Patent GB-235271-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for sorting documents and the like provided with statistical or other determinative perforations
Filed: 1924-03-04
Abstract: 235,271. Ratcliff, C. F., and Macadie, D. March 4, 1924. Statistical machines; sorting cards.-A machine for sorting flimsy documents such as pension warrants or postal orders statistically perforated comprises a track 1, sorting pocket deflectors 6, and pneumatic document feeding means, each deflector having means controlled to retain the deflector open when the warrant immediately in front of a defector has a perforation registering with an orifice 22 (in the case of pneumatic cardreading means) or a contact stud (in the case of electric card-reading means) in front of the deflector, these orifices or studs, one, for each deflector, being 'differentially positioned. The mouth 5 of each sorting compartment 3 is normally closed by a deflector 6 mounted on a spindle 7 and having a rearwardly and slightly inclined offset 9 which, when the compartment is closed, carries the warrant over the mouth 5 on the track 1 again. When the deflector 6 is up the warrant in front thereof passes into the pocket and its leading edge is momentarily retarded by the inclined surface 10 coated with sandpaper so that the warrant becomes substantially horizontal before falling further, the pocket being partially closed on one side by a door permitting free ingress and egress of air. Each deflector spindle 7 carrries a lever 11, Figs. 2 and 12, which is rotated clockwise periodically by a pin 12 on a frame 13 reciprocated on the stationary frame 2 by discs 14 and rods 15. Each lever 11 on the return stroke of the frame 13 to the left rotates anti-clockwise until its lower end 17 is arrested by a detent 18 fixed to a diaphragm 19. If the warrant over the orifice 22, Fig. 12, on the track has not a hole registering with this orifice, suction in the pipe 23 is communicated by pipe 21 to chamber 20, diaphragm 19 is drawn down and detent 18 releases lever 11 so that the deflector fully closes. If, however, a perforation registers with orifice 22, chamber 20 remains open to the atmosphere, and the deflector is held up, and on the further movement of the warrant it passes into the compartment 3. Document-feed. The warrants are fed along the track by a pusher frame 26 carried by the reciprocating frame 13 and having fingers 27, Fig. 5, which engage the rear edges of the warrants. As the frame 26 nears the end of its forward feeding stroke to the right, Fig. 7, its central cross-bar 28 engages fixed stops 29. The frame 13 continuing to move forward thrusts cam 30 under the bars 28 and raises the frame 26. Retrograde movement of the bars 28 down the inclined faces of the cams 30 is prevented by spring-pressed plates 31 carried by screws and slots 32 in the frame 13. The central cross-bar 28 and frame 26 being thus held up by spring latches 34 return to the left and near the end of the return strode the latches 34 are released by fixed stops 36 which arrest the crossbar 28 which is forced down cam 30, the pusher frame 26 thus falling and positioning the fingers 27 behind the warrants. Document-elevating to track. The warrants are raised to track level by a plate 37 carried by endless chains 38 passing over sprockets 39, the spindle 40 of which is rotated intermittently by a ratchet wheel 41, Figs. 2 and 6, pawl 42 pivoted at 43<1> to lever 43, and roller 44 on the reciprocating frame 13. The lever 43 is fixed to a shaft 44<1>, which is connected by rod 53 and link 54 to a suction picker 51 pivoting in a tube 52 connecting it to the main suction pipe 25. When the picker 51 has to move down more than a predetermined amount to pick up a warrant, the shaft 44<1> rotates sufficiently clockwise as shown in Fig. 5 or anti-clockwise as shown in Fig. 6 for the pawl 42 to move up and hook over another tooth, thereby on the down stroke rotating the sprocket 39 and raising the plate 37. Retrograde movement of ratchet 1 is prevented by a pawl 48 fixed to a lever 47 which is also used to knock out pawl 42 when rapid adjustment is necessary. Main suction valve. The suction cut-off valve 24, Figs. 10, 11 and 12, comprises a disc pivoted at 24<1> and having a slot 58 and arm 56 rocked between fixed stops 62 by fingers 55, 59, Figs. 1 and 2, on the reciprocating frame 13. The fixed part of the valve comprises port 61 connected by pipe 25 with the source of suction, holes 63 connected by the pipes 23 with the various orifices 22, and port 60 connected by pipe 52 with. the picker 51. Rocking of the arm 56 thereby connects the ports 61 to the ports 60, 63 at the appropriate times. Warrant-positioning means. The suction picker 51 raises the warrant above a guard 64, Fig. 5, a blade 65 on the reciprocating frame 13 is thrust beneath it, two padded spring grippers 66 on the pusher frame 26 pass over it, suction is cut off from the pipes 52, 51 and a member 77 pushes the warrant off the picker 51. The bale 65 carries the warrant against a gauge 67 which positions the warrant accurately in its relative position, the pusher frame 26 falls and grippers 66 press the warrant on to the blade 65. On the ensuing feeding stroke of the pusher frame the warrant is carried forward on to the track 1 in front of the first deflector 6. Automatic machine - stopping for crumpled documents. At each orifice 22 a spring wire lever and loop 69, 70, Figs. 1 and 5, press the warrant to the track 1 so that if there is no hole in the warrant at the orifice an air-tight fit is ensured. The levers 69 are carried in a rock shaft 71 and should a crumped warrant come against the loop 70 (or deflector 6) it raises the loop (or deflector) abnormally so that electric contact is established with an insulated bar 74. This closes a circuit which interrupts the electric motor drive of the machine. Electric document-reading. Instead of the warrants being read pneumatically at the orifices 22, they may permit or prevent electric circuits being closed to operate solenoids controlling the deflectors.