Patent GB-839429-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for producing a revised punched tape
IPC: B41B25/00
Filed: 1958-12-09
Abstract: 839,429. Punching record tapes. DOW JONES & CO. Inc. Dec. 9, 1958 [Dec. 19, 1957], No. 39624/58. Class 31 (2). A method of producing a revised control tape containing in perforated form tabulated information (e.g. that relating to stock exchange quotations), together with perforations representing code number designations of the different items of information, uses as a basis a similar existing tape which contains information requiring revision in certain respects (e.g. day-to-day variations in the prices of particular stocks or the addition or deletion of certain stocks) and an editing tape which contains the revisions to be made together with perforations representing their code number designations, and consists in analysing a code number designation in the editing tape and storing it for comparison with successive code number designations in the existing tape, analysing the existing tape and simultaneously transferring information therefrom to the new tape until the code number designation on the existing tape coincides with that stored from the editing tape, and then recording in the new tape from the editing tape. The existing tape, Fig. 4 (not shown), editing tape in a box 10, Fig. 6, and the new tape are all arranged for stepped advance under the control of a cam 30, Fig. 8 (not shown), on a motor-driven shaft; a set of punches 97, Fig. 2, is arranged to be actuated by electromagnets 98 and so perforate the new tape as dictated by two sets of feeler pins sensing-respectively the existing tape and editing tape. The control circuit, which includes rectifiers, relays and switches actuated by cams on the motor-driven shaft, is arranged so that at the start of an operation the editing tape is first advanced in steps and, also under the control of the cam 30, the brush arms 47, Fig. 6, of a stepping switch B are stepped forward over groups I, a, b, c, d, e, II of arcuately-disposed contacts 1 ... 20 so as to bring successive contacts of the switch into circuit with the feeler pins 43 of the editing tape; various contacts of the same groups are interconnected for the purpose of suitably controlling the cycle. In the first four positions of the switch (and also in successive sets of four), the first four lines of perforations in the editing tape, representing the code number of a particular item, are successively sensed by the feeler pins 43 and, in accordance with the sensing, appropriately energize storage relays successively in four groups A, B, C, D, Fig. 3. With the relays then held in this position, the editing tape is stopped at the next line of perforations, the switch arms 47 moved to the fifth contact and stopped, and the stepped advance of the existing tape started. At this stage, the feeler pins for sensing the existing tape are brought into circuit for energizing, in accordance with this sensing, one of a number of relays S0 . . . S5, Fig. 2, and the punches 97 are brought into circuit for operating upon the new tape which is then started on its stepped advance. To determine whether or not punching in the new tape is to be from the existing tape or editing tape, the settings of the four relays A, B, C, D, Fig. 3, are successively transferred to a group of relays E0 . E5, Fig. 2, for comparison with the corresponding settings of the relays SO ... S5, Fig. 2. For this purpose, the switch arms 114, Fig. 6, of a stepping switch A, somewhat similar to the switch B, are successively stepped over the first four contacts upon each advance of the tape and, at the same time as each digit of a code number on the existing tape is set up in the relays S0 . . . S5, the setting of the corresponding relays A, B, C, D is transferred to the relays E. So long as there is any variance between the settings of the relays S0 . . . S5 and E in their representation of any one of the four digits of a code number, the relays S0 . . . S5 act to operate the punches 97 as determined by the sensing of the existing tape by its feeler pins. When, however, all the digits of a code number on the existing and editing tapes coincide as shown by the comparison of these relays, the circuit is set so that, when a signal perforation following the code number on the existing tape is sensed, the punches 97 are controlled by the relays E as determined by the feeler pins 43 of the editing tape and all the revised data relating to that code number on the latter tape is transferred to the new tape; during this operation, the brush arms of the switches A, B remain on the fifth contact and the existing tape is advanced to feed away the superseded matter. A signal perforation at the end of the revised data on the editing tape then causes the switch B to restart, the next code number on the editing tape to be set up in the relays A, B, C, D, and the cycle to be continued as before. Should the next change involve the insertion at the appropriate point in the new tape of a new stock item, the editing tape carries, immediately before the information relative to such item, the code number of the item which it is to follow, preceded by a signal perforation adapted to set the circuit so that, after this preceding item has been transferred from the existing tape to the new tape, the new information item is transferred from the editing to the new tape. An appropriate s gnal perforation in the editing tape then sets the circuit for the cycle to continue as before for transfer from either the existing tape or editing tape unless a further new insertion is the next change to be effected, in which case an additional signal perforation suitably sets the circuit. Should the next change involve the deletion of an item, the editing tape will carry a signal perforation immediately in advance of the code designation of the previous item, which ensures that, after this item has been transferred from the existing tape to the new tape, the existing tape is advanced to feed away the deleted matter without transfer to the new tape. A doublethrow switch provided in the circuit can be set so as to permit control of the new tape from either the existing tape or editing tape as described above, or the existing tape only. Construction of punches.-The punches 97, designated 256, Fig.18, and an additional punch 257 for making successive feed holes in the new tape are arranged below the tape in an  H- shaped assembly block 255 in a casing 250, Fig. 13, being urged downwardly out of operative position by springs 259 so that their upper ends lie below a tape-feed slot 263 Each punch is actuated by an electromagnet 266 (98, Fig. 2), acting upon a lever 267 which is pivoted in a pivotally-adjustable frame 269 and engages under the lower end of the punch. The means for advancing the tape comprises an electromagnet 274 operative-upon a lever 276 which is mounted similarly to the lever 267 and carries a pawl 279 co-operating with a ratchet 280 on the shaft 282 of a pin-wheel engaging holes previously punched in the tape by the punch 257 feed of the tape occurs each time a spring 278 returns the lever 276 to its upper position after it has been moved down wardly by the energization of the electromagnet. The ratchet 280 may be rocked manually to advance or retract the tape, mechanism being provided to disengage the (pawl 279. From the pin wheel, the tape passes over a downwardly sloping guide 293 beneath ra blade 294 which can be used to tear off a portion of the tape when desired Scraps resulting from punching are forced upwardly by the punches through the top plate 264, Fig. 18, of the assembly block 255 into the path of a spirally grooved shaft: 298a, Fig. 20, which is rotated through pawl and-ratchet - means from the lever 276 so as to discharge the scraps through a hood 302. Specification 790,926 is referred to.