Information reading device

Disclosed is an information reader wherein the degree of freedom of design can be increased, and magnetic information recorded on an information recording medium can be properly read. Specifically, the information reader comprises a medium passage through which the information recording medium having the magnetic information recorded passes, a magnetic head which is brought into contact with the information recording medium passing through the medium passage and reads the magnetic information recorded on the information recording medium, guide sections for guiding the information recording medium so that a force acts on the information recording medium and the magnetic head to push each other when the information recording medium and the magnetic head are brought into contact with each other, and a biasing mechanism which biases the magnetic head in the direction in which the information recording medium and the magnetic head are brought into contact with each other. The guide sections are not arranged at a position facing a magnetic gap formed at the end of the magnetic head, and are arranged closer to the upstream side than the magnetic gap in the direction in which the information recording medium passes through.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/JP2010/002258, filed on Mar. 29, 2010. Priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) and 35 U.S.C. §365(b) is claimed from Japanese Application No. 2009-110270, filed Apr. 30, 2009, the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information reading device for reading magnetic information which is recorded on an information recording medium.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a manual type card reader has been utilized in which magnetic information recorded on a card is read while the card is moved manually. A so-called swipe type card reader has been known as this type of a manual type card reader in which magnetic information of a card is read while the card is moved along a groove-shaped card passage that is formed shorter than a width of card in a short widthwise direction (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

In a manual type card reader which is described in Patent Literature 1, a magnetic head is disposed so as to face a card passage. Further, in this manual type card reader, a closing part is formed on one end side of a card passage and an opening part is formed on the other end side of the card passage, and reading of magnetic information of a card is performed while the card is moved from the closing part side toward the opening part side.

Further, as a card reader for reading magnetic information which is recorded on a card, a card reader has been known in which a pad roller is disposed at a position facing a magnetic gap of a magnetic head (see, for example, Patent Literature 2). In the card reader described in Patent Literature 2, a card is surely abutted with the magnetic gap of the magnetic head and thus a spacing loss is capable of being eliminated.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

As described above, in the card reader in which the pad roller is disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap, a spacing loss can be eliminated and, as a result, magnetic information of a card can be read appropriately. However, in the card reader in which a pad roller is disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap, another mechanism cannot be disposed at the position facing the magnetic gap. Therefore, in the card reader, it is difficult to enhance a degree of freedom in design.

In view of the problem described above, at least an embodiment of the present invention provides an information reading device which is capable of enhancing a degree of freedom in design and is capable of appropriately reading magnetic information recorded on an information recording medium.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the problem, at least an embodiment of the present invention provides an information reading device including a medium passage through which an information recording medium on which magnetic information is recorded is passed, a magnetic head for abutting with the information recording medium which is passed through the medium passage and for reading the magnetic information recorded on the information recording medium, a guide part for guiding the information recording medium so as to apply a force so that, when the information recording medium and the magnetic head are abutted with each other, the information recording medium and the magnetic head are mutually pressed against each other, and an urging mechanism for urging the magnetic head and/or the guide part in a direction in which the information recording medium and the magnetic head are abutted with each other. The guide part is not disposed at a position facing a magnetic gap which is formed at a tip end of the magnetic head, and the guide part is disposed on an upstream side with respect to the magnetic gap in a passing direction of the information recording medium.

