Patent GB-696982-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to statistical machines
Inventor: THOMAS ARTHUR
Filed: 1951-06-15
Abstract: 696,982. Statistical-apparatus. POWERSSAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. March 24, 1952 [June 15, 1951], No. 14300/61. Class 106 (i). For providing impulses representative of data derived from the sensing of two columns of a statistical record card, an interpreting device comprises a group of independently lengthwise movable toothed slides, a group of independently lengthwise movable selective slides, means to support the groups of slides in superposed relation for lengthwise sliding movement in directions normal one to the other, impulse imparting elements movable by the selector slides from inactive to active positions for lengthwise movement by teeth on the toothed slides, a column of actuators for each group of slides, one actuator being provided for each slide and the actuators of each column being appropriated one to each data-indicating position in a single column of a record card, and a reciprocable carriage for the toothed slides to move the toothed slides towards the impulseimparting elements thereby to effect lengthwise movement of active ones thereof. The apparatus described is adapted for attachment to statistical machines for collating information relative to a census, for example the number of people whose ages fall within predetermined groups, the device being constructed so as to add on to a selected counting unit each time there is sensed in a card an age falling within a predetermined group. As shown in Fig. 1, a record card 11 is positioned in a sensing chamber between plates 12, 13 and sensed in two columns by pins 14 as is well known in the art. When a pin 14 passes through a hole in the card, a transmission pin 15 is actuated and in turn operates a Bowden wire in one of the sets 16 and 17. The wires are connected with actuators formed by axially movable pins 18, 19, Figs. 2, 3, housed in blocks 20, 21. A pin 18 on axial movement of its co-operating Bowden wire 16 rocks a bell-crank 26 about its pivot 27 against the action of a spring 28 so that the tail of a latch 30 is engaged and releases a toothed slide 32 supported by bars 33, 34, the slide 32 is moved lengthwise by a spring 35 surrounding a pin 36. A slide 32 is provided for each of twelve actuators 18 and each slide is formed as a comb having a plurality of teeth 37 which when the slide is moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, are positioned beneath the lower ends of impulse-imparting elements 38. The bars 33, 34 are fixed to plates 39, 40, Fig. 3, to form a box or frame which is reciprocated vertically by meshed toothed quadrants 41, 42. Above the group of toothed slides 32 there is disposed a group of selector slides 59, the slides 59 being slidable lengthwise in blocks 60, 61, Fig. 3, one slide 59 being provided for each of the actuators 19. The slides 59 are movable lengthwise under the influence of springs 62, but are normally retained inactive by latches 63. The slides 59 are provided with guide elements 69 extending laterally thereof. Each of the impulse-impacting elements 38 is formed as a pin of circular cross-section at its upper end, this portion being freely guided in a hole 58 in a plate 72 with sufficient clearance to allow the lower end of the element 38 to swing into operative position when required. When a slide 59 is released by its latch 63 each of the impulse-impacting elements 38 associated therewith is rocked by the guide elements 69 so that the lower ends of the impulse-imparting elements comprising that columns are aligned with the toothed slides 32 of the lower group as shown in Fig. 5. When a card is sensed, a sensing pin 14 in each of the two appropriate columns senses a hole and operates the appropriate one of the groups of Bowden wires 16, 17 so that in each of the blocks 20, 21 one of the actuators 18, 19 is operated to release its associated latch 30, 63, thus permitting in each of the groups lengthwise movement of one only of the slides 32, 59. Accordingly, all the impulse-imparting elements 38 for one column will be aligned with the slides 32, but, since only one of the slides 32 has been moved lengthwise, when the slides 32 are raised towards the elements 38 only one of the elements will be moved lengthwise against the action of its springs 71 because only one of such elements will be aligned with a tooth 37 as shown in Fig. 5. The impulse-imparting member 38 imparts an impulse to its associated Bowden wire 73. The above described apparatus which forms the apparatus according to the invention is also described as co-operating with a device which will impart to a selected single counter individual impulses received from a group of impulse-imparting elements 38. This device is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9. A frame 85 retains the outer ends of the Bowden wires 73 with the cables in alignment with a plurality of pins 86 supported for axial movement in plates 87, 88, the pins 86 being urged by springs 89 towards the Bowden wires 73. A plurality of bellcranks are mounted as shown on a spindle 90 interspersed between the bell-cranks and connecting members 92 which are provided with pins 94 engaging slots 95. When a connecting member 92 is moved to its outer position, the arm 99 of the bell-crank 91 next above the connecting member can move over the pin 93 and the pin 94 is out of engagement with the slot 95, when, however, the connecting member 92 is in its inner position, the pin 94 is engaged in the slot 95 and the bell-crank is connected to the one next below it. By this arrangement a number of bell-cranks 91 can be connected together for simultaneous movement and the stack of bell-cranks can be divided into groups as desired by selection of the appropriate connecting members. For moving the bell-cranks about the spindle 90 there is provided an impulse generator shown as an operating bar 104 which is common to all the tail pieces 100. The bar 104 is operated in timed relation with the sensing means. A plurality of supporting elements 115 support output Bowden wires 116 which operate in known manner a counting device, not shown. Only one element 115 is provided for each group of bell-cranks 91, they are detachable and can be placed in any slot 114 in a box 113 in which position they are retained by a locking plate 118. When an impulse is received by a Bowden wire 73 it is imparted via the pin 89 co-operating therewith to a bell-crank 91 which through two interconnecting members causes all the bell-cranks of a group to move, and accordingly that arm 99 of the group which is aligned with the Bowden wire 116 for that group will impart an impulse to the Bowden wire 116 causing one unit to be added to the counter controlled by that group of bell-cranks.