. A track plate 106 is coupled to the track 104 such that the track plate 106 is mobile between a first end 108 of the track 104 and a back end 110 of the track 104. In some embodiments, the track 104 is a groove within the baseplate 102 which may include one or more bearings for assembly and mobility of the track plate 106.

[0043] A payment terminal plate 112 is affixed to a front end of the track plate 106, not presently shown, for facilitating a financial transaction. A cash compartment 118 is shown affixed to the payment terminal plate 112 with a cover 120, which may be composed of an acrylic, affixed to the cash compartment 118. The cash compartment provides the customer flexibility in their payment method while adhering to social distancing protocol and the cover 120 acts to protect the cash from blowing away or being damaged by weather. In some embodiments, the cash compartment 118 is removable. In some embodiments, the payment terminal may be fastened onto the payment terminal plate 112. In the case of a wired payment terminal, one or more data and power cords from the payment terminal may be housed within the track plate 106. Examples of payment terminals include, but are not limited to, an electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminal, a tablet, or a mobile smart device.

[0044] A handle 114 is affixed to a second end 116 of the track plate 106 as shown. In some embodiments, the handle 114 is fixed in place. In other embodiments, the handle 114 is movable. A mounting bracket 122 is affixed to a bottom of the baseplate 102. The mounting bracket 122 allows for multiple mounting methods, such as but not limited to, affixing the mounting bracket 122 to a window, to an outer wall, to an inner wall or to a counter. In other embodiments, the mounting bracket 122 can be mounted such that the payment terminal can slide.

[0045] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view 200 of an extended payment terminal holder as in one embodiment. The extendable and retractable functionality of the payment terminal holder may be utilized for facilitating the point of sale of digital and cash payments at a distance to minimize the risk of contact between users while allowing for single-handed operation for both users.

[0046] A method of deploying the payment terminal holder to a user to initiate payment comprises applying a force to the handle 114 such that the track plate 106 is moved from the back end 110 of the track 104 to the front end of the track 104, not presently shown. In some embodiments, the payment terminal plate 112 may be oriented at an angle of declination once the payment terminal holder is fully extended during deployment such as that shown in FIG. 2. This allows for tilting the payment terminal plate 112, reducing the strain on a customer employing the payment terminal holder within a vehicle. In other embodiments, the baseplate 102 relatively thin to accommodate acrylic or plexiglass distancing screens and windows. In some embodiment, the track plate 106 may rotate about the track 104. In some embodiments, the payment terminal plate 112 may rotate about the track plate 106.

[0047] A method of retracting the payment terminal holder from a user to complete a transaction comprises applying a force to the handle 114 such that the track plate 106 is moved from the first end 108 of the track 104, not presently shown, to the second end 116 of the track 104.

[0048] FIG. 3 depicts a top view 300 of a payment terminal holder as in one embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 4 depicts a front view 400 of a payment terminal holder as in one embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 5 depicts a side view 500 of a payment terminal holder as in one embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 6A depicts a retracted view 600a of a payment terminal holder as in one embodiment. In this embodiment, the payment terminal holder is installed onto a windowsill 602 of a drive-thru. When the customer comes to the pay area, the cashier extends the payment terminal holder out towards the customer for completing the financial transaction via swiping/tapping of credit card and/or entry of PIN code, placing cash in tray or other methods commonly employed.

[0052] FIG. 6B depicts an extended view 600b of a payment terminal holder as in one embodiment. The cashier can leave the holder extended while fulfilling any other tasks. The ease of deployment and retrieval, whether single-handed or two-handed, reduces repetitive strain injury with the cashier. Typically, the cashier may be repeatedly leaning and reaching to setup and complete the financial transaction with a plurality of customers throughout their shift. Once payment is complete, the cashier can retract the holder. For a cash payment for example, the cashier can return the holder to the client with the change in the tray. The payment terminal holder helps keep a distance between the cashier and customer and limits hand-to-hand interaction as demonstrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B.

[0053] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.