REF ID:A67722 • 

lleotrical Switching Mechc.ni11D 

rue invention relates to a s.witehing mechllllism and proposes a 

mechanism of this character tor •utomatical.17 establishing and/or 

varying circuit connections in a ran~om order. 

As distinguished fJ'Qm the idea'o~ performing switching operat1one 

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in en orderl)t sectuence,. the preeeut 1nvantion ao11templates a.n opposite 

- function and provides means to var, the circuit connections in an 

irregular, aperiodic or fortuitoue ma.mie:r, !he invention conteaplatee 

an operation which affords opportunity for the laws of prob~bility to ' ' 

tuAction in eJtablishing the variation in c1ro~!~ connections, rather, 

' than an opera.ti.on controUed by the usual l.awa of ·ii~ect cause and effect. 

An object of this in:nnt1on is to provide a means of aslecting from 

a plurallt1 of available electrical circuits a single circuit at random, 

which electrical circuit will be operative for & period of time, the 

length o~ which depends upon one or several v&ri&ble factors. 

Another object ot thia invention la to provide apparatus for "aryina ~ ! 

tho "1'!'ed of rot&tiag bodies bJ ""an" at a triction drift machanl.aa ; \ 

working in conjuact1on w1tb Ciitolll wheels ot irregular outline and operatively \ ' \ 

coordinated with a differential gearing SJStem ror the purpose of opening .\ ' 

and clos~ng electrical circuits for V&rJing periods ot time. 

A further object or th• invention is to provide a device in the 

nature of a fortuitously-operated de'rioe for 1electing from a large 

assortment ot punched cards, a random sample. 

A further object of the 1n-rent1ou 1e to pro'Vide a device.in the 

nature ot a scrambling device tor arra.ng1Di in a purel1 random sequence, 

lA\pproved for Release by NSA on 09-06-2013 pursuant to E. 0. 13~2§ 
REF ID:A67722 

a large nwaber or punched ca:rde originoll.J an-anged according to a 

definite sequence, ouch as in al.pbebat1cal or numerical seqU&Dce. For 

example, in the ull-known card .... sorting macbinea oploye:i in account.ing 

or etaUsUcal work,, the function ot: tb.e sohin• ie to arrQge a large 

number of punched cards in a sequential order• such as alphabetical or 

uuerieal. In C!lrtain t:ypee of operctiones •1th -punobed carde it is often 

necessary to disarrq.nge tbe cards £10 as to duiroy the o.rig1nel sequential 

order "'ad bring_ tbe cards into f& purely random order. However • .once e. 

large uuaber of cerds baa been ~e~uentially arranged, any atte111pta to 

deetr07 the arrangeent by shutf'Ung the cards would be extremelr tedious 

and m:aq cards would be·d8?18.ged. In th• preeent inveot1on, the devic• 

if ope:rated ill- connect.ion- llr1th an ordinary card-sortius ~chine, w0uld 

pendt}of placing a sequenU&llJ-orde:red batab of card:: ln the ma.chiue 

and taking out or it a purely foi-tuitousl7-ordered. batch or caris~ 

In order that the iuveut1on aod ita mode of application llla1' be 

readily understood., there is disclosed 1u the acco111pe1171ng drawtng ~ 

in th& detailed following desoript1on th•ner,. 011• form or emboiim.ent of 

the iuvent1ou. 

Xn the drawing, the 61ngle figure E-ho•e in schematic form''e apparatua tor carrying out the invention. 

Referring to the drawing, l is n gear, driven by an_v ~i!'.le mover 

auch aa a. motor llJ gear l meehef: with th• two gears 2 e.nd 2•., having 

different nwa~re of teeth. Geer 2 ia fix.ad to ehatt 3 and di-1ves the 

\'form g-e~ 4, which S.ri turn, through the train ot gears 5* '6, 7, drivee 

eh.aft a,. on which is aouuted au 9 or irregular outline. tto~ler 10 ridee 

on tbe perlpherJ ot cam 9 am serve.a to move lner Ut t.hrough a suaceae~on 

of 1.:ngleo which. are determined by the depre1e1one and elevations of cam 9. 

