Patent GB-190920317-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Tabulating or the like Apparatus.
Inventor: HOLLERITH HERMAN
Filed: 1909-09-04
Granted: 1910-04-28
Abstract: 20,317. Hollerith, H. Sept. 4. Statistical machines.-The data or items denoted by punched holes in the record cards of the Hollerith tabulating systems are registered by means of a mechanically-operated apparatus, that described being intended for operation with records in which the value of the items is determined by the location of the index points in rows, and embodying a series of registering elements of different orders or denominations. The record cards are placed on a plate 1 having positioning stops 3, 4 and perforations 2 for registering with the index points on the card and with the spring pins 14 of a platen 5, which is suspended by a link 6 from a counterweighted lever 7 pivoted to a standard 9, a link 11 being added to steady the platen. Preferably ten pins are placed in each transverse row in the box and ten points in each row on the card, one point only being punched in each row in preparing the card. When the platen is depressed, one pin in each row passes through the card and plate, the others being held up. Counting - apparatus.-Below the bed-plate are arranged a series of register-actuators consisting of bars 17 normally held extended from sleeves 18 by springs 19, there being an actuator for each row of pins. Each bar 17 carries a rack 20 gearing with a sector 21 loose on a shaft 22 and carrying a pawl 23 for engaging a ratchet-wheel 24 secured to a registering-wheel 25 which carries on its periphery two sets of figures from 0 to 9. The sleeves 18 are supported by a cross-bar 28 extending across the machine and movable in end slides 31 by the lever 32 which when operated moves the slides forward until they contact with the pins projecting through the platen. On the return movement, the registers are therefore turned through amounts corresponding to the position of these pins. In a modification, shown in Fig. 7, only one hand-lever is employed, together with spring-pressed registeractuators normally locked by pawls and released on the descent of the platen. These actuators 50 have teeth 51 on the upper, and teeth 52 on the lower, sides and springs 56 press them forward, they being held by pawls 58 on the bed plate, but released, on the descent of the platen, by depression of the heels 59. The lower teeth 52 actuate the registers when the slides are returned by the return of the hand-lever 7, which is connected by links to slides 61 carrying a cross-bar 62 which engages projections 63 on the slides. Since all the pawls 58 are tripped, the first tooth of each rack 51 is made shorter than the others, and when the first, that is, the zero pin of a row passes through a card, the resulting movement of the corresponding slide is insufficient to actuate the registers. Fig. 10 shows a construction in which intermediate spring- pressed devices 71, and not the pins themselves, engage the slides 17. Transfer mechanism.-The arrangement adopted consists of a pawl 40 on a lever 41 pivoted to a rod 42, which has a projection 43 resting on a double cam 44 carried by the ratchet-wheel 24, transfer being effected by the lifting of the projection 43 and consequently of the pawl 40, by the cam 44. This pawl 40, in falling on release of the carry lever, moves the next wheel on one step. An apertured plate 46 is provided for the inspection of the wheels.