REF ID:A67832 ~ 

Patented Oct. 10, 1933 1,930,262 

UNITED ST A TES PATENT OFFICE 

1,880,181 

SOBTING ltlACBINB 

James w Bryce, Bloomflelll~ N :J, IUllllrnor, bJ' meme llllldpunents, io International Business 

'Machines Corporation, New York. N Y, a cor- poration of New York 

AJtpllca.tlon September 6, 1828 8erlal No 30&_187 

'J ClalDIL (Cl 109-110) 

- C! 

The present Invention relates broadly to sort- Refer.mere numeral 8 in Flg 1 designates the 

Ing machines for record cards and more eape- ca.rd stack from which the cards are picked by a c1ally to that kind of machines which are able to picker 4 and fed through the machine in usual 

sort the cards according to combinational index way by transport rolls 2 Pickel' 4 ls moved 

I point.s _ reciprocally by link 1 connected by link 6 eccen- 8& 

As is well known in the a.rt to which this in- trlcally •Ith a disk, rotated by toothed wheel 8 

vention refers, &DJ' numeral may be represented whlcb in turn is driven by the motor When the 

by one or a combination Of index points, pref- cards are fed through the machine a certain 

erably consisting of perforations The appliance selected column will be ana.lyr.ed by brush '1 con- 10 of combinational index polnt.s permlt.s a more tacting roller 8 each time the brush '1 encounters 815 

economical use of card space as for example, a. hole In the column The analyzing brush is 

fqr the ten numerals only four index point posl- fastened to a brush holder 9 w:hlch ls adjustable 

tlons need be provided Instead of ten as It is to &DJ' card column 

necessary in the well known single index point Sorting of the cards is effected In the known 

15 system way by means of blades 10 leading to the lndlvid- TO 

The" present Invention has for lt.s principal ual sorting boxes Blades 10 a.re constructed In 

object to provide a new and efllclent mechanism the form of fingers bing upon a plate forming the 

for analyzing and sorting cards according to armature of control magnet.a 11 This plate ls 

combmatlonal Index point.s normally held by pressure spring 12 level with 

20 Another object of the invention ls to provide guiding plate 18 When the card passes between Tl 

record controlled element.a reciprocally operating plates 10 and guiding plate 13 the armature of 

with each other and to control the sorting mech- magnet.a 11 will be energized In a. manner corre- a.nlsm In accordance with Si&ld chfl'erent reclpro- spondlng to the meaning of the ca.rd perforacal cooperation tlons Blades 10 under which the card ls pa.sslng 

25 Another object Qf the .invention ls to control will be retained by the card but the remalnlng 80 

electrical sorting c1rcult.s by index point.s and spring blades may follow the armature plate 

to complete the clrcult.s after a predetermined and the ca.rd will be guided between the sepa- sfela.y- to effect sorting rated blades unit to the coordinated sorting box 

A fllrther object of the Invention ls to provide While In the ~ sorting machines of 

30 a sorter which picks the record data during one this kind using single hole cards the d!stance Bl 

cycle and controls the sorting mechanism in between analyzing brUsh '1-and. sorting blades 10 

accordance with the data during the subsequent ls such that the ca.rd may directly control the 

cycle sorting plates while It ls passing undet the brush, 

still a further objee,t of the invention ls to in the present case the distance between the brush 

3j provide a.ltemately operating means .to read In and sorting blades c0rrespond& to the width ~a. 80 

record data of O!le ca.rd during one cycle while record card because the--0ontrolllng operation efat ~ same time the sorting mechanism ls con- fected by a. certain ca.rd takes pla.ce during the 

trolled a.coordlng to the prevl.ouslJ' read In data cycle subsequent to Its- analysis 

o( the preceding ca:cd Toothed wheel 8 drives a. set of toothed wheels 

40 A further object of the invention conslst.s In lZ-18 meshlng with each other In synchronism 96 

the provlslon of special commutators a.ltemately with the ca.rd feed mechanism but with such a cooperating with the controll1ng circuit for the ratio that ea.ch of the wheels lZ-18 turns only 

sorting mecha.Blsm half a revolution each machine cycle Coother objects and advantages will be herein- ordinated and fixed to each of the wheels lZ-16 

