Card feeding station

In card handling apparatus:

• a feed station adapted to receive a stack of cards, card transport means including a feed roll having a cylindrical friction surface, means for feathering said cards towards said feed roll to present the leading edge of successive cards to said feed roll, drive means for continuously rotating said feed roll, pressure applying means adjacent to said feed roll for engaging the leading edge of successive cards and pressuring said cards into frictional engagement with said surface of said feed roll, feed means operable independently of said drive means normally holding the leading edge of said cards and said pressure applying means in positions at which cards are out of frictional contact with said feed roll, and means for operating said feed means to allow said pressure applying means to press said cards successively into engagement with said feed roll, said feed roll having a peripheral groove, said feed means including a plate mounted for pivotal movement on an axis transverse to said cards, said plate having a portion extending into said groove for normally holding said cards out of frictional engagement with said feed roll, said plate being operable by said operating means to move said portion of said plate into said groove to enable frictional engagement of the card adjacent to said plate with said feed roll.