Card reader

In a card reader (1), if a shutter member (10), being located at a block position for blocking a card transfer path (3), rotates toward a deep side of the card reader, the shutter member moves to an open position. In a part within a surface of a side of the card transfer path in a thickness direction of the card (2), at a side deeper than the shutter member, there are formed only an open part (31) and an open part (32); the open part being for preventing an interference of the shutter member, rotating toward the open position, with the main body frame (4), as well as ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path; the open part being for preventing an interference of a movable component (21), placed so as to face the card transfer path, with the main body frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Japan application serial no. 2018-095935, filed on May 18, 2018. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a card reader that executes reading data recorded in a card and recording data into a card.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, known is a manual card reader with which reading data recorded in a card and recording data into a card are carried out (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). A card reader described in Patent Document 1 is a card reader of a so-called dip type. In the card reader, there is formed a card transfer path through which a card moves. Meanwhile, the card reader includes a frame with which the card transfer path is formed, an IC contact block having a plurality of IC contact springs, and a magnetic head.

In the card reader described in Patent Document 1, there is shaped a cutout part that is cut out so as to enable a user to insert and extract a card, at a front end side part of the frame. The cutout part is cut out from a front end toward a back side in the frame, and a protruding part is formed at both sides of the cutout part. The magnetic head is fixed to one of two protruding parts. The IC contact block is fixed to the frame at a side located deeper than the cutout part. Meanwhile, the IC contact block is placed in such a way as to face the card transfer path, from one side of the card transfer path, in a thickness direction of a card that moves through the card transfer path.

In the card reader described in Patent Document 1, there is shaped an open part in order to prevent the IC contact block and the frame from interfering with each other, in a surface at one side of the card transfer path in a card thickness direction. In the meantime, there is shaped a comparatively large open part at a position, located deeper than the cutout part, in a surface at the other side of the card transfer path in the card thickness direction. In the case of the card reader described in Patent Document 1, by making use of the comparatively large open part shaped in the surface at the other side of the card transfer path in the card thickness direction, it is possible to eject a foreign object, having entered the card transfer path through a card insertion slot, out of the card transfer path.

Furthermore, conventionally known is a card reader of a card transfer type, with which reading data recorded in a card and recording data into a card are carried out (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). In the card reader described in Patent Document 2, there is formed a card transfer path through which a card is transferred. The card reader includes a shutter member that is movable between a position for blocking the card transfer path and a position for opening the card transfer path, an IC contact block having a plurality of IC contact springs, and a magnetic head.

Moreover, the card reader described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a capacitance sensor for detecting a foreign object having been installed in the card transfer path. The capacitance sensor is placed at a side deeper than the shutter member, in the card reader. In the case of the card reader described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to detect a skimming device having been installed inside the card reader by use of the capacitance sensor; the skimming device being for a criminal to illegally read data recorded in a card.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-219971

SUMMARY

In the case of the card reader described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that a skimming device is installed inside the card reader, by making use of the comparatively large open part shaped in the surface at the other side of the card transfer path in the card thickness direction. For preventing the skimming device from being installed inside the card reader described in Patent Document 1, in order to protect data from illegally reading by use of the skimming device; what is needed is to block the open part shaped in the surface at the other side of the card transfer path. Unfortunately, if the open part is blocked, it becomes difficult to eject a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, out of the card transfer path. Moreover, if such a particle dust in the card transfer path is not ejected so as to remain in the card transfer path, there appears a risk that a move of the card is disturbed so that the card reader cannot be used.

Then, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a card reader with which a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, can be ejected out of a card transfer path, and in the meantime, it easily becomes possible to prevent a skimming device from being installed inside the card reader; and even in a case where a skimming device is installed inside the card reader, it still becomes possible to protect data from illegally reading by use of the skimming device.

In order to bring a solution for the subject described above; a card reader according to the present invention is a card reader for carrying out at least one of reading data recorded in a card and recording data into the card; the card reader comprises: a main body frame in which a card transfer path for moving the card is formed; a shutter member that can rotate between a block position for blocking the card transfer path, and an open position for opening the card transfer path; and a movable component that is placed at a position of a side deeper than the shutter member in the card reader, and placed so as to face the card transfer path, in order to carry out predetermined operation; wherein, the shutter member is rotatable with respect to a rotating axis in a widthwise direction of the card, the widthwise direction being perpendicular to both a moving direction of the card moving through the card transfer path, and a thickness direction of the card moving through the card transfer path; if the shutter member, being located at the block position, rotates toward a deep side, the shutter member moves to the open position; and in a part within a surface of a side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card, at a side deeper than the shutter member, there are formed only a first open part and a second open part, and no other open part except the first open part and the second open part is formed; the first open part being for preventing an interference of the shutter member, rotating toward the open position, with the main body frame, as well as ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path; the second open part being for preventing an interference of the movable component with the main body frame.