An information reading device is provided with a guide part for guiding an information recording medium so as to apply a force so that, when the information recording medium and the magnetic head are abutted with each other, the information recording medium and the magnetic head are mutually pressed against each other, and an urging mechanism for urging the magnetic head and/or the guide part in a direction in which the information recording medium and the magnetic head are abutted with each other. Therefore, magnetic information recorded on an information recording medium can be appropriately read by the magnetic head without a spacing loss. Further, the guide part is not disposed at a position facing a magnetic gap which is formed at a tip end of the magnetic head, and the guide part is disposed on an upstream side with respect to the magnetic gap in a passing direction of the information recording medium. In other words, a mechanism for eliminating a spacing loss is not disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap. Therefore, various mechanisms can be disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap and, as a result, a degree of freedom in design can be enhanced.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the information reading device is, for example, provided with a first side wall part to which the magnetic head is attached and a second side wall part which is oppositely disposed to the first side wall part for forming the medium passage together with the first side wall part. The guide part is structured of a first guide part which is formed in or attached to the first side wall part and a second guide part which is formed in or attached to the second side wall part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the second guide part guides the information recording medium so that a tip end of the information recording medium in the passing direction of the information recording medium is abutted with an inclined part which is formed on a tip end side of the magnetic head. In this case, for example, the second guide part is an inclined face which is inclined toward the magnetic head as going to a downstream side in the passing direction of the information recording medium. Further, it is preferable that the tip end of the magnetic head is disposed on a second side wall part side in a facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part with respect to a first side wall part side end of a downstream side end of the second guide part in the passing direction of the information recording medium. According to this structure, the information recording medium and the magnetic gap can be surely abutted with each other.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that a turning prevention part is formed on a downstream side of the second side wall part with respect to the magnetic gap in the passing direction of the information recording medium for preventing turning of the information recording medium with a direction perpendicular to the passing direction of the information recording medium and a thickness direction of the information recording medium as an axial direction when the information recording medium and the magnetic head are abutted with each other. According to this structure, the information recording medium and the magnetic gap can be surely abutted with each other.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that a first side wall part side end of an upstream side end of the turning prevention part in the passing direction of the information recording medium is disposed on a second side wall part side in the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part with respect to a first side wall part side end of a downstream side end of the second guide part in the passing direction of the information recording medium. According to this structure, a tip end of the information recording medium passing through the medium passage can be prevented from being caught by the turning prevention part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that a distance in the passing direction of the information recording medium between a first side wall part side end of a downstream side end of the second guide part in the passing direction of the information recording medium and the magnetic gap is set to be shorter than a distance in the passing direction of the information recording medium between a rear end of the information recording medium in the passing direction of the information recording medium and a rear end of a magnetic information recording area on the information recording medium. According to this structure, when the rear end of the information recording medium is passed through the first side wall part side end of the downstream side end of the second guide part and the rear end of the information recording medium comes out from the first side wall part side end of the downstream side end of the second guide part, the rear end of the magnetic information recording area has been passed through the magnetic gap. Therefore, reading accuracy of the magnetic information can be prevented from being lowered due to variation of a passing speed of the information recording medium when the rear end of the information recording medium comes out from the first side wall part side end of the downstream side end of the second guide part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the urging mechanism urges the magnetic head and holds the magnetic head so as to be capable of swinging the magnetic head with the passing direction of the information recording medium as an axial direction and/or capable of swinging the magnetic head with a thickness direction of the information recording medium as an axial direction. According to this structure, the information recording medium and the magnetic gap can be surely abutted with each other by making the magnetic head follow the information recording medium.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the information reading device is provided with an image reading part having an optical transparent member which is disposed to face the medium passage. The image reading part reads a surface of the information recording medium to acquire an image on the information recording medium and the image reading part is attached to the second side wall part so as to be oppositely disposed to the magnetic head in a facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part. According to this structure, the size of the information reading device can be reduced in the passing direction of the information recording medium. Further, reading accuracy of image can be prevented from lowering due to variation of a passing speed of the information recording medium when the tip end of the information recording medium begins to contact with the magnetic head or, when the rear end of the information recording medium comes out from the magnetic head.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that a first side wall part side end face of the optical transparent member is disposed on the second side wall part side in the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part with respect to a first side wall part side end of a downstream side end of the second guide part in the passing direction of the information recording medium. According to this structure, the optical transparent member can be prevented from being scratched due to contact of the information recording medium with the optical transparent member.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that, in a state that the information recording medium and the magnetic head are not abutted with each other, a predetermined gap space is formed between the tip end of the magnetic head and the optical transparent member in the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part. According to this structure, the optical transparent member can be prevented from being scratched due to contact of the magnetic head with the optical transparent member.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the predetermined gap space between the tip end of the magnetic head and the optical transparent member in the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part is smaller than a sum of a minimum thickness of the information recording medium which is used in the information reading device and a depth of field of the image reading part. According to this structure, the information recording medium and magnetic gap are surely abutted with each other and magnetic information can be read appropriately and an image on the information recording medium can be appropriately acquired by the image reading part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the first side wall part is provided with an opening/closing part which is capable of opening or closing with respect to the second side wall part and the magnetic head is attached to the opening/closing part. According to this structure, even when the magnetic head is oppositely disposed to the image reading part, maintenance of the image reading part can be performed relatively easily.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the second guide part is formed of metal. According to this structure, abrasion of the second guide part can be restrained. Further, damage of the image reading part due to static electricity can be prevented by discharging an information recording medium which is charged with electricity through the second guide part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the information reading device is provided with a pressing member which is oppositely disposed to the image reading part in the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part. The pressing member is attached to the first side wall part so as to be adjacent to the magnetic head in a direction substantially perpendicular to the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part and the passing direction of the information recording medium, and the pressing member presses the information recording medium which is passed through the medium passage toward the image reading part. The urging mechanism urges the magnetic head. In this case, the image reading part is, for example, a contact type scanner.

According to this structure, even when a width of the image reading part in a direction substantially perpendicular to the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part and the passing direction of the information recording medium is set to be wider than a width of the magnetic head, the information recording medium passing through the medium passage can be pressed toward the image reading part by the magnetic head and the pressing member in a predetermined range in the direction substantially perpendicular to the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part and the passing direction of the information recording medium, and the information recording medium passing through the medium passage can be passed within the depth of field of the image reading part. Therefore, the image on the information recording medium can be acquired appropriately by the image reading part. Especially, in a case that the image reading part is a contact type scanner, the depth of field is shallow and thus, unless the information recording medium passing through the medium passage is appropriately pressed toward the image reading part, the image reading part is difficult to appropriately acquire the image of the information recording medium. However, according to this structure, the image of the information recording medium can be appropriately acquired by the image reading part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the pressing member is a pad roller which is capable of abutting with the information recording medium passing through the medium passage and that the pressing member is capable of rotating with a direction substantially perpendicular to the facing direction of the first side wall part and the second side wall part and the passing direction of the information recording medium as an axial direction. According to this structure, even when an information recording medium which passes through the medium passage is pressed toward the image reading part by the pressing member, the information recording medium can be smoothly passed.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the information reading device is provided with an urging member which is separately provided from the urging mechanism for urging the pressing member toward the information recording medium which is passed through the medium passage. According to this structure, the pressing member is not required to be urged by the urging mechanism. Therefore, when the structure of the urging mechanism is to be taken into consideration, followability of the magnetic head to the information recording medium, an abutting force of the magnetic head with an information recording medium and the like may be required to be taken into consideration without considering the structure for urging the pressing member. As a result, the information recording medium and the magnetic gap can be surely abutted with each other by making the magnetic head follow the information recording medium through the urging mechanism. Further, when the structure of the urging member is to be taken into consideration, an abutting force of the pressing member with the information recording medium, followability of the pressing member to the information recording medium and the like may be required to be taken into consideration without considering the structure for urging the magnetic head and thus the information recording medium and the pressing member can be surely abutted with each other by making the pressing member follow the information recording medium through the urging member. Therefore, the information recording medium passing through the medium passage can be further appropriately pressed toward the image reading part by the magnetic head and the pressing member and, as a result, an image on the information recording medium can be further appropriately acquired by the image reading part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the first side wall part is provided with an opening/closing part which is capable of opening or closing with respect to the second side wall part, and the magnetic head and the pressing member are attached to the opening/closing part. According to this structure, even when the magnetic head and the pressing member are oppositely disposed to the image reading part, maintenance of the image reading part can be performed relatively easily.