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REF ID:A67722 

The free end of lever 11 is connected by a pin 12 to a collar 13 which 

is free to Glide up and do-wn on ehatt 3 but 1s independent of tho latter . 

in its rotation. !he upper end or collar 13 presses against d11k l.4, 

which is also mounted on shaft 3 but, bf a '13lot and bnr arrangement, 11 

driven by shaft 3. S~1cg 15-terves to keep tlle a1sembly 12, is. and 14 

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in place on the ehaft ' and also to c~uee the roller 10 to tollo• tbe 

outline .at cam ~· Disk 14, by frictional etfect, drlvea meel 16, kay•d · 

to shaft 17 so that as lbaf't ' tur11e1 disk 14 turns and slldee up and 

down against t.~e face of wbe&l. 16, cau81ng abaft 17 to rotute at constantly 

varying apeede as the roller 10 rides on tbs peripbeey or cam 9. On the 

shaft 17 is mounted the ~ommutator generally deeignated as 18 and a contact • 

wheel 19, provided with a plurality ot contact• 20, connected in a random 

me.nner to the co11111u.tator rings ·21, 22,. 23, 24, 2,. Heating again.et the 

commutator rings are eollectCll"s 26, which are connected to conductors 27 

le.e.11ng to indiv.id.ual circuits, which circuite ,may include aa;.v convent1on._i , 

means or instl"ll!l!ente.lltiee 11uggested 11chemat1cully ae at 33 tor ut111.1ing"\· 

tho rendoDliming tunotion ot the pres•nt invention~ 

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the action or the me~bers 2 to 17 1nclut1Te is t.~• same as that of \, 

the m.embere 21 to 17'. Shatt 171 rotates switch arm 301 carrying bruBh 31 ·~ 

which sweeps over the contects 20 as it rota.tea. The commutator assembly 

which e&$ent1ally comprisee coml!lutator 19 and its asnociated parts, including contact wheel 19, me.7 ba regardei as one component of a anr1tch1ng device, 

wbile n1 tch arm 30 carrying brush 31 may b • rega:rded as the other component 

of said nit.ch1ng device. Brulh 31 is connected to the common return 

conductor 32 for the circuits 11

, B2

, a

3

, R

4

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5 to which aonduotore Z'1 

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lead:. Since wheel 19 snd brush arm 30 rotate in different direct1ona and . 

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at constantly varr1ng speeds• the circuits ~· ll2, R~, ~ and. ~, are \ 

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REF ID:A67722 

•elected tn the, order Of the "contacts 20 OD wheel 19, but each Ci~cuit 

ie op~r&tive for e. :U.fferent interval of time. 

In tb• drawing, epeoific mechanical principles are shown tor- ett'ect1ng i:be movemuts of the various parts of the apparatus. Ho•ever, the•• . are aho~ only for the purpos• ot d.emou,tration of the principles incorporated in,thia 1nveiat1on, and it is poluted out that any other mechanical 

means for Yarying the aagulu veloci ~ of the commutator 18 rote.ting with 

contact iiek 19 and the contact arm '91 either aeparately OT con]ointly. 

will effect the result desired. It is al.10 pointed out that, While five 

coD11Dutator rings are depleted in the drawing, ouy number may bo used, 

end that the number of contacte on the tace of tha disk 19 may be equal 

' to the number of contact ringe or gTeater by ao, practicable numb&r. It 

rill 8lso be noted that eeme 9 and 91 are intended to be detachable and 

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interchangeable, meau being shown in the drawing to taaU1tate remoftl 

.. ' for that purpqse1 or to permit eubati tution of other cams ot different ' ' 

ahape. 

Changes. modifications and equivalent arran&8ments are contemplated 

w1 thin the scope ot the invention e.s defined by the appended cleimsa 

6. In a mechanil!lll of the oharact•r described, a pair of rota.ting 

bodiee a1sociated for operative 11ovement :relat1w to one anotbeFJ trictioa 

4rl••• arranged to move ea1d bod1ea indep1t11deutl7J and means incluiing a 

Q•teit or d1££erent1al gearing and. cu• o.f irregular contours operatiftl.J' 

coordinated with ed.d aearing and with each ot Hid drives indidduall.7 

to ettect aperiodic movement ot aaid bodlea relative to one auother. 

