Patent GB-1315356-A (GB)
Title: Data recorders
IPC: G06K1/20
Filed: 1970-08-13
Abstract: 1315356 Selective punching apparatus VARIFAB Inc 13 Aug 1970 [1 May 1970] 39157/70 Heading B4B [Also in Division B6] A data recorder comprises a number of punches 106, Fig. 3, controlled by an actuator 88 which is moved by a cam 64 mounted on a control shaft 54, the punches being selected by means of solenoids 120 actuated from a keyboard 32, Fig. 1, and arranged to move selected interposers into engagement with a bail member 100 common to all the punches. The shaft 54 is rotated by means of a pulley 52 thereon connected, via a belt 50, with a pulley 44 continuously driven by an electric motor 40; the pulley 52 is drivingly coupled to the shaft 54 by means of a one-revolution clutch 56 selectively actuable by means of a solenoid 60, 62. A cam disc 64 is secured to the shaft 54 and is formed with a cam groove 82 adapted to engage a follower 84, Fig. 3, carried on a pivotallymounted actuator 88. The actuator mounts a pair of rollers 98 arranged to engage the punch bail 100, Fig. 3, which is provided with a number of apertures 114 through which extend guide pins 112 secured to the punches 106. A respective interposer 130 is slidably mounted on each guide pin and is connected at one end (130b), Fig. 7 (not shown) with a pin 122 adapted to be operated by the armature 124 of a respective solenoid 120, Figs. 2 and 3. In operation, when a selected solenoid is energized, the pin 122 is moved to cause the end (130b) of the interposer to enter its associated aperture 114 so that as the bail 100 is moved downwardly by the actuator 88, the particular punch is also moved downwardly to pierce a card 111, Fig. 3, mounted on a die 131. When the selected solenoid 120 is de-energized the interposer is returned to an inoperative position by a spring 128. The card to be punched is located in a card tray 140-146 which is guided for movement on one side by means of a ball-bearing device (166, 168), Fig. 13 (not shown) and supported at its other side by a post 164. The tray is advanced through the recorder by means of a torsion spring 180, Fig. 2, connected to the tray by means of a band 186; the band is provided with indicia 186a arranged to be seen through a window 36, Fig. 1, in order to indicate the position of the card relative to the punching station; alternatively, the indication can be provided by means of a pointer on the band arranged to co-operate with a card column heading strip mounted in the window, Figs. 18 and 19 (not shown). The tray is returned to its card loading position or any intermediate position by means of a lever 200, Fig. 16 (not shown) actuated by a solenoid 202 when a backspace key is depressed, the lever moving a continuously rotated pulley (206) into contact with a serrated peripheral surface of a pin wheel 208. The pin wheel is connected via a gear chain (212, 214, 218, 190) to a rack (150), Fig. 16 (not shown) formed on the tray. In order to permit the tray to move in intermittent steps each time a particular data key 32, Fig. 1, is depressed, the pin wheel 208 is provided with a series of pins 208a retained in holes in the wheel by a resilient ring (208e), Fig. 27 (not shown). In operation, towards the end of a punching cycle, a hollow 78a, Fig. 20, in a cam 78 mounted on the shaft 54 allows an actuating lever 230 to pivot thereby permitting an escapement mechanism 246, 250, Fig. 21, mounted on the lever to allow the wheel to step round by one pin. If it is required to prevent rotation of the wheel, a hold key is depressed thereby energizing a solenoid 242, Fig. 20, which moves a latch 238 into a position wherein it prevents movement of the lever 230. Any selected pin 208 may be moved into a tabbing position by pressing a "set" key 262, Fig. 1, connected to a shaft 260, Fig. 21, thereby pressing an arm 268 against one end (208c), Fig. 27 (not shown) of the selected pin so as to move the latter into a position in which the end can be engaged by a tab catch lever 296, Fig. 21. The selected pin can be cleared by pressing a " clear " key 278, Fig. 1, thereby actuating a lever (270), Fig. 27 (not shown) arranged to press the selected pin back to its original position. To initiate a tab function, a key is pressed which energizes a solenoid 284, Fig. 20, thereby moving a lever 288 on which is pivotally mounted an actuator 290, the movement causing the actuator 290 to move the tab catch lever 296 into a position in which it will form an abutment for a stop pin. Movement of the lever 296 causes a link 310 to release a pawl 250 of the escapement mechanism so that the wheel is allowed to rotate until a selected pin engages with the catch lever 296. The pin engages a cam surface on the lever 296 thereby moving it so that the pawl re-engages with the pin wheel to prevent further motion of the card tray. In order to prevent the pin wheel, together with card tray, from moving too fast during a tabbing function, a governor 320 is provided. Printing function.-The solenoids 120 for positioning the interposers 130 in the punch bail 100 also actuate interposers 364, Figs. 3 and 33 in a printing section of the data recorder. The interposers 364 are secured to the armatures 124, Fig. 3, of the solenoids by elastic bands 366 and are each formed with projections 364a, Fig. 3, adapted to co-operate with a pivotallymounted stepped cam member 350. The cam is raised and lowered by means of an actuator arm 430 which at one end is connected to the actuator 88, Fig. 36, and, at its other end, is provided with a finger 432 for engagement with a roller 416 rotatably fixed to the cam 350. When a selected data key is actuated, the particular interposer 364 is moved into the path of travel of the cam so that when the latter is lowered by movement of the arm 430, a step on the cam engages the interposer thereby preventing further movement of the cam. During the downward movement of the cam a print wheel 165 is rotated by means of a belt-and-pulley arrangement 412-420, Figs. 35 and 36, in order to bring a type face on the print wheel corresponding to the selected punch, into a printing position over the card 111. During continued downward movement of the arm 430, a roller 446, Fig. 36, thereon causes a printing hammer 440 to engage the print wheel and effect the printing stroke thereof; a clamp device 460, Fig. 36 holds the card flat prior to the printing stroke. Ink is supplied to the print wheel by means of an impregnated inking roller 488, Fig. 36 and a transfer roller 494, the roller 488 being mounted in a case 484 which can be inserted into the recorder via an opening 480, Fig. 1.