As described above, in the information reading device, a degree of freedom in design can be enhanced and magnetic information recorded on an information recording medium can be read appropriately.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Schematic Structure of Information Reading Device)

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing an information reading device1in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a perspective view showing a state where an opening/closing part11aof the information reading device1shown inFIG. 1has been opened.FIG. 3is a plan view showing an information recording medium2shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 4is an explanatory view showing an arrangement relationship of a magnetic head5, a scanner6and a pad roller7which are viewed in the “E-E” direction inFIG. 1.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view showing the information reading device1which corresponds to an “F-F” cross section inFIG. 4.

In the following description, as shown inFIG. 1and the like, three directions perpendicular to each other are set to be an “X” direction, a “Y” direction and a “Z” direction. Further, an “X1” direction side inFIG. 1is referred to as a “right” side, an “X2” direction side is as a “left” side, a “Y1” direction side is as a “front” side, a “Y2” direction side is as a “rear” side, a “Z1” direction side is an “upper” side, and a “Z2” direction side is as a “lower” side.

The information reading device1in this embodiment is a device for reading magnetic information, which is recorded on an information recording medium2, by manually operating the information recording medium2by a user. Further, the information reading device1in this embodiment is a device for acquiring an image on the information recording medium2by manually operating the information recording medium2by a user. Specifically, the information reading device1is a so-called swipe type information reading device for reading magnetic information on the information recording medium2and for acquiring an image on the information recording medium2while the information recording medium2is moved along a medium passage3which is formed in a groove shape (while the information recording medium2is passed through the medium passage3).

In this embodiment, the information reading device1is structured so that reading of magnetic information on the information recording medium2and acquisition of an image on the information recording medium2are performed while a user moves the information recording medium2from a front side toward a rear side (to the “Y2” direction) of the information reading device1. In other words, in this embodiment, the “Y2” direction is a passing direction of the information recording medium2. Further, the information reading device1is, as shown inFIG. 1, formed in a long and thin and substantially rectangular prism shape whose longitudinal direction is a front and rear direction. Further, in this embodiment, a right and left direction is a thickness direction of the information recording medium2, the front and rear direction is a length direction (longitudinal direction) of the information recording medium2, and an upper and lower direction is a width direction (short side direction) of the information recording medium2.

The information recording medium2is, for example, a card having a rectangular shape which is made of vinyl chloride and whose thickness is about 0.7-0.8 mm. A magnetic stripe2aon which magnetic information is recorded is formed on the surface of the information recording medium2as shown inFIG. 3. In other words, the information recording medium2is a magnetic card. The magnetic stripe2ais formed in a long and thin rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is the length direction of the information recording medium2. Further, characters, a figure, a pattern and the like are described on a surface of the information recording medium2(specifically, on a face opposite to the face where the magnetic stripe2ais formed). Alternatively, a bar-code and the like are printed on the surface of the information recording medium2. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when provided with a predetermined rigidity, a medium other than a card made of vinyl chloride may be used as the information recording medium2. For example, the information recording medium2may be a paper medium such as a passport. Further, the information recording medium2may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card whose thickness is about 0.18-0.36 mm or a paper card having a predetermined thickness.

The information reading device1is, as shown inFIGS. 2,4and5, provided with a main body frame4in which a medium passage3is formed, a magnetic head5which is abutted with an information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3to read magnetic information that is recorded on the information recording medium2, a scanner6as an image reading part by which characters, a bar-code and the like on the surface of the information recording medium2are read to acquire an image on the information recording medium2, and a pad roller7as a pressing member which is disposed so as to face the scanner6for pressing the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3toward the scanner6.

A magnetic gap (not shown) is formed at a tip end of the magnetic head5. Further, a tip end side of the magnetic head5is formed with an inclined part5awhich is gradually inclined from both end faces in the front and rear direction of the magnetic head5toward the tip end of the magnetic head5. The inclined part5ain this embodiment is formed in a convex curved shape (seeFIG. 6).

The scanner6is a so-called contact type scanner (image sensor) which is provided with an optical transparent member8such as glass. The optical transparent member8is fixed on a left end face of the scanner6.

The main body frame4is, for example, formed of resin. The main body frame4is provided with a first side wall part11and a second side wall part12which are disposed so as to face each other with a predetermined space therebetween in the right and left direction. The first side wall part11and the second side wall part12are formed so as to protrude toward an upper side from a base end part13which structures a lower end side of the main body frame4. The medium passage3is formed between the first side wall part11and the second side wall part12. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first side wall part11is disposed on the left side and the second side wall part12is disposed on the right side. The medium passage3is structured of a right side face of the first side wall part11, a left side face of the second side wall part12, and an upper side face of the base end part13. In this embodiment, the first side wall part11and the second side wall part12are oppositely disposed to each other in the right and left direction.

The medium passage3is formed over an entire region from the front end of the main body frame4to its rear end. Further, a width in the right and left direction of the front end side of the medium passage3is set to be wider than a width in the right and left direction of the rear end side of the medium passage3. A depth of the medium passage3(depth in the upper and lower direction) is set to be shorter than a width in a short widthwise direction of the information recording medium2and an upper end side of the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3is exposed to the outer side of the main body frame4.

