Patent GB-267599-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record-card-controlled statistical machines
Filed: 1925-12-16
Abstract: 267,599. Campbell, C., and British Tabulating Machine Co., Ltd. Dec. 16, 1925. Statistical machines with printing-mechanism. -In a grouped-card statistical machine, when a change of designation is detected by the automatic control mechanism extra line-spacing is given to the printed record-sheet without interrupting, i.e. without stopping or delaying, the normal registering or recording functions of the machine. Alternatively, instead of extra linespacing, any desired operation other than the normal registering or recording operations may be performed, for example the severing of the printed record-sheet or the making of a special mark thereon. The paper-feed mechanism illustrating the invention is similar to that described in Specification 216,142, (Figs. 10 and 10<a>). As in the case of the parts 305, 306 in the prior Specification, the shaft 5 is rocked once per card cycle and an arm 6 is raised to permit the typebars 50 to rise until they are each differentially arrested by a pawl operated by an electromagnet when a hole in the corresponding card-column comes under the brush in the known manner. Secured to the platen 51 is a ratchet wheel 52 operated step by step by a pawl 53 pivoted to an arm 54 which is freely mounted on the platen spindle and is operated by a lever 58 connected by a link 36 to a lever 34. This lever 34 is pivoted to a fixed bracket 35 and has attached to it two cranked members 33, 37 of which 37 has a lug 37<a> coacting with a pin 38a on an arm 38 rigid with shaft 5 whereby member 37 is rocked clockwise once per card cycle, drawing down link 36 and rotating platen 51 the normal amount. The second cranked member 33 is connected by link 31 to a lever 30, 30<a> loose on shaft 5 and coacting with a pin 7 on a disc 8 carrying a pawl 13. This pawl is normally held withdrawn from a ratchet 12 on a shaft 9 geared to a listing- shaft 10 corresponding to the shaft 294 in the prior Specification. When, however, a change in designation of the record-cards is detected a. magnet 17 is energized, as described below, and the armature 16 raises the latch 15, releasing pawl 13. Thus the disc 8 is clutched to shaft 9 and pin 7, in rotating clockwise, rocks lever 30, 30<a> thereby lowering, through member 33, the link 36 and rotating the platen 51 an amount more than normal. As will be seen, this action is independent of the normal registering or recording operation of the machine and hence no interruption of these latter operations is necessary; also the above device 13, 15, 16 comprises a onerevolution clutch tripping the pawl 13 after one rotation of the disc 8. Referring to the circuit diagram, Fig. 2, the upper card-reading brushes 18 for designation are connected by lines 19 to the corresponding lower brushes 20. Windings 21 control contacts 22 in a control circuit 22a having a winding 23 operating contacts 24 which are open when the winding 23 is energized. The contacts 22 tend to close by spring pressure but are normally held apart by latches which are released on energization of the magnet windings. Any contacts thus closed remain closed until the end of the card-cycle, as in Specification 216,142, (Fig. 21), when they are reopened and re-latched. If the control holes of two successive cards agree, the circuits 29, 18, 21, 19, 20 are all closed, contacts 22 close, winding 23 is energized, and contacts 24 remain open, so that the magnet 17, Fig. 1, in circuit with the contacts 24 remains de-energized. Contacts 25 in the control circuit shunt the contacts 22 and open momentarily just after the last hole-position of each card has left the brushes. Thus, if the designation alters, one or more of the contacts 22 remains open, and when 25 open the control' circuit is opened, winding 23 is de-energized and contacts 24 close. Thus magnet 17 is energized to initiate extra line-spacing. Specifications 117,985, 190,144, and 215,842 are referred to. Mechanism is also described and illustrated for performing strip-severing and for the printing cf a special mark.