Patent ID: 8226002

Claim:
A magnetic card reader that reads data recorded in a magnetic card by inserting the magnetic card in a card travel groove in a travel direction and manually causing the magnetic card to travel along the card travel groove, wherein a static elimination member and a cleaning member are disposed at a location before a magnetic head in a direction of travel of the magnetic card, in a manner protruding into the card travel groove, wherein said static elimination member has conductivity, and is fixed to one of side walls forming the card travel groove at a before-magnetic head travel portion closer to where the magnetic card is inserted than a magnetic card reader unit provided with the magnetic head, in a manner protruding into the card travel groove through an opening formed in the one of the side walls, and said cleaning member is attached to a surface of a side of the static elimination member, which protrudes into the card travel groove, and has conductivity, and wherein a magnetic card reader fixing bracket is arranged on a rear side of said static elimination member, and said static elimination member is electrically connected to said magnetic card reader fixing bracket in response to an operation for causing the magnetic card to travel in the before-magnetic head travel portion, causing said static elimination member to be retracted from the card travel groove.