MAGNETIC CARD READER

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform normal reproducing/recording even if magnetic cards different in thickness are used by providing a gap adjusting means for adjusting a gap between a magnetic head and a pressing member according to the thickness of a magnetic card. SOLUTION: If a magnetic card 4 is thick, a specified optimal pressure is applied to the magnetic card 4 between a magnetic head 28 and a pressing member 29 and reproducing/recording is carried out by the magnetic head 28. If a thin magnetic card 4 indicated by a dotted line is inserted, a CPU issues a driving command to a linear actuator. A bar-like member 36 is protruded and a roller 37 is fitted in a notch 34b. Then, the swing angle of a lever 34 becomes larger than that when the roller 37 is fitted in a notch 34a and a gap T1 between the magnetic head 28 and the pressing member 29 is changed to T2. Since the gap T2 is set for applying a specified optimal pressure when the thin magnetic card 4 is held therebetween, the specified optimal pressure is applied to the magnetic card 4 between the magnetic head 28 and the pressing member 29 and reproducing/recording is carried out.