Optical system support and positioning device for use in an optical reading apparatus

Claim 1

In an optical system support and positioning device for use in an apparatus for optically reading information, comprising an optical system for providing a reading optical beam, positioning means for moving said optical system in the direction of the optical axis thereof and in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of said optical axis, and a support element for supporting said optical system movable in the direction of said optical axis and said second direction to maintain said optical axis perpendicular to said recording surface, said support element including a pair of cantilevered flexible members having fixed first ends with said flexible members being adapted to flex in said second direction, an intermediate section extending between second ends of said flexible members, and a pair of substantially parallel support members having first ends fixed to said intermediate section and second ends movably supporting said optical system to be movable only in the direction of said optical axis, wherein the improvement comprises the distance between said fixed first ends of said support members being greater than the distance between said second ends.