Patent GB-709541-A (GB)
Title: Record card controlled sorting machine
IPC: G06F7/08
Filed: 1952-04-16
Abstract: 709,541. Statistical apparatus. MAUL, M. April 16, 1952 [April 30, 1951], No. 9568/52. Class 106 (1) An electrical statistical card sortirig machine is characterized in that, in a predetermined analysing position, all index mark positions of a column are analysed simultaneously and the sorting mechanism conditioned by the analysis. The apparatus is further characterized in that the predetermined position is detected by a position checking device which is not responsive to the index marks, and also in that the sorting mechanism is electromagnetically opened under the control of the analysis and an electrical holding circuit is established until the card has arrived at the compartment, the holding circuit being interrupted by the passage of the card itself. Cards are fed from a magazine 16 between feed rollers 18, Fig. 3, past a set of brushes 19, Fig. 5, with six sorting brushes b1 to b6 arranged one behind the other. The selector magnets W1 to W5 are connected to the first five brushes analysing the positions 1 to V, Fig. 18, while for the selection of the sorting run the sixth brush b6 controls the relay H. Depending on the perforation one of the selector magnets is energized and attracts its armature 22 against the tension of spring 23 which normally keeps the armature in its rest position. Studs 26 on bars 27a to 27e engage in the left hand ends of the armatures 22. The bars slide in the guides 28. Each bar engages the corresponding card deflector 29a to 29e, Fig. 12. IF the armature 22 of a magnet is attracted the associated bar 27 will be pressed upward and will consequently engage the deflector 29 as well as those above it. The deflectors below will remain in the rest position. If none of the selector magnets is'energized .the card will pass to the reject pocket 54. Each card pocket is provided with a card support 30 pressed upward by springs 37. Analysis of the sorting column is effected by the set of brushes 19 comprising the brushes b1 to b6, Figs. 5 and 10; the brushes are supplied with current from the contact plate 44 which is fixed to the inflating plate 45 mounted on a stirrup 46 attached to the walls of the machine. The set of brushes 19 may be transferred from one column to another by means of screw threaded shafts 47 and 48 mounted in arms 49, Fig. 8 (not shown) and 51. The threaded shafts are provided with pinions 54, 55 which engage a toothed wheel 56. The ratio of the gears is such that one revolution of the gear 56 displaces the set of brushes one column pitch. An indicator wheel 72 is provided to indicate the particular column to which the brushes are adjusted The position checking brushes are arranged so that the card is between them when the sorting brushes b1 to b6 are analysing the card two sets are provided one for one card deck and the other for a second card deck. The first card to the analysing device will pass the position checking brushes pb11 and pb21 in succession, then the sorting brushes and finally the brushes pb12, pb22 in succession. Re'ay A is energized to open contacts a1 and a1 1 and close contact a111. When the card reaches the analysing position for the upper deck the brush pb21 will slide from the card and will close the circuit through the contact prate. Current flows from negative slide through the contacts m, k, the brush pb21, the contacts u1, a1 11, f11, through the brush b which has passed through an index; hole to the associated magnet W to positive side. The energized magnet closes its holding contact W. The holding circuit is interrupted when the card passes brush pb22 when the magnet W will drop and all sorting magnets are conditioned for the next card. Card speed is reduced during sensing by a magnet controlled by the card itself which acts on a brake disc 121, Fig. 21. The brake block 122 is mounted on the armature 123 so that when the brake magnet B is energized the brake block 122 is applied two the brake disc 121, causing a braking action, and further causing the belt pulley 112 to slide with respect to the disc 115.