Gear-driven card transport device

A card transport device for moving a data-bearing card in a preselected direction past a reading, writing or other communication head during a data reading or writing operation, comprising:

• a base oriented along a plane substantially parallel to said card and having opposite side portions;
• an electric motor supported by the base;
• a worm screw mounted for rotation relative to said base and driven by said electric motor through a gear train;
• at least one side plate detachably mounted to one of said side portions;
• a drive shaft journaled for rotation within said at least one side plate, said drive shaft carrying a worm wheel driven by said worm screw and at least one drive roller engageable with said card;
• and
• a backup roller disposed to urge the card against the drive roller.

A card transport device for moving a data-bearing card in a preselected direction past a reading, writing or other communication head during a data reading or writing operation, comprising:

• a base having opposite side portions;
• an electric motor supported by the base;
• a first gear mounted for rotation relative to said base and driven by said electric motor;
• a drive shaft journaled for rotation relative to said base, said drive shaft carrying a second gear driven by said first gear and at least one drive element engageable with said card;
• said drive element engages a data-bearing card from a position beneath the card;
• the card transport device further comprises a backup roller mechanism disposed above the card to urge the card against the drive element;
• and
• said backup roller mechanism comprises at least two backup rollers carried for axial rotation on a structure mounted for both translational and rotational motion relative to said base.