Patent GB-496133-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to statistical card sorting machines
Filed: 1937-05-24
Abstract: 496,133. Statistical machines. THOMAS, A. May 24, 1937, No. 14389. [Class 106 (i)] Sorting cards.-A record card sorting machine has means for comparing the position of each record in a group of records on each card with a predetermined group arrangement of records and means for directing the cards to different boxes according to the amount of discrepancy between the group of records read and the predetermined group. The reciprocating pin box frame 2 has three columns, each of twelve pins 3, and has fixed to it a block 4, with thirty-six corresponding holes 5 (not shown) each adapted to receive a Bowden cable 6. The frame 2 is adjustable over the three desired card columns. The predetermined record group arrangement is set-up by inserting twelve cables 6 in the twelve appropriate holes 5 (not shown). The other end of each cable 6 is attached to a plunger 10 which is bent, at its other end, into a U-shape of which the free limb 10a is normally between two adjacent bars 12 to form a spacer therefor. The twelve bars 12 are pivoted at 13 and are thus spaced from one another and from a fixed block 17. A lever 15 pivoted at 16 has a lug 14 pressing against the right-hand bar 12, Fig. 1. When a card is sensed, if there is no hole in the card in any of the predetermined positions, the corresponding cable 6 is held up and the corresponding spacer 10a is removed from between bars 12. The number of spacers removed being equal to the number of errors in the comparison, the right-hand bar 12 will be pushed to the left, Fig. 1, by the lug 14 by an amount which is a measure of the discrepancy. Commencing adjacent the reading station A there are five boxes B1 .... B4, R to receive cards having more than three errors, three errors, two errros, one error, and no errors respectively. Box R is permanently open. The other boxes have deflectors C controlled by the present device and by delay-action timing mechanism T1, T2, as described in Specification 128,207, [Class 106 (i)]. Rigid with lever 15 is a horizontal plate 22 having four faces 23a .... 23d coacting with four latches 24a .... 24d which are pivoted to the frame at 25 and control cables 26a ... 26d leading to the boxes B4 ... B1 respectively. If the card read agrees with the set-up, lever 15 and plate 22 do not move, no cable 26a &c. is actuated to raise a deflector C and the correct card passes into box R. If there is one error, one spacer 10a is removed from between bars 12, plate 22 moves one step to actuate cable 26a and the box B4 receives the card. For, say, three errors the plate 22 is similarly moved three steps and surfaces 23a ... 23c all operate latches 24a ... 24c to raise the deflectors of boxes B4, B3 (not shown), B2. The card reaches box B2 first, however. Each latch 24a &c. is normally held by a pin 41 on a lever 42. After an operation a slide 37 is moved to the right, Fig. 1, by cam 21 and (1) returns the freed lever 42 to relatch the members 24a &c., and (2) rocks lever 15 counterclockwise so that a pin 20 on it restores all arms 12 counterclockwise and allows the spacers 10a, which have been moved, to re-enter the gaps between the bars 12. Electrical means may be used to measure the discrepancy. Specification 328,293, [Class 106 (i)], also is referred to.