Patent GB-771162-A (GB)
Title: A machine for training personnel to operate postal letter sorting machines
Inventor: PIGGOTT JOHN
IPC: G09B9/00
Filed: 1955-06-20
Abstract: 771,162. Teaching letter sorting. POSTMASTER GENERAL, and HALL TELEPHONE ACCESSORIES, Ltd. June 20, 1955, No. 17749/55. Class 146(2). A machine for teaching the operation of postal letter sorting machines comprises electrically controlled driving means for moving addressed cards successively from a supply 7 to a viewing position 4, a keyboard 2, and means 69 to actuate switches in a circuit to the driving means which co-operate with different code slots &c. in the cards, whereby an error is indicated if the incorrect key or keys is operated in accordance with the code. The operator presses a key in group 13 and a key in group 14 in accordance with a two letter code corresponding to the address on the card being viewed, and at the same time slots &c., in one or more of eight positions, Left A-D, Right A-D, on the card, set up in the machine corresponding twoletter code circuits. If the correct keys are pressed the code circuits are completed, the corresponding lamps on panel 3 flash momentarily, and the card drive is set into motion to remove the viewed card and position a second card for viewing. If incorrect keys are pressed, if more than one key is depressed simultaneously by either hand, if the operation of correct keys is not simultaneous, or if the correct keys are not released quickly, the card is not moved, and an error is indicated by a red light. If an incorrect keying is made the corresponding lamps on panel 3 remain alight. If the trainee has keyed wrongly and/or wants to know the correct code he presses the " who are you" key 17, whereupon the correct code is indicated on panel 3, and consequent correct keying sets the feed in motion. The machine may be set so that errors must be corrected and the machine restarted by the supervisor only, or, by operation of a " cancel " key 16, by the trainee. A 'transport' key 15 may be used to bring a card to the viewing position, and meters record separately the members of correct operations and uses of the cancel and transport keys. The cards 25 are carried between a stacking plate 29 and a support 28A, on an adjustable endless conveyer 28 operated intermittently under control of a micro switch 31A and contact member 31 actuated by the endmost card, over-running of the belt being prevented by a solenoid-controlled band brake on the shaft of the motor driving the belt. The endmost card rests on a lip 30 pivotally spring mounted at 30A, and is pressed downwardly by a paddle 39A on a wheel 39 driven a quarter of a revolution at each keying operation. The paddles, which , are spring mounted, are moved to position 42, Fig. 6, if movement of the card is obstructed, being then returned by cam 43B. The card passes between feed rollers 45A, 45B to the viewing position in which it is held by pivoted spring mounted arms 46 which engage shoulders 20A, 21A on the card. The card is pushed from the viewing position by the next card, drops to pad 47, and is pushed on to stack 8A by a plate 8B reciprocated by shaft 49 and spring 48B. Stack 8A is moved rearwardly by driven shafts 51, 52. The machine drive includes a solenoid controlled one revolution clutch having a pawl and detent to prevent backlash. The slots in the cards are sensed by pivotted levers 69 spring urged to the position shown in Fig. 6, all the levers being pushed downwardly by the card as it is fed, but only certain levers, i.e. those in positions corresponding to the slots in the card when it reaches the viewing position, returning to actuate micro switches 69A and set up the twoletter code circuits. The electrical circuits, and the arrangement of gears &c. to drive the various parts are described and illustrated.