Patent GB-578575-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record card controlled printing machines
Filed: 1944-10-09
Abstract: 578,575. Statistical apparatus. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Oct. 9, 1944, No. 19340. Convention date, Oct. 9, 1943. [Class 106 (i)] A posting-machine comprising means for feeding in succession a plurality of master cards interspersed with detail cards, means for sensing data on each detail card and means for arresting the feed of each master card while posting mechanism controlled by the sensing means posts thereon data sensed from a detail card, is characterized by means for adjusting the position of the posting mechanism to post data in a predetermined position on the master card. In the example chosen, instalment payments, each recorded on a separate detail card (Fig. 7) are printed on a master card (Fig. 8) either (i) at the position corresponding with the number of the instalment (note perforation against " 8 " in field 31 of Fig. 7 and corresponding item 2600, 815 in Fig. 8), or (ii) on the next available line on the master card, in which case field 31 of the detail card is not required. The cards are placed in the magazine 32, Fig. 1, with a master card (M) in front of each group of detail cards (D). The main shaft 48, Fig. 2, carries gear-wheels 52, 54 for driving the card feed rollers 34, 35, &c. and cams for operating other moving parts. A cam 49 rocks an arm 50 to operate the card picker 33 thus passing the first card (a master card) between feed rollers 34, Fig. 1, and so on to feed rollers 35 where it is held (though the rollers continue to rotate) by a stop 36. The card reading means comprises columns of spring-pressed balls 58 co-operating with contact strips 56 corresponding with the card columns. While the card is in this position a number of emitters E (shown diagrammatically in Figs. 9 and 9a), each consisting of a movable brush traversing a number of contact segments, operate. In the case of a master card, only one perforation 29 is effective, and this completes a circuit from line 140 (Fig. 9), cam contacts C3, spring-pressed ball 58, contact strip 56, relay R1 and line 147 to line 141. Relay R1 closes contacts R1a to establish a holding circuit for the relay under the control of camoperated contacts C4, and closes also contacts R1c, thereby energizing a relay S4 which moves a deflector 38, Fig. 1, to the right. A relay S1, Fig. 9 and Fig. 1, is also energized and this removes the card stop 36 and allows the master card to be fed vertically downwards to the position M, where it is held by a second card stop 45. The card picker 33 then feeds a second card (normally a detail card) to the card reading position and in this case the data punched on the card controls the printing of corresponding data on the master card. The printing mechanism comprises a number of type sectors 64, Fig. 1, rotatable on a shaft 65 and normally held against a bail 67 by springs 69. A cam 75, Fig. 2, on the shaft 48 allows an arm 73 to be pulled down by a spring 76 as the emitters E1, E1a, E1b (Fig. 9) are operating, and this rotates an arm 72, Fig. 2, and an arm 70 on the shaft 65 carrying the bail 67, so that the type sectors follow the bail until energization of relays 79, Fig. 1 and Fig. 9, at times corresponding with the positions of perforations in the detail card, releases pawls 77 to engage teeth 66 on the sectors, thus positioning the appropriate type for printing on the card. Printing on the line of the master card corresponding with the number of the payment (No. 8 in Fig. 7) is accomplished by raising the printing mechanism as a unit. The unit is mounted on vertical bars 80 slidable in guide blocks 107 and as a lever 81, Fig. 2, pivoted at 83, is raised by a cam 86, a spring 87 lifts the printing unit. During this movement, a second group of emitters E2, E2a, E2b, Fig. 9, are operating, and as the hole representing the number of the payment is sensed, a relay 90, Fig. 1 and Fig. 9, is energized and the upward movement of the printing unit is arrested by the engagement of a pawl 89 with the appropriate tooth 88 in one of the bars 80. Lateral shift of the printing mechanism is necessary where the item is to be printed in the left-hand columns 26 of the master card. The blocks 107, Fig. 1, are mounted on rollers 109 running on rails 110. The sensing of a perforation in one of the " payment " positions 13 to 24, Fig. 7, causes the energization of a relay S5, Fig. 1 and Fig. 9, whereby a dog 114, Fig. 1, is released to engage an arm 112 of a V-shaped member which normally is reciprocated freely by a cam 111. The dog 114 couples the arm 112 to an arm 116 fixed on a shaft 113 and, through bevel gears 117, a shaft 118 is turned, rocking an arm 119 linked to the printing unit and so shifting it laterally. Printing hammers 94, Fig. 1, are released upon energization of a relay S3 after the printing unit has been finally positioned with respect to the master card. In an alternative method of operation, the " payment " columns 31, Fig. 7, on the detail cards are not used and each item is printed on the next available line of the master card under the control of a device shown in Fig. 9a. Perforations 28, Fig. 8, are made to the right of items in the right-hand column and to the left of items in the left-hand column of the master card by punches operated at the same time and in the same manner as the printing hammers 94. i A vertical slide 125, Fig. 9a, is carried in guide blocks on one of the vertical slides 80, Fig. 1, carrying the printing mechanism. A solenoid S6, Fig. 9a, and pawl 129 co-operating with teeth 128 are mounted on one of the guide blocks 107 for the slides 80. The sensing of perforations 28 in the master card when in the card-reading position by means of an emitter E2b, contact strips 134, 135 and wipers 131, 132, &c., sets the slide 125 in a position to control the line position relay 90, Fig. 1 and Fig. 9, so that the posting from the first detail card will be made on the next available line of the master card. Each posting causes the,slide 125 to be stepped down one tooth, and when the last line of the first column is reached, a wiper 131a, 132a completes a circuit to operate the lateral shifting mechanism and to return the slide to its uppermost position so that the next entry will be made on the first line of the second column. After the data from the first detail card has been printed on the master card, the solenoid S1, Fig. 1, removes the stop 36 and the card is fed by rollers 35, 40, 41 into a card pocket 42 while a second detail card is fed to the sensing station. The feeding of a second master card to the sensing station causes the removal of the second stop 45, Fig. 1, so that the first master card will be fed into a pocket 47 separate from the detail card pocket 42. If desired, the master cards can be directed into the pocket 42 by folding down a flap 62.