4.G -after set forth ln the accompa.nytng speclflcatlon ls a commutator, deslgna.ted at 12a-18a <see also 100 

a:nd cla.lms and. shown In the drawings which Pig 2> Each of the commutators 12a-15a com- show by way of Wustratlon what is now con- prises a metal cylinder upon which an insulating 

sf.dered to be a preferred embodiment of the sleeve ls fastened Metal pins are ft.xed on the 

Invention commutator surface passing through the lnsula.t60 Referring to the drawin.IS , , ing material to provide an electrical connection 106 

Fig 1 shows a sorting machine aceordlng to between the metal cyllnder and brushes slldlng 

.the present invention In the surface of the commutator 

Fig 2 is a clrcult diagram of the .smter In Fig 2 ls schematically shown a developmant 

Fig , 3 ls a diagram Wustratlng the meantns of the commutators Numerals 1 'l lnchcate the 

53 Of hole combinations conducting pins on the Insulating surface Of the 110 

lA\pproved for Release by NSA on 09-05-2013 pursuant to E. 0. 1352§ 
REF ID:A67832 

2 1,880,181 

commutators which are electrically connected to 38a-d respectivelJ' sfmultaneously with the pasthe inner metal cyllnder, this electrical connec- sage of the A, B, C and D index spaces of a tion is indicated in P1g 2 by vertical connect!Jlg certain column under the analyzlng brush 

l1nes If therefore there is a hole in the B position 

1 Both commutators 1211 and 1411 on the one current will flow in the followinl circuit From 80 

hand and 1311 a.nd 1511 on the other hand form left line 3'1 of the current supply, wire 38, brush 

a. cooperating set and the two sets aperate al- 2'1, slip ring 25, pin 23b, brush 24b, magnet 18b, 

ternately under the control of the successive rec- line 39, analyzing brush '1 now contacting con- ord cards and in turn control the sorting mag- tact roller 8, supply brush 40, to the right hne 41 

10 net To each set of commutators four magnets of the current supply As the brushes 24a-d Si 

lh-4 and 2ocr-ci respectively, are coordinated, contact subsequently points 23ci-4 of commutaeach controlling a brush 19 The brushes 19 tor Ula which is moved m the direction indicated 

carried by pivotally mounted l1nks 21 are normally by the arrow, the correspondmg magnets 18 will 

held in latched position by the pivoted armatures be energized in accordance with the hole combl11 22 as will be clearly seen from Pig 2 In the nor- nation In consequence thereof the correspond- 90 

mal position a.s shown in this :Dgure all brushes Ing brushes 19 will be shifted Whlle the ana.l1zed 

19 a.re ln position to engage the contacts 1 '1 in card is fed to the sorting plates 10 commutators 

the flrst and tlurd circumferential rows from the 15a and 13a turn in the direction indicated by 

top while a brush wlll be shifted from the first the arrows and one cycle after the ana.11Z1n8' pe20 to the second or from the third to the fourth row rlod the brushes will encounter pins 1 '1 and at a 95 

when Its cootdlnated magnet is enei'gjz.ed and certain moment a clrcill.f will be established 

unlatches members 21 through brushes 19, commutators 1311 and 15a 

Energization of these ma.mets 18 under the a.nd sorting magnet 11, this movement is ldencontrol of the combinational holes a.s will now tlcal with the incoming of the combinational 

16' be explained and shifting of brushes 19 occurs holes and the card now being under the plates loo 

when those brushes are free of that portion of 10 Will be sorted accordb:Jgly An example will 

the commutator surface on which the contacts show this more clearly Asaunl:e that the analyzed are located Released members 21 are restored column was punched in the Band C positions 

at the end of each machine cycle to their normal meaning numeral 8 When B position is ana.lyied 

80 positions by mea.ns of lugs provided upon wheels magnet 18b will be energized and shift its brush 19 l j5 

12-15 to the lower position and the same bperatlon will 

commutator 1811 is constructed in a. dLffereQ.t take place with magnet 18c and coordinated manner tha.n the other commutators It is pro- brush 19 when the punched c position is being 

vided with four contacts 23a--:23d located a.s anal:rzed 'When commutators 13a and 15a a.re 

