Patent GB-900541-A (GB)
Title: Document sorting and accounting systems and apparatus
Filed: 1958-12-04
Abstract: 900,541. Typewriters; ink-ribbon mechanisms. BURROUGHS CORPORATION. Dec. 4, 1958 [Dec. 26, 1957], No. 39119/58. Class 100 (4). [Also in Group XIX] An accounting machine (see Group XIX), is associated with a document (cheque) sorting apparatus and with a multiple tape-printing unit. The apparatus disclosed comprises an accounting machine 102, Fig. 1, generally similar to that disclosed in Specification 709,181, but without a travelling paper carriage, electrically associated with the sorting apparatus 101 and with the multiple tape printer 103. The accounting machine is modified, as described in U.S.A. Specification 2,721,695, by the addition of three lines, each of nine interspersed registers selected under the control of three columns, each of nine selection keys; the sorter has three corresponding columns each of nine bins; and the multiple tape unit has three corresponding columns, each of nine tape printers, one of which is selected corresponding to the selected register. Data and control signals are transmitted electrically from the accounting machine to the multiple tape unit and sorter through electrical relay circuits, Fig. 109 (not shown), by which the whole apparatus may be programmed. These circuits also control function-selection, and the initiation of cycles of operation, in the accounting machine, and provide various interlocks between the three units. Selection keys.-Each of the three columns of selection keys has three slides 175, 170, 185, Figs. 13-15, toothed for co-operation with the key stems. A slide 175 is cammed forwardly on depression of a key and closes a corresponding switch, e.g. SXS3, Fig. 7, which may initiate a machine cycle. Moreover, the three slides 175 co-operate with a crowding lock which permits one only to be actuated at a time. A slide 170 latches a depressed key and when moved rearwardly during a cycle to follow the known starting control bail rod 173 (215 in Specification 709,181), locks all of the keys in its row. Near the end of the cycle, the rod 173 moves the slides 170 forwardly to release the depressed key. The slides 185 are moved rearwardly by the rod 173 and allow only a partial restoration of a depressed key. These slides have lugs 224 which co-operate with hooks of a bail 221 operated by the control keys as described below. A bail 190, Fig. 7, is provided for each row of three keys and is rocked by depression of one of those keys to close a corresponding switch, e.g. SYS1. Crowding locks prevent the operation of more than one bail 190 at a time, even as a result of partial depression only of a key. The No. 19 key when fully depressed closes a switch S19. The particular switches SXS and SYS actuated by a given selection key operate through relays to select a corresponding platen of the multiple tape unit and a corresponding bin deflector of the sorter for operation. These switches also, indirectly, energize a master machine-cycling solenoid to initiate a cycle of operation of the accounting machine. Printing mechanism.-This is generally similar to that disclosed in Specification 709,181, by the travelling paper carriage is replaced by a fixed frame carrying a platen roller 650, Fig. 37, and a roller 680, over which passes a paper strip 110. The latter may be stored in fan-folded form or on a paper roll. The roller 680 is rotated by a belt drive from the platen roller 650 when the latter is line-spaced in known manner. The extent of the line-spacing feed is adjustable by a hand lever 707. Documents may be inserted between guides 729 between the strip 110 and the type-bars 266 and the ink ribbon, which is fed, reversed, and shifted vertically, in known manner passes between spools 731, 732 on the same side of the mechanism and round a roller 749 on the opposite side. The ribbon passes both in front of and behind, the guides 729 for front-fed documents. Reading data electrically from accounting machine. Coding.-Data set up by the amount and register function keys may be transmitted electrically to the multiple tapeprinting unit. For this purpose, the actuators and the register function symbol selecting slide are fitted with extensions 891, Fig. 2, carrying coding plates 896 which may be sensed by a read-out unit RO carried by a plate 900 rockable by cams about an axis 902. The read-out unit comprises a housing 935, Fig. 55, for each order supporting four twoposition switches 931, actuated by spring- loaded plungers 940 in levers 941 set by plungers 943 which, when the plate 900 is lowered, engage the projections 897, Fig. 52, of the corresponding coding plate 896, which are so arranged that the decimal digits are represented by the switches in the excess-3 binary code. The housings 935 are arranged diagonally on the plate 900. For zero-suppression purposes, the dollar order extensions 891, Fig. 58, control spring contact arms 952 associated with contact studs 951. Each contact arm is caused to bridge adjacent studs 951 when the associated actuator is in zero position. Multiple tape unit; driving mechanism.