Patent GB-806355-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to computing machines
Inventor: PARMENTER RAYMOND OWEN
Filed: 1956-03-19
Abstract: 806,355. Electrical-component assembly. POWERS SAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES Ltd. Feb. 11, 1957 [March 19, 1956], No. 8562/56. Class 37. [Also in Group XIX] Programming apparatus for an electronic computer comprises a contact block having contact pins arranged in rows and columns, the contact pins of each row being arranged in groups and electrically connected with an output element common to the row through selenium disc diode mixers one for each group, and a carrier movable towards and away from the contact pins and adapted to locate relative thereto a programme " card arranged to effect electrical connection between predetermined ones of the contact pins and input connections therefor. The card may be a punched record card or an electrically insulated member bearing printed connections. As described, the contact pins 1 are arranged in 26 rows, 40 in each row. Fig. 4 shows part of one row of pins which are supported for axial movement in a plate 2 and each electrically connected by copression springs 4, 9 and a fixed conductor pin 5 with a conductive pressure pad 8 which is pressed against a diode 6. The diodes are arranged in groups of four, and each group is carried by a plate 7 electrically connected through pressure pad 12 with a capacitance reducing diode 10. The diodes and associated parts for two adjoining groups are contained in a moulded non-conductive housing 16 comprising two identical halves (see Fig. 7); the two diodes 10 are carried by a plate 13 connected to a U-shaped copper strip 11 which extends through grooves 21. When the housings are juxtaposed as shown, the bent-over portion 31 of one member 11 forms a clip for connection with the portion 29 of the adjacent member, the portion 29 of the end member being connected to output lead 32. The contact block carries also a row of input contact pins, one for each column of pins 1, electrically connected to separate input leads. The contact block is fixed to a frame 38, Fig. 10, which carries by linkwork 42, 45 a card carrier 40 which can be moved by handle 48 to the inactive position shown for insertion of a card 50. The card comprises a non-conductive member bearing, on the side remote from the pins, conductive strips one for each column; 26 holes extend through each strip and the card to receive the pins, and selective electrical connections are effected by inserting rivets or eyelets in predetermined holes when the card is prepared, each column corresponding to a computer instruction. In operation, the carrier is moved to the active position in which rubber pressure pad P ensures contact between the card and the pins 1; when an instruction is selected by applying current to one of the input leads, the current will pass along the associated card strip and through the rivets or eyelets to certain of the pins 1 in the corresponding column, thus producing outputs at the appropriate leads 32 to convey the required instruction to the computer. In a modification, a punched record card is used in combination with a complete set of electric contacts housed in the carrier 40. Specification 803,734, [Group XIX], is referred to.