7. A mech&niem of the character deecribed fo• contztolllng the 

operation ot,an electrical. eJ•t•m; compriaing a rotatable commutator 

provided 1

with contact el ... nt1 a.id a rotatable .. itching dev.t.oe operable 

•1th sai~ elem11Dt1 for eata.bliahing a plurality of circuit connectiona1 

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REF ID:A67722 

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and meaue to erreot a rlUldom operation or said eyatem comprieing gearing . for driving said comraute.tor and eaid nitching devic" independently, and 

means for tiiffarentiall.7 controll:S,.ng the ,operation ot the gearing. 

8. A combinatioQ according t~ claim 7, in •bich the last named 

' - meane includee cams ot 1rregular contours individually operable nth 1a1-4 

gearing. 

9. A oombtnat1on aocord.i.ng to claim 7 • 1n which the last named 

maan& includes cams of different irregular contours. 

lO. l switeh1na; meoh~nlem comprising in combination.. a ..rotatableco'ID1llutator pro'V'ided -tth contact el4ments and • rotatable conductor operable 

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with .said elements for ••ta.bliahing a plurality of circuit conuctioneJ 

friction driTea for operatitlg sa1d commutator and ea1d conductor 1ndepan~­

entl11 !Pld means iriclud.1.ng differ•ntia.l gearing• and cems ot irregula:t 

contours opert.tively coordinu.te4.w1th l!aid gearing and individually with 

each of said drives to vary the circuit connections aperiodicalq and ln 

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• n.ndom order. 

ll11 A randcmis1na n1tch1ng mechanillll or the ehai-acter dasoribect, 

' compr1a1ng a rota.table commutator provided with a pl'Ql"allty or contact 

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•lemente and a rotatable conductor oper&bl••ith ea.id eleme~tl for eetabl1" 

1ng a plur.U t.y of ciroui t oo=iect1onl!J and means tor continuoUBly sn4 \ 

~ in-eplarl.y changing the relatiw speed ot taid commutator and sa14 aonductor to vary the circuit conneoti:On• ap'1'1.odically1 said meana 1nolud1ng 

a friction Clr1Ve operativ~ •1th,tha comanitator and conductor indiTidUt!llJ, 

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cams or irregular-contour• operati.vely coordinated with each drive ind .. - ' 

pendentl7, and gearing for actuating the cuaa differentially. 

12. -A mecbuiem for controllillg the operat.t.on of a.n electrical. 

' 111te•• eompriaiRg relat-ivelJ rot&table awitoh1ng dev1ce1 provided with 

cooperating contact element• for oetabl1Bbing a. plurality of c1rcu1t con-. 

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REF ID:A67722 

nectionSJ and means for: contiDuo-..al~1 and aperiodically va1"7ing t..lie relative 

speed or rotetion or said S1li tc.1l1ng devices to ef.f'eat random per1'lutation1 I 

of the olrcult connectione, said aeans compr1eins cbanee speed dr1ve1 in. 

divic!ually oper1J.t1ve with sn·id aw1tch1ng devices, interchangeable cams 

or different irregular contours independently operative "1th eaid dri"88t 

l!!.lld a' differential genri'Q.f! system for operating the cams a:Dti drives in 

op',l)Osing relation. 

1). A mechanism of thtt character described, oom,r1eing A eet ot 

switching devices i)l"Ovided w1th movable contacts for eetablish1ng a 

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plurality of circuit connectione1 and mee.ns f'or varying the Tele.tion between 

ea.ii contacts in a random order. 

lt, A mechanism ot the character described, com9ria1~ ~itching ' . compon~nts movable relative to each other and ~ov1ded with cont•cta tor 

es~ahlishing e plurality of circuit aonnectione1 gnd means inclu.11ng 

' ea.ms of irregular contours opeJ.Pative with each component for varying the ' ..:, 

relation ~t tbe contacts in a r8l'ldom order. 

lS. A switching mechanism comp~ising rotatable componente, each 

provided with operatively releted contact •l•mente, a?ld one of said 

co:ni)onente including a. plura.11 ty of co1111!utetor rings having 1 ta contact 

ele11entia electrica.117 connected in ran1om order} an.d means for rotating . a~id eom?onents in opporing relation for varying tbe connection between 

co~tQct elements or the reapect1ve componente ape~iodicall7. 