According to the present invention, it is preferable that the card reader comprises; an IC contact block including a plurality of IC contact springs that contacts an external connection terminal of an IC chip, which is formed on a surface of one side of the card, and a supporting member that contacts a surface of the other side of the card, and supports the card, in order to make the external connection terminal and the IC contact springs contact each other with a predetermined contact pressure, the IC contact block and the supporting member being as the movable component; the second open part, for preventing an interference of the supporting member with the main body frame, is formed in a surface of one side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card; and the second open part, for preventing an interference of the IC contact block with the main body frame, is formed in a surface of the other side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card.

In order to bring a solution for the subject described above; a card reader according to the present invention is a card reader for carrying out at least one of reading data recorded in a card and recording data into the card, the card reader comprising: a main body frame in which a card transfer path for moving the card is formed; and a shutter member that can rotate between a block position for blocking the card transfer path, and an open position for opening the card transfer path; wherein, the shutter member is rotatable with respect to a rotating axis in a widthwise direction of the card, the widthwise direction being perpendicular to both a moving direction of the card moving through the card transfer path, and a thickness direction of the card moving through the card transfer path; if the shutter member, being located at the block position, rotates toward a deep side of the card reader, the shutter member moves to the open position; and in a part within a surface of a side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card, at a side deeper than the shutter member, there is formed only a first open part, and no other open part except the first open part is formed; the first open part being for preventing an interference of the shutter member, rotating toward the open position, with the main body frame, as well as ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path.

In the card reader according to the present invention; in the part within the surface of a side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card, at the side deeper than the shutter member, there is formed the first open part that is for preventing an interference of the shutter member, rotating toward the open position, with the main body frame, as well as ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path. Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to eject a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, out of the card transfer path by making use of the first open part.

Furthermore, according to the present invention; in the part within the surface of a side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card, at the side deeper than the shutter member, there are formed only the second open part and the first open part, and no other open part except the first open part and the second open part is formed; the second open part being for preventing an interference of the movable component with the main body frame. Alternatively, according to the present invention; in the part within the surface of a side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card, at the side deeper than the shutter member, there is formed only the first open part, and no other open part except the first open part is formed. Therefore, according to the present invention, it easily becomes possible to prevent a skimming device from being installed inside the card reader;

Moreover, according to the present invention; the first open part, for ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path, also plays a role in prevention of an interference of the shutter member, rotating toward the open position, with the main body frame; and therefore, in a case where a skimming device is installed in the first open part, the shutter member, rotating toward the open position, interferes with the skimming device so that the shutter member does not rotate to the open position. Therefore, according to the present invention; in case of a skimming device having been installed in the first open part, if a card is inserted into the card reader, the shutter member does not rotate from the block position to the open position so that it becomes impossible to accept the card into the card reader. As a result of that, in the present invention, even in a case where a skimming device is installed inside the card reader, it still becomes possible to protect data from illegally reading by use of the skimming device.

Thus, according to the present invention; a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, can be ejected out of a card transfer path, and in the meantime, it easily becomes possible to prevent a skimming device from being installed inside the card reader; and even in a case where a skimming device is installed inside the card reader, it still becomes possible to protect data from illegally reading by use of the skimming device. Furthermore, in the present invention, the first open part for prevention of an interference of the shutter member, rotating toward the open position, with the main body frame, also plays a role in ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path; and the first open part is formed immediately next to the shutter member at a deep side. Therefore, according to the present invention, a particle dust having entered through the card insertion slot can be ejected out of the card transfer path, at the deep side immediately next to the shutter member.

According to the present invention, it is preferable that the main body frame comprises; a shutter member holding part that holds the shutter member in such a way as to be rotatable, and a guiding part that makes up a part of a surface of one side of the card transfer path in the thickness direction of the card, and that is placed at a side deeper than the shutter member; and the first open part is formed between the shutter member holding part and the guiding part.