In this embodiment, when magnetic information on an information recording medium2is to be read or, when an image on the information recording medium2is to be acquired, a user holds an upper end side of the information recording medium2which is exposed on the outer side of the main body frame4and moves the information recording medium2to the rear side so that the information recording medium2is passed through the medium passage3. In this case, in order to coincide a position of the magnetic head5with a position of the magnetic stripe2ain the upper and lower direction and, in order to coincide positions of characters and the like on the information recording medium2with a position of the scanner6in the upper and lower direction, a user is required to move the information recording medium2while pressing the information recording medium2against the upper side face of the base end part13. In other words, the upper side face of the base end part13functions as a reference face for coinciding the position of the magnetic head5with the position of the magnetic stripe2ain the upper and lower direction and for coinciding the characters and the like on the information recording medium2with the position of the scanner6in the upper and lower direction.

The scanner6is attached to the second side wall part12. Specifically, the scanner6is fixed at a substantially center position of the second side wall part12in the front and rear direction. Further, the scanner6is fixed to the second side wall part12so that the optical transparent member8faces the medium passage3.

The first side wall part11is provided with an opening/closing part11awhich is capable of being opened or closed with respect to the second side wall part12. In other words, the first side wall part11is provided with a fixed part11bwhich is fixed to the base end part13and the opening/closing part11awhich is capable of being opened or closed with respect to the fixed part11b. The opening/closing part11ais, as shown inFIG. 2, capable of being turned with the rear end side as a turning center whose axial direction is the upper and lower direction. In other words, the opening/closing part11ais set to be in a closed state or an opened state with respect to the second side wall part12by being turned with the rear end side as a turning center. In this embodiment, a lock mechanism9is attached to a front end of the opening/closing part11afor maintaining the closed state of the opening/closing part11a.

The magnetic head5and the pad roller7are attached to the first side wall part11. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are attached to the opening/closing part11aso that the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are adjacent to each other in the upper and lower direction. Further, as shown inFIG. 4, the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are attached to the opening/closing part11aso that a tip end side of the magnetic head5and an outer peripheral face of the pad roller7are protruded toward the medium passage3in a state that the opening/closing part11ais closed with respect to the second side wall part12.

The pad roller7is attached to the opening/closing part11aso as to be capable of abutting with the information recording medium2which is passed through the medium passage3. Further, the pad roller7is attached to the opening/closing part11aso as to be capable of being rotated with the upper and lower direction as its rotating axial direction. Specifically, the pad roller7is rotatably attached to a fixed shaft which is fixed to the opening/closing part11awith the upper and lower direction as its axial direction.

The pad roller7is urged toward the medium passage3(toward the right side) by a plate spring10(seeFIG. 1). Specifically, both end portions in the upper and lower direction of a fixing shaft to which the pad roller7is attached is urged toward the medium passage3by the plate spring10. In other words, the pad roller7is urged by the plate spring10in a direction that an information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3and the pad roller7are abutted with each other, and the pad roller7functions to press the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3toward the scanner6. The plate spring10in this embodiment is an urging member for urging the pad roller7toward the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3. The plate spring10is separately structured from an urging mechanism20described below which urges the magnetic head5in a direction that the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other. An attaching structure of the magnetic head5to the opening/closing part11awill be described below.

Further, the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are attached to the opening/closing part11aso that the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are oppositely disposed to the scanner6in the right and left direction in a state that the opening/closing part11ais closed with respect to the second side wall part12. Specifically, the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are attached to the opening/closing part11aso that the magnetic gap of the tip end of the magnetic head5and the outer peripheral face of the pad roller7are oppositely disposed to the optical transparent member8of the scanner6in a state that the opening/closing part11ais closed with respect to the second side wall part12. Therefore, when the opening/closing part11ais set to be in an opened state, as shown inFIG. 2, the optical transparent member8of the scanner6is exposed. Further, in this embodiment, a width of the scanner6in the upper and lower direction is set to be wider than a width of the magnetic head5and a width of the pad roller7in the upper and lower direction.

(Attaching Structure of Magnetic Head)

FIG. 6is an enlarged view showing a “G” part inFIG. 5.FIG. 7is an explanatory view showing an attaching structure of the magnetic head5which is viewed in an “H-H” direction inFIG. 6.

As described above, the magnetic head5is attached to the opening/closing part11a. Specifically, the magnetic head5is attached to the opening/closing part11aby utilizing a fixing plate15, which is formed in a flat plate shape and is fixed to the opening/closing part11a, two fixed pins16and17which are fixed to the fixing plate15, a plate spring18to which the magnetic head5is fixed, and a compression coil spring19which urges the plate spring18.

The fixing plate15is fixed to a left end face of the opening/closing part11a. The fixed pins16and17are fixed to the fixing plate15so as to have a predetermined space therebetween in the front and rear direction. Specifically, the fixed pin16is fixed to the front end side of the fixing plate15and the fixed pin17is fixed to the rear end side of the fixing plate15. Further, the fixed pins16and17are fixed to the fixing plate15so as to protrude from the fixing plate15toward the right side. Further, the fixed pins16and17are, as shown inFIG. 6, formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a stepped part. Tip end sides (right end side) of the fixed pins16and17are formed in small diameter parts16aand17awhose diameter is smaller than the base end side (left end side).

The plate spring18is, as shown inFIG. 6, formed with insertion holes18ainto which the small diameter part16ais inserted. The insertion hole18ais formed in a round hole shape and a diameter of the insertion hole18ais set to be slightly larger than a diameter of the small diameter part16a. In other words, a slight gap space is formed between an inner peripheral face of the insertion hole18aand an outer peripheral face of the small diameter part16a. Therefore, a front end side of the plate spring18is movable in the right and left direction. In this embodiment, the fixed pin16is, as shown inFIG. 6, formed with a taper part16bwhose diameter becomes gradually larger toward the left side so as to be connected with the left end of the small diameter part16a. Movement in the left direction of the front end side of the plate spring18is restricted by the taper part16b.

