Patent GB-262794-A (GB)
Title: Process and apparatus for automatically effecting statistical and reckoning operations
Filed: 1926-12-08
Abstract: 262,794. Jacob, M. Dec. 8, 1925, [Convention date]. Statistical machines.-A statistical machine is operated by record. cards perforated according to a code, there being improved means to decode the reading and to register the data on counters or count the number of cards. Four possible perforations are used, as in the Peirce code, the card being fed by a drum C past four brushes F for the column under investigation. According as the number read is represented by one or more holes, one or more magnets R1 - - R4, Fig. 2, are energized to close an appropriate circuit, such as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, through a counter T<1> to register the number. Energization of four magnets similar to R1 - - R4 also causes the movements of the corresponding bars of a set of four bars P1 -- P4, Fig. 4. These bars are so notched that for each particular grouping of the bars, according to the movements of one or the other, there is only one set of four aligned notches e. For the fourteen possible sets of four aligned notches there are fourteen hatchet-shaped members H, Fig. 5, of which only that one can advance fully which is opposite the particular set of four notches which have been aligned; this member H then operating a counter connected therewith. The members H may be connected with the keys of an adding machine of the Dalton type. Modifications are described in which (1) epicyclic gear trains are used to decode, the number read by the bushes and transmit them to counters, (2) five columns of the card are read simultaneously and decoded with the aid of a switch arm rotating past five contacts, (3) six possible perforation points are used instead of four for the code and the six corresponding reading brushes are arranged in two groups of three each. The invention is also stated to be applicable to perforated strip machines. Sorting record cards. In modification (1) above a rod Tc, Fig. 8<a>, is moved differentially by the last member Kc of the epicyclic gear train and instead of operating a counter, is used to elevate a plate so as to feed the card J into its appropriate one of a number of sorting pockets, Ta1 - - Ta14. Controlling printing of zeros. - Coacting with the paper 48 are type-wheels 45, Figs. 12 and 13. carried on a frame 50 and integral with a ring 46 having a notch 47 with which co-operates the end 49<1> of a lever 49 pivoted at 52 to the frame 50 which is itself pivoted at 54. When the " O " type is in the printing position the parts 49<1> and 47 register so that when the hammer 53 strikes to the left the part 49<1> merely moves into the notch 47. In any other position of the type wheel the end 49<1> is arrested by the inner surface of the ring 46 and the whole frame 50 moves about its pivot 54 to effect printing. When zeroprinting is necessary by reason of a significant figure to the left the following means function. Members 56 move, each to rock a lever 55 carrying the pivot 57 of a bell crank 58 of which the upper end coacts with one lever 49 and the lower end coacts with the lower part of the lever 49g of the type wheel 45g next on the left. Fig. 13. If, on this wheel 45g, a number other than zero is being printed the lever 49g cannot rock and its lower end prevents locking of the lever 58 so that the upper end of the latter arrests the lower 49 on the right, although the members 49<1> and 47 are in register. Thus the zero is printed. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) describes also the following :- In another construction of sorting mechanism, Fig. 8 (Cancelled), Fig. 9 (Cancelled) and Fig. 10 (Cancelled), the cards are fed by a reciprocating plate 2 past brushes F which read the card column and set timing mechanism whereby when the card reaches its appropriate sorting box d, the latter is opened to receive the card. This timing mechanism comprises a shaft 3 carrying a disc 4 for each box d, the disc, carrying pivoted levers 5 the angular spacing of which corresponds to one card cycle. Normally the levers 5 pass along the right-hand side of a fixed annular ring 9 as shown on the right of Fig. 10 (Cancelled); there is a break 10 in this ring 9 but the levers 5 are prevented normally from passing to the lefthand side of the ring 9 by a member 11, which is, however, removed by the magnet R and member H if the magnet R has been energized by the correct combination of perforations under the brushes. A lever 5, so displaced, rotates until its other end 7 strikes a member 12 and thereby opens the correct sorting box at the time that the latter is reached by the card which caused the displacement of the lever 5. Transfer mechanism.-Each numeral wheel 20, Fig. 13 (Cancelled), is integral with a ratchet wheel 19 and has a lug 24 which at transfer moves a rod 25, Fig. 14 (Cancelled), in the direction f1 thereby moving a wheel 26 along a squared shaft 27 into mesh with a wheel 28 loose on a shaft 80. After the adding part of the card cycle a cam partially rotates this shaft 27 so that a finger 31 on the enmeshed wheel 28 moves a rod 33, Fig. 15 (Cancelled) to the left, thereby rotating a lever 34 about its pivot 35 sufficiently to move the ratchet 19 of the next higher numeral wheel one space. Provision is also made for consequent transfer. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.