Patent ID: 6360946
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An electronic memory card reader for reading a card comprising a card body (11) and electrical contact areas (12) disposed on one face of said card body (11), said reader comprising:a read head (100) having connection elements (112) adapted to enter into electrical contact with said contact areas (12) of the electronic memory card (10), said connection elements (112) defining a â€œreference planeâ€  (P); an insertion slot (200) situated in said reference plane (P); guide means for guiding said card (10) in translation along the reference plane (P) in a translation direction; an abutment (300) for engaging the card body and defining, at the end of said translation, a processing position for processing the card (10) in which the electrical contact areas (12) of the card are adapted to come into contact with the connection elements (112) of the read head (100); a moving part (400) that is rotatable about an axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the translation direction, and which is normally in a closed position adjacent said read head, and a closure means, wherein said moving part is adapted to (i) establish electrical contact between the connection elements of the read head (100) and the contact areas of the card (10) in the processing position in accordance with a closing force applied by said closure means for pressing the card (10) against the read head (100), and (ii) move away from said closed position under the action of a force developed in opposition to said closing force by the card (10) moving in said translation direction into position between said moving part and said read head.