Patent ID: 6047890
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A contact block for a smart card reader, comprising:a contacts carrier having first and second surfaces;a plurality of contacts disposed in the contacts carrier, said contacts having first ends arranged to contact associated contact paths of a printed circuit and contact portions arranged to project beyond said first surface of the contacts carrier and engage corresponding terminals of a smart card when the smart card is in an end position; anda one-piece switching contact positioned in the contacts carrier, whereina first portion of the switching contact projects beyond said first surface of the contacts carrier into a path of movement of the smart card into said end position so as to be engaged and moved by the smart card as the smart card is moved to the end position, anda second portion ofthe switching contact is positioned such that the second portion of the switching contact engages a conductive path on said printed circuit as said first portion of the switching contact is engaged and moved by the smart card to thereby indicate that the smart card has been moved into said end position.