According to the present invention, it is preferable that, at a front end part of the guiding part, there is shaped a slope surface which is sloped in such a way that; the more frontward a position is located, the further the position is departed from the card transfer path. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to prevent an end part of the card, moving toward a deep side of the first open part, from being caught at the front end part of the guiding part.

According to the present invention, it is preferable that the main body frame comprises a second guiding part that makes up the surface of the other side of the card transfer path, in the thickness direction of the card, and both side surfaces of the card transfer path, in the widthwise direction of the card; and the guiding part is formed as a component being separate from the second guiding part, and fixed to the second guiding part. According to this configuration; for example, in the case of the card reader, in which the guiding part is not mounted, being already installed in a market, it becomes possible to additionally mount the guiding part in the card reader.

According to the present invention, it is preferable that the card reader is provided with a capacitance sensor to be placed at a side deeper than the shutter member; the guiding part is formed of resin; and the capacitance sensor is fixed to the guiding part. According to this configuration; if a skimming device is installed inside the card reader by any chance, it becomes possible by use of the capacitance sensor to detect the skimming device having been installed.

According to the present invention; it is preferable that, provided that a part of the shutter member located at the open position; the part being placed inside the first open part; is represented as an open-part placement portion, a maximum width of the first open part in the moving direction of the card is 1.3 through 2 times as large as a width of the open-part placement portion in the moving direction of the card. In the opinion based on an examination by the inventor of the present invention; according to this configuration, it easily becomes possible to effectively prevent an installation of a skimming device to the first open part, and it easily becomes possible to eject a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, out of the card transfer path, by making use of the first open part.

According to the present invention; it is preferable that, in a part within a side surface of the card transfer path in the widthwise direction of the card, at a side deeper than the shutter member, there is shaped a third open part for ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path. According to this configuration; in the case where the card reader is installed in such a way that the widthwise direction of the card becomes consistent with a perpendicular direction, it becomes possible to eject a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, out of the card transfer path, by making use of the third open part. Incidentally, a width in a card thickness direction of the third open part, shaped in the side surface of the card transfer path, in the widthwise direction of the card, is narrow so that it is difficult to install a skimming device inside the card reader, by making use of the third open part.

As described above, with respect to the card reader according to the present invention; a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, can be ejected out of a card transfer path; and in the meantime, it easily becomes possible to prevent a skimming device from being installed inside the card reader; and even in a case where a skimming device is installed inside the card reader, it still becomes possible to protect data from illegally reading by use of the skimming device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(General Configuration of Card Reader)

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a card reader1according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a bottom plan view of the card reader1shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a perspective view showing a state in which a second frame15is removed from the card reader1shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a plan view showing a state in which a bezel5and the like are removed from the card reader1shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 5is a cross sectional view taken along a line ‘E-E’ inFIG. 2.FIG. 6is a cross sectional view showing a state in which a shutter member10shown inFIG. 5has moved to an open position10B.

The card reader1according to the present embodiment is a device with which a user carries out at least one of reading data recorded in a card2and recording data into the card2by way of manually handling the card2; and the card reader1is a card reader of a so-called dip type. The card reader1is installed in a predetermined higher-level device (not illustrated) to be used there. Inside the card reader1, there is formed a card transfer path3through which the card2moves. The card reader1is provided with a main body frame4with which the card transfer path3is formed; and a bezel5(front side frame) in which a card insertion slot leading to the card transfer path3is shaped, the bezel to be fixed to the main body frame4.

Moreover, the card reader1is provided with an IC contact block6(refer toFIG. 4) including a plurality of IC contact springs, a magnetic head7, a lever member8(refer toFIG. 4) that prevents a card2, inserted into the card reader1, from being extracted, and a driving mechanism9for rotating the lever member8. Furthermore, the card reader1is provided with a shutter member10that can rotate between a block position10A (refer toFIG. 5) for blocking the card transfer path3, and the open position10B (refer toFIG. 6) for opening the card transfer path3.

