Abstract: The reading head having the capability of processing two different data cards of the inductive type and chip-cards provided with contact pads on their surface. The raising and lowering of connection pins which contacting the pads is achieved by linking the pin supporting plate to rocking C-shaped driving arms having bifurcated free upper ends slidingly coupled to pivots which are attached to the plate. The lower limbs of the arms extend parallel to the lower face of the upper part of the reading head, the limbs having bosses facing the lower face, the gap between the bosses and the face being roughly equal to the thickness of an inductive card. The greater thickness of a chip-card presses down the bosses bringing about a clockwise rotation of the C-shaped arms around a fixed shaft resulting in a lowering of the connection pins which touch the contact pads on the card surface.

Abstract: A reading head able to process both inductive debit cards and chip cards comprising two dissimilar complementary portions, the internal surfaces of the portions defining the channel housing the data card inserted in the head, the first portion (80) having inductive sensors (83) for the reading of inductive credit cells and the second portion (140) having a magnetic metal plate (142) which completes the magnetic circuit of the inductive sensors, as well as contact pins (162) engaging the terminal pads on the surface of the card. The portions remain normally kept apart by a first set of mechanical coupling devices (84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 93, 94, 95, 144) placed between the two portions, the opening thus provided being substantially wider than the thickness of the card, the mutual approximation of the portions being provided by the mechanical devices at the final part of the card's insertion travel.