Patent GB-299014-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record-card-controlled statistical machines
Filed: 1928-10-18
Abstract: 299,014. British Tabulating Machine Co., Ltd., (Assignees of Bryce, J. W.). Oct. 19, 1927, [Convention date]. Addition to 258,269. Statistical machines; printing totals.-The designation-controlling circuits of the parent Specification, in which the machine acted for total taking on a change of " major," " intermediate," and " minor " groups, are modified so that when the major group changes totals are taken from the major, intermediate and minor counters; when the intermediate group changes total-taking occurs from the intermediate and minor counters ; and for a minor group change only a minor total is taken. Improved clutch means are described for coupling the counters, manually or electromagnetically, to the reset shaft. The major, intermediate, and minor control relays 54, 55, and 56, Fig. 6, have front contacts 60, 61, 62 and shunt contacts 57, 58, 59 which are in parallel with each other and in series with the motor relay magnet 15 and reset magnet 26, so that if any relay is de-energized the shunt contacts close, and relays 15 and 26 are energized to interrupt tabulating and initiate resetting. These relays 54 - - 56 are connected for major &c. control to contacts 52 numbered 8, 9, 10-4, 5, 6, 7-and 1, 2, 3 respectively, through hand switches 65, 66, 67 and sockets 63, 64. The circuit for the minor control relay 56 is from line 11 through contacts L-4, L-3, and C-1 or through wire 70 and plug 71 to any desired socket 53 and thence through either the major, intermediate, or minor contacts 52 in series to relay 56, contacts 62, and line 10. Thus failure of any of the major &c. contacts 52 to close during any cycle causes de-energization of relay 56 when contacts C-1 open and causes energization of relays 15 and 26. Intermediate control circuit 55 is from line 11 to contacts L-4 and L-3 (or wire 70, socket 71, contacts 52 and socket 63) to relay 55 and contacts 61, to line 10. The major control circuit 54 is from line 11 through contacts L-4 (or wire 70, socket 71, contacts 52, and socket 64) to relay 54, contacts 60 and line 10. Thus if any of the major contacts 52 fail to close all the relays are de-energized; failure of intermediate contacts 52 de-energize minor and intermediate relays 55 and 56; and failure of minor contacts 52 de-energizes only minor relay 56. Also the relays 15 and 26 will remain energized as long as any of the relays 54 - - 56 are deenergized. If, say, a major contact -52 fails to close, all relays 54 - - 56 are energized and relay 26 initiates resetting and total-taking. Near the end of each reset cycle contacts L-P6, L-P7, and L-68 close momentarily in the order named, each opening again before the next in order is closed. Contact LP-8 is connected direct to line 10 and to minor relay 56, contacts C-1, L-3 and L-4. Contacts LP-7 are connected to line 10 through contacts 62 of minor relay 56 and to intermediate relay 55. Contacts LP-6 are connected to major relay 54 and to line 10 through contacts 61 of relay 55. Thus a major &c. relay can only be set up if the relays below it have been set up. In this way, the appropriate number of reset cycles ensues according to the group which has changed. Hence for major group change there are three reset cycles for total-taking from all three counters in turn as in the parent case-for intermediate group change there axe two reset cycles and for minor group change one cycle. The functions of the remainder of the circuits are to control the machine as in the parent case, the cards being read in successive cycles by upper and lower brushes UB and LB. It will be noted that for an intermediate group change without a major group change, contacts LP-6 would tend during- the first reset cycle, to set up intermediate relay 55 through contacts 60. To prevent this a relay 75 is energized and closes contacts 76. Clutches, claw; shaft couplings. Each counter used for total-taking purposes is geared to a wheel 129, Figs. 2, 4, and 5, which is coupled to the resetting shaft 128 by means of pins 31. These pins are carried in a sleeve 32 slidable on the shaft 128 but rotating therewith. This sleeve has a bayonet and socket connection 34, 35 with the shaft, so that when the sleeve is pressed manually to the right, the pins 31 enter holes 30 in the wheels 129 against their springs. For automatic coupling a magnet 38, energized under the control of the machine circuits, attracts its armature 39 and, through a slide 40, presses to the right a disc 42<1> rigid with the sleeve 32; in this case the coupling persists only as long as the magnet is energized. Specification 247,200 is referred to.