Patent GB-703315-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to keyboard-operated mechanical machines for perforatingcards
Inventor: JOHNSON WILLIAM EDWARD
Filed: 1952-03-25
Abstract: 703,315. Selective punching-machines. POWERS-SAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. Jan. 30, 1953 [March 25, 1952], No. 7694/52. Class 31 (2) In a machine for perforating record cards of the kind described in Specification 328,255, [Class 31 (ii)], which is referred to, i.e. including a keyboard having spring-restored keys 20, columns of punches settable by set bars (58, Fig. 6 (not shown)) selectively operable by a column of interponents 38, one for each punch of a column, pivotally mounted on a rocking spindle 37 supported on a carriage 35 movable stepwise to dispose the interponents over successive columns of set bars, an interponent being movable angularly about the pivot from an inactive to active position to effect operation of a set bar, apparatus is provided comprising conditioning means individual to each interponent and operable by depression of a key appropriated thereto to condition the interponent for movement to the active position thereof, a power operated actuator member 48 common to all the interponents to move conditioned ones thereof angularly about their pivot to effect operation of set bars, driving means effective to operate the member 48 when all keys appropriated to the said interponents are in their restored condition, and interrupter means active during depression of any key appropriated to an interponent to render the driving means ineffective to operate the member 48. The conditioning means comprises for each interponent a latch 43, Fig. 5, pivoted on the interponent and spring-urged to inactive position from which it is moved to active position by a conditioning cable 34 operated by a key appropriated thereto, a hook 45 on said latch being movable into the path of the member 48 whereby when the latter is operated the hook is engaged thereby to effect movement of its interponent to active position. The driving means comprises an actuator cable 57 to effect angular movement of an operating lever 56 secured to the rocking spindle 37, one end of the cable 57 being connected to a rockable operating arm 75, Fig. 10, which carries a rotatable cam 72 adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from a continuously-rotated driving roller 71, a lever 83 pivoted on the arm 75 and spring- urged into engagement with one of a pair of abutments 86 extending laterally from the cam tending to turn the cam into engagement with the roller 71. The interrupter means comprises a cable 33 and a trip latch 79 pivotally mounted on the arm 75, the latch being provided with two stops 78, 88, successively engageable by one of a pair of stop pins 77 extending laterally from the cam 72, the stops being spaced apart to permit the stop pin to pass therebetween, the stop pin being engaged by the stop 78 prior to actuation of a key and by the stop 88 when the cable 33 is rendered active by depression of a key, the stop pin being disengaged from the stop 88 when the cable 33 is rendered inactive by the restoration of the key to its normal position thereby permitting the lever 83 to move the cam 72 into engagement with the driving roller 71 for rotation thereby until it is again arrested by the stop 78. The cable 33 is moved from the inactive to active position by means of a pivoted element 30, Fig. 1, having associated therewith a crank comprising a plate 24, spindle 25, arm 26, and pin 27, which is operated by a collar 23 on a, key when the latter is depressed.. In a modification, Figs. 14 to 16 (not shown), the interrupter cable is omitted and the interrupter means comprises a solenoid the armature of which is connected to the trip latch, the solenoid circuit having a normally-open switch which is closed by the pivoted element to energize the solenoid, and having a control switch which is operated to close the solenoid circuit only when the return mechanism for the carriage is inoperative.