36 shown The brushes 24o-24d a.nd 28a-26!.I may turnl!lg s:vnchronousI:v with the card passage no 1 '!.: 

contact the pins 23a-23d connected with the current clrcwt will be established through 

inner metal cylinder and thus provide electrical brushes 19 until position "8" of pins 1 '1 of the 

connection with sl1p ring 25 upon which brush commutators is under these brushes Then a 2'1 slides to connect the commutator wltb the cur- current Impulse will be effected in the following 

40 rent supply wa:v From current aupplJ over line 3'1, relay 42, llli 

The machine is provided with the usual se- line 43 the shifted brush 19, lower pin l'l In elector 28 to assort only cards with a certain com- position, upper pinl'l,sbiftedbrush19coordlnated 

blnation of Index perforations The drlvmg mo- to magnet 18b, line 44, brush 19 of magnet 18c 

tor ls designated at 29 and is started by depress- now shifted to its lower position, pin 1'1 in 8-

46 Ing start key 30, whereby relays 31 and 32 will position, upper pin 1 '1, the shifted brush 19 of 120 

be energized When card feed has been initiated magnet 18d to lfne 41 and baclr:: to the turrenfi 

by motor 29 ca.rd lever contacts 33 a.re closed in supply 

the usual manner and relay 31 will maintain its By energization of relay 42 a current 1mpu]se 

own stick circuit until contacts 33 are opened will be effected over selector 38 and sorting" mag60 upon failure of the ca.rd supply and consequent. nets 11 now controlling tlie pla;tea 10 and guld1ng l26 

apenlng of contacts 33 or by depressing of atop the card to station 8 of the sorter 

key 34 In either case relay 32 will be deenergt.zed As there ls one c:vcle dUference between the 

and the motor circuit will be interrupted ana1:rz1ng operation and the sorting operation, the 

The operation of the sorter with respect to two sets of magnets 18 and20aperatealternatel:v 

65 analyzing combinational holes and to controlllng It may be easU:v recornlzed from Pig 2 that :i.SG 

the sorting mechanism. by a. single Impulse will brushes 2611-d read in the Indications of the folnow be explained 1owfDg ca.rd and control ma.gnetS 20 accordlnglJ, 

When main switch 35 ls clqsed and the apera.tor while brushes 19 coordinated to magnets 18 read 

depresses the start key 30, rela.ys 31 and 32 will out from commutators 13a a.nd 15a a.nd control 

~o be- energ.lzed" and the motor clrcult will be closed the sorting tnechantm according to the previous i.3E 

Starting of the motor lnltlates the ca.rd feed and anal:vs1s as has been expla.lned On the other 

consequently closing of contacts 33 Relays 31 hand during reading-In of brushes 24, the 

and 32 will remain energized and maintain the brushes 19 coordinated to magnets 30 read out 

continuous aperatlon of the machine from commutators 12a and 14" and control the 

o.; The cards passing under the analyzlbg brush '1 sorting magnet accordlngl:v Thus continuous 14C are provided with single or combinational holes ca.rd feed and high sorting speed may be obwhereby four index spaces a.re provided to sym- taJned though anaJ:vzlnl' and sorting aperation 

bol1ze the numerals o to 9 a.s may be seen from occur at different 'machine cycles Though the 

Pig 3 In this :ftgure the diflennt Index spaces foregoing speClfication will give a complete 

'"CJ a.re designated With A, B, C and D and these understanding of the invention, reference ma:v 140 

different positions of a column are an&l:vzed sue- be ma.de to my prior application Serial No 222,. 

cessivel:v when the card passes under the brush 46'1, filed September 28, 192'1 in which the struoThe adjustment of commutator 18a relative to tural featm-es of the device used 1'n combfnation 

brushes 24a-d and 3811-d is such that points with tbia mvention are explalned in detail 

75 2311-d are pa.sa1na under brushes 24.....a and While there has been shown and deacrlbed and 150 
• 

I 

I • 

REF ID:A67832 

1,eso,1a1 a 

point.eel out the fund•numtal novel features of for setting up electrical contacts In different com- the Invention as applied. to a single modiflcatlon binations, a commutator having differentlaJ)y poit wUl be understood that various omisalons and sltloned contacts for successively connecting the 

substl.tutions and changes In the form a.nd de- setting means With said reading element, means IS tails of the device Illustrated and in its operation for converting the combinational reading of the 80 

111&7 be made by those skllled in the art Without set electrical contacts to a single reading, and a departing from the spuit of the Invention It ls card distributing means under control of the last 

the Intention therefore to be limited only as named means. 

