Patent GB-320017-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to sheet feeding mechanism for statistical machines
Filed: 1929-09-30
Abstract: 320,017. British Tabulating Machine Co., Ltd., (Assignees of Carroll, F. M.). Sept. 29, 1928, [Convention date]. Pile tables for sheet-feeds; sheet-separators.- A statistical machine of the kind described in Specification 183,867, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.], is provided with means operated as an incident to the printing of an item or a total for feeding a sheet to the platen; or when the machine is arranged to print on a web, means preferably operated as an incident to the printing of an item or a total is provided for feeding a sheet to the platen so that the record can be printed both on the web and sheets. The apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 11 comprises a table 41 on which are stacked sheets 40, the bottom sheet being withdrawn by means of a revolving suction tube 55 and fed towards the platen 22 when the latter is in an elevated position by means of normally separated feed-rollers 80, 81, means being provided for stopping the machine when the suction tube fails to feed a sheet. The suction tube rests on guide-fingers 85, and is secured at the ends to pinions 82 which at the top engage racks, the guide-fingers and racks forming part of a stationary frame 86 which is pivoted at 77 to the table 41 and is adjustable in opposition to springs 78 by means of screws 74. The suction tube is provided at one end with an arm which is connected to a camoperated link. A pump for exhausting the suction tube is actuated by a cam which is arranged to trip and re-tension a spring connected to piston-actuating linkage. The pump-connection includes a valve which is automatically opened to admit air to the suction tube when it has withdrawn a sheet. The suction tube is provided at the top with a gasket 70 secured by a plate, apertures in the gasket and plate communicating with the bore of the suction tube. The suction tube moves from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 11 and draws the bottom sheet through a slot 100, whereupon the rollers 80, 81 are brought together and rotated and the sheet is fed over a plate 175 to the platen when it is in elevated position. For stopping the machine when a sheet is not fed, the table 41 is equipped with sliding feelers 262, Fig. 11, which are connected to a yoke 261 on a spring- urged rock-shaft 260 having an arm 263 cooperating with a cam 266. When a sheet is present it arrests the feelers, but if a sheet is not present the feelers move forward and permit the shaft to rock and open contacts in connection with the stop circuit described in the abovementioned Specification. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 18, a record web 38<1> and a carbon web 35<1> pass over the platen 22', and the sheets 55<1> are stacked on a table 56<1>, the top sheet being fed by means of a revolving suction tube 94' to normally separated feed-rollers 125<1>, 126<1> which transfer the sheet to grippers 157<1>. The platen is elevated to a position above the sheet and is separated from pressure rollers 165<1>, and on descent of the platen the sheet is positioned thereon and again engaged by the pressure rollers. The suction tube is secured at the ends to mutilated pinions riding on curved racks 105<1> secured to plates 102<1> which are mounted on a rod 108' carried by pivoted arms 101<1> on the table, a strut 109<1> preventing movement of the arms. The plates are formed with guides 118<1> engaging the top of the suction tube. An arm 112<1> on the suction tube is guided by a pin 114<1> and is connected by a link 117<1> to a cam-actuated bell-crank 115'. A pump 80<1> for exhausting the suction tube comprises a piston which engages an actuating-spring 89<1> and is connected by a link 83<1> to a rocking arm 85' co-operating with a cam 92<1>. During each cycle the suction tube is rocked and moved rearwards, the top sheet is seized, the leading edge is positioned between the feed-rollers 125', 126', and a relief valve is opened to release the sheet. The table 56<1> is pivoted on a rod 57<1> and is raised intermittently by means of cams 61' geared down to a ratchetwheel 196<1> operated by a pawl on the frame 50<1>.