Patent GB-670809-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record card controlled statistical machines
Inventor: HOLDEN NORMAN GEOFFREY
Filed: 1949-10-05
Abstract: 670,809. Statistical apparatus. POWERSSAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. Oct. 2, 1950 [Oct. 5, 1949], No. 25654/49. Class 106 (i). A mechanism for controlling a selected function (e.g. stopping the machine), of a statistical machine according to a predetermined sequence of other functions of the machine (for example, checking cards leaving alternately from two separate magazines), comprises movable control members resiliently urged in opposite directions to a starting position, an actuator for each control member, to move it away from said starting position, each actuator being movable in response to an impulse derived from a function of a statistical machine, the actuators being arranged to move the control members step-wise in opposite directions and thereby impart a setting thereto, trip devices connecting each actuator with the other so that operation of one actuator trips the other and permits the control member associated therewith to be restored to its starting position, an impulse imparting member, e.g. a plunger, to control the selected machine function, and an interponent movable by a control member to actuate the impulse imparting member when the actuator associated with the control member receives a predetermined number of successive impulses without the intervention of an impulse to the other of the actuators. Figs. 2 and 4 show two control members 4 and 5 mounted on a spindle 3 spring-urged in opposite directions to bring their respective stops 7 against the fixed pins 10. Each control member is provided with three peripheral teeth 6 and has associated with it an actuator 11 or 12 which by engagement with the teeth may cause rotation in clockwise and counterclockwise direction respectively until a high portion 51 or 52 of the peripheral surface of either control member raises a roller 53 on a pivoted arm 54 to cause movement of a plunger 56 locating with a Bowden cable 58 which transmits an impulse to control the selected machine function. Both of the actuators 11, 12 are interconnected by means of links 18, 22 so that movement of one actuator upwards to cause rotation of its respective control member also causes the other actuator to move outwards disengaging from its control member and cancelling any previous setting by allowing the control member to return under the influence of its spring to the stop 10. Two Bowden cables 38, 43, transmit impulses alternately from each of two separate card feeding devices, the impulses moving plungers 36, 41 to cause movement of the actuators as described above. If the cards are fed alternately and the impulses arrive alternately, each control member is moved one step and then cancelled by movement of the other. If, however, two cards are fed in succession from one magazine then two impulses arriving in succession to one actuator only will cause rotation of one control member by two steps bringing the high part 51 or 52 under the roller 53 thus actuating the Bowden cable 58 to stop the machine by means of a known switching or tripping mechanism. In a modification, where cards are fed simultaneously from two magazines and are compared by a comparing device, it is desired to cause actuation of the trip mechanism controlled by Bowden wire 58 when disagreement is sensed between two cards in order to stop the machine. For this application each control member is rotated one step, by means of hand setting lever 47 and 48. Lever 47 rotates control member 5 in the normal manner, lever 48 however is arranged as shown in Fig. 4 to rotate control member 4 one step by engagement with a stop 50 which whilst allowing movement of the control member 4 without operating the trip mechanism which would normally return control member 5 to its starting position. With each control member thus pre-set to its first step position actuation of either plunger 36 or 41 whichever first occurs will cause further rotation of one of the control members, actuating the plunger 56 and Bowden cable 58 to stop the machine.