In the present embodiment, the card2linearly moves in the card transfer path3, in an X-direction shown inFIG. 1and others. In other words, the X-direction is a moving direction of the card2that moves through the card transfer path3. Meanwhile, a Z-direction shown inFIG. 1and others, being perpendicular to the X-direction, is a thickness direction of the card2moving through the card transfer path3; and a Y-direction shown inFIG. 1and others, being perpendicular to the X-direction and the Z-direction, is a direction of a width of the card2that moves through the card transfer path3. In the present embodiment, the card reader1is placed, for example, in such a way that a perpendicular direction (vertical direction) becomes consistent with the thickness direction of the card2.

In the following explanation; the X-direction is represented as a front-back direction, the Y-direction is a right-and-left direction, and then the Z-direction is represented as a vertical direction. Moreover, a side of an X1-direction, which is one side in the front-back direction, is represented as a “rear (deep)” side, and a side of an X2-direction as its opposite side is a “front” side; and meanwhile, a side of a Y1-direction, which is one side in the right-and-left direction, is represented as a “right” side, and a side of an Y2-direction as its opposite side is a “left” side; and then, a side of a Z1-direction, which is one side in the vertical direction, is represented as an “upper” side, and a side of an Z2-direction as its opposite side is a “lower” side. In the present embodiment, the card insertion slot is shaped at a front end of the card reader1, and the card2is inserted into the card reader1toward a rear side. Then, the card2is extracted from the card reader1toward a front side.

The card2is a card made of polyvinyl chloride, which is shaped to be almost rectangular, having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. On a back side surface of the card2, there is formed a magnetic stripe in which magnetic data is recorded. Moreover, an IC chip is embedded in the card2; and meanwhile, on a top side surface of the card2, there is formed an external connection terminal of the IC chip. The card2is inserted into the card insertion slot, in a state where the top side surface of the card2faces an upper side and a longitudinal direction of the card2is consistent with a front-back direction.

The main body frame4is shaped like a flattened cuboid being nearly rectangular and thin in a vertical direction, as a whole. As shown inFIG. 4, a part of a front end side of the main body frame4is prepared as a cutout part4athat is cut out from a front end of the card reader1toward a deep side. The cutout part4ais shaped at a middle position in a right-and-left direction, at a front end side of the main body frame4; and at both sides of the cutout part4ain the right-and-left direction, there are shaped protrusion parts4band4c. A front end and a left end of the protrusion part4b, placed at a right-hand side, are shaped to be open in such a way that the card2can be inserted into the card reader1. Meanwhile, a front end and a right end of the protrusion part4c, placed at a left-hand side, are shaped to be open in such a way that the card2can be inserted into the card reader1.

Incidentally, the main body frame4includes a first frame14that makes up an upper side surface of the card transfer path3(a surface of the other side of the card transfer path3, in the thickness direction of the card2) and both side surfaces of the card transfer path3in the right-and-left direction (both side surfaces of the card transfer path3, in the widthwise direction of the card2); a second frame15that makes up a deep side part of a lower side surface (a surface of one side of the card transfer path3, in the thickness direction of the card2) of the card transfer path3; and a third frame16that makes up a front side part of the lower side surface of the card transfer path3. In the present embodiment, the first frame14makes up a rear side surface of the card transfer path3(refer toFIG. 5andFIG. 6).

The protrusion parts4band4care configured by use of a front side part of the first frame14and a front side part of the third frame16. The shutter member10is so supported as to be rotatable by the third frame16. The first frame14according to the present embodiment is a second guiding part, and the second frame15is a guiding part, and meanwhile the third frame16is a shutter member holding part. A specific configuration of the main body frame4is described later.

The bezel5is fixed to a front end side part of the main body frame4, in such a way as to cover the front end side part of the main body frame4. In the bezel5, there is shaped a cutout part5acorresponding to a shape of the cutout part4aof the main body frame4. The cutout part5ais shaped so as to enable a user to insert the card2and extract the card2; and incidentally, at a time when a front end (deep side end) of the card2inserted through the card insertion slot reaches a rear end side of the card transfer path3, an end of the card2; positioned at the front side of the card reader1; is located in the cutout part5a. In the meantime, a rear surface of the bezel5is made to be open, and the bezel5is fixed to the front end side part, from a front side.

The magnetic head7is fixed to the protrusion part4b. Moreover, the magnetic head7is fixed to the third frame16. The magnetic head7is placed in such a way that a magnetic gap of the magnetic head7faces the card transfer path3from a lower side. The magnetic head7is fixed to a leaf spring, which is not illustrated, so as to be biased upward by a biasing force of the leaf spring. If the card2is inserted into the card reader1, the magnetic head7touches the back side surface of the card2so as to move downward for a distance of a thickness of the card2. Meanwhile, if the card2is extracted, the magnetic head7moves upward for the distance of a thickness of the card2.

