Patent GB-321952-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in punching or like machines for operating upon record or like cards
Filed: 1928-08-20
Abstract: 321,952. Thomas, A., and Power, R. F. Aug. 20, 1928. Selective punching-machines. - In a machine for punching statistical cards in which depression of any of twelve keys mechanically selects and actuates a corresponding one or more punch of a single row of punches across which the card is traversed by a spring drum escapement, a single down stroke of a key causes the actuation and restoration of the striker, and the energy for restoring the keys and the setting mechanism is derived from the carriage spring. Punches P in a single row are loosely mounted in guides 2, 3 and are separately engaged by light-weight selector bars B moved endwise on depression of keys 8 by a pin 9 on the selector bar engaging an inclined slot in the key stem. The punches are formed with heads P<1> which are housed in a slot in the striker plates positively to actuate the punches and to prevent actuation of more than one key at a time. Depression of the numeral keys rocks levers 19 all connected to a sliding plate 23 attached to a rod R. The striker is actuated and restored in a single movement of the rod R. The striker is carried on fingers 24 on a rod 25 connected to a plate 27 attached to the rod R and an arm 28 on the rod 25 actuates a pivoted latch 29 controlled by a spring 30. On actuation of a key the rod R moves forward and through the parts 27, 28, 29, the fingers are rocked to actuate the striker and with the final movement of the rod an abutment actuates a T- lever 33 of the carriage escape mechanism so that a nose 35 engages a mutilated collar on the shaft 25 to retract the striker. A fixed pin 37 trips the latch 29 for the backward movement. A spring-urged safety catch 38 prevents jamming of the latch 29. In a modification, Fig. 13, the striker S is carried by the sheath of an eccentric 39 on a. rod 25<a> carrying a pinion 40 meshing with a pinion 41 actuated by a double-pawl 42 on the rod R. This arrangement completes the movement of the striker in a single forward movement of the rod R. In a further modification, Fig. 15, the rod 25<a> is connected to the rod R through a ratchet pinion and rack 48. Carriage feed. The card carriage comprises a vertical plate 103 with pivoted card clips 100, which carries a rack 52, and is urged to the left, Fig. 1, by a cord wound on a spring-drum. The rack is engaged by a pivoted check pawl 62 actuated by a T-lever 33 pivoted to the frame, and an actuating pawl 64 on a lever pivoted to the frame and connected by a link 66 to the striker actuating plate 27. Depression of a key moves the rod R to swing the lever 33 and raise the check pawl and the pawl 64 is lowered bv the plate 27. Release of the key restores the check pawl and the movement of the carriage forces up the pawl 64 to move the plate 27 which restores the member R and resets the keys. The tension of the carriage thus restores to original position the striker actuating mechanism and resets the keys. When the key is fully depressed the carriage is momentarily held by both pawls. A finger-plate 69 on depression actuates the lever 33 to raise the pawl 62 to allow the carriage to skip the whole length of its travel. A skip key 70 on depression rocks a rack 73 carrying adjustable clips 76 into the path of a projection on the carriage. The rack 73 on rocking actuates a lever 79 to free the pawl 62 and allow the carriage to skip a predetermined distance. The card clips are controlled by a bar 104 and a bell crank 106 which is engaged on the back movement of the carriage by a pin 108 to open the clips. In this position the bar 104 is held by a detent, which is released when a register 110 is projected through a hole on the carriage when the latter is in starting position. Picker. The cards are stacked in a spring- urged magazine capped by a glass plate 118, and the top card is fed between an abutment on the plate 103 and the gripper by a picker mounted on a shaft 121 with lever 127 rocked by a lever 124 from the carriage. The magazine is arranged so that when one side is swung down for replenishing the cards the springs are held compressed. An aligning shutter 137 is rocked by a pin on the carriage to ensure the top cards being in alignment. The cards are received in an adjustable framework. Specification 321,953 is referred to.