Patent GB-369486-A (GB)
Title: Account-keeping apparatus
Filed: 1931-06-30
Abstract: 369,486. Selective punching-machines. BOUTET. R. E., 80, Rue Taitbout, Paris. June 30, 1931, No. 18877. Convention date. July 3, 1930. [Class 31 (ii).] Apparatus particularly for use in banks for dealing with customers' accounts comprises a record card controlled mechanism for setting up the customer's old balance in an adding and subtracting mechanism, separate keyboard machines for entering credit and debit transactions, electrical means operative to modify the setting of the calculating mechanism to obtain the new balance and electrical means controlled by the mechanism and machines to operate punching mechanism to perforate the old record card and a new record card with the new balance. The record cards, as shown in Fig. 1, are divided into sections comprising groups AS, NC, C, D, and NS representing the old balance, customer's identification number, credit items, debit items, and new balance respectively. A card AC with the old balance and identification number perforated therein is inserted in a sensing and punching mechanism M in the position shown in Fig. 3 and a new card VC is also inserted so as to overlap the column NS. The cards are positioned between a stationary matrix 1 and a movable matrix 2. On the lower matrix 1 opposite the columns of perforations AS, NC are arranged sets of spring contacts Aa‹, Ba<0>, &c. adapted to cooperate with contacts A<1>a<0>, B<1>a<0> on the upper matrix 2. The spring contacts of the group AS are electrically connected to the keys of a calculating machine MS, Fig. 1, for effecting addition and subtraction. The general circuit arrangement is shown in Fig. 2, wherein the contacts Aa‹ &c. are connected to key-operating electromagnets aa<0> &c. in circuit with a main lead switch IMS and the contacts A<1>a<0> &c. are connected through a switch IAS to the opposite main lead. The contacts Ba‹ &c. are each connected to an electromagnet ba<0> arranged in columns below the matrix 1 and in a position below the section NC of the new card VC the circuit being completed through a switch INC. The machines MC, MD, Fig. 1, which totalize the credit and debit transactions have banks of keys which co-operate with switches Ca<0>. &c. Da<0> &c. in circuit with corresponding electromagnets ca‹ &c. da<0> &c. and a main switch IDC. These electromagnets ca<0>, da<0>, &c. are arranged in columns below the matrix 1 under the appropriate sections C, D of the old card AC, and their circuits are arranged in parallel with the circuits of the electromagnets aa<0> &c. of the calculating machine MS. The totalizing counter of this machine comprises numeral wheels RT, Fig. 8, insulatedly mounted and each formed with a metal conducting sleeve 16 on which are secured ten studs Fa<o>, Fb‹, &c., Fig. 7, helically arranged. The studs co-operate with rows of spring contacts F<1>a<0>, F<1>b<0>, &c. mounted in an insulated block 17 controlled for movement by electromagnets 19 against the action of springs 18. The magnets 19 are arranged in circuit with a switch IRT. The contacts Fao &c. are connected to electromagnets fa<0> &c. arranged below the matrix 1 in alignment with the section NS of the old card and the section AS of the new card. The punching device comprises a series of punches 7, Figs. 3 and 4, mounted to slide in a guide 6, there being one punch for each column of electromagnets ba<0>, ca<0>, da‹, fa<0>, &c. The punches are held in a normal position by a bar 9 engaging the forked end of a spring-controlled lever 11 adaptec. to be rocked by energizing an electromagnet 15 in circuit with a switch 15a. When the arm is rocked the bar 9 is displaced and the punches follow up the movement under spring action until their tails are arrested by the armatures of the electromagnets that have been energized in accordance with the card perforations and setting of the calculating machines. The reciprocation of the upper matrix is effected in two stages by means of a cam 25 operated by a two-to one gearing from a shaft 21 coupled by a onerevolution clutch to a constantly rotating shaft 20. The clutch comprises a notched disc 28, Figs. 4 and 5, on the shaft 20, an arm 29 secured to the shaft 21, and a longitudinally movable pin 30 on the arm. When the clutch is inoperative one end of the pin engages a hole 33 in a groove 31 of a disc 32 secured to the framework. To render the clutch operative an electromagnet 35, the circuit of which is closed by a hand switch 35a, is energized to force the pin out of the hole into engagement with the disc 28, the pin riding in the recess until it again enters the hole. During the first half-revolution of the cam 25 the matrix 2 is lowered to complete the various circuits through the spring contacts Aa<o>, Ba<o>, &c. During the second half-revolution the matrix 2 is lowered to permit the punches to effect the perforation of the two cards, whereupon the matrix is returned to idle position. The time of closing of the main switches IAS, IMS, IDC, IRT, INC, and 15a is controlled by a distributer 36, Fig. 6, mounted on the shaft of the cam 25.