The IC contact block6is placed at a deep side part in the card reader1. The IC contact block6is placed at an upper side of the card transfer path3, in such a way that the IC contact springs face the card transfer path3from the upper side. Moreover, the IC contact block6is connected to the first frame14by the intermediary of a parallel link mechanism18(refer toFIG. 4), so as to move vertically while sliding in a front-back direction. The IC contact block6is biased toward a front side by a tension coil spring19(refer toFIG. 4).

According to the present embodiment; in association with operation for inserting the card2into a deep side of the card reader1, the IC contact block6moves downward while sliding to the deep side so that the plurality of IC contact springs contact the external connection terminal of the card2. Then, if the card2once inserted into the deep side is extracted to a front side, the IC contact block6moves upward while sliding to the front side, by a biasing force of the tension coil spring19, in such a way that the IC contact springs depart from the top side surface of the card2.

At a lower side of the IC contact block6, there is placed a supporting member21for making the external connection terminal of the card2and the IC contact springs contact each other with a predetermined contact pressure. The supporting member21is placed in such a way as to face the card transfer path3from a lower side. The supporting member21is supported by a rear end part of the first frame14, in such a way as to enable a rotation with respect to a rotating axis in a right-and-left direction. Incidentally, the supporting member21is able to rotate, by using a rear end part of the supporting member21as a rotation center, in relation to the first frame14. To the rear end part of the supporting member21, there is fixed one end of a tension coil spring that biases the rear end part of the supporting member21toward an upper side. The one end of the tension coil spring is engaged with the supporting member21, at a position of a side more backward than the rotation center of the supporting member21.

According to the present embodiment; in association with operation for inserting the card2into a deep side of the card reader1, a front end side of the supporting member21moves upward, being against a biasing force of the tension coil spring; and the supporting member21touches the back side surface (undersurface) of the card2so as to support the card2from a lower side, in such a way that the external connection terminal of the card2and the IC contact springs contact each other with the predetermined contact pressure. Then, if the card2once inserted into the deep side is extracted to the front side, the front end side of the supporting member21moves downward by the biasing force of the tension coil spring, so as to evacuate from the card transfer path3.

As described later, the shutter member10is placed at a position of a side more frontward than the IC contact block6and the supporting member21. In other words, the IC contact block6and the supporting member21are placed at positions of a side deeper than the shutter member10. The IC contact block6and the supporting member21in the present embodiment are movable components that are placed at the positions of the side deeper than the shutter member10, and placed so as to face the card transfer path3, in order to carry out predetermined operation.

The lever member8is supported by the first frame14so as to be rotatable with respect to a rotating axis in a right-and-left direction. The driving mechanism9is provided with a solenoid24, and a drive power transmission mechanism for transmitting a drive power from the solenoid24to the lever member8. A front end part of the lever member8is positioned at a front end side of the protrusion part4b. The lever member8is rotatable between; an extraction-blocked position where the front end part of the lever member8is placed inside the card transfer path3in order to block an extraction of the card2having been inserted; and an evacuation position where the front end part of the lever member8evacuates to an upper side from the card transfer path3so as to enable an extraction of the card2. Incidentally, the lever member8is biased toward the extraction-blocked position by a spring component such as a twisted coil spring and the like, and meanwhile the lever member8rotates from the extraction-blocked position to the evacuation position by use of a power of the solenoid24.

The shutter member10is rotatable with respect to a rotating axis in a right-and-left direction. As described above, the shutter member10is held by the third frame16so as to be rotatable. Specifically to describe, the shutter member10is held so as to be rotatable at a rear end part of the third frame16. The shutter member10is placed at a side deeper than the magnetic head7, and placed at a position of a side more frontward than the IC contact block6and the supporting member21. Moreover, the shutter member10is placed at a side deeper than the cutout part4a.

The shutter member10is provided with a shutter main part10afor blocking the card transfer path3, and two holding parts10bthat are held by the third frame16. The shutter main part10ais shaped to have an elongated form, being elongated in a right-and-left direction. A width of the shutter main part10ain a right-and-left direction is slightly narrower than a width of the card transfer path3in the right-and-left direction. The two holding parts10bare individually connected to both ends of the shutter main part10ain the right-and-left direction. In a state where the shutter member10is located at the block position10A, the holding parts10bare extended downward from the shutter main part10a; and meanwhile, a lower end part of the holding parts10bis held at a rear end part of the third frame16so as to be rotatable.

