Patent GB-396804-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to sensing pin boxes for record card controlled statistical machines
Filed: 1932-02-12
Abstract: 396,804. Statistical machines. THOMAS, A., 11, Sandy Lane South Wallington, Surrey. Feb. 12, 1932, No. 4265. [Class 106 (i).] Sorting cards. - Analysing - mechanism for statistical cards comprises sensing elements (2) reciprocated in stationary guides (3, 4) and means whereby relative movement between sensing elements which read holes and elements which are arrested by the card, causes the elements which have read holes to become locked to a positive operating mechanism (26), so that these elements transmit movement to mechanism (e.g. sorting flaps, counters) which it is desired to actuate. The invention is illustrated as applied to the pin box of a sorting machine. A fixed pin box frame 1 has rigid with it perforated plates 3, 4 in which reciprocate a column of twelve card reading pins 2. The frame 1 may be adjusted so that the pins read the desired card column, but otherwise this frame remains stationary. The pins 2 are reciprocated vertically from shaft 6 by the following means: an eccentric on shaft 6 vertically reciprocates a block 10 carrying plates 13 in which is mounted a rod 12 having pivoted to it a stirrup 14; the upper ends of the latter are connected to a rod 15 passing through arcuate slots 16 in actuating lever 17. Each lever 17 is pivoted on the fixed frame by a rod 18 and has a pin-and-slot connection 19 with a lever 20 which in turn is pivoted at 21 and has a pin-and-slot connection with the corresponding pin 2. Hence, as parts 10, 13, 12, 15 rise, pins 2 will rise. Each lever 17 has a head 22 adapted to depress a plunger 23 which is connected by a cable 24 to setting mechanism (of any well known kind) for the corresponding sorting flap. Springs 25 tend to rock levers 17 clockwise, and thus to lower the pins 2 to read the card. A stirrup 26 is pivoted on rod 15 and its free ends are slotted to engage the rod 18 ; and the upper ends of arcuate slots 16 in levers 17 have short slots 16a at right-angles. A spring 27 pulls stirrup 26 so that when rod 15 is lifted to raise the sensing pins 2, the rod 15 lies in the short slots 16a. In reading a card, the parts 10, 13, 12, 14, 15, 26 are lowered and pins 2 are lowered until one pin reads a hole and the remainder are arrested by the cam. The lever 17 and slot 16 corresponding to the hole which is read, continue to follow rod 15 downwards but other levers 17 are arrested. The relative movement between these and the lever which is still moving will force the rod 15 to the left out of slots 16a. This moves 26 (pivoted on rod 15) to the left against its spring 27. A lug 26a on stirrup 26 moves to the left over the shoulder 17a on the lever 17 which has moved down corresponding to the hole read. As rod 15 continues positively to move downwards, it carries stirrup 26 with it, the latter forcing down the locked lever 17 and its head 22 so that the plunger 23 is positively depressed. If all the pins 2 are held up by a blank card, or if there is no card in the machine at the reading time, there will be no relative movement between any two levers 17 so that the above locking, and positive actuation of a flange 23, cannot take place. Adjusting reading pins to read a desired column. The pin box frame 1 is slidable on rails 28. When fingerpieces 29 are pressed together against spring 30, a plate 31 on one piece 29 engages under heads 2a of pins 2 and lifts all pins 2 clear of the card so that the frame 1 may be adjusted to set the pins over the desired card column. The piece 29 carrying plate 31 also has a lug which engages a fixed rack when 29 are released, thereby locking frame 1 in its set position. In a modification, Fig. 6, for reading cards having two holes in one column, the twelve reading pins and their twelve levers 17 coact with two sets of plungers 100, 100a. If a single hole in the card column is read, a head 22 and its link 101 actuates a plunger 100 ; but if there is a hole also in the twelve position of the column, a pin 103 on the link 101a of the twelfth head 22 moves in a fixed cam slot 104 and swings a plate 102, which guides the links 101, 101a. so that the link 101 selected by the other card-hole actuates a plunger 100a. Counting number of cards.-The pins, in addition to controlling the sorting compartments may also control counters for counting the number of cards sorted into each compartment ; for example, the cables for actuating the sorting flaps may be connected directly to the heads 22..