Patent ID: 6045049
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a trailing end of a memory card in a memory card reader, comprising:a first driven switch element resiliently displaceable by the memory card when the memory card is inserted in an insertion direction along an insertion path, wherein said first driven switch element includes a first frame with a first internal space and a first resilient contact piece extending in the insertion direction through said first internal space, wherein said first resilient contact piece has a first free end portion and a first fixed end portion, and wherein said first fixed end portion is connected to said first frame;a second driven switch element which is resiliently displaced by said first driven switch element when said first driven switch element is resiliently displaced by the memory card, wherein said second driven switch element includes a second frame with a second internal space and a second resilient contact piece extending in the insertion direction through said second internal space, wherein said second resilient contact piece has a second free end portion and a second fixed end portion, and wherein said second fixed end portion is connected to said second frame;wherein said first and second resilient contact pieces are arranged such that they extend along a surface of the memory card when the memory card is inserted along the insertion path and face each other in a direction generally orthogonal with respect to the insertion path; andwherein said first free end portion of said first resilient contact piece is arranged so as to be pressed by a front edge portion of the memory card when the memory card is inserted along the insertion path and resiliently displaced in a direction generally orthogonal with respect to the insertion path so as to contact said second free end portion of said second resilient contact piece under pressure such that said second free end portion of said second resilient contact piece is resiliently displaced in a direction generally orthogonal with respect to the insertion path so as to provide a wiping action at a contact portion between said first and second resilient contact pieces.