In the present embodiment; if the shutter member10, being located at the block position10A, rotates toward a deep side, the shutter member10moves to the open position10B. Specifically to describe; if the shutter member10, being located at the block position10A, rotates with respect to a lower end part of the shutter member10as a rotation center in such a way that an upper end part of the shutter member10moves to a deep side, the shutter member10moves to the open position10B.

Moreover, in the present embodiment; the shutter member10is biased toward the block position10A by a twisted coil spring; and then, in association with an insertion operation of the card2after the front end (deep side end) of the card2, being inserted toward a deep side of the card reader1, touches a front surface of the shutter main part10a, the shutter member10placed at the block position10A moves to the open position10B. In the meantime, if the card2once inserted into the deep side is extracted to a front side, the shutter member10placed at the open position10B moves to the block position10A.

Moreover, the card reader1is provided with a rotation restricting member25that restricts a rotation of the shutter member10being located at the block position10A. The rotation restricting member25is rotatable with respect to a rotating axis in a vertical direction. At a time when the card2is not inserted in the card reader1, the rotation restricting member25restricts a rotation of the shutter member10by way of engagement with an end of the shutter member10in a right-and-left direction, being located at the block position10A. If the card2having a regular width as its widthwise dimension is inserted into the card reader1, the rotation restricting member25rotates so as to cancel a state of an engagement between the rotation restricting member25and the shutter main part10a, in such a way as to lift restriction on the shutter member10. Incidentally, the rotation restricting member25is biased toward a position for the engagement with the shutter member10, by a predetermined spring component.

(General Configuration of the Main Body Frame)

As described above, the main body frame4is made up with the first frame14, the second frame15, and the third frame16. The first frame14, the second frame15, and the third frame16are individually formed as a separate component. Moreover, the first frame14, the second frame15, and the third frame16are formed of resin. The second frame15is fixed to the first frame14. Specifically to describe, the second frame15is fixed to a deep side part of the first frame14, by use of a screw30. The screw30is placed at a rear end part of the second frame15, in such a way as to be placed at both end parts at right and left sides of the second frame15.

In the first frame14, there is shaped an engagement groove14awith which a front end part of the second frame15engages. The engagement groove14ais shaped at both end sides at right and left sides of the first frame14. The engagement groove14arestricts a relative movement of the second frame15in relation to the first frame14in a vertical direction, a right-and-left direction, and a frontward direction. Incidentally, the third frame16is also fixed to a front side part of the first frame14, by use of a screw. Meanwhile, the second frame15may be made of metal.

As described above, the shutter member10is held so as to be rotatable, at the rear end part of the third frame16. The second frame15is placed at a side deeper than the shutter member10. Between the third frame16and the second frame15, there is formed an open part31in order to prevent an interference of the shutter member10, rotating toward the open position10B, with the main body frame4(specifically to describe, an interference of the shutter member10with the second frame15), and in order to eject a foreign object out of the card transfer path3.

In other words, the open part31is formed in a part within a lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10. Specifically to describe, in a front-back direction, there is formed a clearance between a rear end surface of the third frame16and a front end surface of the second frame15, and the clearance is the open part31. The open part31leads from a bottom surface of the main body frame4to the card transfer path3. The open part31in the present embodiment is a first open part.

The rear end surface of the third frame16is a plane perpendicular to a front-back direction. The front end surface of the second frame15is configured with a first front end surface15athat is flat, and nearly perpendicular to the front-back direction, and two second front end surfaces15b, being flat and leading to both ends at right and left sides of the first front end surface15a. Each of the second front end surfaces15bis a slope surface which is sloped in such a way that; the outer in a right-and-left direction a position is located, the more frontward the position is located. At a front end part of the second frame15, there is shaped a slope surface15cwhich is sloped in such a way that; the more frontward a position is located, the further downward the position is located. In other words, at the front end part of the second frame15, there is shaped the slope surface15cwhich is sloped in such a way that; the more frontward a position is located, the further the position is departed from the card transfer path3. Specifically to describe, the slope surface15cis shaped on a top surface at the front end part of the second frame15. A front end of the slope surface15cleads to an upper end of the first front end surface15a.