Indicated by the scope of the following claims 5 In a sort1ug machine, a single element for 

10 I claim ana.Iyztng combinational Index points of a card, 88 

1 A sort1ug machine for records having com- a plurality of settable elements, a commutator 

blnatf.onal Index points, analJzlug means, read- rotatable in timed relationship With the card 

lug-In means controlled. by said anal7zlng means analyzed for rendering said elements success1ve]y 

and COll8lBt1ug of a commutator having a plu- settable in combinations under control of the 

11 rallty of differentially spaced contacts on its single analyzing element, means for Interpreting 90 __ _. ...... , .. ___ ., __ ,_ the setting of said elements as a single timed elec- aunace, a ....... w.ue ...................... controlling means trical impulse, and a card distributing mechantherefor, reading-out means for controlling said ism energlr.ed by the transmitt.ed electrical imcontrolllng means, said reading-out means com- pulse including a single magnet for effecting se- 20 prlsiug also a commutator having a plurality of lective distribution of the card by card passage 95 

differentiall:v spaced contact.a on its surface forming means of the distributing mechanism, 

2 A sorting machine for records having com- said imPUlses being timed to occur with the corre- binational Index points, anal:vzlnlr means for lation of a card and the passage form.lug means anal:vzlng said records while they are In motion, 8 In a. sort1ug machine comprls1ng in com- 28 reading-In means controlled. by said ana]yzlng blnation, a plura.Ut:v of set.a of reading-in devices 100 means and cons1sting of a commutator having a and a corresponding number of sets of readlngplurallt:v of differentiall:v spaced. contacts on its out devices, means whereby either set of the readsurface, a sorting mechanism, controlling means lug-out devices control a card distributing mechtherefor and reading-out means for controlling anlsm, a. single reading element for analyzlng the 

BO said controlllug means, sald reading-out means combinational hole records, and a commutator 105 

compr1sing also a commutator having a plurality for associating the single reading element With 

of differentiall:v spaced contacts on its surface each set of reading-in devices to effect a represen3 In a sort1ug machine, the combination With tatlon thereon. a single element for successlyelJ' searching the 'l In a sorting machine conwrlslng in combina85 Index point of a combination, of a plurality of tlon, a card sorting control device, a reading-out 110 

electrical contacts settable In combinations under commutator having contacts on its periphery, 

control of the searching element, a commutator and means under control of the combinational 

device for selectively a.ssocia.ting said contacts holes in the cards for shifting contacts laterally 

successively with said searching element, a card along the commutator periphery in different com- 40 distributing mechanism, and means for convert- blnatlons to coact With the commutator contacts 11~ 

ing the combinational setting of said electrical to efl'ect a dlft'erentiall:v timed electrical impulse 

contact.a Into a single reading to control the card to the card sorting control device at a certain podlstrlbutlug mechantm> sltion of the commutator 

4: In a sort1ug machine, a single element for JAMES W BRYCE 

45 :readlng comblnatlonal holes of records, means 120 

12li 

151 130 

80 l3li 

HO 

TO 145 

'l6 
O.ct. 10, 1933. 

REF ID:A67832 

.J. W. BRYCE 

SORTING llACBIN! 

Filed Sept. 5. 1928 

1,930,262 

2 Sbeets-Sheet 1 

0 

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00 

00 

0 0 

0 

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0 0 

0 

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u. 
Oct. 10, 1933. 

42. 

37 

FIG.2. 

REF ID:A67832 

J. W. BRYCE 

SORTING llACHIJl2 

Filed Sept. 5, 1928 

8876549210 

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17 12Q 

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9876549210 

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IxixII11v'1 

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1,930,262 

2 Slleet..Sbeet 2 

19