- A mainshaft 1080, Fig. 61A, is coupled to the driven shaft of a one-revolution clutch driven by a motor TPM through overload slip and flexible couplings. A speed control centrifugally-operated switch is provided. The clutch is operated by a solenoid PCS and while it is driving, a switch is closed. Multiple tape unit; type selecting. Decoding.-The tape unit comprises three columns each of nine tape printers. The type wheels 1085, Fig. 70, of each column of printers are set by a set of racks 1095 when released by a stop bail 1112 actuated by a solenoid PSX. The three solenoids are controlled by the switches SXS1-3 which are controlled by the three columns of selection keys and by the corresponding switches when the registers are selected automatically. Thus only one of the three sets of racks is freed. All of the racks are controlled by a bail 1105 and carry auxiliary racks 1117. A group of shafts 1128 is arranged to the rear of the latter, there being one shaft for each denomination and one for function symbol type wheels. Each shaft 1128 carries three pinions 1130 (see also Fig. 61A), which mesh with the corresponding auxiliary racks 1117. Either one of these pinions 1130 or an additional pinion 1133 on each shaft 1128 meshes with a rack 1132 which when released under the control of a bail 1138 is differentially arrested by decoding means. The racks 1132 are released somewhat in advance of the type racks 1095 so that when they are differentially arrested only the auxiliary racks 1117, and not the type racks and wheels, are simultaneously arrested. For decoding, each rack 1132 carries two small bails 1142 (see also Fig. 74), which move over a group of four adjustable notched bars 1145 and a fixed locating notched bar 1148. The bars 1145 are controlled by a bail 1156 and may be individually released for a small downward movement by corresponding solenoids R1M1, R1M2, R1M4 and R1M8 which receive binary-coded information from the read-out switches RO of the accounting machine. The arrangement is such that one or other of the bails 1142 of each rack 1132 will enter aligned notches and arrest its rack, and hence the associated type wheels in the selected column, in a position corresponding to the digit received. In addition to the automatically settable function symbol and amount type wheels, each set of type wheels includes a pair of symbol-type wheels advanced one step by pawl and ratchet means each time the corresponding platen is actuated. The racks 1095 are arrested slightly beyond the correct positions. They are finally positioned and aligned by a bar 1177, and immediately after that, aligners 1200 for the type wheels of the nine rows of printers are actuated. Multiple tape unit; selection and operation of platens; line-spacing.-Each of the twentyseven platens 1167, Fig. 77, is mounted in a frame rockable about a shaft 1218 common to the three platens of a row and is rockable with the shaft 1218 when a pawl 1224 is moved into the path of an arm 1227 on the shaft. The latter is so operated that the platen is carried near to the type wheels, then pauses and then is rapidly accelerated for the final effective movement. In a given operation, only the shaft 1218 for the row including the printer to be operated is actually rocked. For this purpose, a pawl 1241 is allowed by the energization of a solenoid, e.g. PSY1, under the control of the corresponding selection key row switch, e.g. SYS1, or the equivalent switch when selection is automatic, to couple an arm 1240 on the shaft 1218 to an actuating link 1251. The pawls 1224 are moved into the path of the arms 1227 on the shaft 1218 by cam slides 1231 of which one is provided, alongside the typesetting slides 1095, Fig. 70, for each of the three columns of printers. These are controlled by the stop bails 1112 under the control of the solenoids PSX and so only that one for the column including the selected printer is freed for operation. A line-spacing pawl 1291 pivoted on each arm 1227 co-operates with a ratchet wheel 1290 fast with the associated platen. The pawl is allowed to engage the ratchet wheel when the associated coupling pawl 1224, which has an extension 1295 co-operating with an ear of the pawl 1291, is moved to couple the platen with its arm 1227. Thus when the selected platen is actuated to take an impression its pawl 1291 is able to line-space the platen during the return movement. Multiple tape unit; signalling low supply of tape. Each paper tape 1170 passes from a supply roll round its platen and out through the front of the cabinet. The supply roll is mounted in a rocking frame 1310 for ease of replacement. A stud 1328 in a lever pivoted in the frame bears on the paper surface and when the supply is reduced to a predetermined amount, this lever rocks a latch, Fig. 68 (not shown), which releases a signal lever. The latter projects from the cabinet to ind