A width of the open part31in a right-and-left direction is wider than a width of the shutter main part10ain the right-and-left direction. Meanwhile, a width of the first front end surface15ain the right-and-left direction is almost equal to the width of the shutter main part10ain the right-and-left direction. As shown inFIG. 6, provided that a part of the shutter member10located at the open position10B; the part being placed inside the open part31; is represented as an open-part placement portion10c, a maximum width W1of the open part31in a front-back direction is 1.3 through 2 times as large as a width W2of the open-part placement portion10cin the front-back direction. In other words; the maximum width W1, which is a distance between the rear end surface of the third frame16and the first front end surface15ain the front-back direction, is 1.3 through 2 times as large as the width W2. In the present embodiment, the maximum width W1is approximately 1.5 times as large as the width W2.

In the first frame14, there is formed an open part32in order to prevent an interference of the IC contact block6with the main body frame4(specifically to describe, the interference of the IC contact block6with the first frame14). In other words; in a part within an upper side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10, there is formed the open part32. The open part32penetrates through the first frame14in a vertical direction, so as to lead from a top surface of the main body frame4to the card transfer path3. Size of the open part32is made to be a minimum required for causing no interference of the IC contact block6, moving vertically while sliding in a front-back direction, with the first frame14. The open part32in the present embodiment is a second open part.

In the second frame15, there is formed an open part33in order to prevent an interference of the supporting member21with the main body frame4(specifically to describe, the interference of the supporting member21with the second frame15). In other words; in a part within a lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10, there is formed the open part33. The open part33penetrates through the second frame15in a vertical direction, so as to lead from a bottom surface of the main body frame4to the card transfer path3. Size of the open part33is made to be a minimum required for causing no interference of the supporting member21, rotating with respect to a rear end part as a rotation center, with the second frame15. The open part33in the present embodiment is a second open part.

In the present embodiment; in the parts within both the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10, there are formed only the open part31through the open part33. In other words; no other open part except the open part31through the open part33is formed in the parts within both the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10, so that all portion except the open part31through the open part33is blocked (filled up) in the parts within both the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10. Incidentally, at a front end part of the third frame16, there is formed an open part34where a top end part of the magnetic head7is placed. The open part34penetrates the third frame16in a vertical direction. Furthermore, at a front end part of the first frame14, there is formed an open part where the front end part of the lever member8is placed. This open part penetrates the first frame14in the vertical direction.

In a part within a side surface of the first frame14in a right-and-left direction, at a side deeper than the shutter member10, there is shaped an open part35for ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path3. Namely, in the part within the side surface of the card transfer path3in the right-and-left direction, at the side deeper than the shutter member10, there is shaped the open part35. The open part35is shaped, for example, in a left side surface of the first frame14. The open part35penetrates the first frame14in the right-and-left direction so as to lead from the left side surface of the main body frame4to the card transfer path3. Meanwhile, the open part35is shaped like a rectangular bore, being elongated so as to be rectangular in a front-back direction. The open part35in the present embodiment is a third open part.

Primary Advantageous Effect of the Present Embodiment

As explained above, in the present embodiment; the open part31is formed in the part within the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at the side deeper than the shutter member10; in order to prevent an interference of the shutter member10, rotating toward the open position10B, with the second frame15; and in order to eject a foreign object out of the card transfer path3. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to eject a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, out of the card transfer path3, by making use of the open part31.

In the present embodiment; in the parts within both the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at the side deeper than the shutter member10, there are formed only the open part31through the open part33, and no open part except the open part31through the open part33is formed there. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it easily becomes possible to prevent a skimming device from being installed inside the card reader1. Incidentally, a width in the vertical direction of the open part35, shaped in the left side surface of the card transfer path3, is so narrow that it is difficult to install a skimming device inside the card reader1by making use of the open part35, even though the open part35is shaped in the left side surface of the card transfer path3.