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16. A switching ~evice comprising componente provided with electrical 

contacts. seid components being rotatable with respect to each ~er tor 

establishing a pluralit7 ot cireuit connectiona1 ~ tr1ct1on drive mechani•m 

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for· each of ea.id coaponents, and including means tor independently and - ~ ~ ~ ? 

d1tferent1elly operating said mechaniema to ve:ry the circuit connect1ona 

iu a random order. 

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REF ID:A67722 

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17. l 'BWitching mechaniem, compr1aina relntively moTable ccmponenta 

provided w1th contacts for eai.bliabing a pluralit7 ot different circuit 

connections1 menno tor va17ing the cirou1t ooDDectiona, aoap!1ain1 .frictional 

drive mecha~ama operable independentl7 witb aaid aomponeut11 and means tor 

changing the rate·ot movement ot •aid mechania111 t~r randomising the c1rcu1t 

controlling operation of the contacte. 

18. A necb.l:•niem ot the ch~raater deeoribed compri•ing ~ eet of l!!!f'itching 5evicee )rovided •1th mov~ble oontAlcts tor est~bl1~~11ng intermitten~ 

circuit connections; ~nd me&ns inclu11ng slipping fr1ct1on drive elements 

!or vo..ry:!.ng the r~te or mover.ent ot Ee.i:l devices in reepE1Ct to the time 

interval between the eucceseive opernt1Qns ot n~ g1._n circuit. 

19. l switcbi:ng device comprising compon8tlts ~rovi:ied. Wfith electrio&l 

'' contactc, ta1d oomponeDte being U10vabl7 ae!ocieted tor e~t~bliohing inter- : } 

mittent circuit conneotionej ani me~ns for Vtr.Ying the relat1ve rete ot 

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\, movement , ... 

or ee.id componenta 1ndepeudentl.J and ~itferentisll7 to chnnge the 

time intervP-1 between circuit aontrolling oper~tions ot any, given circuit, 

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20. A ewitcbing maohnniam compri~ing relat1'9'ely moTnble com~onente. 

provided with elactriOAl contacts for est&bliehing intermittent circuit 

connect~onss me~ne for v~l'")"1ng said connections, inclu11ng ditfarentinl elipdisk driving syatome operable •lt..~ e~ch or 1~1~ com90nente for rundomiaing 

the interwle of time betW9eD BUCCeesiV& O,!?tlrctions of Pllf given Circuit. 

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21. A sw!tchii:ig mach&Dism comprising relatively movable components, 

r.irovided ~itb operntivelJ aaeooiatad contact elementa, one or oai~ compo~ente 

having its elements arrangad in an7 ordert and means for moTiag saii col\;->onente 

relative to eac.h other vberebJ the tiM intern.l between tho o?;>eninr an~ 

clos1ns oper:Jtion oi' e.111 given circuit ie ~aried apGriofl1oally. 

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REF ID:A67722 

22. ! switching mechaDiem comprising rotatable com~onenta, each 

provi18'i with oper~tivel.y re~te1 contact elemento, rni one ot said com~nente 

bevin& ite canto.ct. elements olectric:•lly :ionnected in e. fortuitous order1 

and mee.ns for v~171ng the relative rate or movement of ea1d ~ompone~ts to~ 

· intermittently 1tn!! o.~riqdic:.'117 etteetin:;s t.lie operation or an7 giwn c1roult. 

23. In a mecban1em of the character described, complemental cw1tchiag 

devicee ench 9rovidad with electr1ccl contacte, one ot said deYices bating 

1te contacts epaced at irregular intervals with respect to each other e.nd 

electrically interrelllted for eetabli~h1u, a plurality of circuit connect1one1 I 

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and :nenne tor 1ndependelltlJ and dlfferz-ntie.lly opera.ting ea.id denc~s w~erebJ I 

the contacts ure caused to effect circuit conneot1one at vnrring time illterYalfa.. 

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