Further, the plate spring18is formed with an insertion hole18binto which the small diameter part17ais inserted. The insertion hole18bis formed in an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is the front and rear direction and a width of the insertion hole18bin the upper and lower direction is slightly larger than a diameter of the small diameter part17a. In other words, a slight gap space is formed between an inner peripheral face of the insertion hole18band an outer peripheral face of the small diameter part17a. Therefore, a rear end side of the plate spring18is movable in the right and left direction.

An opening part18cto which the magnetic head5is fixed is formed on the rear end side with respect to the center in the front and rear direction of the plate spring18. The magnetic head5is fixed to the plate spring18in a state that the magnetic head5is inserted into the opening part18c.

The opening/closing part11ais formed with an insertion hole11cinto which the small diameter part16ais inserted. The insertion hole11cis formed in a round hole shape and a diameter of the insertion hole11cis set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the small diameter part16a. Further, the opening/closing part11ais formed with an insertion hole11dinto which the small diameter part17ais inserted. The insertion hole11dis formed in a long hole whose longitudinal direction is the front and rear direction and a width of the insertion hole11cin the upper and lower direction is slightly larger than a diameter of the small diameter part17a. Further, the opening/closing part11ais formed with an abutting face11ewith which a right side face of the plate spring18is abutted. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the insertion hole11dmay be formed in a round hole shape whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the small diameter part17a.

A compression coil spring19is fitted to the fixed pin17. A left end of the compression coil spring19is abutted with a right side face on the rear end side of the fixing plate15, a right end of the compression coil spring19is abutted with a left side face on the rear end side of the plate spring18, and the rear end side of the plate spring18is urged toward the right side by the compression coil spring19.

Since the magnetic head5is attached to the opening/closing part11aby utilizing the fixing plate15, the fixed pins16and17, the plate spring18and the compression coil spring19, which are structured as described above, the magnetic head5is urged toward the medium passage3. In this embodiment, an urging mechanism20for urging the magnetic head5in a direction that the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other is structured by utilizing the fixing plate15, the fixed pins16and17, the plate spring18and the compression coil spring19.

Further, in this embodiment, the magnetic head5is held in the urging mechanism20so as to be capable of swinging with the front and rear direction as an axial direction. Specifically, the magnetic head5is held in the urging mechanism20so as to be capable of swinging with a line connecting the small diameter part16awith the small diameter part17aas a swing axis when viewed in the upper and lower direction. Further, the magnetic head5is held in the urging mechanism20so as to be capable of swinging with the fixed pin16as a center and with the right and left direction as an axial direction As described above, the magnetic head5is held by a so-called gimbal structure and thus, the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5can be perpendicularly abutted with the information recording medium2by resiliently bending of the plate spring18and/or the compression coil spring19.

(Structure of Medium Passage Surrounding Magnetic Head and Scanner)

FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B)are views showing states when an information recording medium2is passed through a surrounding portion of the magnetic head5and the scanner6shown inFIG. 6.FIG. 8(A)shows a state when a tip end2dof the information recording medium2begins to contact with the magnetic head5andFIG. 8(B)shows a state just after the tip end2dof the information recording medium2is passed through the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5.FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B)are views showing states when the information recording medium2is passed through the surrounding portion of the magnetic head5and the scanner6shown inFIG. 6.FIG. 9(A)is a view showing a state in which the information recording medium2is being passed through the medium passage3while the information recording medium2is abutted with the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5.FIG. 9(B)is a view showing a state just before a rear end of the information recording medium2comes out from a second inclined face part12c.

The structure of the medium passage3surrounding the magnetic head5and the scanner6will be described below based onFIGS. 5 and 6andFIG. 8(A) through 9(B).

As described above, the medium passage3is formed between the first side wall part11and the second side wall part12. Specifically, the medium passage3is structured of the right side face of the first side wall part11, the left side face of the second side wall part12and the upper side face of the base end part13.

The right side face of the first side wall part11is provided with a first side face part11f, an inclined side face part11gand a second side face part11h, which are disposed on an upstream side (in other words, front side) with respect to the magnetic head5in a passing direction of the information recording medium2, and a third side face part11jwhich is disposed on a downstream side (in other words, rear side) with respect to the magnetic head5. The first side face part11f, the inclined side face part11gand the second side face part11hare disposed from the upstream side toward the downstream side in this order. The first side face part11f, the second side face part11hand the third side face part11jare formed in a flat-like face which is substantially parallel to the front and rear direction. The inclined side face part11gis formed in a flat-like face which is gradually inclined to the right side toward the downstream side.

The left side face of the second side wall part12is provided with a first side face part12a, a first inclined side face part12band a second inclined side face part12c, which are disposed on the upstream side with respect to the scanner6in the passing direction of the information recording medium2(specifically, upstream side with respect to the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5), and a third inclined side face part12dand a second side face part12ewhich are disposed on the downstream side with respect to the scanner6(specifically, downstream side with respect to the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5). The first side face part12a, the first inclined side face part12band the second inclined side face part12care disposed from the upstream side toward the downstream side in this order. The third inclined side face part12dand the second side face part12eare disposed from the upstream side toward the downstream side in this order. Further, an opening part12fon which the scanner6is disposed is formed between the second inclined side face part12cand the third inclined side face part12d.

The first side face part12aand the second side face part12eare formed in a flat-like face which is substantially parallel to the front and rear direction. The first inclined side face part12band the second inclined side face part12care formed in a flat-like face which is gradually inclined to the left side toward the downstream side. In other words, the first inclined side face part12band the second inclined side face part12care inclined toward the magnetic head5as going to the downstream side. In this embodiment, an inclination angle of the first inclined side face part12bwith respect to the front and rear direction is set to be slightly larger than an inclination angle of the second inclined side face part12cwith respect to the front and rear direction. Further, the third inclined side face part12dis formed in a flat-like face which is gradually inclined to the left side as going to the downstream side.