In the present embodiment; the open part31, for ejecting a foreign object out of the card transfer path3, also plays a role in prevention of an interference of the shutter member10, rotating toward the open position10B, with the second frame15. Therefore, according to the present embodiment; in a case where a skimming device is installed in the open part31, the shutter member10, rotating toward the open position10B, interferes with the skimming device so that the shutter member10does not rotate to the open position10B. Therefore, according to the present embodiment; in case of a skimming device having been installed in the open part31, if the card2is inserted into the card reader1, the shutter member10does not rotate from the block position10A to the open position10B so that it becomes impossible to accept the card2into the card reader1. As a result of that, in the present embodiment, even in a case where a skimming device is installed inside the card reader1, it still becomes possible to protect data from illegally reading by use of the skimming device.

In the present embodiment; the maximum width W1of the open part31in the front-back direction is 1.3 through 2 times as large as the width W2of the open-part placement portion10cin the front-back direction. Therefore, according to an examination by the inventor of the present invention, it easily becomes possible to effectively prevent an installation of a skimming device to the open part31, and it easily becomes possible to eject a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, out of the card transfer path3, by making use of the open part31. Moreover, in the present embodiment; since the open part31is formed immediately next to the shutter member10at a deep side, a particle dust having entered through the card insertion slot can be ejected out of the card transfer path3, at the deep side immediately next to the shutter member10.

In the present embodiment; at the front end part of the second frame15, there is shaped the slope surface15cwhich is sloped in such a way that; the more frontward a position is located, the further downward the position is located. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to prevent the front end (deep side end) of the card2, moving toward a deep side of the open part31, from being caught at the front end part of the second frame15. Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the second frame15is formed as a separate component being independent from the first frame14, and then fixed to the first frame14; and therefore, for example, in the case of the card reader1, in which the second frame15is not mounted, being already installed in a market, it becomes possible to additionally mount the second frame15in the card reader1.

Other Embodiments

Described above is an example of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various variations and modifications may be made without changing the concept of the present invention.

In the embodiment described above, the card reader1may be provided with a capacitance sensor40to be placed at a side deeper than the shutter member10(refer to a component shown with a two-dot chain line inFIG. 2). In such a case, the capacitance sensor40is fixed to the second frame15made of resin. The capacitance sensor40is fixed, for example, to a bottom surface of the second frame15. In this case, if a skimming device is installed inside the card reader1, it becomes possible by use of the capacitance sensor40to detect the skimming device having been installed.

In the embodiment described above, the card reader1may not be provided with the IC contact block6and the supporting member21. In that case, the open part32and the open part33are not formed in the main body frame4. Namely, in that case, only the open part31is formed in the part within both the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at the side deeper than the shutter member10, and no open part other than the open part31is formed. Even in this case, the same effect can be obtained as it is in the embodiment described above.

In the embodiment described above, the magnetic head7may be placed at a side deeper than the shutter member10. In this case, there is formed an open part in the second frame15, in order to prevent an interference of the magnetic head7with the second frame15. In other words, in a part within the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10; there is formed the open part, in order to prevent an interference of the magnetic head7with the main body frame4. The magnetic head7in this case is a movable component, and the open part formed in the second frame15is a second open part.

Though the card reader1in the embodiment described above is a manual card reader, the card reader to which the present embodiment is applied may be a card reader of a card-transfer type, which includes a transfer mechanism for the card2. For example, in this case, a driving roller and a pad roller for transferring the card2are placed at a side deeper than the shutter member10, and placed so as to face the card transfer path3. Meanwhile, the driving roller and the pad roller rotate at a time of transferring the card2.

Furthermore, in this case; in a part within either one of the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10; there is formed an open part in order to prevent an interference of the driving roller with the main body frame4; and meanwhile, in a part within the other one of the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3, at a side deeper than the shutter member10; there is formed an open part in order to prevent an interference of the pad roller with the main body frame4. The driving roller and the pad roller in this case are movable components, and the open parts formed in the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the card transfer path3are second open parts.

In the embodiment described above, the maximum width W1of the open part31in the front-back direction may be less than 1.3 times or more than two times the size of the width W2of the open-part placement portion10cin the front-back direction. Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the first frame14and the second frame15may be shaped as a single component. For example, the first frame14and the second frame15may integrally be formed. Furthermore, the first frame14and the third frame16may be shaped as a single component, and still further the second frame15and the third frame16may be shaped as a single component.

In the embodiment described above, the card reader1may be installed in such a way that a left side surface of the card reader1faces downward. In such a case, it becomes possible to eject a foreign object, such as a particle dust and the like, out of the card transfer path3, by making use of the open part35. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the card2may be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, or a paper card and the like having a predetermined thickness.