Patent GB-1167967-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Mechanism for Converting and Recording Data.
IPC: G06C11/08
Filed: 1967-05-22
Abstract: 1,167,967. Selective punching apparatus. HERSEY-SPARLING METER CO. 22 May, 1967 [24 May, 1966; 16 Aug., 1966], No. 23583/67. Heading B4. [Also in Divisions B6 and H3] In a mechanism for converting and punching data which includes a frame for supporting a card on which the data is to be punched and a plurality of punches slidably mounted in the frame and individually movable between a stand-by position and a punching position, the combination of a plurality of slides 78, Fig. 5, mounted in the frame 28 and movable between a first position and a second position, a plurality of the slides engaging each of the punches 76 when in the first position and permitting selected ones of the punches to be moved to the punching position, control means including solenoids 64, 66 for selectively moving the slides between the first and second positions thereof and actuating means including a pressure pad 38 for the punches mounted on the frame 28 and movable between first and second positions to move selected ones of the punches to the punching position, as determined by the slides when these are selectively moved to the second position, and subsequently to return the punches to the stand-by position. In the form described, the mechanism is in the form of a portable punching unit which responds to digital input signals to provide a punched card record of the decimal equivalent of the signals. The digital input signals may represent any data source, e.g. utility meter readings, linear movements, monetary values, or weight measurements. The card 13, Fig. 3, which is inserted in a slot 63, Fig. 5, and supported on a plate 70b is punched by a module 10, Fig. 3, included in the unit. The unit is provided with a probe 24 which is plugged into a receptacle containing binary coded signals of the utility meter readings. Alternatively, manual settings corresponding to visual reading of the utility meter are made by depressing switches 21 after depressing a switch (22), Fig. 2 (not shown). When the binary signals are applied to the punching unit, they energize different solenoids of the groups 64, 66, Fig. 5, to selectively operate different ones of a group of slotted selector slides 78 so that appropriate punches 76 may be released. The punches have projections 76a, 76b which, before selection of the punches, engage the edges of upper and lower groups of slides. The solenoids are coupled through pivoted linkage members 100 to the slides. The slides are arranged in two tiers so that each punch is controlled by four slides. The punching unit is operated by squeezing a trigger 3, Fig. 3. A manuallyoperable handle 14, Fig. 4B, is linked to the pressure pad 38 for moving the pad to a punching position. A spring 112, Fig. 5, is interposed between the pad 38 and each of the punches. A transversely movable locking plate 102, Fig. 10, is provided adjacent the pad 38 for engaging selected ones of the punches when the pad is moved towards the punching position so as to cause a positive punching pressure to be exerted on the selected punches by the pad. Each punch has an extension 76c, Fig. 10, located above one, 38b of the plates of the pad 38 which plate 38b returns the selected punches to their stand-by positions when the actuating means is returned from the second to the first position. The punching unit is enclosed in a housing (1), Fig. 2 (not shown), which has a frame 4A, Fig. 3, for removably receiving a cartridge of cards. A manually-operable ejector 9 is mounted in the housing (1) to enable cards to be ejected individually from the cartridge and inserted in a slot so as to abut against a stop 20. Individual ones of the slides when in the second position are locked by means of members 69, Fig. 5, secured to the armature of a solenoid 67, the members 69 controlling resilient locking members 90 having resilient portions 90a, 90b pivotally mounted on pins 92. Solenoid (65) Fig. 7 (not shown), is energized when the data input to the unit is set manually. The solenoids 64 to 67 are driven by corresponding transistor circuits. When the unit is set to operate manually, a current is thereby completed to the base of transistor Q18, Fig. 12, by the circuit of Fig. 13 through terminal 302. When the unit is set to operate automatically, a current is thereby completed to the base of transistor Q20, Fig. 12, by the circuit of Fig. 13 through terminal 300. The transistors Q18, Q20 are controlled through the terminals 300, 302 by means of a flip-flop 400, Fig. 13, which is made up of transistors Q22, Q23. When switch 22 is depressed for manual operation, it sets the flip-flop in a first state. When the unit is operated automatically, an interlock switch 406 is closed to trigger the flip-flop to its second state. The switch 406 may be in the plug 24 or in the receptacle receiving the plug.