Patent GB-191328544-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Machines for Sorting Statistical or other Data.
Filed: 1913-12-10
Granted: 1914-07-09
Abstract: 28,544. British Tabulating Machine Co., [Hollerith, H.]. Dec. 10, Compiling and tabulating statistics mechanically. - Relates to means for sorting statistics, of the kind in which record-cards bearing the data are transferred by conveyers to selected receptacles, and comprises record - reading and delivery means for the cards. The cards, in which the data are represented as usual by holes punched at different positions in various columns, are fed horizontally by a spring follower D<4> to meet a vertically reciprocated slide D, which thrusts the cards downward into guides D', D<8> along which the cards are carried by feed-rollers G<7>, G<9> against which act spring-pressed rolls G<8>, G', the cards thus being led to spring clips carried by a conveyer chain running over sprocket-wheels, and all the driving-parts being operated by a pulley B<1> driven by a main motor. Before entering the guides, the cards pass over an insulated roller H<1>, with which is adapted to engage a contact N<2>, Fig. 9, in circuit with a magnet P<6>. The conveyer has, at intervals, card clips C<1> in pairs, and extending between them, cross-bars C<2>, Fig. 17, on which slide selectors C' having pins projecting into the plane of a fixed slanting bar T, which brings all the selectors to initial position at one side of the conveyer. At this side, they meet an oppositely slanting bar P carried by arms on a rocking spindle P<3>. The pin of a selector meeting this bar is swept transversely across the conveyer bar C<2> until contact is made at a hole in the card, whereupon the magnet P<6> withdraws a latch P<4>, allowing the bar P to drop and leave the selector in a position corresponding to the hole in the column in the card under investigation. The card is swept down by the feedrollers at a greater speed than the conveyer and is thrust into the rearwardly projecting spring jaws of the clips. The selector travelling along in the lower plane of the conveyer meets one of a set of transverselv and differentially placed triggers R<6>, Fig. 15, which thrusts down a plunger R<2> with a nose R<3> to arrest the card and deliver it on to a spring-mounted tray Q. A second trigger R<9> pin-and-slot geared to the trigger R<6> is immediately encountered to reset the latter. The rocking slanting bar P is reset immediately after the selector is positioned, by the engagement of a cam on one of the corresponding card clips with a projecting arm P', Fig. 4, of the spindle. The contact N<2> consists of a pin adjustable in a bore in a head L<8>, and is held by the pressure of a spring plunger N<3> in an intersecting bore, the pressure being adjusted by a screw N<5>. The head is carried by a block L<5> sliding transversely on a bar L, which is mounted in slots in circular bearing-blocks L<1>, the bar being engaged by pins L<4> on a rocking spindle controlled by a two - position spring handle L<3>, so that, when the contact is in active position, the bar L is thrust forward to engage the bearing-block slots and corresponding slots L<2> in the frame, and when the handle is rocked back, the bar is retracted and with the bearing- blocks is rocked up as shown in Fig. 4. A spring N<6> on the head L<8> engages a bar N' to complete the circuit. Each receiving-tray Q has a supporting-slide Q<1> adapted, when fully loaded, to engage an arm on a shaft, which is arranged to open a main switch and stop the machine. The machine is prevented from running backwards by a ratchet-wheel on the shaft of the pulley B<1> engaged by a pawl thrown into gear therewith by a friction arm on backward movement of the pulley. To prevent operation of the circuit of the contact N<2> when no card is passing, a pair of cams F, F<1> operating switches are provided, one switch being open and the other closed, while the card is passing and vice versa, the two being used to avoid time lag. These two switches enable a column to be divided and used for two different characteristics, a special cam and switch being set for one or other characteristic. The electric circuits comprise a main relay for throwing into circuit the switch E<2>, Fig. 4, for control by a card entering the machine, and the cut-out for the full receiving- tray Q, and for cutting out the starting switch. A relay is also introduced into the circuit of the contact N<2> to prevent sparking at this contact.