Patent GB-520093-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to selective locating and removing devices for statistical cards and the like
IPC: G06K21/02
Filed: 1938-10-12
Abstract: 520,093. Statistical apparatus. GRIFFIN, R. O. Oct. 12, 1938, No. 29568. [Class 106 (i)] Apparatus for selecting from a a container statistical cards, envelopes or files having characteristic recesses arranged in their edges in predetermined manner comprises a selector device settable to select the desired cards from the container and arranged to be brought into, and securely held in, operative relationship with the cards in the container. Means are also provided to positively engage and remove the selected cards. Envelope file. The devices to be selected consist of envelopes 1, Fig. 10, each having a stiffened edge 2 with markings 4 where characteristic slots 5, Fig. 12, may be cut to indicate the data desired (e.g. kind of crime). A slot 3 in the same place in all cards is provided whereby selected cards may be mechanically withdrawn. A scale 7 for further designating data may be used. Behind a window 8 is shown datum such as the criminals' face or fingerprints. Further data 10 is carried inside the envelope. In modifications (1) two opposite edges of the envelope have each the markings 4 and notch 3, Fig. 16 (not shown) ; (2) all four edges of the envelope may be used, Figs. 17 and 18 (not shown), there being two windows and the envelope is secured to a stiff rectangular member (e.g. cardboard) having metal reinforcing strips at the edges ; (3) if it is desired to reinforce only the edge around the notch 3 a small metal channel-shaped member is used, Fig. 19 (not shown). Envelope carrier. The envelope files are bound in a carrier to which the selector unit, described below, is readily attachable. The carrier, Figs. 3, 6 and 9, is of such size that it may be accommodated in one of the drawers 19 of an ordinary filing cabinet as shown in Fig. 20, and is arranged so that the cards may be elevated above the edges of the drawer. The carrier consists of a base 18 upon which a frame 20 is mounted by means of four pivoted links 30. This frame consists of two angle irons 21 connected by rods 22 which are attached to a central rod 23 pivoted in two supporting blocks 24, Fig. 7. For each block, a cross-piece 28 welded to rod 23 rests on two coil springs 27 housed in the block. Pivoted to each block 24 is a pair of links 30 which are connected at their lower ends by a rod 31 which coacts with notches 34, 35 in a pair of cam tracks 33. When the carrier is lifted at either end independently the rod 31 moves inwards and enters the notch 34. If raised further, the notch 35 is entered. To lower the carrier it is lifted still further first when the rod 31 rocks an arm 38, Fig. 4, and to raise a link 39 flush with the track 33. The rod is thereby released so that as the carrier is lowered it runs over the notches 34 and 35 until it strikes a second arm 37 to lower the link 39 again. The frame 20 supports four uprights 43, 49, 44, 50 of which 43 and 49 are permanently connected by a bar 55, Fig. 9, and 44 and 50 are connected by a removable bar 58, Figs. 9 and 3. The four uprights are connected by crosspieces 47 and 54 and the uprights 44 and 50 have notches 45, 46, 52, 53 for removably attaching the selector unit. A locking means 62, 63, Fig. 1 (not shown) is provided to keep the carrier vertical even when one end only is elevated. To keep the envelopes themselves upright, the carrier is provided with a number of separators 67, Figs. 3 and 9, of which the bottom edges rest in grooves 69 of a plate 68 and the shoulders 73 rest in notches! 61 of the connecting bars 55 and 58. The envelope files are so placed in the carrier that the edges 2, Figs. 10 and 12, are adjacent the removable bar 58. File selector unit. The frame 76 has four hooks 77 (two shown in Fig. 15) which are placed in the recesses 45, 46, 52, 53 of the envelope carrier. Transverse guides 78 of this frame 76 slidably support a railed carriage 79 consisting of longitudinal top and bottom plates connected at each end by a vertical plate 81, Figs. 11 and 20, and at the centre by a plate 82. Fig. 15 shows the carriage 79 midway between the envelope files 1 and the outer (left) side of the frame 76. Each end plate 81 has a central slot 83 and, on its inner surface, transverse grooves 84. A stop bar 85 is slidably mounted in slot 83 and has slots 86 equal in number to grooves 84 and its bottom slot 87 takes over the lower part of plate 81 so .that normally the slots 86 and grooves 84 do not register with one another-see Fig. 12. The bar 85 also has a slot 90 by which it is mounted on a pin on the outer surface of the plate 81. Slots 91 in the central plate 82 are equal in number to the grooves 84 in each end plate 81. Selector strips 92 pass through the slots 91 and their ends move in the grooves 84. In the position of Fig. 15 the selectors 92 are locked inoperative by the bars 85 but when the carriage 79 is moved to the left a slot 93 in each bar 85 rides up a fixed cam 94 and aligns grooves 84 with slots 86. Desired selectors 92 are now moved to the right by hand and when the carriage is moved to the right the bars 85 are lowered again to lock all selectors against move. ment. The adjusted selectors 92, such as the one shown in Fig. 12, now come opposite corresponding characteristic slots 5 made in the edges of the envelopes. To move carriage 79 to the right (left in Fig. 20) a handle 98 is moved to release bolts 95. Bar 58 being removed by hand-the handle 98 is used to rock carriage 79, frame 76, and frame 20, laterally about shaft 23 so that envelopes with corresponding slots 5 are shaken outwards over the adjusted selectors 92. The selected envelopes may then be inspected or, to remove them mechanically, a slide 105, 104 is now moved right, Fig. 15, so that it raises a member 101, 102 about its pivot 103, Fig. 12, whereby part 101 is locked in the notches 3 of the selected envelopes. Locking bars 85 drop behind the slide 104 again. When carriage 79 is returned to the left again, Fig. 15, the locked envelopesare drawn with it. When the carriage reaches its extreme left hand position cams 94 raise bars 85, slide 105, 104 may now be moved to the left and the desired envelopes completely removed for inspection.