Transaction card with oscillating member
First Claim
1. A transaction card comprising:
- a base member defining a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a spiral cut extending through the base member from the first surface to the second surface to define a spiral portion, wherein the spiral portion is stretched to extend in a conic helical form in front of a portion of the first surface defined by a remainder of the base member;
an auxiliary member coupled to the spiral portion opposite the portion of the first surface defined by the remainder of the base member; and
an account identifier fixedly connected to one of the base member and the auxiliary member, wherein the account identifier links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transaction card includes a base member, an auxiliary member, and an account identifier. The base member defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a spiral cut extending through the base to define a spiral portion. The spiral portion is stretched to extend in a conic helical form in front of a portion of the first surface defined by a remainder of the base member. The auxiliary member is coupled to the spiral portion opposite the portion of the first surface defined by the remainder of the base member. The account identifier is fixedly connected to one of the base member and the auxiliary member. The account identifier links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. Other cards, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed.
48 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A transaction card comprising:
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a base member defining a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a spiral cut extending through the base member from the first surface to the second surface to define a spiral portion, wherein the spiral portion is stretched to extend in a conic helical form in front of a portion of the first surface defined by a remainder of the base member; an auxiliary member coupled to the spiral portion opposite the portion of the first surface defined by the remainder of the base member; and an account identifier fixedly connected to one of the base member and the auxiliary member, wherein the account identifier links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A stored-value card comprising:
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a substantially planar member; means for supporting means for linking the stored-value card with at least one of an account and a record having a value associated therewith such that the stored-value can be used as payment toward a purchase of one or more of goods and services; and coiled means for extending between the substantially planar member and the means for supporting, wherein the coiled means is connected with each of the substantially planar member and the means for supporting, and the coiled means is integrally formed from a single piece of material with the means for supporting. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of assembling a transaction product, the method comprising:
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providing a first member and a second member; adding an account identifier to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the account identifier links the transaction product to an account or a record such that the transaction product can be used during a purchase transaction to apply at least a portion of a balance of the account or the record toward a price of a purchase; cutting a spiral cut through an internal portion of the first member to define a spiral portion of the first member; coupling the second member to a center of the spiral portion; and stretching the spiral portion away from a remainder of the first member such that the center of the spiral portion and the second member are each spaced from the first member and the spiral portion acts as a spring allowing wobbling movement of the second member relative to the first member when an external force is applied to the second member. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card linked to a record or an account, the method comprising:
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displaying the stored-value card to a potential consumer, the stored-value card including a base member, an auxiliary member coupled to the base member, and an account identifier coupled with one of the base member and the auxiliary member, wherein; the base member defines a substantially planar front surface and an integral spring cut from an internal portion of the base member, the integral spring is stretched to extend forwardly from the substantially planar front surface defined by the base member, the auxiliary member is coupled to the integral spring opposite the substantially planar front surface such that the auxiliary member is spaced from the substantially planar front surface, the auxiliary member wobbles relative to the base member when an external force is applied thereto due to energy from the external force imparted to the integral spring, and the account identifier links the stored-value card to the record or the account having a value associated therewith; and activating the record or the account linked to the stored-value card to permit subsequent deductions from the value associated with the record or the account for application toward one of a purchase and a use of one or more of goods and services. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification