Patent GB-709973-A (GB)
Title: Analyzer and transfer unit for record controlled tabulating and like machines
Filed: 1952-03-10
Abstract: 709,973. Statistical apparatus TRIGGS, W. W. (Burroughs Adding Macnine Co.). March 10, 1952, No. 6195/52. Class 106 (1) Apparatus for transmitting data read from a record card to the parts of a machine to be controlled thereby comprises a plurality of sectional transfer elements each having a part guided for linear a a co-operating tiltable part movable into either of two positions, in one of which, namely, an operative position, it is caused to be operative aligned with its counterpart linearly movable part, and in the other of which, namely, an inoperative position, it is tilted out 'of alignment with its counterpart linearly movable part, and means for individually and selectively locking the tiltable parts in the position in which they are aligned with their respective linearly movable sections for transmitting selected data therethrough. Two transfer units generally indicated at 28 and 29 are shown in Fig. 2 mounted in'a machine between certain elements of an analyser controlled mechanism. Each unit is supported in position by the opposed tracks 36 secured to the transverse walls 20 and 63 of the machine framework, and slidable in the tracks 36. Each unit is in the forin of a carrier comprising upper and lower rectangular frames generally indicated by the numerals 38, 39, with the latter 'having grooved end members 40 slidable in the rails 37. The upper frame may be swung about its hinges from a normal operative horizontal position' to the open position shown in Fig. 2. To retain the unit in operative position within the machine there are provided spring-loaded, catches 42 the other ends of which engage behind locking lugs 43. The upper frame 38 of each unit is provided with a pair of spaced, superposed plates. 44, Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, and the lower frame 39 is likewise provided with similar plates 45 all stationary within their frames. The plates 44 have formed therein a plurality of vertically aligned openings 46 arranged in horizontal rows at least equal to the number of columns in a record card to be analysed, and the number of openings in .,each row is at least equal to the number of type bars 27. In each set of vertically aligned openings 46 there is slidably mounted the upper section of a transfer element iti the form of a pin 47 provided with lugs 48. The lower and upper plates 45 in the bottom frame 39 are similarly provided with an equal number of openings 49 and 50, vertically aligned with respect to each other, and to the openings 46 in the plate 44 when the two frames 38, 39 are enclosed or operative position, and each pair of aligned openings 49, 50 there is mounted for vertical sliding movement the lower section 51 of one of said transfer units. Each of the sections 51 in addition to being slidably mounted in the plate 45 is designed to have an angular movement with respect to said plates and relative to the associated upper section 47 thereof. The length, of the lower opening 49 is made slightly larger than the width of the section 51 while the upper opening 50 is considerably elongated to permit the section to move from the normal angular position relative to its other section to one in direct alignment therewith. Figs. 6 and 7 show the effect of aligning transfer elements in order,to transmit to data from the card sensing section to the recording section. In order to select those transfer members which are to be made active a plate 53 particular to the accounting operation required is provided Each plate 53 is provided with a plurality of variable sized openings 57 and 58 equal to the number of transfer pins 47, 51 while the openings being arranged in rows like the pins so that when the plate 53 is guided into position in the frame 39 by engagement of the notched guide pins 59 in openings in the plate the upper ends of the pin section 51 which are all now in their normal angular position due to the formation of their lugs 52, will project through the openings and remain in their normal positions until the plate is shifted to variously control the ultimate positions of the sections. The openings 57 are slightly larger than the cross-sectional areas of the pins 51 while the openings 58 are considerably elongated, and the locations of the openings 57, 58 in the plate are dependent upon the particular operation to be accomplished. Thus, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, the smaller openings 57 are assigned to those pin sections 51 which are to be adjusted into operative or aligned relation to their associated section 47, while the elongated openings 58 are allotted to those sections 51 which are to remain inactive. After the plate 53 has been shifted to the left as shown in Fig. 6 the sections 51 extending through the smaller openings 57 will, by reason of the engagement of the edges of the opening with the section have been rocked about the lugs 52 to a vertical position. The shifting of the plate 53 to the left is preferably performed by the closing movement of the upper frame 38, for this purpose frame 38 is provided with a cam 60 in the form of a downwardly projecting pin which enters a recess or opening 61 in the plate 53 as the frame approaches its closed position. When a plate 53 is in operative position in a transfer unit and it is desired to make a slight alteration in the operating set-up by rendering active sections 51 in addition to those which have been adjusted by the plate 53 without removing and replacing the plate 53, this may be done as shown in Fig. 8, by lifting the frame 38, and engaging one or more locking lugs 68 with a number of inactive sections 51 and then inserting the lugs through the elongated openings 58 and 50 through which the section or sections extend. The placing of the lugs 68 in position will alter the section 51 to its vertical position where it will align with the associated section 47 to render the transfer pin active to perform its desired operation. In a modification shown in Fig. 9 use of the plate 53 is dispensed with and locking lugs 69 similar to the lugs 68 are inserted into the elongated openings 50 in the plate 45 through which extend those sections 51 on the transfer pin that are desired to be adjusted to their operative positions in alignment with their upper sections 47, the selection and locking of such pin sections 51 being made in accordance with the operation desired to be performed by the machine. The transfer apparatus described is shown in conjunction with a tabulator of known form shown in Fig. 1 in which the cards from a magazine are fed to a sensing section indicated generally by the reference 107, Fig. 10, where the cards are sensed mechanically by a series of reciprocating sensing pins which are locked in position when a hole is sensed and after sensing the cards are then discharged into a hopper 26. The cards stacked in the magazine 23 are fed therefrom by the reciprocating picker 81 operated by the crank connections 82 secured on a rock shaft 83 which, through the cranks 84, is connected to one end of the link 85 the other end of which is secured to the bell-crank 86 having a follower thereon engaging with the cam 87 on the shaft 78. As cards pass from the magazine, they are carried along by the pairs of feed rollers 88 into the card chamber 89 of the analyser unit 24 where they are stopped for analysis of the designating data thereon and afterwards fed from the analyser by the rollers 90 and finally discharged into the compartment 26 by the rollers 91. The analyser unit is generally of a construction well known in the art and comprises a lower vertically reciprocating pin box 101 located below the card chamber 89 and containing a plurality of sensing pins 102, one for each index point on the card to be analysed. The box 107 is mounted on a casting 103 and is guided in a vertical movement by the connected sleeve 104 slidable on standards 105 mounted upon the base 21. To reciprocate the pin box, the shaft 78 has secured thereto an eccentric 106 which is coupled at 107 to the connection between the sleeves 104. The unit 24 further comprises a stationary upper pin box 107 disposed above the card chamber 89 and having upper and lower plates 108 and 109 in which are slidably mounted for vertical movement the analysing pins 110 the upper ends of which normally project above the plate 108. As a card enters the chamber 89 to be analysed by the upward movement of the lower pin box 101 a vertical movable card stop 117 is in its lower operative position as shown, so as to be engaged by the leading edge of the card which is thus brought to a temporary stand-still while the pins 102 sense the card for perforations in the various columns thereof. The elevation and locking of a plurality of the analysing pins 101 in the different columns of the pin box 107 is immediately followed by the right-hand movement of a scanning device generally indicated at 140, Fig. 18, which continuously reciprocates over the pins. A plurality of operating elements in the form of sensing pawls 141 one for each column of pins, which are adapted to contact and be raised by the locked pins in the respective columns to initiate the operation of one of the controlled mechanisms that is associated with the upper transfer unit 28, whereby the analysed date represented by the locked pins is transmitted to the bars 32 forming part of the mechanism associated with the transfer unit. The scanning device comprises a frame consisting of side rails 142, 143 connected by the end plates 144 to complete the frame proper. There is provided a comb 149 for guiding the pawls 141 in the pivotal movements as the scanning frame 140 advances and carries with it the various pawls 141. They will move relative to any one particular one of the slides 164, Fig. 19, until the pawl 141 individual to the slides is elevated by engagement with one of the pins 110, whereupon the pawl is engaged with one of the rack teeth 165 of the slide depending upon t