Patent GB-166056-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to card operated selective control mechanism for statistical record card machines
Filed: 1919-08-06
Abstract: 166,056. Peirce, J. R. Aug. 6, 1919. Statistical machines.-In statistical perforated record-card machines of the type which are operated by selective card control mechanism, in order to print and register the items represented by the individual cards in appropriate positions and upon selected totalizers, according to the class or category to which the card belongs, and to print totals from such class totalizers when required, means are provided for controlling the feeling-pins which coact with the class perforations of the record-cards. The perforated recordcards are fed from a raceway A, Fig. 7, to an intermediate position limited by a swinging stop 41 where they are analyzed by feeling-pins D and then fed to a discharge raceway B. The feeling- pins are adapted to be controlled in their movement either by a special controlling card or by a manually-operated locking-device. The perforations on this controlling card, which is held in the pocket 23, Figs. 1 and 7, are the negative or reverse of the perforation on those particular recordcards of which it is desired to record or tabulate the information given thereby. When the machine is operated, only those feeling-pins can advance which find holes in the perforated recordcards, and when that particular combination of pins advances which will fit the perforations of a card of which the particulars are to be recorded, the pocket 23 is also pulled forward through the action of a. spring 25. The forward movement of the selector-controlling pocket 23 swings an arm 29 on the rock-shaft 30, thereby swinging a longitudinally extending stop 31, Figs. 1 and 1<a>, so that the slots on the edge thereof move into the planes of the main operating sectors 153. The sectors 153 and printing sectors 168, Fig. 2, are connected to the totalizing-mechanism as' described in Specification 165,846. An alternative construction of mechanism adapted to control the feeling-pins is shown in Fig. 8, comprising a manually-operated locking-device, either to lock into or to lock out of operativeness cards of a determined classification. The pins D, Figs. 7 and 8, carry on their rear ends lateral studs 119 adapted to engage one or the other of the two notches in the ends of combs 120 which slide longitudinally in a rocking frame or box. This box is adapted to tilt about a transverse pivotal axis 123 by means of the handle 121<b>. The link 26, Fig. 7, is connected to a rocking shaft 124, Figs. 8 and 9, which carries a fixed arm with a locking- control-piece 127 adapted to enter notches 121 in the combs 120 if all the notches are advanced into alignment. There is one comb 120 for each pair. In Fig. 8 the comb 120 is shown advanced so that its rearmost notch is engaging pin No. 3 and its notch 121 is in the path of the controlpiece 127; in this position it is necessary that the combination represented by pins 1, 2, and 4 be advanced in order that the control-piece 127 may enter the notches 121. Fig. 10 shows the mechanism for locking in the determined combination, comprising a crank 129 fixed on the end of the shaft 124, carrying on its end a pin adapted to engage a shoulder on the arm 130 which is loose on the shaft. The arm 130 carries a flange 131 normally in the path of the selecting-sectors 186, Figs. 1 and 10, so that the latter cannot move and select a register until the shaft 124 is actuated to withdraw the flange 131. This only occurs when the pins advance according to the determined combination for a particular classification. Fig. 11 shows the mechanism for locking out of operativeness cards of a predetermined classification and comprises an arm 130<a> with a projection 131a normally out of the path of the oscillating sectors 186 and swung into such path when the combination in question occurs, thus rendering the machine inoperative for such determined classification. The combs 120, Fig. 8, are manually operated by means of levers 133 which set the combs forward or backward according to the desired combination. The levers 133 are connected within the casing to a series of nested shafts 134, each shaft carrying four sectors 135, 136, &c., with depressions and projections on their edges corresponding to the scheme of perforations on the record-cards. By means of these projections and depressions, when the shaft 134 is turned there is a lifting and lowering of the lower ends of the levers 137 pivoted on a shaft 138 and pressed downward by springs 139. The upper ends of the levers 13.7 are approximately vertical so that they swing from right to left and vice versa, and are provided with hooks 139<a> normally just above notches 140 in the projecting rear ends of the combs 120. When an adjustment is effected the comb box is turned on its pivot, releasing the engagement of the studs 119 with the forward ends of the combs and bringing the notches 140 of the rear ends of the combs into engagement with the hooks 139<a>, whereupon the shifting of the cam sectors 135, 136, &c. sets the combs to the desired position. The rear end of the box is then swung downward again, releasing the combs from the hooks 139a and swinging their inner ends into proper engagement with the studs 119 on the feeling-pins.