Patent GB-765136-A (GB)
Title: Statistical record card sorting machine
Filed: 1954-12-17
Abstract: 765,136. Statistical apparatus. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Dec. 17, 1954 [Dec. 21, 1953], No. 36571/54. Class 106 (1). A record card sorting machine comprises a magazine for holding a stack of record cards, a plurality of card-receiving stations, means for analysing said cards to select a station, means for feeding said cards to said analysing means and means for advancing said cards along a path located above said receiving stations. As described, the machine comprises thirteen card-receiving stations designated 0-9, X, 12, R as shown in Fig. 7, each formed by vertical walls 41, Fig. 1, and each containing an inclined tray 43 carried by a spring-pressed plunger 44. The main shaft 29, Fig. 2, extends longitudinally of the machine and is rotated by a motor 24, Fig. 1, through a belt and pulley drive 26; 27, 28. In operation the record cards in the magazine 31 are fed singly by card pickers 37, Fig. 5, reciprocated through gearing from the main shaft to a pair of feed rollers 38 which advance the card to the sensing station, constructed as described later, from where the card is directed between successive pairs of feeding rollers 97, 99, Fig. 1, to the appropriate receiving station. The rollers 97, 99 are mounted on shafts 98, 100 mounted between front and rear plates 22, 23, Fig. 2, respectively. Sorting. Extending across the machine is a frame comprising plates 80, 81, Fig. 1, interconnected by bars 82, 83 and pivotally connected to the rear plate 23 but normally latched in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a latch 87. A plurality of superimposed guide blades 88, 90, Figs. 4 and 7, lie adjacent the frame plate- 22 and extend successively from bottom to top to the receiving stations R.12.X0-9 respectively where they are attached to card deflecting plates 92, the front edges of which are at an angle to the leading edge of the oncoming card. The forward ends of the blades 90 are narrowed and have extensions 90a above each of which is positioned a plunger 103 slidably mounted in a block 104 extending between downward extensions 80a, 81a of the plates 80, 81. Above and pivotally connected to each plunger 103 is a pawl 108, Fig. 3, connected by a wire 116 to a lever 114 connected to the armature 113 of an associated electromagnet 111 mounted on a bracket 112 extending between the plates 80, 81. The arrangement is such that upon energization of an electromagnet 111 as determined by the sensing device the associated pawl 108 is moved into engagement with a bail 106 which actuates related plunger 103 to depress the associated blade 90 and also the blades 90 thereunder so that a path to the corresponding receiving station is defined. As the plunger moves downwardly a corresponding lever 131 is moved clockwise to actuate a wire 133 which transfers checking contacts 134 mounted in an insulated block 135. Sensing mechanism. The brush 34, Fig. 5, is secured in a holder 145 fixed to a carrier 146 adjustable transversely of the card to select a particular card column for sensing. The card is punched in accordance with a numeric, alphabetical and symbol code. A brush block having a row of eight brushes 35, Fig. 10f (not shown), is provided to allow for a length of field sort. Controlling circuit. The controlling circuit includes contacts actuated to break the motor circuit when a pocket is full; a start key; a stop key and a series of relay controlled switches connected to each magnet 111 and a group of thyratrons so arranged that one or more is fired in accordance with the data sensed and appropriate relays are energized to establish a circuit to the appropriate electromagnet 111 in accordance with the type of sorting operation being performed as determined by a selection switch. The above-mentioned contacts 134, Fig. 3, actuated by a depressed plunger 103 are each in checking circuits which ensure that the operated plunger corresponds to the energized electromagnet otherwise the motor circuit is broken. Specification 605,132 is referred to.