In this embodiment, a discharge electrode22is disposed between the scanner6and the second inclined side face part12cfor discharging an information recording medium2charged with electricity to prevent damage of the scanner6due to static electricity.

In this embodiment, the tip end of the magnetic head5where the magnetic gap is formed is disposed on a slightly right side with respect to a left end12g(seeFIG. 6) of the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cin the right and left direction. Further, a left end face of the optical transparent member8is disposed on a right side with respect to the left end12gof a downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cin the right and left direction. In addition, a left end12hof an upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12d(seeFIG. 6) is disposed on a right side with respect to the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cin the right and left direction. Further, the left end12hof the upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12dis disposed on the right side with respect to the left end face of the optical transparent member8which faces medium passage3in the right and left direction.

As shown inFIG. 6, in a state that an information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are not abutted with each other, a predetermined gap space is formed between the tip end of the magnetic head5and the left end face of the optical transparent member8in the right and left direction. In other words, in a state that an information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are not abutted with each other, the plate spring18to which the magnetic head5is fixed is abutted with the abutting face11eof the opening/closing part11aso that a predetermined gap space is formed between the tip end of the magnetic head5and the left end face of the optical transparent member8. In this embodiment, a gap space which is formed between the tip end of the magnetic head5and the left end face of the optical transparent member8when an information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are not abutted with each other is set to be smaller than a sum of a minimum thickness of an information recording medium2used in the information reading device1and a depth of field of the scanner6.

Further, in this embodiment, a distance “L1” in the front and rear direction between the magnetic gap which is formed at the tip end of the magnetic head5and the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12c(seeFIG. 6) is set to be shorter than a distance “L2” (seeFIG. 3) between a rear end of a magnetic information recording area2b(slanted line portion inFIG. 3) on the information recording medium2and a rear end2cof the information recording medium2in the front and rear direction (longitudinal direction of the information recording medium2).

When an information recording medium2is to be passed through the medium passage3from the upstream side toward the downstream side, as shown inFIG. 8(A), the tip end2dof the information recording medium2is abutted with the inclined part5aof the magnetic head5first. In other words, in this embodiment, the information recording medium2is guided by the second inclined side face part12cso that the tip end2dof the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3from the upstream side toward the downstream side is abutted with the inclined part5aof the magnetic head5.

Further, when the information recording medium2is further moved from the upstream side to the downstream side, since the magnetic head5is urged to the right side by the urging mechanism20, as shown inFIG. 8(B), a turning force is applied to the information recording medium2with the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cas a turning center in a clockwise direction inFIG. 8(B). Turning of the information recording medium2due to the turning force is restricted by the first side face part11fbefore the tip end2dof the information recording medium2is reached to the third inclined side face part12d. In other words, turning of the information recording medium2based on the above-mentioned turning force is restricted since the rear end side of the information recording medium2is abutted with the first side face part11f. (InFIG. 8(B), an abutting portion of the rear end side of the information recording medium2with the first side face part11fis not shown).

Further, after the tip end2dof the information recording medium2has been reached to the third inclined side face part12d, turning of the information recording medium2due to the turning force occurred in the information recording medium2is restricted by the first side face part11fand/or the third inclined side face part12dor by the first side face part11fand/or the second side face part12e(seeFIG. 9(A)). Further, when the information recording medium2is further moved from the upstream side to the downstream side from the state shown inFIG. 9(A), as shown inFIG. 9(B), turning of the information recording medium2due to the turning force occurred in the information recording medium2is restricted by the second side face part12e.

As described above, in this embodiment, when an information recording medium2is moved to the downstream side in the abutted state with the magnetic head5, turning of the information recording medium2with the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cas a turning center is restricted. Further, an information recording medium2has a predetermined rigidity. Therefore, when the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other, mutually pressing forces are applied to each other between the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5by an urging force of the urging mechanism20. In other words, in this embodiment, when the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other, pressing forces are applied so that the magnetic head5presses the information recording medium2and the information recording medium2presses the magnetic head5.

In this embodiment, even when a turning force is applied to the information recording medium2with the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cas a turning center before the tip end2dof the information recording medium2is reached to the third inclined side face part12d, the first side face part11fis formed so that the information recording medium2is not abutted with the optical transparent member8or, so that even when abutted, the information recording medium2is abutted with the optical transparent member8with a small abutting force so as not to occur scratches.

Further, in this embodiment, the first side face part11fis a first guide part which is formed in the first side wall part11and the second inclined side face part12cis a second guide part which is formed in the second side wall part12. In this embodiment, a guide part for guiding the information recording medium2is structured by the first side face part11fand the second inclined side face part12cso that mutually pressing forces of the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are applied to each other when the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other. The guide part is not disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap of the tip end of the magnetic head5and is disposed on the upstream side with respect to the magnetic gap in the front and rear direction.

Further, the third inclined side face part12dand the second side face part12ein this embodiment is a turning prevention part for preventing turning of the information recording medium2with the upper and lower direction as an axial direction when the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other.

(Principal Effects in this Embodiment)

As described above, in the information reading device1in this embodiment, an information recording medium2is guided by the second inclined side face part12cso that the tip end2dof the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3from the upstream side to the downstream side is abutted with the inclined part5aof the magnetic head5. Further, when the information recording medium2is further moved from the upstream side to the downstream side, turning of the information recording medium2with the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cas a turning center is restricted by the first side face part11f, and the third inclined side face part12dand/or the second side face part12e. In addition, the magnetic head5is urged by the urging mechanism20to a direction in which the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other and the information recording medium2has a predetermined rigidity.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other as described above, mutually pressing forces are generated between the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5. Accordingly, in this embodiment, magnetic information recorded on the information recording medium2can be appropriately read by the magnetic head5without a spacing loss.

