Modularized card reader

Claim 1

A card reader for transporting a punch card comprising: A. a card transport module including: 1. a first base plate including a plurality of apertures positioned in spaced relationship with respect to one another so as to provide for integration with a pick push module, 2. card input means attached to said first base plate and being capable of holding at least one card, 3. a fixed, rectangular wait station having a surface for supporting said card fed from said card input means, said wait station located on said first base plate for providing visual identification and checking of said card, said wait station surrounded by said plurality of apertures, 4. drive rolls attached to the underside of said base plate and extending through a first aperture of said plurality of apertures on said first base plate, said first aperture positioned between said card input means and said wait station, 5. a leaf spring connected to said card input means and cooperating with said drive rolls for propelling said card onto said wait station, said leaf spring applying a normal force to said card so as to direct said card into contact with said drive rollers, 6. said plurality of apertures surrounding said wait station including: 7. a second aperture positioned adjacent a first side of said wait station, 8. a third aperture positioned adjacent a second side of said wait station, said third aperture providing ease of removal of said card from said wait station, 9. a fourth aperture positioned adjacent a third side of said wait station, said fourth aperture opposite said second aperture, 10. a fifth aperture positioned between a fourth side of said wait station and said card input means, B. said pick push module including: 1. a second base plate, 2. picker knives mounted on said second base by means of first flexures, said picker knives cooperatively mating with said fifth aperture to provide motion in a first direction to said card, 3. a pusher arm mounted on said second base plate by means of second flexures, said pusher arm disposed adjacent said wait station and cooperatively mating with said first plate via said second aperture, said arm aligned with said card located on said wait station for contacting said arm with said card and providing motion in a second direction to said card, 4. motor means having eccentric couplings attached thereto, said motor means attached to said second base plate and providing for sequential movement of said picker knives and said pusher arm, 5. a plurality of flexure rods attached to said eccentric couPling, 6. one of said flexure rods connected to said picker knives and providing motion in said first direction, 7. another of said flexure rods connected to said pusher arm and providing motion in a second direction; C. a plurality of vertically extending posts connecting said card transport module with said pick push module, said posts vertically and spatially positioning said drive rolls with respect to said first base plate and said first aperture, said picker knives with respect to said first base plate and said second aperture and said pusher arm with respect to said first base plate and said third aperture; and D. a pair of pinch rolls mating with said fourth aperture, said pinch rolls having their contact loci within the same plane as said first base plate, whereby said card transport module and said card drive module are separable from each other for serviceability purposes.