Patent GB-277878-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to record controlled machines for compiling statistics
Filed: 1927-04-06
Abstract: 277,878. National Cash Register Co., and Haddan, A. J. H. April 6, 1927. Addition to 185,071. Statistical machines. - Relates to a record-controlled machine of the type described in the parent Specification designed to analyze detail record-strips and to produce a summary record from the data compiled on the totalizers in regular sequence. According to the invention a free selection of the totalizers for producing a summary record is rendered possible by utilizing a special perforated strip controlling circuits for selecting the group, of totalizers the individual totalizer of said group, and for setting the designation recording device therefor. The control strip as represented in Fig. 1, has two kinds of perforations. one for the groups and one for the individual totalizers, and these are subdivided to provide perforations for setting and actuating the designation recording device. The ten columns G0-G9 correspond to the ten groups of totalizers and the adjacent two columns to the right thereof serve to select the single totalizer in accordance with the perforation code as shown in Fig. 2. The upper row of perforations in the columns G0-G9 and the two right-hand columns on the record-strip control the selection and actuation of the recording devices. Feeding means for control strip. The strip is loosely rolled in a holder 1255, Fig. 14, and passes over drums 1234, 1236 to a second holder 1256. The drums have pins for engaging edge perforations on the strip and carry pinions meshing with a pinon 1242 on a shaft 1243. The strip is advanced by a Geneva wheel 1245, Fig. 15, operated by a pin 1246 on a wheel 1247 connected through gearing with the main shaft 10, Fig. 16. The record-strip is maintained in tension by pressure rollers 1257, 1258 mounted on arms and manually controlled by a lever 1270 and link 1272. These rollers may be held out of engagement by a spring-controlled pawl 1273. Totalizer and designation device selection. The columns of perforations G0-G9, Fig. 1, cooperate with ten sets of contacts 1278, 1279, 1280, Figs. 14 and 16, insulated from one another on a plate 1281 carried by arms on a shaft 1262 and associated with a pair of contact plates 1283, 1284 in such manner that the contacts 1278, 1279 co-operating with plate 1283 and contacts 1280 with plate 1284. The other pairs of columns of perforations in the control strip co-operate with contacts 1292 - - 1296 and 1286 - - 1290 and contact plates 1297, 1291 respectively. The sets of contacts 1279, 1280 are connected to the magnets and contact strips of the differential mechanism of the totalizer groups as described in the parent Specification, and the individual totalizer of the selected group is picked out by the set of contacts 1292 - - 1296 in accordance with the diagram, Fig. 2. The set of contacts 1278 is connected to the contact bank l0-l9 of a differential mechanism N, Fig. 9, for selecting the designation recording device. The contacts 1292 - - 1296 are connected to leads of sets of ten contacts 1786 - - 1790 of the master switch M-S, and to the contacts of the group differential mechanism. The contacts 1286 - - 1290 are connected to the differential mechanism M, Fig. 10, for controlling the actuation of the selected recording device. The contacts l0-l9 of the N-differential through a segment 85 and rack 39 control the adjustment of a shaft 1191 on which is mounted a sleeve carrying arms 1192, Fig. 3, having a limited rocking movement on the shaft by the engagement of a pin 1194, Fig. 4, on the shaft with a slot 1193 in the sleeve. The arms 1192 at their lower ends surround a shaft 1195 carried by arms 1197, 1198 loose on the shaft 1191 and embrace a pinion 1199 adapted on the movement of the shaft 1191 to be positioned opposite the appropriate one of a set of sectors 1187. On the operation of the machine as described below the pinion 1199 is thrown into engagement with a sector 1187 and under the control of the M-differential is actuated by a pinion 1216, Fig. 10, on the shaft 1195 to rotate the sector 1187 and set the corresponding pinion 1186. The contacts of the M-differential, Fig. 10, position a segment 1215 after the pinion 1216 has been thrown into engagement therewith. Operating mechanism. In total-taking operation a shaft 600. Fig. 4, is first moved by hand from one position to another, and in so doing causes a movement of a pair of bell-crank levers 1142. 1143 whereby a pin 1146 on a link carried by the lever 1143 is moved to the upper end of a slot in a lever 1148 pivotally mounted on a shaft 1149 'and in such position engages the bifurcated end of a lever 1155 also loosely mounted on the shaft 1149. The lever 1155 carries a roller 1156 engaging a cam-race on a discs 1158 secured to an operating shaft 492 which during a revolution rocks the lever 1155 and therewith the lever 1148 the arm 1201 of which through its connection with the arm 1197 effects the engagement of the pinions 1199 and 1216 with their segments 1187, 1215. The segments 1187 are normally locked by detents 1202 but the selected one is released for operation by a projection 1204 on one of the arms 1192 engaging a projection 1205 on the detent. At the same time a rail 1210 carried by the arm 1197 engages the tail ends of the detents to maintain the remaining segments in locked position. The pinions 1216 are normally held by a pawl 1217, Fig. 10, pivoted to the arm 1198 but are freed for movement when the pinion is rocked to engage its segment 1215 by a hook 1218 on the pawl engaging a fixed pin 1219. Designation recording devices. For producing an identification mark on the summary record each group of totalizers is provided with a group of four punches 1180, Fig. 13, and a type-wheel 1181. The setting of the type-wheel 1181 and punch-operating slide 849 is effected by the selected pinion 1186. The pinions 1186 are mounted on a set of nested sleeves 1185 on a shaft 1184, Figs. 3 and 13, on the opposite ends of which are pinions 1183 gearing with the type-wheels 1181 and with pinions 1223 meshing with racks on the slides 849. During the print. ing and perforating operation the type-wheels are held aligned by a toothed rail 1225 supported on arms 1226 and controlled by the operating levers 854. When a change of group occurs, the type-wheel and slide is returned to zero position and a star is printed on the record-strip. This movement is effected during a blank or idle operation by reason of the provision of a single perforation G-2 in the top line as shown in the third group, Fig. 1. Electrical connections. The Specification contains a description of the circuit connections part of which are shown in Fig. 17. A switch G-S regulates supply of current to the groups G-0 to G-9 and to the switch for the N-differentials and a switch A-S regulates the supply to the amount bank differentials. The action of the handle to set the shaft 600 for total-taking operates a switch 1355 to release the starting key 1000. Contacts 1299 and 1283 are controlled by the outermost row of perforations on the left hand, Fig. 1, for the purpose of stopping the machine if the record-strip is torn or if a perforation 1300 is presented thereto at the end of the total-taking operation. The circuit through the contacts energizes a magnet 1049 to open a switch 1047 and thereby de-energize magnets 1003, 1030 so that levers 1012, 1022 are coupled by pin 1026 to render operative the clutch lover 633.