Especially in this embodiment, the tip end of the magnetic head5where the magnetic gap is formed is disposed on the slightly right side in the right and left direction with respect to the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12c. Further, in this embodiment, the magnetic head5is held by the urging mechanism20so as to be capable of swinging with the front and rear direction as an axial direction and so as to be capable of swinging in the right and left direction with the fixed pin16as a center. Therefore, the information recording medium2and the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5are surely abutted with each other to eliminate a spacing loss and thus magnetic information recorded on the information recording medium2can be appropriately read by the magnetic head5.

In this embodiment, the guide part which is structured of the first side face part11fand the second inclined side face part12cis not disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5and is disposed on the upstream side with respect to the magnetic gap in the front and rear direction. In other words, a mechanism for eliminating a spacing loss is not disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap. Therefore, in this embodiment, the scanner6can be disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap and, as a result, a degree of freedom in design can be enhanced.

Further, since the scanner6can be disposed at a position facing the magnetic gap, the size of the information reading device1can be reduced in the front and rear direction. Further, reading accuracy of image can be prevented from lowering due to variation of a passing speed of the information recording medium2when the tip end2dof the information recording medium2begins to contact with the magnetic head5or, when the rear end2cof the information recording medium2comes out from the magnetic head5.

In this embodiment, the left end12hof the upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12dis disposed on the right side with respect to the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cand to the left end face of the optical transparent member8in the right and left direction. Therefore, the tip end2dof the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3can be prevented from being caught by the left end12hof the upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12d.

In this embodiment, the left end face of the optical transparent member8is disposed on the right side with respect to the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cin the right and left direction. Further, in this embodiment, even when a turning force is applied to the information recording medium2with the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cas a turning center before the tip end2dof the information recording medium2is reached to the third inclined side face part12d, the first side face part11fis formed so that the information recording medium2is not abutted with the optical transparent member8or, so that even when abutted, the information recording medium2is abutted with the optical transparent member8with a small abutting force so as not to occur scratches. Therefore, the optical transparent member8can be prevented from being scratched due to contact of the information recording medium2with the optical transparent member8.

In this embodiment, in a state that the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are not abutted with each other, a predetermined gap space is formed between the tip end of the magnetic head5and the optical transparent member8in the right and left direction. Therefore, the optical transparent member8can be prevented from being scratched due to contact of the magnetic head5with the optical transparent member8.

In this embodiment, a gap space which is formed between the tip end of the magnetic head5and the left end face of the optical transparent member8when an information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are not abutted with each other is set to be smaller than a sum of a minimum thickness of the information recording medium2, which is used in the information reading device1, and a depth of field of the scanner6. Therefore, magnetic information can be appropriately read by surely abutting the information recording medium2with the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5and an image on the information recording medium2can be appropriately acquired by the scanner6.

In this embodiment, a distance “L1” in the front and rear direction between the magnetic gap which is formed at the tip end of the magnetic head5and the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cis set to be shorter than a distance “L2” between a rear end of a magnetic information recording area2bon the information recording medium2and the rear end2cof the information recording medium2in the front and rear direction. Therefore, when the rear end2cof the information recording medium2is passed through the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cand the rear end2cof the information recording medium2comes out from the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12c, the rear end of the magnetic information recording area2bhas been passed through the magnetic gap. Accordingly, reading accuracy of the magnetic information can be prevented from being lowered due to variation of a passing speed of the information recording medium2when the rear end2cof the information recording medium2comes out from the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12c.

In this embodiment, the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are attached to the opening/closing part11aand, when the opening/closing part11ais set to be in an opened state, the optical transparent member8of the scanner6is exposed. Therefore, even when the magnetic head5and the pad roller7are oppositely disposed to the scanner6, maintenance of the scanner6can be performed relatively easily.

In this embodiment, the magnetic head5is urged by the urging mechanism20in a direction that the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other, and the pad roller7is urged by the plate spring10in a direction that the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3and the pad roller7are abutted with each other and thus, the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3is pressed toward the scanner6by the magnetic head5and the pad roller7. Therefore, even when a width of the scanner6in the upper and lower direction is set to be wider than a width of the magnetic head5in the upper and lower direction and a width of the pad roller7, the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3can be passed within the depth of field of the scanner6in a predetermined range in the upper and lower direction. Accordingly, the image on the information recording medium2can be acquired appropriately by the scanner6. Especially, in this embodiment, since the scanner6is a contact type scanner, the depth of field is shallow and thus, unless the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3is appropriately pressed toward the scanner6, the scanner6is difficult to appropriately acquire the image of the information recording medium2. However, in this embodiment, the image of the information recording medium2can be appropriately acquired by the scanner6.

In this embodiment, a part of the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3is pressed toward the scanner6by the pad roller7. Therefore, even when the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3is pressed toward the scanner6by the pad roller7, the information recording medium2can be smoothly passed through the medium passage3.

In this embodiment, the plate spring10for urging the pad roller7is structured separately from the urging mechanism20which urges the magnetic head5. Therefore, the urging mechanism20is not required to urge the pad roller7. Accordingly, when the structure of the urging mechanism20is to be taken into consideration, followability of the magnetic head5to the information recording medium2, an abutting force of the magnetic head5with the information recording medium2and the like may be required to be taken into consideration without considering the structure for urging the pad roller7. As a result, in this embodiment, the information recording medium2and the magnetic gap can be surely abutted with each other by making the magnetic head5follow the information recording medium2through the urging mechanism20. Further, when the structure of the plate spring10is to be taken into consideration, an abutting force of the pad roller7with the information recording medium2, followability of the pad roller7to the information recording medium2and the like may be required to be taken into consideration without considering the structure for urging the magnetic head5. Therefore, the information recording medium2and the pad roller7can be surely abutted with each other by making the pad roller7follow the information recording medium2through the plate spring10. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3can be further appropriately pressed toward the scanner6by the magnetic head5and the pad roller7and, as a result, an image on the information recording medium2can be further appropriately acquired by the scanner6.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a specific embodiment, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

In the embodiment described above, the upstream side of the left side face of the second side wall part12with respect to the scanner6is structured of the first side face part12a, the first inclined side face part12band the second inclined side face part12c. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, as shown inFIG. 10(A), a side face part12jwhich is formed in a flat-like face so as to be substantially parallel to the front and rear direction may be formed instead of the second inclined side face part12c. In this case, the information recording medium2is guided by the side face part12jso that the tip end2dof the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3from the upstream side toward the downstream side is abutted with the inclined part5aof the magnetic head5. Further, in this case, the side face part12jis the second guide part which is formed in the second side wall part12.

