Patent GB-328294-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to counting apparatus for counting perforated statistical cards
Filed: 1929-01-21
Abstract: 328,294. Accounting & Tabulating Corporation of Great Britain, Ltd., and Thomas, A. Jan. 21, 1929. Statistical machines.-An apparatus for counting perforated statistical cards as a separate operation or during a sorting or punching operation comprises a plurality of counting-mechanisms each operatively associated with a pin of sets of analyzing pins and means for obtaining a record of the reading of each counter. In a punching machine the analyzing pins operate, directly or indirectly, the punches reproducing the desired perforations and actuate the operating means of the counters. As shown applied to a sorting machine of the type described in Specification 328,293 and in which the reciprocating carriage 2. Figs. 1 and 2, has three adjustable pin boxes 5 each with a row of pins 6 disposed over a perforated plate 7 each pin box is associated with a plunger bed having plungers 9 and so mounted that it can slide horizontally but is not movable vertically. The three columns of analyzing pins are associated by Bowden cables or other means 25 with corresponding columns of counting-mechanisms 10 mounted on horizontal frames 11. The counters 10, which are of the known printers' numbering-machine type are actuated by pawls 14 carried by reciprocating bars 15. Normally each pawl 14, Figs. 3 and 3<A>, is held out of operative engagement with the pin 22 on the counter actuating arm 23 by means of an obstructor 24 connected to the Bowden cable and engaging the tail 14d of the corresponding pawl. When an analyzing pin passes through a card perforation the plunger 9 withdraws the obstructor and the pawl is free to engage the pin 22. The bars 15 are guided on rollers 15b and each bar is slotted at 16 to receive a cross bar 17 carried by arms 21 fixed to a shaft 20 adapted to be rocked by an arm 18 and link 19 connected to the carriage 2 whereby the bars are displaced to cause the released pawls to actuate the appropriate counters. A grand total counter 12 and a sub-total counter 13 for a particular series of cards is provided and each is operated by an arm 25a and link 25b from a rock shaft 26. The shaft 26 has an arm 27 with a pin 28 engaging a reciprocating bar 29 pivoted to the arm 21 and connected by a link 30 and arm 31 to a shaft 32 on which is an arm 33 co-operating with a plunger 34. As long as a card is present in the machine the plunger 34 is raised to maintain the bar 29 in engagement with the pin 28. When the series of cards end, the bar 29 is rocked out of the path of the pin 28. Printing-mechanism.-A printed record of the counter readings is obtained on a sheet of paper fed through the machine in a direction at right angles to the movement of a printing web. The printing web 57, Figs. 1 and 2, is attached at its ends to rollers 55, 56 and forms a loop in which is disposed a roller 58 having pinions 59, 60 at its ends engaging racks 61, 62 on frame members which are slotted at 63, Fig. 4, to serve as runways for ball bearings on the journals of the roller 58. The roller 58 is connected by a link 65 to an extension 64<a> on a hand lever 64 so that when the lever is moved in the direction of the arrow Fig. 4, the roller is drawn across the faces of the counters. During this movement the web is unwound from the roller 55, the roller 56 being held against rotation by a ratchet and pawl 73, Fig. 5. On the return movement the web is again wound up by means of a spring 68 in a drum 67 loose on the spindle 66 of the roller 55. The spring is attached at one end to the spindle and at the other end to the drum 67 which drum is integral with a gear wheel 69 connected by an intermediate pinion 70 to a gear wheel 71 on the spindle of the roller 55. The roller 55 can be turned by a hand knob 74 to bring a fresh portion of the web into use to prevent excessive wear of any one portion. The paper strip is fed across the counters from a roll 75, Fig. 1, between rollers 76, 77 and gripper bars 78, 87. The roller 77 is driven by gearing 88, 89 from a one way clutch shaft 90 driven through bevel gearing 92 and a pinion 93 from a rack 94 operatively connected by a link to a crank pin 96 on a disc 95 adapted to be connected through clutch mechanism to a shaft 41 driven through gearing from a motor 40. The clutch is rendered operative by the manipulation of a press button 97 to cause a single reciprocation of the rack 94. A circular knife 98 'at the end of the roller 98 cuts off a length of paper as the web travels across. Zeroizing-mechanism.-Each column of counters is zeroized by rotation of the counter spindles, each of which has a pinion 35, Figs. 2 and 3, engaging a rack 36 connected by a link 39 to a crank pin 38 on a disc 37 loose on a stub shaft 45. Secured to the stub shaft is a toothed wheel 44 and a ratchet wheel 46 with which a pawl 48 on the disc 37 is adapted to engage. The wheel 44 engages a pinion 43 on a motor driven shaft 41. The pawl 48 is spring urged to engage the ratchet wheel 46 but is normally maintained out of engagement by a tail 50 on the pa.wl engaging a pivoted stop member 51. The stop member 51 is connected to a manipulative bar 52 terminating in a push button 53 which on operation releases the pawl 48 and permits the disc 37 to make one revolution. The total and sub-total counters 12, 13 may be reset in a similar manner, but in the form shown hand operated means is provided comprising pinions 12<a>, 13a, reciprocating racks 12b, 13b, pinions 12d, 13<d>, and operating handles 12<c>, 13<c>.