Patent GB-514475-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in statistical machines
Filed: 1938-04-02
Abstract: 514,475. Statistical machines. THOMAS, A. April 2, 1938, No. 10164. [Class 106 (i)] The breaks in sequence of a series of sequentially arranged records are indicated by, apparatus comprising means to sense the records successively and make a set-up correspondingly a separate set-up device capable of making a series of successive set-ups one at each sensing operation, and means for comparing the two set-ups thus simultaneously produced and on disagreement bringing up the separate set-up device to agreement while indicating the break of sequence. The indication of disagreement is the feeding of a blank card from magazine 30, Fig. 4, on top of the cards which have already passed through the machine into box 28. When a card. leaves magazine 2, Fig. 3, each card column in the serial number field is read by a column of pins 3 connected through a pin-box of the kind set out in Specification 401.012, and bv Bowden cables 4 to ten stops 5. Each stop 5 is slidable in plates 6, 6a against a spring 6b and has an offset end 50a which projects through a slot in a supporting plate X to coact with a plate 23 pivoted at 24 and with lugs 8 on a wheel 7. For each column of stops the plate 23 and wheel 7 are on opposite sides of the related plate X. Each wheel 7 constitutes one denomination of the automatic set-up device. or units counter, and has a multiple of ten teeth with a lug 8 for every ten teeth. Normally the offset ends of the stops 5 are out of the range of lugs 8 but when a hole is read the corresponding step 5 is moved to the right into the path of the next lug 8. The arrangement is such that if the units counter wheel registers the same number as the pin 5 just moved, the end 5a of the latter is immediately in front of the lug 8 and the wheel does not move. Once each cycle a pawl 9 is caused by bail 10, cam-operated from shaft 14, to move the wheel 7 one ratchet tooth so that if the cards are perforated sequentially the projected stop 5 at each reading immediately blocks the lug 8. The stop 5 also rocks plate 23 clockwise about pivot 24 but ineffectively . Plate 23 carries a lug 21 to latch a lug 22 on an operating arm 19 to which is pivoted a pawl 18. When lug 22 is released, pawl 18 is capable of being, moved by its spring 20 to feed the wheel 7 nine steps. At agreement, however, a lug 8 is immediately against a pin 5 and nothing happens. For disagreement, pawl 18 feeds the wheel 7 until the next appropriate lug 8 meets the projected pin 5 so that the units register is brought into agreement with the last set-up from the cards. At the same time the movement of arm 19 causes a blank card to be fed from magazine 30 on top of the cards already in the discharge box 28. Picker blade 29 is operated by linkage 32, 33, Fig. 1, and latch 39 pivoted to a forked arm 35 operated by an eccentric 37 on shaft 14. Arms 33 and 35 are pivoted independently to the machine frame at 34. In the position shown in Fig. 1 for cards in true sequence latch 39 is held up by finger 40 so that its notch is clear of pin 42 an arm 33 and the blank card picker is idle. When, at a break in the sequence, arm 19. Fig. 4, is rocked clockwise its lower end, Fig. 1, rocks the members 44, 40 clockwise, latch 39 falls clockwise to engage-pin 42 and the picker 29 is operated to feed a blank card. The arm 19 is then restored counter clockwise by a bail 46, Fig. 4, carried by a pair of arms 47. 47a of which 47 has a forked plate 48 which is rocked by a roller 50 and arm 51 oscillated by a cam 54 on shaft 14 at each machine cycle. By omitting the driving pawls 9 the mechanism above set out could be used for grouped-card working. "No-card" action.-To prevent a blank card being fed after the last card has been read the control of Fig. 11 is used. Shaft 66 operates the pin box shutter plate S, Fig. 3, described and shown at 26 in Specification 401,012. When a special pin 55 descends fully owing to the absence of a card, its collar 59 rocks a lever 60, 62 counter clockwise and its hook 63 arrests an arm 65 rigid with shaft 66 so that the pin box, owing to the arrest of the shutter plate, is ineffective to set any stop 5. The descent of pin 55 preferably also rocks linkage 73, 74, 75, 76 to open the driving-motor switch. Totat-taking.-The sequence control apparatus set out above could be adapted to take a total at each break in the sequence by utilizing the rocking of any arm 19, which only occurs at a break, to control the lever 96 described in Specification 271,935 [Class 106 (i)]. The transfer-mechanism is of the kind described in Specification 360,923.