Further, as shown inFIG. 10(B), the upstream side of the left side face of the second side wall part12with respect to the scanner6may be structured of a side face part12k, which is formed in a flat-like face so as to be substantially parallel to the front and rear direction and is disposed on the upstream side, and an inclined side face part12mwhich is formed in a flat-like face so as to be inclined on the left side toward the downstream side and is disposed on the downstream side. In this case, the information recording medium2is guided by the inclined side face part12mso that the tip end2dof the information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3from the upstream side toward the downstream side is abutted with the inclined part5aof the magnetic head5. Further, in this case, the inclined side face part12mis the second guide part which is formed in the second side wall part12.

In the embodiment described above, the information reading device1is provided with the urging mechanism20for urging the magnetic head5in a direction in which the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the information reading device1may be provided with an urging mechanism for urging the second inclined side face part12cin a direction in which the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other instead of using the urging mechanism20or together with the urging mechanism20. In other words, the information reading device1may be provided with an urging mechanism for urging the second inclined side face part12ctoward the left side. Further, the information reading device1may be provided with an urging mechanism for urging the second side face part11hin a direction in which the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other. In other words, the information reading device1may be provided with an urging mechanism for urging the second side face part11htoward the right side.

Further, the information reading device1may be provided with a roller, which is disposed on the upstream side with respect to the magnetic head5disposed on the right side face of the first side wall part11and/or on the upstream side with respect to the scanner6disposed on the left side face of the second side wall part12so that the roller is abutted with an information recording medium2and, in addition, the information reading device1may be provided with an urging mechanism for urging the roller in a direction so that the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other. In this case, the roller functions as a guide part for guiding the information recording medium2so that, when the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5are abutted with each other, mutually pressing forces are applied to the information recording medium2and the magnetic head5.

In the embodiment described above, the first side face part11fwhich is the first guide part is integrally formed with the first side wall part11and the second inclined side face part12cwhich is the second guide part is integrally formed with the second side wall part12. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the first guide part may be separately formed from the first side wall part11and the first guide part may be attached to the first side wall part11. Further, the second guide part may be separately formed from the second side wall part12and the second guide part may be attached to the second side wall part12. In this case, for example, a second guide part which is formed of metal may be attached to the second side wall part12. According to this structure, abrasion of the second guide part can be restrained. Further, damage of the scanner6due to static electricity can be prevented by discharging an information recording medium2charged with electricity through the second guide part which is made of metal. Therefore, in this case, the discharge electrode22is not required to be disposed and the structure of the information reading device1can be simplified. In this case, for example, the second side wall part12may be formed of conductive resin and a second guide part made of metal may be grounded through the second side wall part12. Alternatively, the second guide part made of metal may be grounded through a cable.

In the embodiment described above, the tip end of the magnetic head5where a magnetic gap is formed is disposed on a slightly right side with respect to the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cin the right and left direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the tip end of the magnetic head5may be disposed at a substantially same position as the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cin the right and left direction. Further, in a case that an information recording medium2is relatively thick and its rigidity is relatively high, the tip end of the magnetic head5may be disposed on a left side with respect to the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cin the right and left direction.

In the embodiment described above, the opening/closing part11ais turned with the rear end side as a turning center to be in a closed state or an opened state with respect to the second side wall part12. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the opening/closing part11amay be in a closed state or an opened state with respect to the second side wall part12by sliding in a predetermined direction or the like. Further, the opening/closing part11amay be detachably structured with respect to the fixed part11b. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first side wall part11is not provided with the opening/closing part11a.

In the embodiment described above, in order to prevent the tip end2dof an information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3from being caught by the left end12hof the upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12d, the left end12hof the upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12dis disposed on the right side in the right and left direction with respect to the left end12gof the downstream side end of the second inclined side face part12cand the left end face of the optical transparent member8. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in order to prevent the tip end2dof an information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3from being caught by the left end12hof the upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12d, a left end portion of the upstream side end of the third inclined side face part12dmay be formed in a comb-like shape.

In the embodiment described above, the pad roller7is disposed so as to be adjacent to the magnetic head5as a pressing member for pressing an information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3toward the scanner6. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, instead of using the pad roller7, a block-like member such as a dummy head having a superior sliding property may be disposed so as to be adjacent to the magnetic head5. Further, instead of using the pad roller7, a spring member or the like for pressing an information recording medium2passing through the medium passage3toward the scanner6may be disposed so as to be adjacent to the magnetic head5.

In the embodiment described above, the plate spring10for urging the pad roller7is separately provided from the urging mechanism20. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the urging mechanism20may be provided with a function for urging the pad roller7without using the plate spring10.

In the embodiment described above, the contact type scanner6is disposed at a position facing the magnetic head5. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a reduction optical type scanner may be disposed at a position facing the magnetic head5. Further, an optical type sensor such as a photo interrupter may be disposed at a position facing the magnetic head5. Further, other various mechanisms may be disposed at a position facing the magnetic head5. Further, a space may be provided without providing anything between the second inclined side face part12cand the third inclined side face part12dat a position facing the magnetic head5(more specifically, position facing the magnetic gap of the magnetic head5).