Patent GB-748636-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines for punching record cards
Inventor: RHODES FREDERICK SIDNEY
Filed: 1953-12-07
Abstract: 748,636. Statistical apparatus. POWERS-SAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. Dec. 1, 1954 [Dec. 7, 1953], No. 34032/53. Class 106(1). A machine for punching data in record cards under control of a perforated tape comprises a punch unit 1, tape sensing means, tape feeding means operable to feed a tape stepwise past the scanning means, translator means conditioned by the tape sensing means, punch unit control means co-operating with the translator means to transmit operating signals to the punch unit, and tape-feed control means operable under control of the translator means to permit operation of the tape feeding means after a sensing operation only when the translator means is conditioned by the sensing means to permit the punch unit control means to transmit a signal to the punch unit. The translator means comprises a plurality of notched code bars supported for lengthwise movement relative one to another to permit alignment of notches in the bars in response to signals received from the sensing means, and pivoted code bar testing elements spring-urged from inactive position towards the code bars to test the relative positions thereof subsequent to a tape-sensing operation. The tape feeding and sensing mechanism, the arrangement of code bars and testing elements employed in the translator unit, and the punchunit are all of known construction. The tape T is fed to the tape sensing means by a rotatable pinwheel 9, Fig. 4, which feeds the tape step - wise one perforation at a time. The feeding perforations F.P., Fig. 11, are aligned with larger 194 data perforations DP, the significance of which is translated by the translator unit into a form suitable for recording in a record card by the punches 3. Sensing of the tape is effected by a row of five sensing pins 31, Fig. 4, supported for axial movement between a pair of plates 32, 33 and urged towards the sensing positions by springs 34. The plates 32, 33 are carried by a support 35 mounted for vertical sliding movement under control of an eccentric 36 rotatable with the tape-feeding and sensing shaft 15 to effect operation of links 37, 38 and 39. The sensing pins 31 are engaged by sensing fingers 40 pivoted at 41 to setting brackets 42 and spring urged towards the sensing pins 31 by springs 43. The five notched code bars 48 are of wellknown construction each having notches 49, any two working together in combination. After the code bars have been set in position,a plurality of code bar testing elements 57 are moved about pivot 58 and guided by a comb element 59 upon release of a bail 61 common to all elements 57. The free end of each testing element carries an actuating finger 65. The actuating fingers are normally retained by a plunger 67 forming a signal emitter which in combination with an axially movable pin 68 causes a signal to be transmitted to the punchunit by the inner wire 8 of the flexible cable cooperating therewith. Each testing element 57 is provided with a contact operating pin 78 supported by fixed plates 79, 80 so as to be axially movable in response to the movement of the testing element 57. Each pin 78 has a collar 81 to determine its lowermost position. A shutter 82 common to all pins 78 is provided, Fig. 6, with the exception of pin 78a known as the trip-contact operating pin. Contacts 87, 88 which are normally open are closed by clockwise movement of the shutter 82. Co-operating with pin 78a is an actuating cam 90 and lever 91 which engages a pin 92, Fig. 4, which carries electrical contacts 94, 95 normally open but closed when the tape-delay-testing element 57a is moved into five aligned notches in the code bars 48 preparatory to the emission of a signal to the punch unit which will cause that unit to effect a card punching and feeding operation. Contacts 87, 88 are closed for a short duration only due to bail 61 moving the testing elements downwards immediately afterwards and a hold on relay is provided so that a solenoid remains energized long enough to permit the tail of a clutch pawl to be moved past the tripping position thereof.