Patent GB-535483-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines for sorting record cards
Filed: 1939-10-09
Abstract: 535,483. Sorting record cards. DEUTSCHE HOLLERITH MASCHINEN GES. Oct. 9, 1939, No. 27552. Convention date, Oct. 8, 1938. [Class 106 (i)] A record card sorting machine includes a plurality of card pockets fewer in number than the number of different designations in respect of which sorting may be effected, a designationselecting device which is adjustable to co-relate the pockets to two or more different groups of designations and to select which of the different groups of designations shall control the distribution of the cards to the pockets, and indications adjacent to each pocket of the different designations of the cards which may be sorted thereto depending upon the position of adjustment of the said device, and is characterized by the provision of indication display means which is adjustable automatically with the designation-selecting device and which indicates in respect of each pocket the designation which is contemporaneously selected for controlling the distribution thereto by the adjustment of the designation-selecting device. The record cards 10 have two fields 10a, 10b of six and four rows for aphabetical and numerical designations respectively, and are sorted into thirteen sorting and one reject pockets in three sorting runs for groups 0-9, A-M, N-Z respectively. The cards are fed from magazine 21 past card contacts 62 and six reading brushes 24 which read the upper or lower field according to the position of switch 63. Those brushes 24 which find perforations, energize their corresponding magnets 50 (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) which through a system of levers and latches which are restored to normal position and each card cycle depress corresponding links 60 during the succeeding card cycle to set switches to establish a line from the positive bus-bar 70 to the line corresponding to the perforations read, which is connected by a line (not shown) to one of three commutators 66, 67, 68, which are connected to contact members 36, 37, 38. An arm 34 operated by handle 33 connects one of the contact members 36, 37, 38 to conductor segment 35 and so to magnet 27, while the other end of arm 34 operates a slide 31 to indicate below the sorting pockets those designations being sorted. For sorting numbers, switch 63 is in its upper position and arm 34 connects segment 35 to contact 36. while for alphabetical designations, switch 63 is in its lower position with contact 37 connected to 35 for A-M, and contact 38 connected to 35 for N-Z. A brush sweeping round the commutator connected electrically to segment 35 closes a circuit to the magnet 27 whenever one of the designations to be sorted in that run is read by the brushes 24, this occuring when the card is passing under the sorting blades 26 which in known manner deliver the card to the appropriate pocket. The magnet 27 is maintained energized by a circuit through holding magnet 39 and contacts 41 until contacts 69 are opened by a cam. Cards not bearing designations corresponding to the commutator connected to magnet 27 do not energize the magnet, and pass under all the blades 26 into the reject pocket R. Instead of perforations the cards may bear graphical characters read by photo-electric means as described in Specifications 535,031 and 26828/39 (as open to inspection under Sect. 91). Specification 289,484, [Class 106 (i)], also is referred to.