Embossed card reader

Claim 1

A code reader for reading embossed cards, said cards being encoded with raised impressions projecting from the upper surface thereof and having corresponding depressions on the lower surface thereof, said raised impressions being disposed in first and second longitudinal rows on said cards, the information carried by said cards being correlated with the spacing of said impressions along said rows from an edge of said cards, said code reader comprising: means for receiving said cards and for guiding said cards longitudinally; first and second engaging feelers disposed beneath said cards in alignment with said first and second longitudinal rows, said feelers being adapted to engage depressions in the undersurface of said cards; first spring means urging said feelers toward said cards; second spring means including a member in abutment with said feelers for normally preventing said feelers from entering the depressions in said cards; edge sensing means disposed in the path of movement of said cards and shiftable by engagement with a card for disengaging said second spring means from said feelers, whereby said feelers are freed to enter said depressions; means slidably mounting said feelers for movement parallel to the path of movement of said cards, each of said feelers being shifted longitudinally a distance corresponding to the relative position on the card of the depression engaged by said feeler; and first and second switches, each switch including a plurality of stationary contacts and a movable contact, said movable contact being carried by said associated feeler.