Patent GB-191326896-A (GB)
Title: Tabulator Printers.
Filed: 1913-11-22
Granted: 1915-01-07
Abstract: 26,896. Powers, J., and Powers Accounting Machine Co. Nov. 22. Compiling and tabulating statistics mechanically. - Relates to power-driven machines for printing statistics from perforated record-cards. The printing and adding parts are adaptations of the machine described in Specification 854/04. The cards are fed singly between perforated plates with which coact several series of pins, of which those that are in register with the card holes raise stops for the differential sectors of the adding and printing mechanisms. The cards C, Fig. 5, are fed from a hopper 1h, Fig. 3, by a stepped plate 4c, which is reciprocated by a lever 4i connected to a slide rod 4f operated by a roller 4h and a cam on the main shaft 3. A series of intergeared feed-rollers 4k, 4l, ... 4u passes each card across the tabulator pin-box, where it is momentarily arrested, and thence to a receiving-bin 1r. Differential mechanism. The pin - box 5a, Fig. 6, which is vertically reciprocated by a roller 5c and a grooved cam 3e, carries several series of nine pins 5h, one series for each card column. The rise of the pin-box allows any pins in register with the holes in a card (fed between the plates 1m, 1n) to raise their stoprods 71, the remainder protruding from the bottom of the pin-box against the action of springs 5j. There are no pins and rods for the 9's, as, if no pin is raised, the tabulating-sector swings to its full extent. The rods pass upwards through a guide-grid 13 and terminate in stops arranged arcuately, to engage the sector stops 7k. The tabulating-mechanism, Fig. 10, which is arranged to print and add the data of four card columns, is generally similar to that described in the above - mentioned Specification. Each element comprises a type-sector 7A connected by a pin and slot 7H and a spring 7n to a gear sector 7e actuating the counter-wheel 8. The action is derived from a rock-shaft 3A oscillated from the main shaft 3 by means of a camrocked lever 3u, Fig. 3, link 3x, and cushioned arm 3E. The rock-shaft carries a sector 3I actuating, by means of a pin and slot 3J and link 7v, a plate 7r to which the sector 7A is connected by a spring 7u. Each group of elements is supplemented by one or more non- tabulating sectors 7aa serving to register and print the extra digits arising in totalizing; they are actuated by the transfer mechanism. Totalizing-counters. The adding-wheels are mounted in pivoted frames and put into and out of gear with the sector gears 7c by means of slotted rockers 8C, as described in the abovementioned Specification; for adding items, the wheels are in gear on the rearward stroke. For taking totals, the depression of a totals-key T1 reverses their relations and allows the sectors 7e and type-sectors 7A to advance until the lugs 8c on the adding-wheels engage with the pawls 8d; at the same time, through the links and levers T6, T7, T15, the stops T20 are lowered and release the supplemental sectors 7aa. Prior to taking totals, three record-cards are passed through; the first, perforated for noughts, effects the retraction of the type-sectors and the resetting of the gear sectors; the second stops the machine as a warning; and after restarting, the third (blank) card arrests all the pins 5h and allows action of the key T1. Transfer mechanism 8c, 8d, similar to that described in the above-mentioned Specification, is employed. Operating by motors. An electro-motor M, Fig. 3, drives the main shaft 3 through a wormwheel 2b and bevel-gear. It can be put out of circuit by a blade-switch 6/ connecting the poles 6c of the motor circuit and locked by a latch 6i, which can be released by handles 6n on a rod 6m. For suspending work on the passage of faulty cards, or before printing totals, a switchpin 6u, Fig. 9, normally depressed by a card, is allowed to rise. An extension 6t carries a shift-bar 6x, which then comes between a shoulder 60 on the rod 6m and the tappet 6s of a bell-crank lever 6p rocked by a cam 3t, thereby effecting movement of the rod 6m and releasing the switch through the latch 6i. Printing-mechanism. This is also similar to that described in the above-mentioned Specification. A roller platen P, Fig. 10, is fed by ratchet gear and links P3, P2 connected to the pivot of the hammers 7D, which are actuated by arms 7Q engaging the shoulders 7S of the sectors. Paper guides 9b, 9c and ink-ribbon mechanism R21 are arranged as before.